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Cao R, Su Y, Li J, Ao R, Xu X, Liang Y, Liu Z, Yu Q, Xie J. Exploring research hotspots and future directions in neural tube defects field by bibliometric and bioinformatics analysis. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1293400. [PMID: 38650623 PMCID: PMC11033379 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1293400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neural tube defects (NTDs) is the most common birth defect of the central nervous system (CNS) which causes the death of almost 88,000 people every year around the world. Much efforts have been made to investigate the reasons that contribute to NTD and explore new ways to for prevention. We trawl the past decade (2013-2022) published records in order to get a worldwide view about NTDs research field. Methods 7,437 records about NTDs were retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS) database. Tools such as shell scripts, VOSviewer, SCImago Graphica, CiteSpace and PubTator were used for data analysis and visualization. Results Over the past decade, the number of publications has maintained an upward trend, except for 2022. The United States is the country with the highest number of publications and also with the closest collaboration with other countries. Baylor College of Medicine has the closest collaboration with other institutions worldwide and also was the most prolific institution. In the field of NTDs, research focuses on molecular mechanisms such as genes and signaling pathways related to folate metabolism, neurogenic diseases caused by neural tube closure disorders such as myelomeningocele and spina bifida, and prevention and treatment such as folate supplementation and surgical procedures. Most NTDs related genes are related to development, cell projection parts, and molecular binding. These genes are mainly concentrated in cancer, Wnt, MAPK, PI3K-Akt and other signaling pathways. The distribution of NTDs related SNPs on chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 11, 14, and 17 are relatively concentrated, which may be associated with high-risk of NTDs. Conclusion Bibliometric analysis of the literature on NTDs field provided the current status, hotspots and future directions to some extant. Further bioinformatics analysis expanded our understanding of NTDs-related genes function and revealed some important SNP clusters and loci. This study provided some guidance for further studies. More extensive cooperation and further research are needed to overcome the ongoing challenge in pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Cao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Translational Medicine Research Centre, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yanbing Su
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jianting Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ruifang Ao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiangchao Xu
- Sci-Tech Information and Strategic Research Center of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yuxiang Liang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhizhen Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Qi Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention of Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Edri T, Cohen D, Shabtai Y, Fainsod A. Alcohol induces neural tube defects by reducing retinoic acid signaling and promoting neural plate expansion. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1282273. [PMID: 38116205 PMCID: PMC10728305 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1282273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most debilitating and common developmental defects in humans. The induction of NTDs has been attributed to abnormal folic acid (vitamin B9) metabolism, Wnt and BMP signaling, excess retinoic acid (RA), dietary components, environmental factors, and many others. In the present study we show that reduced RA signaling, including alcohol exposure, induces NTDs. Methods: Xenopus embryos were exposed to pharmacological RA biosynthesis inhibitors to study the induction of NTDs. Embryos were treated with DEAB, citral, or ethanol, all of which inhibit the biosynthesis of RA, or injected to overexpress Cyp26a1 to reduce RA. NTD induction was studied using neural plate and notochord markers together with morphological analysis. Expression of the neuroectodermal regulatory network and cell proliferation were analyzed to understand the morphological malformations of the neural plate. Results: Reducing RA signaling levels using retinaldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors (ethanol, DEAB, and citral) or Cyp26a1-driven degradation efficiently induce NTDs. These NTDs can be rescued by providing precursors of RA. We mapped this RA requirement to early gastrula stages during the induction of neural plate precursors. This reduced RA signaling results in abnormal expression of neural network genes, including the neural plate stem cell maintenance genes, geminin, and foxd4l1.1. This abnormal expression of neural network genes results in increased proliferation of neural precursors giving rise to an expanded neural plate. Conclusion: We show that RA signaling is required for neural tube closure during embryogenesis. RA signaling plays a very early role in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of the neural plate soon after the induction of neural progenitors during gastrulation. RA signaling disruption leads to the induction of NTDs through the mis regulation of the early neuroectodermal network, leading to increased proliferation resulting in the expansion of the neural plate. Ethanol exposure induces NTDs through this mechanism involving reduced RA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Abraham Fainsod
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Zhao T, McMahon M, Reynolds K, Saha SK, Stokes A, Zhou CJ. The role of Lrp6-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the development and intervention of spinal neural tube defects in mice. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:275313. [PMID: 35514236 PMCID: PMC9194482 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the common and severe birth defects with poorly understood etiology. Mutations in the Wnt co-receptor LRP6 are associated with NTDs in humans. Either gain-of-function (GOF) or loss-of-function (LOF) mutations of Lrp6 can cause NTDs in mice. NTDs in Lrp6-GOF mutants may be attributed to altered β-catenin-independent noncanonical Wnt signaling. However, the mechanisms underlying NTDs in Lrp6-LOF mutants and the role of Lrp6-mediated canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling in neural tube closure remain unresolved. We previously demonstrated that β-catenin signaling is required for posterior neuropore (PNP) closure. In the current study, conditional ablation of Lrp6 in dorsal PNP caused spinal NTDs with diminished activities of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and its downstream target gene Pax3, which is required for PNP closure. β-catenin-GOF rescued NTDs in Lrp6-LOF mutants. Moreover, maternal supplementation of a Wnt/β-catenin signaling agonist reduced the frequency and severity of spinal NTDs in Lrp6-LOF mutants by restoring Pax3 expression. Together, these results demonstrate the essential role of Lrp6-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in PNP closure, which could also provide a therapeutic target for NTD intervention through manipulation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling activities. Summary: Conditional ablation of Lrp6 in dorsal neural folds causes spinal neural tube defects that can be rescued by genetic activation of β-catenin or maternal supplementation of Wnt signaling agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Zhao
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Moira McMahon
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Kurt Reynolds
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Subbroto Kumar Saha
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Arjun Stokes
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Chengji J Zhou
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Ezan J, Moreau MM, Mamo TM, Shimbo M, Decroo M, Sans N, Montcouquiol M. Neuron-Specific Deletion of Scrib in Mice Leads to Neuroanatomical and Locomotor Deficits. Front Genet 2022; 13:872700. [PMID: 35692812 PMCID: PMC9174639 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.872700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Scribble (Scrib) is a conserved polarity protein acting as a scaffold involved in multiple cellular and developmental processes. Recent evidence from our group indicates that Scrib is also essential for brain development as early global deletion of Scrib in the dorsal telencephalon induced cortical thickness reduction and alteration of interhemispheric connectivity. In addition, Scrib conditional knockout (cKO) mice have behavioral deficits such as locomotor activity impairment and memory alterations. Given Scrib broad expression in multiple cell types in the brain, we decided to determine the neuronal contribution of Scrib for these phenotypes. In the present study, we further investigate the function of Scrib specifically in excitatory neurons on the forebrain formation and the control of locomotor behavior. To do so, we generated a novel neuronal glutamatergic specific Scrib cKO mouse line called Nex-Scrib−/− cKO. Remarkably, cortical layering and commissures were impaired in these mice and reproduced to some extent the previously described phenotype in global Scrib cKO. In addition and in contrast to our previous results using Emx1-Scrib−/− cKO, the Nex-Scrib−/− cKO mutant mice exhibited significantly reduced locomotion. Altogether, the novel cKO model described in this study further highlights an essential role for Scrib in forebrain development and locomotor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome Ezan
- INSERM U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
- *Correspondence: Jerome Ezan,
| | - Maité M. Moreau
- INSERM U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Tamrat M. Mamo
- INSERM U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Miki Shimbo
- INSERM U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Maureen Decroo
- INSERM U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Nathalie Sans
- INSERM U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mireille Montcouquiol
- INSERM U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France
- University of Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
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Lesko AC, Keller R, Chen P, Sutherland A. Scribble mutation disrupts convergent extension and apical constriction during mammalian neural tube closure. Dev Biol 2021; 478:59-75. [PMID: 34029538 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.05.013] [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: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Morphogenesis of the vertebrate neural tube occurs by elongation and bending of the neural plate, tissue shape changes that are driven at the cellular level by polarized cell intercalation and cell shape changes, notably apical constriction and cell wedging. Coordinated cell intercalation, apical constriction, and wedging undoubtedly require complex underlying cytoskeletal dynamics and remodeling of adhesions. Mutations of the gene encoding Scribble result in neural tube defects in mice, however the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which Scrib regulates neural cell behavior remain unknown. Analysis of Scribble mutants revealed defects in neural tissue shape changes, and live cell imaging of mouse embryos showed that the Scrib mutation results in defects in polarized cell intercalation, particularly in rosette resolution, and failure of both cell apical constriction and cell wedging. Scrib mutant embryos displayed aberrant expression of the junctional proteins ZO-1, Par3, Par6, E- and N-cadherins, and the cytoskeletal proteins actin and myosin. These findings show that Scribble has a central role in organizing the molecular complexes regulating the morphomechanical neural cell behaviors underlying vertebrate neurulation, and they advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in mammalian neural tube closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa C Lesko
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
| | - Raymond Keller
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Ping Chen
- Otogenetics Corporation, Atlanta, GA, 30360, USA
| | - Ann Sutherland
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
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Wu Y, Peng S, Finnell RH, Zheng Y. Organoids as a new model system to study neural tube defects. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21545. [PMID: 33729606 PMCID: PMC9189980 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002348r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The neural tube is the first critically important structure that develops in the embryo. It serves as the primordium of the central nervous system; therefore, the proper formation of the neural tube is essential to the developing organism. Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe congenital defects caused by failed neural tube closure during early embryogenesis. The pathogenesis of NTDs is complicated and still not fully understood even after decades of research. While it is an ethically impossible proposition to investigate the in vivo formation process of the neural tube in human embryos, a newly developed technology involving the creation of neural tube organoids serves as an excellent model system with which to study human neural tube formation and the occurrence of NTDs. Herein we reviewed the recent literature on the process of neural tube formation, the progress of NTDs investigations, and particularly the exciting potential to use neural tube organoids to model the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the etiology of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wu
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, School of life sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, The institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sisi Peng
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, School of life sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, The institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Richard H. Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Molecular and Human Genetics and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TA, USA
| | - Yufang Zheng
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, School of life sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, The institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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