1
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Liu Q, Telezhkin V, Jiang W, Gu Y, Wang Y, Hong W, Tian W, Yarova P, Zhang G, Lee SMY, Zhang P, Zhao M, Allen ND, Hirsch E, Penninger J, Song B. Electric field stimulation boosts neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells for spinal cord injury treatment via PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin activation. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:4. [PMID: 36624495 PMCID: PMC9830810 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-00954-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural stem cells (NSCs) are considered as candidates for cell replacement therapy in many neurological disorders. However, the propensity for their differentiation to proceed more glial rather than neuronal phenotypes in pathological conditions limits positive outcomes of reparative transplantation. Exogenous physical stimulation to favor the neuronal differentiation of NSCs without extra chemical side effect could alleviate the problem, providing a safe and highly efficient cell therapy to accelerate neurological recovery following neuronal injuries. RESULTS With 7-day physiological electric field (EF) stimulation at 100 mV/mm, we recorded the boosted neuronal differentiation of NSCs, comparing to the non-EF treated cells with 2.3-fold higher MAP2 positive cell ratio, 1.6-fold longer neuronal process and 2.4-fold higher cells ratio with neuronal spontaneous action potential. While with the classical medium induction, the neuronal spontaneous potential may only achieve after 21-day induction. Deficiency of either PI3Kγ or β-catenin abolished the above improvement, demonstrating the requirement of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin cascade activation in the physiological EF stimulation boosted neuronal differentiation of NSCs. When transplanted into the spinal cord injury (SCI) modelled mice, these EF pre-stimulated NSCs were recorded to develop twofold higher proportion of neurons, comparing to the non-EF treated NSCs. Along with the boosted neuronal differentiation following transplantation, we also recorded the improved neurogenesis in the impacted spinal cord and the significantly benefitted hind limp motor function repair of the SCI mice. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we demonstrated physiological EF stimulation as an efficient method to boost the neuronal differentiation of NSCs via the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin activation. Pre-treatment with the EF stimulation induction before NSCs transplantation would notably improve the therapeutic outcome for neurogenesis and neurofunction recovery of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China. .,School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XY, UK.
| | - Vsevolod Telezhkin
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,School of Dental Sciences, Farmington Place, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4BW, UK
| | - Wenkai Jiang
- School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XY, UK.,State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yu Gu
- School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XY, UK
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Hong
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institution, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weiming Tian
- Bio-X Centre, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, China
| | - Polina Yarova
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,School of Dental Sciences, Farmington Place, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4BW, UK
| | - Gaofeng Zhang
- School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XY, UK
| | - Simon Ming-Yuen Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Nicholas D Allen
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Emilio Hirsch
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Josef Penninger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, VBC - Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Bing Song
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China. .,School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XY, UK.
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2
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Sperandeo A, Tamburini C, Noakes Z, de la Fuente DC, Keefe F, Petter O, Plumbly W, Clifton N, Li M, Peall K. Cortical neuronal hyperexcitability and synaptic changes in SGCE mutation-positive myoclonus dystonia. Brain 2022; 146:1523-1541. [PMID: 36204995 PMCID: PMC10115238 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac365] [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: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myoclonus Dystonia is a childhood-onset hyperkinetic movement disorder with a combined motor and psychiatric phenotype. It represents one of the few autosomal dominant inherited dystonic disorders and is caused by mutations in the ε-sarcoglycan (SGCE) gene. Work to date suggests that dystonia is caused by disruption of neuronal networks, principally basal ganglia-cerebello-thalamo-cortical circuits. Investigation of cortical involvement has primarily focused on disruption to interneuron inhibitory activity, rather than the excitatory activity of cortical pyramidal neurons. Here, we have sought to examine excitatory cortical glutamatergic activity using two approaches; the CRISPR/Cas9 editing of a human embryonic cell line, generating an SGCE compound heterozygous mutation, and three patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell lines (iPSC) each gene edited to generate matched wild-type SGCE control lines. Differentiation towards a cortical neuronal phenotype demonstrated no significant differences in neither early- (PAX6, FOXG1) nor late-stage (CTIP2, TBR1) neurodevelopmental markers. However, functional characterisation using Ca2+ imaging and MEA approaches identified an increase in network activity, while single-cell patch clamp studies found a greater propensity towards action potential generation with larger amplitudes and shorter half-widths associated with SGCE-mutations. Bulk-RNA-seq analysis identified gene ontological enrichment for neuron projection development, synaptic signalling, and synaptic transmission. Examination of dendritic morphology found SGCE-mutations to be associated with a significantly higher number of branches and longer branch lengths, together with longer ion-channel dense axon initial segments, particularly towards the latter stages of differentiation (D80 and D100). Gene expression and protein quantification of key synaptic proteins (synaptophysin, synapsin and PSD95), AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits found no significant differences between the SGCE-mutation and matched wild-type lines. By contrast, significant changes to synaptic adhesion molecule expression were identified, namely higher pre-synaptic neurexin-1 and lower post-synaptic neuroligin-4 levels in the SGCE mutation carrying lines. Our study demonstrates an increased intrinsic excitability of cortical glutamatergic neuronal cells in the context of SGCE mutations, coupled with a more complex neurite morphology and disruption to synaptic adhesion molecules. These changes potentially represent key components to the development of the hyperkinetic clinical phenotype observed in Myoclonus Dystonia, as well a central feature to the wider spectrum of dystonic disorders, potentially providing targets for future therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Sperandeo
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Claudia Tamburini
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Zoe Noakes
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Daniel Cabezas de la Fuente
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Francesca Keefe
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Olena Petter
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - William Plumbly
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Nicholas Clifton
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Meng Li
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Kathryn Peall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
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3
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Peixoto-Neves D, Kanthakumar P, Afolabi JM, Soni H, Buddington RK, Adebiyi A. K V7.1 channel blockade inhibits neonatal renal autoregulation triggered by a step decrease in arterial pressure. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2022; 322:F197-F207. [PMID: 35001664 PMCID: PMC8816635 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00568.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
KV7 channels, the voltage-gated K+ channels encoded by KCNQ genes, mediate heterogeneous vascular responses in rodents. Postnatal changes in the functional expression of KV7 channels have been reported in rodent saphenous arteries, but their physiological function in the neonatal renal vascular bed is unclear. Here, we report that, unlike adult pigs, only KCNQ1 (KV7.1) out of the five members of KCNQ genes was detected in neonatal pig renal microvessels. KCNQ1 is present in fetal pig kidneys as early as day 50 of gestation, and the level of expression remains the same up to postnatal day 21. Activation of renal vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) KV7.1 stimulated whole cell currents, inhibited by HMR1556 (HMR), a selective KV7.1 blocker. HMR did not change the steady-state diameter of isolated renal microvessels. Similarly, intrarenal artery infusion of HMR did not alter mean arterial pressure, renal blood flow, and renal vascular resistance in the pigs. An ∼20 mmHg reduction in mean arterial pressure evoked effective autoregulation of renal blood flow, which HMR inhibited. We conclude that 1) the expression of KCNQ isoforms in porcine renal microvessels is dependent on kidney maturation, 2) KV7.1 is functionally expressed in neonatal pig renal vascular SMCs, 3) a decrease in arterial pressure up to 20 mmHg induces renal autoregulation in neonatal pigs, and 4) SMC KV7.1 does not control basal renal vascular tone but contributes to neonatal renal autoregulation triggered by a step decrease in arterial pressure.NEW & NOTEWORTHY KV7.1 is present in fetal pig kidneys as early as day 50 of gestation, and the level of expression remains the same up to postnatal day 21. KV7.1 is functionally expressed in neonatal pig renal vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). A decrease in arterial pressure up to 20 mmHg induces renal autoregulation in neonatal pigs. Although SMC KV7.1 does not control basal renal vascular resistance, its inhibition blunts neonatal renal autoregulation engendered by a step decrease in arterial pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieniffer Peixoto-Neves
- 1Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | | | - Jeremiah M. Afolabi
- 1Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Hitesh Soni
- 1Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | | | - Adebowale Adebiyi
- 1Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
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4
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Posttranscriptional modulation of KCNQ2 gene expression by the miR-106b microRNA family. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2110200118. [PMID: 34785595 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2110200118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently emerged as important regulators of ion channel expression. We show here that select miR-106b family members repress the expression of the KCNQ2 K+ channel protein by binding to the 3'-untranslated region of KCNQ2 messenger RNA. During the first few weeks after birth, the expression of miR-106b family members rapidly decreases, whereas KCNQ2 protein level inversely increases. Overexpression of miR-106b mimics resulted in a reduction in KCNQ2 protein levels. Conversely, KCNQ2 levels were up-regulated in neurons transfected with antisense miRNA inhibitors. By constructing more specific and stable forms of miR-106b controlling systems, we further confirmed that overexpression of precursor-miR-106b-5p led to a decrease in KCNQ current density and an increase in firing frequency of hippocampal neurons, while tough decoy miR-106b-5p dramatically increased current density and decreased neuronal excitability. These results unmask a regulatory mechanism of KCNQ2 channel expression in early postnatal development and hint at a role for miR-106b up-regulation in the pathophysiology of epilepsy.
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5
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Olmsted ZT, Stigliano C, Scimemi A, Wolfe T, Cibelli J, Horner PJ, Paluh JL. Transplantable human motor networks as a neuron-directed strategy for spinal cord injury. iScience 2021; 24:102827. [PMID: 34381965 PMCID: PMC8333163 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To repair neural circuitry following spinal cord injury (SCI), neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation has held a primary focus; however, stochastic outcomes generate challenges driven in part by NSC differentiation and tumor formation. The recent ability to generate regionally specific neurons and their support cells now allows consideration of directed therapeutic approaches with pre-differentiated and networked spinal neural cells. Here, we form encapsulated, transplantable neuronal networks of regionally matched cervical spinal motor neurons, interneurons, and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells derived through trunk-biased neuromesodermal progenitors. We direct neurite formation in alginate-based neural ribbons to generate electrically active, synaptically connected networks, characterized by electrophysiology and calcium imaging before transplantation into rodent models of contused SCI for evaluation at 10-day and 6-week timepoints. The in vivo analyses demonstrate viability and retention of interconnected synaptic networks that readily integrate with the host parenchyma to advance goals of transplantable neural circuitry for SCI treatment. Neuromesodermal progenitor derivation of human spinal neurons as therapeutic cells Neural ribbons bridge in vitro network formation and in vivo host transplantation In vivo visualization of encapsulated graft placement with magnetic resonance imaging Six-week viability of human neuronal networks with OPCs in rat contusion SCI
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary T. Olmsted
- State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Nanobioscience Constellation, 257 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, USA
| | - Cinzia Stigliano
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, 6670 Bertner Avenue R10-North, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Annalisa Scimemi
- State University of New York at Albany, Biological Sciences, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Tatiana Wolfe
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, 6670 Bertner Avenue R10-North, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jose Cibelli
- Michigan State University, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, MI48824, USA
| | - Philip J. Horner
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, 6670 Bertner Avenue R10-North, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Janet L. Paluh
- State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Nanobioscience Constellation, 257 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, USA
- Corresponding author
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6
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Loss of KCNQ2 or KCNQ3 Leads to Multifocal Time-Varying Activity in the Neonatal Forebrain Ex Vivo. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0024-21.2021. [PMID: 33863780 PMCID: PMC8143017 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0024-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Epileptic encephalopathies represent a group of disorders often characterized by refractory seizures, regression in cognitive development, and typically poor prognosis. Dysfunction of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 channels has emerged as a major cause of neonatal epilepsy. However, our understanding of the cellular mechanisms that may both explain the origins of epilepsy and inform treatment strategies for KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 dysfunction is still lacking. Here, using mesoscale calcium imaging and pharmacology, we demonstrate that in mouse neonatal brain slices, conditional loss of Kcnq2 from forebrain excitatory neurons (Pyr:Kcnq2 mice) or constitutive deletion of Kcnq3 leads to sprawling hyperactivity across the neocortex. Surprisingly, the generation of time-varying hypersynchrony in slices from Pyr:Kcnq2 mice does not require fast synaptic transmission. This is in contrast to control littermates and constitutive Kcnq3 knock-out mice where activity is primarily driven by fast synaptic transmission in the neocortex. Unlike in the neocortex, hypersynchronous activity in the hippocampal formation from Kcnq2 conditional and Kcnq3 constitutive knock-out mice persists in the presence of synaptic transmission blockers. Thus, we propose that loss of KCNQ2 or KCNQ3 function differentially leads to network hyperactivity across the forebrain in a region-specific and macro-circuit-specific manner.
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7
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Cheng P, Qiu Z, Du Y. Potassium channels and autism spectrum disorder: An overview. Int J Dev Neurosci 2021; 81:479-491. [PMID: 34008235 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities. It had been demonstrated that potassium channels played a key role in regulating neuronal excitability, which was closely associated with neurological diseases including epilepsy, ataxia, myoclonus, and psychiatric disorders. In recent years, a growing body of evidence from whole-genome sequencing and whole-exome sequencing had identified several ASD susceptibility genes of potassium channels in ASD subjects. Genetically dysfunction of potassium channels may be involved in altered neuronal excitability and abnormal brain function in the pathogenesis of ASD. This review summarizes current findings on the features of ASD-risk genes (KCND2, KCNQ2, KCNQ3, KCNH5, KCNJ2, KCNJ10, and KCNMA1) and further expatiate their potential role in the pathogenicity of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Cheng
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zilong Qiu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yasong Du
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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8
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Dirkx N, Miceli F, Taglialatela M, Weckhuysen S. The Role of Kv7.2 in Neurodevelopment: Insights and Gaps in Our Understanding. Front Physiol 2020; 11:570588. [PMID: 33192566 PMCID: PMC7657400 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.570588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Kv7.2 subunits encoded by the KCNQ2 gene constitute a critical molecular component of the M-current, a subthreshold voltage-gated potassium current controlling neuronal excitability by dampening repetitive action potential firing. Pathogenic loss-of-function variants in KCNQ2 have been linked to epilepsy since 1998, and there is ample functional evidence showing that dysfunction of the channel indeed results in neuronal hyperexcitability. The recent description of individuals with severe developmental delay with or without seizures due to pathogenic variants in KCNQ2 (KCNQ2-encephalopathy) reveals that Kv7.2 channels also have an important role in neurodevelopment. Kv7.2 channels are expressed already very early in the developing brain when key developmental processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and synaptogenesis play a crucial role in brain morphogenesis and maturation. In this review, we will discuss the available evidence for a role of Kv7.2 channels in these neurodevelopmental processes, focusing in particular on insights derived from KCNQ2-related human phenotypes, from the spatio-temporal expression of Kv7.2 and other Kv7 family member, and from cellular and rodent models, highlighting critical gaps and research strategies to be implemented in the future. Lastly, we propose a model which divides the M-current activity in three different developmental stages, correlating with the cell characteristics during these particular periods in neuronal development, and how this can be linked with KCNQ2-related disorders. Understanding these mechanisms can create opportunities for new targeted therapies for KCNQ2-encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Dirkx
- Applied and Translational Neurogenomics Group, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Francesco Miceli
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Taglialatela
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sarah Weckhuysen
- Applied and Translational Neurogenomics Group, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
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9
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Banerjee P, Paza E, Perkins EM, James OG, Kenkhuis B, Lloyd AF, Burr K, Story D, Yusuf D, He X, Backofen R, Dando O, Chandran S, Priller J. Generation of pure monocultures of human microglia-like cells from induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Res 2020; 49:102046. [PMID: 33096385 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2020.102046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia are resident tissue macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS) that arise from erythromyeloid progenitors during embryonic development. They play essential roles in CNS development, homeostasis and response to disease. Since microglia are difficult to procure from the human brain, several protocols have been developed to generate microglia-like cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). However, some concerns remain over the purity and quality of in vitro generated microglia. Here, we describe a new protocol that does not require co-culture with neural cells and yields cultures of 100% P2Y12+ 95% TMEM119+ ramified human microglia-like cells (hiPSC-MG). In the presence of neural precursor cell-conditioned media, hiPSC-MG expressed high levels of human microglia signature genes, including SALL1, CSF1R, P2RY12, TMEM119, TREM2, HEXB and SIGLEC11, as revealed by whole-transcriptome analysis. Stimulation of hiPSC-MG with lipopolysaccharide resulted in downregulation of P2Y12 expression, induction of IL1B mRNA expression and increase in cell capacitance. HiPSC-MG were phagocytically active and maintained their cell identity after transplantation into murine brain slices and human brain spheroids. Together, our new protocol for the generation of microglia-like cells from human iPSCs will facilitate the study of human microglial function in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poulomi Banerjee
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Evdokia Paza
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Emma M Perkins
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Owen G James
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Boyd Kenkhuis
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Amy F Lloyd
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Karen Burr
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David Story
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Dilmurat Yusuf
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Xin He
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rolf Backofen
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Owen Dando
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Josef Priller
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neuropsychiatry and Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH and DZNE, Berlin, Germany.
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10
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Kim A, García-García E, Straccia M, Comella-Bolla A, Miguez A, Masana M, Alberch J, Canals JM, Rodríguez MJ. Reduced Fractalkine Levels Lead to Striatal Synaptic Plasticity Deficits in Huntington's Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:163. [PMID: 32625064 PMCID: PMC7314984 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder in which the striatum is the most affected brain region. Although a chronic inflammatory microglial reaction that amplifies disease progression has been described in HD patients, some murine models develop symptoms without inflammatory microglial activation. Thus, dysfunction of non-inflammatory microglial activity could also contribute to the early HD pathological process. Here, we show the involvement of microglia and particularly fractalkine signaling in the striatal synaptic dysfunction of R6/1 mice. We found reduced fractalkine gene expression and protein concentration in R6/1 striata from 8 to 20 weeks of age. Consistently, we also observed a down-regulation of fractalkine levels in the putamen of HD patients and in HD patient hiPSC-derived neurons. Automated cell morphology analysis showed a non-inflammatory ramified microglia in the striatum of R6/1 mice. However, we found increased PSD-95-positive puncta inside microglia, indicative of synaptic pruning, before HD motor symptoms start to manifest. Indeed, microglia appeared to be essential for striatal synaptic function, as the inhibition of microglial activity with minocycline impaired the induction of corticostriatal long-term depression (LTD) in wild-type mice. Notably, fractalkine administration restored impaired corticostriatal LTD in R6/1 mice. Our results unveil a role for fractalkine-dependent neuron-microglia interactions in the early striatal synaptic dysfunction characteristic of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther García-García
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Straccia
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Comella-Bolla
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrés Miguez
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Masana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Alberch
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep M Canals
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel J Rodríguez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
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Tadenev ALD, Burgess RW. Model validity for preclinical studies in precision medicine: precisely how precise do we need to be? Mamm Genome 2019; 30:111-122. [PMID: 30953144 PMCID: PMC6606658 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-019-09798-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The promise of personalized medicine is that each patient’s treatment can be optimally tailored to their disease. In turn, their disease, as well as their response to the treatment, is determined by their genetic makeup and the “environment,” which relates to their general health, medical history, personal habits, and surroundings. Developing such optimized treatment strategies is an admirable goal and success stories include examples such as switching chemotherapy agents based on a patient’s tumor genotype. However, it remains a challenge to apply precision medicine to diseases for which there is no known effective treatment. Such diseases require additional research, often using experimentally tractable models. Presumably, models that recapitulate as much of the human pathophysiology as possible will be the most predictive. Here we will discuss the considerations behind such “precision models.” What sort of precision is required and under what circumstances? How can the predictive validity of such models be improved? Ultimately, there is no perfect model, but our continually improving ability to genetically engineer a variety of systems allows the generation of more and more precise models. Furthermore, our steadily increasing awareness of risk alleles, genetic background effects, multifactorial disease processes, and gene by environment interactions also allows increasingly sophisticated models that better reproduce patients’ conditions. In those cases where the research has progressed sufficiently far, results from these models appear to often be translating to effective treatments for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail L D Tadenev
- The Center for Precision Genetics, The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | - Robert W Burgess
- The Center for Precision Genetics, The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.
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