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Fernandes C, Forny-Germano L, Andrade MM, Lyra E Silva NM, Ramos-Lobo AM, Meireles F, Tovar-Moll F, Houzel JC, Donato J, De Felice FG. Leptin receptor reactivation restores brain function in early-life Lepr-deficient mice. Brain 2024; 147:2706-2717. [PMID: 38650574 PMCID: PMC11292908 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a chronic disease caused by excessive fat accumulation that impacts the body and brain health. Insufficient leptin or leptin receptor (LepR) is involved in the disease pathogenesis. Leptin is involved with several neurological processes, and it has crucial developmental roles. We have previously demonstrated that leptin deficiency in early life leads to permanent developmental problems in young adult mice, including an imbalance in energy homeostasis, alterations in melanocortin and the reproductive system and a reduction in brain mass. Given that in humans, obesity has been associated with brain atrophy and cognitive impairment, it is important to determine the long-term consequences of early-life leptin deficiency on brain structure and memory function. Here, we demonstrate that leptin-deficient (LepOb) mice exhibit altered brain volume, decreased neurogenesis and memory impairment. Similar effects were observed in animals that do not express the LepR (LepRNull). Interestingly, restoring the expression of LepR in 10-week-old mice reverses brain atrophy, in addition to neurogenesis and memory impairments in older animals. Our findings indicate that leptin deficiency impairs brain development and memory, which are reversible by restoring leptin signalling in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Fernandes
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Leticia Forny-Germano
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Mayara M Andrade
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Natalia M Lyra E Silva
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences & Department of Psychiatry, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Angela M Ramos-Lobo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Meireles
- D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22281-100, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Tovar-Moll
- D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22281-100, Brazil
| | - Jean Christophe Houzel
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Jose Donato
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Fernanda G De Felice
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences & Department of Psychiatry, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22281-100, Brazil
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Deng W, Faiq MA, Liu C, Adi V, Chan KC. Applications of Manganese-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Ophthalmology and Visual Neuroscience. Front Neural Circuits 2019; 13:35. [PMID: 31156399 PMCID: PMC6530364 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2019.00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of vision in health and disease requires knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the eye and the neural pathways relevant to visual perception. As such, development of imaging techniques for the visual system is crucial for unveiling the neural basis of visual function or impairment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers non-invasive probing of the structure and function of the neural circuits without depth limitation, and can help identify abnormalities in brain tissues in vivo. Among the advanced MRI techniques, manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) involves the use of active manganese contrast agents that positively enhance brain tissue signals in T1-weighted imaging with respect to the levels of connectivity and activity. Depending on the routes of administration, accumulation of manganese ions in the eye and the visual pathways can be attributed to systemic distribution or their local transport across axons in an anterograde fashion, entering the neurons through voltage-gated calcium channels. The use of the paramagnetic manganese contrast in MRI has a wide range of applications in the visual system from imaging neurodevelopment to assessing and monitoring neurodegeneration, neuroplasticity, neuroprotection, and neuroregeneration. In this review, we present four major domains of scientific inquiry where MEMRI can be put to imperative use — deciphering neuroarchitecture, tracing neuronal tracts, detecting neuronal activity, and identifying or differentiating glial activity. We deliberate upon each category studies that have successfully employed MEMRI to examine the visual system, including the delivery protocols, spatiotemporal characteristics, and biophysical interpretation. Based on this literature, we have identified some critical challenges in the field in terms of toxicity, and sensitivity and specificity of manganese enhancement. We also discuss the pitfalls and alternatives of MEMRI which will provide new avenues to explore in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyu Deng
- NYU Langone Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, NYU School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Muneeb A Faiq
- NYU Langone Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, NYU School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Crystal Liu
- NYU Langone Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, NYU School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Vishnu Adi
- NYU Langone Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, NYU School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kevin C Chan
- NYU Langone Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, NYU School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Radiology, NYU School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States.,Center for Neural Science, Faculty of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, NY, United States
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Sato C, Sawada K, Wright D, Higashi T, Aoki I. Isotropic 25-Micron 3D Neuroimaging Using ex vivo Microstructural Manganese-Enhanced MRI (MEMRI). Front Neural Circuits 2018; 12:110. [PMID: 30574072 PMCID: PMC6291442 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2018.00110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
MRI observations following in vivo administration of Mn2+ [manganese (Mn)-enhanced MRI, MEMRI] have been used as an excellent morphological and functional MRI tool for in vivo preclinical studies. To detect brain three-dimensional (3D) microstructures, we improved the ex vivo MEMRI method for mouse brains after in vivo Mn administration and obtained high-resolution MRIs using a cryogenic radiofrequency (RF) coil. Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 8) were injected with 50 mM MnCl2 intravenously and MEMRIs of the brain were acquired in vivo after 24 h, followed by perfusion fixation with a 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) solution. High-resolution 25-μm isotropic MRIs were successfully acquired from the extracted brain tissue and could identify the brain microstructures, especially in the hippocampus [the pyramidal cell layer through CA1–3 and the dentate gyrus (DG) granular layers (GLs)], cell layers of cerebellum, three sub-regions of the deep cerebellar nucleus, and white matter (WM) structures [e.g., the fasciculus retroflexus (fr) and optic tract in the thalamus]. The following technical conditions were also examined: (i) the longitudinal stability of Mn-enhanced ex vivo tissue after in vivo administration; and (ii) the effects of mixing glutaraldehyde (GA) with the fixative solution for the preservation of in vivo MEMRI contrast. Our results indicate that ex vivo MEMRI observations made shortly after fixation maintain the contrast observed in vivo. This research will be useful for non-destructive whole-brain pathological analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chika Sato
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba, Japan.,Group of Quantum-State Controlled MRI, QST, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Sawada
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tsukuba International University, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - David Wright
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Tatsuya Higashi
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba, Japan.,Group of Quantum-State Controlled MRI, QST, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ichio Aoki
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba, Japan.,Group of Quantum-State Controlled MRI, QST, Chiba, Japan
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Molet J, Maras PM, Kinney-Lang E, Harris NG, Rashid F, Ivy AS, Solodkin A, Obenaus A, Baram TZ. MRI uncovers disrupted hippocampal microstructure that underlies memory impairments after early-life adversity. Hippocampus 2016; 26:1618-1632. [PMID: 27657911 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Memory and related cognitive functions are progressively impaired in a subgroup of individuals experiencing childhood adversity and stress. However, it is not possible to identify vulnerable individuals early, a crucial step for intervention. In this study, high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intra-hippocampal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were employed to examine for structural signatures of cognitive adolescent vulnerabilities in a rodent model of early-life adversity. These methods were complemented by neuroanatomical and functional assessments of hippocampal network integrity during adolescence, adulthood and middle-age. The high-resolution MRI identified selective loss of dorsal hippocampal volume, and intra-hippocampal DTI uncovered disruption of dendritic structure, consistent with disrupted local connectivity, already during late adolescence in adversity-experiencing rats. Memory deteriorated over time, and stunting of hippocampal dendritic trees was apparent on neuroanatomical analyses. Thus, disrupted hippocampal neuronal structure and connectivity, associated with cognitive impairments, are detectable via non-invasive imaging modalities in rats experiencing early-life adversity. These high-resolution imaging approaches may constitute promising tools for prediction and assessment of at-risk individuals in the clinic. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pamela M Maras
- Department of Pediatrics, UC-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697-4475, USA
| | - Eli Kinney-Lang
- Department of Pediatrics, UC-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697-4475, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Neil G Harris
- Department of Neurosurgery, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6901, USA
| | - Faisal Rashid
- Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | | | - Ana Solodkin
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology.,Department of Neurology, UC-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697-4475, USA
| | - Andre Obenaus
- Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Tallie Z Baram
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology.,Department of Pediatrics, UC-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697-4475, USA.,Department of Neurology, UC-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697-4475, USA
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Wu D, Zhang J. Recent Progress in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Embryonic and Neonatal Mouse Brain. Front Neuroanat 2016; 10:18. [PMID: 26973471 PMCID: PMC4776397 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2016.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The laboratory mouse has been widely used as a model system to investigate the genetic control mechanisms of mammalian brain development. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important tool to characterize changes in brain anatomy in mutant mouse strains and injury progression in mouse models of fetal and neonatal brain injury. Progress in the last decade has enabled us to acquire MRI data with increasing anatomical details from the embryonic and neonatal mouse brain. High-resolution ex vivo MRI, especially with advanced diffusion MRI methods, can visualize complex microstructural organizations in the developing mouse brain. In vivo MRI of the embryonic mouse brain, which is critical for tracking anatomical changes longitudinally, has become available. Applications of these techniques may lead to further insights into the complex and dynamic processes of brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiangyang Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimore, MD, USA; Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of MedicineNew York, NY, USA
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Norris FC, Siow BM, Cleary JO, Wells JA, De Castro SC, Ordidge RJ, Greene ND, Copp AJ, Scambler PJ, Alexander DC, Lythgoe MF. Diffusion microscopic MRI of the mouse embryo: Protocol and practical implementation in the splotch mouse model. Magn Reson Med 2015; 73:731-9. [PMID: 24634098 PMCID: PMC4737188 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.25145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 01/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Advanced methodologies for visualizing novel tissue contrast are essential for phenotyping the ever-increasing number of mutant mouse embryos being generated. Although diffusion microscopic MRI (μMRI) has been used to phenotype embryos, widespread routine use is limited by extended scanning times, and there is no established experimental procedure ensuring optimal data acquisition. METHODS We developed two protocols for designing experimental procedures for diffusion μMRI of mouse embryos, which take into account the effect of embryo preparation and pulse sequence parameters on resulting data. We applied our protocols to an investigation of the splotch mouse model as an example implementation. RESULTS The protocols provide DTI data in 24 min per direction at 75 μm isotropic using a three-dimensional fast spin-echo sequence, enabling preliminary imaging in 3 h (6 directions plus one unweighted measurement), or detailed imaging in 9 h (42 directions plus six unweighted measurements). Application to the splotch model enabled assessment of spinal cord pathology. CONCLUSION We present guidelines for designing diffusion μMRI experiments, which may be adapted for different studies and research facilities. As they are suitable for routine use and may be readily implemented, we hope they will be adopted by the phenotyping community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca C. Norris
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and EXperimental Biology (CoMPLEX)University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Bernard M. Siow
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Centre for Medical Image Computing, Departments of Medical Physics and Bioengineering and Computer ScienceUniversity College LondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Jon O. Cleary
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceUniversity of MelbourneAustralia
| | - Jack A. Wells
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Sandra C.P. De Castro
- Neural Development Unit, UCL Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Roger J. Ordidge
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceUniversity of MelbourneAustralia
| | - Nicholas D.E. Greene
- Neural Development Unit, UCL Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Copp
- Neural Development Unit, UCL Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Peter J. Scambler
- Molecular Medicine Unit, UCL Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Daniel. C. Alexander
- Centre for Medical Image Computing, Departments of Medical Physics and Bioengineering and Computer ScienceUniversity College LondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Mark F. Lythgoe
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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Papp EA, Leergaard TB, Calabrese E, Johnson GA, Bjaalie JG. Waxholm Space atlas of the Sprague Dawley rat brain. Neuroimage 2014; 97:374-86. [PMID: 24726336 PMCID: PMC4160085 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2013] [Revised: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional digital brain atlases represent an important new generation of neuroinformatics tools for understanding complex brain anatomy, assigning location to experimental data, and planning of experiments. We have acquired a microscopic resolution isotropic MRI and DTI atlasing template for the Sprague Dawley rat brain with 39 μm isotropic voxels for the MRI volume and 78 μm isotropic voxels for the DTI. Building on this template, we have delineated 76 major anatomical structures in the brain. Delineation criteria are provided for each structure. We have applied a spatial reference system based on internal brain landmarks according to the Waxholm Space standard, previously developed for the mouse brain, and furthermore connected this spatial reference system to the widely used stereotaxic coordinate system by identifying cranial sutures and related stereotaxic landmarks in the template using contrast given by the active staining technique applied to the tissue. With the release of the present atlasing template and anatomical delineations, we provide a new tool for spatial orientation analysis of neuroanatomical location, and planning and guidance of experimental procedures in the rat brain. The use of Waxholm Space and related infrastructures will connect the atlas to interoperable resources and services for multi-level data integration and analysis across reference spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter A Papp
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trygve B Leergaard
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Evan Calabrese
- Center for In Vivo Microscopy, Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - G Allan Johnson
- Center for In Vivo Microscopy, Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jan G Bjaalie
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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Di Corato R, Gazeau F, Le Visage C, Fayol D, Levitz P, Lux F, Letourneur D, Luciani N, Tillement O, Wilhelm C. High-resolution cellular MRI: gadolinium and iron oxide nanoparticles for in-depth dual-cell imaging of engineered tissue constructs. ACS NANO 2013; 7:7500-12. [PMID: 23924160 DOI: 10.1021/nn401095p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in cell therapy and tissue engineering opened new windows for regenerative medicine, but still necessitate innovative noninvasive imaging technologies. We demonstrate that high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows combining cellular-scale resolution with the ability to detect two cell types simultaneously at any tissue depth. Two contrast agents, based on iron oxide and gadolinium oxide rigid nanoplatforms, were used to "tattoo" endothelial cells and stem cells, respectively, with no impact on cell functions, including their capacity for differentiation. The labeled cells' contrast properties were optimized for simultaneous MRI detection: endothelial cells and stem cells seeded together in a polysaccharide-based scaffold material for tissue engineering appeared respectively in black and white and could be tracked, at the cellular level, both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, endothelial cells labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles could be remotely manipulated by applying a magnetic field, allowing the creation of vessel substitutes with in-depth detection of individual cellular components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Di Corato
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, UMR 7057, CNRS and Université Paris Diderot , France
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