1
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Holl D, Hau WF, Julien A, Banitalebi S, Kalkitsas J, Savant S, Llorens-Bobadilla E, Herault Y, Pavlovic G, Amiry-Moghaddam M, Dias DO, Göritz C. Distinct origin and region-dependent contribution of stromal fibroblasts to fibrosis following traumatic injury in mice. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:1285-1298. [PMID: 38849523 PMCID: PMC11239523 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01678-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Fibrotic scar tissue formation occurs in humans and mice. The fibrotic scar impairs tissue regeneration and functional recovery. However, the origin of scar-forming fibroblasts is unclear. Here, we show that stromal fibroblasts forming the fibrotic scar derive from two populations of perivascular cells after spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult mice of both sexes. We anatomically and transcriptionally identify the two cell populations as pericytes and perivascular fibroblasts. Fibroblasts and pericytes are enriched in the white and gray matter regions of the spinal cord, respectively. Both cell populations are recruited in response to SCI and inflammation. However, their contribution to fibrotic scar tissue depends on the location of the lesion. Upon injury, pericytes and perivascular fibroblasts become activated and transcriptionally converge on the generation of stromal myofibroblasts. Our results show that pericytes and perivascular fibroblasts contribute to the fibrotic scar in a region-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Holl
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wing Fung Hau
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Anais Julien
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shervin Banitalebi
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jannis Kalkitsas
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Soniya Savant
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Enric Llorens-Bobadilla
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Yann Herault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Guillaume Pavlovic
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - David Oliveira Dias
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian Göritz
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Shatin, Hong Kong.
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2
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Wang Q, Zheng J, Pettersson S, Reynolds R, Tan EK. The link between neuroinflammation and the neurovascular unit in synucleinopathies. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eabq1141. [PMID: 36791205 PMCID: PMC9931221 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq1141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The neurovascular unit (NVU) is composed of vascular cells, glial cells, and neurons. As a fundamental functional module in the central nervous system, the NVU maintains homeostasis in the microenvironment and the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Disruption of the NVU and interactions among its components are involved in the pathophysiology of synucleinopathies, which are characterized by the pathological accumulation of α-synuclein. Neuroinflammation contributes to the pathophysiology of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and dementia with Lewy bodies. This review aims to summarize the neuroinflammatory response of glial cells and vascular cells in the NVU. We also review neuroinflammation in the context of the cross-talk between glial cells and vascular cells, between glial cells and pericytes, and between microglia and astroglia. Last, we discuss how α-synuclein affects neuroinflammation and how neuroinflammation influences the aggregation and spread of α-synuclein and analyze different properties of α-synuclein in synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, China
| | - Jialing Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, China
| | - Sven Pettersson
- ASEAN Microbiome Nutrition Centre, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore 308433, Singapore
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Odontology, 171 77 Solna, Sweden
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Richard Reynolds
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Burlington Danes Building, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
- Centre for Molecular Neuropathology, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Eng-King Tan
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore General Hospital, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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3
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Connexins Signatures of the Neurovascular Unit and Their Physio-Pathological Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179510. [PMID: 36076908 PMCID: PMC9455936 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis is closely linked to the delicate balance of the microenvironment in which different cellular components of the neurovascular unit (NVU) coexist. Intercellular communication plays a pivotal role in exchanges of signaling molecules and mediators essential for survival functions, as well as in the removal of disturbing elements that can lead to related pathologies. The specific signatures of connexins (Cxs), proteins which form either gap junctions (GJs) or hemichannels (HCs), represent the biological substrate of the pathophysiological balance. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is undoubtedly one of the most important factors in glia–neuro–vascular crosstalk. Herein, Cxs signatures of every NVU component are highlighted and their critical influence on functional processes in healthy and pathological conditions of nervous microenvironment is reviewed.
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4
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Isasi E, Figares M, Abudara V, Olivera-Bravo S. Gestational and Lactational Iron Deficiency Anemia Impairs Myelination and the Neurovascular Unit in Infant Rats. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:3738-3754. [PMID: 35381889 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02798-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Iron deficiency anemia is a prevalent health problem among pregnant women and infants, particularly in the developing countries that causes brain development deficits and poor cognitive outcomes. Since tissue iron depletion may impair myelination and trigger cellular hypoxic signaling affecting blood vessels, we studied myelination and the neurovascular unit (NVU) in infant rats born to mothers fed with an iron deficient (ID) or control diet from embryonic day 5 till weaning. Blood samples and brains of rat pups at postnatal day (PND) 14 and 30 were analyzed. PND 14 ID rats had severe microcytic hypochromic anemia that was almost reversed at PND 30 although hypomyelination and astrocyte immature phenotype in the corpus callosum were significant at that age. In CA1 hippocampal region, PND 14 and PND 30 ID rats showed significant reduced expression of the receptor β of the platelet-derived growth factor localized in pericytes and associated to aquaporin 4 (AQP4) immunopositive capillaries. Shorter AQP4 + capillaries and reduced AQP4 expression were also evidenced in PND 14 and PND 30 ID rats. In addition, pericyte membrane permeability through large-pore channels was transiently increased in ID rats at PND 14 but not at PND 30, while the blood-brain barrier permeability was not affected. Remarkably, transient increased pericyte permeability found in PND 14 ID rats was not directly related to iron depletion, suggesting the involvement of other iron deficiency anemia-induced mechanisms. In summary, severe ID during gestation and lactation produces persistent hypomyelination and significantly affects hippocampal pericytes and astrocytes in the NVU which may trigger impaired neurovascular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Isasi
- Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), 3318, Italia Av., 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Martin Figares
- Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Verónica Abudara
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Silvia Olivera-Bravo
- Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), 3318, Italia Av., 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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5
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Cibelli A, Stout R, Timmermann A, de Menezes L, Guo P, Maass K, Seifert G, Steinhäuser C, Spray DC, Scemes E. Cx43 carboxyl terminal domain determines AQP4 and Cx30 endfoot organization and blood brain barrier permeability. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24334. [PMID: 34934080 PMCID: PMC8692511 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03694-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurovascular unit (NVU) consists of cells intrinsic to the vessel wall, the endothelial cells and pericytes, and astrocyte endfeet that surround the vessel but are separated from it by basement membrane. Endothelial cells are primarily responsible for creating and maintaining blood-brain-barrier (BBB) tightness, but astrocytes contribute to the barrier through paracrine signaling to the endothelial cells and by forming the glia limitans. Gap junctions (GJs) between astrocyte endfeet are composed of connexin 43 (Cx43) and Cx30, which form plaques between cells. GJ plaques formed of Cx43 do not diffuse laterally in the plasma membrane and thus potentially provide stable organizational features to the endfoot domain, whereas GJ plaques formed of other connexins and of Cx43 lacking a large portion of its cytoplasmic carboxyl terminus are quite mobile. In order to examine the organizational features that immobile GJs impose on the endfoot, we have used super-resolution confocal microscopy to map number and sizes of GJ plaques and aquaporin (AQP)-4 channel clusters in the perivascular endfeet of mice in which astrocyte GJs (Cx30, Cx43) were deleted or the carboxyl terminus of Cx43 was truncated. To determine if BBB integrity was compromised in these transgenic mice, we conducted perfusion studies under elevated hydrostatic pressure using horseradish peroxide as a molecular probe enabling detection of micro-hemorrhages in brain sections. These studies revealed that microhemorrhages were more numerous in mice lacking Cx43 or its carboxyl terminus. In perivascular domains of cerebral vessels, we found that density of Cx43 GJs was higher in the truncation mutant, while GJ size was smaller. Density of perivascular particles formed by AQP4 and its extended isoform AQP4ex was inversely related to the presence of full length Cx43, whereas the ratio of sizes of the particles of the AQP4ex isoform to total AQP4 was directly related to the presence of full length Cx43. Confocal analysis showed that Cx43 and Cx30 were substantially colocalized in astrocyte domains near vasculature of truncation mutant mice. These results showing altered distribution of some astrocyte nexus components (AQP4 and Cx30) in Cx43 null mice and in a truncation mutant, together with leakier cerebral vasculature, support the hypothesis that localization and mobility of gap junction proteins and their binding partners influences organization of astrocyte endfeet which in turn impacts BBB integrity of the NVU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Cibelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Randy Stout
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Aline Timmermann
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Laura de Menezes
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Insitute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Peng Guo
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Cellular Imaging Core Facility, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Karen Maass
- Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gerald Seifert
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Steinhäuser
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - David C Spray
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
| | - Eliana Scemes
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, 10595, USA.
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6
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Liu YD, Tang G, Qian F, Liu L, Huang JR, Tang FR. Astroglial Connexins in Neurological and Neuropsychological Disorders and Radiation Exposure. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:1970-1986. [PMID: 32520676 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200610175037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a common treatment for brain and spinal cord tumors and also a risk factor for neuropathological changes in the brain leading to different neurological and neuropsychological disorders. Astroglial connexins are involved in brain inflammation, development of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), depressive, epilepsy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and are affected by radiation exposure. Therefore, it is speculated that radiation-induced changes of astroglial connexins may be related to the brain neuropathology and development of neurological and neuropsychological disorders. In this paper, we review the functional expression and regulation of astroglial connexins expressed between astrocytes and different types of brain cells (including oligodendrocytes, microglia, neurons and endothelial cells). The roles of these connexins in the development of AD, depressive, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and brain inflammation have also been summarized. The radiation-induced astroglial connexins changes and development of different neurological and neuropsychological disorders are then discussed. Based on currently available data, we propose that radiation-induced astroglial connexins changes may be involved in the genesis of different neurological and neuropsychological disorders which depends on the age, brain regions, and radiation doses/dose rates. The abnormal astroglial connexins may be novel therapeutic targets for the prevention of radiation-induced cognitive impairment, neurological and neuropsychological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Duo Liu
- Medical School of Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434000, China
| | - Ge Tang
- Woodlands Health Campus, National Healthcare Group Singapore, Singapore
| | - Feng Qian
- Medical School of Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434000, China
| | - Lian Liu
- Medical School of Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434000, China
| | | | - Feng Ru Tang
- Radiation Physiology Laboratory, Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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7
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Lineage tracing reveals the origin of Nestin-positive cells are heterogeneous and rarely from ependymal cells after spinal cord injury. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2021; 65:757-769. [PMID: 33772745 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1901-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Nestin is expressed extensively in neural stem/progenitor cells during neural development, but its expression is mainly restricted to the ependymal cells in the adult spinal cord. After spinal cord injury (SCI), Nestin expression is reactivated and Nestin-positive (Nestin+) cells aggregate at the injury site. However, the derivation of Nestin+ cells is not clearly defined. Here, we found that Nestin expression was substantially increased in the lesion edge and lesion core after SCI. Using a tamoxifen inducible CreER(T2)-loxP system, we verified that ependymal cells contribute few Nestin+ cells either to the lesion core or the lesion edge after SCI. In the lesion edge, GFAP+ astrocytes were the main cell type that expressed Nestin; they then formed an astrocyte scar. In the lesion core, Nestin+ cells expressed αSMA or Desmin, indicating that they might be derived from pericytes. Our results reveal that Nestin+ cells in the lesion core and edge came from various cell types and rarely from ependymal cells after complete transected SCI, which may provide new insights into SCI repair.
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8
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Girolamo F, de Trizio I, Errede M, Longo G, d'Amati A, Virgintino D. Neural crest cell-derived pericytes act as pro-angiogenic cells in human neocortex development and gliomas. Fluids Barriers CNS 2021; 18:14. [PMID: 33743764 PMCID: PMC7980348 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-021-00242-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system diseases involving the parenchymal microvessels are frequently associated with a ‘microvasculopathy’, which includes different levels of neurovascular unit (NVU) dysfunction, including blood–brain barrier alterations. To contribute to the understanding of NVU responses to pathological noxae, we have focused on one of its cellular components, the microvascular pericytes, highlighting unique features of brain pericytes with the aid of the analyses carried out during vascularization of human developing neocortex and in human gliomas. Thanks to their position, centred within the endothelial/glial partition of the vessel basal lamina and therefore inserted between endothelial cells and the perivascular and vessel-associated components (astrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs)/NG2-glia, microglia, macrophages, nerve terminals), pericytes fulfil a central role within the microvessel NVU. Indeed, at this critical site, pericytes have a number of direct and extracellular matrix molecule- and soluble factor-mediated functions, displaying marked phenotypical and functional heterogeneity and carrying out multitasking services. This pericytes heterogeneity is primarily linked to their position in specific tissue and organ microenvironments and, most importantly, to their ontogeny. During ontogenesis, pericyte subtypes belong to two main embryonic germ layers, mesoderm and (neuro)ectoderm, and are therefore expected to be found in organs ontogenetically different, nonetheless, pericytes of different origin may converge and colonize neighbouring areas of the same organ/apparatus. Here, we provide a brief overview of the unusual roles played by forebrain pericytes in the processes of angiogenesis and barriergenesis by virtue of their origin from midbrain neural crest stem cells. A better knowledge of the ontogenetic subpopulations may support the understanding of specific interactions and mechanisms involved in pericyte function/dysfunction, including normal and pathological angiogenesis, thereby offering an alternative perspective on cell subtype-specific therapeutic approaches. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Girolamo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, Human Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Bari School of Medicine, Bari, Italy.
| | - Ignazio de Trizio
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, Human Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Bari School of Medicine, Bari, Italy.,Intensive Care Unit, Department of Intensive Care, Regional Hospital of Lugano, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Mariella Errede
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, Human Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Bari School of Medicine, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Longo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, Molecular Biology Unit, University of Bari School of Medicine, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio d'Amati
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, Human Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Bari School of Medicine, Bari, Italy.,Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Pathology Section, University of Bari School of Medicine, Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Virgintino
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, Human Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Bari School of Medicine, Bari, Italy
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9
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Girolamo F, de Trizio I, Errede M, Longo G, d’Amati A, Virgintino D. Neural crest cell-derived pericytes act as pro-angiogenic cells in human neocortex development and gliomas. Fluids Barriers CNS 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s12987-021-00242-7 union select null--] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractCentral nervous system diseases involving the parenchymal microvessels are frequently associated with a ‘microvasculopathy’, which includes different levels of neurovascular unit (NVU) dysfunction, including blood–brain barrier alterations. To contribute to the understanding of NVU responses to pathological noxae, we have focused on one of its cellular components, the microvascular pericytes, highlighting unique features of brain pericytes with the aid of the analyses carried out during vascularization of human developing neocortex and in human gliomas. Thanks to their position, centred within the endothelial/glial partition of the vessel basal lamina and therefore inserted between endothelial cells and the perivascular and vessel-associated components (astrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs)/NG2-glia, microglia, macrophages, nerve terminals), pericytes fulfil a central role within the microvessel NVU. Indeed, at this critical site, pericytes have a number of direct and extracellular matrix molecule- and soluble factor-mediated functions, displaying marked phenotypical and functional heterogeneity and carrying out multitasking services. This pericytes heterogeneity is primarily linked to their position in specific tissue and organ microenvironments and, most importantly, to their ontogeny. During ontogenesis, pericyte subtypes belong to two main embryonic germ layers, mesoderm and (neuro)ectoderm, and are therefore expected to be found in organs ontogenetically different, nonetheless, pericytes of different origin may converge and colonize neighbouring areas of the same organ/apparatus. Here, we provide a brief overview of the unusual roles played by forebrain pericytes in the processes of angiogenesis and barriergenesis by virtue of their origin from midbrain neural crest stem cells. A better knowledge of the ontogenetic subpopulations may support the understanding of specific interactions and mechanisms involved in pericyte function/dysfunction, including normal and pathological angiogenesis, thereby offering an alternative perspective on cell subtype-specific therapeutic approaches.
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10
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Novielli-Kuntz NM, Press ER, Barr K, Prado MAM, Laird DW. Mutant Cx30-A88V mice exhibit hydrocephaly and sex-dependent behavioral abnormalities, implicating a functional role for Cx30 in the brain. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:14/1/dmm046235. [PMID: 33735099 PMCID: PMC7859702 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.046235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Connexin 30 (Cx30; also known as Gjb6 when referring to the mouse gene) is expressed in ependymal cells of the brain ventricles, in leptomeningeal cells and in astrocytes rich in connexin 43 (Cx43), leading us to question whether patients harboring GJB6 mutations exhibit any brain anomalies. Here, we used mice harboring the human disease-associated A88V Cx30 mutation to address this gap in knowledge. Brain Cx30 levels were lower in male and female Cx30A88V/A88V mice compared with Cx30A88V/+ and Cx30+/+ mice, whereas Cx43 levels were lower only in female Cx30 mutant mice. Characterization of brain morphology revealed a disrupted ependymal cell layer, significant hydrocephalus and enlarged ventricles in 3- to 6-month-old adult male and female Cx30A88V/A88V mice compared with Cx30A88V/+ or Cx30+/+ sex-matched littermate mice. To determine the functional significance of these molecular and morphological changes, we investigated a number of behavioral activities in these mice. Interestingly, only female Cx30A88V/A88V mice exhibited abnormal behavior compared with all other groups. Cx30A88V/A88V female mice demonstrated increased locomotor and exploratory activity in both the open field and the elevated plus maze. They also exhibited dramatically reduced ability to learn the location of the escape platform during Morris water maze training, although they were able to swim as well as other genotypes. Our findings suggest that the homozygous A88V mutation in Cx30 causes major morphological changes in the brain of aging mice, possibly attributable to an abnormal ependymal cell layer. Remarkably, these changes had a more pronounced consequence for cognitive function in female mice, which is likely to be linked to the dysregulation of both Cx30 and Cx43 levels in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Novielli-Kuntz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1
| | - Eric R Press
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1
| | - Kevin Barr
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1.,Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5K8
| | - Dale W Laird
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1 .,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1
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11
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Ross JM, Kim C, Allen D, Crouch EE, Narsinh K, Cooke DL, Abla AA, Nowakowski TJ, Winkler EA. The Expanding Cell Diversity of the Brain Vasculature. Front Physiol 2020; 11:600767. [PMID: 33343397 PMCID: PMC7744630 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.600767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebrovasculature is essential to brain health and is tasked with ensuring adequate delivery of oxygen and metabolic precursors to ensure normal neurologic function. This is coordinated through a dynamic, multi-directional cellular interplay between vascular, neuronal, and glial cells. Molecular exchanges across the blood-brain barrier or the close matching of regional blood flow with brain activation are not uniformly assigned to arteries, capillaries, and veins. Evidence has supported functional segmentation of the brain vasculature. This is achieved in part through morphologic or transcriptional heterogeneity of brain vascular cells-including endothelium, pericytes, and vascular smooth muscle. Advances with single cell genomic technologies have shown increasing cell complexity of the brain vasculature identifying previously unknown cell types and further subclassifying transcriptional diversity in cardinal vascular cell types. Cell-type specific molecular transitions or zonations have been identified. In this review, we summarize emerging evidence for the expanding vascular cell diversity in the brain and how this may provide a cellular basis for functional segmentation along the arterial-venous axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayden M. Ross
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Chang Kim
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Denise Allen
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Elizabeth E. Crouch
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Kazim Narsinh
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Daniel L. Cooke
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Adib A. Abla
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Tomasz J. Nowakowski
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Ethan A. Winkler
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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12
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Malik VA, Zajicek F, Mittmann LA, Klaus J, Unterseer S, Rajkumar S, Pütz B, Deussing JM, Neumann ID, Rupprecht R, Di Benedetto B. GDF15 promotes simultaneous astrocyte remodeling and tight junction strengthening at the blood-brain barrier. J Neurosci Res 2020; 98:1433-1456. [PMID: 32170776 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Perivascular astrocyte processes (PAP) surround cerebral endothelial cells (ECs) and modulate the strengthening of tight junctions to influence blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Morphologically altered astrocytes may affect barrier properties and trigger the onset of brain pathologies. However, astrocyte-dependent mediators of these events remain poorly studied. Here, we show a pharmacologically driven elevated expression and release of growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) in rat primary astrocytes and cerebral PAP. GDF15 has been shown to possess trophic properties for motor neurons, prompting us to hypothesize similar effects on astrocytes. Indeed, its increased expression and release occurred simultaneously to morphological changes of astrocytes in vitro and PAP, suggesting modulatory effects of GDF15 on these cells, but also neighboring EC. Administration of recombinant GDF15 was sufficient to promote astrocyte remodeling and enhance barrier properties between ECs in vitro, whereas its pharmacogenetic abrogation prevented these effects. We validated our findings in male high anxiety-related behavior rats, an animal model of depressive-like behavior, with shrunk PAP associated with reduced expression of the junctional protein claudin-5, which were both restored by a pharmacologically induced increase in GDF15 expression. Thus, we identified GDF15 as an astrocyte-derived trigger of astrocyte process remodeling linked to enhanced tight junction strengthening at the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Malik
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Franziska Zajicek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Laura A Mittmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Sandeep Rajkumar
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Benno Pütz
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Neurobiology and Animal Physiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Rupprecht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Di Benedetto
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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13
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Geranmayeh MH, Rahbarghazi R, Farhoudi M. Targeting pericytes for neurovascular regeneration. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:26. [PMID: 30894190 PMCID: PMC6425710 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0340-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pericytes, as a key cellular part of the blood-brain barrier, play an important role in the maintenance of brain neurovascular unit. These cells participate in brain homeostasis by regulating vascular development and integrity mainly through secreting various factors. Pericytes per se show different restorative properties after blood-brain barrier injury. Upon the occurrence of brain acute and chronic diseases, pericytes provoke immune cells to regulate neuro-inflammatory conditions. Loss of pericytes in distinct neurologic disorders intensifies blood-brain barrier permeability and leads to vascular dementia. The therapeutic potential of pericytes is originated from the unique morphological shape, location, and their ability in providing vast paracrine and juxtacrine interactions. A subset of pericytes possesses multipotentiality and exhibit trans-differentiation capacity in the context of damaged tissue. This review article aimed to highlight the critical role of pericytes in restoration of the blood-brain barrier after injury by focusing on the dynamics of pericytes and cross-talk with other cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hossein Geranmayeh
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC), Imam Reza Medical Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht St., Azadi Ave, Tabriz, 5166614756, Iran
| | - Reza Rahbarghazi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. .,Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Farhoudi
- Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC), Imam Reza Medical Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht St., Azadi Ave, Tabriz, 5166614756, Iran.
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14
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Gilbert A, Vidal XE, Estevez R, Cohen-Salmon M, Boulay AC. Postnatal development of the astrocyte perivascular MLC1/GlialCAM complex defines a temporal window for the gliovascular unit maturation. Brain Struct Funct 2019; 224:1267-1278. [PMID: 30684007 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-01832-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cells of the central nervous system are morphologically complex. They display numerous processes interacting with synapses and blood vessels. At the vascular interface, astrocyte endfeet-terminated processes almost entirely cover the blood vessel surface and participate to the gliovascular unit where important vascular properties of the brain are set such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. How specific morphological and functional interactions between astrocytes and the vascular compartment develop has not been fully investigated. Here, we elaborated an original experimental strategy to study the postnatal development of astrocyte perivascular endfeet. Using purified gliovascular units, we focused on the postnatal expression of MLC1 and GlialCAM, two transmembrane proteins forming a complex enriched at the junction between mature astrocyte perivascular endfeet. We showed that MLC1 and GlialCAM were enriched and assembled into mature complexes in astrocyte perivascular endfeet between postnatal days 10 and 15, after the formation of astrocyte perivascular Aquaporin 4 water channels. These events correlated with the increased expression of Claudin-5 and P-gP, two endothelial-specific BBB components. These results illustrate for the first time that astrocyte perivascular endfeet differentiation is a complex and progressive process which correlates with BBB maturation. Moreover, our results suggest that maturation of the astrocyte endfeet MLC1/GlialCAM complex between postnatal days 10 and 15 might be a key event in the gliovascular unit maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Gilbert
- Collège de France, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB)/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7241/Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale INSERM, U1050, 11 place Marcelin Berthelot Paris, Paris Cedex 05, 75005, France
- Paris Science Lettre Research University, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Xabier Elorza Vidal
- Unitat de Fisiología, Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL-Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raul Estevez
- Unitat de Fisiología, Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL-Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Martine Cohen-Salmon
- Collège de France, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB)/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7241/Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale INSERM, U1050, 11 place Marcelin Berthelot Paris, Paris Cedex 05, 75005, France.
- Paris Science Lettre Research University, Paris, 75005, France.
| | - Anne-Cécile Boulay
- Collège de France, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB)/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7241/Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale INSERM, U1050, 11 place Marcelin Berthelot Paris, Paris Cedex 05, 75005, France
- Paris Science Lettre Research University, Paris, 75005, France
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15
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Castro PR, Barbosa AS, Pereira JM, Ranfley H, Felipetto M, Gonçalves CAX, Paiva IR, Berg BB, Barcelos LS. Cellular and Molecular Heterogeneity Associated with Vessel Formation Processes. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:6740408. [PMID: 30406137 PMCID: PMC6199857 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6740408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The microvasculature heterogeneity is a complex subject in vascular biology. The difficulty of building a dynamic and interactive view among the microenvironments, the cellular and molecular heterogeneities, and the basic aspects of the vessel formation processes make the available knowledge largely fragmented. The neovascularisation processes, termed vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis, are important to the formation and proper functioning of organs and tissues both in the embryo and the postnatal period. These processes are intrinsically related to microvascular cells, such as endothelial and mural cells. These cells are able to adjust their activities in response to the metabolic and physiological requirements of the tissues, by displaying a broad plasticity that results in a significant cellular and molecular heterogeneity. In this review, we intend to approach the microvasculature heterogeneity in an integrated view considering the diversity of neovascularisation processes and the cellular and molecular heterogeneity that contribute to microcirculatory homeostasis. For that, we will cover their interactions in the different blood-organ barriers and discuss how they cooperate in an integrated regulatory network that is controlled by specific molecular signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pollyana Ribeiro Castro
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Alan Sales Barbosa
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Jousie Michel Pereira
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Hedden Ranfley
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Mariane Felipetto
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Carlos Alberto Xavier Gonçalves
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Isabela Ribeiro Paiva
- Department of Pharmacology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Bárbara Betônico Berg
- Department of Pharmacology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
| | - Luciola Silva Barcelos
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
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