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van der Veer BK, Chen L, Tsaniras SC, Brangers W, Chen Q, Schroiff M, Custers C, Kwak HH, Khoueiry R, Cabrera R, Gross SS, Finnell RH, Lei Y, Koh KP. Epigenetic regulation by TET1 in gene-environmental interactions influencing susceptibility to congenital malformations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.21.581196. [PMID: 39026762 PMCID: PMC11257484 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.21.581196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The etiology of neural tube defects (NTDs) involves complex gene-environmental interactions. Folic acid (FA) prevents NTDs, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood and at least 30% of human NTDs resist the beneficial effects of FA supplementation. Here, we identify the DNA demethylase TET1 as a nexus of folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism and genetic risk factors post-neural tube closure. We determine that cranial NTDs in Tet1 -/- embryos occur at two to three times higher penetrance in genetically heterogeneous than in homogeneous genetic backgrounds, suggesting a strong impact of genetic modifiers on phenotypic expression. Quantitative trait locus mapping identified a strong NTD risk locus in the 129S6 strain, which harbors missense and modifier variants at genes implicated in intracellular endocytic trafficking and developmental signaling. NTDs across Tet1 -/- strains are resistant to FA supplementation. However, both excess and depleted maternal FA diets modify the impact of Tet1 loss on offspring DNA methylation primarily at neurodevelopmental loci. FA deficiency reveals susceptibility to NTD and other structural brain defects due to haploinsufficiency of Tet1. In contrast, excess FA in Tet1 -/- embryos drives promoter DNA hypermethylation and reduced expression of multiple membrane solute transporters, including a FA transporter, accompanied by loss of phospholipid metabolites. Overall, our study unravels interactions between modified maternal FA status, Tet1 gene dosage and genetic backgrounds that impact neurotransmitter functions, cellular methylation and individual susceptibilities to congenital malformations, further implicating that epigenetic dysregulation may underlie NTDs resistant to FA supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard K. van der Veer
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Developmental Epigenetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Lehua Chen
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Developmental Epigenetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Spyridon Champeris Tsaniras
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Developmental Epigenetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Wannes Brangers
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Developmental Epigenetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Qiuying Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mariana Schroiff
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Developmental Epigenetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Colin Custers
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Developmental Epigenetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Harm H.M. Kwak
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Developmental Epigenetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Rita Khoueiry
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Developmental Epigenetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Robert Cabrera
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Steven S. Gross
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Richard H. Finnell
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yunping Lei
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kian Peng Koh
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Developmental Epigenetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Zhang J, Yang L, Sun Y, Zhang L, Wang Y, Liu M, Li X, Liang Y, Zhao H, Liu Z, Qiu Z, Zhang T, Xie J. Up-regulation of miR-10a-5p expression inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells by targeting Chl1. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024. [PMID: 38841745 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are characterized by the failure of neural tube closure during embryogenesis and are considered the most common and severe central nervous system anomalies during early development. Recent microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling studies have revealed that the dysregulation of several miRNAs plays an important role in retinoic acid (RA)-induced NTDs. However, the molecular functions of these miRNAs in NTDs remain largely unidentified. Here, we show that miR-10a-5p is significantly upregulated in RA-induced NTDs and results in reduced cell growth due to cell cycle arrest and dysregulation of cell differentiation. Moreover, the cell adhesion molecule L1-like ( Chl1) is identified as a direct target of miR-10a-5p in neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro, and its expression is reduced in RA-induced NTDs. siRNA-mediated knockdown of intracellular Chl1 affects cell proliferation and differentiation similar to those of miR-10a-5p overexpression, which further leads to the inhibition of the expressions of downstream ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway proteins. These cellular responses are abrogated by either increased expression of the direct target of miR-10a-5p ( Chl1) or an ERK agonist such as honokiol. Overall, our study demonstrates that miR-10a-5p plays a major role in the process of NSC growth and differentiation by directly targeting Chl1, which in turn induces the downregulation of the ERK1/2 cascade, suggesting that miR-10a-5p and Chl1 are critical for NTD formation in the development of embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, MOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Lihong Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, MOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Yuqing Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, MOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, MOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Yufei Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, MOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Xiujuan Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, MOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Yuxiang Liang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, MOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, MOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Zhizhen Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, MOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Zhiyong Qiu
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, MOE Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
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Engelhardt D, Marean A, McKean D, Petersen J, Niswander L. RSG1 is required for cilia-dependent neural tube closure. Genesis 2024; 62:e23602. [PMID: 38721990 PMCID: PMC11141724 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23602] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Cilia play a key role in the regulation of signaling pathways required for embryonic development, including the proper formation of the neural tube, the precursor to the brain and spinal cord. Forward genetic screens were used to generate mouse lines that display neural tube defects (NTD) and secondary phenotypes useful in interrogating function. We describe here the L3P mutant line that displays phenotypes of disrupted Sonic hedgehog signaling and affects the initiation of cilia formation. A point mutation was mapped in the L3P line to the gene Rsg1, which encodes a GTPase-like protein. The mutation lies within the GTP-binding pocket and disrupts the highly conserved G1 domain. The mutant protein and other centrosomal and IFT proteins still localize appropriately to the basal body of cilia, suggesting that RSG1 GTPase activity is not required for basal body maturation but is needed for a downstream step in axonemal elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Engelhardt
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Development Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Amber Marean
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - David McKean
- Cells, Stem Cells and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Juliette Petersen
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Lee Niswander
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Development Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
- Cells, Stem Cells and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
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Tiani KA, Stover PJ. DTYMK is an essential gene in mice and heterozygosity does not cause neural tube defects. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 755:109991. [PMID: 38621447 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.109991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Regulation of nucleotide biosynthesis is necessary for maintaining cellular processes including DNA replication and repair. A key enzyme in this process is deoxythymidylate kinase (dTYMK), which catalyzes the initial step in the production of dTTP from dTMP. This gene constitutes the first merged step of dTTP synthesis from the de novo and salvage pathways which regulate dTMP biosynthesis. Decreased de novo dTMP biosynthesis causes dysregulated dTTP:dUTP pools, and leads to increased uracil in DNA and neural tube closure defect (NTD) development in mice. The goal of this research was to investigate if dTYMK, the downstream enzyme in dTTP production, is an essential gene in mice and if impairments in dTYMK play a causal role in development including NTD pathology in mice. Dtymk+/- C57BL/6J females were weaned onto either a control, excess folic acid, or folic acid deficient diet and timed breeding was performed after 8 weeks on diet. The offspring were analyzed for NTDs and other reproductive outcomes at embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5). Dtymk-/- mice were confirmed to be embryonic lethal before E12.5, and Dtymk+/- mice on all three experimental diets did not show the presence of open neural tube defects, spina bifida or exencephaly. However, the expression of dTYMK in Dtymk+/- mouse embryos was confirmed to be decreased by approximately 3-fold compared to Dtymk+/+ embryos. Although dTYMK was demonstrated to be an essential gene in mice and is required for the regulation of nucleotide pools in vitro, there was no evidence of increased risk of NTDs because of a reduction in expression of this enzyme during embryonic development. It is possible that a further reduction in expression may be required to see developmental anomalies in C57BL/6J mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra A Tiani
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Patrick J Stover
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2142, USA.
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Cao R, Su Y, Li J, Ao R, Xu X, Liang Y, Liu Z, Yu Q, Xie J. Exploring research hotspots and future directions in neural tube defects field by bibliometric and bioinformatics analysis. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1293400. [PMID: 38650623 PMCID: PMC11033379 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1293400] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neural tube defects (NTDs) is the most common birth defect of the central nervous system (CNS) which causes the death of almost 88,000 people every year around the world. Much efforts have been made to investigate the reasons that contribute to NTD and explore new ways to for prevention. We trawl the past decade (2013-2022) published records in order to get a worldwide view about NTDs research field. Methods 7,437 records about NTDs were retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS) database. Tools such as shell scripts, VOSviewer, SCImago Graphica, CiteSpace and PubTator were used for data analysis and visualization. Results Over the past decade, the number of publications has maintained an upward trend, except for 2022. The United States is the country with the highest number of publications and also with the closest collaboration with other countries. Baylor College of Medicine has the closest collaboration with other institutions worldwide and also was the most prolific institution. In the field of NTDs, research focuses on molecular mechanisms such as genes and signaling pathways related to folate metabolism, neurogenic diseases caused by neural tube closure disorders such as myelomeningocele and spina bifida, and prevention and treatment such as folate supplementation and surgical procedures. Most NTDs related genes are related to development, cell projection parts, and molecular binding. These genes are mainly concentrated in cancer, Wnt, MAPK, PI3K-Akt and other signaling pathways. The distribution of NTDs related SNPs on chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 11, 14, and 17 are relatively concentrated, which may be associated with high-risk of NTDs. Conclusion Bibliometric analysis of the literature on NTDs field provided the current status, hotspots and future directions to some extant. Further bioinformatics analysis expanded our understanding of NTDs-related genes function and revealed some important SNP clusters and loci. This study provided some guidance for further studies. More extensive cooperation and further research are needed to overcome the ongoing challenge in pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Cao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Translational Medicine Research Centre, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yanbing Su
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jianting Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ruifang Ao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiangchao Xu
- Sci-Tech Information and Strategic Research Center of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yuxiang Liang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhizhen Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Qi Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Liu W, Xiu L, Zhou M, Li T, Jiang N, Wan Y, Qiu C, Li J, Hu W, Zhang W, Wu J. The Critical Role of the Shroom Family Proteins in Morphogenesis, Organogenesis and Disease. PHENOMICS (CHAM, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 4:187-202. [PMID: 38884059 PMCID: PMC11169129 DOI: 10.1007/s43657-023-00119-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The Shroom (Shrm) family of actin-binding proteins has a unique and highly conserved Apx/Shrm Domain 2 (ASD2) motif. Shroom protein directs the subcellular localization of Rho-associated kinase (ROCK), which remodels the actomyosin cytoskeleton and changes cellular morphology via its ability to phosphorylate and activate non-muscle myosin II. Therefore, the Shrm-ROCK complex is critical for the cellular shape and the development of many tissues, including the neural tube, eye, intestines, heart, and vasculature system. Importantly, the structure and expression of Shrm proteins are also associated with neural tube defects, chronic kidney disease, metastasis of carcinoma, and X-link mental retardation. Therefore, a better understanding of Shrm-mediated signaling transduction pathways is essential for the development of new therapeutic strategies to minimize damage resulting in abnormal Shrm proteins. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the various Shrm proteins and their roles in morphogenesis and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanling Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Lei Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Mingzhe Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Ning Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Yanmin Wan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Chao Qiu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Monglia University, Hohhot, 010030 China
| | - Wenhong Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
- Shanghai Huashen Institute of Microbes and Infections, Shanghai, 200052 China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
- Shanghai Huashen Institute of Microbes and Infections, Shanghai, 200052 China
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Wang W, Ji Y, Dong Z, Liu Z, Chen S, Dai L, Su X, Jiang Q, Deng H. Characterizing neuroinflammation and identifying prenatal diagnostic markers for neural tube defects through integrated multi-omics analysis. J Transl Med 2024; 22:257. [PMID: 38461288 PMCID: PMC10924416 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05051-8] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) are congenital malformations of the central nervous system resulting from the incomplete closure of the neural tube during early embryonic development. Neuroinflammation refers to the inflammatory response in the nervous system, typically resulting from damage to neural tissue. Immune-related processes have been identified in NTDs, however, the detailed relationship and underlying mechanisms between neuroinflammation and NTDs remain largely unclear. In this study, we utilized integrated multi-omics analysis to explore the role of neuroinflammation in NTDs and identify potential prenatal diagnostic markers using a murine model. METHODS Nine public datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and ArrayExpress were mined using integrated multi-omics analysis to characterize the molecular landscape associated with neuroinflammation in NTDs. Special attention was given to the involvement of macrophages in neuroinflammation within amniotic fluid, as well as the dynamics of macrophage polarization and their interactions with neural cells at single-cell resolution. We also used qPCR assay to validate the key TFs and candidate prenatal diagnostic genes identified through the integrated analysis in a retinoic acid-induced NTDs mouse model. RESULTS Our analysis indicated that neuroinflammation is a critical pathological feature of NTDs, regulated both transcriptionally and epigenetically within central nervous system tissues. Key alterations in gene expression and pathways highlighted the crucial role of STATs molecules in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in regulating NTDs-associated neuroinflammation. Furthermore, single-cell resolution analysis revealed significant polarization of macrophages and their interaction with neural cells in amniotic fluid, underscoring their central role in mediating neuroinflammation associated with NTDs. Finally, we identified a set of six potential prenatal diagnostic genes, including FABP7, CRMP1, SCG3, SLC16A10, RNASE6 and RNASE1, which were subsequently validated in a murine NTDs model, indicating their promise as prospective markers for prenatal diagnosis of NTDs. CONCLUSIONS Our study emphasizes the pivotal role of neuroinflammation in the progression of NTDs and underlines the potential of specific inflammatory and neural markers as novel prenatal diagnostic tools. These findings provide important clues for further understanding the underlying mechanisms between neuroinflammation and NTDs, and offer valuable insights for the future development of prenatal diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshuang Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanhong Ji
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhexu Dong
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zheran Liu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Dai
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaolan Su
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qingyuan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics, Sichuan Provincial Hospital for Women and Children, Chengdu, China.
| | - Hongxin Deng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Legere EA, Baumholtz AI, Lachance JFB, Archer M, Piontek J, Ryan AK. Claudin-3 in the non-neural ectoderm is essential for neural fold fusion in chicken embryos. Dev Biol 2024; 507:20-33. [PMID: 38154769 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The neural tube, the embryonic precursor to the brain and spinal cord, begins as a flat sheet of epithelial cells, divided into non-neural and neural ectoderm. Proper neural tube closure requires that the edges of the neural ectoderm, the neural folds, to elevate upwards and fuse along the dorsal midline of the embryo. We have previously shown that members of the claudin protein family are required for the early phases of chick neural tube closure. Claudins are transmembrane proteins, localized in apical tight junctions within epithelial cells where they are essential for regulation of paracellular permeability, strongly involved in apical-basal polarity, cell-cell adhesion, and bridging the tight junction to cytoplasmic proteins. Here we explored the role of Claudin-3 (Cldn3), which is specifically expressed in the non-neural ectoderm. We discovered that depletion of Cldn3 causes folic acid-insensitive primarily spinal neural tube defects due to a failure in neural fold fusion. Apical cell surface morphology of Cldn3-depleted non-neural ectodermal cells exhibited increased membrane blebbing and smaller apical surfaces. Although apical-basal polarity was retained, we observed altered Par3 and Pals1 protein localization patterns within the apical domain of the non-neural ectodermal cells in Cldn3-depleted embryos. Furthermore, F-actin signal was reduced at apical junctions. Our data presents a model of spina bifida, and the role that Cldn3 is playing in regulating essential apical cell processes in the non-neural ectoderm required for neural fold fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth-Ann Legere
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Canada; The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Amanda I Baumholtz
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Canada; The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | | | | | - Jörg Piontek
- Clinical Physiology/Nutritional Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Aimee K Ryan
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Canada; The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Koch VH, Lopes M, Furusawa E, Vaz K, Barroso U. Multidisciplinary management of people with spina bifida across the lifespan. Pediatr Nephrol 2024; 39:681-697. [PMID: 37501019 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-023-06067-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The average worldwide prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) is 1.0 per 1000 births. Its development is multifactorial due to genetic and non-genetic factors. Spina bifida (SB) is one of main representatives of NTD. The spinal cord lesion level is the main determinant of the level of paralysis, numbness, and difficulties with bladder/bowel functions. Myelomeningocele prenatal repair reduces hydrocephalus and hindbrain herniation and improves motor function. The severity of hydrocephalus is associated with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes whether operated on prenatally or after birth. People with SB tend to have a lower IQ and cognitive difficulties. Early diagnosis, proactivity, and lifelong multidisciplinary follow-up are key protective issues. Invasive urological interventions should be considered in selected patients after failure of conservative treatment. Transition to adult care should be well planned as it is challenging. Health literacy is directly associated with success at transition. Sexuality and fertility should be addressed before/during puberty. Overall, the rates of fecal and urinary continence and skin breakdown increase with age, whereas the ability to ambulate declines with age. Bowel and urinary incontinence are independent predictors of lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with SB. Bowel incontinence has negative impact on HRQoL regardless of frequency or amount. Long-term caregiver support should be offered at diagnosis. Survival at a mean of 50 years is poor, at 32%, due to central nervous system deaths, cancer, urological disease, and sepsis. Challenges to implementation of recommended practices exist, especially in low and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera H Koch
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of São Paulo Medical School, Children's Hospital, Hospital das Clinicas, Sau Paulo, Brazil.
| | - MarcosTomasin Lopes
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of São Paulo Medical School, Children's Hospital, Hospital das Clinicas, Sau Paulo, Brazil
| | - Erika Furusawa
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of São Paulo Medical School, Children's Hospital, Hospital das Clinicas, Sau Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katharinne Vaz
- Division of Urology, Federal University of Bahia - UFBA, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Ubirajara Barroso
- Division of Urology - Federal University of Bahia, Bahiana School of Medicine, Salvador, BA, Brazil
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10
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Oxman E, Li H, Wang HY, Zohn IE. Identification and functional analysis of rare HECTD1 missense variants in human neural tube defects. Hum Genet 2024; 143:263-277. [PMID: 38451291 PMCID: PMC11043113 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-024-02647-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe malformations of the central nervous system that arise from failure of neural tube closure. HECTD1 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase required for cranial neural tube closure in mouse models. NTDs in the Hectd1 mutant mouse model are due to the failure of cranial mesenchyme morphogenesis during neural fold elevation. Our earlier research has linked increased extracellular heat shock protein 90 (eHSP90) secretion to aberrant cranial mesenchyme morphogenesis in the Hectd1 model. Furthermore, overexpression of HECTD1 suppresses stress-induced eHSP90 secretion in cell lines. In this study, we report the identification of five rare HECTD1 missense sequence variants in NTD cases. The variants were found through targeted next-generation sequencing in a Chinese cohort of 352 NTD cases and 224 ethnically matched controls. We present data showing that HECTD1 is a highly conserved gene, extremely intolerant to loss-of-function mutations and missense changes. To evaluate the functional consequences of NTD-associated missense variants, functional assays in HEK293T cells were performed to examine protein expression and the ability of HECTD1 sequence variants to suppress eHSP90 secretion. One NTD-associated variant (A1084T) had significantly reduced expression in HEK293T cells. All five NTD-associated variants (p.M392V, p.T801I, p.I906V, p.A1084T, and p.P1835L) reduced regulation of eHSP90 secretion by HECTD1, while a putative benign variant (p.P2474L) did not. These findings are the first association of HECTD1 sequence variation with NTDs in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Oxman
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Research and Innovation Campus, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, 20012, USA
| | - Huili Li
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Hong-Yan Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, State Key Laboratory of Genetic, Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Irene E Zohn
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Research and Innovation Campus, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, 20012, USA.
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11
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Bai B, Wan C, Xiao Z, Li D, Liu L, Zhang K, Zhang T, Zhang Q. High Homocysteine-Thiolactone Leads to Reduced MENIN Protein Expression and an Impaired DNA Damage Response: Implications for Neural Tube Defects. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04033-7. [PMID: 38386135 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04033-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
DNA damage is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and neural tube defects (NTDs). Additionally, HHcy is a risk factor for NTDs. Therefore, this study examined whether DNA damage is involved in HHcy-induced NTDs and investigated the underlying pathological mechanisms involved. Embryonic day 9 (E9) mouse neuroectoderm cells (NE4C) and homocysteine-thiolactone (HTL, active metabolite of Hcy)-induced NTD chicken embryos were studied by Western blotting, immunofluorescence. RNA interference or gene overexpression techniques were employed to investigate the impact of Menin expression changes on the DNA damage. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate the epigenetic regulation of histone modifications. An increase in γH2AX (a DNA damage indicator) was detected in HTL-induced NTD chicken embryos and HTL-treated NE4C, accompanied by dysregulation of phospho-Atr-Chk1-nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. Further investigation, based on previous research, revealed that disruption of NER was subject to the epigenetic regulation of low-expressed Menin-H3K4me3. Overexpression of Menin or supplementation with folic acid in HTL-treated NE4C reversed the adverse effects caused by high HTL. Additionally, by overexpressing the Mars gene, we tentatively propose a mechanism whereby HTL regulates Menin expression through H3K79hcy, which subsequently influences H3K4me3 modifications, reflecting an interaction between histone modifications. Finally, in 10 human fetal NTDs with HHcy, we detected a decrease in the expression of Menin-H3K4me3 and disorder in the NER pathway, which to some extent validated our proposed mechanism. The present study demonstrated that the decreased expression of Menin in high HTL downregulated H3K4me3 modifications, further weakening the Atr-Chk1-NER pathway, resulting in the occurrence of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoling Bai
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Yabao Road 2, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Chunlei Wan
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, 101101, China
| | - Zonghui Xiao
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Yabao Road 2, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, 101101, China
| | - Lingyun Liu
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Yabao Road 2, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Kexin Zhang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Yabao Road 2, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Yabao Road 2, Beijing, 100020, China.
| | - Qin Zhang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Yabao Road 2, Beijing, 100020, China.
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12
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Derrick CJ, Szenker-Ravi E, Santos-Ledo A, Alqahtani A, Yusof A, Eley L, Coleman AHL, Tohari S, Ng AYJ, Venkatesh B, Alharby E, Mansard L, Bonnet-Dupeyron MN, Roux AF, Vaché C, Roume J, Bouvagnet P, Almontashiri NAM, Henderson DJ, Reversade B, Chaudhry B. Functional analysis of germline VANGL2 variants using rescue assays of vangl2 knockout zebrafish. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:150-169. [PMID: 37815931 PMCID: PMC10772043 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad171] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental studies have shown that the evolutionarily conserved Wnt Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) pathway is essential for the development of a diverse range of tissues and organs including the brain, spinal cord, heart and sensory organs, as well as establishment of the left-right body axis. Germline mutations in the highly conserved PCP gene VANGL2 in humans have only been associated with central nervous system malformations, and functional testing to understand variant impact has not been performed. Here we report three new families with missense variants in VANGL2 associated with heterotaxy and congenital heart disease p.(Arg169His), non-syndromic hearing loss p.(Glu465Ala) and congenital heart disease with brain defects p.(Arg135Trp). To test the in vivo impact of these and previously described variants, we have established clinically-relevant assays using mRNA rescue of the vangl2 mutant zebrafish. We show that all variants disrupt Vangl2 function, although to different extents and depending on the developmental process. We also begin to identify that different VANGL2 missense variants may be haploinsufficient and discuss evidence in support of pathogenicity. Together, this study demonstrates that zebrafish present a suitable pipeline to investigate variants of unknown significance and suggests new avenues for investigation of the different developmental contexts of VANGL2 function that are clinically meaningful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Derrick
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | | | - Adrian Santos-Ledo
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Ahlam Alqahtani
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Amirah Yusof
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), A*STAR, 60 Biopolis St, 138672, Singapore
| | - Lorraine Eley
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Alistair H L Coleman
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Sumanty Tohari
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Dr, Proteos, 138673, Singapore
| | - Alvin Yu-Jin Ng
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Dr, Proteos, 138673, Singapore
- MGI Tech Singapore Pte Ltd, 21 Biopolis Rd, 138567, Singapore
| | - Byrappa Venkatesh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Dr, Proteos, 138673, Singapore
| | - Essa Alharby
- Center for Genetics and Inherited Diseases, Taibah University, 7534 Abdul Muhsin Ibn Abdul Aziz, Al Ihn, Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah 42318, Saudi Arabia
- Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Janadah Bin Umayyah Road, Tayba, Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah 42353, Saudi Arabia
| | - Luke Mansard
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, 163 Rue Auguste Broussonnet, 34090 Montpellier, France
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University of Montpellier, Inserm, 80 Av. Augustin Fliche, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | | | - Anne-Francoise Roux
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, 163 Rue Auguste Broussonnet, 34090 Montpellier, France
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University of Montpellier, Inserm, 80 Av. Augustin Fliche, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Christel Vaché
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, 163 Rue Auguste Broussonnet, 34090 Montpellier, France
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University of Montpellier, Inserm, 80 Av. Augustin Fliche, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Joëlle Roume
- Département de Génétique, CHI Poissy, St Germain-en-Laye, 10 Rue du Champ Gaillard, 78300 Poissy, France
| | - Patrice Bouvagnet
- CPDPN, Hôpital MFME, CHU de Martinique, Fort de France, Fort-de-France 97261, Martinique, France
| | - Naif A M Almontashiri
- Center for Genetics and Inherited Diseases, Taibah University, 7534 Abdul Muhsin Ibn Abdul Aziz, Al Ihn, Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah 42318, Saudi Arabia
- Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Janadah Bin Umayyah Road, Tayba, Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah 42353, Saudi Arabia
| | - Deborah J Henderson
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Reversade
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), A*STAR, 60 Biopolis St, 138672, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Dr, Proteos, 138673, Singapore
- Smart-Health Initiative, BESE, KAUST, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Medical Genetics Department, Koç Hospital Davutpaşa Caddesi 34010 Topkapı Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bill Chaudhry
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
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13
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Oxman E, Li H, Wang HY, Zohn I. Identification and Functional Analysis of Rare HECTD1 Missense Variants in Human Neural Tube Defects. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3794712. [PMID: 38260607 PMCID: PMC10802691 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3794712/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe malformations of the central nervous system that arise from failure of neural tube closure. HECTD1 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase required for cranial neural tube closure in mouse models. NTDs in the Hectd1 mutant mouse model are due to the failure of cranial mesenchyme morphogenesis during neural fold elevation. Our earlier research has linked increased secretion of extracellular heat shock protein 90 (eHSP90) to aberrant cranial mesenchyme morphogenesis in the Hectd1 model. Furthermore, overexpression of HECTD1 suppresses stress-induced eHSP90 secretion in cell lines. In this study, we report the identification of five rare HECTD1 missense sequence variants in NTD cases. The variants were found through targeted next-generation sequencing in a Chinese cohort of 352 NTD cases and 224 ethnically matched controls. We present data showing that HECTD1 is a highly conserved gene, extremely intolerant to loss-of-function mutations and missense changes. To evaluate the functional consequences of NTD-associated missense variants, functional assays in HEK293T cells were performed to examine protein expression and the ability of HECTD1 sequence variants to suppress eHSP90 secretion. One NTD-associated variant (A1084T) had significantly reduced expression in HEK293T cells. All five NTD-associated variants (p.M392V, p.T801I, p.I906V, p.A1084T, and p.P1835L) reduced regulation of eHSP90 secretion by HECTD1, while a putative benign variant (p.P2474L) did not. These findings are the first association of HECTD1 sequence variation with human disease and suggest that sequence variation in HECTD1 may play a role in the etiology of human NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huili Li
- University of Colorado at Boulder
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14
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Edri T, Cohen D, Shabtai Y, Fainsod A. Alcohol induces neural tube defects by reducing retinoic acid signaling and promoting neural plate expansion. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1282273. [PMID: 38116205 PMCID: PMC10728305 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1282273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most debilitating and common developmental defects in humans. The induction of NTDs has been attributed to abnormal folic acid (vitamin B9) metabolism, Wnt and BMP signaling, excess retinoic acid (RA), dietary components, environmental factors, and many others. In the present study we show that reduced RA signaling, including alcohol exposure, induces NTDs. Methods: Xenopus embryos were exposed to pharmacological RA biosynthesis inhibitors to study the induction of NTDs. Embryos were treated with DEAB, citral, or ethanol, all of which inhibit the biosynthesis of RA, or injected to overexpress Cyp26a1 to reduce RA. NTD induction was studied using neural plate and notochord markers together with morphological analysis. Expression of the neuroectodermal regulatory network and cell proliferation were analyzed to understand the morphological malformations of the neural plate. Results: Reducing RA signaling levels using retinaldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors (ethanol, DEAB, and citral) or Cyp26a1-driven degradation efficiently induce NTDs. These NTDs can be rescued by providing precursors of RA. We mapped this RA requirement to early gastrula stages during the induction of neural plate precursors. This reduced RA signaling results in abnormal expression of neural network genes, including the neural plate stem cell maintenance genes, geminin, and foxd4l1.1. This abnormal expression of neural network genes results in increased proliferation of neural precursors giving rise to an expanded neural plate. Conclusion: We show that RA signaling is required for neural tube closure during embryogenesis. RA signaling plays a very early role in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of the neural plate soon after the induction of neural progenitors during gastrulation. RA signaling disruption leads to the induction of NTDs through the mis regulation of the early neuroectodermal network, leading to increased proliferation resulting in the expansion of the neural plate. Ethanol exposure induces NTDs through this mechanism involving reduced RA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Abraham Fainsod
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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15
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Lee JH, Shaker MR, Park SH, Sun W. Transcriptional Signature of Valproic Acid-Induced Neural Tube Defects in Human Spinal Cord Organoids. Int J Stem Cells 2023; 16:385-393. [PMID: 37643760 PMCID: PMC10686804 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc23012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, the entire central nervous system is derived from the neural tube, which is formed through a conserved early developmental morphogenetic process called neurulation. Although the perturbations in neurulation caused by genetic or environmental factors lead to neural tube defects (NTDs), the most common congenital malformation and the precise molecular pathological cascades mediating NTDs are not well understood. Recently, we have developed human spinal cord organoids (hSCOs) that recapitulate some aspects of human neurulation and observed that valproic acid (VPA) could cause neurulation defects in an organoid model. In this study, we identified and verified the significant changes in cell-cell junctional genes/proteins in VPA-treated organoids using transcriptomic and immunostaining analysis. Furthermore, VPA-treated mouse embryos exhibited impaired gene expression and NTD phenotypes, similar to those observed in the hSCO model. Collectively, our data demonstrate that hSCOs provide a valuable biological resource for dissecting the molecular pathways underlying the currently unknown human neurulation process using destructive biological analysis tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hyun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mohammed R. Shaker
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Si-Hyung Park
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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16
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Ye Y, Zhang J, Feng X, Chen C, Chang Y, Qiu G, Wu Z, Zhang TJ, Gao B, Wu N. Exploring the association between congenital vertebral malformations and neural tube defects. J Med Genet 2023; 60:1146-1152. [PMID: 37775263 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Congenital vertebral malformations (CVMs) and neural tube defects (NTDs) are common birth defects affecting the spine and nervous system, respectively, due to defects in somitogenesis and neurulation. Somitogenesis and neurulation rely on factors secreted from neighbouring tissues and the integrity of the axial structure. Crucial signalling pathways like Wnt, Notch and planar cell polarity regulate somitogenesis and neurulation with significant crosstalk. While previous studies suggest an association between CVMs and NTDs, the exact mechanism underlying this relationship remains unclear. In this review, we explore embryonic development, signalling pathways and clinical phenotypes involved in the association between CVMs and NTDs. Moreover, we provide a summary of syndromes that exhibit occurrences of both CVMs and NTDs. We aim to provide insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the association between CVMs and NTDs, thereby facilitating clinical diagnosis and management of these anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyu Ye
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianan Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xin Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chong Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunbing Chang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guixing Qiu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Big Data for Spinal Deformities, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihong Wu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Big Data for Spinal Deformities, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing, China
| | - Terry Jianguo Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Big Data for Spinal Deformities, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Gao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nan Wu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Big Data for Spinal Deformities, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing, China
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17
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Takla TN, Luo J, Sudyk R, Huang J, Walker JC, Vora NL, Sexton JZ, Parent JM, Tidball AM. A Shared Pathogenic Mechanism for Valproic Acid and SHROOM3 Knockout in a Brain Organoid Model of Neural Tube Defects. Cells 2023; 12:1697. [PMID: 37443734 PMCID: PMC10340169 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131697] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs), including anencephaly and spina bifida, are common major malformations of fetal development resulting from incomplete closure of the neural tube. These conditions lead to either universal death (anencephaly) or severe lifelong complications (spina bifida). Despite hundreds of genetic mouse models of neural tube defect phenotypes, the genetics of human NTDs are poorly understood. Furthermore, pharmaceuticals, such as antiseizure medications, have been found clinically to increase the risk of NTDs when administered during pregnancy. Therefore, a model that recapitulates human neurodevelopment would be of immense benefit to understand the genetics underlying NTDs and identify teratogenic mechanisms. Using our self-organizing single rosette cortical organoid (SOSR-COs) system, we have developed a high-throughput image analysis pipeline for evaluating the SOSR-CO structure for NTD-like phenotypes. Similar to small molecule inhibition of apical constriction, the antiseizure medication valproic acid (VPA), a known cause of NTDs, increases the apical lumen size and apical cell surface area in a dose-responsive manner. GSK3β and HDAC inhibitors caused similar lumen expansion; however, RNA sequencing suggests VPA does not inhibit GSK3β at these concentrations. The knockout of SHROOM3, a well-known NTD-related gene, also caused expansion of the lumen, as well as reduced f-actin polarization. The increased lumen sizes were caused by reduced cell apical constriction, suggesting that impingement of this process is a shared mechanism for VPA treatment and SHROOM3-KO, two well-known causes of NTDs. Our system allows the rapid identification of NTD-like phenotypes for both compounds and genetic variants and should prove useful for understanding specific NTD mechanisms and predicting drug teratogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor N. Takla
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
| | - Jinghui Luo
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
| | - Roksolana Sudyk
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
| | - Joy Huang
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
| | - John Clayton Walker
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
| | - Neeta L. Vora
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jonathan Z. Sexton
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Center for Drug Repurposing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jack M. Parent
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Andrew M. Tidball
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA (R.S.)
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18
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Bai B, Jiang Q, Liu L, Liu C, Zhang Q. Double whammy: the genetic variants in CECR2 and high Hcy on the development of neural tube defects. Front Genet 2023; 14:1189847. [PMID: 37424722 PMCID: PMC10324518 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1189847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious congenital malformations. The etiology of NTDs involves both genetic and environmental factors. Loss of CECR2 in mice has been shown to result in NTDs. Our previous study indicated that high homocysteine (HHcy) levels could further reduced the expression level of CECR2. This investigation aims to explore the genetic influence of the chromatin remodeling gene, CECR2, in humans and determine if HHcy can have a synergistic effect on protein expression. Methods: We conducted Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the CECR2 gene in 373 NTD cases and 222 healthy controls, followed by functional assay application to select and evaluate CECR2 missense variants and subsequent Western blotting to identify protein expression levels. Results: From the analysis, we identified nine rare, NTD-specific mutations within the CECR2 gene. Significantly, four missense variants (p.E327V, p.T521S, p.G701R, and p.G868R) were selected via functional screening. The E9.5 mouse ectodermal stem cell line NE-4C, transfected with plasmids expressing p.E327V, p.T521S, p.G868R variants or a recombinant harboring all four (named as 4Mut), exhibited notable reductions in CECR2 protein expression. Furthermore, exposure to homocysteine thiolactone (HTL), an extremely reactive homocysteine metabolite, amplified the reduction in CECR2 expression, accompanied by a significant increase in the apoptotic molecule Caspase3 activity, a potential NTD inducer. Importantly, folic acid (FA) supplementation effectively counteracted the CECR2 expression decline induced by CECR2 mutation and HTL treatment, leading to reduced apoptosis. Discussion: Our observations underscore a synergistic relationship between HHcy and genetic variations in CECR2 concerning NTDs, thereby reinforcing the concept of gene-environment interaction phenomena in NTD etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoling Bai
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Jiang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Lingyun Liu
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Changyun Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
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19
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Rai S, Leydier L, Sharma S, Katwala J, Sahu A. A quest for genetic causes underlying signaling pathways associated with neural tube defects. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1126209. [PMID: 37284286 PMCID: PMC10241075 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1126209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious congenital deformities of the nervous system that occur owing to the failure of normal neural tube closures. Genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to the etiology of neural tube defects in humans, indicating the role of gene-gene and gene-environment interaction in the occurrence and recurrence risk of neural tube defects. Several lines of genetic studies on humans and animals demonstrated the role of aberrant genes in the developmental risk of neural tube defects and also provided an understanding of the cellular and morphological programs that occur during embryonic development. Other studies observed the effects of folate and supplementation of folic acid on neural tube defects. Hence, here we review what is known to date regarding altered genes associated with specific signaling pathways resulting in NTDs, as well as highlight the role of various genetic, and non-genetic factors and their interactions that contribute to NTDs. Additionally, we also shine a light on the role of folate and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) in neural tube defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Rai
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of the Americas, Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Larissa Leydier
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of the Americas, Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Shivani Sharma
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of the Americas, Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Jigar Katwala
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of the Americas, Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Anurag Sahu
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
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20
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Takla TN, Luo J, Sudyk R, Huang J, Walker JC, Vora NL, Sexton JZ, Parent JM, Tidball AM. A Shared Pathogenic Mechanism for Valproic Acid and SHROOM3 Knockout in a Brain Organoid Model of Neural Tube Defects. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.11.536245. [PMID: 37090564 PMCID: PMC10120643 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.11.536245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) including anencephaly and spina bifida are common major malformations of fetal development resulting from incomplete closure of the neural tube. These conditions lead to either universal death (anencephaly) or life-long severe complications (spina bifida). Despite hundreds of genetic mouse models having neural tube defect phenotypes, the genetics of human NTDs are poorly understood. Furthermore, pharmaceuticals such as antiseizure medications have been found clinically to increase the risk of NTDs when administered during pregnancy. Therefore, a model that recapitulates human neurodevelopment would be of immense benefit to understand the genetics underlying NTDs and identify teratogenic mechanisms. Using our self-organizing single rosette spheroid (SOSRS) brain organoid system, we have developed a high-throughput image analysis pipeline for evaluating SOSRS structure for NTD-like phenotypes. Similar to small molecule inhibition of apical constriction, the antiseizure medication valproic acid (VPA), a known cause of NTDs, increases the apical lumen size and apical cell surface area in a dose-responsive manner. This expansion was mimicked by GSK3β and HDAC inhibitors; however, RNA sequencing suggests VPA does not inhibit GSK3β at these concentrations. Knockout of SHROOM3, a well-known NTD-related gene, also caused expansion of the lumen as well as reduced f-actin polarization. The increased lumen sizes were caused by reduced cell apical constriction suggesting that impingement of this process is a shared mechanism for VPA treatment and SHROOM3-KO, two well-known causes of NTDs. Our system allows the rapid identification of NTD-like phenotypes for both compounds and genetic variants and should prove useful for understanding specific NTD mechanisms and predicting drug teratogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor N. Takla
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Jinghui Luo
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Roksolana Sudyk
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Joy Huang
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - J. Clayton Walker
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Neeta L. Vora
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Jonathan Z. Sexton
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, MI
- Center for Drug Repurposing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Jack M. Parent
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Andrew M. Tidball
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
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21
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Jin S, Campbell EJ, Ip CK, Layfield S, Bathgate RAD, Herzog H, Lawrence AJ. Molecular Profiling of VGluT1 AND VGluT2 Ventral Subiculum to Nucleus Accumbens Shell Projections. Neurochem Res 2023:10.1007/s11064-023-03921-z. [PMID: 37017888 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03921-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
The nucleus accumbens shell is a critical node in reward circuitry, encoding environments associated with reward. Long-range inputs from the ventral hippocampus (ventral subiculum) to the nucleus accumbens shell have been identified, yet their precise molecular phenotype remains to be determined. Here we used retrograde tracing to identify the ventral subiculum as the brain region with the densest glutamatergic (VGluT1-Slc17a7) input to the shell. We then used circuit-directed translating ribosome affinity purification to examine the molecular characteristics of distinct glutamatergic (VGluT1, VGluT2-Slc17a6) ventral subiculum to nucleus accumbens shell projections. We immunoprecipitated translating ribosomes from this population of projection neurons and analysed molecular connectomic information using RNA sequencing. We found differential gene enrichment across both glutamatergic projection neuron subtypes. In VGluT1 projections, we found enrichment of Pfkl, a gene involved in glucose metabolism. In VGluT2 projections, we found a depletion of Sparcl1 and Dlg1, genes known to play a role in depression- and addiction-related behaviours. These findings highlight potential glutamatergic neuronal-projection-specific differences in ventral subiculum to nucleus accumbens shell projections. Together these data advance our understanding of the phenotype of a defined brain circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubo Jin
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Erin J Campbell
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Chi Kin Ip
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Sharon Layfield
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Herbert Herzog
- Neuroscience Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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22
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Escuin S, Rose Raza-Knight S, Savery D, Gaston-Massuet C, Galea GL, Greene NDE, Copp AJ. Dual mechanism underlying failure of neural tube closure in the Zic2 mutant mouse. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:297163. [PMID: 36916392 PMCID: PMC10073009 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanisms that lead to birth defects is an important step towards improved primary prevention. Mouse embryos homozygous for the Kumba (Ku) mutant allele of Zic2 develop severe spina bifida with complete lack of dorsolateral hinge points (DLHPs) in the neuroepithelium. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling is overactivated in Zic2Ku/Ku embryos, and the BMP inhibitor dorsomorphin partially rescues neural tube closure in cultured embryos. RhoA signalling is also overactivated, with accumulation of actomyosin in the Zic2Ku/Ku neuroepithelium, and the myosin inhibitor Blebbistatin partially normalises neural tube closure. However, dorsomorphin and Blebbistatin differ in their effects at tissue and cellular levels: DLHP formation is rescued by dorsomorphin but not Blebbistatin, whereas abnormal accumulation of actomyosin is rescued by Blebbistatin but not dorsomorphin. These findings suggest a dual mechanism of spina bifida origin in Zic2Ku/Ku embryos: faulty BMP-dependent formation of DLHPs and RhoA-dependent F-actin accumulation in the neuroepithelium. Hence, we identify a multi-pathway origin of spina bifida in a mammalian system that may provide a developmental basis for understanding the corresponding multifactorial human defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Escuin
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Saba Rose Raza-Knight
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Dawn Savery
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Carles Gaston-Massuet
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Gabriel L Galea
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Nicholas D E Greene
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Andrew J Copp
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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23
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Lin S, Wang C, Li Z, Qiu X. Distinct H3K27me3 and H3K27ac Modifications in Neural Tube Defects Induced by Benzo[a]pyrene. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13020334. [PMID: 36831877 PMCID: PMC9954656 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13020334] [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: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathological mechanisms of neural tube defects (NTDs) are not yet fully understood. Although the dysregulation of histone modification in NTDs is recognized, it remains to be fully elucidated on a genome-wide level. We profiled genome-wide H3K27me3 and H3K27ac occupancy by CUT&Tag in neural tissues from ICR mouse embryos with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced NTDs (250 mg kg-1) at E9.5. Furthermore, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate the regulation of histone modifications on gene expressions. Gene ontology and KEGG analysis were conducted to predict pathways involved in the development of NTDs. Our analysis of histone 3 lysine 27 modification in BaP-NTD neural tissues compared to BaP-nonNTD revealed 6045 differentially trimethylated regions and 3104 acetylated regions throughout the genome, respectively. The functional analysis identified a number of pathways uniquely enriched for BaP-NTD embryos, including known neurodevelopment related pathways such as anterior/posterior pattern specification, ephrin receptor signaling pathway, neuron migration and neuron differentiation. RNA-seq identified 423 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between BaP-NTD and BaP-nonNTD group. The combination analysis of CUT&Tag and RNA-seq found that 55 DEGs were modified by H3K27me3 and 25 by H3K27ac in BaP-NTD, respectively. In the transcriptional regulatory network, transcriptional factors including Srsf1, Ume6, Zbtb7b, and Cad were predicated to be involved in gene expression regulation. In conclusion, our results provide an overview of histone modifications during neural tube closure and demonstrate a key role of genome-wide alterations in H3K27me3 and H3K27ac in NTDs corresponding with changes in transcription profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Lin
- Division of Birth Cohort Study, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
| | - Chengrui Wang
- Division of Birth Cohort Study, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
| | - Zhiwen Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission of the China, Beijing 100191, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
- Correspondence: (Z.L.); or (X.Q.); Tel.: +86-010-82801760 (Z.L.); Tel./Fax: +86-020-38367160 (X.Q.)
| | - Xiu Qiu
- Division of Birth Cohort Study, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
- Department of Women’s Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Clinical Specialty of Woman and Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
- Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou 510623, China
- Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
- Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
- Correspondence: (Z.L.); or (X.Q.); Tel.: +86-010-82801760 (Z.L.); Tel./Fax: +86-020-38367160 (X.Q.)
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24
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Christodoulou N, Skourides PA. Somitic mesoderm morphogenesis is necessary for neural tube closure during Xenopus development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1091629. [PMID: 36699010 PMCID: PMC9868421 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1091629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural tube closure is a fundamental process during vertebrate embryogenesis, which leads to the formation of the central nervous system. Defective neural tube closure leads to neural tube defects which are some of the most common human birth defects. While the intrinsic morphogenetic events shaping the neuroepithelium have been studied extensively, how tissues mechanically coupled with the neural plate influence neural tube closure remains poorly understood. Here, using Xenopus laevis embryos, live imaging in combination with loss of function experiments and morphometric analysis of fixed samples we explore the reciprocal mechanical communication between the neural plate and the somitic mesoderm and its impact on tissue morphogenesis. We show that although somitic mesoderm convergent extension occurs independently from neural plate morphogenesis neural tube closure depends on somitic mesoderm morphogenesis. Specifically, impaired somitic mesoderm remodelling results in defective apical constriction within the neuroepithelium and failure of neural tube closure. Last, our data reveal that mild abnormalities in somitic mesoderm and neural plate morphogenesis have a synergistic effect during neurulation, leading to severe neural tube closure defects. Overall, our data reveal that defective morphogenesis of tissues mechanically coupled with the neural plate can not only drastically exacerbate mild neural tube defects that may arise from abnormalities within the neural tissue but can also elicit neural tube defects even when the neural plate is itself free of inherent defects.
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25
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Caiaffa CD, Fonteles CSR, Yunping L, Finnell RH. Gene-environment interactions underlying the etiology of neural tube defects. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 152:193-220. [PMID: 36707212 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) consist of severe structural malformations of the brain and spinal cord and are the second most common structural birth defect in humans, accounting for approximately 2700 affected pregnancies every year in the United States. These numbers are highly significant, considering that birth defects remain a leading cause of infant mortality in the United States, affecting approximately 120,000 babies born annually. Survivors of these congenital malformations face long-term disability and lifelong challenges imposed by severe physical burdens compromising the afflicted individual's overall quality of life. Clearly, birth defects, and especially NTDs remain a global public health challenge, and the source of significant financial repercussions for healthcare systems worldwide. In order to better understand the role gene-environment interactions play in the etiology of NTDs, this chapter provides an overview of NTD phenotypes and their embryonic origins, discusses the genetic landscape of NTDs as it is currently understood, with a focus on experimental models that best illustrate how environmental factors modulate individual susceptibility to these birth defects. As folic acid interventions have proven to be effective in reducing the prevalence of NTDs, the chapter ends with a discussion on the impact that maternal dietary status has on NTD prevalence from a population perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Donato Caiaffa
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Cristiane Sá Roriz Fonteles
- Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Lei Yunping
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Molecular and Human Genetics, and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.
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26
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Baldwin AT, Kim JH, Wallingford JB. In vivo high-content imaging and regression analysis reveal non-cell autonomous functions of Shroom3 during neural tube closure. Dev Biol 2022; 491:105-112. [PMID: 36113571 PMCID: PMC10118288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
During neural tube closure, neural ectoderm cells constrict their apical surfaces to bend and fold the tissue into a tube that will become the central nervous system. Recent data from mice and humans with neural tube defects suggest that key genes required for neural tube closure can exert non-cell autonomous effects on cell behavior, but the nature of these effects remains obscure. Here, we coupled tissue-scale, high-resolution time-lapse imaging of the closing neural tube of Xenopus to multivariate regression modeling, and we show that medial actin accumulation drives apical constriction non-autonomously in neighborhoods of cells, rather than solely in individual cells. To further explore this effect, we examined mosaic crispant embryos and identified both autonomous and non-autonomous effects of the apical constriction protein Shroom3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin T Baldwin
- Dept. of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, United States
| | - Juliana H Kim
- Dept. of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, United States
| | - John B Wallingford
- Dept. of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, United States.
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27
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Engelhardt DM, Martyr CA, Niswander L. Pathogenesis of neural tube defects: The regulation and disruption of cellular processes underlying neural tube closure. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1559. [PMID: 35504597 PMCID: PMC9605354 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube closure (NTC) is crucial for proper development of the brain and spinal cord and requires precise morphogenesis from a sheet of cells to an intact three-dimensional structure. NTC is dependent on successful regulation of hundreds of genes, a myriad of signaling pathways, concentration gradients, and is influenced by epigenetic and environmental cues. Failure of NTC is termed a neural tube defect (NTD) and is a leading class of congenital defects in the United States and worldwide. Though NTDs are all defined as incomplete closure of the neural tube, the pathogenesis of an NTD determines the type, severity, positioning, and accompanying phenotypes. In this review, we survey pathogenesis of NTDs relating to disruption of cellular processes arising from genetic mutations, altered epigenetic regulation, and environmental influences by micronutrients and maternal condition. This article is categorized under: Congenital Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Neurological Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Neurological Diseases > Stem Cells and Development.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Engelhardt
- Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Cara A Martyr
- Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Lee Niswander
- Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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28
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Abstract
Neural crest cells (NCCs) are a dynamic, multipotent, vertebrate-specific population of embryonic stem cells. These ectodermally-derived cells contribute to diverse tissue types in developing embryos including craniofacial bone and cartilage, the peripheral and enteric nervous systems and pigment cells, among a host of other cell types. Due to their contribution to a significant number of adult tissue types, the mechanisms that drive their formation, migration and differentiation are highly studied. NCCs have a unique ability to transition from tightly adherent epithelial cells to mesenchymal and migratory cells by altering their polarity, expression of cell-cell adhesion molecules and gaining invasive abilities. In this Review, we discuss classical and emerging factors driving NCC epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and migration, highlighting the role of signaling and transcription factors, as well as novel modifying factors including chromatin remodelers, small RNAs and post-translational regulators, which control the availability and longevity of major NCC players.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Crystal D. Rogers
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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29
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Spina Bifida: A Review of the Genetics, Pathophysiology and Emerging Cellular Therapies. J Dev Biol 2022; 10:jdb10020022. [PMID: 35735913 PMCID: PMC9224552 DOI: 10.3390/jdb10020022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spina bifida is the most common congenital defect of the central nervous system which can portend lifelong disability to those afflicted. While the complete underpinnings of this disease are yet to be fully understood, there have been great advances in the genetic and molecular underpinnings of this disease. Moreover, the treatment for spina bifida has made great advancements, from surgical closure of the defect after birth to the now state-of-the-art intrauterine repair. This review will touch upon the genetics, embryology, and pathophysiology and conclude with a discussion on current therapy, as well as the first FDA-approved clinical trial utilizing stem cells as treatment for spina bifida.
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30
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Zhao T, McMahon M, Reynolds K, Saha SK, Stokes A, Zhou CJ. The role of Lrp6-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the development and intervention of spinal neural tube defects in mice. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:275313. [PMID: 35514236 PMCID: PMC9194482 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the common and severe birth defects with poorly understood etiology. Mutations in the Wnt co-receptor LRP6 are associated with NTDs in humans. Either gain-of-function (GOF) or loss-of-function (LOF) mutations of Lrp6 can cause NTDs in mice. NTDs in Lrp6-GOF mutants may be attributed to altered β-catenin-independent noncanonical Wnt signaling. However, the mechanisms underlying NTDs in Lrp6-LOF mutants and the role of Lrp6-mediated canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling in neural tube closure remain unresolved. We previously demonstrated that β-catenin signaling is required for posterior neuropore (PNP) closure. In the current study, conditional ablation of Lrp6 in dorsal PNP caused spinal NTDs with diminished activities of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and its downstream target gene Pax3, which is required for PNP closure. β-catenin-GOF rescued NTDs in Lrp6-LOF mutants. Moreover, maternal supplementation of a Wnt/β-catenin signaling agonist reduced the frequency and severity of spinal NTDs in Lrp6-LOF mutants by restoring Pax3 expression. Together, these results demonstrate the essential role of Lrp6-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in PNP closure, which could also provide a therapeutic target for NTD intervention through manipulation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling activities. Summary: Conditional ablation of Lrp6 in dorsal neural folds causes spinal neural tube defects that can be rescued by genetic activation of β-catenin or maternal supplementation of Wnt signaling agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Zhao
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Moira McMahon
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Kurt Reynolds
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Subbroto Kumar Saha
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Arjun Stokes
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Chengji J Zhou
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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31
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Transcription factors dysregulated in three complex birth defects datasets. REPRODUCTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.1097/rd9.0000000000000018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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32
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Eph and Ephrin Variants in Malaysian Neural Tube Defect Families. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13060952. [PMID: 35741713 PMCID: PMC9222557 DOI: 10.3390/genes13060952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common birth defects with a complex genetic etiology. Mouse genetic models have indicated a number of candidate genes, of which functional mutations in some have been found in human NTDs, usually in a heterozygous state. This study focuses on Ephs-ephrins as candidate genes of interest owing to growing evidence of the role of this gene family during neural tube closure in mouse models. Eph-ephrin genes were analyzed in 31 Malaysian individuals comprising seven individuals with sporadic spina bifida, 13 parents, one twin-sibling and 10 unrelated controls. Whole exome sequencing analysis and bioinformatic analysis were performed to identify variants in 22 known Eph-ephrin genes. We reported that three out of seven spina bifida probands and three out of thirteen family members carried a variant in either EPHA2 (rs147977279), EPHB6 (rs780569137) or EFNB1 (rs772228172). Analysis of public databases shows that these variants are rare. In exome datasets of the probands and parents of the probands with Eph-ephrin variants, the genotypes of spina bifida-related genes were compared to investigate the probability of the gene–gene interaction in relation to environmental risk factors. We report the presence of Eph-ephrin gene variants that are prevalent in a small cohort of spina bifida patients in Malaysian families.
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33
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Isaković J, Šimunić I, Jagečić D, Hribljan V, Mitrečić D. Overview of Neural Tube Defects: Gene–Environment Interactions, Preventative Approaches and Future Perspectives. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10050965. [PMID: 35625701 PMCID: PMC9138472 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10050965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital malformations of humans, characterized by impaired development of the central nervous system. Even though the etiology of most birth defects remains undetermined, genetic and environmental risk factors in the background of NTDs have been identified and extensively reported. On top of genetic and nutritional risks which include mutations in both coding and non-coding regions and maternal folate status, respectively, recent years have seen a rise in the identification of a variety of teratogens that could be implicated in NTD development. These include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic, pesticides, maternal hyperthermia and antibiotics as well as pain and seizure medication. With an increase in understanding of teratogens leading to NTD formation, preventative and treatment approaches have witnessed great advances throughout the years. While the most common preventative approach includes folic acid food fortification as well as suggested inositol supplementation, treatment and management approaches differ greatly depending on the developmental stage and the site of the lesion and include prenatal surgery, stem cell transplantation and postnatal surgery. Because NTDs still represent a large health and financial burden for the patient and society as a whole, it is crucial to investigate potential risk factors and develop novel approaches in order to fully prevent this category of disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmina Isaković
- Omnion Research International Ltd., Heinzelova 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.J.); (V.H.); (D.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Iva Šimunić
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Denis Jagečić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.J.); (V.H.); (D.M.)
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Valentina Hribljan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.J.); (V.H.); (D.M.)
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Dinko Mitrečić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.J.); (V.H.); (D.M.)
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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34
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Baldwin AT, Kim JH, Seo H, Wallingford JB. Global analysis of cell behavior and protein dynamics reveals region-specific roles for Shroom3 and N-cadherin during neural tube closure. eLife 2022; 11:e66704. [PMID: 35244026 PMCID: PMC9010020 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Failures of neural tube closure are common and serious birth defects, yet we have a poor understanding of the interaction of genetics and cell biology during neural tube closure. Additionally, mutations that cause neural tube defects (NTDs) tend to affect anterior or posterior regions of the neural tube but rarely both, indicating a regional specificity to NTD genetics. To better understand the regional specificity of cell behaviors during neural tube closure, we analyzed the dynamic localization of actin and N-cadherin via high-resolution tissue-level time-lapse microscopy during Xenopus neural tube closure. To investigate the regionality of gene function, we generated mosaic mutations in shroom3, a key regulator or neural tube closure. This new analytical approach elucidates several differences between cell behaviors during cranial/anterior and spinal/posterior neural tube closure, provides mechanistic insight into the function of shroom3, and demonstrates the ability of tissue-level imaging and analysis to generate cell biological mechanistic insights into neural tube closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin T Baldwin
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
| | - Juliana H Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
| | - Hyemin Seo
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
| | - John B Wallingford
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
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35
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Wang C, Seltzsam S, Zheng B, Wu CHW, Nicolas-Frank C, Yousef K, Au KS, Mann N, Pantel D, Schneider S, Schierbaum L, Kitzler TM, Connaughton DM, Mao Y, Dai R, Nakayama M, Kari JA, El Desoky S, Shalaby M, Eid LA, Awad HS, Tasic V, Mane SM, Lifton RP, Baum MA, Shril S, Estrada CR, Hildebrandt F. Whole exome sequencing identifies potential candidate genes for spina bifida derived from mouse models. Am J Med Genet A 2022; 188:1355-1367. [PMID: 35040250 PMCID: PMC8995376 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Spina bifida (SB) is the second most common nonlethal congenital malformation. The existence of monogenic SB mouse models and human monogenic syndromes with SB features indicate that human SB may be caused by monogenic genes. We hypothesized that whole exome sequencing (WES) allows identification of potential candidate genes by (i) generating a list of 136 candidate genes for SB, and (ii) by unbiased exome-wide analysis. We generated a list of 136 potential candidate genes from three categories and evaluated WES data of 50 unrelated SB cases for likely deleterious variants in 136 potential candidate genes, and for potential SB candidate genes exome-wide. We identified 6 likely deleterious variants in 6 of the 136 potential SB candidate genes in 6 of the 50 SB cases, whereof 4 genes were derived from mouse models, 1 gene was derived from human nonsyndromic SB, and 1 gene was derived from candidate genes known to cause human syndromic SB. In addition, by unbiased exome-wide analysis, we identified 12 genes as potential candidates for SB. Identification of these 18 potential candidate genes in larger SB cohorts will help decide which ones can be considered as novel monogenic causes of human SB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Steve Seltzsam
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bixia Zheng
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen-Han Wilfred Wu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Departments of Urology and Genetics, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Camille Nicolas-Frank
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kirollos Yousef
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kit Sing Au
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nina Mann
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dalia Pantel
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sophia Schneider
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Luca Schierbaum
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas M Kitzler
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dervla M Connaughton
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Youying Mao
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rufeng Dai
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Makiko Nakayama
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jameela A Kari
- Department of Pediatrics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Pediatric Nephrology Center of Excellence, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sherif El Desoky
- Department of Pediatrics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Pediatric Nephrology Center of Excellence, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Shalaby
- Department of Pediatrics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Pediatric Nephrology Center of Excellence, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Loai A Eid
- Pediatric Nephrology Department, Dubai Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hazem S Awad
- Pediatric Nephrology Department, Dubai Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Velibor Tasic
- Medical Faculty Skopje, University Children's Hospital, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Shrikant M Mane
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Richard P Lifton
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Laboratory of Human Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michelle A Baum
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shirlee Shril
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carlos R Estrada
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Friedhelm Hildebrandt
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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36
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Systems biology analysis of human genomes points to key pathways conferring spina bifida risk. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2106844118. [PMID: 34916285 PMCID: PMC8713748 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2106844118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic investigations of most structural birth defects, including spina bifida (SB), congenital heart disease, and craniofacial anomalies, have been underpowered for genome-wide association studies because of their rarity, genetic heterogeneity, incomplete penetrance, and environmental influences. Our systems biology strategy to investigate SB predisposition controls for population stratification and avoids much of the bias inherent in candidate gene searches that are pervasive in the field. We examine both protein coding and noncoding regions of whole genomes to analyze sequence variants, collapsed by gene or regulatory region, and apply machine learning, gene enrichment, and pathway analyses to elucidate molecular pathways and genes contributing to human SB. Spina bifida (SB) is a debilitating birth defect caused by multiple gene and environment interactions. Though SB shows non-Mendelian inheritance, genetic factors contribute to an estimated 70% of cases. Nevertheless, identifying human mutations conferring SB risk is challenging due to its relative rarity, genetic heterogeneity, incomplete penetrance, and environmental influences that hamper genome-wide association studies approaches to untargeted discovery. Thus, SB genetic studies may suffer from population substructure and/or selection bias introduced by typical candidate gene searches. We report a population based, ancestry-matched whole-genome sequence analysis of SB genetic predisposition using a systems biology strategy to interrogate 298 case-control subject genomes (149 pairs). Genes that were enriched in likely gene disrupting (LGD), rare protein-coding variants were subjected to machine learning analysis to identify genes in which LGD variants occur with a different frequency in cases versus controls and so discriminate between these groups. Those genes with high discriminatory potential for SB significantly enriched pathways pertaining to carbon metabolism, inflammation, innate immunity, cytoskeletal regulation, and essential transcriptional regulation consistent with their having impact on the pathogenesis of human SB. Additionally, an interrogation of conserved noncoding sequences identified robust variant enrichment in regulatory regions of several transcription factors critical to embryonic development. This genome-wide perspective offers an effective approach to the interrogation of coding and noncoding sequence variant contributions to rare complex genetic disorders.
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37
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Binagui-Casas A, Dias A, Guillot C, Metzis V, Saunders D. Building consensus in neuromesodermal research: Current advances and future biomedical perspectives. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2021; 73:133-140. [PMID: 34717142 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate body axis relies on the activity of different populations of axial progenitors, including neuromesodermal progenitors. Currently, the term 'Neuromesodermal progenitors' is associated with various definitions. Here, we use distinct terminologies to highlight advances in our understanding of this cell type at both the single-cell and population levels. We discuss how these recent insights prompt new opportunities to address a range of biomedical questions spanning cancer metastasis, congenital disorders, cellular metabolism, regenerative medicine, and evolution. Finally, we outline some of the major unanswered questions and propose future directions at the forefront of neuromesodermal research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahí Binagui-Casas
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - André Dias
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande 6, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal.
| | - Charlène Guillot
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital & Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, USA; Institute of Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Medical school, University of Clermont Auvergne, 28, Place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Vicki Metzis
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Dillan Saunders
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
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38
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Kakebeen AD, Niswander L. Micronutrient imbalance and common phenotypes in neural tube defects. Genesis 2021; 59:e23455. [PMID: 34665506 PMCID: PMC8599664 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common birth defects, with a prevalence of close to 19 per 10,000 births worldwide. The etiology of NTDs is complex involving the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Since nutrient deficiency is a risk factor and dietary changes are the major preventative measure to reduce the risk of NTDs, a more detailed understanding of how common micronutrient imbalances contribute to NTDs is crucial. While folic acid has been the most discussed environmental factor due to the success that population-wide fortification has had on prevention of NTDs, folic acid supplementation does not prevent all NTDs. The imbalance of several other micronutrients has been implicated as risks for NTDs by epidemiological studies and in vivo studies in animal models. In this review, we highlight recent literature deciphering the multifactorial mechanisms underlying NTDs with an emphasis on mouse and human data. Specifically, we focus on advances in our understanding of how too much or too little retinoic acid, zinc, and iron alter gene expression and cellular processes contributing to the pathobiology of NTDs. Synthesis of the discussed literature reveals common cellular phenotypes found in embryos with NTDs resulting from several micronutrient imbalances. The goal is to combine knowledge of these common cellular phenotypes with mechanisms underlying micronutrient imbalances to provide insights into possible new targets for preventative measures against NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneke Dixie Kakebeen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Lee Niswander
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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39
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Wolujewicz P, Steele JW, Kaltschmidt JA, Finnell RH, Ross ME. Unraveling the complex genetics of neural tube defects: From biological models to human genomics and back. Genesis 2021; 59:e23459. [PMID: 34713546 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a classic example of preventable birth defects for which there is a proven-effective intervention, folic acid (FA); however, further methods of prevention remain unrealized. In the decades following implementation of FA nutritional fortification programs throughout at least 87 nations, it has become apparent that not all NTDs can be prevented by FA. In the United States, FA fortification only reduced NTD rates by 28-35% (Williams et al., 2015). As such, it is imperative that further work is performed to understand the risk factors associated with NTDs and their underlying mechanisms so that alternative prevention strategies can be developed. However, this is complicated by the sheer number of genes associated with neural tube development, the heterogeneity of observable phenotypes in human cases, the rareness of the disease, and the myriad of environmental factors associated with NTD risk. Given the complex genetic architecture underlying NTD pathology and the way in which that architecture interacts dynamically with environmental factors, further prevention initiatives will undoubtedly require precision medicine strategies that utilize the power of human genomics and modern tools for assessing genetic risk factors. Herein, we review recent advances in genomic strategies for discovering genetic variants associated with these defects, and new ways in which biological models, such as mice and cell culture-derived organoids, are leveraged to assess mechanistic functionality, the way these variants interact with other genetic or environmental factors, and their ultimate contribution to human NTD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Wolujewicz
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - John W Steele
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Julia A Kaltschmidt
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Margaret Elizabeth Ross
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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40
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Palmer AJ, Savery D, Massa V, Copp AJ, Greene NDE. Genetic interaction of Pax3 mutation and canonical Wnt signaling modulates neural tube defects and neural crest abnormalities. Genesis 2021; 59:e23445. [PMID: 34490995 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Mouse models provide opportunities to investigate genetic interactions that cause or modify the frequency of neural tube defects (NTDs). Mutation of the PAX3 transcription factor prevents neural tube closure, leading to cranial and spinal NTDs whose frequency is responsive to folate status. Canonical Wnt signalling is implicated both in regulation of Pax3 expression and as a target of PAX3. This study investigated potential interactions of Pax3 mutation and canonical Wnt signalling using conditional gain- and loss-of-function models of β-catenin. We found an additive effect of β-catenin gain of function and Pax3 loss of function on NTDs and neural crest defects. β-catenin gain of function in the Pax3 expression domain led to significantly increased frequency of cranial but not spinal NTDs in embryos that are heterozygous for Pax3 mutation, while both cranial and spinal neural tube closure were exacerbated in Pax3 homozygotes. Similarly, deficits of migrating neural crest cells were exacerbated by β-catenin gain of function, with almost complete ablation of spinal neural crest cells and derivatives in Pax3 homozygous mutants. Pax3 expression was not affected by β-catenin gain of function, while we confirmed that loss of function led to reduced Pax3 transcription. In contrast to gain of function, β-catenin knockout in the Pax3 expression domain lowered the frequency of cranial NTDs in Pax3 null embryos. However, loss of function of β-catenin and Pax3 resulted in spinal NTDs, suggesting differential regulation of cranial and spinal neural tube closure. In summary, β-catenin function modulates the frequency of PAX3-related NTDs in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J Palmer
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dawn Savery
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valentina Massa
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Copp
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas D E Greene
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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41
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Azzarà A, Rendeli C, Crivello AM, Brugnoletti F, Rumore R, Ausili E, Sangiorgi E, Gurrieri F. Identification of new candidate genes for spina bifida through exome sequencing. Childs Nerv Syst 2021; 37:2589-2596. [PMID: 33855610 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-021-05153-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Neural tube defects are a group of birth defects caused by failure of neural tube closure during development. The etiology of NTD, requiring a complex interaction between environmental and genetic factors, is not well understood. METHODS We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in six trios, with a single affected proband with spina bifida, to identify rare/novel variants as potential causes of the NTD. RESULTS Our analysis identified four de novo and ten X-linked recessive variants in four of the six probands, all of them in genes previously never implicated in NTD. Among the 14 variants, we ruled out six of them, based on different criteria and pursued the evaluation of eight potential candidates in the following genes: RXRγ, DTX1, COL15A1, ARHGAP36, TKTL1, AMOT, GPR50, and NKRF. The de novo variants where located in the RXRγ, DTX1, and COL15A1 genes while ARHGAP36, TKTL1, AMOT, GPR50, and NKRF carry X-linked recessive variants. This analysis also revealed that four patients presented multiple variants, while we were unable to identify any significant variant in two patients. CONCLUSIONS Our preliminary conclusion support a major role for the de novo variants with respect to the X-linked recessive variants where the X-linked could represent a contribution to the phenotype in an oligogenic model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Azzarà
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia. .,Unità di Genetica Medica, Università Campus Bio-Medico, Roma, Italia.
| | - Claudia Rendeli
- Spina Bifida Center, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Anna Maria Crivello
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Fulvia Brugnoletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Roberto Rumore
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Emanuele Ausili
- Spina Bifida Center, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Eugenio Sangiorgi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - Fiorella Gurrieri
- Unità di Genetica Medica, Università Campus Bio-Medico, Roma, Italia
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Neural tube defects: role of lithium carbonate exposure in embryonic neural development in a murine model. Pediatr Res 2021; 90:82-92. [PMID: 33173184 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-020-01244-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) is widely used in the treatment of clinical-affective psychosis. Exposure to Li2CO3 during pregnancy increases the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in offspring, which are severe birth defects of the central nervous system. The mechanism of Li2CO3-induced NTDs remains unclear. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were injected with different doses of Li2CO3 intraperitoneally on gestational day 7.5 (GD7.5), and embryos collected at GD11.5 and GD13.5. The mechanisms of Li2CO3 exposure-induced NTDs were determined utilizing immunohistochemistry, western blotting, EdU imaging, enzymatic method, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), ELISA and HE staining. RESULTS The NTDs incidence was 33.7% following Li2CO3 exposure. Neuroepithelial cell proliferation and phosphohistone H3 level were significantly increased in NTDs embryos, compared with control group (P < 0.01), while the expressing levels of p53 and caspase-3 were significantly decreased. IMPase and GSK-3β activity was inhibited in Li2CO3-treated maternal and embryonic neural tissues (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively), along with decreased levels of inositol and metabolites, compared with control groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Lithium-induced NTDs model in C57BL/6 mice was established. Enhanced cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis following lithium exposure were closely associated with the impairment of inositol biosynthesis, which may contribute to lithium-induced NTDs. IMPACT Impairment of inositol biosynthesis has an important role in lithium exposure-induced NTDs in mice model. Lithium-induced NTDs model on C57BL/6 mice was established. Based on this NTDs model, lithium-induced impairment of inositol biosynthesis resulted in the imbalance between cell proliferation and apoptosis, which may contribute to lithium-induced NTDs. Providing evidence to further understand the molecular mechanisms of lithium-induced NTDs and enhancing its primary prevention.
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43
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Finnell RH, Caiaffa CD, Kim SE, Lei Y, Steele J, Cao X, Tukeman G, Lin YL, Cabrera RM, Wlodarczyk BJ. Gene Environment Interactions in the Etiology of Neural Tube Defects. Front Genet 2021; 12:659612. [PMID: 34040637 PMCID: PMC8143787 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.659612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human structural congenital malformations are the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. Estimates from the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determine that close to 3% of all United States newborns present with birth defects; the worldwide estimate approaches 6% of infants presenting with congenital anomalies. The scientific community has recognized for decades that the majority of birth defects have undetermined etiologies, although we propose that environmental agents interacting with inherited susceptibility genes are the major contributing factors. Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most prevalent human birth defects and as such, these malformations will be the primary focus of this review. NTDs result from failures in embryonic central nervous system development and are classified by their anatomical locations. Defects in the posterior portion of the neural tube are referred to as meningomyeloceles (spina bifida), while the more anterior defects are differentiated as anencephaly, encephalocele, or iniencephaly. Craniorachischisis involves a failure of the neural folds to elevate and thus disrupt the entire length of the neural tube. Worldwide NTDs have a prevalence of approximately 18.6 per 10,000 live births. It is widely believed that genetic factors are responsible for some 70% of NTDs, while the intrauterine environment tips the balance toward neurulation failure in at risk individuals. Despite aggressive educational campaigns to inform the public about folic acid supplementation and the benefits of providing mandatory folic acid food fortification in the United States, NTDs still affect up to 2,300 United States births annually and some 166,000 spina bifida patients currently live in the United States, more than half of whom are now adults. Within the context of this review, we will consider the role of maternal nutritional status (deficiency states involving B vitamins and one carbon analytes) and the potential modifiers of NTD risk beyond folic acid. There are several well-established human teratogens that contribute to the population burden of NTDs, including: industrial waste and pollutants [e.g., arsenic, pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)], pharmaceuticals (e.g., anti-epileptic medications), and maternal hyperthermia during the first trimester. Animal models for these teratogens are described with attention focused on valproic acid (VPA; Depakote). Genetic interrogation of model systems involving VPA will be used as a model approach to discerning susceptibility factors that define the gene-environment interactions contributing to the etiology of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard H. Finnell
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics and Medicine, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Carlo Donato Caiaffa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sung-Eun Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Yunping Lei
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - John Steele
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Xuanye Cao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Gabriel Tukeman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ying Linda Lin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Robert M. Cabrera
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Bogdan J. Wlodarczyk
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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44
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Deal KK, Chandrashekar AS, Beaman MM, Branch MC, Buehler DP, Conway SJ, Southard-Smith EM. Altered sacral neural crest development in Pax3 spina bifida mutants underlies deficits of bladder innervation and function. Dev Biol 2021; 476:173-188. [PMID: 33839113 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models of Spina bifida (SB) have been instrumental for identifying genes, developmental processes, and environmental factors that influence neurulation and neural tube closure. Beyond the prominent neural tube defects, other aspects of the nervous system can be affected in SB with significant changes in essential bodily functions such as urination. SB patients frequently experience bladder dysfunction and SB fetuses exhibit reduced density of bladder nerves and smooth muscle although the developmental origins of these deficits have not been determined. The Pax3 Splotch-delayed (Pax3Sp-d) mouse model of SB is one of a very few mouse SB models that survives to late stages of gestation. Through analysis of Pax3Sp-d mutants we sought to define how altered bladder innervation in SB might arise by tracing sacral neural crest (NC) development, pelvic ganglia neuronal differentiation, and assessing bladder nerve fiber density. In Pax3Sp-d/Sp-d fetal mice we observed delayed migration of Sox10+ NC-derived progenitors (NCPs), deficient pelvic ganglia neurogenesis, and reduced density of bladder wall innervation. We further combined NC-specific deletion of Pax3 with the constitutive Pax3Sp-d allele in an effort to generate viable Pax3 mutants to examine later stages of bladder innervation and postnatal bladder function. Neural crest specific deletion of a Pax3 flox allele, using a Sox10-cre driver, in combination with a constitutive Pax3Sp-d mutation produced postnatal viable offspring that exhibited altered bladder function as well as reduced bladder wall innervation and altered connectivity between accessory ganglia at the bladder neck. Combined, the results show that Pax3 plays critical roles within sacral NC that are essential for initiation of neurogenesis and differentiation of autonomic neurons within pelvic ganglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen K Deal
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | | | - Meagan C Branch
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Dennis P Buehler
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Simon J Conway
- HB Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - E Michelle Southard-Smith
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
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45
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Wu Y, Peng S, Finnell RH, Zheng Y. Organoids as a new model system to study neural tube defects. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21545. [PMID: 33729606 PMCID: PMC9189980 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002348r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The neural tube is the first critically important structure that develops in the embryo. It serves as the primordium of the central nervous system; therefore, the proper formation of the neural tube is essential to the developing organism. Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe congenital defects caused by failed neural tube closure during early embryogenesis. The pathogenesis of NTDs is complicated and still not fully understood even after decades of research. While it is an ethically impossible proposition to investigate the in vivo formation process of the neural tube in human embryos, a newly developed technology involving the creation of neural tube organoids serves as an excellent model system with which to study human neural tube formation and the occurrence of NTDs. Herein we reviewed the recent literature on the process of neural tube formation, the progress of NTDs investigations, and particularly the exciting potential to use neural tube organoids to model the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the etiology of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wu
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, School of life sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, The institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sisi Peng
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, School of life sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, The institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Richard H. Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Molecular and Human Genetics and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TA, USA
| | - Yufang Zheng
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, School of life sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, The institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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46
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Bonnard C, Navaratnam N, Ghosh K, Chan PW, Tan TT, Pomp O, Ng AYJ, Tohari S, Changede R, Carling D, Venkatesh B, Altunoglu U, Kayserili H, Reversade B. A loss-of-function NUAK2 mutation in humans causes anencephaly due to impaired Hippo-YAP signaling. J Exp Med 2021; 217:152044. [PMID: 32845958 PMCID: PMC7953732 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20191561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Failure of neural tube closure during embryonic development can result in anencephaly, one of the most common birth defects in humans. A family with recurrent anencephalic fetuses was investigated to understand its etiology and pathogenesis. Exome sequencing revealed a recessive germline 21-bp in-frame deletion in NUAK2 segregating with the disease. In vitro kinase assays demonstrated that the 7–amino acid truncation in NUAK2, a serine/threonine kinase, completely abrogated its catalytic activity. Patient-derived disease models including neural progenitor cells and cerebral organoids showed that loss of NUAK2 activity led to decreased Hippo signaling via cytoplasmic YAP retention. In neural tube–like structures, endogenous NUAK2 colocalized apically with the actomyosin network, which was disrupted in patient cells, causing impaired nucleokinesis and apical constriction. Our results establish NUAK2 as an indispensable kinase for brain development in humans and suggest that a NUAK2-Hippo signaling axis regulates cytoskeletal processes that govern cell shape during neural tube closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carine Bonnard
- Human Genetics and Embryology Laboratory, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Naveenan Navaratnam
- Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Kakaly Ghosh
- Human Genetics and Embryology Laboratory, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Puck Wee Chan
- Human Genetics and Embryology Laboratory, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Thong Teck Tan
- Human Genetics and Embryology Laboratory, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Oz Pomp
- Human Genetics and Embryology Laboratory, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Alvin Yu Jin Ng
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Sumanty Tohari
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Rishita Changede
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - David Carling
- Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Byrappa Venkatesh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore.,Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Umut Altunoglu
- Medical Genetics Department, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Medical Genetics Department, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hülya Kayserili
- Medical Genetics Department, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Medical Genetics Department, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bruno Reversade
- Human Genetics and Embryology Laboratory, Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore.,Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Medical Genetics Department, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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Au KS, Hebert L, Hillman P, Baker C, Brown MR, Kim DK, Soldano K, Garrett M, Ashley-Koch A, Lee S, Gleeson J, Hixson JE, Morrison AC, Northrup H. Human myelomeningocele risk and ultra-rare deleterious variants in genes associated with cilium, WNT-signaling, ECM, cytoskeleton and cell migration. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3639. [PMID: 33574475 PMCID: PMC7878900 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83058-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelomeningocele (MMC) affects one in 1000 newborns annually worldwide and each surviving child faces tremendous lifetime medical and caregiving burdens. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to disease risk but the mechanism is unclear. This study examined 506 MMC subjects for ultra-rare deleterious variants (URDVs, absent in gnomAD v2.1.1 controls that have Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion score ≥ 20) in candidate genes either known to cause abnormal neural tube closure in animals or previously associated with human MMC in the current study cohort. Approximately 70% of the study subjects carried one to nine URDVs among 302 candidate genes. Half of the study subjects carried heterozygous URDVs in multiple genes involved in the structure and/or function of cilium, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, WNT signaling, and/or cell migration. Another 20% of the study subjects carried heterozygous URDVs in candidate genes associated with gene transcription regulation, folate metabolism, or glucose metabolism. Presence of URDVs in the candidate genes involving these biological function groups may elevate the risk of developing myelomeningocele in the study cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Au
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - L Hebert
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - P Hillman
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - C Baker
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - M R Brown
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center At Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - D-K Kim
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center At Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - K Soldano
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - M Garrett
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - A Ashley-Koch
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - S Lee
- Department of Neurosciences and Pediatrics, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA, 92025, USA
| | - J Gleeson
- Department of Neurosciences and Pediatrics, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, CA, 92025, USA
| | - J E Hixson
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center At Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - A C Morrison
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center At Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - H Northrup
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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Wang Y, Qin Y, Peng R, Wang H. Loss-of-function or gain-of-function variations in VINCULIN (VCL) are risk factors of human neural tube defects. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2021; 9:e1563. [PMID: 33491343 PMCID: PMC8077129 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe birth defects resulting from the failure of neural tube closure during embryogenesis. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the occurrence of NTDs and the heritability of NTDs is approximately 70%. As a key component of focal adhesions, Vinculin (VCL) plays pivotal roles in cell skeleton remodeling and signal transduction. Vcl deficient mice displayed NTD, but how VCL variants contribute to human NTDs has not been addressed yet. Methods We screened VCL variants in a Chinese cohort of 387 NTDs and 244 controls by targeted next‐generation sequencing. Results We identified four case‐specific VCL variations (p.M209L, p.D256fs, p.L555V and p.R586Q). VCL p.D256fs and p.L555V are novel variations that have never been reported. Our analysis revealed that p.D256fs is a loss‐of‐function variant, while p.L555V showed a gain of function in planner cell polarity (PCP) pathway regulation and cell migration, probably due to its enhanced protein stability. Conclusion Our study reports human NTD specific novel variations in VCL and provides the functional evaluation of VCL variants related to the etiology of human NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Wang
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction & Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic, Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Peng
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction & Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongyan Wang
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction & Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic, Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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49
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Ortiz-Cruz G, Aguayo-Gómez A, Luna-Muñoz L, Muñoz-Téllez LA, Mutchinick OM. Myelomeningocele genotype-phenotype correlation findings in cilia, HH, PCP, and WNT signaling pathways. Birth Defects Res 2021; 113:371-381. [PMID: 33470056 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myelomeningocele (MMC) is the most severe and frequent type of spina bifida. Its etiology remains poorly understood. The Hedgehog (Hh), Wnt, and planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling pathways are essential for normal tube closure, needing a structural-functional cilium for its adequate function. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of different gene variants (GV) from those pathways on MMC genotype-subphenotype correlations. METHODS The study comprised 500 MMC trios and 500 controls, from 16 Telethon centers of 16 Mexican states. Thirty-four GVs of 29 genes from cilia, Hh, PCP, and Wnt pathways, were analyzed, by an Illumina on design microarray. The total sample (T-MMC) was stratified in High-MMC (H-MMC) when thoracic and Low-MMC (L-MMC) when lumbar-sacral vertebrae affected. STATA/SE-12.1 and PLINK software were used for allelic association, TDT, and gene-gene interaction (GGI) analyses, considering p value <.01 as statistically significant differences (SSD). RESULTS Association analysis showed SSD for COBL-rs10230120, DVL2-rs2074216, PLCB4-rs6077510 GVs in T-MMC and L-MMC, and VANGL2-rs120886448 in T-MMC and H-MMC, and INVS-rs7024375 exclusively in L-MMC. TDT assay showed SSD preferential transmissions of C2CD3-rs826058 in H-MMC, and LRP5-rs3736228, and BBS2-rs1373 in L-MMC. Statistically significant GGI was observed in four in T-MMC, four completely different in L-MMC, and one in H-MMC. Interestingly, no one repeated in subphenotypes. CONCLUSIONS Our results support an association of GVs in Hh, Wnt, PCP, and cilia pathways, with MMC occurrence location, although further validation is needed. Furthermore, present results show a distinctive panel of gene-variants in H-MMC and LMMC subphenotypes, suggesting a feasible genotype-phenotype correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Ortiz-Cruz
- Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México City, Mexico
| | - Adolfo Aguayo-Gómez
- Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México City, Mexico
| | - Leonora Luna-Muñoz
- Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México City, Mexico
| | - Luis A Muñoz-Téllez
- Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México City, Mexico
| | - Osvaldo M Mutchinick
- Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México City, Mexico
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50
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Zarzycki A, Thomas ZM, Mazrier H. Comparison of inherited neural tube defects in companion animals and livestock. Birth Defects Res 2020; 113:319-348. [PMID: 33615733 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital malformations resulting from the improper or incomplete closure of the neural tube during embryonic development. A number of similar malformations of the protective coverings surrounding the central nervous system are also often included under this umbrella term, which may not strictly fit this definition. A range of NTD phenotypes exist and have been reported in humans and a wide range of domestic and livestock species. In the veterinary literature, these include cases of anencephaly, encephalocele, dermoid sinus, spina bifida, and craniorachischisis. While environmental factors have a role, genetic predisposition may account for a significant part of the risk of NTDs in these animal cases. Studies of laboratory model species (fish, birds, amphibians, and rodents) have been instrumental in improving our understanding of the neurulation process. In mice, over 200 genes that may be involved in this process have been identified and variant phenotypes investigated. Like laboratory mouse models, domestic animals and livestock species display a wide range of NTD phenotypes. They remain, however, a largely underutilized population and could complement already established laboratory models. Here we review reports of NTDs in companion animals and livestock, and compare these to other animal species and human cases. We aim to highlight the potential of nonlaboratory animal models for mutation discovery as well as general insights into the mechanisms of neurulation and the development of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Zarzycki
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Zoe M Thomas
- Faculty of Science, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hamutal Mazrier
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Science, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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