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Makrygianni EA, Chrousos GP. Neural Progenitor Cells and the Hypothalamus. Cells 2023; 12:1822. [PMID: 37508487 PMCID: PMC10378393 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141822] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) capable of self-renewing and differentiating into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. In the postnatal/adult brain, NPCs are primarily located in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles (LVs) and subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). There is evidence that NPCs are also present in the postnatal/adult hypothalamus, a highly conserved brain region involved in the regulation of core homeostatic processes, such as feeding, metabolism, reproduction, neuroendocrine integration and autonomic output. In the rodent postnatal/adult hypothalamus, NPCs mainly comprise different subtypes of tanycytes lining the wall of the 3rd ventricle. In the postnatal/adult human hypothalamus, the neurogenic niche is constituted by tanycytes at the floor of the 3rd ventricle, ependymal cells and ribbon cells (showing a gap-and-ribbon organization similar to that in the SVZ), as well as suprachiasmatic cells. We speculate that in the postnatal/adult human hypothalamus, neurogenesis occurs in a highly complex, exquisitely sophisticated neurogenic niche consisting of at least four subniches; this structure has a key role in the regulation of extrahypothalamic neurogenesis, and hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic neural circuits, partly through the release of neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, extracellular vesicles (EVs) and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Evanthia A Makrygianni
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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2
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Li X, Andrusivova Z, Czarnewski P, Langseth CM, Andersson A, Liu Y, Gyllborg D, Braun E, Larsson L, Hu L, Alekseenko Z, Lee H, Avenel C, Kallner HK, Åkesson E, Adameyko I, Nilsson M, Linnarsson S, Lundeberg J, Sundström E. Profiling spatiotemporal gene expression of the developing human spinal cord and implications for ependymoma origin. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:891-901. [PMID: 37095395 PMCID: PMC10166856 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01312-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
The spatiotemporal regulation of cell fate specification in the human developing spinal cord remains largely unknown. In this study, by performing integrated analysis of single-cell and spatial multi-omics data, we used 16 prenatal human samples to create a comprehensive developmental cell atlas of the spinal cord during post-conceptional weeks 5-12. This revealed how the cell fate commitment of neural progenitor cells and their spatial positioning are spatiotemporally regulated by specific gene sets. We identified unique events in human spinal cord development relative to rodents, including earlier quiescence of active neural stem cells, differential regulation of cell differentiation and distinct spatiotemporal genetic regulation of cell fate choices. In addition, by integrating our atlas with pediatric ependymomas data, we identified specific molecular signatures and lineage-specific genes of cancer stem cells during progression. Thus, we delineate spatiotemporal genetic regulation of human spinal cord development and leverage these data to gain disease insight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Li
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Zaneta Andrusivova
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paulo Czarnewski
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Alma Andersson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Research and Early Development, Genentech. Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Daniel Gyllborg
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emelie Braun
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ludvig Larsson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lijuan Hu
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zhanna Alekseenko
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hower Lee
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christophe Avenel
- Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- BioImage Informatics Facility, Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab, Sweden
| | - Helena Kopp Kallner
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danderyd Hospital, Danderyd, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Åkesson
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- R&D Unit, Stockholms Sjukhem, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Igor Adameyko
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mats Nilsson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sten Linnarsson
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joakim Lundeberg
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erik Sundström
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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3
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Tatomir A, Cuevas J, Badea TC, Muresanu DF, Rus V, Rus H. Role of RGC-32 in multiple sclerosis and neuroinflammation – few answers and many questions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:979414. [PMID: 36172382 PMCID: PMC9510783 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.979414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) have brought into the spotlight the major role played by reactive astrocytes in this condition. Response Gene to Complement (RGC)-32 is a gene induced by complement activation, growth factors, and cytokines, notably transforming growth factor β, that is involved in the modulation of processes such as angiogenesis, fibrosis, cell migration, and cell differentiation. Studies have uncovered the crucial role that RGC-32 plays in promoting the differentiation of Th17 cells, a subtype of CD4+ T lymphocytes with an important role in MS and its murine model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The latest data have also shown that RGC-32 is involved in regulating major transcriptomic changes in astrocytes and in favoring the synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix components, growth factors, axonal growth molecules, and pro-astrogliogenic molecules. These results suggest that RGC-32 plays a major role in driving reactive astrocytosis and the generation of astrocytes from radial glia precursors. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding how RGC-32 regulates the behavior of Th17 cells and astrocytes in neuroinflammation, providing insight into its role as a potential new biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Tatomir
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurosciences, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Jacob Cuevas
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Tudor C. Badea
- Research and Development Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Transylvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania
| | - Dafin F. Muresanu
- Department of Neurosciences, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Violeta Rus
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Horea Rus
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Neurology Service, Baltimore Veterans Administration Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Horea Rus,
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4
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Corrigendum: Purinergic signaling systems across comparative models of spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2022; 18:689-696. [PMID: 36018196 PMCID: PMC9727416 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.350234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.338993].
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Sartoretti MM, Campetella CA, Lanuza GM. Dbx1 controls the development of astrocytes of the intermediate spinal cord by modulating Notch signaling. Development 2022; 149:275961. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Significant progress has been made in elucidating the basic principles that govern neuronal specification in the developing central nervous system. In contrast, much less is known about the origin of astrocytic diversity. Here, we demonstrate that a restricted pool of progenitors in the mouse spinal cord, expressing the transcription factor Dbx1, produces a subset of astrocytes, in addition to interneurons. Ventral p0-derived astrocytes (vA0 cells) exclusively populate intermediate regions of spinal cord with extraordinary precision. The postnatal vA0 population comprises gray matter protoplasmic and white matter fibrous astrocytes and a group of cells with strict radial morphology contacting the pia. We identified that vA0 cells in the lateral funiculus are distinguished by the expression of reelin and Kcnmb4. We show that Dbx1 mutants have an increased number of vA0 cells at the expense of p0-derived interneurons. Manipulation of the Notch pathway, together with the alteration in their ligands seen in Dbx1 knockouts, suggest that Dbx1 controls neuron-glial balance by modulating Notch-dependent cell interactions. In summary, this study highlights that restricted progenitors in the dorsal-ventral neural tube produce region-specific astrocytic subgroups and that progenitor transcriptional programs highly influence glial fate and are instrumental in creating astrocyte diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Micaela Sartoretti
- Developmental Neurobiology Lab, Fundación Instituto Leloir and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IIBBA-CONICET) , Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires 1405 , Argentina
| | - Carla A. Campetella
- Developmental Neurobiology Lab, Fundación Instituto Leloir and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IIBBA-CONICET) , Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires 1405 , Argentina
| | - Guillermo M. Lanuza
- Developmental Neurobiology Lab, Fundación Instituto Leloir and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IIBBA-CONICET) , Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires 1405 , Argentina
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Anderson RC, O'Keeffe GW, McDermott KW. Characterisation of the consequences of maternal immune activation on distinct cell populations in the developing rat spinal cord. J Anat 2022; 241:938-950. [PMID: 35808977 PMCID: PMC9482694 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during gestation has been implicated in the development of neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. Epidemiological studies have suggested that the effect of MIA may depend on the gestational timing of the immune challenge and the region of the central nervous system (CNS) in question. This study investigated the effects of MIA with 100 μg/kg lipopolysaccharide at either Embryonic days (E)12 or E16 on the oligodendrocytes, microglia and astrocytes of the offspring spinal cord. At E16, MIA decreased the number of olig2+ and Iba‐1+ cells in multiple grey and white matter regions of the developing spinal cord 5 h after injection. These decreases were not observed at postnatal day 14. In contrast, MIA at E12 did not alter Olig2+ or Iba‐1+ cell number in the developing spinal cord 5 h after injection, however, Olig2+ cell number was decreased in the ventral grey matter of the P14 spinal cord. No changes were observed in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression at P14 following MIA at either E12 or E16. These data suggest that E16 may be a window of immediate vulnerability to MIA during spinal cord development, however, the findings also suggest that the developmental process may be capable of compensation over time. Potential changes in P14 animals following the challenge at E12 are indicative of the complexity of the effects of MIA during the developmental process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerard W O'Keeffe
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Oria M, Pathak B, Li Z, Bakri K, Gouwens K, Varela MF, Lampe K, Murphy KP, Lin CY, Peiro JL. Premature Neural Progenitor Cell Differentiation Into Astrocytes in Retinoic Acid-Induced Spina Bifida Rat Model. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:888351. [PMID: 35782393 PMCID: PMC9249056 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.888351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
During embryonic spinal cord development, neural progenitor cells (NPCs) generate three major cell lines: neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes at precise times and locations within the spinal cord. Recent studies demonstrate early astrogenesis in animal models of spina bifida, which may play a role in neuronal dysfunction associated with this condition. However, to date, the pathophysiological mechanisms related to this early astrocytic response in spina bifida are poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the development of early astrogliosis over time from Pax6+, Olig2+, or Nkx2.2+ NPCs using a retinoic acid-induced spina bifida rat model. At three gestational ages (E15, E17, and E20), spinal cords from fetuses with retinoic acid-induced spina bifida, their healthy sibling controls, or fetuses treated with the vehicle control were analyzed. Results indicated that premature astrogliosis and astrocytic activation were associated with an altered presence of Pax6+, Olig2+, and Nkx2.2+ NPCs in the lesion compared to the controls. Finally, this response correlated with an elevation in genes involved in the Notch-BMP signaling pathway. Taken together, changes in NPC patterning factor expression with Notch-BMP signaling upregulation may be responsible for the altered astrogenesis patterns observed in the spinal cord in a retinoic acid-induced spina bifida model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Oria
- Center for Fetal and Placental Research, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, OH, United States,Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States,*Correspondence: Marc Oria,
| | - Bedika Pathak
- Center for Fetal and Placental Research, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Zhen Li
- Center for Fetal and Placental Research, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Kenan Bakri
- Center for Fetal and Placental Research, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Kara Gouwens
- Center for Fetal and Placental Research, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Maria Florencia Varela
- Center for Fetal and Placental Research, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Kristin Lampe
- Center for Fetal and Placental Research, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Kendall P. Murphy
- Center for Fetal and Placental Research, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, OH, United States,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Chia-Ying Lin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Jose L. Peiro
- Center for Fetal and Placental Research, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cincinnati, OH, United States,Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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Tomljanović I, Petrović A, Ban J, Mladinic M. Proteomic analysis of opossum Monodelphis domestica spinal cord reveals the changes of proteins related to neurodegenerative diseases during developmental period when neuroregeneration stops being possible. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 587:85-91. [PMID: 34864550 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.11.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
One of the major challenges of modern neurobiology concerns the inability of the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) to regenerate and repair itself after injury. It is still unclear why the ability to regenerate CNS is lost during evolution and development and why it becomes very limited in adult mammals. A convenient model to study cellular and molecular basis of this loss is neonatal opossum (Monodelphis domestica). Opossums are marsupials that are born very immature with the unique possibility to successfully regenerate postnatal spinal cord after injury in the first two weeks of their life, after which this ability abbruptly stops. Using comparative proteomic approach we identified the proteins that are differentially distributed in opossum spinal tissue that can and cannot regenerate after injury, among which stand out the proteins related to neurodegenerative diseases (NDD), such as Huntington, Parkinson and Alzheimer's disease, previously detected by comparative transcriptomics on the analog tissue. The different distribution of the selected proteins detected by comparative proteomics was further confirmed by Western blot (WB), and the changes in the expression of related genes were analysed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, we explored the cellular localization of the selected proteins using immunofluorescent microscopy. To our knowledge, this is the first report on proteins differentially present in developing, non-injured mammalian spinal cord tissue with different regenerative capacities. The results of this study indicate that the proteins known to have an important role in the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration in aged CNS, could also have an important phyisological role during CNS postnatal development and in neuroregeneration process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Tomljanović
- Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Antonela Petrović
- Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Jelena Ban
- Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Miranda Mladinic
- Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia.
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Zhang Q, Wu X, Fan Y, Jiang P, Zhao Y, Yang Y, Han S, Xu B, Chen B, Han J, Sun M, Zhao G, Xiao Z, Hu Y, Dai J. Single-cell analysis reveals dynamic changes of neural cells in developing human spinal cord. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e52728. [PMID: 34605607 PMCID: PMC8567249 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202152728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
During central nervous system development, neurogenesis and gliogenesis occur in an orderly manner to create precise neural circuitry. However, no systematic dataset of neural lineage development that covers both neurogenesis and gliogenesis for the human spinal cord is available. We here perform single-cell RNA sequencing of human spinal cord cells during embryonic and fetal stages that cover neuron generation as well as astrocytes and oligodendrocyte differentiation. We also map the timeline of sensory neurogenesis and gliogenesis in the spinal cord. We further identify a group of EGFR-expressing transitional glial cells with radial morphology at the onset of gliogenesis, which progressively acquires differentiated glial cell characteristics. These EGFR-expressing transitional glial cells exhibited a unique position-specific feature during spinal cord development. Cell crosstalk analysis using CellPhoneDB indicated that EGFR glial cells can persistently interact with other neural cells during development through Delta-Notch and EGFR signaling. Together, our results reveal stage-specific profiles and dynamics of neural cells during human spinal cord development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental BiologyInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xianming Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental BiologyInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yongheng Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental BiologyInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Peipei Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Yannan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental BiologyInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yaming Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental BiologyInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Sufang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental BiologyInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Bai Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental BiologyInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Bing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental BiologyInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jin Han
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental BiologyInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Minghan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental BiologyInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Guangfeng Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Zhifeng Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental BiologyInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Jianwu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental BiologyInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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Inhibited maturation of astrocytes caused by maternal n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake deficiency hinders the development of brain glial cells in neonatal rats. Br J Nutr 2021; 128:1509-1517. [PMID: 34724997 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114521004359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The brain is rich in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which play an essential role in its development and functions. Here we examined the impact of maternal n-3 PUFA intake deficiency during gestation and lactation on the development of glial cells in the pup's developing cerebral cortex. In addition, using myelination as indicator and the anti-myelin basic protein (MBP) as measurement to establish the relationship between the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells and the development of oligodendrocytes, we determined the myelination state of the somatosensory cortex at day 14 postnatal. Rat dams were fed either a control (Cont) or an n-3 PUFA-deficient (Def) diet for 60 days (acclimatisation :14 days; gestation: 21 days; lactation:21 days). Pups lactated from dams throughout the experiment. The distribution pattern of astrocytes in pups on day 7 postnatal was immunohistochemically analysed using GFAP and brain lipid binding protein (BLBP) as markers for mature astrocytes and astrocyte-specific radial glial cells, respectively. It was observed that, when compared with Cont pups, GFAP-positive cells decreased, BLBP-positive cells increased and myelinated structures were sparser in the somatosensory cortices of Def pups. In the open field test on day 21 postnatal, behavioural parameters did not differ between groups. Our results indicated that inhibited maturation of astrocytes caused by maternal n-3 PUFA deficiency hindered the development of brain glial cells of neonatal rats and hence, maternal n-3 PUFA intake during the gestation and lactation periods may have been crucial for the brain cell composition of pups.
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11
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Arulkandarajah KH, Osterstock G, Lafont A, Le Corronc H, Escalas N, Corsini S, Le Bras B, Chenane L, Boeri J, Czarnecki A, Mouffle C, Bullier E, Hong E, Soula C, Legendre P, Mangin JM. Neuroepithelial progenitors generate and propagate non-neuronal action potentials across the spinal cord. Curr Biol 2021; 31:4584-4595.e4. [PMID: 34478646 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.08.019] [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: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In the developing central nervous system, electrical signaling is thought to rely exclusively on differentiating neurons as they acquire the ability to generate and propagate action potentials. Accordingly, neuroepithelial progenitors (NEPs), which give rise to all neurons and glial cells during development, have been reported to remain electrically passive. Here, we investigated the physiological properties of NEPs at the onset of spontaneous neural activity (SNA) initiating motor behavior in mouse embryonic spinal cord. Using patch-clamp recordings, we discovered that spinal NEPs exhibit spontaneous membrane depolarizations during episodes of SNA. These rhythmic depolarizations exhibited a ventral-to-dorsal gradient with the highest amplitude located in the floor plate, the ventral-most part of the neuroepithelium. Paired recordings revealed that NEPs are coupled via gap junctions and form an electrical syncytium. Although other NEPs were electrically passive, we discovered that floor-plate NEPs generated large Na+/Ca2+ action potentials. Unlike in neurons, floor-plate action potentials relied primarily on the activation of voltage-gated T-type calcium channels (TTCCs). In situ hybridization showed that all 3 known subtypes of TTCCs are predominantly expressed in the floor plate. During SNA, we found that acetylcholine released by motoneurons rhythmically triggers floor-plate action potentials by acting through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Finally, by expressing the genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP6f in the floor plate, we demonstrated that neuroepithelial action potentials are associated with calcium waves and propagate along the entire length of the spinal cord. Our work reveals a novel physiological mechanism to generate and propagate electrical signals across a neural structure independently from neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalaimakan Hervé Arulkandarajah
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Osterstock
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Agathe Lafont
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Hervé Le Corronc
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France; Université d'Angers, 49000 Angers, France
| | - Nathalie Escalas
- Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD) CNRS/UPS, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - Silvia Corsini
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Barbara Le Bras
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Linda Chenane
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Juliette Boeri
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Antonny Czarnecki
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Christine Mouffle
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Erika Bullier
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Elim Hong
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Cathy Soula
- Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD) CNRS/UPS, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - Pascal Legendre
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Marie Mangin
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 75005 Paris, France.
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12
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Hart CG, Karimi-Abdolrezaee S. Recent insights on astrocyte mechanisms in CNS homeostasis, pathology, and repair. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:2427-2462. [PMID: 34259342 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes play essential roles in development, homeostasis, injury, and repair of the central nervous system (CNS). Their development is tightly regulated by distinct spatial and temporal cues during embryogenesis and into adulthood throughout the CNS. Astrocytes have several important responsibilities such as regulating blood flow and permeability of the blood-CNS barrier, glucose metabolism and storage, synapse formation and function, and axon myelination. In CNS pathologies, astrocytes also play critical parts in both injury and repair mechanisms. Upon injury, they undergo a robust phenotypic shift known as "reactive astrogliosis," which results in both constructive and deleterious outcomes. Astrocyte activation and migration at the site of injury provides an early defense mechanism to minimize the extent of injury by enveloping the lesion area. However, astrogliosis also contributes to the inhibitory microenvironment of CNS injury and potentiate secondary injury mechanisms, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and glutamate excitotoxicity, which facilitate neurodegeneration in CNS pathologies. Intriguingly, reactive astrocytes are increasingly a focus in current therapeutic strategies as their activation can be modulated toward a neuroprotective and reparative phenotype. This review will discuss recent advancements in knowledge regarding the development and role of astrocytes in the healthy and pathological CNS. We will also review how astrocytes have been genetically modified to optimize their reparative potential after injury, and how they may be transdifferentiated into neurons and oligodendrocytes to promote repair after CNS injury and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Hart
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Spinal Cord Research Centre, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Soheila Karimi-Abdolrezaee
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Spinal Cord Research Centre, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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13
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Guo D, Wang Y, Cheng Y, Liao S, Hu J, Du F, Xu G, Liu Y, Cai KQ, Cheung M, Wainwright BJ, Lu QR, Zhao Y, Yang ZJ. Tumor cells generate astrocyte-like cells that contribute to SHH-driven medulloblastoma relapse. J Exp Med 2021; 218:212465. [PMID: 34254999 PMCID: PMC8282281 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20202350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes, a major glial cell type in the brain, play a critical role in supporting the progression of medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. Through lineage tracing analyses and single-cell RNA sequencing, we demonstrate that astrocytes are predominantly derived from the transdifferentiation of tumor cells in relapsed MB (but not in primary MB), although MB cells are generally believed to be neuronal-lineage committed. Such transdifferentiation of MB cells relies on Sox9, a transcription factor critical for gliogenesis. Our studies further reveal that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) stimulate the transdifferentiation of MB cells by inducing the phosphorylation of Sox9. Pharmacological inhibition of BMP signaling represses MB cell transdifferentiation into astrocytes and suppresses tumor relapse. Our studies establish the distinct cellular sources of astrocytes in primary and relapsed MB and provide an avenue to prevent and treat MB relapse by targeting tumor cell transdifferentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duancheng Guo
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA.,Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Shengyou Liao
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Information Processing, Advanced Computer Research Center, Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Hu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Fang Du
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Gang Xu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Yongqiang Liu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kathy Q Cai
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Martin Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Brandon J Wainwright
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Q Richard Lu
- Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Yi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Information Processing, Advanced Computer Research Center, Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA
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14
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Ketamine Alters Functional Plasticity of Astroglia: An Implication for Antidepressant Effect. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11060573. [PMID: 34204579 PMCID: PMC8234122 DOI: 10.3390/life11060573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ketamine, a non-competitive N–methyl–d–aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, exerts a rapid, potent and long-lasting antidepressant effect, although the cellular and molecular mechanisms of this action are yet to be clarified. In addition to targeting neuronal NMDARs fundamental for synaptic transmission, ketamine also affects the function of astrocytes, the key homeostatic cells of the central nervous system that contribute to pathophysiology of major depressive disorder. Here, I review studies revealing that (sub)anesthetic doses of ketamine elevate intracellular cAMP concentration ([cAMP]i) in astrocytes, attenuate stimulus-evoked astrocyte calcium signaling, which regulates exocytotic secretion of gliosignaling molecules, and stabilize the vesicle fusion pore in a narrow configuration, possibly hindering cargo discharge or vesicle recycling. Next, I discuss how ketamine affects astrocyte capacity to control extracellular K+ by reducing vesicular delivery of the inward rectifying potassium channel (Kir4.1) to the plasmalemma that reduces the surface density of Kir4.1. Modified astroglial K+ buffering impacts upon neuronal firing pattern as demonstrated in lateral habenula in a rat model of depression. Finally, I highlight the discovery that ketamine rapidly redistributes cholesterol in the astrocyte plasmalemma, which may alter the flux of cholesterol to neurons. This structural modification may further modulate a host of processes that synergistically contribute to ketamine’s rapid antidepressant action.
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15
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Tatomir A, Beltrand A, Nguyen V, Boodhoo D, Mekala A, Cudrici C, Badea TC, Muresanu DF, Rus V, Rus H. RGC-32 Regulates Generation of Reactive Astrocytes in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. Front Immunol 2021; 11:608294. [PMID: 33569054 PMCID: PMC7868332 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.608294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are increasingly recognized as critical contributors to multiple sclerosis pathogenesis. We have previously shown that lack of Response Gene to Complement 32 (RGC-32) alters astrocyte morphology in the spinal cord at the peak of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), suggesting a role for RGC-32 in astrocyte differentiation. In this study, we analyzed the expression and distribution of astrocytes and astrocyte progenitors by immunohistochemistry in spinal cords of wild-type (WT) and RGC-32-knockout (KO) mice with EAE and of normal adult mice. Our analysis showed that during acute EAE, WT astrocytes had a reactive morphology and increased GFAP expression, whereas RGC-32 KO astrocytes had a morphology similar to that of radial glia and an increased expression of progenitor markers such as vimentin and fatty acid binding protein 7 (FABP7). In control mice, GFAP expression and astrocyte density were also significantly higher in the WT group, whereas the number of vimentin and FABP7-positive radial glia was significantly higher in the RGC-32 KO group. In vitro studies on cultured neonatal astrocytes from WT and RGC-32 KO mice showed that RGC-32 regulates a complex array of molecular networks pertaining to signal transduction, growth factor expression and secretion, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Among the most differentially expressed factors were insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF); their expression was downregulated in RGC-32-depleted astrocytes. The nuclear translocation of STAT3, a transcription factor critical for astrogliogenesis and driving glial scar formation, was also impaired after RGC-32 silencing. Taken together, these data suggest that RGC-32 is an important regulator of astrocyte differentiation during EAE and that in the absence of RGC-32, astrocytes are unable to fully mature and become reactive astrocytes.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Astrocytes/metabolism
- Astrocytes/pathology
- Cell Differentiation
- Cell Movement
- Cell Proliferation
- Cells, Cultured
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/genetics
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology
- Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 7/metabolism
- Female
- Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Phenotype
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Signal Transduction
- Spinal Cord/metabolism
- Spinal Cord/pathology
- Vimentin/metabolism
- Mice
- Rats
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Tatomir
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurosciences, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Austin Beltrand
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Vinh Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dallas Boodhoo
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Armugam Mekala
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Cornelia Cudrici
- Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Tudor C. Badea
- Retinal Circuit Development and Genetics Unit, Neurobiology Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory (N-NRL), National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dafin F. Muresanu
- Department of Neurosciences, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Violeta Rus
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Horea Rus
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Research Service, Veterans Administration Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, United States
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16
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E93 Integrates Neuroblast Intrinsic State with Developmental Time to Terminate MB Neurogenesis via Autophagy. Curr Biol 2019; 29:750-762.e3. [PMID: 30773368 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Most neurogenesis occurs during development, driven by the cell divisions of neural stem cells (NSCs). We use Drosophila to understand how neurogenesis terminates once development is complete, a process critical for neural circuit formation. We identified E93, a steroid-hormone-induced transcription factor that downregulates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) levels to activate autophagy for elimination of mushroom body (MB) neuroblasts. MB neuroblasts are a subset of Drosophila NSCs that generate neurons important for memory and learning. MB neurogenesis extends into adulthood when E93 is reduced and terminates prematurely when E93 is overexpressed. E93 is expressed in MB neuroblasts during later stages of pupal development only, which includes the time when MB neuroblasts normally terminate their divisions. Cell intrinsic Imp and Syp temporal factors regulate timing of E93 expression in MB neuroblasts, and extrinsic steroid hormone receptor (EcR) activation boosts E93 levels high for termination. Imp inhibits premature expression of E93 in a Syp-dependent manner, and Syp positively regulates E93 to promote neurogenesis termination. Imp and Syp together with E93 form a temporal cassette, which consequently links early developmental neurogenesis with termination. Altogether, E93 functions as a late-acting temporal factor integrating extrinsic hormonal cues linked to developmental timing with neuroblast intrinsic temporal cues to precisely time neurogenesis ending during development.
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17
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Kelly A, O'Malley A, Redha M, O'Keeffe GW, Barry DS. The distribution of the proteoglycan FORSE-1 in the developing mouse central nervous system. J Anat 2018; 234:216-226. [PMID: 30474148 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12907] [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] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation is a major post-translational modification in which a carbohydrate known as a glycan is enzymatically attached to target proteins which regulate protein folding and stability. Glycans are strongly expressed in the developing nervous system where they play multiple roles during development. The importance of these glycan epitopes in neural development is highlighted by a group of conditions known as congenital disorders of glycosylation which lead to psychomotor difficulties, mental retardation, lissencephaly, microencephaly and epilepsy. One of these glycan epitopes, known as Lewis X, is recognised by the FORSE-1 antibody and is regionally expressed in the developing nervous system. In this study, we report the regional and temporal expression patterns of FORSE-1 immunolabelling during the periods of neurogenesis, gliogenesis and axonogenesis in developing mouse nervous system. We demonstrate the localisation of FORSE-1 on subsets of neuroepithelial cells and radial glial cells, and in compartments corresponding to axon tract formation. These spatial, temporal and regional expression patterns are suggestive of roles in the determination of different cell lineages and in the patterning of white matter during development, and help provide insights into the neuroanatomical regions affected by congenital disorders of glycosylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Kelly
- Department of Anatomy, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aisling O'Malley
- Department of Anatomy, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mohammad Redha
- Department of Anatomy, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gerard W O'Keeffe
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Denis S Barry
- Department of Anatomy, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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18
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Abstract
In the adult mouse spinal cord, the ependymal cell population that surrounds the central canal is thought to be a promising source of quiescent stem cells to treat spinal cord injury. Relatively little is known about the cellular origin of ependymal cells during spinal cord development, or the molecular mechanisms that regulate ependymal cells during adult homeostasis. Using genetic lineage tracing based on the Wnt target gene Axin2, we have characterized Wnt-responsive cells during spinal cord development. Our results revealed that Wnt-responsive progenitor cells are restricted to the dorsal midline throughout spinal cord development, which gives rise to dorsal ependymal cells in a spatially restricted pattern. This is contrary to previous reports that suggested an exclusively ventral origin of ependymal cells, suggesting that ependymal cells may retain positional identities in relation to their neural progenitors. Our results further demonstrated that in the postnatal and adult spinal cord, all ependymal cells express the Wnt/β-catenin signaling target gene Axin2, as well as Wnt ligands. Genetic elimination of β-catenin or inhibition of Wnt secretion in Axin2-expressing ependymal cells in vivo both resulted in impaired proliferation, indicating that Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes ependymal cell proliferation. These results demonstrate the continued importance of Wnt/β-catenin signaling for both ependymal cell formation and regulation. By uncovering the molecular signals underlying the formation and regulation of spinal cord ependymal cells, our findings thus enable further targeting and manipulation of this promising source of quiescent stem cells for therapeutic interventions.
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19
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Katiyar KS, Winter CC, Gordián-Vélez WJ, O'Donnell JC, Song YJ, Hernandez NS, Struzyna LA, Cullen DK. Three-dimensional Tissue Engineered Aligned Astrocyte Networks to Recapitulate Developmental Mechanisms and Facilitate Nervous System Regeneration. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29364269 DOI: 10.3791/55848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotrauma and neurodegenerative disease often result in lasting neurological deficits due to the limited capacity of the central nervous system (CNS) to replace lost neurons and regenerate axonal pathways. However, during nervous system development, neuronal migration and axonal extension often occur along pathways formed by other cells, referred to as "living scaffolds". Seeking to emulate these mechanisms and to design a strategy that circumvents the inhibitory environment of the CNS, this manuscript presents a protocol to fabricate tissue engineered astrocyte-based "living scaffolds". To create these constructs, we employed a novel biomaterial encasement scheme to induce astrocytes to self-assemble into dense three-dimensional bundles of bipolar longitudinally-aligned somata and processes. First, hollow hydrogel micro-columns were assembled, and the inner lumen was coated with collagen extracellular-matrix. Dissociated cerebral cortical astrocytes were then delivered into the lumen of the cylindrical micro-column and, at a critical inner diameter of <350 µm, spontaneously self-aligned and contracted to produce long fiber-like cables consisting of dense bundles of astrocyte processes and collagen fibrils measuring <150 µm in diameter yet extending several cm in length. These engineered living scaffolds exhibited >97% cell viability and were virtually exclusively comprised of astrocytes expressing a combination of the intermediate filament proteins glial-fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin, and nestin. These aligned astrocyte networks were found to provide a permissive substrate for neuronal attachment and aligned neurite extension. Moreover, these constructs maintain integrity and alignment when extracted from the hydrogel encasement, making them suitable for CNS implantation. These preformed constructs structurally emulate key cytoarchitectural elements of naturally occurring glial-based "living scaffolds" in vivo. As such, these engineered living scaffolds may serve as test-beds to study neurodevelopmental mechanisms in vitro or facilitate neuroregeneration by directing neuronal migration and/or axonal pathfinding following CNS degeneration in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika S Katiyar
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center; School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University
| | - Carla C Winter
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Wisberty J Gordián-Vélez
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
| | - John C O'Donnell
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | - Yeri J Song
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Nicole S Hernandez
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Laura A Struzyna
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania;
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20
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Abstract
Astrocytes are neural cells of ectodermal, neuroepithelial origin that provide for homeostasis and defense of the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are highly heterogeneous in morphological appearance; they express a multitude of receptors, channels, and membrane transporters. This complement underlies their remarkable adaptive plasticity that defines the functional maintenance of the CNS in development and aging. Astrocytes are tightly integrated into neural networks and act within the context of neural tissue; astrocytes control homeostasis of the CNS at all levels of organization from molecular to the whole organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Verkhratsky
- The University of Manchester , Manchester , United Kingdom ; Achúcarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao , Spain ; Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED, Leioa, Spain ; Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark ; and Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester, New York
| | - Maiken Nedergaard
- The University of Manchester , Manchester , United Kingdom ; Achúcarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao , Spain ; Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED, Leioa, Spain ; Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark ; and Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester, New York
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21
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Verkhratsky A, Nedergaard M. Physiology of Astroglia. Physiol Rev 2018; 98:239-389. [PMID: 29351512 PMCID: PMC6050349 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00042.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 899] [Impact Index Per Article: 149.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are neural cells of ectodermal, neuroepithelial origin that provide for homeostasis and defense of the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are highly heterogeneous in morphological appearance; they express a multitude of receptors, channels, and membrane transporters. This complement underlies their remarkable adaptive plasticity that defines the functional maintenance of the CNS in development and aging. Astrocytes are tightly integrated into neural networks and act within the context of neural tissue; astrocytes control homeostasis of the CNS at all levels of organization from molecular to the whole organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Verkhratsky
- The University of Manchester , Manchester , United Kingdom ; Achúcarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao , Spain ; Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED, Leioa, Spain ; Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark ; and Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester, New York
| | - Maiken Nedergaard
- The University of Manchester , Manchester , United Kingdom ; Achúcarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao , Spain ; Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED, Leioa, Spain ; Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark ; and Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester, New York
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22
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Liu Y, Yuelling LW, Wang Y, Du F, Gordon RE, O'Brien JA, Ng JMY, Robins S, Lee EH, Liu H, Curran T, Yang ZJ. Astrocytes Promote Medulloblastoma Progression through Hedgehog Secretion. Cancer Res 2017; 77:6692-6703. [PMID: 28986380 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-1463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes, the most abundant type of glial cells in the brain, play critical roles in supporting neuronal development and brain function. Although astrocytes have been frequently detected in brain tumors, including medulloblastoma (MB), their functions in tumorigenesis are not clear. Here, we demonstrate that astrocytes are essential components of the MB tumor microenvironment. Tumor-associated astrocytes (TAA) secrete the ligand sonic hedgehog (Shh), which is required for maintaining MB cell proliferation despite the absence of its primary receptor Patched-1 (Ptch1). Shh drives expression of Nestin in MB cells through a smoothened-dependent, but Gli1-independent mechanism. Ablation of TAA dramatically suppresses Nestin expression and blocks tumor growth. These findings demonstrate an indispensable role for astrocytes in MB tumorigenesis and reveal a novel Ptch1-independent Shh pathway involved in MB progression. Cancer Res; 77(23); 6692-703. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqiang Liu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Larra W Yuelling
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yuan Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fang Du
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Renata E Gordon
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jenny A O'Brien
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jessica M Y Ng
- Children's Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Shannon Robins
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric H Lee
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Hailong Liu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Tom Curran
- Children's Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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23
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Verkhratsky A, Zorec R, Parpura V. Stratification of astrocytes in healthy and diseased brain. Brain Pathol 2017; 27:629-644. [PMID: 28805002 PMCID: PMC5599174 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes, a subtype of glial cells, come in variety of forms and functions. However, overarching role of these cell is in the homeostasis of the brain, be that regulation of ions, neurotransmitters, metabolism or neuronal synaptic networks. Loss of homeostasis represents the underlying cause of all brain disorders. Thus, astrocytes are likely involved in most if not all of the brain pathologies. We tabulate astroglial homeostatic functions along with pathological condition that arise from dysfunction of these glial cells. Classification of astrocytes is presented with the emphasis on evolutionary trails, morphological appearance and numerical preponderance. We note that, even though astrocytes from a variety of mammalian species share some common features, human astrocytes appear to be the largest and most complex of all astrocytes studied thus far. It is then an imperative to develop humanized models to study the role of astrocytes in brain pathologies, which is perhaps most abundantly clear in the case of glioblastoma multiforme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Verkhratsky
- Division of Neuroscience & Experimental PsychologyThe University of ManchesterManchesterUnited Kingdom
- Achúcarro Basque Center for NeuroscienceIKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science48011 BilbaoSpain
- Department of NeuroscienceUniversity of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED48940 LeioaSpain
| | - Robert Zorec
- Laboratory of Cell EngineeringCelica BIOMEDICAL, Tehnološki park 24, Ljubljana 1000SloveniaEurope
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology‐Molecular Cell PhysiologyInstitute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, Ljubljana 1000SloveniaEurope
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, Civitan International Research Center and Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Atomic Force Microscopy & Nanotechnology Laboratories, 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 429University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAL 35294‐0021
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24
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O'Leary CJ, Weston M, McDermott KW. An ex vivo model to quantitatively analyze cell migration in tissue. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:201-211. [PMID: 28791753 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within the developing central nervous system, the ability of cells to migrate throughout the tissue parenchyma to reach their target destination and undergo terminal differentiation is vital to normal central nervous system (CNS) development. To develop novel therapies to treat the injured CNS, it is essential that the migratory behavior of cell populations is understood. Many studies have examined the ability of individual neurons to migrate through the developing CNS, describing specific modes of migration including locomotion and somal translocation. Few studies have investigated the mass migration of large populations of neural progenitors, particularly in the developing the spinal cord. Here, we describe a method to robustly analyze large numbers of migrating cells using a co-culture assay. RESULTS The ex vivo tissue model promotes the survival and differentiation of co-cultured progenitor cells. Using this assay, we demonstrate that migrating neuroepithelial progenitor cells display region specific migration patterns within the dorsal and ventral spinal cord at defined developmental time points. CONCLUSIONS The technique described here is a viable ex vivo model to quantitatively analyze cell migration and differentiation. We demonstrate the ability to detect changes in cell migration within distinct tissue region across tissue samples using the technique described here. Developmental Dynamics 247:201-211, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor J O'Leary
- Queensland Drug Discovery Initiative, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Mikail Weston
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Kieran W McDermott
- Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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25
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Alexovič Matiašová A, Ševc J, Tomori Z, Gombalová Z, Gedrová Š, Daxnerová Z. Quantitative analyses of cellularity and proliferative activity reveals the dynamics of the central canal lining during postnatal development of the rat. J Comp Neurol 2017; 525:693-707. [PMID: 27503700 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
According to previous opinion, the derivation of neurons and glia from the central canal (CC) lining of the spinal cord in rodents should occur in the embryonic period. Reports of the mitotic activity observed in the lining during postnatal development have often been contradictory, and proliferation was ascribed to the generation of ependymocytes, which are necessary for the elongation of CC walls. Our study quantifies the intensity of proliferation and determines the cellularity of the CC lining in reference to lumbar spinal segment L4 during the postnatal development of rats. The presence of dividing cells peaks in the CC lining on postnatal day 8 (P8), with division occurring in 19.2% ± 3.2% of cells. In adult rats, 3.6% ± 0.9% of cells still proliferate, whereas, in mice, 10.3% ± 2.3% of cells at P8 and only 0.6% ± 0.2% of cells in the CC lining in adulthood are proliferating. In the rat, the length of the cell cycle increases from 100.3 ± 35.7 hours at P1 to 401.4 ± 80.6 hours at P43, with a sudden extension between P15 and P22. Despite the intensive proliferation, the total cellularity of the CC lining at the L4 spinal segment significantly descended in from P8 to P15. According to our calculations, the estimated cellularity was significantly higher compared with the measured cellularity of the CC lining at P15. Our results indicate that CC lining serves as a source of cells beyond ependymal cells during the first postnatal weeks of the rat. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:693-707, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Alexovič Matiašová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University in Košice, 04001, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Juraj Ševc
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University in Košice, 04001, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Zoltán Tomori
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 04001, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Zuzana Gombalová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University in Košice, 04001, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Štefánia Gedrová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University in Košice, 04001, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Zuzana Daxnerová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University in Košice, 04001, Košice, Slovak Republic
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26
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Chrenek R, Magnotti LM, Herrera GR, Jha RM, Cardozo DL. Characterization of the Filum terminale as a neural progenitor cell niche in both rats and humans. J Comp Neurol 2016; 525:661-675. [PMID: 27511739 PMCID: PMC5216448 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) reside in a unique microenvironment within the central nervous system (CNS) called the NSC niche. Although they are relatively rare, niches have been previously characterized in both the brain and spinal cord of adult animals. Recently, another potential NSC niche has been identified in the filum terminale (FT), which is a thin band of tissue at the caudal end of the spinal cord. While previous studies have demonstrated that NSCs can be isolated from the FT, the in vivo architecture of this tissue and its relation to other NSC niches in the CNS has not yet been established. In this article we report a histological analysis of the FT NSC niche in postnatal rats and humans. Immunohistochemical characterization reveals that the FT is mitotically active and its cells express similar markers to those in other CNS niches. In addition, the organization of the FT most closely resembles that of the adult spinal cord niche. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:661–675, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Chrenek
- Department of NeurobiologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of GeneticsHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Laura M. Magnotti
- Department of NeurobiologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Ruchira M. Jha
- Department of NeurobiologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - David L. Cardozo
- Department of NeurobiologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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27
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Chandrasekaran A, Avci HX, Leist M, Kobolák J, Dinnyés A. Astrocyte Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: New Tools for Neurological Disorder Research. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:215. [PMID: 27725795 PMCID: PMC5035736 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes have a central role in brain development and function, and so have gained increasing attention over the past two decades. Consequently, our knowledge about their origin, differentiation and function has increased significantly, with new research showing that astrocytes cultured alone or co-cultured with neurons have the potential to improve our understanding of various central nervous system diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, or Alexander disease. The generation of astrocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) opens up a new area for studying neurologic diseases in vitro; these models could be exploited to identify and validate potential drugs by detecting adverse effects in the early stages of drug development. However, as it is now known that a range of astrocyte populations exist in the brain, it will be important in vitro to develop standardized protocols for the in vitro generation of astrocyte subsets with defined maturity status and phenotypic properties. This will then open new possibilities for co-cultures with neurons and the generation of neural organoids for research purposes. The aim of this review article is to compare and summarize the currently available protocols and their strategies to generate human astrocytes from PSCs. Furthermore, we discuss the potential role of human-induced PSCs derived astrocytes in disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hasan X Avci
- BioTalentum LtdGödöllő, Hungary; Department of Medical Chemistry, University of SzegedSzeged, Hungary
| | - Marcel Leist
- Dorenkamp-Zbinden Chair, Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences, University of Konstanz Konstanz, Germany
| | | | - Andras Dinnyés
- BioTalentum LtdGödöllő, Hungary; Molecular Animal Biotechnology Laboratory, Szent Istvan UniversityGödöllő, Hungary
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28
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Filous AR, Silver J. "Targeting astrocytes in CNS injury and disease: A translational research approach". Prog Neurobiol 2016; 144:173-87. [PMID: 27026202 PMCID: PMC5035184 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes are a major constituent of the central nervous system. These glia play a major role in regulating blood-brain barrier function, the formation and maintenance of synapses, glutamate uptake, and trophic support for surrounding neurons and glia. Therefore, maintaining the proper functioning of these cells is crucial to survival. Astrocyte defects are associated with a wide variety of neuropathological insults, ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to gliomas. Additionally, injury to the CNS causes drastic changes to astrocytes, often leading to a phenomenon known as reactive astrogliosis. This process is important for protecting the surrounding healthy tissue from the spread of injury, while it also inhibits axonal regeneration and plasticity. Here, we discuss the important roles of astrocytes after injury and in disease, as well as potential therapeutic approaches to restore proper astrocyte functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela R Filous
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 216-368-4615, United States.
| | - Jerry Silver
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 216-368-4615, United States.
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29
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Johnson K, Barragan J, Bashiruddin S, Smith CJ, Tyrrell C, Parsons MJ, Doris R, Kucenas S, Downes GB, Velez CM, Schneider C, Sakai C, Pathak N, Anderson K, Stein R, Devoto SH, Mumm JS, Barresi MJF. Gfap-positive radial glial cells are an essential progenitor population for later-born neurons and glia in the zebrafish spinal cord. Glia 2016; 64:1170-89. [PMID: 27100776 PMCID: PMC4918407 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Radial glial cells are presumptive neural stem cells (NSCs) in the developing nervous system. The direct requirement of radial glia for the generation of a diverse array of neuronal and glial subtypes, however, has not been tested. We employed two novel transgenic zebrafish lines and endogenous markers of NSCs and radial glia to show for the first time that radial glia are essential for neurogenesis during development. By using the gfap promoter to drive expression of nuclear localized mCherry we discerned two distinct radial glial-derived cell types: a major nestin+/Sox2+ subtype with strong gfap promoter activity and a minor Sox2+ subtype lacking this activity. Fate mapping studies in this line indicate that gfap+ radial glia generate later-born CoSA interneurons, secondary motorneurons, and oligodendroglia. In another transgenic line using the gfap promoter-driven expression of the nitroreductase enzyme, we induced cell autonomous ablation of gfap+ radial glia and observed a reduction in their specific derived lineages, but not Blbp+ and Sox2+/gfap-negative NSCs, which were retained and expanded at later larval stages. Moreover, we provide evidence supporting classical roles of radial glial in axon patterning, blood-brain barrier formation, and locomotion. Our results suggest that gfap+ radial glia represent the major NSC during late neurogenesis for specific lineages, and possess diverse roles to sustain the structure and function of the spinal cord. These new tools will both corroborate the predicted roles of astroglia and reveal novel roles related to development, physiology, and regeneration in the vertebrate nervous system. GLIA 2016;64:1170-1189.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Jessica Barragan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Sarah Bashiruddin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Cody J Smith
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Chelsea Tyrrell
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Michael J Parsons
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rosemarie Doris
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut
| | - Sarah Kucenas
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Gerald B Downes
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Carla M Velez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Caitlin Schneider
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Catalina Sakai
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Narendra Pathak
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Katrina Anderson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Rachael Stein
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Stephen H Devoto
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut
| | - Jeff S Mumm
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael J F Barresi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
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30
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Neurosphere Based Differentiation of Human iPSC Improves Astrocyte Differentiation. Stem Cells Int 2015; 2016:4937689. [PMID: 26798357 PMCID: PMC4699090 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4937689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are traditionally maintained and proliferated utilizing two-dimensional (2D) adherent monolayer culture systems. However, NPCs cultured using this system hardly reflect the intrinsic spatial development of brain tissue. In this study, we determined that culturing iPSC-derived NPCs as three-dimensional (3D) floating neurospheres resulted in increased expression of the neural progenitor cell (NPC) markers, PAX6 and NESTIN. Expansion of NPCs in 3D culture methods also resulted in a more homogenous PAX6 expression when compared to 2D culture methods. Furthermore, the 3D propagation method for NPCs resulted in a significant higher expression of the astrocyte markers GFAP and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the differentiated cells. Thus, our 3D propagation method could constitute a useful tool to promote NPC homogeneity and also to increase the differentiation potential of iPSC towards astrocytes.
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31
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Nulty J, Alsaffar M, Barry D. Radial glial cells organize the central nervous system via microtubule dependant processes. Brain Res 2015; 1625:171-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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32
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Götz M, Sirko S, Beckers J, Irmler M. Reactive astrocytes as neural stem or progenitor cells: In vivo lineage, In vitro potential, and Genome-wide expression analysis. Glia 2015; 63:1452-68. [PMID: 25965557 PMCID: PMC5029574 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2014] [Revised: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Here, we review the stem cell hallmarks of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) during development and in some niches of the adult mammalian brain to then compare these with reactive astrocytes acquiring stem cell hallmarks after traumatic and ischemic brain injury. Notably, even endogenous NSCs including the earliest NSCs, the neuroepithelial cells, generate in most cases only a single type of progeny and self‐renew only for a rather short time in vivo. In vitro, however, especially cells cultured under neurosphere conditions reveal a larger potential and long‐term self‐renewal under the influence of growth factors. This is rather well comparable to reactive astrocytes in the traumatic or ischemic brain some of which acquire neurosphere‐forming capacity including multipotency and long‐term self‐renewal in vitro, while they remain within their astrocyte lineage in vivo. Both reactive astrocytes and endogenous NSCs exhibit stem cell hallmarks largely in vitro, but their lineage differs in vivo. Both populations generate largely a single cell type in vivo, but endogenous NSCs generate neurons and reactive astrocytes remain in the astrocyte lineage. However, at some early postnatal stages or in some brain regions reactive astrocytes can be released from this fate restriction, demonstrating that they can also enact neurogenesis. Thus, reactive astrocytes and NSCs share many characteristic hallmarks, but also exhibit key differences. This conclusion is further substantiated by genome‐wide expression analysis comparing NSCs at different stages with astrocytes from the intact and injured brain parenchyma. GLIA 2015;63:1452–1468
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Götz
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany.,SYNERGY, Excellence Cluster of Systemic Neurology, LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Swetlana Sirko
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Beckers
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Experimental Genetics, Technical University Munich, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martin Irmler
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
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33
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Ding H, Jin GH, Zou LQ, Zhang XQ, Li HM, Tao XL, Zhang XH, Qin JB, Tian ML. Stromal derived factor-1α in hippocampus radial glial cells in vitro regulates the migration of neural progenitor cells. Cell Biol Int 2015; 39:750-8. [PMID: 25604551 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Stromal derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), a critical chemokine that promotes cell homing to target tissues, was presumed to be involved in the traumatic brain injury cortex. In this study, we determined the expression of SDF-1α in the hippocampus after transection of the fimbria fornix (FF). Realtime PCR and ELISA showed that mRNA transcription and SDF-1α proteins increased significantly after FF transection. In vitro, the expression of SDF-1α in radial glial cells (RGCs) incubated with deafferented hippocampus extracts was observed to be greater than in those incubated with normal hippocampus extracts. The co-culture of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and RGCs indicated that the extracts of deafferented hippocampus induced more NPCs migrating toward RGCs than the normal extracts. Suppression or overexpression of SDF-1α in RGCs markedly either decreased or increased, respectively, the migration of NPCs. These results suggest that after FF transection, SDF-1α in the deafferented hippocampus was upregulated and might play an important role in RGC induction of NPC migration; therefore, SDF-1α is a target for additional research for determining new therapy for brain injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ding
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo-Hua Jin
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin-Qing Zou
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Qing Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao-Ming Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue-Lei Tao
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Hua Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Bing Qin
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei-Ling Tian
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, People's Republic of China
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34
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Abstract
The zebrafish is a premier vertebrate model system that offers many experimental advantages for in vivo imaging and genetic studies. This review provides an overview of glial cell types in the central and peripheral nervous system of zebrafish. We highlight some recent work that exploited the strengths of the zebrafish system to increase the understanding of the role of Gpr126 in Schwann cell myelination and illuminate the mechanisms controlling oligodendrocyte development and myelination. We also summarize similarities and differences between zebrafish radial glia and mammalian astrocytes and consider the possibility that their distinct characteristics may represent extremes in a continuum of cell identity. Finally, we focus on the emergence of zebrafish as a model for elucidating the development and function of microglia. These recent studies have highlighted the power of the zebrafish system for analyzing important aspects of glial development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Lyons
- Centre for Neuroregeneration, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
| | - William S Talbot
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
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35
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Control of astrocyte progenitor specification, migration and maturation by Nkx6.1 homeodomain transcription factor. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109171. [PMID: 25285789 PMCID: PMC4186865 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the central nervous system (CNS), little is known about their molecular specification and differentiation. It has previously been reported that transcription factor Nkx6.1 is expressed in neuroepithelial cells that give rise to astrocyte precursors in the ventral spinal cord. In the present study, we systematically investigated the function of Nkx6.1 in astrocyte development using both conventional and conditional Nkx6.1 mutant mice. At early postnatal stages, Nkx6.1 was expressed in a subpopulation of astrocytes in the ventral spinal cord. In the conventional Nkx6.1KO spinal cord, the initial specification of astrocyte progenitors was affected by the mutation, and subsequent migration and differentiation were disrupted in newborn mice. In addition, the development of VA2 subtype astrocytes was also inhibited in the white matter. Further studies with Nkx6.1 conditional mutants revealed significantly delayed differentiation and disorganized arrangement of fibrous astrocytes in the ventral white matter. Together, our studies indicate that Nkx6.1 plays a vital role in astrocyte specification and differentiation in the ventral spinal cord.
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36
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Pakan JMP, McDermott KW. A method to investigate radial glia cell behavior using two-photon time-lapse microscopy in an ex vivo model of spinal cord development. Front Neuroanat 2014; 8:22. [PMID: 24782718 PMCID: PMC3989586 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2014.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian central nervous system (CNS) develops from multipotent progenitor cells, which proliferate and differentiate into the various cell types of the brain and spinal cord. Despite the wealth of knowledge from progenitor cell culture studies, there is a significant lack of understanding regarding dynamic progenitor cell behavior over the course of development. This is in part due to shortcomings in the techniques available to study these processes in living tissues as they are occurring. In order to investigate cell behavior under physiologically relevant conditions we established an ex vivo model of the developing rat spinal cord. This method allows us to directly observe specific populations of cells ex vivo in real time and over extended developmental periods as they undergo proliferation, migration, and differentiation in the CNS. Previous investigations of progenitor cell behavior have been limited in either spatial or temporal resolution (or both) due to the necessity of preserving tissue viability and avoiding phototoxic effects of fluorescent imaging. The method described here overcomes these obstacles. Using two-photon and confocal microscopy and transfected organotypic spinal cord slice cultures we have undertaken detailed imaging of a unique population of neural progenitors, radial glial cells. This method uniquely enables analysis of large populations as well as individual cells; ultimately resulting in a 4D dataset of progenitor cell behavior for up to 7 days during embryonic development. This approach can be adapted to study a variety of cell populations at different stages of development using appropriate promoter driven fluorescent protein expression. The ability to control the tissue micro-environment makes this ex vivo method a powerful tool to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating cell behavior during embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kieran W. McDermott
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College CorkCork, Ireland
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Guo L, Xu P, Tang X, Wu Q, Xing Y, Gustafsson JA, Xu H, Fan X. Liver X receptor β delays transformation of radial glial cells into astrocytes during mouse cerebral cortical development. Neurochem Int 2014; 71:8-16. [PMID: 24662373 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2014.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Revised: 03/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Radial glial (RG) cells serve as stem cells to produce new born neurons and scaffolds for neuronal migration during corticogenesis. After neurogenesis and migration are completed, most RG cells transform into astrocytes. However, the mechanisms that determine how RG cells are transformed into astrocytes are not well understood. Using nestin as a specific marker for both RG cells and astrocytes, we found that loss of LXRβ caused a reduction in the level of RG fibers and increase in the astrocytes. At the same time, we showed that the level of brain lipid-binding protein (BLBP), a RG-specific protein, was lower in the LXRβ knockout (LXRβ(-/-)) mice than in the wild type (WT) littermates from E18.5 to P14, a time period when most of RG cells are transformed into astrocytes. However, loss of LXRβ induced significant increase in the number of GFAP labeled astrocytes in the cerebral cortex. An increase of the transformation of RG cells into astrocytes in LXRβ(-/-) mice was further confirmed by the increased percentage of BLBP and GFAP double stained cells in the total BLBP positive cells of the Layer I and Layers V-VI. TGF-β1 and Smad4 are thought to be involved in the transformation of RG cells into astrocytes. The expression levels of TGF-β1mRNA and Smad4 mRNA were significantly higher in the cerebral cortex of LXRβ(-/-) mice than that in the WT littermates at P2 and P7, but by P10 and P14, mRNA levels had normalized and no differences were observed between WT and LXRβ(-/-) mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that loss of LXRβ accelerates the transformation of RG cells into astrocytes and that this acceleration may be correlated to higher levels TGF-β1 and Smad4 in the cerebral cortex between P2 and P7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Pei Xu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Xiaotong Tang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Qiao Wu
- Department of Immunology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Yan Xing
- Department of Immunology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Jan-Ake Gustafsson
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, University of Houston, TX 77054, United States; Division of Medical Nutrition, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Novum 141 86, Sweden
| | - Haiwei Xu
- Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China.
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China.
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Hawthorne AL. Repurposing Reelin: the new role of radial glia, Reelin and Notch in motor neuron migration. Exp Neurol 2014; 256:17-20. [PMID: 24607503 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2013] [Revised: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The role of Reelin during cerebral cortical neuron migration has long been studied, but the Reelin signaling pathway and its possible interactions are just beginning to be unraveled. Reelin is not only important in cerebral cortical migration, but has recently been shown to interact with the Notch signaling pathway and to be critical for radial glial cell number and morphology. Lee and Song (2013) show a new Notch- and Reelin-dependent role for radial glia in the mouse spinal cord: to act as a fine filter that allows somatic motor neuron axons but not cell bodies to traverse out of the CNS. Here, the types of neuronal migration are discussed, focusing on motor neurons and cues for proper localization. The interaction of Reelin signaling with the Notch pathway is reviewed, which dictates the proper formation of radial glia in the spinal cord in order to prevent ectopic motor neuron migration (Lee and Song, 2013). Future studies may reveal novel interactions and further insights as to how Reelin functions throughout the developing nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia L Hawthorne
- Dept. of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael St., WBRB 415, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Barry DS, Pakan JMP, McDermott KW. Radial glial cells: key organisers in CNS development. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2013; 46:76-9. [PMID: 24269781 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2013.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Revised: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Radial glia are elongated bipolar cells present in the CNS during development. Our understanding of the unique roles these cells play has significantly expanded in the last decade. Historically, radial glial cells were primarily thought to provide an architectural framework for neuronal migration. Recent research reveals that radial glia play a more dynamic and integrated role in the development of the brain and spinal cord. They represent a major progenitor pool during early development and can give rise to a small population of multipotent cells in neurogenic niches of the adult CNS. Radial glial cells are a heterogeneous population, with divergent and often poorly understood roles across different brain and spinal cord regions during development; this heterogeneity extends to specialised adult subtypes, such as tanycytes, Müller glial cells and Bergman glial cells which possess morphological similarities to radial glial but play distinct functional roles in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis S Barry
- Department of Anatomy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Janelle M P Pakan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kieran W McDermott
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Lee H, Song MR. The structural role of radial glial endfeet in confining spinal motor neuron somata is controlled by the Reelin and Notch pathways. Exp Neurol 2013; 249:83-94. [PMID: 23988635 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2013.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Revised: 08/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal migration is a fundamental biological process that enables the precise positioning of neurons to form functional circuits. Cortical neurons migrate along glial scaffolds formed by radial glia guided by Reelin ligand. However, it is unclear whether the Reelin-directed behavior of radial glia is also critical for positioning the spinal neurons. Here we demonstrate a novel role of radial glia that confines motor neurons within the neural tube and is promoted by Reelin and Notch signaling. Spinal radial glia express the Dab1 adaptor for Reelin signaling and are surrounded by Reelin. In reeler mice, in which Reelin is absent, ectopic motor neurons are found outside the neural tube, although they appear to maintain their identity. Boundary cap (BC) cells, Schwann cell precursors and the basal lamina at motor exit points are intact, whereas the glia limitans of radial glia are disorganized and detached from the basement membrane. The sparse and irregular radial scaffold is wide enough to allow motor somata to pass. Forced activation of Notch signaling rescued the structural defects in radial glia in reeler mice and the appearance of extraspinal neurons. In the absence of Reelin, Notch intracellular domain (NICD) protein level was reduced. In addition, disrupting the radial glia scaffold by destroying its polarity induced ectopic motor neurons in chick embryos. These findings suggest that activation of the Notch pathways by Reelin is required to establish the radial glial scaffold, a structure that actively constrains motor neuron somata and specifies the CNS-PNS boundary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojae Lee
- School of Life Sciences, Bioimaging Research Center and Cell Dynamics Research Center, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Oryong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea
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41
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Asymmetric cell division of stem and progenitor cells during homeostasis and cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 71:575-97. [PMID: 23771628 PMCID: PMC3901929 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1386-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2013] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Stem and progenitor cells are characterized by their ability to self-renew and produce differentiated progeny. A fine balance between these processes is achieved through controlled asymmetric divisions and is necessary to generate cellular diversity during development and to maintain adult tissue homeostasis. Disruption of this balance may result in premature depletion of the stem/progenitor cell pool, or abnormal growth. In many tissues, including the brain, dysregulated asymmetric divisions are associated with cancer. Whether there is a causal relationship between asymmetric cell division defects and cancer initiation is as yet not known. Here, we review the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate asymmetric cell divisions in the neural lineage and discuss the potential connections between this regulatory machinery and cancer.
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Abstract
The discovery in the year 2000 that radial glial cells act as neural stem and progenitor cells in development has led to a change in the concept of neural stem cells in the adult brain. Not only are adult stem cells in the neurogenic niches glial in nature, but also glial cells outside these niches display greater potential when reacting to brain injury. Thus, a concept that emerged from developmental studies may hold the clue for neural repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Malatesta
- IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa- Italy.
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Abstract
Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer death in children, with ependymoma being the third most common and posing a significant clinical burden. Its mechanism of pathogenesis, reliable prognostic indicators, and effective treatments other than surgical resection have all remained elusive. Until recently, ependymoma research was hindered by the small number of tumors available for study, low resolution of cytogenetic techniques, and lack of cell lines and animal models. Ependymoma heterogeneity, which manifests as variations in tumor location, patient age, histological grade, and clinical behavior, together with the observation of a balanced genomic profile in up to 50% of cases, presents additional challenges in understanding the development and progression of this disease. Despite these difficulties, we have made significant headway in the past decade in identifying the genetic alterations and pathways involved in ependymoma tumorigenesis through collaborative efforts and the application of microarray-based genetic (copy number) and transcriptome profiling platforms. Genetic characterization of ependymoma unraveled distinct mRNA-defined subclasses and led to the identification of radial glial cells as its cell type of origin. This review summarizes our current knowledge in the molecular genetics of ependymoma and proposes future research directions necessary to further advance this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yao
- Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Marichal N, García G, Radmilovich M, Trujillo-Cenóz O, Russo RE. Spatial domains of progenitor-like cells and functional complexity of a stem cell niche in the neonatal rat spinal cord. Stem Cells 2013; 30:2020-31. [PMID: 22821702 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
During spinal cord development, progenitors in the neural tube are arranged within spatial domains that generate specific cell types. The ependyma of the postnatal spinal cord seems to retain cells with properties of the primitive neural stem cells, some of which are able to react to injury with active proliferation. However, the functional complexity and organization of this stem cell niche in mammals remains poorly understood. Here, we combined immunohistochemistry for cell-specific markers with patch-clamp recordings to test the hypothesis that the ependyma of the neonatal rat spinal cord contains progenitor-like cells functionally segregated within specific domains. Cells on the lateral aspects of the ependyma combined morphological and molecular traits of ependymocytes and radial glia (RG) expressing S100β and vimentin, displayed passive membrane properties and were electrically coupled via Cx43. Cells contacting the ventral and dorsal poles expressed the neural stem cell markers nestin and/or vimentin, had the typical morphology of RG, and appeared uncoupled displaying various combinations of K(+) and Ca(2+) voltage-gated currents. Although progenitor-like cells were mitotically active around the entire ependyma, the proliferative capacity seemed higher on lateral domains. Our findings represent the first evidence that the ependyma of the rat harbors progenitor-like cells with heterogeneous electrophysiological phenotypes organized in spatial domains. The manipulation of specific functional properties in the heterogeneous population of progenitor-like cells contacting the ependyma may in future help to regulate their behavior and lineage potential, providing the cell types required for the endogenous repair of the injured spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Marichal
- Neurofisiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, CP11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Arai Y, Huttner WB, Calegari F. Neural Stem Cells. Regen Med 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-5690-8_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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46
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High levels of Cellular Prion Protein improve astrocyte development. FEBS Lett 2012; 587:238-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2012.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Revised: 10/31/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Barry DS, Pakan JMP, O'Keeffe GW, McDermott KW. The spatial and temporal arrangement of the radial glial scaffold suggests a role in axon tract formation in the developing spinal cord. J Anat 2012; 222:203-13. [PMID: 23121514 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Radial glial cells serve diverse roles during the development of the central nervous system (CNS). In the embryonic brain, they are recognised as guidance conduits for migrating neuroblasts and as multipotent stem cells, generating both neurons and glia. While their stem cell capacities in the developing spinal cord are as yet not fully clarified, they are classically seen as a population of astrocytes precursors, before gradually disappearing as the spinal cord matures. Although the origins and lineages of CNS radial glial cells are being more clearly understood, the relationships between radial glial cells and growing white matter (WM) tracts are largely unknown. Here, we provide an in-depth description of the distribution and organisation of radial glial cell processes during the peak periods of axonogenesis in the rat spinal cord. We show that radial glial cell distribution is highly ordered in the WM from E14 to E18, when the initial patterning of axon tracts is taking place. We report that the density of radial glial cell processes is tightly conserved throughout development in the dorsal, lateral and ventral WM funiculi along the rostrocaudal axis of the spinal cord. We provide evidence that from E16 the dorsal funiculi grow within and are segregated by fascicles of processes emanating from the dorsomedial septum. The density of radial glial cells declines with the maturation of axon tracts and coincides with the onset of the radial glial cell-astrocyte transformation. As such, we propose that radial glial cells act as structural scaffolds by compartmentalising and supporting WM patterning in the spinal cord during embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis S Barry
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
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Roach P, Parker T, Gadegaard N, Alexander MR. A bio-inspired neural environment to control neurons comprising radial glia, substrate chemistry and topography. Biomater Sci 2012; 1:83-93. [PMID: 32481998 DOI: 10.1039/c2bm00060a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Achieving alignment of cells is key to the success of regenerative strategies of neural tissue. We report a high-throughput method to investigate neural cell response to surface chemistry overlaid orthogonally onto a gradient of gradually changing groove widths. Using a bio-inspired approach wherein radial glial cells, which naturally guide neurons in the developing brain, enhance the attachment and directional outgrowth of neurons, we show the differences in the interaction and cellular response of glia, neurons and co-cultured cells. Radial glia were found to preferentially reside in grooves of width 6-35 μm with greater alignment to grooves <10 μm on the hydrophobic and hydrophilic extremes of chemistry. When neurons were sequentially cultured after radial glia, they showed enhanced alignment compared to when they were cultured alone, for all chemistries and groove widths. This is not dependent on co-localisation of the neurons with glia suggesting the radial glial cells pre-condition the substrate giving rise to enhanced attachment and alignment of subsequently cultured neurons. The results indicate a dependence of both primary radial glia and neuron responses on surface chemistry and micro-groove width. Grooved surfaces (width 5-10 μm) of mid-range wettability show the greatest potential to significantly enhance axonal alignment and, therefore, potential regeneration, when pre-conditioned by radial glia, highlighting the importance of surface engineering for neural scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Roach
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Surface Analysis, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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Tien AC, Tsai HH, Molofsky AV, McMahon M, Foo LC, Kaul A, Dougherty JD, Heintz N, Gutmann DH, Barres BA, Rowitch DH. Regulated temporal-spatial astrocyte precursor cell proliferation involves BRAF signalling in mammalian spinal cord. Development 2012; 139:2477-87. [PMID: 22675209 DOI: 10.1242/dev.077214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Expansion of astrocyte populations in the central nervous system is characteristic of evolutionarily more complex organisms. However, regulation of mammalian astrocyte precursor proliferation during development remains poorly understood. Here, we used Aldh1L1-GFP to identify two morphologically distinct types of proliferative astrocyte precursors: radial glia (RG) in the ventricular zone and a second cell type we call an 'intermediate astrocyte precursor' (IAP) located in the mantle region of the spinal cord. Astrogenic RG and IAP cells proliferated in a progressive ventral-to-dorsal fashion in a tight window from embryonic day 13.5 until postnatal day 3, which correlated precisely with the pattern of active ERK signalling. Conditional loss of BRAF function using BLBP-cre resulted in a 20% decrease in astrocyte production, whereas expression of activated BRAFV600E resulted in astrocyte hyperproliferation. Interestingly, BRAFV600E mitogenic effects in astrocytes were restricted, in part, by the function of p16INK4A-p19(ARF), which limited the temporal epoch for proliferation. Together, these findings suggest that astrocyte precursor proliferation involves distinct RG and IAP cells; is subjected to temporal and spatial control; and depends in part on BRAF signalling at early stages of mammalian spinal cord development.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Chi Tien
- Department of Pediatrics, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Jungblut M, Tiveron MC, Barral S, Abrahamsen B, Knöbel S, Pennartz S, Schmitz J, Perraut M, Pfrieger FW, Stoffel W, Cremer H, Bosio A. Isolation and characterization of living primary astroglial cells using the new GLAST-specific monoclonal antibody ACSA-1. Glia 2012; 60:894-907. [PMID: 22374709 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes show large morphological and functional heterogeneity and are involved in many aspects of neural function. Progress in defining astrocyte subpopulations has been hampered by the lack of a suitable antibody for their direct detection and isolation. Here, we describe a new monoclonal antibody, ACSA-1, which was generated by immunization of GLAST1 knockout mice. The antibody specifically detects an extracellular epitope of the astrocyte-specific L-glutamate/L-aspartate transporter GLAST (EAAT1, Slc1a3). As shown by immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry, ACSA-1 was cross-reactive for mouse, human, and rat. It labeled virtually all astrocytes positive for GFAP, GS, BLBP, RC2, and Nestin, including protoplastic, fibrous, and reactive astrocytes as well as Bergmann glia, Müller glia, and radial glia. Oligodendrocytes, microglia, neurons, and neuronal progenitors were negative for ACSA-1. Using an immunomagnetic approach, we established a method for the isolation of GLAST-positive cells with high purity. Binding of the antibody to GLAST and subsequent sorting of GLAST-positive cells neither interfered with cellular glutamate transport nor compromised astrocyte viability in vitro. The ACSA-1 antibody is not only a valuable tool to identify and track astrocytes by immunostaining, but also provides the possibility of separation and further analysis of pure astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Jungblut
- Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 68, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
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