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Jiang LX, Huang GD, Tian YL, Cong RX, Meng X, Wang HL, Zhang C, Yu X. Diminished activation of excitatory neurons in the prelimbic cortex leads to impaired working memory capacity in mice. BMC Biol 2023; 21:171. [PMID: 37568146 PMCID: PMC10416384 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01674-3] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Working memory capacity impairment is an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Clarifying how working memory capacity is affected will help us better understand the pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease. We used the olfactory working memory capacity paradigm to evaluate memory capacity in 3-month-old 5XFAD (an animal model of Alzheimer's disease) mice. Immunofluorescence staining of the prefrontal cortex was performed to detect the number of FOS-positive neurons, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-positive neurons, and glutamate decarboxylase-positive neurons in the prelimbic cortex and infralimbic cortex. A chemogenetic method was then used to modulate the inhibition and activation of excitatory neurons in the prelimbic cortex of wild-type and 5XFAD mice and to measure the memory capacity of mice. RESULTS Working memory capacity was significantly diminished in 5XFAD mice compared to littermate wild-type mice. Neuronal activation of the prelimbic cortex, but not the infralimbic cortex, was attenuated in 5XFAD mice performing the olfactory working memory capacity task. Subsequently, the FOS-positive neurons were co-localized with both calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-positive neurons and glutamate decarboxylase-positive neurons. The results showed that the activation of excitatory neurons in the prelimbic cortex was correlated with working memory capacity in mice. Our results further demonstrate that the chemogenetic inhibition of prelimbic cortex excitatory neurons resulted in reduced working memory capacity in wild-type mice, while the chemogenetic activation of prelimbic cortex excitatory neurons improved the working memory capacity of 5XFAD mice. CONCLUSION The diminished activation of prelimbic cortex excitatory neurons in 5XFAD mice during task performance is associated with reduced working memory capacity, and activation modulation of excitatory neurons by chemogenetic methods can improve memory capacity impairment in 5XFAD mice. These findings may provide a new direction for exploring Alzheimer's disease therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Xin Jiang
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), No.51 Huayuanbei Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory for Translational Research On Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Geng-Di Huang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, No.77 Zhenbi Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518118, China
- Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, No.1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Fuguang Community, Taoyuan Street, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518118, China
| | - Yong-Lu Tian
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, No.5 Summer Palace Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Ri-Xu Cong
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xue Meng
- National Center of Gerontology, Beijing Hospital, No.1 Dahua Road, Dongdan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Hua-Li Wang
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), No.51 Huayuanbei Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Beijing, 100191, China.
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory for Translational Research On Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Chen Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, No.10 Xitoutiao, You'anmenwai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Xin Yu
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), No.51 Huayuanbei Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Beijing, 100191, China.
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory for Translational Research On Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, Beijing, 100191, China.
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Liu M, Zhu L, Guo YJ, Zhang SS, Jiang L, Zhang Y, Chao FL, Tang Y. The effects of voluntary running exercise on the astrocytes of the medial prefrontal cortex in APP/PS1 mice. J Comp Neurol 2023. [PMID: 37146123 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25485] [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: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Pathological changes in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and astrocytes are closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Voluntary running has been found to effectively delay AD. However, the effects of voluntary running on mPFC astrocytes in AD are unclear. A total of 40 10-month-old male amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) mice and 40 wild-type (WT) mice were randomly divided into control and running groups, and the running groups underwent voluntary running for 3 months. Mouse cognition was assessed by the novel object recognition (NOR), Morris water maze (MWM), and Y maze tests. The effects of voluntary running on mPFC astrocytes were investigated using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and stereology. APP/PS1 mice performed significantly worse than WT mice in the NOR, MWM, and Y maze tests, and voluntary running improved the performance of APP/PS1 mice in these tests. The total number of mPFC astrocytes was increased, cell bodies were enlarged, and protrusion number and length were increased in AD mice compared with WT mice, but there was no difference in component 3 (C3) levels in the mPFC (total mPFC level); however, C3 and S100B levels in astrocytes were increased in AD mice. Voluntary running reduced the total number of astrocytes and S100B levels in astrocytes and increased the density of PSD95+ puncta in direct contact with astrocyte protrusions in the APP/PS1 mouse mPFC. Three months of voluntary running inhibited astrocyte hyperplasia and S100B expression in astrocytes, increased the density of synapses in contact with astrocytes, and improved cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Jing Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Shan-Shan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Lin Jiang
- Laboratory Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Feng-Lei Chao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yong Tang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
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Kasai H, Ucar H, Morimoto Y, Eto F, Okazaki H. Mechanical transmission at spine synapses: Short-term potentiation and working memory. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 80:102706. [PMID: 36931116 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Do dendritic spines, which comprise the postsynaptic component of most excitatory synapses, exist only for their structural dynamics, receptor trafficking, and chemical and electrical compartmentation? The answer is no. Simultaneous investigation of both spine and presynaptic terminals has recently revealed a novel feature of spine synapses. Spine enlargement pushes the presynaptic terminals with muscle-like force and augments the evoked glutamate release for up to 20 min. We now summarize the evidence that such mechanical transmission shares critical features in common with short-term potentiation (STP) and may represent the cellular basis of short-term and working memory. Thus, spine synapses produce the force of learning to leave structural traces for both short and long-term memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruo Kasai
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory of Structural Physiology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hasan Ucar
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory of Structural Physiology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Morimoto
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory of Structural Physiology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumihiro Eto
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory of Structural Physiology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Okazaki
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory of Structural Physiology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Lian Z, Liu B, Brown RD. Exploring the Predictive Potential of Physiological Measures of Human Thermal Strain in Outdoor Environments in Hot and Humid Areas in Summer-A Case Study of Shanghai, China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5017. [PMID: 36981925 PMCID: PMC10049132 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Whenever people spend time outdoors during hot weather, they are putting themselves in potentially stressful situations. Being able to predict whether a person is overheating can be critical in preventing heat-health issues. There is a clear relationship between body core temperature and heat health. However, measuring body core temperature is expensive. Identifying a non-invasive measure that could indicate a person's thermal strain would be valuable. This study investigated five physiological measures as possible surrogates: finger mean skin temperature (FSKT), finger maximum skin temperature (FMSKT), skin conductance level (SCL), heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV). Furthermore, they were compared against the results of participants' subjective thermal sensation and thermal comfort in a range of hot microclimatic conditions in a hot and humid climate. Results showed that except for SCL, each of the other four physiological measures had a positive significant relationship with thermal sensation, but a negative relationship with thermal comfort. Furthermore, through testing by cumulative link mixed models, HRV was found to be the most suitable surrogate for predicting thermal sensation and thermal comfort through a simple, non-invasive measure in outdoor environment in summer in a hot and humid area. This study highlights the method for predicting human thermal strain and contributes to improve the public health and well-being of urban dwellers in outdoor environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zefeng Lian
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215011, China
| | - Binyi Liu
- Gold Mantis School of Architecture, SooChow University, Suzhou 215005, China
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Robert D. Brown
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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5
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Wang Y, Ma Z, Li W, Su F, Wang C, Xiong W, Li C, Zhang C. Cable-free brain imaging for multiple free-moving animals with miniature wireless microscopes. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2023; 28:026503. [PMID: 36777333 PMCID: PMC9917720 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.28.2.026503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Although several miniature microscope systems have been developed to allow researchers to image brain neuron activities of free moving rodents, they generally require a long cable connecting to the miniature microscope. It not only limits the behavior of the animal, but also makes it challenging to study multiple animals simultaneously. AIM The aim of this work is to develop a fully wireless miniature microscope that would break constraints from the connecting cables so that the animals could move completely freely, allowing neuroscience researchers to study more of animals' behaviors simultaneously, such as social behavior. APPROACH We present a wireless mini-microscope (wScope) that enables simultaneously real-time brain imaging preview from multiple free-moving animals. The wScope has a mass of 2.7 g and a maximum frame rate of 25 Hz at 750 μ m × 450 μ m field of view with 1.8 - μ m resolution. RESULTS The performance of the wScope is validated via real-time imaging of the cerebral blood flow and the activity of neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1) of different mice. CONCLUSIONS The wScope provides a powerful tool for brain imaging of multiple free moving animals in their much larger spaces and more naturalistic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangzhen Wang
- Capital Medical University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Department of Neurobiology, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua University, School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongtian Ma
- Peking University, College of Future Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Beijing, China
| | - Wenzhao Li
- Peking University, College of Future Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Su
- Peking University, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chong Wang
- Beihang University, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Tsinghua University, School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Changhui Li
- Peking University, College of Future Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Beijing, China
- Peking University, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Capital Medical University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Department of Neurobiology, Beijing, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
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Papadogiannis A, Dimitrov E. A Possible Mechanism for Development of Working Memory Impairment in Male Mice Subjected to Inflammatory Pain. Neuroscience 2022; 503:17-27. [PMID: 36100034 PMCID: PMC9588797 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.09.007] [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: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We studied the effects of inflammatory pain on working memory and correlated the pain effects with changes in dendritic spine density and glutamate signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of male and female mice. Injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into the hind paw modeled inflammatory pain. The CFA equally decreased the mechanical thresholds in both sexes. The density of dendritic spines, as a marker for neuronal input, increased on the dendrites of both, pyramidal cells and interneurons in males but only on the dendrites of interneurons in CFA injected females. Next, we injected virus with glutamate sensor (pAAV5.hSyn.iGluSnFr) into the mPFC and used fiber photometry to record glutamate signaling during Y-maze spontaneous alternations test, which is a test for working memory in rodents. The detected fluorescent signal was higher during correct alternations when compared to incorrect alternations in both sexes. The CFA injection did not change the pattern of glutamate fluorescence during the test but the female mice made fewer incorrect alternations than their male counterparts. Furthermore, while the CFA injection decreased the expression of the glutamate transporter VGlut1 on the soma of mPFC neurons in both sexes, the decrease was sex dependent. We concluded that inflammatory pain, which increases sensory input into the mPFC neurons, may impair working memory by altering the glutamate signaling. The glutamate deficit that develops as a result of the pain is more pronounced in male mice in comparison to female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Papadogiannis
- Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States.
| | - Eugene Dimitrov
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States.
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Activation of TGR5 Ameliorates Streptozotocin-Induced Cognitive Impairment by Modulating Apoptosis, Neurogenesis, and Neuronal Firing. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:3716609. [PMID: 35464765 PMCID: PMC9033389 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3716609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) is the first known G protein-coupled receptor specific for bile acids and is recognized as a new and critical target for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. It is expressed in many brain regions associated with memory such as the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Here, we hypothesize that activation of TGR5 may ameliorate streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced cognitive impairment. The mouse model of cognitive impairment was established by a single intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of STZ (3.0 mg/kg), and we found that TGR5 activation by its agonist INT-777 (1.5 or 3.0 μg/mouse, ICV injection) ameliorated spatial memory impairment in the Morris water maze and Y-maze tests. Importantly, INT-777 reversed STZ-induced downregulation of TGR5 and glucose usage deficits. Our results further showed that INT-777 suppressed neuronal apoptosis and improved neurogenesis which were involved in tau phosphorylation and CREB-BDNF signaling. Moreover, INT-777 increased action potential firing of excitatory pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA3 and medial prefrontal cortex of ICV-STZ groups. Taken together, these findings reveal that activation of TGR5 has a neuroprotective effect against STZ-induced cognitive impairment by modulating apoptosis, neurogenesis, and neuronal firing in the brain and TGR5 might be a novel and potential target for Alzheimer's disease.
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Non-rigid Registration for Two-photon Imaging Using Triangulation and Piecewise Affine Transformation. Neuroscience 2022; 491:1-12. [PMID: 35367292 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Accurate and efficient non-rigid registration is important to investigate neural mechanisms in multi-session two-photon (2p) imaging across a few days. The 2p imaging recordings from different sessions usually possess certain complex misalignment or huge data variance due to relocation errors during experimental operations or brain recovery. Most of the reported neural image registration tools were able to solve the registration problem in the same session with small deformation. However, the registration of neural images across multi-sessions remains a challenge. In this study, we report the development of a non-rigid registration method for 2p imaging in mice based on image triangulation and piecewise affine transformation (TPAT) technologies. The TPAT method supported both automatic and semi-automatic operation types, and both showed great performance in the benchmark test of non-rigid neural image registration. The proposed method constitutes a step forward in promoting and accelerating discoveries from multi-session 2p imaging research.
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Acetylcholine deficiency disrupts extratelencephalic projection neurons in the prefrontal cortex in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Nat Commun 2022; 13:998. [PMID: 35194025 PMCID: PMC8863829 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28493-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Short-term memory deficits have been associated with prefrontal cortex (PFC) dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD mouse models. Extratelencephalic projection (ET) neurons in the PFC play a key role in short-term working memory, but the mechanism between ET neuronal dysfunction in the PFC and short-term memory impairment in AD is not well understood. Here, using fiber photometry and optogenetics, we found reduced neural activity in the ET neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of the 5×FAD mouse model led to object recognition memory (ORM) deficits. Activation of ET neurons in the mPFC of 5×FAD mice rescued ORM impairment, and inhibition of ET neurons in the mPFC of wild type mice impaired ORM expression. ET neurons in the mPFC that project to supramammillary nucleus were necessary for ORM expression. Viral tracing and in vivo recording revealed that mPFC ET neurons received fewer cholinergic inputs from the basal forebrain in 5×FAD mice. Furthermore, activation of cholinergic fibers in the mPFC rescued ORM deficits in 5×FAD mice, while acetylcholine deficiency reduced the response of ET neurons in the mPFC to familiar objects. Taken together, our results revealed a neural mechanism behind ORM impairment in 5×FAD mice. Short-term memory deficits are associated with prefrontal cortex dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease. Here, the authors assessed extratelencephalic projection (ET) neurons and found reduced ET neural activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and showed ET neurons received fewer cholinergic inputs from the basal forebrain in 5×FAD mice which led to object recognition memory deficits.
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Lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation disrupts functional connectivity and community structure in primary cortical microtissues. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22303. [PMID: 34785714 PMCID: PMC8595892 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01616-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) neural microtissues are a powerful in vitro paradigm for studying brain development and disease under controlled conditions, while maintaining many key attributes of the in vivo environment. Here, we used primary cortical microtissues to study the effects of neuroinflammation on neural microcircuits. We demonstrated the use of a genetically encoded calcium indicator combined with a novel live-imaging platform to record spontaneous calcium transients in microtissues from day 14-34 in vitro. We implemented graph theory analysis of calcium activity to characterize underlying functional connectivity and community structure of microcircuits, which are capable of capturing subtle changes in network dynamics during early disease states. We found that microtissues cultured for 34 days displayed functional remodeling of microcircuits and that community structure strengthened over time. Lipopolysaccharide, a neuroinflammatory agent, significantly increased functional connectivity and disrupted community structure 5-9 days after exposure. These microcircuit-level changes have broad implications for the role of neuroinflammation in functional dysregulation of neural networks.
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11
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Restoration of FMRP expression in adult V1 neurons rescues visual deficits in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome. Protein Cell 2021; 13:203-219. [PMID: 34714519 PMCID: PMC8901859 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00878-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Many people affected by fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorders have sensory processing deficits, such as hypersensitivity to auditory, tactile, and visual stimuli. Like FXS in humans, loss of Fmr1 in rodents also cause sensory, behavioral, and cognitive deficits. However, the neural mechanisms underlying sensory impairment, especially vision impairment, remain unclear. It remains elusive whether the visual processing deficits originate from corrupted inputs, impaired perception in the primary sensory cortex, or altered integration in the higher cortex, and there is no effective treatment. In this study, we used a genetic knockout mouse model (Fmr1KO), in vivo imaging, and behavioral measurements to show that the loss of Fmr1 impaired signal processing in the primary visual cortex (V1). Specifically, Fmr1KO mice showed enhanced responses to low-intensity stimuli but normal responses to high-intensity stimuli. This abnormality was accompanied by enhancements in local network connectivity in V1 microcircuits and increased dendritic complexity of V1 neurons. These effects were ameliorated by the acute application of GABAA receptor activators, which enhanced the activity of inhibitory neurons, or by reintroducing Fmr1 gene expression in knockout V1 neurons in both juvenile and young-adult mice. Overall, V1 plays an important role in the visual abnormalities of Fmr1KO mice and it could be possible to rescue the sensory disturbances in developed FXS and autism patients.
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Le Merre P, Ährlund-Richter S, Carlén M. The mouse prefrontal cortex: Unity in diversity. Neuron 2021; 109:1925-1944. [PMID: 33894133 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is considered to constitute the highest stage of neural integration and to be devoted to representation and production of actions. Studies in primates have laid the foundation for theories regarding the principles of prefrontal function and provided mechanistic insights. The recent surge of studies of the PFC in mice holds promise for evolvement of present theories and development of novel concepts, particularly regarding principles shared across mammals. Here we review recent empirical work on the mouse PFC capitalizing on the experimental toolbox currently privileged to studies in this species. We conclude that this line of research has revealed cellular and structural distinctions of the PFC and neuronal activity with direct relevance to theories regarding the functions of the PFC. We foresee that data-rich mouse studies will be key to shed light on the general prefrontal architecture and mechanisms underlying cognitive aspects of organized actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Le Merre
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Marie Carlén
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden.
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Human cerebral organoids establish subcortical projections in the mouse brain after transplantation. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:2964-2976. [PMID: 33051604 PMCID: PMC8505255 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00910-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have used human pluripotent stem cell-derived cerebral organoids to elucidate the mystery of human brain development and model neurological diseases in vitro, but the potential for grafted organoid-based therapy in vivo remains unknown. Here, we optimized a culturing protocol capable of efficiently generating small human cerebral organoids. After transplantation into the mouse medial prefrontal cortex, the grafted human cerebral organoids survived and extended projections over 4.5 mm in length to basal brain regions within 1 month. The transplanted cerebral organoids generated human glutamatergic neurons that acquired electrophysiological maturity in the mouse brain. Importantly, the grafted human cerebral organoids functionally integrated into pre-existing neural circuits by forming bidirectional synaptic connections with the mouse host neurons. Furthermore, compared to control mice, the mice transplanted with cerebral organoids showed an increase in freezing time in response to auditory conditioned stimuli, suggesting the potentiation of the startle fear response. Our study showed that subcortical projections can be established by microtransplantation and may provide crucial insights into the therapeutic potential of human cerebral organoids for neurological diseases.
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Li D, Yang H, Xiong F, Xu X, Zeng WB, Zhao F, Luo MH. Anterograde Neuronal Circuit Tracers Derived from Herpes Simplex Virus 1: Development, Application, and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5937. [PMID: 32824837 PMCID: PMC7460661 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has great potential to be applied as a viral tool for gene delivery or oncolysis. The broad infection tropism of HSV-1 makes it a suitable tool for targeting many different cell types, and its 150 kb double-stranded DNA genome provides great capacity for exogenous genes. Moreover, the features of neuron infection and neuron-to-neuron spread also offer special value to neuroscience. HSV-1 strain H129, with its predominant anterograde transneuronal transmission, represents one of the most promising anterograde neuronal circuit tracers to map output neuronal pathways. Decades of development have greatly expanded the H129-derived anterograde tracing toolbox, including polysynaptic and monosynaptic tracers with various fluorescent protein labeling. These tracers have been applied to neuroanatomical studies, and have contributed to revealing multiple important neuronal circuits. However, current H129-derived tracers retain intrinsic drawbacks that limit their broad application, such as yet-to-be improved labeling intensity, potential nonspecific retrograde labeling, and high toxicity. The biological complexity of HSV-1 and its insufficiently characterized virological properties have caused difficulties in its improvement and optimization as a viral tool. In this review, we focus on the current H129-derived viral tracers and highlight strategies in which future technological development can advance its use as a tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Feng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-1275, USA;
| | - Wen-Bo Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fei Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Min-Hua Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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15
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Wang Y, Su F, Wang S, Yang C, Tian Y, Yuan P, Liu X, Xiong W, Zhang C. Efficient implementation of convolutional neural networks in the data processing of two-photon in vivo imaging. Bioinformatics 2020; 35:3208-3210. [PMID: 30689714 PMCID: PMC6735786 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btz055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Motivation Functional imaging at single-neuron resolution offers a highly efficient tool for studying the functional connectomics in the brain. However, mainstream neuron-detection methods focus on either the morphologies or activities of neurons, which may lead to the extraction of incomplete information and which may heavily rely on the experience of the experimenters. Results We developed a convolutional neural networks and fluctuation method-based toolbox (ImageCN) to increase the processing power of calcium imaging data. To evaluate the performance of ImageCN, nine different imaging datasets were recorded from awake mouse brains. ImageCN demonstrated superior neuron-detection performance when compared with other algorithms. Furthermore, ImageCN does not require sophisticated training for users. Availability and implementation ImageCN is implemented in MATLAB. The source code and documentation are available at https://github.com/ZhangChenLab/ImageCN. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangzhen Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Su
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Robotics Institute, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chaojuan Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yonglu Tian
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Peijiang Yuan
- Robotics Institute, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaorong Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Yang J, Wang L, Wang F, Tang X, Zhou P, Liang R, Zheng C, Ming D. Low-Frequency Pulsed Magnetic Field Improves Depression-Like Behaviors and Cognitive Impairments in Depressive Rats Mainly via Modulating Synaptic Function. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:820. [PMID: 31481866 PMCID: PMC6710372 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has shown great promise as a medical treatment of depression. The effectiveness of TMS treatment at high frequency has been well investigated; however, low-frequency TMS in depression treatment has rarely been investigated in depression-induced cognitive deficits. Herein, this study was carried out to assess the possible modulatory role of low-frequency pulsed magnetic field (LFPMF) on reversing cognitive impairment in a model of depression induced by chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups as follows: a control group (CON), a control applied with LFPMF (CON + LFPMF), a CUS group, and a CUS treated with LFPMF (CUS + LFPMF) group. During 8 weeks of CUS, compared to those in the CON group, animals not only gained less weight but also exhibited anhedonia, anxiety, and cognitive decline in behavioral tests. After 2-week treatment of LFPMF, a 20 mT, 1 Hz magnetic stimulation, it reversed the impairment of spatial cognition as well as hippocampal synaptic function including long-term potentiation and related protein expression. Thus, LFPMF has shown effectively improvements on depressant behavior and cognitive dysfunction in CUS rats, possibly via regulating synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Yang
- Laboratory of Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Laboratory of Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Faqi Wang
- Tianjin International Joint Research Center for Neural Engineering, Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Tang
- Laboratory of Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Peng Zhou
- Laboratory of Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rong Liang
- Laboratory of Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chenguang Zheng
- Laboratory of Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong Ming
- Laboratory of Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin International Joint Research Center for Neural Engineering, Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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