1
|
Boxy P, Nykjær A, Kisiswa L. Building better brains: the pleiotropic function of neurotrophic factors in postnatal cerebellar development. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1181397. [PMID: 37251644 PMCID: PMC10213292 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1181397] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum is a multifunctional brain region that controls diverse motor and non-motor behaviors. As a result, impairments in the cerebellar architecture and circuitry lead to a vast array of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Neurotrophins and neurotrophic growth factors play essential roles in the development as well as maintenance of the central and peripheral nervous system which is crucial for normal brain function. Their timely expression throughout embryonic and postnatal stages is important for promoting growth and survival of both neurons and glial cells. During postnatal development, the cerebellum undergoes changes in its cellular organization, which is regulated by a variety of molecular factors, including neurotrophic factors. Studies have shown that these factors and their receptors promote proper formation of the cerebellar cytoarchitecture as well as maintenance of the cerebellar circuits. In this review, we will summarize what is known on the neurotrophic factors' role in cerebellar postnatal development and how their dysregulation assists in developing various neurological disorders. Understanding the expression patterns and signaling mechanisms of these factors and their receptors is crucial for elucidating their function within the cerebellum and for developing therapeutic strategies for cerebellar-related disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pia Boxy
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE)–Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Danish National Research Foundation Center, PROMEMO, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders Nykjær
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE)–Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Danish National Research Foundation Center, PROMEMO, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lilian Kisiswa
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE)–Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Danish National Research Foundation Center, PROMEMO, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kalinichenko SG, Pushchin II, Matveeva NY. Neurotoxic and cytoprotective mechanisms in the ischemic neocortex. J Chem Neuroanat 2023; 128:102230. [PMID: 36603664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2022.102230] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal damage in ischemic stroke occurs due to permanent imbalance between the metabolic needs of the brain and the ability of the blood-vascular system to maintain glucose delivery and adequate gas exchange. Oxidative stress and excitotoxicity trigger complex processes of neuroinflammation, necrosis, and apoptosis of both neurons and glial cells. This review summarizes data on the structural and chemical changes in the neocortex and main cytoprotective effects induced by focal ischemic stroke. We focus on the expression of neurotrophins (NT) and molecular and cellular changes in neurovascular units in ischemic brain. We also discuss how these factors affect the apoptosis of cortical cells. Ischemic damage involves close interaction of a wide range of signaling molecules, each acting as an efficient marker of cell state in both the ischemic core and penumbra. NTs play the main regulatory role in brain tissue recovery after ischemic injury. Heterogeneous distribution of the BDNF, NT-3, and GDNF immunoreactivity is concordant with the selective response of different types of cortical neurons and glia to ischemic injury and allows mapping the position of viable neurons. Astrocytes are the central link in neurovascular coupling in ischemic brain by providing other cells with a wide range of vasotropic factors. The NT expression coincides with the distribution of reactive astrocytes, marking the boundaries of the penumbra. The development of ischemic stroke is accompanied by a dramatic change in the distribution of GDNF reactivity. In early ischemic period, it is mainly observed in cortical neurons, while in late one, the bulk of GDNF-positive cells are various types of glia, in particular, astrocytes. The proportion of GDNF-positive astrocytes increases gradually throughout the ischemic period. Some factors that exert cytoprotective effects in early ischemic period may display neurotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects later on. The number of apoptotic cells in the ischemic brain tissue correlates with the BDNF levels, corroborating its protective effects. Cytoprotection and neuroplasticity are two lines of brain protection and recovery after ischemic stroke. NTs can be considered an important link in these processes. To develop efficient pharmacological therapy for ischemic brain injury, we have to deepen our understanding of neurochemical adaptation of brain tissue to acute stroke.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergei G Kalinichenko
- Department of Histology, Cytology, and Embryology, Pacific State Medical University, Vladivostok 690950, Russia
| | - Igor I Pushchin
- Laboratory of Physiology, A.V. Zhirmusky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok 690041, Russia.
| | - Natalya Yu Matveeva
- Department of Histology, Cytology, and Embryology, Pacific State Medical University, Vladivostok 690950, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Duński E, Pękowska A. Keeping the balance: Trade-offs between human brain evolution, autism, and schizophrenia. Front Genet 2022; 13:1009390. [DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1009390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique qualities of the human brain are a product of a complex evolutionary process. Evolution, famously described by François Jacob as a “tinkerer,” builds upon existing genetic elements by modifying and repurposing them for new functions. Genetic changes in DNA may lead to the emergence of new genes or cause altered gene expression patterns. Both gene and regulatory element mutations may lead to new functions. Yet, this process may lead to side-effects. An evolutionary trade-off occurs when an otherwise beneficial change, which is important for evolutionary success and is under strong positive selection, concurrently results in a detrimental change in another trait. Pleiotropy occurs when a gene affects multiple traits. Antagonistic pleiotropy is a phenomenon whereby a genetic variant leads to an increase in fitness at one life-stage or in a specific environment, but simultaneously decreases fitness in another respect. Therefore, it is conceivable that the molecular underpinnings of evolution of highly complex traits, including brain size or cognitive ability, under certain conditions could result in deleterious effects, which would increase the susceptibility to psychiatric or neurodevelopmental diseases. Here, we discuss possible trade-offs and antagonistic pleiotropies between evolutionary change in a gene sequence, dosage or activity and the susceptibility of individuals to autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. We present current knowledge about genes and alterations in gene regulatory landscapes, which have likely played a role in establishing human-specific traits and have been implicated in those diseases.
Collapse
|
4
|
Nali LH, Olival GS, Sousa FTG, de Oliveira ACS, Montenegro H, da Silva IT, Dias-Neto E, Naya H, Spangenberg L, Penalva-de-Oliveira AC, Romano CM. Whole transcriptome analysis of multiple Sclerosis patients reveals active inflammatory profile in relapsing patients and downregulation of neurological repair pathways in secondary progressive cases. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020; 44:102243. [PMID: 32559700 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2020.102243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune neurologic disease that causes progressive destruction of myelin sheath and axons. Affecting more than 2 million people worldwide, MS may presents distinct clinical courses. However, information regarding key gene expression and genic pathways related to each clinical form is still limited. OBJECTIVE To assess the whole transcriptome of blood leukocytes from patients with remittent-recurrent (RRMS) and secondary-progressive (SPMS) forms to explore the gene expression profile of each form. METHODS Total RNA was obtained and sequenced in Illumina HiSeq platform. Reads were aligned to human genome (GRCh38/hg38), BAM files were mapped and differential expression was obtained with DeSeq2. Up or downregulated pathways were obtained through Ingenuity IPA. Pro-inflammatory cytokines levels were also assessed. RESULTS The transcriptome was generated for nine patients (6 SPMS and 3 RRMS) and 5 healthy controls. A total of 731 and 435 differentially expressed genes were identified in SPMS and RRMS, respectively. RERE, IRS2, SIPA1L1, TANC2 and PLAGL1 were upregulated in both forms, whereas PAD2 and PAD4 were upregulated in RRMS and downregulated in SPMS. Inflammatory and neuronal repair pathways were upregulated in RRMS, which was also observed in cytokine analysis. Conversely, SPMS patients presented IL-8, IL-1, Neurothrophin and Neuregulin pathways down regulated. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the transcriptome of RRMS and SPMS clearly indicated distinct inflammatory profiles, where RRMS presented marked pro-inflammatory profile but SPMS did not. SPMS individuals also presented a decrease on expression of neuronal repair pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luiz H Nali
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, LIM-52 (LIMHC) Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil.; Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, Rua Prof. Enéas de Siqueira Neto, 340, São Paulo, 04829-300, Brazil
| | - Guilherme S Olival
- Departamento de Neurologia Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, R. Dr. Cesário Mota Júnior, 112, São Paulo, 01221-020 Brazil
| | - Francielle T G Sousa
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, LIM-52 (LIMHC) Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina S de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, LIM-52 (LIMHC) Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil
| | | | - Israel T da Silva
- Laboratory of Medical Genomics, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, 01525-001, Brazil
| | - Emamnuel Dias-Neto
- Laboratory of Medical Genomics, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, 01525-001, Brazil; Laboratory of Neurosciences (LIM-27), Institute of Psychiatry, São Paulo Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hugo Naya
- Unidad de Bioinformática Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
| | - Lucia Spangenberg
- Unidad de Bioinformática Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
| | - Augusto C Penalva-de-Oliveira
- Departamento de Neurologia Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, R. Dr. Cesário Mota Júnior, 112, São Paulo, 01221-020 Brazil; Departamento de Neurologia, Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 165, São Paulo, 01246-900, Brazil
| | - Camila M Romano
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, LIM-52 (LIMHC) Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil.; Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP (LIM52), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|