1
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Moreno-Campos R, Singleton EW, Uribe RA. A targeted CRISPR-Cas9 mediated F0 screen identifies genes involved in establishment of the enteric nervous system. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303914. [PMID: 38809858 PMCID: PMC11135701 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303914] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate enteric nervous system (ENS) is a crucial network of enteric neurons and glia resident within the entire gastrointestinal tract (GI). Overseeing essential GI functions such as gut motility and water balance, the ENS serves as a pivotal bidirectional link in the gut-brain axis. During early development, the ENS is primarily derived from enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs). Disruptions to ENCC development, as seen in conditions like Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), lead to the absence of ENS in the GI, particularly in the colon. In this study, using zebrafish, we devised an in vivo F0 CRISPR-based screen employing a robust, rapid pipeline integrating single-cell RNA sequencing, CRISPR reverse genetics, and high-content imaging. Our findings unveil various genes, including those encoding opioid receptors, as possible regulators of ENS establishment. In addition, we present evidence that suggests opioid receptor involvement in the neurochemical coding of the larval ENS. In summary, our work presents a novel, efficient CRISPR screen targeting ENS development, facilitating the discovery of previously unknown genes, and increasing knowledge of nervous system construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Moreno-Campos
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Eileen W. Singleton
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rosa A. Uribe
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
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2
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Xu F, Yang F, Qiu Y, Wang C, Zou Q, Wang L, Li X, Jin M, Liu K, Zhang S, Zhang Y, Li B. The alleviative effect of C-phycocyanin peptides against TNBS-induced inflammatory bowel disease in zebrafish via the MAPK/Nrf2 signaling pathways. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 145:109351. [PMID: 38171429 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.109351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an incurable and highly complex chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting millions of people worldwide. C-phycocyanin (C-PC) has been reported to possess outstanding anti-inflammatory activities and can effectively inhibit various inflammation-related diseases. Whether C-PC-derived bioactive peptides can inhibit intestinal inflammation is worth research and consideration. METHODS The inhibition activities of three anti-neuroinflammatory peptides were evaluated using 2-4-6-trinitrobenzen sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced zebrafish colitis model. Subsequently, the abilities of peptides to promote gastrointestinal motility were also examined. The changes in the intestinal pathological symptoms and ultrastructure of intestinal, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and antioxidant enzymes were then determined after co-treatment with peptides and TNBS. Transcriptome analysis was used to investigate the underlying ameliorating TNBS-induced colitis effects molecular mechanisms of better activity peptide. Furthermore, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and molecular docking techniques verified the mRNA sequencing results. RESULTS Three peptides, MHLWAAK, MAQAAEYYR and MDYYFEER, which significantly inhibit macrophage migration, were synthesized. The results showed that these peptides could effectively alleviate the inflammatory responses in the TNBS-induced zebrafish model of colitis. In addition, co-treatment with TNBS and C-PC peptides could decrease ROS production and increase antioxidant enzyme activities in zebrafish larvae. Moreover, MHLWAAK had the most significantly therapeutic effects on colitis in zebrafish. The transcriptome analysis suggests that the effect of MHLWAAK on TNBS-induced colitis may be associated with the modulation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway associated genes. In addition, molecular docking was conducted to study the prospective interaction between peptides and the key proteins that streamline the Nrf2 and MAPK signaling pathways. IL-6, JNK3, TNF-α, KEAP1-NRF2 complex and MAPK may be the core targets of MHLWAAK in treating colitis. CONCLUSION The results suggested that the three C-PC-derived peptides could ameliorate TNBS-induced colitis in zebrafish, and these peptides might be a promising therapeutic candidate for UC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenghua Xu
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250103, China; Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Basic Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250103, China
| | - Yuezi Qiu
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250103, China
| | - Chuansen Wang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250103, China
| | - Qinglin Zou
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250103, China
| | - Lizhen Wang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250103, China
| | - Xiaobin Li
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250103, China
| | - Meng Jin
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250103, China
| | - Kechun Liu
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250103, China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250103, China.
| | - Yun Zhang
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250103, China; Engineering Research Center of Zebrafish Models for Human Diseases and Drug Screening of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250103, China.
| | - Bing Li
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Basic Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China.
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3
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Borgonovo J, Allende-Castro C, Medinas DB, Cárdenas D, Cuevas MP, Hetz C, Concha ML. Immunohistochemical characterisation of the adult Nothobranchius furzeri intestine. Cell Tissue Res 2024; 395:21-38. [PMID: 38015266 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-023-03845-8] [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: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Nothobranchius furzeri is emerging as an exciting vertebrate organism in the field of biomedicine, developmental biology and ecotoxicology research. Its short generation time, compressed lifespan and accelerated ageing make it a versatile model for longitudinal studies with high traceability. Although in recent years the use of this model has increased enormously, there is still little information on the anatomy, morphology and histology of its main organs. In this paper, we present a description of the digestive system of N. furzeri, with emphasis on the intestine. We note that the general architecture of the intestinal tissue is shared with other vertebrates, and includes a folding mucosa, an outer muscle layer and a myenteric plexus. By immunohistochemical analysis, we reveal that the mucosa harbours the same type of epithelial cells observed in mammals, including enterocytes, goblet cells and enteroendocrine cells, and that the myenteric neurons express neurotransmitters common to other species, such as serotonin, substance P and tyrosine hydroxylase. In addition, we detect the presence of a proliferative compartment at the base of the intestinal folds. The description of the normal intestinal morphology provided here constitutes a baseline information to contrast with tissue alterations in future lines of research assessing pathologies, ageing-related diseases or damage caused by toxic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Borgonovo
- Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
| | - Camilo Allende-Castro
- Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
| | - Danilo B Medinas
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Deyanira Cárdenas
- Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
- Medical Technology School, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - María Paz Cuevas
- Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
- Medical Technology School, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudio Hetz
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, USA
| | - Miguel L Concha
- Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Santiago, Chile.
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile.
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4
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Moreno-Campos R, Singleton EW, Uribe RA. A targeted CRISPR-Cas9 mediated F0 screen identifies genes involved in establishment of the enteric nervous system. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.28.573581. [PMID: 38234831 PMCID: PMC10793464 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.28.573581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The vertebrate enteric nervous system (ENS) is a crucial network of enteric neurons and glia resident within the entire gastrointestinal tract (GI). Overseeing essential GI functions such as gut motility and water balance, the ENS serves as a pivotal bidirectional link in the gut-brain axis. During early development, the ENS is primarily derived from enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs). Disruptions to ENCC development, as seen in conditions like Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), lead to absence of ENS in the GI, particularly in the colon. In this study, using zebrafish, we devised an in vivo F0 CRISPR-based screen employing a robust, rapid pipeline integrating single-cell RNA sequencing, CRISPR reverse genetics, and high-content imaging. Our findings unveil various genes, including those encoding for opioid receptors, as possible regulators of ENS establishment. In addition, we present evidence that suggests opioid receptor involvement in neurochemical coding of the larval ENS. In summary, our work presents a novel, efficient CRISPR screen targeting ENS development, facilitating the discovery of previously unknown genes, and increasing knowledge of nervous system construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Moreno-Campos
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
| | - Eileen W. Singleton
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
| | - Rosa A. Uribe
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
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5
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Kuil LE, Kakiailatu NJ, Windster JD, Bindels E, Zink JT, van der Zee G, Hofstra RM, Shepherd IT, Melotte V, Alves MM. Unbiased characterization of the larval zebrafish enteric nervous system at a single cell transcriptomic level. iScience 2023; 26:107070. [PMID: 37426341 PMCID: PMC10329177 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) regulates many gastrointestinal functions including peristalsis, immune regulation and uptake of nutrients. Defects in the ENS can lead to severe enteric neuropathies such as Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). Zebrafish have proven to be fruitful in the identification of genes involved in ENS development and HSCR pathogenesis. However, composition and specification of enteric neurons and glial subtypes at larval stages, remains mainly unexplored. Here, we performed single cell RNA sequencing of zebrafish ENS at 5 days post-fertilization. We identified vagal neural crest progenitors, Schwann cell precursors, and four clusters of differentiated neurons. In addition, a previously unrecognized elavl3+/phox2bb-population of neurons and cx43+/phox2bb-enteric glia was found. Pseudotime analysis supported binary neurogenic branching of ENS differentiation, driven by a notch-responsive state. Taken together, we provide new insights on ENS development and specification, proving that the zebrafish is a valuable model for the study of congenital enteric neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Kuil
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Naomi J.M. Kakiailatu
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jonathan D. Windster
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric Bindels
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joke T.M. Zink
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gaby van der Zee
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert M.W. Hofstra
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Veerle Melotte
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Maria M. Alves
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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6
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Inge Schytz Andersen-Civil A, Anjan Sawale R, Claude Vanwalleghem G. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a translational model for neuro-immune interactions in the enteric nervous system in autism spectrum disorders. Brain Behav Immun 2023:S0889-1591(23)00142-3. [PMID: 37301234 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect about 1% of the population and are strongly associated with gastrointestinal diseases creating shortcomings in quality of life. Multiple factors contribute to the development of ASD and although neurodevelopmental deficits are central, the pathogenesis of the condition is complex and the high prevalence of intestinal disorders is poorly understood. In agreement with the prominent research establishing clear bidirectional interactions between the gut and the brain, several studies have made it evident that such a relation also exists in ASD. Thus, dysregulation of the gut microbiota and gut barrier integrity may play an important role in ASD. However, only limited research has investigated how the enteric nervous system (ENS) and intestinal mucosal immune factors may impact on the development of ASD-related intestinal disorders. This review focuses on the mechanistic studies that elucidate the regulation and interactions between enteric immune cells, residing gut microbiota and the ENS in models of ASD. Especially the multifaceted properties and applicability of zebrafish (Danio rerio) for the study of ASD pathogenesis are assessed in comparison to studies conducted in rodent models and humans. Advances in molecular techniques and in vivo imaging, combined with genetic manipulation and generation of germ-free animals in a controlled environment, appear to make zebrafish an underestimated model of choice for the study of ASD. Finally, we establish the research gaps that remain to be explored to further our understanding of the complexity of ASD pathogenesis and associated mechanisms that may lead to intestinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Inge Schytz Andersen-Civil
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Rajlakshmi Anjan Sawale
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Gilles Claude Vanwalleghem
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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7
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Ganz J, Ratcliffe EM. Who's talking to whom: microbiome-enteric nervous system interactions in early life. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2023; 324:G196-G206. [PMID: 36625480 PMCID: PMC9988524 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00166.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the intrinsic nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and regulates important GI functions, including motility, nutrient uptake, and immune response. The development of the ENS begins during early organogenesis and continues to develop once feeding begins, with ongoing plasticity into adulthood. There has been increasing recognition that the intestinal microbiota and ENS interact during critical periods, with implications for normal development and potential disease pathogenesis. In this review, we focus on insights from mouse and zebrafish model systems to compare and contrast how each model can serve in elucidating the bidirectional communication between the ENS and the microbiome. At the end of this review, we further outline implications for human disease and highlight research innovations that can lead the field forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Ganz
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
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8
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Bandla A, Melancon E, Taylor CR, Davidson AE, Eisen JS, Ganz J. A New Transgenic Tool to Study the Ret Signaling Pathway in the Enteric Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415667. [PMID: 36555308 PMCID: PMC9779438 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase Ret plays a critical role in regulating enteric nervous system (ENS) development. Ret is important for proliferation, migration, and survival of enteric progenitor cells (EPCs). Ret also promotes neuronal fate, but its role during neuronal differentiation and in the adult ENS is less well understood. Inactivating RET mutations are associated with ENS diseases, e.g., Hirschsprung Disease, in which distal bowel lacks ENS cells. Zebrafish is an established model system for studying ENS development and modeling human ENS diseases. One advantage of the zebrafish model system is that their embryos are transparent, allowing visualization of developmental phenotypes in live animals. However, we lack tools to monitor Ret expression in live zebrafish. Here, we developed a new BAC transgenic line that expresses GFP under the ret promoter. We find that EPCs and the majority of ENS neurons express ret:GFP during ENS development. In the adult ENS, GFP+ neurons are equally present in females and males. In homozygous mutants of ret and sox10-another important ENS developmental regulator gene-GFP+ ENS cells are absent. In summary, we characterize a ret:GFP transgenic line as a new tool to visualize and study the Ret signaling pathway from early development through adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashoka Bandla
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Ellie Melancon
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Charlotte R. Taylor
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Ann E. Davidson
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Judith S. Eisen
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Julia Ganz
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Correspondence:
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Zaccone G, Capillo G, Aragona M, Alesci A, Cupello C, Lauriano ER, Guerrera MC, Kuciel M, Zuwala K, Germana A, Icardo JM. Gill structure and neurochemical markers in the African bonytongue (Heterotis niloticus): A preliminary study. Acta Histochem 2022; 124:151954. [PMID: 36174310 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2022.151954] [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: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
We have conducted a morphological and immunohistochemical study of the gills of juvenile specimens of the obligate air-breathing fish Heterotis niloticus. The study has been performed under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The gills showed a reduced respiratory surface area by development of an interlamellar cellular mass (ILCM). The ILCM persisted without changes under both normoxia and hypoxia. Neuroepithelial cells (NECs), the major oxygen and hypoxia sensing cell type, were located in the distal end of the gill filaments and along the ILCM edges. These cells expressed 5HT, the neuronal isoform of the nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT). Furthermore, NECs appeared associated with nitrergic nerve fibres. The O2 levels did not modify the location, number or the immunohistochemical characteristics of NECs. Pavement cells covering the ILCM were also positive to nNOS and VAChT. The mechanisms of O2 sensing in the gills of Heterotis appears to involve several cell populations, the release of multiple neurotransmitters and a diversity of excitatory, inhibitory and modulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Zaccone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Gioele Capillo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy; Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council (CNR), 98122 Messina, Italy.
| | - Marialuisa Aragona
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Alessio Alesci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Camila Cupello
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - Maria Cristina Guerrera
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Michal Kuciel
- Poison Information Centre, Department of Toxicology and Environmental Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Jagellonian University, Kopernika 15, 30-501 Krakòw, Poland.
| | - Kristina Zuwala
- Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Researches, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Antonino Germana
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Josè Manuel Icardo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Poligono de Cazoña, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
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10
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Zada A, Zhao Y, Halim D, Windster J, van der Linde HC, Glodener J, Overkleeft S, de Graaf BM, Verdijk RM, Brooks AS, Shepherd I, Gao Y, Burns AJ, Hofstra RMW, Alves MM. The long Filamin-A isoform is required for intestinal development and motility: implications for chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 32:151-160. [PMID: 35981053 PMCID: PMC9838097 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Filamin A (FLNA) is a cytoplasmic actin binding protein, recently shown to be expressed as a long and short isoform. Mutations in FLNA are associated with a wide spectrum of disorders, including an X-linked form of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO). However, the role of FLNA in intestinal development and function is largely unknown. In this study, we show that FLNA is expressed in the muscle layer of the small intestine from early human fetal stages. Expression of FLNA variants associated with CIPO, blocked expression of the long flna isoform and led to an overall reduction of RNA and protein levels. As a consequence, contractility of human intestinal smooth muscle cells was affected. Lastly, our transgenic zebrafish line showed that the flna long isoform is required for intestinal elongation and peristalsis. Histological analysis revealed structural and architectural changes in the intestinal smooth muscle of homozygous fish, likely triggered by the abnormal expression of intestinal smooth muscle markers. No defect in the localization or numbers of enteric neurons was observed. Taken together, our study demonstrates that the long FLNA isoform contributes to intestinal development and function. Since loss of the long FLNA isoform does not seem to affect the enteric nervous system, it likely results in a myopathic form of CIPO, bringing new insights to disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Danny Halim
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam 3015GD, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Windster
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam 3015GD, The Netherlands,Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam 3015GD, The Netherlands
| | - Herma C van der Linde
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam 3015GD, The Netherlands
| | - Jackleen Glodener
- Department of Biology, Rollins Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Sander Overkleeft
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam 3015GD, The Netherlands
| | - Bianca M de Graaf
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam 3015GD, The Netherlands
| | - Robert M Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015GD, The Netherlands
| | - Alice S Brooks
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam 3015GD, The Netherlands
| | - Iain Shepherd
- Department of Biology, Rollins Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Ya Gao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | | | - Robert M W Hofstra
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam 3015GD, The Netherlands,Birth Defects Research Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Maria M Alves
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, PO Box 2040, 3000CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: +3110-7030683;
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11
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Zada A, Kuil LE, de Graaf BM, Kakiailatu N, Windster JD, Brooks AS, van Slegtenhorst M, de Koning B, Wijnen RMH, Melotte V, Hofstra RMW, Brosens E, Alves MM. TFAP2B Haploinsufficiency Impacts Gastrointestinal Function and Leads to Pediatric Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:901824. [PMID: 35874825 PMCID: PMC9304996 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.901824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pediatric Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction (PIPO) is a congenital enteric disorder characterized by severe gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility, without mechanical obstruction. Although several genes have been described to cause this disease, most patients do not receive a genetic diagnosis. Here, we aim to identify the genetic cause of PIPO in a patient diagnosed with severe intestinal dysmotility shortly after birth. Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed in the patient and unaffected parents, in a diagnostic setting. After identification of the potential disease-causing variant, its functional consequences were determined in vitro and in vivo. For this, expression constructs with and without the causing variant, were overexpressed in HEK293 cells. To investigate the role of the candidate gene in GI development and function, a zebrafish model was generated where its expression was disrupted using CRISPR/Cas9 editing. Results: WES analysis identified a de novo heterozygous deletion in TFAP2B (NM_003221.4:c.602-5_606delTCTAGTTCCA), classified as a variant of unknown significance. In vitro studies showed that this deletion affects RNA splicing and results in loss of exon 4, leading to the appearance of a premature stop codon and absence of TFAP2B protein. Disruption of tfap2b in zebrafish led to decreased enteric neuronal numbers and delayed transit time. However, no defects in neuronal differentiation were detected. tfap2b crispants also showed decreased levels of ednrbb mRNA, a downstream target of tfap2b. Conclusion: We showed that TFAP2B haploinsufficiency leads to reduced neuronal numbers and GI dysmotility, suggesting for the first time, that this gene is involved in PIPO pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almira Zada
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Almira Zada, ; Maria M. Alves,
| | - Laura E. Kuil
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bianca M. de Graaf
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Naomi Kakiailatu
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jonathan D. Windster
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alice S. Brooks
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marjon van Slegtenhorst
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Barbara de Koning
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Erasmus University Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - René M. H. Wijnen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Veerle Melotte
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Robert M. W. Hofstra
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Erwin Brosens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maria M. Alves
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Almira Zada, ; Maria M. Alves,
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12
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Maina JN, Icardo JM, Zaccone G, Aragona M, Lauriano ER, Alesci A, Albano M, Guerrera MC, Germana A, Fernandes JMO, Kiron V, Capillo G. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of the immune cell system and epithelial surfaces of the respiratory organs in the bimodally-breathing African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822). Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2022; 305:3212-3229. [PMID: 35142056 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Ach, represents the old neurotransmitter in central and peripheral nervous system. Its muscarinic and nicotinic receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs) constitute an independent cholinergic system that is found in immune cells and playsa key role in regulation of the immune function and cytokine production. Gas exchanging surfaces of the gills and air-breathing organs (ABOs) of the sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus were investigated using ultrastructural and confocal immunofluorescence techniques. This study was predominantly focused on the structure of the immune cell types, the expression of their neurotransmitters, including the antimicrobial peptide piscidin 1, and the functional significance of respiratory gas exchange epithelia. A network of immune cells (monocytes, eosinophils, and mast cells) was observed in the gill and theABO epithelia. Eosinophils containing 5HT immunoreactivity were seen in close association with mast cells expressing acetylcholine (Ach), 5HT, nNOS and piscidin 1. A rich and dense cholinergic innervation dispersing across the islet capillaries of the gas exchange barrier, and the localization of Ach in the squamous pavement cells covering the capillaries, were evidenced byVAChT antibodies.We report for the first time that piscidin 1(Pis 1) positive mast cells interact with Pis 1 positive nerves found in the epithelia of the respiratory organs.Pis 1 immunoreactivity was also observed in the covering respiratory epithelium of the ABOs and associated with a role in local mucosal immune defense . The above results anticipate future studies on the neuro-immune interactions at mucosal barrier surfaces, like the gill and the skin of fish, areas densely populated by different immune cells and sensory nerves that constantly sense and adapt to tissue-specific environmental challenges. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Ndegwa Maina
- Department of Zoology, Auckland Park Campus, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jose Manuel Icardo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Giacomo Zaccone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Aragona
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Alessio Alesci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Marco Albano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Guerrera
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Germana
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, University of Messina, Italy
| | | | - Viswanath Kiron
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
| | - Gioele Capillo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, University of Messina, Italy.,Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM) , National Research Council (CNR), Section of Messina, Messina, Italy
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13
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Okamoto SI, Hatta K. Ca 2+-imaging and photo-manipulation of the simple gut of zebrafish larvae in vivo. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2018. [PMID: 35132112 PMCID: PMC8821699 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05895-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish larval gut could be considered as an excellent model to study functions of vertebrate digestive organs, by virtue of its simplicity and transparency as well as the availability of mutants. However, there has been scant investigation of the detailed behavior of muscular and enteric nervous systems to convey bolus, an aggregate of digested food. Here we visualized peristalsis using transgenic lines expressing a genetically encoded Ca2+ sensor in the circular smooth muscles. An intermittent Ca2+ signal cycle was observed at the oral side of the bolus, with Ca2+ waves descending and ascending from there. We also identified a regular cycle of weaker movement that occurs regardless of the presence or absence of bolus, corresponding likely to slow waves. Direct photo-stimulation of circular smooth muscles expressing ChR2 could cause local constriction of the gut, while the stimulation of a single or a few neurons could cause the local induction or arrest of gut movements. These results indicate that the larval gut of zebrafish has basic features found in adult mammals despite the small number of enteric neurons, providing a foundation for the study, at the single-cell level in vivo, in controlling the gut behaviors in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ichi Okamoto
- Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, 3-2-1 Kouto, Kamigori, Ako-gun, Hyogo, 678-1297, Japan
| | - Kohei Hatta
- Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, 3-2-1 Kouto, Kamigori, Ako-gun, Hyogo, 678-1297, Japan.
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14
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Micheloni G, Carnovali M, Millefanti G, Rizzetto M, Moretti V, Montalbano G, Acquati F, Giaroni C, Valli R, Costantino L, Ferrara F, Banfi G, Mariotti M, Porta G. Soy diet induces intestinal inflammation in adult Zebrafish: Role of OTX and P53 family. Int J Exp Pathol 2022; 103:13-22. [PMID: 34725870 PMCID: PMC8781668 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Since Danio rerio is a promising animal model to study gut function, we developed a soy-dependent model of intestinal inflammation in adult zebrafish. The soya bean meal diet was given for 4 weeks and induced an inflammatory process, as demonstrated by morphological changes together with an increased percentage of neutrophils infiltrating the intestinal wall, which developed between the second and fourth week of treatment. Pro-inflammatory genes such as interleukin-1beta, interleukin-8 and tumour necrosis factor alpha were upregulated in the second week and anti-inflammatory genes such as transforming growth factor beta and interleukin-10. Interestingly, an additional expression peak was found for interleukin-8 at the fourth week. Neuronal genes, OTX1 and OTX2, were significantly upregulated in the first two weeks, compatible with the development of the changes in the gut wall. As for the genes of the p53 family such as p53, DNp63 and p73, a statistically significant increase was observed after two weeks of treatment compared with controls. Interestingly, DNp63 and p73 were shown an additional peak after four weeks. Our data demonstrate that soya bean meal diet negatively influences intestinal morphology and immunological function in adult zebrafish showing the features of acute inflammation. Data observed at the fourth week of treatment may suggest initiation of chronic inflammation. Adult zebrafish may represent a promising model to better understand the mechanisms of food-dependent intestinal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Micheloni
- Centro di Medicina GenomicaDepartment of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | | | | | - Manuel Rizzetto
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Vittoria Moretti
- Centro di Medicina GenomicaDepartment of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Giuseppe Montalbano
- Centro di Medicina GenomicaDepartment of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Francesco Acquati
- Centro di Medicina GenomicaDepartment of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Cristina Giaroni
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Roberto Valli
- Centro di Medicina GenomicaDepartment of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Lucy Costantino
- Department of Molecular GeneticsCentro Diagnostico ItalianoMilanoItaly
| | - Fulvio Ferrara
- Department of Molecular GeneticsCentro Diagnostico ItalianoMilanoItaly
| | - Giuseppe Banfi
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico GaleazziMilanItaly
- Vita‐Salute San Raffaele UniversityMilanItaly
| | - Massimo Mariotti
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico GaleazziMilanItaly
- Department of BiomedicalSurgical and Dental SciencesUniversity of MilanMilanItaly
| | - Giovanni Porta
- Centro di Medicina GenomicaDepartment of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
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15
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El-Nachef WN, Hu C, Bronner ME. Whole gut imaging allows quantification of all enteric neurons in the adult zebrafish intestine. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2022; 34:e14292. [PMID: 34865280 PMCID: PMC8799505 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A fundamental understanding of the enteric nervous system in normal and diseased states is limited by the lack of standard measures of total enteric neuron number. The adult zebrafish is a useful model in this context as it is amenable to in toto imaging of the intestine. We leveraged this to develop a technique to image and quantify all enteric neurons within the adult zebrafish intestine and applied this method to assess the relationship between intestinal length and total enteric neuron number. METHODS Dissected adult zebrafish intestines were immunostained in wholemount, optically cleared with refractive index-matched solution, and then imaged in tiles using light-sheet microscopy. Imaging software was used to stitch the tiles, and the full image underwent automated cell counting. Total enteric neuron number was assessed in relation to intestinal length using linear regression modeling. KEY RESULTS Whole gut imaging of the adult zebrafish intestine permits the visualization of endogenous and immunohistochemistry-derived fluorescence throughout the intestine. While enteric neuron distribution is heterogeneous between intestinal segments, total enteric neuron number positively correlates with intestinal length. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES Imaging of all enteric neurons within the adult vertebrate intestine is possible in models such as the zebrafish. In this study, we apply this to demonstrate a positive correlation between enteric neuron number and intestinal length. Quantifying total enteric numbers will facilitate future studies of enteric neuropathies and ENS structure in animal models and potentially in biopsied tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wael N. El-Nachef
- Department of Medicine, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California Los Angeles,Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology
| | - Claire Hu
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology
| | - Marianne E. Bronner
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology
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16
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Yamashita J, Nishiike Y, Fleming T, Kayo D, Okubo K. Estrogen mediates sex differences in preoptic neuropeptide and pituitary hormone production in medaka. Commun Biol 2021; 4:948. [PMID: 34373576 PMCID: PMC8352984 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02476-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The preoptic area (POA) is one of the most evolutionarily conserved regions of the vertebrate brain and contains subsets of neuropeptide-expressing neurons. Here we found in the teleost medaka that two neuropeptides belonging to the secretin family, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (Pacap) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (Vip), exhibit opposite patterns of sexually dimorphic expression in the same population of POA neurons that project to the anterior pituitary: Pacap is male-biased, whereas Vip is female-biased. Estrogen secreted by the ovary in adulthood was found to attenuate Pacap expression and, conversely, stimulate Vip expression in the female POA, thereby establishing and maintaining their opposite sexual dimorphism. Pituitary organ culture experiments demonstrated that both Pacap and Vip can markedly alter the expression of various anterior pituitary hormones. Collectively, these findings show that males and females use alternative preoptic neuropeptides to regulate anterior pituitary hormones as a result of their different estrogen milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpei Yamashita
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuji Nishiike
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Thomas Fleming
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daichi Kayo
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kataaki Okubo
- Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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17
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Capillo G, Lauriano ER, Icardo JM, Siriyappagouder P, Kuciel M, Karapanagiotis S, Zaccone G, Fernandes JMO. Structural Identification of the Pacemaker Cells and Expression of Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated (HCN) Channels in the Heart of the Wild Atlantic Cod, Gadus morhua (Linnaeus, 1758). Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7539. [PMID: 34299159 PMCID: PMC8307021 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are proteins that contain highly conserved functional domains and sequence motifs that are correlated with their unique biophysical activities, to regulate cardiac pacemaker activity and synaptic transmission. These pacemaker proteins have been studied in mammalian species, but little is known now about their heart distribution in lower vertebrates and c-AMP modulation. Here, we characterized the pacemaker system in the heart of the wild Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), with respect to primary pacemaker molecular markers. Special focus is given to the structural, ultrastructural and molecular characterization of the pacemaker domain, through the expression of HCN channel genes and the immunohistochemistry of HCN isoforms, including the location of intracardiac neurons that are adjacent to the sinoatrial region of the heart. Similarly to zebrafish and mammals, these neurons are immunoreactive to ChAT, VAChT and nNOS. It has been shown that cardiac pacemaking can be modulated by sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways, and the existence of intracardiac neurons projecting back to the central nervous system provide a plausible link between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioele Capillo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy;
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology—National Research Council (IRBIM, CNR), Spianata S. Raineri, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Eugenia R. Lauriano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy;
| | - Jose M. Icardo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Poligono de Cazona, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | | | - Michal Kuciel
- Poison Information Centre, Department of Toxicology and Environmental Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University, Kopernika 15, 30-501 Cracow, Poland;
| | - Stelios Karapanagiotis
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, 8026 Bodø, Norway; (P.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Giacomo Zaccone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy;
| | - Jorge M. O. Fernandes
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, 8026 Bodø, Norway; (P.S.); (S.K.)
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18
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James DM, Davidson EA, Yanes J, Moshiree B, Dallman JE. The Gut-Brain-Microbiome Axis and Its Link to Autism: Emerging Insights and the Potential of Zebrafish Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:662916. [PMID: 33937265 PMCID: PMC8081961 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.662916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Research involving autism spectrum disorder (ASD) most frequently focuses on its key diagnostic criteria: restricted interests and repetitive behaviors, altered sensory perception, and communication impairments. These core criteria, however, are often accompanied by numerous comorbidities, many of which result in severe negative impacts on quality of life, including seizures, epilepsy, sleep disturbance, hypotonia, and GI distress. While ASD is a clinically heterogeneous disorder, gastrointestinal (GI) distress is among the most prevalent co-occurring symptom complex, manifesting in upward of 70% of all individuals with ASD. Consistent with this high prevalence, over a dozen family foundations that represent genetically distinct, molecularly defined forms of ASD have identified GI symptoms as an understudied area with significant negative impacts on quality of life for both individuals and their caregivers. Moreover, GI symptoms are also correlated with more pronounced irritability, social withdrawal, stereotypy, hyperactivity, and sleep disturbances, suggesting that they may exacerbate the defining behavioral symptoms of ASD. Despite these facts (and to the detriment of the community), GI distress remains largely unaddressed by ASD research and is frequently regarded as a symptomatic outcome rather than a potential contributory factor to the behavioral symptoms. Allowing for examination of both ASD's impact on the central nervous system (CNS) as well as its impact on the GI tract and the associated microbiome, the zebrafish has recently emerged as a powerful tool to study ASD. This is in no small part due to the advantages zebrafish present as a model system: their precocious development, their small transparent larval form, and their parallels with humans in genetics and physiology. While ASD research centered on the CNS has leveraged these advantages, there has been a critical lack of GI-centric ASD research in zebrafish models, making a holistic view of the gut-brain-microbiome axis incomplete. Similarly, high-throughput ASD drug screens have recently been developed but primarily focus on CNS and behavioral impacts while potential GI impacts have not been investigated. In this review, we aim to explore the great promise of the zebrafish model for elucidating the roles of the gut-brain-microbiome axis in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. James
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | | | - Julio Yanes
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Baharak Moshiree
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Julia E. Dallman
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
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19
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Capillo G, Zaccone G, Cupello C, Fernandes JMO, Viswanath K, Kuciel M, Zuwala K, Guerrera MC, Aragona M, Icardo JM, Lauriano ER. Expression of acetylcholine, its contribution to regulation of immune function and O 2 sensing and phylogenetic interpretations of the African butterfly fish Pantodon buchholzi (Osteoglossiformes, Pantodontidae). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 111:189-200. [PMID: 33588082 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Acetylcholine (Ach) is the main neurotransmitter in the neuronal cholinergic system and also works as a signaling molecule in non-neuronal cells and tissues. The diversity of signaling pathways mediated by Ach provides a basis for understanding the biology of the cholinergic epithelial cells and immune cells in the gill of the species studied. NECs in the gill were not found surprisingly, but specialized cells showing the morphological, histochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of eosinophils were located in the gill filaments and respiratory lamellae. Much remains unknown about the interaction between the nerves and eosinophils that modulate both the release of acetylcholine and its nicotinic and muscarinic receptors including the role of acetylcholine in the mechanisms of O2 chemosensing. In this study we report for the first time the expression of Ach in the pavement cells of the gill lamellae in fish, the mast cells associated with eosinophils and nerve interaction for both immune cell types, in the gill of the extant butterfly fish Pantodon buchholzi. Multiple roles have been hypothesized for Ach and alpha nAChR in the gills. Among these there are the possible involvement of the pavement cells of the gill lamellae as O2 chemosensitive cells, the interaction of Ach positive mast cells with eosinophils and interaction of eosinophils with nerve terminals. This could be related to the use of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and the alpha 2 subunit of the acetylcholine nicotinic receptor (alpha 2 nAChR). These data demonstrate the presence of Ach multiple sites of neuronal and non-neuronal release and reception within the gill and its ancestral signaling that arose during the evolutionary history of this conservative fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioele Capillo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell'Annunziata, I-98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Giacomo Zaccone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell'Annunziata, I-98168, Messina, Italy.
| | - Camila Cupello
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia-IBRAG, Universidade de Estado Do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Sao Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Kiron Viswanath
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, 8026, Bodø, Norway
| | - Michal Kuciel
- Poison Information Centre, Department of Toxicology and Environmental Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University, Kopernika 15, 30-501, Cracow, Poland
| | - Krystyna Zuwala
- Department of Comparative Anatomy, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagellonian University, Cracow, Poland
| | - Maria Cristina Guerrera
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell'Annunziata, I-98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Aragona
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell'Annunziata, I-98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Jose Manuel Icardo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Poligono de Cazona, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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20
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Fujii K, Nakajo K, Egashira Y, Yamamoto Y, Kitada K, Taniguchi K, Kawai M, Tomiyama H, Kawakami K, Uchiyama K, Ono F. Gastrointestinal Neurons Expressing HCN4 Regulate Retrograde Peristalsis. Cell Rep 2021; 30:2879-2888.e3. [PMID: 32130893 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Peristalsis is indispensable for physiological function of the gut. The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays an important role in regulating peristalsis. While the neural network regulating anterograde peristalsis, which migrates from the oral end to the anal end, is characterized to some extent, retrograde peristalsis remains unresolved with regards to its neural regulation. Using forward genetics in zebrafish, we reveal that a population of neurons expressing a hyperpolarization-activated nucleotide-gated channel HCN4 specifically regulates retrograde peristalsis. When HCN4 channels are blocked by an HCN channel inhibitor or morpholinos blocking the protein expression, retrograde peristalsis is specifically attenuated. Conversely, when HCN4(+) neurons expressing channelrhodopsin are activated by illumination, retrograde peristalsis is enhanced while anterograde peristalsis remains unchanged. We propose that HCN4(+) neurons in the ENS forward activating signals toward the oral end and simultaneously stimulate local circuits regulating the circular muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Fujii
- Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Koichi Nakajo
- Department of Physiology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan; Division of Integrative Physiology, Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | | | | | - Kazuya Kitada
- Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Kohei Taniguchi
- Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Masaru Kawai
- Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Hideki Tomiyama
- Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Koichi Kawakami
- Laboratory of Molecular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Genetics and Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Uchiyama
- Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Fumihito Ono
- Department of Physiology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan.
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21
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Howard AG, Baker PA, Ibarra-García-Padilla R, Moore JA, Rivas LJ, Tallman JJ, Singleton EW, Westheimer JL, Corteguera JA, Uribe RA. An atlas of neural crest lineages along the posterior developing zebrafish at single-cell resolution. eLife 2021; 10:60005. [PMID: 33591267 PMCID: PMC7886338 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural crest cells (NCCs) are vertebrate stem cells that give rise to various cell types throughout the developing body in early life. Here, we utilized single-cell transcriptomic analyses to delineate NCC-derivatives along the posterior developing vertebrate, zebrafish, during the late embryonic to early larval stage, a period when NCCs are actively differentiating into distinct cellular lineages. We identified several major NCC/NCC-derived cell-types including mesenchyme, neural crest, neural, neuronal, glial, and pigment, from which we resolved over three dozen cellular subtypes. We dissected gene expression signatures of pigment progenitors delineating into chromatophore lineages, mesenchyme cells, and enteric NCCs transforming into enteric neurons. Global analysis of NCC derivatives revealed they were demarcated by combinatorial hox gene codes, with distinct profiles within neuronal cells. From these analyses, we present a comprehensive cell-type atlas that can be utilized as a valuable resource for further mechanistic and evolutionary investigations of NCC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey Ga Howard
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Phillip A Baker
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | | | - Joshua A Moore
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Lucia J Rivas
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - James J Tallman
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | | | | | | | - Rosa A Uribe
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, United States
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22
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Ohno M, Nikaido M, Horiuchi N, Kawakami K, Hatta K. The enteric nervous system in zebrafish larvae can regenerate via migration into the ablated area and proliferation of neural crest-derived cells. Development 2021; 148:dev.195339. [PMID: 33376126 DOI: 10.1242/dev.195339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS), which is derived from neural crest, is essential for gut function, and its deficiency causes severe congenital diseases. Since the capacity for ENS regeneration in mammals is limited, additional complementary models would be useful. Here, we show that the ENS in zebrafish larvae at 10-15 days postfertilization is highly regenerative. After laser ablation, the number of enteric neurons recovered to ∼50% of the control by 10 days post-ablation (dpa). Using transgenic lines in which enteric neural crest-derived cells (ENCDCs) and enteric neurons are labeled with fluorescent proteins, we live imaged the regeneration process and found covering by neurites that extended from the unablated area and entry of ENCDCs into the ablated areas by 1-3 dpa. BrdU assays suggested that ∼80% of the enteric neurons and ∼90% of the Sox10-positive ENCDCs therein at 7 dpa were generated through proliferation. Thus, ENS regeneration involves proliferation, entrance and neurogenesis of ENCDCs. This is the first report regarding the regeneration process of the zebrafish ENS. Our findings provide a basis for further in vivo research at single-cell resolution in this vertebrate model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ohno
- Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo, Ako-gun, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
| | - Masataka Nikaido
- Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo, Ako-gun, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
| | - Natsumi Horiuchi
- School of Science, University of Hyogo, Ako-gun, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
| | - Koichi Kawakami
- Laboratory of Molecular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Genetics, and Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Kohei Hatta
- Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo, Ako-gun, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
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23
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Kuil LE, Chauhan RK, Cheng WW, Hofstra RMW, Alves MM. Zebrafish: A Model Organism for Studying Enteric Nervous System Development and Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:629073. [PMID: 33553169 PMCID: PMC7859111 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.629073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) is a large network of enteric neurons and glia that regulates various processes in the gastrointestinal tract including motility, local blood flow, mucosal transport and secretion. The ENS is derived from stem cells coming from the neural crest that migrate into and along the primitive gut. Defects in ENS establishment cause enteric neuropathies, including Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), which is characterized by an absence of enteric neural crest cells in the distal part of the colon. In this review, we discuss the use of zebrafish as a model organism to study the development of the ENS. The accessibility of the rapidly developing gut in zebrafish embryos and larvae, enables in vivo visualization of ENS development, peristalsis and gut transit. These properties make the zebrafish a highly suitable model to bring new insights into ENS development, as well as in HSCR pathogenesis. Zebrafish have already proven fruitful in studying ENS functionality and in the validation of novel HSCR risk genes. With the rapid advancements in gene editing techniques and their unique properties, research using zebrafish as a disease model, will further increase our understanding on the genetics underlying HSCR, as well as possible treatment options for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Kuil
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rajendra K. Chauhan
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - William W. Cheng
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Robert M. W. Hofstra
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria M. Alves
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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24
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Lavergne A, Tarifeño-Saldivia E, Pirson J, Reuter AS, Flasse L, Manfroid I, Voz ML, Peers B. Pancreatic and intestinal endocrine cells in zebrafish share common transcriptomic signatures and regulatory programmes. BMC Biol 2020; 18:109. [PMID: 32867764 PMCID: PMC7457809 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-020-00840-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endocrine cells of the zebrafish digestive system play an important role in regulating metabolism and include pancreatic endocrine cells (PECs) clustered in the islets of Langerhans and the enteroendocrine cells (EECs) scattered in the intestinal epithelium. Despite EECs and PECs are being located in distinct organs, their differentiation involves shared molecular mechanisms and transcription factors. However, their degree of relatedness remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated comprehensively the similarity of EECs and PECs by defining their transcriptomic landscape and comparing the regulatory programmes controlled by Pax6b, a key player in both EEC and PEC differentiations. RESULTS RNA sequencing was performed on EECs and PECs isolated from wild-type and pax6b mutant zebrafish. Data mining of wild-type zebrafish EEC data confirmed the expression of orthologues for most known mammalian EEC hormones, but also revealed the expression of three additional neuropeptide hormones (Proenkephalin-a, Calcitonin-a and Adcyap1a) not previously reported to be expressed by EECs in any species. Comparison of transcriptomes from EECs, PECs and other zebrafish tissues highlights a very close similarity between EECs and PECs, with more than 70% of genes being expressed in both endocrine cell types. Comparison of Pax6b-regulated genes in EECs and PECs revealed a significant overlap. pax6b loss-of-function does not affect the total number of EECs and PECs but instead disrupts the balance between endocrine cell subtypes, leading to an increase of ghrelin- and motilin-like-expressing cells in both the intestine and pancreas at the expense of other endocrine cells such as beta and delta cells in the pancreas and pyyb-expressing cells in the intestine. Finally, we show that the homeodomain of Pax6b is dispensable for its action in both EECs and PECs. CONCLUSION We have analysed the transcriptomic landscape of wild-type and pax6b mutant zebrafish EECs and PECs. Our study highlights the close relatedness of EECs and PECs at the transcriptomic and regulatory levels, supporting the hypothesis of a common phylogenetic origin and underscoring the potential implication of EECs in metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Lavergne
- Laboratory of Zebrafish Development and Disease Models (ZDDM), GIGA, University of Liège, Avenue de l'Hôpital 1, B34, Sart Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Estefania Tarifeño-Saldivia
- Laboratory of Zebrafish Development and Disease Models (ZDDM), GIGA, University of Liège, Avenue de l'Hôpital 1, B34, Sart Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium.,Present Address: Gene Expression and Regulation Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Justine Pirson
- Laboratory of Zebrafish Development and Disease Models (ZDDM), GIGA, University of Liège, Avenue de l'Hôpital 1, B34, Sart Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Anne-Sophie Reuter
- Laboratory of Zebrafish Development and Disease Models (ZDDM), GIGA, University of Liège, Avenue de l'Hôpital 1, B34, Sart Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Lydie Flasse
- Laboratory of Zebrafish Development and Disease Models (ZDDM), GIGA, University of Liège, Avenue de l'Hôpital 1, B34, Sart Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Manfroid
- Laboratory of Zebrafish Development and Disease Models (ZDDM), GIGA, University of Liège, Avenue de l'Hôpital 1, B34, Sart Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Marianne L Voz
- Laboratory of Zebrafish Development and Disease Models (ZDDM), GIGA, University of Liège, Avenue de l'Hôpital 1, B34, Sart Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
| | - Bernard Peers
- Laboratory of Zebrafish Development and Disease Models (ZDDM), GIGA, University of Liège, Avenue de l'Hôpital 1, B34, Sart Tilman, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
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25
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Uyttebroek L, Pype C, Hubens G, Timmermans JP, Van Nassauw L. Effect of TNBS-induced colitis on enteric neuronal subpopulations in adult zebrafish. Eur J Histochem 2020; 64. [PMID: 32875777 PMCID: PMC7459238 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2020.3161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and is characterized by periods of acute inflammation and remission. Therapeutic management of IBD is still problematic, because of incomplete understanding its pathogenesis. This study focuses on the effect of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis on changes in enteric neuronal subpopulations in adult zebrafish. These changes are suggested to be related to the altered neuro-immune interactions and GI motility, and in IBD pathogenesis. New insights into neuroplasticity will be instrumental in finding appropriate therapeutic treatments. TNBS was intraluminally administered in the distal intestine (DI) of anesthetized adult zebrafish. A histological time course of the intestinal inflammatory response was created to establish optimal TNBS concentration and acute inflammation phase. Using double immunolabelling on whole mounts, the effect of inflammation on neuronal populations was analyzed. Based on intestinal wall thickening, epithelial fold disruption, reduced goblet cell number, and eosinophil infiltration, our analysis indicated that the optimal TNBS concentration (320 mM in 25% ethanol) inducing non-lethal inflammation reached a peak at 6 h post-induction. The inflammatory response returned to baseline values at 3 days post-induction. At the acute inflammation phase, no influence on the distribution or proportion of nitrergic neurons was observed, while only the proportion of cholinergic neurons was significantly reduced in the DI. The proportion of serotonergic neurons was significantly increased in the entire intestine during inflammation. This study describes a method of TNBS-induced colitis in the adult zebrafish. Given that the acute inflammation phase is accompanied by neuroplasticity comparable to changes observed in IBD patients, and the unique and versatile characteristics of the zebrafish, allows this model to be used alongside IBD animal models to unravel IBD pathology and to test new IBD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Uyttebroek
- Laboratory of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp.
| | - Casper Pype
- Laboratory of Applied Veterinary Morphology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp.
| | - Guy Hubens
- Laboratory of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp.
| | - Jean-Pierre Timmermans
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp.
| | - Luc Van Nassauw
- Laboratory of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp.
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26
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Zaccone G, Cupello C, Capillo G, Kuciel M, Nascimento ALR, Gopesh A, Germanà GP, Spanò N, Guerrera MC, Aragona M, Crupi R, Icardo JM, Lauriano ER. Expression of Acetylcholine- and G protein coupled Muscarinic receptor in the Neuroepithelial cells (NECs) of the obligated air-breathing fish, Arapaima gigas (Arapaimatidae: Teleostei). ZOOLOGY 2020; 139:125755. [PMID: 32088527 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2020.125755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The air-breathing specialization has evolved idependently in vertebrates, as many different organs can perfom gas exchange. The largest obligate air-breathing fish from South America Arapaima gigas breathe air using its gas bladder, and its dependence on air breathing increases during its growth. During its development, gill morphology shows a dramatic change, remodeling with a gradual reduction of gill lamellae during the transition from water breathing to air breathing . It has been suggested that in this species the gills remain the main site of O2 and CO2 sensing. Consistent with this, we demonstrate for the first time the occurrence of the neuroepithelial cells (NECs) in the glottis, and in the gill filament epithelia and their distal halves. These cells contain a broader spectrum of neurotransmitters (5-HT, acetylcholine, nNOS), G-protein subunits and the muscarininic receptors that are coupled to G proteins (G-protein coupled receptors). We report also for the first time the presence of G alpha proteins coupled with muscarinic receptors on the NECs, that are thought as receptors that initiate the cardiorespiratory reflexes in aquatic vertebrates. Based on the specific orientation in the epithelia and their closest vicinity to efferent vasculatures, the gill and glottal NECs of A. gigas could be regarded as potential O2 and CO2 sensing receptors. However, future studies are needed to ascertain the neurophysiological characterization of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Zaccone
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Camila Cupello
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gioele Capillo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Michal Kuciel
- Poison Information Centre, Department of Toxicology and Environmental Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Jagellonian University, Kpernika 15, 30-501 Krakòw, Poland
| | - Ana L R Nascimento
- Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida 28 de Setembro, 87, 20551-030, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Anita Gopesh
- Department of Zoology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211002, U.P., India
| | - Germana Patrizia Germanà
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Nunziacarla Spanò
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Guerrera
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Aragona
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Jose Manuel Icardo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Poligono de Cazona, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy
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27
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Ganz J, Melancon E, Wilson C, Amores A, Batzel P, Strader M, Braasch I, Diba P, Kuhlman JA, Postlethwait JH, Eisen JS. Epigenetic factors Dnmt1 and Uhrf1 coordinate intestinal development. Dev Biol 2019; 455:473-484. [PMID: 31394080 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal tract development is a coordinated process involving signaling among the progenitors and developing cells from all three germ layers. Development of endoderm-derived intestinal epithelium has been shown to depend on epigenetic modifications, but whether that is also the case for intestinal tract cell types from other germ layers remains unclear. We found that functional loss of a DNA methylation machinery component, ubiquitin-like protein containing PHD and RING finger domains 1 (uhrf1), leads to reduced numbers of ectoderm-derived enteric neurons and severe disruption of mesoderm-derived intestinal smooth muscle. Genetic chimeras revealed that Uhrf1 functions both cell-autonomously in enteric neuron precursors and cell-non-autonomously in surrounding intestinal cells, consistent with what is known about signaling interactions between these cell types that promote one another's development. Uhrf1 recruits the DNA methyltransferase Dnmt1 to unmethylated DNA during replication. Dnmt1 is also expressed in enteric neurons and smooth muscle progenitors. dnmt1 mutants have fewer enteric neurons and disrupted intestinal smooth muscle compared to wildtypes. Because dnmt1;uhrf1 double mutants have a similar phenotype to dnmt1 and uhrf1 single mutants, Dnmt1 and Uhrf1 must function together during enteric neuron and intestinal muscle development. This work shows that genes controlling epigenetic modifications are important to coordinate intestinal tract development, provides the first demonstration that these genes influence development of the ENS, and advances uhrf1 and dnmt1 as potential new Hirschsprung disease candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Ganz
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Ellie Melancon
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Catherine Wilson
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Angel Amores
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Peter Batzel
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Marie Strader
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Ingo Braasch
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Parham Diba
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Julie A Kuhlman
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - John H Postlethwait
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Judith S Eisen
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA.
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28
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Baker PA, Meyer MD, Tsang A, Uribe RA. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis of the maturing larval zebrafish enteric nervous system reveals the formation of a neuropil pattern. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6941. [PMID: 31061452 PMCID: PMC6502827 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43497-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is constructed with an intrinsic series of interconnected ganglia that span its entire length, called the enteric nervous system (ENS). The ENS exerts critical local reflex control over many essential gut functions; including peristalsis, water balance, hormone secretions and intestinal barrier homeostasis. ENS ganglia exist as a collection of neurons and glia that are arranged in a series of plexuses throughout the gut: the myenteric plexus and submucosal plexus. While it is known that enteric ganglia are derived from a stem cell population called the neural crest, mechanisms that dictate final neuropil plexus organization remain obscure. Recently, the vertebrate animal, zebrafish, has emerged as a useful model to understand ENS development, however knowledge of its developing myenteric plexus architecture was unknown. Here, we examine myenteric plexus of the maturing zebrafish larval fish histologically over time and find that it consists of a series of tight axon layers and long glial cell processes that wrap the circumference of the gut tube to completely encapsulate it, along all levels of the gut. By late larval stages, complexity of the myenteric plexus increases such that a layer of axons is juxtaposed to concentric layers of glial cells. Ultrastructurally, glial cells contain glial filaments and make intimate contacts with one another in long, thread-like projections. Conserved indicators of vesicular axon profiles are readily abundant throughout the larval plexus neuropil. Together, these data extend our understanding of myenteric plexus architecture in maturing zebrafish, thereby enabling functional studies of its formation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip A Baker
- Biosciences Department, MS 140, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77005, USA
| | - Matthew D Meyer
- Shared Equipment Authority, MS 100, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77005, USA
| | - Ashley Tsang
- Biosciences Department, MS 140, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77005, USA
| | - Rosa A Uribe
- Biosciences Department, MS 140, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77005, USA.
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29
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Modeling gut-brain interactions in zebrafish. Brain Res Bull 2019; 148:55-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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30
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James DM, Kozol RA, Kajiwara Y, Wahl AL, Storrs EC, Buxbaum JD, Klein M, Moshiree B, Dallman JE. Intestinal dysmotility in a zebrafish ( Danio rerio) shank3a;shank3b mutant model of autism. Mol Autism 2019; 10:3. [PMID: 30733854 PMCID: PMC6357389 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0250-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is currently estimated to affect more than 1% of the world population. For people with ASD, gastrointestinal (GI) distress is a commonly reported but a poorly understood co-occurring symptom. Here, we investigate the physiological basis for GI distress in ASD by studying gut function in a zebrafish model of Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS), a condition caused by mutations in the SHANK3 gene. Methods To generate a zebrafish model of PMS, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce clinically related C-terminal frameshift mutations in shank3a and shank3b zebrafish paralogues (shank3abΔC). Because PMS is caused by SHANK3 haploinsufficiency, we assessed the digestive tract (DT) structure and function in zebrafish shank3abΔC+/− heterozygotes. Human SHANK3 mRNA was then used to rescue DT phenotypes in larval zebrafish. Results Significantly slower rates of DT peristaltic contractions (p < 0.001) with correspondingly prolonged passage time (p < 0.004) occurred in shank3abΔC+/− mutants. Rescue injections of mRNA encoding the longest human SHANK3 isoform into shank3abΔC+/− mutants produced larvae with intestinal bulb emptying similar to wild type (WT), but still deficits in posterior intestinal motility. Serotonin-positive enteroendocrine cells (EECs) were significantly reduced in both shank3abΔC+/− and shank3abΔC−/− mutants (p < 0.05) while enteric neuron counts and overall structure of the DT epithelium, including goblet cell number, were unaffected in shank3abΔC+/− larvae. Conclusions Our data and rescue experiments support mutations in SHANK3 as causal for GI transit and motility abnormalities. Reductions in serotonin-positive EECs and serotonin-filled ENS boutons suggest an endocrine/neural component to this dysmotility. This is the first study to date demonstrating DT dysmotility in a zebrafish single gene mutant model of ASD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13229-018-0250-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M James
- 1Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA
| | - Robert A Kozol
- 1Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA
| | - Yuji Kajiwara
- 2Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute and Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA.,5Denali Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Adam L Wahl
- 1Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA
| | - Emily C Storrs
- 1Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- 2Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute and Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
| | - Mason Klein
- 3Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA
| | - Baharak Moshiree
- Division of Gastroenterology, Atrium Health, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC USA
| | - Julia E Dallman
- 1Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA
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Nikaido M, Izumi S, Ohnuki H, Takigawa Y, Yamasu K, Hatta K. Early development of the enteric nervous system visualized by using a new transgenic zebrafish line harboring a regulatory region for choline acetyltransferase a (chata) gene. Gene Expr Patterns 2018; 28:12-21. [PMID: 29413438 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the largest part of the peripheral nervous system in vertebrates. Toward the visualization of the development of the vertebrate ENS, we report our creation of a new transgenic line, Tg(chata:GGFF2) which has a 1.5-kb upstream region of the zebrafish choline acetyltransferase a (chata) gene followed by modified green fluorescent protein (gfp). During development, GFP + cells were detected in the gut by 60 h post-fertilization (hpf). In the gut of 6- and 12-days post-fertilization (dpf) larvae, an average of 92% of the GFP + cells were positive for the neuronal marker HuC/D, suggesting that GFP marks enteric neurons in this transgenic line. We also observed that 66% of the GFP + cells were choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-immunopositive at 1.5 months. Thus, GFP is expressed at the larval stages at which ChAT protein expression is not yet detected by immunostaining. We studied the spatiotemporal pattern of neural differentiation in the ENS by live-imaging of this transgenic line. We observed that GFP + or gfp + cells initially formed a pair of bilateral rows at 60 hpf or 53 hpf, respectively, in the migrating enteric neural crest cells. Most of the GFP + cells did not migrate, and most of the new GFP + cells were added to fill the space among the previously formed GFP + cells. GFP expression reached the anus by 72 hpf. New GFP + cells then also appeared in the dorsal and ventral sides of the initial GFP + rows, resulting in their distribution on the entire gut by 4 dpf. A small number of new GFP + cells were found to move among older GFP + cells just before the cells stopped migration, suggesting that the moving GFP + cells may represent neural precursor cells searching for a place for the final differentiation. Our data suggest that the Tg(chata:GGFF2) line could serve as a useful tool for studies of enteric neural differentiation and cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Nikaido
- University of Hyogo, Koto 3-2-1, Kamigori-cho, Ako-gun, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
| | - Saki Izumi
- University of Hyogo, Koto 3-2-1, Kamigori-cho, Ako-gun, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
| | - Honoka Ohnuki
- Saitama University, Shimo-Okubo 255, Saitama City, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Yuki Takigawa
- University of Hyogo, Koto 3-2-1, Kamigori-cho, Ako-gun, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
| | - Kyo Yamasu
- Saitama University, Shimo-Okubo 255, Saitama City, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Kohei Hatta
- University of Hyogo, Koto 3-2-1, Kamigori-cho, Ako-gun, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan.
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Furness JB, Stebbing MJ. The first brain: Species comparisons and evolutionary implications for the enteric and central nervous systems. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2018; 30. [PMID: 29024273 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The enteric nervous system (ENS) and the central nervous system (CNS) of mammals both contain integrative neural circuitry and similarities between them have led to the ENS being described as the brain in the gut. PURPOSE To explore relationships between the ENS and CNS across the animal kingdom. We found that an ENS occurs in all animals investigated, including hydra, echinoderms and hemichordates that do not have a CNS. The general form of the ENS, which consists of plexuses of neurons intrinsic to the gut wall and an innervation that controls muscle movements, is similar in species as varied and as far apart as hydra, sea cucumbers, annelid worms, octopus and humans. Moreover, neurochemical similarities across phyla imply a common origin of the ENS. Investigation of extant species suggests that the ENS developed in animals that preceded the division that led to cnidaria (exemplified by hydra) and bilateria, which includes the vertebrates. The CNS is deduced to be a bilaterian development, later than the divergence from cnidaria. Consistent with the ENS having developed independent of the CNS, reciprocal connections between ENS and CNS occur in mammals, and separate neurons of ENS and CNS origin converge on visceral organs and prevertebral ganglia. We conclude that an ENS arose before and independently of the CNS. Thus the ENS can be regarded as the first brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Furness
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic, Australia
- Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
| | - M J Stebbing
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic, Australia
- Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
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Ganz J. Gut feelings: Studying enteric nervous system development, function, and disease in the zebrafish model system. Dev Dyn 2018; 247:268-278. [PMID: 28975691 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the largest part of the peripheral nervous system and is entirely neural crest-derived. It provides the intrinsic innervation of the gut, controlling different aspects of gut function, such as motility. In this review, we will discuss key points of Zebrafish ENS development, genes, and signaling pathways regulating ENS development, as well as contributions of the Zebrafish model system to better understand ENS disorders. During their migration, enteric progenitor cells (EPCs) display a gradient of developmental states based on their proliferative and migratory characteristics, and show spatiotemporal heterogeneity based on gene expression patterns. Many genes and signaling pathways that regulate the migration and proliferation of EPCs have been identified, but later stages of ENS development, especially steps of neuronal and glial differentiation, remain poorly understood. In recent years, Zebrafish have become increasingly important to test candidate genes for ENS disorders (e.g., from genome-wide association studies), to identify environmental influences on ENS development (e.g., through large-scale drug screens), and to investigate the role the gut microbiota play in ENS development and disease. With its unique advantages as a model organism, Zebrafish will continue to contribute to a better understanding of ENS development, function, and disease. Developmental Dynamics 247:268-278, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Ganz
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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Uribe RA, Hong SS, Bronner ME. Retinoic acid temporally orchestrates colonization of the gut by vagal neural crest cells. Dev Biol 2018; 433:17-32. [PMID: 29108781 PMCID: PMC5722660 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system arises from neural crest cells that migrate as chains into and along the primitive gut, subsequently differentiating into enteric neurons and glia. Little is known about the mechanisms governing neural crest migration en route to and along the gut in vivo. Here, we report that Retinoic Acid (RA) temporally controls zebrafish enteric neural crest cell chain migration. In vivo imaging reveals that RA loss severely compromises the integrity and migration of the chain of neural crest cells during the window of time window when they are moving along the foregut. After loss of RA, enteric progenitors accumulate in the foregut and differentiate into enteric neurons, but subsequently undergo apoptosis resulting in a striking neuronal deficit. Moreover, ectopic expression of the transcription factor meis3 and/or the receptor ret, partially rescues enteric neuron colonization after RA attenuation. Collectively, our findings suggest that retinoic acid plays a critical temporal role in promoting enteric neural crest chain migration and neuronal survival upstream of Meis3 and RET in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa A Uribe
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Stephanie S Hong
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Marianne E Bronner
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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Dudczig S, Currie PD, Jusuf PR. Developmental and adult characterization of secretagogin expressing amacrine cells in zebrafish retina. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185107. [PMID: 28949993 PMCID: PMC5614429 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium binding proteins show stereotypical expression patterns within diverse neuron types across the central nervous system. Here, we provide a characterization of developmental and adult secretagogin-immunolabelled neurons in the zebrafish retina with an emphasis on co-expression of multiple calcium binding proteins. Secretagogin is a recently identified and cloned member of the F-hand family of calcium binding proteins, which labels distinct neuron populations in the retinas of mammalian vertebrates. Both the adult distribution of secretagogin labeled retinal neurons as well as the developmental expression indicative of the stage of neurogenesis during which this calcium binding protein is expressed was quantified. Secretagogin expression was confined to an amacrine interneuron population in the inner nuclear layer, with monostratified neurites in the center of the inner plexiform layer and a relatively regular soma distribution (regularity index > 2.5 across central–peripheral areas). However, only a subpopulation (~60%) co-labeled with gamma-aminobutyric acid as their neurotransmitter, suggesting that possibly two amacrine subtypes are secretagogin immunoreactive. Quantitative co-labeling analysis with other known amacrine subtype markers including the three main calcium binding proteins parvalbumin, calbindin and calretinin identifies secretagogin immunoreactive neurons as a distinct neuron population. The highest density of secretagogin cells of ~1800 cells / mm2 remained relatively evenly along the horizontal meridian, whilst the density dropped of to 125 cells / mm2 towards the dorsal and ventral periphery. Thus, secretagogin represents a new amacrine label within the zebrafish retina. The developmental expression suggests a possible role in late stage differentiation. This characterization forms the basis of functional studies assessing how the expression of distinct calcium binding proteins might be regulated to compensate for the loss of one of the others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Dudczig
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter David Currie
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Patricia Regina Jusuf
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Stoyek MR, Jonz MG, Smith FM, Croll RP. Distribution and chronotropic effects of serotonin in the zebrafish heart. Auton Neurosci 2017; 206:43-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2017.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Roy-Carson S, Natukunda K, Chou HC, Pal N, Farris C, Schneider SQ, Kuhlman JA. Defining the transcriptomic landscape of the developing enteric nervous system and its cellular environment. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:290. [PMID: 28403821 PMCID: PMC5389105 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3653-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motility and the coordination of moving food through the gastrointestinal tract rely on a complex network of neurons known as the enteric nervous system (ENS). Despite its critical function, many of the molecular mechanisms that direct the development of the ENS and the elaboration of neural network connections remain unknown. The goal of this study was to transcriptionally identify molecular pathways and candidate genes that drive specification, differentiation and the neural circuitry of specific neural progenitors, the phox2b expressing ENS cell lineage, during normal enteric nervous system development. Because ENS development is tightly linked to its environment, the transcriptional landscape of the cellular environment of the intestine was also analyzed. RESULTS Thousands of zebrafish intestines were manually dissected from a transgenic line expressing green fluorescent protein under the phox2b regulatory elements [Tg(phox2b:EGFP) w37 ]. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to separate GFP-positive phox2b expressing ENS progenitor and derivatives from GFP-negative intestinal cells. RNA-seq was performed to obtain accurate, reproducible transcriptional profiles and the unbiased detection of low level transcripts. Analysis revealed genes and pathways that may function in ENS cell determination, genes that may be identifiers of different ENS subtypes, and genes that define the non-neural cellular microenvironment of the ENS. Differential expression analysis between the two cell populations revealed the expected neuronal nature of the phox2b expressing lineage including the enrichment for genes required for neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, and identified many novel genes not previously associated with ENS development. Pathway analysis pointed to a high level of G-protein coupled pathway activation, and identified novel roles for candidate pathways such as the Nogo/Reticulon axon guidance pathway in ENS development. CONCLUSION We report the comprehensive gene expression profiles of a lineage-specific population of enteric progenitors, their derivatives, and their microenvironment during normal enteric nervous system development. Our results confirm previously implicated genes and pathways required for ENS development, and also identify scores of novel candidate genes and pathways. Thus, our dataset suggests various potential mechanisms that drive ENS development facilitating characterization and discovery of novel therapeutic strategies to improve gastrointestinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweta Roy-Carson
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - Kevin Natukunda
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - Hsien-Chao Chou
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.,Present Address: National Cancer Institute, US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Narinder Pal
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.,Present address: North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, 1305 State Ave, Ames, IA, 50014, USA
| | - Caitlin Farris
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.,Present address: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Johnson, IA, 50131, USA
| | - Stephan Q Schneider
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - Julie A Kuhlman
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA. .,642 Science II, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
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38
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Goodings L, He J, Wood AJ, Harris WA, Currie PD, Jusuf PR. In vivo expression of Nurr1/Nr4a2a in developing retinal amacrine subtypes in zebrafish Tg(nr4a2a:eGFP) transgenics. J Comp Neurol 2017; 525:1962-1979. [PMID: 28177524 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Revised: 01/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 2 (Nr4a2) is crucial for the formation or maintenance of dopaminergic neurons in the central nervous system including the retina, where dopaminergic amacrine cells contribute to visual function. Little is known about which cells express Nr4a2 at which developmental stage. Furthermore, whether Nr4a2 functions in combination with other genes is poorly understood. Thus, we generated a novel transgenic to visualize Nr4a2 expression in vivo during zebrafish retinogenesis. A 4.1 kb fragment of the nr4a2a promoter was used to drive green fluorescent protein expression in this Tg(nr4a2a:eGFP) line. In situ hybridization showed that transgene expression follows endogenous RNA expression at a cellular level. Temporal expression and lineages were quantified using in vivo time-lapse imaging in embryos. Nr4a2 expressing retinal subtypes were characterized immunohistochemically. Nr4a2a:eGFP labeled multiple neuron subtypes including 24.5% of all amacrine interneurons. Nr4a2a:eGFP labels all tyrosine hydroxylase labeled dopaminergic amacrine cells, and other nondopaminergic GABAergic amacrine populations. Nr4a2a:eGFP is confined to a specific progenitor lineage identified by sequential expression of the bhlh transcription factor Atonal7 (Atoh7) and Pancreas transcription factor 1a (Ptf1a), and labels postmitotic postmigratory amacrine cells. Thus, developmental Nr4a2a expression indicates a role during late differentiation of specific amacrine interneurons. Tg(nr4a2a:eGFP) is an early marker of distinct neurons including dopaminergic amacrine cells. It can be utilized to assess consequences of gene manipulations and understand whether Nr4a2 only carries out its role in the presence of specific coexpressed genes. This will allow Nr4a2 use to be refined for regenerative approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana Goodings
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jie He
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Alasdair J Wood
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - William A Harris
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Peter D Currie
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patricia R Jusuf
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Abstract
Although the zebrafish was initially developed as a model system to study embryonic development, it has gained increasing attention as an advantageous system to investigate human diseases, including intestinal disorders. Zebrafish embryos develop rapidly, and their digestive system is fully functional and visible by 5days post fertilization. There is a large degree of homology between the intestine of zebrafish and higher vertebrate organisms in terms of its cellular composition and function as both a digestive and immune organ. Furthermore, molecular pathways regulating injury and immune responses are highly conserved. In this chapter, we provide an overview of studies addressing developmental and physiological processes relevant to human intestinal disease. These studies include those related to congenital disorders, host-microbiota interactions, inflammatory diseases, motility disorders, and intestinal cancer. We also highlight the utility of zebrafish to functionally validate candidate genes identified through mutational analyses and genome-wide association studies, and discuss methodologies to investigate the intestinal biology that are unique to zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Zhao
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - M Pack
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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A Novel Zebrafish ret Heterozygous Model of Hirschsprung Disease Identifies a Functional Role for mapk10 as a Modifier of Enteric Nervous System Phenotype Severity. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006439. [PMID: 27902697 PMCID: PMC5130169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is characterized by absence of enteric neurons from the distal colon and severe intestinal dysmotility. To understand the pathophysiology and genetics of HSCR we developed a unique zebrafish model that allows combined genetic, developmental and in vivo physiological studies. We show that ret mutant zebrafish exhibit cellular, physiological and genetic features of HSCR, including absence of intestinal neurons, reduced peristalsis, and varying phenotype expressivity in the heterozygous state. We perform live imaging experiments using a UAS-GAL4 binary genetic system to drive fluorescent protein expression in ENS progenitors. We demonstrate that ENS progenitors migrate at reduced speed in ret heterozygous embryos, without changes in proliferation or survival, establishing this as a principal pathogenic mechanism for distal aganglionosis. We show, using live imaging of actual intestinal movements, that intestinal motility is severely compromised in ret mutants, and partially impaired in ret heterozygous larvae, and establish a clear correlation between neuron position and organised intestinal motility. We exploited the partially penetrant ret heterozygous phenotype as a sensitised background to test the influence of a candidate modifier gene. We generated mapk10 loss-of-function mutants, which show reduced numbers of enteric neurons. Significantly, we show that introduction of mapk10 mutations into ret heterozygotes enhanced the ENS deficit, supporting MAPK10 as a HSCR susceptibility locus. Our studies demonstrate that ret heterozygous zebrafish is a sensitized model, with many significant advantages over existing murine models, to explore the pathophysiology and complex genetics of HSCR. Hirschsprung Disease (HSCR) is a common congenital intestinal motility disorder diagnosed at birth by absence of enteric neurons in the distal gut, leading to intestinal obstruction that requires life-saving surgery. HSCR exhibits complex inheritance patterns and its genetic basis is not fully understood. Although well studied by human geneticists, and modelled using mouse, significant questions remain about the cellular and genetic causes of the disease and the relationship between neuron loss and defective intestinal motility. Here we use accessible, transparent zebrafish to address these outstanding questions. We establish that ret mutant zebrafish display key features of HSCR, including absence of intestinal neurons, reduced gut motility and varying phenotype expressivity. Using live imaging, possible in zebrafish but not in mouse, we demonstrate that decreased migration speed of enteric neuron progenitors colonising the gut is the principal defect leading to neuron deficits. By direct examination of gut motility in zebrafish larvae, we establish a clear correlation between neurons and motility patterns. Finally, we show that mapk10 mutations worsen the enteric neuron deficit of ret mutants, indicating that mutations in MAPK10 may increase susceptibility to HSCR. We show many benefits of modelling human genetic diseases in zebrafish and advance our understanding of HSCR.
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Heanue TA, Shepherd IT, Burns AJ. Enteric nervous system development in avian and zebrafish models. Dev Biol 2016; 417:129-38. [PMID: 27235814 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Our current understanding of the developmental biology of the enteric nervous system (ENS) and the genesis of ENS diseases is founded almost entirely on studies using model systems. Although genetic studies in the mouse have been at the forefront of this field over the last 20 years or so, historically it was the easy accessibility of the chick embryo for experimental manipulations that allowed the first descriptions of the neural crest origins of the ENS in the 1950s. More recently, studies in the chick and other non-mammalian model systems, notably zebrafish, have continued to advance our understanding of the basic biology of ENS development, with each animal model providing unique experimental advantages. Here we review the basic biology of ENS development in chick and zebrafish, highlighting conserved and unique features, and emphasising novel contributions to our general understanding of ENS development due to technical or biological features.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alan J Burns
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Zebrafish as a model for understanding enteric nervous system interactions in the developing intestinal tract. Methods Cell Biol 2016; 134:139-64. [PMID: 27312493 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) forms intimate connections with many other intestinal cell types, including immune cells and bacterial consortia resident in the intestinal lumen. In this review, we highlight contributions of the zebrafish model to understanding interactions among these cells. Zebrafish is a powerful model for forward genetic screens, several of which have uncovered genes previously unknown to be important for ENS development. More recently, zebrafish has emerged as a model for testing functions of genes identified in human patients or large-scale human susceptibility screens. In several cases, zebrafish studies have revealed mechanisms connecting intestinal symptoms with other, seemingly unrelated disease phenotypes. Importantly, chemical library screens in zebrafish have provided startling new insights into potential effects of common drugs on ENS development. A key feature of the zebrafish model is the ability to rear large numbers of animals germ free or in association with only specific bacterial species. Studies utilizing these approaches have demonstrated the importance of bacterial signals for normal intestinal development. These types of studies also show how luminal bacteria and the immune system can contribute to inflammatory processes that can feedback to influence ENS development. The excellent optical properties of zebrafish embryos and larvae, coupled with the ease of generating genetically marked cells of both the host and its resident bacteria, allow visualization of multiple intestinal cell types in living larvae and should promote a more in-depth understanding of intestinal cell interactions, especially interactions between other intestinal cell types and the ENS.
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Uyttebroek L, Shepherd IT, Vanden Berghe P, Hubens G, Timmermans JP, Van Nassauw L. The zebrafish mutant lessen: an experimental model for congenital enteric neuropathies. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2016; 28:345-57. [PMID: 26685876 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital enteric neuropathies of the distal intestine (CEN) are characterized by the partial or complete absence of enteric neurons. Over the last decade, zebrafish has emerged as a leading model organism in experimental research. Our aim was to demonstrate that the mutant zebrafish, lessen, expressing CEN characteristics, is an equally valuable animal model alongside mammalian models for CEN, by studying its enteric phenotype. METHODS The effect of the lessen mutation on the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS), interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), and intestinal motility in each intestinal region of mutant and wild-type (wt) zebrafish embryos at 3-6 dpf, was analyzed by immunofluorescent detection of neurochemical markers and motility assays. KEY RESULTS Development of intestinal motility in the mutant was delayed and the majority of the observed contractions were disturbed. A significant disturbance in ENS development resulted in a distal intestine that was almost free of neuronal elements, in reduced neuronal density in the proximal and mid-intestine, and in a defect in the expression of neurochemical markers. Furthermore, markedly disturbed development of ICC gave rise to a less dense network of ICC. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES The observed alterations in intestinal motility, intrinsic innervation and ICC network of the mutant in comparison with the wt zebrafish, are similar to those seen in the oligo- and aganglionic regions of the intestine of CEN patients. It is concluded that the zebrafish mutant lessen is an appropriate animal model to investigate CEN.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Uyttebroek
- Laboratory of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - I T Shepherd
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - P Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory for Enteric NeuroScience (LENS), Translational Research in GastroIntestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - G Hubens
- Laboratory of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - J-P Timmermans
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - L Van Nassauw
- Laboratory of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
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Uribe RA, Gu T, Bronner ME. A novel subset of enteric neurons revealed by ptf1a:GFP in the developing zebrafish enteric nervous system. Genesis 2016; 54:123-8. [PMID: 26865080 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Revised: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system, the largest division of the peripheral nervous system, is derived from vagal neural crest cells that invade and populate the entire length of the gut to form diverse neuronal subtypes. Here, we identify a novel population of neurons within the enteric nervous system of zebrafish larvae that express the transgenic marker ptf1a:GFP within the midgut. Genetic lineage analysis reveals that enteric ptf1a:GFP(+) cells are derived from the neural crest and that most ptf1a:GFP(+) neurons express the neurotransmitter 5HT, demonstrating that they are serotonergic. This transgenic line, Tg(ptf1a:GFP), provides a novel neuronal marker for a subpopulation of neurons within the enteric nervous system, and highlights the possibility that Ptf1a may act as an important transcription factor for enteric neuron development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa A Uribe
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Tiffany Gu
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Marianne E Bronner
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
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Zaccone D, Icardo JM, Kuciel M, Alesci A, Pergolizzi S, Satora L, Lauriano ER, Zaccone G. Polymorphous granular cells in the lung of the primitive fish, the bichirPolypterus senegalus. ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Zaccone
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.); University of Messina; Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31 I-98166 Messina Italy
| | - Jose Manuel Icardo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology Polígono de Cazoña; Faculty of Medicine; University of Cantabria; s/n 39011 Santander Spain
| | - Michał Kuciel
- Poison Information Centre; Jagiellonian University Medical College; Kopernika 15 31-501 Crakow Poland
| | - Alessio Alesci
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.); University of Messina; Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31 I-98166 Messina Italy
| | - Simona Pergolizzi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.); University of Messina; Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31 I-98166 Messina Italy
| | - Leszek Satora
- Department of Physiology and Reproduction of Animals; University of Rzeszow; Werynia 502 36-100 Kolbuszowa Rzeszow Poland
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.); University of Messina; Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31 I-98166 Messina Italy
| | - Giacomo Zaccone
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Territorial, Food and Health Security (S.A.S.T.A.S.); University of Messina; Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31 I-98166 Messina Italy
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Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity is common in the enteric nervous system in teleosts. Cell Tissue Res 2015; 364:231-43. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-015-2314-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Galanin regulates blood glucose level in the zebrafish: a morphological and functional study. Histochem Cell Biol 2015; 145:105-17. [PMID: 26496922 PMCID: PMC4710661 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-015-1376-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The present study has demonstrated the galaninergic innervation of the endocrine pancreas including sources of the galaninergic nerve fibers, and the influence of galanin receptor agonists on blood glucose level in the zebrafish. For the first time, a very abundant galaninergic innervation of the endocrine pancreas during development is shown, from the second day post-fertilization to adulthood. The fibers originated from ganglia consisting of galanin-IR, non-adrenergic (non-sensory) neurons located rostrally to the pancreatic tissue. The ganglia were found on the dorsal side of the initial part of the anterior intestinal segment, close to the intestinal branch of the vagus nerve. The galanin-IR neurons did not show immunoreactivity for applied antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase, choline acetyltransferase, and vesicular acetylcholine transporter. Intraperitoneal injections of galanin analog NAX 5055 resulted in a statistically significant increase in the blood glucose level. Injections of another galanin receptor agonist, galnon, also caused a rise in blood glucose level; however, it was not statistically significant. The present findings suggest that, like in mammals, in the zebrafish galanin is involved in the regulation of blood glucose level. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanism of the galanin action.
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Lauriano ER, Icardo JM, Zaccone D, Kuciel M, Satora L, Alesci A, Alfa M, Zaccone G. Expression patterns and quantitative assessment of neurochemical markers in the lung of the gray bichir, Polypterus senegalus (Cuvier, 1829). Acta Histochem 2015; 117:738-46. [PMID: 26362573 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2015.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Anatomical and functional studies of the autonomic innervation and the putative oxygen receptors-the neuroepithelial (NEC)-like cells of the bichirs are lacking. The present paper describes the distribution of both NEC-like cells and the polymorphous granular cells (PGCs) that populate the mucociliated epithelium of the lung in the air breathing fish Polypterus senegalus. By using confocal immunohistochemistry we determined the coexpression of specific neurochemical markers. Colocalization studies showed that 5HT is coexpressed with calbindin and nNOS in the NEC-like cells and PGCs, and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) is coexpressed with nNOS in both the two types of cells. Distribution of neurotransmitters (5HT, NO) and neurochemical marker ChAT is also investigated in the lung muscle. The role of these transmitters may be the autonomic control of circulation and respiration. However, the importance of these signals for the respiratory responses in the species studied is still not known. The present study also shows for the first time the simultaneous occurrence of piscidin 1 and 5HT in the PGCs. The function of these cells being equivalent to ones found in fish gill subepithelial parenchyma, is still not known. Due to the importance of piscidin 1 in local immune defense, more research is useful to understand a possible interaction of PGCs with immune response in the bichir lung.
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Arab HA, Muhammadnejad S, Faghihi SM, Hassanpour H, Muhammadnejad A. Effects of nitric oxide modulating activities on development of enteric nervous system mediated gut motility in chick embryo model. J Biosci 2015; 39:835-48. [PMID: 25431412 DOI: 10.1007/s12038-014-9474-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) arises from the enteric neural crest-derived cells (ENCCs), and many molecules and biochemical processes may be involved in its development. This study examined the effects of modulating embryonic nitric oxide (NO) activity on the intestinal motility induced by ENS. One-hundred-and-twenty fertilized chicken eggs were assigned to three main groups and incubated at 37 degrees Centigrade and 60 percent humidity. The eggs were treated with NG-nitro-Larginine methyl ester (L-NAME), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), L-arginine (L-Arg) or vehicle from days 3 (1st group), 7 (2nd group) and 10 (3rd group) of incubation and continued up to day 18. On day 19, the embryos were sacrificed, the jejunal and colorectal segments were taken and the intestinal motility was assessed using isolated organ system. The intestinal motility was recorded normally and following cholinergic, adrenergic and non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) stimulations. The ENS structure was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Rhythmic intestinal contractions were seen in all treatment groups, but inhibition of NO in the LNAME- treated embryos caused significant decrease (p less than 0.01) in the frequency and amplitude of the contraction. The responsiveness to adrenergic, cholinergic and NANC stimulations was also significantly decreased (p less than 0.05). The GFAP expression was significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced in the L-NAME-treated embryos. This study showed that the inhibition of NO caused a deficient development of the ENS, leading to a decrease in the frequency and amplitude of the intestinal contractions and reduced the responsiveness to adrenergic, cholinergic and NANC signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein-Ali Arab
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran,
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Wang G, Rajpurohit SK, Delaspre F, Walker SL, White DT, Ceasrine A, Kuruvilla R, Li RJ, Shim JS, Liu JO, Parsons MJ, Mumm JS. First quantitative high-throughput screen in zebrafish identifies novel pathways for increasing pancreatic β-cell mass. eLife 2015; 4:e08261. [PMID: 26218223 PMCID: PMC4534842 DOI: 10.7554/elife.08261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-organism chemical screening can circumvent bottlenecks that impede drug discovery. However, in vivo screens have not attained throughput capacities possible with in vitro assays. We therefore developed a method enabling in vivo high-throughput screening (HTS) in zebrafish, termed automated reporter quantification in vivo (ARQiv). In this study, ARQiv was combined with robotics to fully actualize whole-organism HTS (ARQiv-HTS). In a primary screen, this platform quantified cell-specific fluorescent reporters in >500,000 transgenic zebrafish larvae to identify FDA-approved (Federal Drug Administration) drugs that increased the number of insulin-producing β cells in the pancreas. 24 drugs were confirmed as inducers of endocrine differentiation and/or stimulators of β-cell proliferation. Further, we discovered novel roles for NF-κB signaling in regulating endocrine differentiation and for serotonergic signaling in selectively stimulating β-cell proliferation. These studies demonstrate the power of ARQiv-HTS for drug discovery and provide unique insights into signaling pathways controlling β-cell mass, potential therapeutic targets for treating diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangliang Wang
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Surendra K Rajpurohit
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, United States
| | - Fabien Delaspre
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Steven L Walker
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, United States
| | - David T White
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, United States
| | - Alexis Ceasrine
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Rejji Kuruvilla
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Ruo-jing Li
- Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Joong S Shim
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Jun O Liu
- Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Michael J Parsons
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Jeff S Mumm
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, United States
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