1
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Minetti A. Unlocking the potential of adeno-associated virus in neuroscience: a brief review. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:563. [PMID: 38647711 PMCID: PMC11035420 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09521-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has emerged as a pivotal tool in neuroscience research, owing to its remarkable versatility and efficiency in delivering genetic material to diverse cell types within the nervous system. This mini review aims to underscore the advanced applications of AAV vectors in neuroscience and their profound potential to revolutionize our understanding of brain function and therapeutic interventions for neurological disorders. By providing a concise overview of the latest developments and strategies employing AAV vectors, this review illuminates the transformative role of AAV technology in unraveling the complexities of neural circuits and paving the way for innovative treatments. Through elucidating the multifaceted capabilities of AAV-mediated gene delivery, this review underscores its pivotal role as a cornerstone in contemporary neuroscience research, promising remarkable insights into the intricacies of brain biology and offering new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antea Minetti
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Biology, Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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2
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Wang J, Lin J, Chen Y, Liu J, Zheng Q, Deng M, Wang R, Zhang Y, Feng S, Xu Z, Ye W, Hu Y, Duan J, Lin Y, Dai J, Chen Y, Li Y, Luo T, Chen Q, Lu Z. An ultra-compact promoter drives widespread neuronal expression in mouse and monkey brains. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113348. [PMID: 37910509 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Promoters are essential tools for basic and translational neuroscience research. An ideal promoter should possess the shortest possible DNA sequence with cell-type selectivity. However, whether ultra-compact promoters can offer neuron-specific expression is unclear. Here, we report the development of an extremely short promoter that enables selective gene expression in neurons, but not glial cells, in the brain. The promoter sequence originates from the human CALM1 gene and is only 120 bp in size. The CALM1 promoter (pCALM1) embedded in an adeno-associated virus (AAV) genome directed broad reporter expression in excitatory and inhibitory neurons in mouse and monkey brains. Moreover, pCALM1, when inserted into an all-in-one AAV vector expressing SpCas9 and sgRNA, drives constitutive and conditional in vivo gene editing in neurons and elicits functional alterations. These data demonstrate the ability of pCALM1 to conduct restricted neuronal gene expression, illustrating the feasibility of ultra-miniature promoters for targeting brain-cell subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518034, China; Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianbang Lin
- Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yefei Chen
- Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518027, China
| | - Qiongping Zheng
- Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Mao Deng
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China
| | - Ruiqi Wang
- Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yujing Zhang
- Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shijing Feng
- Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhenyan Xu
- Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Weiyi Ye
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China
| | - Yu Hu
- Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiamei Duan
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yunping Lin
- Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ji Dai
- Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuantao Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518027, China; Biomedical Research Institute, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Tao Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518034, China
| | - Qian Chen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Zhonghua Lu
- Shenzhen Technological Research Center for Primate Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; Biomedical Imaging Science and System Key Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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3
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Espinosa-Juárez JV, Chiquete E, Estañol B, Aceves JDJ. Optogenetic and Chemogenic Control of Pain Signaling: Molecular Markers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10220. [PMID: 37373365 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210220] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain is a complex experience that involves physical, emotional, and cognitive aspects. This review focuses specifically on the physiological processes underlying pain perception, with a particular emphasis on the various types of sensory neurons involved in transmitting pain signals to the central nervous system. Recent advances in techniques like optogenetics and chemogenetics have allowed researchers to selectively activate or inactivate specific neuronal circuits, offering a promising avenue for developing more effective pain management strategies. The article delves into the molecular targets of different types of sensory fibers such as channels, for example, TRPV1 in C-peptidergic fiber, TRPA1 in C-non-peptidergic receptors expressed differentially as MOR and DOR, and transcription factors, and their colocalization with the vesicular transporter of glutamate, which enable researchers to identify specific subtypes of neurons within the pain pathway and allows for selective transfection and expression of opsins to modulate their activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josue Vidal Espinosa-Juárez
- Escuela de Ciencias Químicas Sede Ocozocoautla, Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, Ocozocoautla de Espinosa 29140, Mexico
| | - Erwin Chiquete
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Bruno Estañol
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - José de Jesús Aceves
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
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4
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Anesthetic loss of consciousness induced by chemogenetic excitation of mesopontine effector neurons. Exp Neurol 2022; 357:114169. [PMID: 35817130 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Although general anesthesia is normally induced by systemic dosing, an anesthetic state can be induced in rodents by microinjecting minute quantities of GABAergic agents into the brainstem mesopontine tegmental anesthesia area (MPTA). Correspondingly, lesions to the MPTA render rats relatively insensitive to standard anesthetic doses delivered systemically. Using a chemogenetic approach we have identified and characterized a small subpopulation of neurons restricted to the MPTA which, when excited, render the animal anesthetic by sensorimotor (immobility) and electroencephalographic (EEG) criteria. These "effector-neurons" do not express GABAAδ-Rs, the likely target of GABAergic anesthetics. Rather, we report a distinct sub-population of nearby MPTA neurons which do. During anesthetic induction these likely excite the effector-neurons by disinhibition. Within the effector population ~ 70% appear to be glutamatergic, ~30% GABAergic and ~ 40% glycinergic. Most are projection neurons that send ascending or descending axons to distant targets associated with the individual functional components of general anesthesia: atonia, analgesia, amnesia, and loss-of-consciousness.
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5
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Kudo M, Wupuer S, Fujiwara M, Saito Y, Kubota S, Inoue KI, Takada M, Seki K. Specific gene expression in unmyelinated dorsal root ganglion neurons in nonhuman primates by intra-nerve injection of AAV 6 vector. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 23:11-22. [PMID: 34552999 PMCID: PMC8426475 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus 6 (AAV6) has been proposed as a potential vector candidate for specific gene expression in pain-related dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, but this has not been confirmed in nonhuman primates. The aim of our study was to analyze the transduction efficiency and target specificity of this viral vector in the common marmoset by comparing it with those in the rat. When green fluorescent protein-expressing serotype-6 vector was injected into the sciatic nerve, the efficiency of gene expression in DRG neurons was comparable in both species. We found that the serotype-6 vector was largely specific to the pain-related ganglion neurons in the marmoset, as well as in the rat, whereas the serotype-9 vector resulted in contrasting effects in the two species. Neither AAV6 nor AAV9 resulted in DRG toxicity when administered via the sciatic nerve, suggesting this as a safer route of sensory nerve transduction than the currently used intrathecal or intravenous administrative routes. Furthermore, the AAV6 vector could be an optimal serotype for gene therapy for human chronic pain that has a minimal effect on other somatosensory functions of DRG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moeko Kudo
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sidikejiang Wupuer
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maki Fujiwara
- Systems Neuroscience Section, Department of Neuroscience, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yuko Saito
- Department of Neuropathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Kubota
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Inoue
- Systems Neuroscience Section, Department of Neuroscience, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan
| | - Masahiko Takada
- Systems Neuroscience Section, Department of Neuroscience, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Seki
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
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6
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Yamamori T. Functional visualization and manipulation in the marmoset brain using viral vectors. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2021; 60:11-16. [PMID: 34280704 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The common marmoset, a New World monkey, has a primate-specific cortex with approximately 40 Brodmann areas. Genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI) techniques have been applied to study the functional organization of the marmoset cortex. The success of GCaMP (a green fluorescent of GECI) imaging and other advances, including optogenetic approaches, provide an interesting and exciting opportunity to study the primate brain at the molecular and cellular levels, leading to an understanding of primate neural circuits. These approaches will help advance our knowledge on cognition in primates, including humans, and therapy for human neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuo Yamamori
- Center for Brain Science, Laboratory for Molecular Analysis of Higher Brain Function, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, 351-0198, Japan.
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7
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Kita Y, Nishibe H, Wang Y, Hashikawa T, Kikuchi SS, U M, Yoshida AC, Yoshida C, Kawase T, Ishii S, Skibbe H, Shimogori T. Cellular-resolution gene expression profiling in the neonatal marmoset brain reveals dynamic species- and region-specific differences. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2020125118. [PMID: 33903237 PMCID: PMC8106353 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020125118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise spatiotemporal control of gene expression in the developing brain is critical for neural circuit formation, and comprehensive expression mapping in the developing primate brain is crucial to understand brain function in health and disease. Here, we developed an unbiased, automated, large-scale, cellular-resolution in situ hybridization (ISH)-based gene expression profiling system (GePS) and companion analysis to reveal gene expression patterns in the neonatal New World marmoset cortex, thalamus, and striatum that are distinct from those in mice. Gene-ontology analysis of marmoset-specific genes revealed associations with catalytic activity in the visual cortex and neuropsychiatric disorders in the thalamus. Cortically expressed genes with clear area boundaries were used in a three-dimensional cortical surface mapping algorithm to delineate higher-order cortical areas not evident in two-dimensional ISH data. GePS provides a powerful platform to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying primate neurobiology and developmental psychiatric and neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Kita
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hirozumi Nishibe
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yan Wang
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Hashikawa
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Satomi S Kikuchi
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Mami U
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Aya C Yoshida
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Chihiro Yoshida
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Takashi Kawase
- Integrated Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Systems Science, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Shin Ishii
- Integrated Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Systems Science, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Henrik Skibbe
- Brain Image Analysis Unit, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Tomomi Shimogori
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan;
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8
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Hara T, Osakada F. [Cell-type-specific targeting strategies for elucidating neural circuits and pathophysiological mechanisms in the marmoset brain]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2019; 153:210-218. [PMID: 31092753 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.153.210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
As a primate animal model for neuroscience research, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) provides an unprecedented opportunity to gain a better understanding of the human brain function and pathophysiology of neurological and psychiatric disorders, thereby helping in the diagnosis and treatment of those disorders. The marmoset is particularly useful in studying the neural mechanisms underlying social behavior, as their prosocial behavior and visual and vocal communication systems are well-developed. Despite recent advances in biotechnology such as the creation of genetically engineered marmosets, our understanding of the marmoset brain, including its dysfunction in disease, at the circuit level remains limited due to the lack of comprehensive knowledge of the neuronal connections in the marmoset brain. Here we describe the development of genetic and viral engineering techniques for a particular type of neuron in non-transgenic animals. These approaches, combined with rabies viral tracing, imaging, and electrophysiology, will make it possible to map the connectome and relate neuronal connectivity to function in the marmoset brain. Such circuit-level studies will open a new avenue for non-human primate research that can bridge the gap between basic research and human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiki Hara
- Laboratory of Cellular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University.,Sohyaku Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation
| | - Fumitaka Osakada
- Laboratory of Cellular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University.,Laboratory of Neural Information Processing, Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University.,Institute of Nano-Life-Systems, Institutes of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University
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9
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Hadjidimitrakis K, Bakola S, Wong YT, Hagan MA. Mixed Spatial and Movement Representations in the Primate Posterior Parietal Cortex. Front Neural Circuits 2019; 13:15. [PMID: 30914925 PMCID: PMC6421332 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2019.00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) of humans and non-human primates plays a key role in the sensory and motor transformations required to guide motor actions to objects of interest in the environment. Despite decades of research, the anatomical and functional organization of this region is still a matter of contention. It is generally accepted that specialized parietal subregions and their functional counterparts in the frontal cortex participate in distinct segregated networks related to eye, arm and hand movements. However, experimental evidence obtained primarily from single neuron recording studies in non-human primates has demonstrated a rich mixing of signals processed by parietal neurons, calling into question ideas for a strict functional specialization. Here, we present a brief account of this line of research together with the basic trends in the anatomical connectivity patterns of the parietal subregions. We review, the evidence related to the functional communication between subregions of the PPC and describe progress towards using parietal neuron activity in neuroprosthetic applications. Recent literature suggests a role for the PPC not as a constellation of specialized functional subdomains, but as a dynamic network of sensorimotor loci that combine multiple signals and work in concert to guide motor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kostas Hadjidimitrakis
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Monash University Node, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Sophia Bakola
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Monash University Node, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Yan T Wong
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Electrical and Computer Science Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Maureen A Hagan
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Monash University Node, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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10
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Sehara Y, Shimazaki K, Kurosaki F, Kaneko N, Uchibori R, Urabe M, Kawai K, Mizukami H. Efficient transduction of adeno-associated virus vectors into gerbil hippocampus with an appropriate combination of viral capsids and promoters. Neurosci Lett 2018; 682:27-31. [PMID: 29885449 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is an ideal vector for gene transduction into the central nervous system because of its safety and efficiency. While it is currently widely used for clinical trials and is expected to become more widespread, the appropriate combination of viral serotypes and promoters have not been fully investigated. In this study, we compared the transduced gene expression of AAVrh10 to AAV5 in gerbil hippocampus using three different promoters, including cytomegalovirus (CMV), chicken β-actin promoter with the CMV immediate-early enhancer (CAG), and the Synapsin 1 (Syn1) promoter. Four-week-old male gerbils underwent stereotaxic injection with 1 × 1010 viral genome of AAV carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP). Quantification of the GFP-positive areas 3 weeks after injection showed that AAVrh10-CMV and AAVrh10-CAG were the most efficient (p < 0.001, compared with the control) and AAVrh10-Syn1 and AAV5-CMV were the next most efficient (p < 0.05, compared with the control). On the other hand, AAV5-Syn1 showed little expression, which was only observed at the injected site. In conclusion, we should note that some combinations of viral capsids and promoters can result in failure of gene delivery, while most of them will work appropriately in the transgene expression in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihide Sehara
- Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kuniko Shimazaki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Fumio Kurosaki
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Naoki Kaneko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan; Department of Radiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Ryosuke Uchibori
- Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Masashi Urabe
- Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kensuke Kawai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mizukami
- Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
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11
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Miller CT. Why marmosets? Dev Neurobiol 2018; 77:237-243. [PMID: 28170158 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cory T Miller
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Laboratory, Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, California
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12
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Ribas VT, Costa MR. Gene Manipulation Strategies to Identify Molecular Regulators of Axon Regeneration in the Central Nervous System. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:231. [PMID: 28824380 PMCID: PMC5545589 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Limited axon regeneration in the injured adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) usually results in irreversible functional deficits. Both the presence of extrinsic inhibitory molecules at the injury site and the intrinsically low capacity of adult neurons to grow axons are responsible for the diminished capacity of regeneration in the adult CNS. Conversely, in the embryonic CNS, neurons show a high regenerative capacity, mostly due to the expression of genes that positively control axon growth and downregulation of genes that inhibit axon growth. A better understanding of the role of these key genes controlling pro-regenerative mechanisms is pivotal to develop strategies to promote robust axon regeneration following adult CNS injury. Genetic manipulation techniques have been widely used to investigate the role of specific genes or a combination of different genes in axon regrowth. This review summarizes a myriad of studies that used genetic manipulations to promote axon growth in the injured CNS. We also review the roles of some of these genes during CNS development and suggest possible approaches to identify new candidate genes. Finally, we critically address the main advantages and pitfalls of gene-manipulation techniques, and discuss new strategies to promote robust axon regeneration in the mature CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius T Ribas
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas GeraisBelo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marcos R Costa
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do NorteNatal, Brazil
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