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Hu Y, Lauffer P, Jongejan A, Falize K, Bruinstroop E, van Trotsenburg P, Fliers E, Hennekam RC, Boelen A. Analysis of genes differentially expressed in the cortex of mice with the Tbl1xr1 Y446C/Y446C variant. Gene 2024; 927:148707. [PMID: 38885822 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148707] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Transducin β-like 1 X-linked receptor 1 (mouse Tbl1xr1) or TBL1X/Y related 1 (human TBL1XR1), part of the NCoR/SMRT corepressor complex, is involved in nuclear receptor signaling. Variants in TBL1XR1 cause a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders including Pierpont syndrome caused by the p.Tyr446Cys variant. We recently reported a mouse model carrying the Tbl1xr1Y446C/Y446C variant as a model for Pierpont syndrome. To obtain insight into mechanisms involved in altered brain development we studied gene expression patterns in the cortex of mutant and wild type (WT) mice, using RNA-sequencing, differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and hub gene analysis. We validated results in mutated mouse cortex, as well as in BV2 and SK-N-AS cell lines, in both of which Tbl1xr1 was knocked down by siRNA. Two DEGs (adj.P. Val < 0.05) were found in the cortex, Mpeg1 (downregulated in mutant mice) and 2900052N01Rik (upregulated in mutant mice). GSEA, WGCNA and hub gene analysis demonstrated changes in genes involved in ion channel function and neuroinflammation in the cortex of the Tbl1xr1Y446C/Y446C mice. The lowered expression of ion channel genes Kcnh3 and Kcnj4 mRNA was validated in the mutant mouse cortex, and increased expression of TRIM9, associated with neuroinflammation, was confirmed in the SK-N-AS cell line. Conclusively, our results show altered expression of genes involved in ion channel function and neuroinflammation in the cortex of the Tbl1xr1Y446C/Y446C mice. These may partly explain the impaired neurodevelopment observed in individuals with Pierpont syndrome and related TBL1XR1-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Hu
- Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Lauffer
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children's Hospital, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Research Institute Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Aldo Jongejan
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Bioinformatics Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Research Institute Amsterdam Public Health, Methodology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kim Falize
- Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eveline Bruinstroop
- Research Institute Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Paul van Trotsenburg
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children's Hospital, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Research Institute Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric Fliers
- Research Institute Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Raoul C Hennekam
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anita Boelen
- Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Research Institute Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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2
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Thomas CI, Ryan MA, McNabb MC, Kamasawa N, Scholl B. Astrocyte coverage of excitatory synapses correlates to measures of synapse structure and function in ferret primary visual cortex. Glia 2024. [PMID: 38856149 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Most excitatory synapses in the mammalian brain are contacted or ensheathed by astrocyte processes, forming tripartite synapses. Astrocytes are thought to be critical regulators of the structural and functional dynamics of synapses. While the degree of synaptic coverage by astrocytes is known to vary across brain regions and animal species, the reason for and implications of this variability remains unknown. Further, how astrocyte coverage of synapses relates to in vivo functional properties of individual synapses has not been investigated. Here, we characterized astrocyte coverage of synapses of pyramidal neurons in the ferret visual cortex and, using correlative light and electron microscopy, examined their relationship to synaptic strength and sensory-evoked Ca2+ activity. Nearly, all synapses were contacted by astrocytes, and most were contacted along the axon-spine interface. Structurally, we found that the degree of synaptic astrocyte coverage directly scaled with synapse size and postsynaptic density complexity. Functionally, we found that the amount of astrocyte coverage scaled with how selectively a synapse responds to a particular visual stimulus and, at least for the largest synapses, scaled with the reliability of visual stimuli to evoke postsynaptic Ca2+ events. Our study shows astrocyte coverage is highly correlated with structural metrics of synaptic strength of excitatory synapses in the visual cortex and demonstrates a previously unknown relationship between astrocyte coverage and reliable sensory activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connon I Thomas
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Melissa A Ryan
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Micaiah C McNabb
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Naomi Kamasawa
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Benjamin Scholl
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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3
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Gardner Z, Holbrook O, Tian Y, Odamah K, Man HY. The role of glia in the dysregulation of neuronal spinogenesis in Ube3a-dependent ASD. Exp Neurol 2024; 376:114756. [PMID: 38508482 PMCID: PMC11058030 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Overexpression of the Ube3a gene and the resulting increase in Ube3a protein are linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the cellular and molecular processes underlying Ube3a-dependent ASD remain unclear. Using both male and female mice, we find that neurons in the somatosensory cortex of the Ube3a 2× Tg ASD mouse model display reduced dendritic spine density and increased immature filopodia density. Importantly, the increased gene dosage of Ube3a in astrocytes alone is sufficient to confer alterations in neurons as immature dendritic protrusions, as observed in primary hippocampal neuron cultures. We show that Ube3a overexpression in astrocytes leads to a loss of astrocyte-derived spinogenic protein, thrombospondin-2 (TSP2), due to a suppression of TSP2 gene transcription. By neonatal intraventricular injection of astrocyte-specific virus, we demonstrate that Ube3a overexpression in astrocytes in vivo results in a reduction in dendritic spine maturation in prelimbic cortical neurons, accompanied with autistic-like behaviors in mice. These findings reveal an astrocytic dominance in initiating ASD pathobiology at the neuronal and behavior levels. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Increased gene dosage of Ube3a is tied to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), yet cellular and molecular alterations underlying autistic phenotypes remain unclear. We show that Ube3a overexpression leads to impaired dendritic spine maturation, resulting in reduced spine density and increased filopodia density. We find that dysregulation of spine development is not neuron autonomous, rather, it is mediated by an astrocytic mechanism. Increased gene dosage of Ube3a in astrocytes leads to reduced production of the spinogenic glycoprotein thrombospondin-2 (TSP2), leading to abnormalities in spines. Astrocyte-specific Ube3a overexpression in the brain in vivo confers dysregulated spine maturation concomitant with autistic-like behaviors in mice. These findings indicate the importance of astrocytes in aberrant neurodevelopment and brain function in Ube3a-depdendent ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Gardner
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Otto Holbrook
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - KathrynAnn Odamah
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St., L-603, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America.
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4
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Ruan Y, Yuan R, He J, Jiang Y, Chu S, Chen N. New perspective on sustained antidepressant effect: focus on neurexins regulating synaptic plasticity. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:205. [PMID: 38693106 PMCID: PMC11063156 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01974-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Depression is highly prevalent globally, however, currently available medications face challenges such as low response rates and short duration of efficacy. Additionally, depression mostly accompany other psychiatric disorders, further progressing to major depressive disorder without long-term effective management. Thus, sustained antidepressant strategies are urgently needed. Recently, ketamine and psilocybin gained attention as potential sustained antidepressants. Review of recent studies highlights that synaptic plasticity changes as key events of downstream long-lasting changes in sustained antidepressant effect. This underscores the significance of synaptic plasticity in sustained antidepressant effect. Moreover, neurexins, key molecules involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity, act as critical links between synaptic plasticity and sustained antidepressant effects, involving mechanisms including protein level, selective splicing, epigenetics, astrocytes, positional redistribution and protein structure. Based on the regulation of synaptic plasticity by neurexins, several drugs with potential for sustained antidepressant effect are also discussed. Focusing on neurexins in regulating synaptic plasticity promises much for further understanding underlying mechanisms of sustained antidepressant and the next step in new drug development. This research represents a highly promising future research direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ruan
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Ruolan Yuan
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jiaqi He
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yutong Jiang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Shifeng Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Naihong Chen
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, PR China.
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China.
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Bachmann H, Vandemoortele B, Vermeirssen V, Carrette E, Vonck K, Boon P, Raedt R, Laureys G. Vagus nerve stimulation enhances remyelination and decreases innate neuroinflammation in lysolecithin-induced demyelination. Brain Stimul 2024; 17:575-587. [PMID: 38648972 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2024.04.012] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current treatments for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) poorly address chronic innate neuroinflammation nor do they offer effective remyelination. The vagus nerve has a strong regulatory role in inflammation and Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) has potential to affect both neuroinflammation and remyelination in MS. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effects of VNS on demyelination and innate neuroinflammation in a validated MS rodent model. METHODS Lysolecithin (LPC) was injected in the corpus callosum (CC) of 46 Lewis rats, inducing a demyelinated lesion. 33/46 rats received continuously-cycled VNS (cVNS) or one-minute per day VNS (1minVNS) or sham VNS from 2 days before LPC-injection until perfusion at 3 days post-injection (dpi) (corresponding with a demyelinated lesion with peak inflammation). 13/46 rats received cVNS or sham from 2 days before LPC-injection until perfusion at 11 dpi (corresponding with a partial remyelinated lesion). Immunohistochemistry and proteomics analyses were performed to investigate the extend of demyelination and inflammation. RESULTS Immunohistochemistry showed that cVNS significantly reduced microglial and astrocytic activation in the lesion and lesion border, and significantly reduced the Olig2+ cell count at 3 dpi. Furthermore, cVNS significantly improved remyelination with 57.4 % versus sham at 11 dpi. Proteomic gene set enrichment analyses showed increased activation of (glutamatergic) synapse pathways in cVNS versus sham, most pronounced at 3 dpi. CONCLUSION cVNS improved remyelination of an LPC-induced lesion. Possible mechanisms might include modulation of microglia and astrocyte activity, increased (glutamatergic) synapses and enhanced oligodendrocyte clearance after initial injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Bachmann
- Ghent University, 4 Brain, Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.
| | - Boris Vandemoortele
- Laboratory for Computational Biology, Integromics and Gene Regulation (CBIGR), Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Vanessa Vermeirssen
- Laboratory for Computational Biology, Integromics and Gene Regulation (CBIGR), Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Carrette
- Ghent University, 4 Brain, Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
| | - Kristl Vonck
- Ghent University, 4 Brain, Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
| | - Paul Boon
- Ghent University, 4 Brain, Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
| | - Robrecht Raedt
- Ghent University, 4 Brain, Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
| | - Guy Laureys
- Ghent University, 4 Brain, Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
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6
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Savage JT, Ramirez J, Christopher Risher W, Wang Y, Irala D, Eroglu C. SynBot: An open-source image analysis software for automated quantification of synapses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.06.26.546578. [PMID: 37425715 PMCID: PMC10327002 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.26.546578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The formation of precise numbers of neuronal connections, known as synapses, is crucial for brain function. Therefore, synaptogenesis mechanisms have been one of the main focuses of cellular and molecular neuroscience. Immunohistochemistry is a common tool for labeling and visualization of synapses. Thus, quantifying the numbers of synapses from light microscopy images enables screening the impacts of experimental manipulations on synapse development. Despite its utility, this approach is paired with low throughput image analysis methods that are challenging to learn, and results are variable between experimenters. We developed a new open-source ImageJ-based software, SynBot, to address these technical bottlenecks by automating several stages of the analysis. SynBot incorporates the advanced algorithms ilastik and SynQuant for accurate thresholding for synaptic puncta identification, and the code can easily be modified by users. The use of this software will allow for rapid and reproducible screening of synaptic phenotypes in healthy and diseased nervous systems. Motivation Light microscopy imaging of pre- and post-synaptic proteins from neurons in tissue or in vitro allows for the effective identification of synaptic structures. Previous methods for quantitative analysis of these images were time-consuming, required extensive user training, and the source code could not be easily modified. Here, we describe SynBot, a new open-source tool that automates the synapse quantification process, decreases the requirement for user training, and allows for easy modifications to the code.
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7
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Zong W, Zhao R, Wang X, Zhou C, Wang J, Chen C, Niu N, Zheng Y, Chen L, Liu X, Hou X, Zhao F, Wang L, Wang L, Song C, Zhang L. Population genetic analysis based on the polymorphisms mediated by transposons in the genomes of pig. DNA Res 2024; 31:dsae008. [PMID: 38447059 PMCID: PMC11090087 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) mobility is capable of generating a large number of structural variants (SVs), which can have considerable potential as molecular markers for genetic analysis and molecular breeding in livestock. Our results showed that the pig genome contains mainly TE-SVs generated by short interspersed nuclear elements (51,873/76.49%), followed by long interspersed nuclear elements (11,131/16.41%), and more than 84% of the common TE-SVs (Minor allele frequency, MAF > 0.10) were validated to be polymorphic. Subsequently, we utilized the identified TE-SVs to gain insights into the population structure, resulting in clear differentiation among the three pig groups and facilitating the identification of relationships within Chinese local pig breeds. In addition, we investigated the frequencies of TEs in the gene coding regions of different pig groups and annotated the respective TE types, related genes, and functional pathways. Through genome-wide comparisons of Large White pigs and Chinese local pigs utilizing the Beijing Black pigs, we identified TE-mediated SVs associated with quantitative trait loci and observed that they were mainly involved in carcass traits and meat quality traits. Lastly, we present the first documented evidence of TE transduction in the pig genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wencheng Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Runze Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Chenyu Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jinbu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Cai Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Naiqi Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Yao Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Science, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Xinhua Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Fuping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Ligang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Lixian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Chengyi Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Longchao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
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Chalmers N, Masouti E, Beckervordersandforth R. Astrocytes in the adult dentate gyrus-balance between adult and developmental tasks. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:982-991. [PMID: 38177351 PMCID: PMC11176073 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02386-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes, a major glial cell type in the brain, are indispensable for the integration, maintenance and survival of neurons during development and adulthood. Both life phases make specific demands on the molecular and physiological properties of astrocytes, and most research projects traditionally focus on either developmental or adult astrocyte functions. In most brain regions, the generation of brain cells and the establishment of neural circuits ends with postnatal development. However, few neurogenic niches exist in the adult brain in which new neurons and glial cells are produced lifelong, and the integration of new cells into functional circuits represent a very special form of plasticity. Consequently, in the neurogenic niche, the astrocytes must be equipped to execute both mature and developmental tasks in order to integrate newborn neurons into the circuit and yet maintain overall homeostasis without affecting the preexisting neurons. In this review, we focus on astrocytes of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), and discuss specific features of the astrocytic compartment that may allow the execution of both tasks. Firstly, astrocytes of the adult DG are molecularly, morphologically and functionally diverse, and the distinct astrocytes subtypes are characterized by their localization to DG layers. This spatial separation may lead to a functional specification of astrocytes subtypes according to the neuronal structures they are embedded in, hence a division of labor. Secondly, the astrocytic compartment is not static, but steadily increasing in numbers due to lifelong astrogenesis. Interestingly, astrogenesis can adapt to environmental and behavioral stimuli, revealing an unexpected astrocyte dynamic that allows the niche to adopt to changing demands. The diversity and dynamic of astrocytes in the adult DG implicate a vital contribution to hippocampal plasticity and represent an interesting model to uncover mechanisms how astrocytes simultaneously fulfill developmental and adult tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Chalmers
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Evangelia Masouti
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Thomas CI, Ryan MA, McNabb MC, Kamasawa N, Scholl B. Astrocyte coverage of excitatory synapses correlates to measures of synapse structure and function in primary visual cortex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.01.569664. [PMID: 38106030 PMCID: PMC10723302 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.01.569664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Most excitatory synapses in the mammalian brain are contacted by astrocytes, forming the tripartite synapse. This interface is thought to be critical for glutamate turnover and structural or functional dynamics of synapses. While the degree of synaptic contact of astrocytes is known to vary across brain regions and animal species, the implications of this variability remain unknown. Furthermore, precisely how astrocyte coverage of synapses relates to in vivo functional properties of individual dendritic spines has yet to be investigated. Here, we characterized perisynaptic astrocyte processes (PAPs) contacting synapses of pyramidal neurons of the ferret visual cortex and, using correlative light and electron microscopy, examined their relationship to synaptic strength and to sensory-evoked Ca2+ activity. Nearly all synapses were contacted by PAPs, and most were contacted along the axon-spine interface (ASI). Structurally, we found that the degree of PAP coverage scaled with synapse size and complexity. Functionally, we found that PAP coverage scaled with the selectivity of Ca2+ responses of individual synapses to visual stimuli and, at least for the largest synapses, scaled with the reliability of visual stimuli to evoke postsynaptic Ca2+ events. Our study shows astrocyte coverage is highly correlated with structural properties of excitatory synapses in the visual cortex and implicates astrocytes as a contributor to reliable sensory activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connon I Thomas
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, 1 Max Planck Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Melissa A Ryan
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, 1 Max Planck Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Micaiah C McNabb
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, 1 Max Planck Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, 460 Medical Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Naomi Kamasawa
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, 1 Max Planck Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Benjamin Scholl
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Denver, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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10
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Rupareliya VP, Singh AA, Butt AM, A H, Kumar H. The "molecular soldiers" of the CNS: Astrocytes, a comprehensive review on their roles and molecular signatures. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 959:176048. [PMID: 37758010 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176048] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
For a long time, neurons held the position of central players in the nervous system. Since there are far more astrocytes than neurons in the brain, it makes us wonder if these cells just take up space and support the neurons or if they are actively participating in central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. Now, astrocytes' contribution to CNS physiology is appreciated as they are known to regulate ion and neurotransmitter levels, synapse formation and elimination, blood-brain barrier integrity, immune function, cerebral blood flow, and many more. In many neurological and psychiatric disorders, astrocyte functions are altered. Advancements in microscopic and transcriptomic tools revealed populations of astrocytes with varied morphology, electrophysiological properties, and transcriptomic profiles. Neuron-circuit-specific functions and neuron-specific interactions of astroglial subpopulations are found, which suggests that diversity is essential in carrying out diverse region-specific CNS functions. Investigations on heterogeneous astrocyte populations are revealing new astrocyte functions and their role in pathological conditions, opening a new therapeutic avenue for targeting neurological conditions. The true extent of astrocytic heterogeneity and its functional implications are yet to be fully explored. This review summarizes essential astrocytic functions and their relevance in pathological conditions and discusses astrocytic diversity in relation to morphology, function, and gene expression throughout the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vimal P Rupareliya
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Aditya A Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Ayub Mohammed Butt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Hariharan A
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Hemant Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India.
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11
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Lee HG, Lee JH, Flausino LE, Quintana FJ. Neuroinflammation: An astrocyte perspective. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadi7828. [PMID: 37939162 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi7828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are abundant glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) that play active roles in health and disease. Recent technologies have uncovered the functional heterogeneity of astrocytes and their extensive interactions with other cell types in the CNS. In this Review, we highlight the intricate interactions between astrocytes, other CNS-resident cells, and CNS-infiltrating cells as well as their potential therapeutic value in the context of inflammation and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Gyun Lee
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joon-Hyuk Lee
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lucas E Flausino
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Francisco J Quintana
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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12
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Barnett D, Bohmbach K, Grelot V, Charlet A, Dallérac G, Ju YH, Nagai J, Orr AG. Astrocytes as Drivers and Disruptors of Behavior: New Advances in Basic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targeting. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7463-7471. [PMID: 37940585 PMCID: PMC10634555 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1376-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are emerging as key regulators of cognitive function and behavior. This review highlights some of the latest advances in the understanding of astrocyte roles in different behavioral domains across lifespan and in disease. We address specific molecular and circuit mechanisms by which astrocytes modulate behavior, discuss their functional diversity and versatility, and highlight emerging astrocyte-targeted treatment strategies that might alleviate behavioral and cognitive dysfunction in pathologic conditions. Converging evidence across different model systems and manipulations is revealing that astrocytes regulate behavioral processes in a precise and context-dependent manner. Improved understanding of these astrocytic functions may generate new therapeutic strategies for various conditions with cognitive and behavioral impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Barnett
- Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021
| | - Kirsten Bohmbach
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Valentin Grelot
- Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, 67000, France
| | - Alexandre Charlet
- Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, 67000, France
| | - Glenn Dallérac
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and Paris-Saclay University, Paris-Saclay Institute for Neurosciences, Paris, 91400, France
| | - Yeon Ha Ju
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of Texas-Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Jun Nagai
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Laboratory for Glia-Neuron Circuit Dynamics, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Anna G Orr
- Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021
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13
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Yuan WQ, Huang WP, Jiang YC, Xu H, Duan CS, Chen NH, Liu YJ, Fu XM. The function of astrocytes and their role in neurological diseases. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:3932-3961. [PMID: 37831013 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16160] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes have countless links with neurons. Previously, astrocytes were only considered a scaffold of neurons; in fact, astrocytes perform a variety of functions, including providing support for neuronal structures and energy metabolism, offering isolation and protection and influencing the formation, function and elimination of synapses. Because of these functions, astrocytes play an critical role in central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The regulation of the secretiory factors, receptors, channels and pathways of astrocytes can effectively inhibit the occurrence and development of CNS diseases, such as neuromyelitis optica (NMO), multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease. The expression of aquaporin 4 in AS is directly related to NMO and indirectly involved in the clearance of Aβ and tau proteins in AD. Connexin 43 has a bidirectional effect on glutamate diffusion at different stages of stroke. Interestingly, astrocytes reduce the occurrence of PD through multiple effects such as secretion of related factors, mitochondrial autophagy and aquaporin 4. Therefore, this review is focused on the structure and function of astrocytes and the correlation between astrocytes and CNS diseases and drug treatment to explore the new functions of astrocytes with the astrocytes as the target. This, in turn, would provide a reference for the development of new drugs to protect neurons and promote the recovery of nerve function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Qin Yuan
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Wei-Peng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- College of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yang-Chao Jiang
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Hao Xu
- College of Economics and Management, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Chong-Shen Duan
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Nai-Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Jiao Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiao-Mei Fu
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
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14
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Sun Y, Li M, Geng J, Meng S, Tu R, Zhuang Y, Sun M, Rui M, Ou M, Xing G, Johnson TK, Xie W. Neuroligin 2 governs synaptic morphology and function through RACK1-cofilin signaling in Drosophila. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1056. [PMID: 37853189 PMCID: PMC10584876 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05428-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroligins are transmembrane cell adhesion proteins well-known for their genetic links to autism spectrum disorders. Neuroligins can function by regulating the actin cytoskeleton, however the factors and mechanisms involved are still largely unknown. Here, using the Drosophila neuromuscular junction as a model, we reveal that F-Actin assembly at the Drosophila NMJ is controlled through Cofilin signaling mediated by an interaction between DNlg2 and RACK1, factors not previously known to work together. The deletion of DNlg2 displays disrupted RACK1-Cofilin signaling pathway with diminished actin cytoskeleton proteo-stasis at the terminal of the NMJ, aberrant NMJ structure, reduced synaptic transmission, and abnormal locomotion at the third-instar larval stage. Overexpression of wildtype and activated Cofilin in muscles are sufficient to rescue the morphological and physiological defects in dnlg2 mutants, while inactivated Cofilin is not. Since the DNlg2 paralog DNlg1 is known to regulate F-actin assembly mainly via a specific interaction with WAVE complex, our present work suggests that the orchestration of F-actin by Neuroligins is a diverse and complex process critical for neural connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Moyi Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
| | - Junhua Geng
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Sibie Meng
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Renjun Tu
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yan Zhuang
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Mingkuan Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Menglong Rui
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Mengzhu Ou
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Guangling Xing
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Travis K Johnson
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, and La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Wei Xie
- School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
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15
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Ulloa Severino FP, Lawal OO, Sakers K, Wang S, Kim N, Friedman AD, Johnson SA, Sriworarat C, Hughes RH, Soderling SH, Kim IH, Yin HH, Eroglu C. Training-induced circuit-specific excitatory synaptogenesis in mice is required for effort control. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5522. [PMID: 37684234 PMCID: PMC10491649 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41078-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptogenesis is essential for circuit development; however, it is unknown whether it is critical for the establishment and performance of goal-directed voluntary behaviors. Here, we show that operant conditioning via lever-press for food reward training in mice induces excitatory synapse formation onto a subset of anterior cingulate cortex neurons projecting to the dorsomedial striatum (ACC→DMS). Training-induced synaptogenesis is controlled by the Gabapentin/Thrombospondin receptor α2δ-1, which is an essential neuronal protein for proper intracortical excitatory synaptogenesis. Using germline and conditional knockout mice, we found that deletion of α2δ-1 in the adult ACC→DMS circuit diminishes training-induced excitatory synaptogenesis. Surprisingly, this manipulation does not impact learning but results in a significant increase in effort exertion without affecting sensitivity to reward value or changing contingencies. Bidirectional optogenetic manipulation of ACC→DMS neurons rescues or phenocopies the behaviors of the α2δ-1 cKO mice, highlighting the importance of synaptogenesis within this cortico-striatal circuit in regulating effort exertion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Paolo Ulloa Severino
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Cajal Institute (CSIC), Madrid, 28001, Spain.
| | | | - Kristina Sakers
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Shiyi Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Namsoo Kim
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | | | - Sarah Anne Johnson
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | | | - Ryan H Hughes
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Scott H Soderling
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS), Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Il Hwan Kim
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health and Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38103, USA
| | - Henry H Yin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS), Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS), Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
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16
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Pereira MJ, Ayana R, Holt MG, Arckens L. Chemogenetic manipulation of astrocyte activity at the synapse- a gateway to manage brain disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1193130. [PMID: 37534103 PMCID: PMC10393042 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1193130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are the major glial cell type in the central nervous system (CNS). Initially regarded as supportive cells, it is now recognized that this highly heterogeneous cell population is an indispensable modulator of brain development and function. Astrocytes secrete neuroactive molecules that regulate synapse formation and maturation. They also express hundreds of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that, once activated by neurotransmitters, trigger intracellular signalling pathways that can trigger the release of gliotransmitters which, in turn, modulate synaptic transmission and neuroplasticity. Considering this, it is not surprising that astrocytic dysfunction, leading to synaptic impairment, is consistently described as a factor in brain diseases, whether they emerge early or late in life due to genetic or environmental factors. Here, we provide an overview of the literature showing that activation of genetically engineered GPCRs, known as Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs), to specifically modulate astrocyte activity partially mimics endogenous signalling pathways in astrocytes and improves neuronal function and behavior in normal animals and disease models. Therefore, we propose that expressing these genetically engineered GPCRs in astrocytes could be a promising strategy to explore (new) signalling pathways which can be used to manage brain disorders. The precise molecular, functional and behavioral effects of this type of manipulation, however, differ depending on the DREADD receptor used, targeted brain region and timing of the intervention, between healthy and disease conditions. This is likely a reflection of regional and disease/disease progression-associated astrocyte heterogeneity. Therefore, a thorough investigation of the effects of such astrocyte manipulation(s) must be conducted considering the specific cellular and molecular environment characteristic of each disease and disease stage before this has therapeutic applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Pereira
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rajagopal Ayana
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthew G. Holt
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Laboratory of Synapse Biology, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
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17
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Stogsdill JA, Harwell CC, Goldman SA. Astrocytes as master modulators of neural networks: Synaptic functions and disease-associated dysfunction of astrocytes. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1525:41-60. [PMID: 37219367 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cell type in the central nervous system and are essential to the development, plasticity, and maintenance of neural circuits. Astrocytes are heterogeneous, with their diversity rooted in developmental programs modulated by the local brain environment. Astrocytes play integral roles in regulating and coordinating neural activity extending far beyond their metabolic support of neurons and other brain cell phenotypes. Both gray and white matter astrocytes occupy critical functional niches capable of modulating brain physiology on time scales slower than synaptic activity but faster than those adaptive responses requiring a structural change or adaptive myelination. Given their many associations and functional roles, it is not surprising that astrocytic dysfunction has been causally implicated in a broad set of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we focus on recent discoveries concerning the contributions of astrocytes to the function of neural networks, with a dual focus on the contribution of astrocytes to synaptic development and maturation, and on their role in supporting myelin integrity, and hence conduction and its regulation. We then address the emerging roles of astrocytic dysfunction in disease pathogenesis and on potential strategies for targeting these cells for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Corey C Harwell
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Steven A Goldman
- Sana Biotechnology Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
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18
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Taketomi T, Tsuruta F. Mutations in Hevin/Sparcl1 and risk of autism spectrum disorder. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:1499-1500. [PMID: 36571352 PMCID: PMC10075111 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.361543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Taketomi
- Ph.D. Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Fuminori Tsuruta
- Ph.D. Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors; Master's and Doctoral Programs in Biology, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences; Ph.D. Program in Humanics, School of Integrative and Global Majors; Master's and Doctoral Program in Neuroscience, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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19
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Chen X, Wolfe DA, Bindu DS, Zhang M, Taskin N, Goertsen D, Shay TF, Sullivan EE, Huang SF, Ravindra Kumar S, Arokiaraj CM, Plattner VM, Campos LJ, Mich JK, Monet D, Ngo V, Ding X, Omstead V, Weed N, Bishaw Y, Gore BB, Lein ES, Akrami A, Miller C, Levi BP, Keller A, Ting JT, Fox AS, Eroglu C, Gradinaru V. Functional gene delivery to and across brain vasculature of systemic AAVs with endothelial-specific tropism in rodents and broad tropism in primates. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3345. [PMID: 37291094 PMCID: PMC10250345 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38582-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Delivering genes to and across the brain vasculature efficiently and specifically across species remains a critical challenge for addressing neurological diseases. We have evolved adeno-associated virus (AAV9) capsids into vectors that transduce brain endothelial cells specifically and efficiently following systemic administration in wild-type mice with diverse genetic backgrounds, and in rats. These AAVs also exhibit superior transduction of the CNS across non-human primates (marmosets and rhesus macaques), and in ex vivo human brain slices, although the endothelial tropism is not conserved across species. The capsid modifications translate from AAV9 to other serotypes such as AAV1 and AAV-DJ, enabling serotype switching for sequential AAV administration in mice. We demonstrate that the endothelial-specific mouse capsids can be used to genetically engineer the blood-brain barrier by transforming the mouse brain vasculature into a functional biofactory. We apply this approach to Hevin knockout mice, where AAV-X1-mediated ectopic expression of the synaptogenic protein Sparcl1/Hevin in brain endothelial cells rescued synaptic deficits.
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Grants
- DP1 DA048931 NIDA NIH HHS
- P51 OD011107 NIH HHS
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- UG3 MH120095 NIMH NIH HHS
- DP1 NS111369 NINDS NIH HHS
- OT2 OD024899 NIH HHS
- DP1 MH104069 NIMH NIH HHS
- UF1 MH128336 NIMH NIH HHS
- DP1 EB016986 NIBIB NIH HHS
- DP1 OD000616 NIH HHS
- DP2 NS087949 NINDS NIH HHS
- NIH Director’s New Innovator DP2NS087949 and PECASE, NIH BRAIN Armamentarium 1UF1MH128336-01, NIH Pioneer 5DP1NS111369-04 and SPARC 1OT2OD024899. Additional funding includes the Vallee Foundation, the Moore Foundation, the CZI Neurodegeneration Challenge Network, and the NSF NeuroNex Technology Hub grant 1707316, the Heritage Medical Research Institute and the Beckman Institute for CLARITY, Optogenetics and Vector Engineering Research (CLOVER) for technology development and dissemination, NIH BRAIN UG3MH120095.
- The Swiss National Science Foundation (310030_188952, A.K), the Synapsis (grant 2019-PI02, A.K.), the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society (A.K.).
- CNPRC base grant (NIH P51 OD011107)
- The CZI Neurodegeneration Challenge Network. C.E. is an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhong Chen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Damien A Wolfe
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | | | - Mengying Zhang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Naz Taskin
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David Goertsen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Timothy F Shay
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Erin E Sullivan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Sheng-Fu Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Zürich University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sripriya Ravindra Kumar
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Cynthia M Arokiaraj
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | | | - Lillian J Campos
- Department of Psychology and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - John K Mich
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Deja Monet
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Victoria Ngo
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Lab, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92039, USA
| | - Xiaozhe Ding
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | | | - Natalie Weed
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yeme Bishaw
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Bryan B Gore
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ed S Lein
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Athena Akrami
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Cory Miller
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Lab, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92039, USA
| | - Boaz P Levi
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Annika Keller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Zürich University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zürich and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan T Ting
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew S Fox
- Department of Psychology and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Viviana Gradinaru
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA.
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20
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Andrade-Talavera Y, Pérez-Rodríguez M, Prius-Mengual J, Rodríguez-Moreno A. Neuronal and astrocyte determinants of critical periods of plasticity. Trends Neurosci 2023:S0166-2236(23)00105-4. [PMID: 37202300 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.04.005] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Windows of plasticity allow environmental experiences to produce intense activity-dependent changes during postnatal development. The reordering and refinement of neural connections occurs during these periods, significantly influencing the formation of brain circuits and physiological processes in adults. Recent advances have shed light on factors that determine the onset and duration of sensitive and critical periods of plasticity. Although GABAergic inhibition has classically been implicated in closing windows of plasticity, astrocytes and adenosinergic inhibition have also emerged more recently as key determinants of the duration of these periods of plasticity. Here, we review novel aspects of the involvement of GABAergic inhibition, the possible role of presynaptic NMDARs, and the emerging roles of astrocytes and adenosinergic inhibition in determining the duration of windows of plasticity in different brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuniesky Andrade-Talavera
- Laboratory of Cellular Neuroscience and Plasticity, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, ES-41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Mikel Pérez-Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Cellular Neuroscience and Plasticity, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, ES-41013 Seville, Spain
| | - José Prius-Mengual
- Laboratory of Cellular Neuroscience and Plasticity, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, ES-41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Rodríguez-Moreno
- Laboratory of Cellular Neuroscience and Plasticity, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, ES-41013 Seville, Spain.
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21
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Nugent M, St Pierre M, Brown A, Nassar S, Parmar P, Kitase Y, Duck SA, Pinto C, Jantzie L, Fung C, Chavez-Valdez R. Sexual Dimorphism in the Closure of the Hippocampal Postnatal Critical Period of Synaptic Plasticity after Intrauterine Growth Restriction: Link to Oligodendrocyte and Glial Dysregulation. Dev Neurosci 2023; 45:234-254. [PMID: 37019088 DOI: 10.1159/000530451] [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: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) resulting from hypertensive disease of pregnancy (HDP) leads to sexually dimorphic hippocampal-dependent cognitive and memory impairment in humans. In our translationally relevant mouse model of IUGR incited by HDP, we have previously shown that the synaptic development in the dorsal hippocampus including GABAergic development, NPTX2+ excitatory synaptic formation, axonal myelination, and perineural net (PNN) formation were perturbed by IUGR at adolescent equivalence in humans (P40). The persistence of these disturbances through early adulthood and the potential upstream mechanisms are currently unknown. Thus, we hypothesized that NPTX2+ expression, PNN formation, axonal myelination, all events closing synaptic development in the hippocampus, will be persistently perturbed, particularly affecting IUGR female mice through P60 given the fact that they had worse short-term recognition memory in this model. We additionally hypothesized that such sexual dimorphism is linked to persistent glial dysregulation. We induced IUGR by a micro-osmotic pump infusion of a potent vasoconstrictor U-46619, a thromboxane A2-analog, in the last week of the C57BL/6 mouse gestation to precipitate HDP. Sham-operated mice were used as controls. At P60, we assessed hippocampal and hemispheric volumes, NPTX2 expression, PNN formation, as well as myelin basic protein (MBP), Olig2, APC/CC1, and M-NF expression. We also evaluated P60 astrocytic (GFAP) reactivity and microglial (Iba1 and TMEM119) activation using immunofluorescent-immunohistochemistry and Imaris morphological analysis plus cytokine profiling using Meso Scale Discovery platform. IUGR offspring continued to have smaller hippocampal volumes at P60 not related to changes in hemisphere volume. NPTX2+ puncta counts and volumes were decreased in IUGR hippocampal CA subregions of female mice compared to sex-matched shams. Intriguingly, NPTX2+ counts and volumes were concurrently increased in the dentate gyrus (DG) subregion. PNN volumes were smaller in CA1 and CA3 of IUGR female mice along with PNN intensity in CA3 but they had larger volumes in the CA3 of IUGR male mice. The myelinated axon (MBP+) areas, volumes, and lengths were all decreased in the CA1 of IUGR female mice compared to sex-matched shams, which correlated with a decrease in Olig2 nuclear expression. No decrease in the number of APC/CC1+ mature oligodendrocytes was identified. We noted an increase in M-NF expression in the mossy fibers connecting DG to CA3 only in IUGR female mice. Reactive astrocytes denoted by GFAP areas, volumes, lengths, and numbers of branching were increased in IUGR female CA1 but not in IUGR male CA3 compared to sex-matched shams. Lastly, activated microglia were only detected in IUGR female CA1 and CA3 subregions. We detected no difference in the cytokine profile between sham and IUGR adult mice of either sex. Collectively, our data support a sexually dimorphic impaired closure of postnatal critical period of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of young adult IUGR mice with greater effects on females. A potential mechanism supporting such dimorphism may include oligodendrocyte dysfunction in IUGR females limiting myelination, allowing axonal overgrowth followed by a reactive glial-mediated synaptic pruning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Nugent
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark St Pierre
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ashley Brown
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Salma Nassar
- Department of Neurosciences, Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Pritika Parmar
- Department of Neurosciences, Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuma Kitase
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sarah Ann Duck
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Charles Pinto
- Department of Human Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauren Jantzie
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Camille Fung
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Raul Chavez-Valdez
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Irala D, Wang S, Sakers K, Nagendren L, Ulloa-Severino FP, Bindu DS, Eroglu C. Astrocyte-Secreted Neurocan Controls Inhibitory Synapse Formation and Function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.03.535448. [PMID: 37066164 PMCID: PMC10104008 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.03.535448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes strongly promote the formation and maturation of synapses by secreted proteins. To date, several astrocyte-secreted synaptogenic proteins controlling different stages of excitatory synapse development have been identified. However, the identities of astrocytic signals that induce inhibitory synapse formation remain elusive. Here, through a combination of in vitro and in vivo experiments, we identified Neurocan as an astrocyte-secreted inhibitory synaptogenic protein. Neurocan is a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan that is best known as a protein localized to the perineuronal nets. However, Neurocan is cleaved into two after secretion from astrocytes. We found that the resulting N- and C-terminal fragments have distinct localizations in the extracellular matrix. While the N-terminal fragment remains associated with perineuronal nets, the Neurocan C-terminal fragment localizes to synapses and specifically controls cortical inhibitory synapse formation and function. Neurocan knockout mice lacking the whole protein or only its C-terminal synaptogenic region have reduced inhibitory synapse numbers and function. Through super-resolution microscopy and in vivo proximity labeling by secreted TurboID, we discovered that the synaptogenic domain of Neurocan localizes to somatostatin-positive inhibitory synapses and strongly regulates their formation. Together, our results unveil a mechanism through which astrocytes control circuit-specific inhibitory synapse development in the mammalian brain.
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Khaspekov LG, Frumkina LE. Molecular Mechanisms of Astrocyte Involvement in Synaptogenesis and Brain Synaptic Plasticity. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:502-514. [PMID: 37080936 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923040065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes perform a wide range of important functions in the brain. As structural and functional components of synapses, astrocytes secrete various factors (proteins, lipids, small molecules, etc.) that bind to neuronal receptor and contribute to synaptogenesis and regulation of synaptic contacts. Astrocytic factors play a key role in the formation of neural networks undergoing short- and long-term synaptic morphological and functional rearrangements essential in the memory formation and behavior. The review summarizes the data on the molecular mechanisms mediating the involvement of astrocyte-secreted factors in synaptogenesis in the brain and provides up-to-date information on the role of astrocytes and astrocytic synaptogenic factors in the long-term plastic rearrangements of synaptic contacts.
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24
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Verkhratsky A, Pivoriūnas A. Astroglia support, regulate and reinforce brain barriers. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 179:106054. [PMID: 36842485 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Nervous system is segregated from the body by the complex system of barriers. The CNS is protected by (i) the blood-brain and blood-spinal cord barrier between the intracerebral and intraspinal blood vessels and the brain parenchyma; (ii) the arachnoid blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier; (iii) the blood-cerebrospinal barrier of circumventricular organs made by tanycytes and (iv) the choroid plexus blood-CSF barrier formed by choroid ependymocytes. In the peripheral nervous system the nerve-blood barrier is secured by tight junctions between specialised glial cells known as perineural cells. In the CNS astroglia contribute to all barriers through the glia limitans, which represent the parenchymal portion of the barrier system. Astroglia through secretion of various paracrine factors regulate the permeability of endothelial vascular barrier; in pathology damage or asthenia of astrocytes may compromise brain barriers integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Verkhratsky
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, LT-01102 Vilnius, Lithuania; Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; Achucarro Centre for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011 Bilbao, Spain; Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Augustas Pivoriūnas
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, LT-01102 Vilnius, Lithuania.
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25
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McGinnis A, Ji RR. The Similar and Distinct Roles of Satellite Glial Cells and Spinal Astrocytes in Neuropathic Pain. Cells 2023; 12:965. [PMID: 36980304 PMCID: PMC10047571 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Preclinical studies have identified glial cells as pivotal players in the genesis and maintenance of neuropathic pain after nerve injury associated with diabetes, chemotherapy, major surgeries, and virus infections. Satellite glial cells (SGCs) in the dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) express similar molecular markers and are protective under physiological conditions. They also serve similar functions in the genesis and maintenance of neuropathic pain, downregulating some of their homeostatic functions and driving pro-inflammatory neuro-glial interactions in the PNS and CNS, i.e., "gliopathy". However, the role of SGCs in neuropathic pain is not simply as "peripheral astrocytes". We delineate how these peripheral and central glia participate in neuropathic pain by producing different mediators, engaging different parts of neurons, and becoming active at different stages following nerve injury. Finally, we highlight the recent findings that SGCs are enriched with proteins related to fatty acid metabolism and signaling such as Apo-E, FABP7, and LPAR1. Targeting SGCs and astrocytes may lead to novel therapeutics for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan McGinnis
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ru-Rong Ji
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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26
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Escoubas CC, Dorman LC, Nguyen PT, Lagares-Linares C, Nakajo H, Anderson SR, Cuevas B, Vainchtein ID, Silva NJ, Xiao Y, Lidsky PV, Wang EY, Taloma SE, Nakao-Inoue H, Schwer B, Andino R, Nowakowski TJ, Molofsky AV. Type I interferon responsive microglia shape cortical development and behavior. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2021.04.29.441889. [PMID: 35233577 PMCID: PMC8887080 DOI: 10.1101/2021.04.29.441889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Microglia are brain resident phagocytes that can engulf synaptic components and extracellular matrix as well as whole neurons. However, whether there are unique molecular mechanisms that regulate these distinct phagocytic states is unknown. Here we define a molecularly distinct microglial subset whose function is to engulf neurons in the developing brain. We transcriptomically identified a cluster of Type I interferon (IFN-I) responsive microglia that expanded 20-fold in the postnatal day 5 somatosensory cortex after partial whisker deprivation, a stressor that accelerates neural circuit remodeling. In situ, IFN-I responsive microglia were highly phagocytic and actively engulfed whole neurons. Conditional deletion of IFN-I signaling (Ifnar1fl/fl) in microglia but not neurons resulted in dysmorphic microglia with stalled phagocytosis and an accumulation of neurons with double strand DNA breaks, a marker of cell stress. Conversely, exogenous IFN-I was sufficient to drive neuronal engulfment by microglia and restrict the accumulation of damaged neurons. IFN-I deficient mice had excess excitatory neurons in the developing somatosensory cortex as well as tactile hypersensitivity to whisker stimulation. These data define a molecular mechanism through which microglia engulf neurons during a critical window of brain development. More broadly, they reveal key homeostatic roles of a canonical antiviral signaling pathway in brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline C. Escoubas
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Leah C. Dorman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Phi T. Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Christian Lagares-Linares
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Haruna Nakajo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Sarah R. Anderson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Beatriz Cuevas
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Ilia D. Vainchtein
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Nicholas J. Silva
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Yinghong Xiao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Peter V. Lidsky
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Ellen Y. Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- UCSF SRTP program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Sunrae E. Taloma
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Hiromi Nakao-Inoue
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Bjoern Schwer
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Raul Andino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Tomasz J. Nowakowski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA
| | - Anna V. Molofsky
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/ Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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27
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Ribeiro FM, Castelo-Branco M, Gonçalves J, Martins J. Visual Cortical Plasticity: Molecular Mechanisms as Revealed by Induction Paradigms in Rodents. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054701. [PMID: 36902131 PMCID: PMC10003432 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054701] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Assessing the molecular mechanism of synaptic plasticity in the cortex is vital for identifying potential targets in conditions marked by defective plasticity. In plasticity research, the visual cortex represents a target model for intense investigation, partly due to the availability of different in vivo plasticity-induction protocols. Here, we review two major protocols: ocular-dominance (OD) and cross-modal (CM) plasticity in rodents, highlighting the molecular signaling pathways involved. Each plasticity paradigm has also revealed the contribution of different populations of inhibitory and excitatory neurons at different time points. Since defective synaptic plasticity is common to various neurodevelopmental disorders, the potentially disrupted molecular and circuit alterations are discussed. Finally, new plasticity paradigms are presented, based on recent evidence. Stimulus-selective response potentiation (SRP) is one of the paradigms addressed. These options may provide answers to unsolved neurodevelopmental questions and offer tools to repair plasticity defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco M. Ribeiro
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Gonçalves
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - João Martins
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
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28
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Astrocytes regulate neuronal network activity by mediating synapse remodeling. Neurosci Res 2023; 187:3-13. [PMID: 36170922 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Based on experience during our life, neuronal connectivity continuously changes through structural remodeling of synapses. Recent studies have shown that the complex interaction between astrocytes and synapses regulates structural synapse remodeling by inducing the formation and elimination of synapses, as well as their functional maturation. Defects in this astrocyte-mediated synapse remodeling cause problems in not only neuronal network activities but also animal behaviors. Moreover, in various neurological disorders, astrocytes have been shown to play central roles in the initiation and progression of synaptic pathophysiology through impaired interactions with synapses. In this review, we will discuss recent studies identifying the novel roles of astrocytes in neuronal circuit remodeling, focusing on synapse formation and elimination. We will also discuss the potential implication of defective astrocytic function in evoking various brain disorders.
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29
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Nuñez-delMoral A, Bianchi PC, Brocos-Mosquera I, Anesio A, Palombo P, Camarini R, Cruz FC, Callado LF, Vialou V, Erdozain AM. The Matricellular Protein Hevin Is Involved in Alcohol Use Disorder. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13020234. [PMID: 36830603 PMCID: PMC9953008 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytic-secreted matricellular proteins have been shown to influence various aspects of synaptic function. More recently, they have been found altered in animal models of psychiatric disorders such as drug addiction. Hevin (also known as Sparc-like 1) is a matricellular protein highly expressed in the adult brain that has been implicated in resilience to stress, suggesting a role in motivated behaviors. To address the possible role of hevin in drug addiction, we quantified its expression in human postmortem brains and in animal models of alcohol abuse. Hevin mRNA and protein expression were analyzed in the postmortem human brain of subjects with an antemortem diagnosis of alcohol use disorder (AUD, n = 25) and controls (n = 25). All the studied brain regions (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, caudate nucleus and cerebellum) in AUD subjects showed an increase in hevin levels either at mRNA or/and protein levels. To test if this alteration was the result of alcohol exposure or indicative of a susceptibility factor to alcohol consumption, mice were exposed to different regimens of intraperitoneal alcohol administration. Hevin protein expression was increased in the nucleus accumbens after withdrawal followed by a ethanol challenge. The role of hevin in AUD was determined using an RNA interference strategy to downregulate hevin expression in nucleus accumbens astrocytes, which led to increased ethanol consumption. Additionally, ethanol challenge after withdrawal increased hevin levels in blood plasma. Altogether, these results support a novel role for hevin in the neurobiology of AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaia Nuñez-delMoral
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Paula C. Bianchi
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Iria Brocos-Mosquera
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Augusto Anesio
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Paola Palombo
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Department of Pharmacology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Fabio C. Cruz
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Luis F. Callado
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
- Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Vincent Vialou
- Institute of Biology Paris Seine, Neuroscience Paris Seine, CNRS UMR8246, INSERM U1130, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (V.V.); (A.M.E.); Tel.: +33-1-44-27-60-98 (V.V.); +34-601-28-48 (A.M.E.)
| | - Amaia M. Erdozain
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
- Correspondence: (V.V.); (A.M.E.); Tel.: +33-1-44-27-60-98 (V.V.); +34-601-28-48 (A.M.E.)
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30
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Schwarz K, Schmitz F. Synapse Dysfunctions in Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021639. [PMID: 36675155 PMCID: PMC9862173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting nearly three million humans worldwide. In MS, cells of an auto-reactive immune system invade the brain and cause neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation triggers a complex, multi-faceted harmful process not only in the white matter but also in the grey matter of the brain. In the grey matter, neuroinflammation causes synapse dysfunctions. Synapse dysfunctions in MS occur early and independent from white matter demyelination and are likely correlates of cognitive and mental symptoms in MS. Disturbed synapse/glia interactions and elevated neuroinflammatory signals play a central role. Glutamatergic excitotoxic synapse damage emerges as a major mechanism. We review synapse/glia communication under normal conditions and summarize how this communication becomes malfunctional during neuroinflammation in MS. We discuss mechanisms of how disturbed glia/synapse communication can lead to synapse dysfunctions, signaling dysbalance, and neurodegeneration in MS.
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31
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Chen X, Wolfe DA, Bindu DS, Zhang M, Taskin N, Goertsen D, Shay TF, Sullivan E, Huang SF, Kumar SR, Arokiaraj CM, Plattner V, Campos LJ, Mich J, Monet D, Ngo V, Ding X, Omstead V, Weed N, Bishaw Y, Gore B, Lein ES, Akrami A, Miller C, Levi BP, Keller A, Ting JT, Fox AS, Eroglu C, Gradinaru V. Functional gene delivery to and across brain vasculature of systemic AAVs with endothelial-specific tropism in rodents and broad tropism in primates. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.12.523844. [PMID: 36711773 PMCID: PMC9882234 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.12.523844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Delivering genes to and across the brain vasculature efficiently and specifically across species remains a critical challenge for addressing neurological diseases. We have evolved adeno-associated virus (AAV9) capsids into vectors that transduce brain endothelial cells specifically and efficiently following systemic administration in wild-type mice with diverse genetic backgrounds and rats. These AAVs also exhibit superior transduction of the CNS across non-human primates (marmosets and rhesus macaques), and ex vivo human brain slices although the endothelial tropism is not conserved across species. The capsid modifications translate from AAV9 to other serotypes such as AAV1 and AAV-DJ, enabling serotype switching for sequential AAV administration in mice. We demonstrate that the endothelial specific mouse capsids can be used to genetically engineer the blood-brain barrier by transforming the mouse brain vasculature into a functional biofactory. Vasculature-secreted Hevin (a synaptogenic protein) rescued synaptic deficits in a mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhong Chen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Damien A. Wolfe
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | | | - Mengying Zhang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Naz Taskin
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David Goertsen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Timothy F. Shay
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Erin Sullivan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Sheng-Fu Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sripriya Ravindra Kumar
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Cynthia M. Arokiaraj
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Viktor Plattner
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Lillian J. Campos
- Department of Psychology and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - John Mich
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Deja Monet
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Victoria Ngo
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Lab, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92039, USA
| | - Xiaozhe Ding
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | | | - Natalie Weed
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yeme Bishaw
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Bryan Gore
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ed S Lein
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Athena Akrami
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Cory Miller
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Lab, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92039, USA
| | - Boaz P. Levi
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Annika Keller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan T. Ting
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew S. Fox
- Department of Psychology and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Viviana Gradinaru
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
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Extracellular matrix and synapse formation. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:232259. [PMID: 36503961 PMCID: PMC9829651 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20212411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex molecular network distributed throughout the extracellular space of different tissues as well as the neuronal system. Previous studies have identified various ECM components that play important roles in neuronal maturation and signal transduction. ECM components are reported to be involved in neurogenesis, neuronal migration, and axonal growth by interacting or binding to specific receptors. In addition, the ECM is found to regulate synapse formation, the stability of the synaptic structure, and synaptic plasticity. Here, we mainly reviewed the effects of various ECM components on synapse formation and briefly described the related diseases caused by the abnormality of several ECM components.
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Rasia-Filho AA, Calcagnotto ME, von Bohlen Und Halbach O. Glial Cell Modulation of Dendritic Spine Structure and Synaptic Function. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 34:255-310. [PMID: 37962798 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-36159-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Glia comprise a heterogeneous group of cells involved in the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system. Glial cells are found from invertebrates to humans with morphological specializations related to the neural circuits in which they are embedded. Glial cells modulate neuronal functions, brain wiring and myelination, and information processing. For example, astrocytes send processes to the synaptic cleft, actively participate in the metabolism of neurotransmitters, and release gliotransmitters, whose multiple effects depend on the targeting cells. Human astrocytes are larger and more complex than their mice and rats counterparts. Astrocytes and microglia participate in the development and plasticity of neural circuits by modulating dendritic spines. Spines enhance neuronal connectivity, integrate most postsynaptic excitatory potentials, and balance the strength of each input. Not all central synapses are engulfed by astrocytic processes. When that relationship occurs, a different pattern for thin and large spines reflects an activity-dependent remodeling of motile astrocytic processes around presynaptic and postsynaptic elements. Microglia are equally relevant for synaptic processing, and both glial cells modulate the switch of neuroendocrine secretion and behavioral display needed for reproduction. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the structure, function, and plasticity of glial cells and relate them to synaptic maturation and modulation, also involving neurotrophic factors. Together, neurons and glia coordinate synaptic transmission in both normal and abnormal conditions. Neglected over decades, this exciting research field can unravel the complexity of species-specific neural cytoarchitecture as well as the dynamic region-specific functional interactions between diverse neurons and glial subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto A Rasia-Filho
- Department of Basic Sciences/Physiology and Graduate Program in Biosciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Elisa Calcagnotto
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Uchigashima M, Hayashi Y, Futai K. Regulation of Presynaptic Release Machinery by Cell Adhesion Molecules. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 33:333-356. [PMID: 37615873 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-34229-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The synapse is a highly specialized asymmetric structure that transmits and stores information in the brain. The size of pre- and postsynaptic structures and function is well coordinated at the individual synapse level. For example, large postsynaptic dendritic spines have a larger postsynaptic density with higher α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) number on their surface, while juxtaposing presynaptic terminals have a larger active zone and higher release probability. This indicates that pre- and postsynaptic domains bidirectionally communicate to coordinate assembly of specific molecules on both sides of the synaptic cleft. Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that localize at synapses form transsynaptic protein interactions across the synaptic cleft and play important roles in synapse formation and regulation. The extracellular domain of CAMs is essential for specific synapse formation and function. In contrast, the intracellular domain is necessary for binding with synaptic molecules and signal transduction. Therefore, CAMs play an essential role on synapse function and structure. In fact, ample evidence indicates that transsynaptic CAMs instruct and modulate functions at presynaptic sites. This chapter focuses on transsynaptic protein interactions that regulate presynaptic functions emphasizing the role of neuronal CAMs and the intracellular mechanism of their regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motokazu Uchigashima
- Department of Cellular Neuropathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yasunori Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kensuke Futai
- Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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Vakilzadeh G, Martinez-Cerdeño V. Pathology and Astrocytes in Autism. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:841-850. [PMID: 37077706 PMCID: PMC10106330 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s390053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
A distinct pathology for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains elusive. Human and animal studies have focused on investigating the role of neurons in ASD. However, recent studies have hinted that glial cell pathology could be a characteristic of ASD. Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cell in the brain and play an important role in neuronal function, both during development and in adult. They regulate neuronal migration, dendritic and spine development, and control the concentration of neurotransmitters at the synaptic cleft. They are also responsible for synaptogenesis, synaptic development, and synaptic function. Therefore, any change in astrocyte number and/or function could contribute to the impairment of connectivity that has been reported in ASD. Data available to date is scarce but indicates that while the number of astrocytes is reduced, their state of activation and their GFAP expression is increased in ASD. Disruption of astrocyte function in ASD may affect proper neurotransmitter metabolism, synaptogenesis, and the state of brain inflammation. Astrocytes alterations are common to ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Future studies about the role of astrocytes in ASD are required to better understand this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gelareh Vakilzadeh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Sacramento, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Correspondence: Veronica Martinez-Cerdeño, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA, Tel +916 453-2163, Email
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Chen G, Xu J, Luo H, Luo X, Singh SK, Ramirez JJ, James ML, Mathew JP, Berger M, Eroglu C, Ji RR. Hevin/Sparcl1 drives pathological pain through spinal cord astrocyte and NMDA receptor signaling. JCI Insight 2022; 7:161028. [PMID: 36256481 PMCID: PMC9746899 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.161028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
High endothelial venule protein/SPARC-like 1 (hevin/Sparcl1) is an astrocyte-secreted protein that regulates synapse formation in the brain. Here we show that astrocytic hevin signaling plays a critical role in maintaining chronic pain. Compared with WT mice, hevin-null mice exhibited normal mechanical and heat sensitivity but reduced inflammatory pain. Interestingly, hevin-null mice have faster recovery than WT mice from neuropathic pain after nerve injury. Intrathecal injection of WT hevin was sufficient to induce persistent mechanical allodynia in naive mice. In hevin-null mice with nerve injury, adeno-associated-virus-mediated (AAV-mediated) re-expression of hevin in glial fibrillary acidic protein-expressing (GFAP-expressing) spinal cord astrocytes could reinstate neuropathic pain. Mechanistically, hevin is crucial for spinal cord NMDA receptor (NMDAR) signaling. Hevin-potentiated N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) currents are mediated by GluN2B-containing NMDARs. Furthermore, intrathecal injection of a neutralizing Ab against hevin alleviated acute and persistent inflammatory pain, postoperative pain, and neuropathic pain. Secreted hevin that was detected in mouse cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and nerve injury significantly increased CSF hevin abundance. Finally, neurosurgery caused rapid and substantial increases in SPARCL1/HEVIN levels in human CSF. Collectively, our findings support a critical role of hevin and astrocytes in the maintenance of chronic pain. Neutralizing of secreted hevin with monoclonal Ab may provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating acute and chronic pain and NMDAR-medicated neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Chen
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, and
| | - Jing Xu
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, and
| | - Hao Luo
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, and
| | - Xin Luo
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, and
| | - Sandeep K. Singh
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Juan J. Ramirez
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Neurobiology
| | | | | | | | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Neurobiology,,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS), Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ru-Rong Ji
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, and,Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Neurobiology,,Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS), Durham, North Carolina, USA
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He K, Li C, Yuan H, Jiang K, Deng G. Immunological role and prognostic value of SPARCL1 in pan-cancer analysis. Pathol Oncol Res 2022; 28:1610687. [PMID: 36483097 PMCID: PMC9722748 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2022.1610687] [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: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background: Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine-like 1 (SPARCL1) was a kind of extracellular matrix glycoprotein. SPARCL1 was strongly inhibited in most cancers. However, the potential functions of SPARCL1 in the pan-cancer cohort have not been widely studied. Methods: We evaluated the transcriptional level and the prognostic value of SPARCL1 in 33 types of cancer and revealed the relationship between genetic alterations of SPARCL1 and the tumor mutation burden. Meanwhile, we assessed the correlations between SPARCL1 and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes across cancers. Results: The transcriptional level of SPARCL1 was inhibited in most cancers. Although SPARCL1 was down-regulated in most cancers, SPARCL1 might play a protective or detrimental role in different cancers. We demonstrated that mutation count was elevated in the altered SPARCL1 group in several cancers. Additionally, we found a significant positive correlation between SPARCL1 and macrophage infiltration levels in most cancers. Especially, marker sets of M2 macrophages were strongly related to SPARCL1 in cholangiocarcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, rectum adenocarcinoma, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: Our study found that SPARCL1 might work as a biomarker for prognosis and immune infiltration in pan-cancer analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangwei He
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China,Department of Urology Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Changjiu Li
- Department of Urology Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Yuan
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China,Department of Urology Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kang Jiang
- Department of Urology Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gang Deng
- Department of Urology Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Gang Deng,
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Yang C, Zhang J, Zhao Q, Zhang J, Zhou J, Wang L. Trends of Tourette Syndrome in children from 2011 to 2021: A bibliometric analysis. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:991805. [DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.991805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveAnalyze the research status of Tourette Syndrome (TS) in children by CiteSpace and determine the current research hotspots and frontiers.Materials and methodsWe chose publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database for studies related to TS in children from 2011 to 2021. We built online cooperation maps of countries/regions, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords by CiteSpace, and identified hotspots and frontiers of study for children’s TS.ResultsA total of 1,232 publications about TS in children were downloaded from the WoSCC. The USA (414) was the country with the highest rate of production, and University College London (87) was the institution that had the highest publication rate. Andrea Eugenio Cavanna was the most prolific author (39 papers). There was inactive cooperation between institutions, countries/regions, and authors. The Journal of European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry was the most active journal. Hot topics focused on epidemiology, comorbidities, deep brain stimulation, behavioral therapy, basal ganglia, pharmacological treatment, and risk factors of TS in children.ConclusionAccording to the CiteSpace results, this study found that authors, countries/regions, and institutions were not actively working together. Current research hotspots mainly consist of epidemiology, comorbidities, deep brain stimulation, behavior therapy, and basal ganglia. The main research trends include comorbidities, pharmacological treatment, and risk factors. Therefore, international cooperation should be strengthened in the future, and it should be mindful of the psychiatric comorbidities of TS, the choice of intervention measures, and early warning of risk factors.
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Zhang NN, Zhang Y, Wang ZZ, Chen NH. Connexin 43: insights into candidate pathological mechanisms of depression and its implications in antidepressant therapy. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:2448-2461. [PMID: 35145238 PMCID: PMC9525669 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-00861-2] [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: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD), a chronic and recurrent disease characterized by anhedonia, pessimism or even suicidal thought, remains a major chronic mental concern worldwide. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the most abundant connexin expressed in astrocytes and forms the gap junction channels (GJCs) between astrocytes, the most abundant and functional glial cells in the brain. Astrocytes regulate neurons' synaptic strength and function by expressing receptors and regulating various neurotransmitters. Astrocyte dysfunction causes synaptic abnormalities, which are related to various mood disorders, e.g., depression. Increasing evidence suggests a crucial role of Cx43 in the pathogenesis of depression. Depression down-regulates Cx43 expression in humans and rats, and dysfunction of Cx43 also induces depressive behaviors in rats and mice. Recently Cx43 has received considerable critical attention and is highly implicated in the onset of depression. However, the pathological mechanisms of depression-like behavior associated with Cx43 still remain ambiguous. In this review we summarize the recent progress regarding the underlying mechanisms of Cx43 in the etiology of depression-like behaviors including gliotransmission, metabolic disorders, and neuroinflammation. We also discuss the effects of antidepressants (monoamine antidepressants and ketamine) on Cx43. The clarity of the candidate pathological mechanisms of depression-like behaviors associated with Cx43 and its potential pharmacological roles for antidepressants will benefit the exploration of a novel antidepressant target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning-Ning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Nai-Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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Solivan-Rivera J, Yang Loureiro Z, DeSouza T, Desai A, Pallat S, Yang Q, Rojas-Rodriguez R, Ziegler R, Skritakis P, Joyce S, Zhong D, Nguyen T, Corvera S. A neurogenic signature involving monoamine Oxidase-A controls human thermogenic adipose tissue development. eLife 2022; 11:e78945. [PMID: 36107478 PMCID: PMC9519151 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms that control 'beige/brite' thermogenic adipose tissue development may be harnessed to improve human metabolic health. To define these mechanisms, we developed a species-hybrid model in which human mesenchymal progenitor cells were used to develop white or thermogenic/beige adipose tissue in mice. The hybrid adipose tissue developed distinctive features of human adipose tissue, such as larger adipocyte size, despite its neurovascular architecture being entirely of murine origin. Thermogenic adipose tissue recruited a denser, qualitatively distinct vascular network, differing in genes mapping to circadian rhythm pathways, and denser sympathetic innervation. The enhanced thermogenic neurovascular network was associated with human adipocyte expression of THBS4, TNC, NTRK3, and SPARCL1, which enhance neurogenesis, and decreased expression of MAOA and ACHE, which control neurotransmitter tone. Systemic inhibition of MAOA, which is present in human but absent in mouse adipocytes, induced browning of human but not mouse adipose tissue, revealing the physiological relevance of this pathway. Our results reveal species-specific cell type dependencies controlling the development of thermogenic adipose tissue and point to human adipocyte MAOA as a potential target for metabolic disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Solivan-Rivera
- Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Zinger Yang Loureiro
- Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Tiffany DeSouza
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Anand Desai
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Sabine Pallat
- Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Qin Yang
- Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Raziel Rojas-Rodriguez
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Rachel Ziegler
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Pantos Skritakis
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Shannon Joyce
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Denise Zhong
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Tammy Nguyen
- Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Medical CenterWorcesterUnited States
| | - Silvia Corvera
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Medical CenterWorcesterUnited States
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Liu X, Hua F, Yang D, Lin Y, Zhang L, Ying J, Sheng H, Wang X. Roles of neuroligins in central nervous system development: focus on glial neuroligins and neuron neuroligins. Lab Invest 2022; 20:418. [PMID: 36088343 PMCID: PMC9463862 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03625-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Neuroligins are postsynaptic cell adhesion molecules that are relevant to many neurodevelopmental disorders. They are differentially enriched at the postsynapse and interact with their presynaptic ligands, neurexins, whose differential binding to neuroligins has been shown to regulate synaptogenesis, transmission, and other synaptic properties. The proper functioning of functional networks in the brain depends on the proper connection between neuronal synapses. Impaired synaptogenesis or synaptic transmission results in synaptic dysfunction, and these synaptic pathologies are the basis for many neurodevelopmental disorders. Deletions or mutations in the neuroligins genes have been found in patients with both autism and schizophrenia. It is because of the important role of neuroligins in synaptic connectivity and synaptic dysfunction that studies on neuroligins in the past have mainly focused on their expression in neurons. As studies on the expression of genes specific to various cells of the central nervous system deepened, neuroligins were found to be expressed in non-neuronal cells as well. In the central nervous system, glial cells are the most representative non-neuronal cells, which can also express neuroligins in large amounts, especially astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and they are involved in the regulation of synaptic function, as are neuronal neuroligins. This review examines the mechanisms of neuron neuroligins and non-neuronal neuroligins in the central nervous system and also discusses the important role of neuroligins in the development of the central nervous system and neurodevelopmental disorders from the perspective of neuronal neuroligins and glial neuroligins.
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李 莉, 张 倩, 刘 欢, 吴 琼, 杨 亭, 陈 洁, 李 廷. Involvement of retinoic acid receptor α in the autistic-like behavior of rats with vitamin A deficiency by regulating neurexin 1 in the visual cortex: a mechanism study. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2022; 24:928-935. [PMID: 36036133 PMCID: PMC9425865 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2204016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To study the mechanism of retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) signal change to regulate neurexin 1 (NRXN1) in the visual cortex and participate in the autistic-like behavior in rats with vitamin A deficiency (VAD). METHODS The models of vitamin A normal (VAN) and VAD pregnant rats were established, and some VAD maternal and offspring rats were given vitamin A supplement (VAS) in the early postnatal period. Behavioral tests were performed on 20 offspring rats in each group at the age of 6 weeks. The three-chamber test and the open-field test were used to observe social behavior and repetitive stereotyped behavior. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to measure the serum level of retinol in the offspring rats in each group. Electrophysiological experiments were used to measure the long-term potentiation (LTP) level of the visual cortex in the offspring rats. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the expression levels of RARα, NRXN1, and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 (NMDAR1). Chromatin co-immunoprecipitation was used to measure the enrichment of RARα transcription factor in the promoter region of the NRXN1 gene. RESULTS The offspring rats in the VAD group had autistic-like behaviors such as impaired social interactions and repetitive stereotypical behaviors, and VAS started immediately after birth improved most of the behavioral deficits in offspring rats. The offspring rats in the VAD group had a significantly lower serum level of retinol than those in the VAN and VAS groups (P<0.05). Compared with the offspring rats in the VAN and VAS groups, the offspring rats in the VAD group had significant reductions in the mRNA and protein expression levels of NMDAR1, RARα, and NRXN1 and the LTP level of the visual cortex (P<0.05). The offspring rats in the VAD group had a significant reduction in the enrichment of RARα transcription factor in the promoter region of the NRXN1 gene in the visual cortex compared with those in the VAN and VAS groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS RARα affects the synaptic plasticity of the visual cortex in VAD rats by regulating NRXN1, thereby participating in the formation of autistic-like behaviors in VAD rats.
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Block CL, Eroglu O, Mague SD, Smith CJ, Ceasrine AM, Sriworarat C, Blount C, Beben KA, Malacon KE, Ndubuizu N, Talbot A, Gallagher NM, Chan Jo Y, Nyangacha T, Carlson DE, Dzirasa K, Eroglu C, Bilbo SD. Prenatal environmental stressors impair postnatal microglia function and adult behavior in males. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111161. [PMID: 35926455 PMCID: PMC9438555 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational exposure to environmental toxins and socioeconomic stressors is epidemiologically linked to neurodevelopmental disorders with strong male bias, such as autism. We model these prenatal risk factors in mice by co-exposing pregnant dams to an environmental pollutant and limited-resource stress, which robustly activates the maternal immune system. Only male offspring display long-lasting behavioral abnormalities and alterations in the activity of brain networks encoding social interactions. Cellularly, prenatal stressors diminish microglial function within the anterior cingulate cortex, a central node of the social coding network, in males during early postnatal development. Precise inhibition of microglial phagocytosis within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of wild-type (WT) mice during the same critical period mimics the impact of prenatal stressors on a male-specific behavior, indicating that environmental stressors alter neural circuit formation in males via impairing microglia function during development. Block et al. show that combined exposure to air pollution and maternal stress during pregnancy activates the maternal immune system and induces male-specific impairments in social behavior and circuit connectivity in offspring. Cellularly, prenatal stressors diminish microglia phagocytic function, and inhibition of microglia phagocytosis phenocopies behavioral deficits from prenatal stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina L Block
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Oznur Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Stephen D Mague
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Caroline J Smith
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Alexis M Ceasrine
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Cameron Blount
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kathleen A Beben
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Karen E Malacon
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Nkemdilim Ndubuizu
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Austin Talbot
- Department of Statistical Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Neil M Gallagher
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Young Chan Jo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Timothy Nyangacha
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - David E Carlson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kafui Dzirasa
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Staci D Bilbo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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44
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A distinct astrocyte subtype in the aging mouse brain characterized by impaired protein homeostasis. NATURE AGING 2022; 2:726-741. [PMID: 37118130 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-022-00257-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The aging brain exhibits a region-specific reduction in synapse number and plasticity. Although astrocytes play central roles in regulating synapses, it is unclear how changes in astrocytes contribute to age-dependent cognitive decline and vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we identified a unique astrocyte subtype that exhibits dysregulated autophagy and morphology in aging hippocampus. In these autophagy-dysregulated astrocytes (APDAs), autophagosomes abnormally accumulate in swollen processes, impairing protein trafficking and secretion. We found that reduced mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and proteasome activities with lysosomal dysfunction generate APDAs in an age-dependent manner. Secretion of synaptogenic molecules and astrocytic synapse elimination were significantly impaired in APDAs, suggesting that APDAs have lost their ability to control synapse number and homeostasis. Indeed, excitatory synapses and dendritic spines associated with APDAs were significantly reduced. Finally, we found that mouse brains with Alzheimer's disease showed a significantly accelerated increase in APDAs, suggesting potential roles for APDAs in age- and Alzheimer's disease-related cognitive decline and synaptic pathology.
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Autism-associated mutation in Hevin/Sparcl1 induces endoplasmic reticulum stress through structural instability. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11891. [PMID: 35831437 PMCID: PMC9279342 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15784-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hevin is a secreted extracellular matrix protein that is encoded by the SPARCL1 gene. Recent studies have shown that Hevin plays an important role in regulating synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Mutations in the SPARCL1 gene increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the molecular basis of how mutations in SPARCL1 increase the risk of ASD is not been fully understood. In this study, we show that one of the SPARCL1 mutations associated with ASD impairs normal Hevin secretion. We identified Hevin mutants lacking the EF-hand motif through analyzing ASD-related mice with vulnerable spliceosome functions. Hevin deletion mutants accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), leading to the activation of unfolded protein responses. We also found that a single amino acid substitution of Trp647 with Arg in the EF-hand motif associated with a familial case of ASD causes a similar phenotype in the EF-hand deletion mutant. Importantly, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation revealed that this single amino acid substitution triggers exposure of a hydrophobic amino acid to the surface, increasing the binding of Hevin with molecular chaperons, BIP. Taken together, these data suggest that the integrity of the EF-hand motif in Hevin is crucial for proper folding and that ASD-related mutations impair the export of Hevin from the ER. Our data provide a novel mechanism linking a point mutation in the SPARCL1 gene to the molecular and cellular characteristics involved in ASD.
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46
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Li H, Guo R, Guan Y, Li J, Wang Y. Modulation of Trans-Synaptic Neurexin-Neuroligin Interaction in Pathological Pain. Cells 2022; 11:cells11121940. [PMID: 35741069 PMCID: PMC9222181 DOI: 10.3390/cells11121940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapses serve as the interface for the transmission of information between neurons in the central nervous system. The structural and functional characteristics of synapses are highly dynamic, exhibiting extensive plasticity that is shaped by neural activity and regulated primarily by trans-synaptic cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs). Prototypical trans-synaptic CAMs, such as neurexins (Nrxs) and neuroligins (Nlgs), directly regulate the assembly of presynaptic and postsynaptic molecules, including synaptic vesicles, active zone proteins, and receptors. Therefore, the trans-synaptic adhesion mechanisms mediated by Nrx-Nlg interaction can contribute to a range of synaptopathies in the context of pathological pain and other neurological disorders. The present review provides an overview of the current understanding of the roles of Nrx-Nlg interaction in the regulation of trans-synaptic connections, with a specific focus on Nrx and Nlg structures, the dynamic shaping of synaptic function, and the dysregulation of Nrx-Nlg in pathological pain. Additionally, we discuss a range of proteins capable of modulating Nrx-Nlg interactions at the synaptic cleft, with the objective of providing a foundation to guide the future development of novel therapeutic agents for managing pathological pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huili Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China;
| | - Ruijuan Guo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100030, China;
| | - Yun Guan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Junfa Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China;
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-10-85231463
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Lawal O, Ulloa Severino FP, Eroglu C. The role of astrocyte structural plasticity in regulating neural circuit function and behavior. Glia 2022; 70:1467-1483. [PMID: 35535566 PMCID: PMC9233050 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Brain circuits undergo substantial structural changes during development, driven by the formation, stabilization, and elimination of synapses. Synaptic connections continue to undergo experience‐dependent structural rearrangements throughout life, which are postulated to underlie learning and memory. Astrocytes, a major glial cell type in the brain, are physically in contact with synaptic circuits through their structural ensheathment of synapses. Astrocytes strongly contribute to the remodeling of synaptic structures in healthy and diseased central nervous systems by regulating synaptic connectivity and behaviors. However, whether structural plasticity of astrocytes is involved in their critical functions at the synapse is unknown. This review will discuss the emerging evidence linking astrocytic structural plasticity to synaptic circuit remodeling and regulation of behaviors. Moreover, we will survey possible molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating the structural plasticity of astrocytes and their non‐cell‐autonomous effects on neuronal plasticity. Finally, we will discuss how astrocyte morphological changes in different physiological states and disease conditions contribute to neuronal circuit function and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwadamilola Lawal
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Francesco Paolo Ulloa Severino
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Psychology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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48
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Somaiya RD, Huebschman NA, Chaunsali L, Sabbagh U, Carrillo GL, Tewari BP, Fox MA. Development of astrocyte morphology and function in mouse visual thalamus. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:945-962. [PMID: 34636034 PMCID: PMC8957486 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The rodent visual thalamus has served as a powerful model to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie sensory circuit formation and function. Despite significant advances in our understanding of the role of axon-target interactions and neural activity in orchestrating circuit formation in visual thalamus, the role of non-neuronal cells, such as astrocytes, is less clear. In fact, we know little about the transcriptional identity and development of astrocytes in mouse visual thalamus. To address this gap in knowledge, we studied the expression of canonical astrocyte molecules in visual thalamus using immunostaining, in situ hybridization, and reporter lines. While our data suggests some level of heterogeneity of astrocytes in different nuclei of the visual thalamus, the majority of thalamic astrocytes appeared to be labeled in Aldh1l1-EGFP mice. This led us to use this transgenic line to characterize the neonatal and postnatal development of these cells in visual thalamus. Our data show that not only have the entire cohort of astrocytes migrated into visual thalamus by eye-opening but they also have acquired their adult-like morphology, even while retinogeniculate synapses are still maturing. Furthermore, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and functional approaches revealed that by eye-opening, thalamic astrocytes ensheathe retinogeniculate synapses and are capable of efficient uptake of glutamate. Taken together, our results reveal that the morphological, anatomical, and functional development of astrocytes in visual thalamus occurs prior to eye-opening and the emergence of experience-dependent visual activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachana D. Somaiya
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24016
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA 24016
| | - Natalie A. Huebschman
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA 24016
- Neuroscience Department, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH 43015
| | - Lata Chaunsali
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA 24016
- School of Neuroscience Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - Ubadah Sabbagh
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24016
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA 24016
| | - Gabriela L. Carrillo
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24016
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA 24016
| | - Bhanu P. Tewari
- Neuroscience Department, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Michael A. Fox
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA 24016
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016
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Gibel-Russo R, Benacom D, Di Nardo AA. Non-Cell-Autonomous Factors Implicated in Parvalbumin Interneuron Maturation and Critical Periods. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:875873. [PMID: 35601531 PMCID: PMC9115720 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.875873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
From birth to adolescence, the brain adapts to its environmental stimuli through structural and functional remodeling of neural circuits during critical periods of heightened plasticity. They occur across modalities for proper sensory, motor, linguistic, and cognitive development. If they are disrupted by early-life adverse experiences or genetic deficiencies, lasting consequences include behavioral changes, physiological and cognitive deficits, or psychiatric illness. Critical period timing is orchestrated not only by appropriate neural activity but also by a multitude of signals that participate in the maturation of fast-spiking parvalbumin interneurons and the consolidation of neural circuits. In this review, we describe the various signaling factors that initiate critical period onset, such as BDNF, SPARCL1, or OTX2, which originate either from local neurons or glial cells or from extracortical sources such as the choroid plexus. Critical period closure is established by signals that modulate extracellular matrix and myelination, while timing and plasticity can also be influenced by circadian rhythms and by hormones and corticosteroids that affect brain oxidative stress levels or immune response. Molecular outcomes include lasting epigenetic changes which themselves can be considered signals that shape downstream cross-modal critical periods. Comprehensive knowledge of how these signals and signaling factors interplay to influence neural mechanisms will help provide an inclusive perspective on the effects of early adversity and developmental defects that permanently change perception and behavior.
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50
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Cossart R, Garel S. Step by step: cells with multiple functions in cortical circuit assembly. Nat Rev Neurosci 2022; 23:395-410. [DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00585-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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