1
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Zuo Z, Cheng X, Ferdous S, Shao J, Li J, Bao Y, Li J, Lu J, Jacobo Lopez A, Wohlschlegel J, Prieve A, Thomas MG, Reh TA, Li Y, Moshiri A, Chen R. Single cell dual-omic atlas of the human developing retina. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6792. [PMID: 39117640 PMCID: PMC11310509 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50853-5] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of the retina is under tight temporal and spatial control. To gain insights into the molecular basis of this process, we generate a single-nuclei dual-omic atlas of the human developing retina with approximately 220,000 nuclei from 14 human embryos and fetuses aged between 8 and 23-weeks post-conception with matched macular and peripheral tissues. This atlas captures all major cell classes in the retina, along with a large proportion of progenitors and cell-type-specific precursors. Cell trajectory analysis reveals a transition from continuous progression in early progenitors to a hierarchical development during the later stages of cell type specification. Both known and unrecorded candidate transcription factors, along with gene regulatory networks that drive the transitions of various cell fates, are identified. Comparisons between the macular and peripheral retinae indicate a largely consistent yet distinct developmental pattern. This atlas offers unparalleled resolution into the transcriptional and chromatin accessibility landscapes during development, providing an invaluable resource for deeper insights into retinal development and associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zuo
- HGSC, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xuesen Cheng
- HGSC, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Salma Ferdous
- HGSC, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jianming Shao
- HGSC, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jin Li
- HGSC, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yourong Bao
- HGSC, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jean Li
- HGSC, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jiaxiong Lu
- HGSC, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Antonio Jacobo Lopez
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, UC Davis School of Medicine, 4860 Y St, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Juliette Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, 1410 NE Campus Pkwy, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Aric Prieve
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, 1410 NE Campus Pkwy, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mervyn G Thomas
- Ulverscroft Eye Unit, School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, The University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Thomas A Reh
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, 1410 NE Campus Pkwy, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yumei Li
- HGSC, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ala Moshiri
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, UC Davis School of Medicine, 4860 Y St, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Rui Chen
- HGSC, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA.
- Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA.
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA.
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute - Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, USA.
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2
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Keeley PW, Trod S, Gamboa BN, Coffey PJ, Reese BE. Nfia Is Critical for AII Amacrine Cell Production: Selective Bipolar Cell Dependencies and Diminished ERG. J Neurosci 2023; 43:8367-8384. [PMID: 37775301 PMCID: PMC10711738 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1099-23.2023] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear factor one (NFI) transcription factor genes Nfia, Nfib, and Nfix are all enriched in late-stage retinal progenitor cells, and their loss has been shown to retain these progenitors at the expense of later-generated retinal cell types. Whether they play any role in the specification of those later-generated fates is unknown, but the expression of one of these, Nfia, in a specific amacrine cell type may intimate such a role. Here, Nfia conditional knockout (Nfia-CKO) mice (both sexes) were assessed, finding a massive and largely selective absence of AII amacrine cells. There was, however, a partial reduction in type 2 cone bipolar cells (CBCs), being richly interconnected to AII cells. Counts of dying cells showed a significant increase in Nfia-CKO retinas at postnatal day (P)7, after AII cell numbers were already reduced but in advance of the loss of type 2 CBCs detected by P10. Those results suggest a role for Nfia in the specification of the AII amacrine cell fate and a dependency of the type 2 CBCs on them. Delaying the conditional loss of Nfia to the first postnatal week did not alter AII cell number nor differentiation, further suggesting that its role in AII cells is solely associated with their production. The physiological consequences of their loss were assessed using the ERG, finding the oscillatory potentials to be profoundly diminished. A slight reduction in the b-wave was also detected, attributed to an altered distribution of the terminals of rod bipolar cells, implicating a role of the AII amacrine cells in constraining their stratification.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The transcription factor NFIA is shown to play a critical role in the specification of a single type of retinal amacrine cell, the AII cell. Using an Nfia-conditional knockout mouse to eliminate this population of retinal neurons, we demonstrate two selective bipolar cell dependencies on the AII cells; the terminals of rod bipolar cells become mis-stratified in the inner plexiform layer, and one type of cone bipolar cell undergoes enhanced cell death. The physiological consequence of this loss of the AII cells was also assessed, finding the cells to be a major contributor to the oscillatory potentials in the electroretinogram.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick W Keeley
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5060
| | - Stephanie Trod
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5060
| | - Bruno N Gamboa
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5060
| | - Pete J Coffey
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5060
| | - Benjamin E Reese
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5060
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5060
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3
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Uttley K, Papanastasiou AS, Lahne M, Brisbane JM, MacDonald RB, Bickmore WA, Bhatia S. Unique activities of two overlapping PAX6 retinal enhancers. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202302126. [PMID: 37643867 PMCID: PMC10465922 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302126] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancers play a critical role in development by precisely modulating spatial, temporal, and cell type-specific gene expression. Sequence variants in enhancers have been implicated in diseases; however, establishing the functional consequences of these variants is challenging because of a lack of understanding of precise cell types and developmental stages where the enhancers are normally active. PAX6 is the master regulator of eye development, with a regulatory landscape containing multiple enhancers driving the expression in the eye. Whether these enhancers perform additive, redundant or distinct functions is unknown. Here, we describe the precise cell types and regulatory activity of two PAX6 retinal enhancers, HS5 and NRE. Using a unique combination of live imaging and single-cell RNA sequencing in dual enhancer-reporter zebrafish embryos, we uncover differences in the spatiotemporal activity of these enhancers. Our results show that although overlapping, these enhancers have distinct activities in different cell types and therefore likely nonredundant functions. This work demonstrates that unique cell type-specific activities can be uncovered for apparently similar enhancers when investigated at high resolution in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty Uttley
- https://ror.org/011jsc803 MRC Human Genetics Unithttps://ror.org/01nrxwf90 , Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew S Papanastasiou
- https://ror.org/011jsc803 MRC Human Genetics Unithttps://ror.org/01nrxwf90 , Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Manuela Lahne
- https://ror.org/02jx3x895 UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, Greater London, UK
| | - Jennifer M Brisbane
- https://ror.org/011jsc803 MRC Human Genetics Unithttps://ror.org/01nrxwf90 , Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ryan B MacDonald
- https://ror.org/02jx3x895 UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, Greater London, UK
| | - Wendy A Bickmore
- https://ror.org/011jsc803 MRC Human Genetics Unithttps://ror.org/01nrxwf90 , Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Shipra Bhatia
- https://ror.org/011jsc803 MRC Human Genetics Unithttps://ror.org/01nrxwf90 , Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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4
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Peng YR. Cell-type specification in the retina: Recent discoveries from transcriptomic approaches. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 81:102752. [PMID: 37499619 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102752] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the formation of the complex nervous system hinges on decoding the mechanism that specifies a vast array of neuronal types, each endowed with a unique morphology, physiology, and connectivity. As a pivotal step towards addressing this problem, seminal work has been devoted to characterizing distinct neuronal types. In recent years, high-throughput, single-cell transcriptomic methods have enabled a rapid inventory of cell types in various regions of the nervous system, with the retina exhibiting complete molecular characterization across many vertebrate species. This invaluable resource has furnished a fresh perspective for investigating the molecular principles of cell-type specification, thereby advancing our understanding of retinal development. Accordingly, this review focuses on the most recent transcriptomic characterizations of retinal cells, with a particular focus on amacrine cells and retinal ganglion cells. These investigations have unearthed new insights into their cell-type specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Rong Peng
- Department of Ophthalmology and Stein Eye Institute, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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5
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Santos-França PL, David LA, Kassem F, Meng XQ, Cayouette M. Time to see: How temporal identity factors specify the developing mammalian retina. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 142:36-42. [PMID: 35760728 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) give rise to the variety of neural cell types of the retina has been a question of major interest over the last few decades. While environmental cues and transcription factor networks have been shown to control specific cell fate decisions, how RPCs alter fate output over time to control proper histogenesis remains poorly understood. In recent years, the identification of "temporal identity factors (TIFs)", which control RPC competence states to ensure that the right cell types are produced at the right time, has contributed to increasing our understanding of temporal patterning in the retina. Here, we review the different TIFs identified to date in the mammalian retina and discuss the underlying mechanisms by which they are thought to operate. We conclude by speculating on how identification of temporal patterning mechanisms might support the development of new therapeutic approaches against visual impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro L Santos-França
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montréal, QC, Canada; Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Luke Ajay David
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montréal, QC, Canada; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Fatima Kassem
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montréal, QC, Canada; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Xiang Qi Meng
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Michel Cayouette
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montréal, QC, Canada; Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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6
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Javed A, Santos-França PL, Mattar P, Cui A, Kassem F, Cayouette M. Ikaros family proteins redundantly regulate temporal patterning in the developing mouse retina. Development 2023; 150:286611. [PMID: 36537580 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200436] [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: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Temporal identity factors regulate competence of neural progenitors to generate specific cell types in a time-dependent manner, but how they operate remains poorly defined. In the developing mouse retina, the Ikaros zinc-finger transcription factor Ikzf1 regulates production of early-born cell types, except cone photoreceptors. In this study we show that, during early stages of retinal development, another Ikaros family protein, Ikzf4, functions redundantly with Ikzf1 to regulate cone photoreceptor production. Using CUT&RUN and functional assays, we show that Ikzf4 binds and represses genes involved in late-born rod photoreceptor specification, hence favoring cone production. At late stages, when Ikzf1 is no longer expressed in progenitors, we show that Ikzf4 re-localizes to target genes involved in gliogenesis and is required for Müller glia production. We report that Ikzf4 regulates Notch signaling genes and is sufficient to activate the Hes1 promoter through two Ikzf GGAA-binding motifs, suggesting a mechanism by which Ikzf4 may influence gliogenesis. These results uncover a combinatorial role for Ikaros family members during nervous system development and provide mechanistic insights on how they temporally regulate cell fate output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awais Javed
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal H2W 1R7, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Pedro L Santos-França
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal H2W 1R7, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Pierre Mattar
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Allie Cui
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Fatima Kassem
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal H2W 1R7, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Michel Cayouette
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal H2W 1R7, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0G4, Canada
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7
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Petridou E, Godinho L. Cellular and Molecular Determinants of Retinal Cell Fate. Annu Rev Vis Sci 2022; 8:79-99. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-vision-100820-103154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate retina is regarded as a simple part of the central nervous system (CNS) and thus amenable to investigations of the determinants of cell fate. Its five neuronal cell classes and one glial cell class all derive from a common pool of progenitors. Here we review how each cell class is generated. Retinal progenitors progress through different competence states, in each of which they generate only a small repertoire of cell classes. The intrinsic state of the progenitor is determined by the complement of transcription factors it expresses. Thus, although progenitors are multipotent, there is a bias in the types of fates they generate during any particular time window. Overlying these competence states are stochastic mechanisms that influence fate decisions. These mechanisms are determined by a weighted set of probabilities based on the abundance of a cell class in the retina. Deterministic mechanisms also operate, especially late in development, when preprogrammed progenitors solely generate specific fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Petridou
- Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany;,
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Leanne Godinho
- Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany;,
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8
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Lekchaoum T, Buddawong A, Ahi S, Chandee N, Weerachatyanukul W, Asuvapongpatana S. Effect of caffeine on genes expressions of developing retinas in the chick model. Anat Cell Biol 2022; 55:311-319. [PMID: 35918321 PMCID: PMC9519763 DOI: 10.5115/acb.22.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that overconsumption of caffeine during pregnancy leads to a deleterious effect within the nervous tissues during embryonic development. In this study, we further extrapolated the effect of caffeine in the developing retinas, which is known to be one of the most sensitive tissues in chick embryos. Morphological changes of retinal thickness and organization of neuroretinal epithelium were monitored using three gene markers, Atoh7, FoxN4, and Lim1. Upon treating with a single dose of caffeine (15 µmol at embryonic day 1 [E1]), relative thicknesses of developing retinas (particularly of E7 and E9) were significantly altered. Among the three genes studied, the expression pattern of Atoh7 was notably altered while those of FoxN4, and Lim1 mRNA showed only a slight change in these developing retinas. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction results supported the most notable changes of Atoh7 but not FoxN4, and Lim1 gene in the developing retinas, particularly at E7. The effect of caffeine towards other organs during development should be extrapolated and the awareness of its intensive consumption should be raised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanyarat Lekchaoum
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Aticha Buddawong
- Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Sunalin Ahi
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nichapha Chandee
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Physical Therapy, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
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9
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Katreddi RR, Taroc EZM, Hicks SM, Lin JM, Liu S, Xiang M, Forni PE. Notch signaling determines cell-fate specification of the two main types of vomeronasal neurons of rodents. Development 2022; 149:dev200448. [PMID: 35781337 PMCID: PMC9340558 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The ability of terrestrial vertebrates to find food and mating partners, and to avoid predators, relies on the detection of chemosensory information. Semiochemicals responsible for social and sexual behaviors are detected by chemosensory neurons of the vomeronasal organ (VNO), which transmits information to the accessory olfactory bulb. The vomeronasal sensory epithelium of most mammalian species contains a uniform vomeronasal system; however, rodents and marsupials have developed a more complex binary vomeronasal system, containing vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) expressing receptors of either the V1R or V2R family. In rodents, V1R/apical and V2R/basal VSNs originate from a common pool of progenitors. Using single cell RNA-sequencing, we identified differential expression of Notch1 receptor and Dll4 ligand between the neuronal precursors at the VSN differentiation dichotomy. Our experiments show that Notch signaling is required for effective differentiation of V2R/basal VSNs. In fact, Notch1 loss of function in neuronal progenitors diverts them to the V1R/apical fate, whereas Notch1 gain of function redirects precursors to V2R/basal. Our results indicate that Notch signaling plays a pivotal role in triggering the binary differentiation dichotomy in the VNO of rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghu Ram Katreddi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Ed Zandro M. Taroc
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Sawyer M. Hicks
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Shuting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Mengqing Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Paolo E. Forni
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
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10
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Bery A, Bagchi U, Bergen AA, Felder-Schmittbuhl MP. Circadian clocks, retinogenesis and ocular health in vertebrates: new molecular insights. Dev Biol 2022; 484:40-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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11
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Zhang H, Zhuang P, Welchko RM, Dai M, Meng F, Turner DL. Regulation of retinal amacrine cell generation by miR-216b and Foxn3. Development 2022; 149:273765. [PMID: 34919141 PMCID: PMC8917416 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199484] [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: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian retina contains a complex mixture of different types of neurons. We find that microRNA miR-216b is preferentially expressed in postmitotic retinal amacrine cells in the mouse retina, and expression of miR-216a/b and miR-217 in retina depend in part on Ptf1a, a transcription factor required for amacrine cell differentiation. Surprisingly, ectopic expression of miR-216b directed the formation of additional amacrine cells and reduced bipolar neurons in the developing retina. We identify the Foxn3 mRNA as a retinal target of miR-216b by Argonaute PAR-CLIP and reporter analysis. Inhibition of Foxn3, a transcription factor, in the postnatal developing retina by RNAi increased the formation of amacrine cells and reduced bipolar cell formation. Foxn3 disruption by CRISPR in embryonic retinal explants also increased amacrine cell formation, whereas Foxn3 overexpression inhibited amacrine cell formation prior to Ptf1a expression. Co-expression of Foxn3 partially reversed the effects of ectopic miR-216b on retinal cell formation. Our results identify Foxn3 as a novel regulator of interneuron formation in the developing retina and suggest that miR-216b likely regulates Foxn3 and other genes in amacrine cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanqing Zhang
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
| | - Pei Zhuang
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
| | - Ryan M. Welchko
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
| | - Manhong Dai
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
| | - Fan Meng
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - David L. Turner
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA,Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA,Author for correspondence ()
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12
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Xiao D, Jin K, Qiu S, Lei Q, Huang W, Chen H, Su J, Xu Q, Xu Z, Gou B, Tie X, Liu F, Liu S, Liu Y, Xiang M. In vivo Regeneration of Ganglion Cells for Vision Restoration in Mammalian Retinas. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:755544. [PMID: 34671605 PMCID: PMC8520940 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.755544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma and other optic neuropathies affect millions of people worldwide, ultimately causing progressive and irreversible degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and blindness. Previous research into cell replacement therapy of these neurodegenerative diseases has been stalled due to the incapability for grafted RGCs to integrate into the retina and project properly along the long visual pathway. In vivo RGC regeneration would be a promising alternative approach but mammalian retinas lack regenerative capacity. It therefore has long been a great challenge to regenerate functional and properly projecting RGCs for vision restoration in mammals. Here we show that the transcription factors (TFs) Math5 and Brn3b together are able to reprogram mature mouse Müller glia (MG) into RGCs. The reprogrammed RGCs extend long axons that make appropriate intra-retinal and extra-retinal projections through the entire visual pathway to innervate both image-forming and non-image-forming brain targets. They exhibit typical neuronal electrophysiological properties and improve visual responses in RGC loss mouse models. Together, our data provide evidence that mammalian MG can be reprogrammed by defined TFs to achieve in vivo regeneration of functional RGCs as well as a promising new therapeutic approach to restore vision to patients with glaucoma and other optic neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongchang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kangxin Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Suo Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiannan Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wanjing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiqiao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zihui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxiu Tie
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yizhi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengqing Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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13
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Ying P, Huang C, Wang Y, Guo X, Cao Y, Zhang Y, Fu S, Chen L, Yi G, Fu M. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Retina:New Looks for Gene Marker and Old Diseases. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:699906. [PMID: 34395530 PMCID: PMC8362665 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.699906] [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: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina is composed of 11 types of cells, including neurons, glial cells and vascular bed cells. It contains five types of neurons, each with specific physiological, morphological, and molecular definitions. Currently, single-cell RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq) is emerging as one of the most powerful tools to reveal the complexity of the retina. The continuous discovery of retina-related gene targets plays an important role in helping us understand the nature of diseases. The revelation of new cell subpopulations can focus the occurrence and development of diseases on specific biological activities of specific cells. In addition, sRNA-seq performs high-throughput sequencing analysis of epigenetics, transcriptome and genome at the single-cell level, with the advantages of high-throughput and high-resolution. In this paper, we systematically review the development history of sRNA-seq technology, and summarize the new subtypes of retinal cells and some specific gene markers discovered by this technology. The progress in the diagnosis of retinal related diseases is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peixi Ying
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chang Huang
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, South China Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xi Guo
- Medical College of Rehabiliation, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuchen Cao
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxi Zhang
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Fu
- The University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guoguo Yi
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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14
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Features of Retinal Neurogenesis as a Key Factor of Age-Related Neurodegeneration: Myth or Reality? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147373. [PMID: 34298993 PMCID: PMC8303671 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex multifactorial neurodegenerative disease that constitutes the most common cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly in the developed countries. Incomplete knowledge about its pathogenesis prevents the search for effective methods of prevention and treatment of AMD, primarily of its "dry" type which is by far the most common (90% of all AMD cases). In the recent years, AMD has become "younger": late stages of the disease are now detected in relatively young people. It is known that AMD pathogenesis-according to the age-related structural and functional changes in the retina-is linked with inflammation, hypoxia, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and an impairment of neurotrophic support, but the mechanisms that trigger the conversion of normal age-related changes to the pathological process as well as the reason for early AMD development remain unclear. In the adult mammalian retina, de novo neurogenesis is very limited. Therefore, the structural and functional features that arise during its maturation and formation can exert long-term effects on further ontogenesis of this tissue. The aim of this review was to discuss possible contributions of the changes/disturbances in retinal neurogenesis to the early development of AMD.
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15
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Wu M, Deng Q, Lei X, Du Y, Shen Y. Elavl2 Regulates Retinal Function Via Modulating the Differentiation of Amacrine Cells Subtype. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:1. [PMID: 34061953 PMCID: PMC8185395 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.7.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The neuronal ELAV-like proteins (nElavls; Elavl2, Elavl3, Elavl4) have been known to regulate neuronal differentiation, maintenance, and axonogenesis in the brain. However, the specific role of nElavls in retina remains unclear. Here, we attempted to identify the expression pattern of Elavl2 during retinogenesis and aimed to decipher the function of Elavl2 in the retina. Methods We have used the Cre-loxP system to conditionally inactivate Elavl2 in order to examine its role in developing retina. Eyes were collected for histology, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL analysis to identify the structure of retina, and examined by RNA sequencing to analyze the function and pathway enrichment of differentially expressed genes in transgenic mice. Moreover, the mechanism by which Elavl2 regulates the differentiation of amacrine cells (ACs) was explored by RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Finally, eyes were functionally assessed by whole-cell patch-clamp, electroretinography (ERG) and optomotor response. Results Elavl2 was expressed in retinal progenitor cells and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), ACs, and horizontal cells. Retina-specific ablation of Elavl2 led to the loss of ACs and the transcription factors involved in ACs differentiation were also downregulated. In addition, the spontaneous activities of RGCs were obviously increased in Elavl2-deficient mice. Meanwhile, the loss of ACs that induced by Elavl2 deficiency lead to a decrease in ERG responses and visual acuity. Conclusions Elavl2 is an intrinsic factor that involved in the differentiation of ACs subtype during retinogenesis, and essential for maintaining the normal retinal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjuan Wu
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qinqin Deng
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xinlan Lei
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuxin Du
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yin Shen
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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16
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Shams Najafabadi H, Sadeghi M, Zibaii MI, Soheili ZS, Samiee S, Ghasemi P, Hosseini M, Gholami Pourbadie H, Ahmadieh H, Taghizadeh S, Ranaei Pirmardan E. Optogenetic control of neural differentiation in Opto-mGluR6 engineered retinal pigment epithelial cell line and mesenchymal stem cells. J Cell Biochem 2021; 122:851-869. [PMID: 33847009 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In retinal degenerative disorders, when neural retinal cells are damaged, cell transplantation is one of the most promising therapeutic approaches. Optogenetic technology plays an essential role in the neural differentiation of stem cells via membrane depolarization. This study explored the efficacy of blue light stimulation in neuroretinal differentiation of Opto-mGluR6-engineered mouse retinal pigment epithelium (mRPE) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). mRPE and BMSCs were selected for optogenetic study due to their capability to differentiate into retinal-specific neurons. BMSCs were isolated and phenotypically characterized by the expression of mesenchymal stem cell-specific markers, CD44 (99%) and CD105 (98.8%). mRPE culture identity was confirmed by expression of RPE-specific marker, RPE65, and epithelial cell marker, ZO-1. mRPE cells and BMSCs were transduced with AAV-MCS-IRES-EGFP-Opto-mGluR6 viral vector and stimulated for 5 days with blue light (470 nm). RNA and protein expression of Opto-mGluR6 were verified. Optogenetic stimulation-induced elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels in mRPE- and BMS-treated cells. Significant increase in cell growth rate and G1/S phase transition were detected in mRPE- and BMSCs-treated cultures. Pou4f1, Dlx2, Eomes, Barlh2, Neurod2, Neurod6, Rorb, Rxrg, Nr2f2, Ascl1, Hes5, and Sox8 were overexpressed in treated BMSCs and Barlh2, Rorb, and Sox8 were overexpressed in treated mRPE cells. Expression of Rho, Thy1, OPN1MW, Recoverin, and CRABP, as retinal-specific neuron markers, in mRPE and BMS cell cultures were demonstrated. Differentiation of ganglion, amacrine, photoreceptor cells, and bipolar and Muller precursors were determined in BMSCs-treated culture and were compared with mRPE. mRPE cells represented more abundant terminal Muller glial differentiation compared with BMSCs. Our results also demonstrated that optical stimulation increased the intracellular Ca2+ level and proliferation and differentiation of Opto-mGluR6-engineered BMSCs. It seems that optogenetic stimulation of mRPE- and BMSCs-engineered cells would be a potential therapeutic approach for retinal degenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Shams Najafabadi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sadeghi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad I Zibaii
- Laser & Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra-Soheila Soheili
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahram Samiee
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pouria Ghasemi
- Laser & Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hosseini
- Laser & Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Hamid Ahmadieh
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Taghizadeh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ranaei Pirmardan
- Molecular Biomarkers Nano-imaging Laboratory, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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17
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Schick E, Gonzalez KC, Dutta P, Hossain K, Ghinia Tegla MG, Emerson MM. Early cis-regulatory events in the formation of retinal horizontal cells. Dev Biol 2021; 476:88-100. [PMID: 33774011 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.03.016] [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: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
During retinal development, multipotent and restricted progenitor cells generate all of the neuronal cells of the retina. Among these are horizontal cells, which are interneurons that modulate the light-induced signal from photoreceptors. This study utilizes the identification of novel cis-regulatory elements as a method to examine the gene regulatory networks that direct the development of horizontal cells. Here we describe a screen for cis-regulatory elements, or enhancers, for the horizontal cell-associated genes PTF1A, ONECUT1 (OC1), TFAP2A (AP2A), and LHX1. The OC1ECR22 and Tfap2aACR5 elements were shown to be potential enhancers for OC1 and TFAP2A, respectively, and to be specifically active in developing horizontal cells. The OC1ECR22 element is activated by PTF1A and RBPJ, which translates to regulation of OC1 expression and suggests that PTF1A is a direct activator of OC1 expression in developing horizontal cells. The region within the Tfap2aACR5 element that is responsible for its activation was determined to be a 100 bp sequence named Motif 4. Both OC1ECR22 and Tfap2aACR5 are negatively regulated by the nuclear receptors THRB and RXRG, as is the expression of OC1 and AP2A, suggesting that nuclear receptors may have a role in the negative regulation of horizontal cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estie Schick
- Biology PhD Program, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Kevin C Gonzalez
- Department of Biology, The City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Pooja Dutta
- Department of Biology, The City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Kazi Hossain
- Department of Biology, The City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Miruna G Ghinia Tegla
- Department of Biology, The City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Mark M Emerson
- Biology PhD Program, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10016, USA; Department of Biology, The City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA; Biochemistry PhD Program, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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18
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You M, Rong R, Zeng Z, Li H, Xia X, Ji D. Single-cell RNA sequencing: A new opportunity for retinal research. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2021; 12:e1652. [PMID: 33754496 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a technology for single-cell transcriptome analysis that can be used to characterize complex dynamics of various retinal cell types. It provides deep scrutiny into the gene expression character of diverse cell types, lending insight into all the biological processes being carried out. The scRNA-seq is an alternative to regular RNA-seq, which does not achieve cellular heterogeneity. The retina, is a part of the central nervous system (CNS) and consists of six types of neurons and several types of glial cells. Studying retinal cell heterogeneity is important for understanding retinal diseases. Currently, scRNA-seq is employed to assess retina development and retinal disease pathogenesis and has improved our understanding of the relationship between the retina, its visual pathways, and the brain. Moreover, this technology provides new ideas on the sensitivity and molecular mechanisms of cell subtypes involved in retinal-related diseases. The application of scRNA-seq technology has given us a deeper understanding of the latest advancements and challenges in retinal development and diseases. We advocate scRNA-seq as one of the important tools for developing novel therapies for retinal diseases. This article is categorized under: RNA Methods > RNA Analyses in Cells RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengling You
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Rong Rong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhou Zeng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haibo Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaobo Xia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dan Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
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19
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Wu F, Bard JE, Kann J, Yergeau D, Sapkota D, Ge Y, Hu Z, Wang J, Liu T, Mu X. Single cell transcriptomics reveals lineage trajectory of retinal ganglion cells in wild-type and Atoh7-null retinas. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1465. [PMID: 33674582 PMCID: PMC7935890 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21704-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Atoh7 has been believed to be essential for establishing the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) lineage, and Pou4f2 and Isl1 are known to regulate RGC specification and differentiation. Here we report our further study of the roles of these transcription factors. Using bulk RNA-seq, we identify genes regulated by the three transcription factors, which expand our understanding of the scope of downstream events. Using scRNA-seq on wild-type and mutant retinal cells, we reveal a transitional cell state of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) co-marked by Atoh7 and other genes for different lineages and shared by all early retinal lineages. We further discover the unexpected emergence of the RGC lineage in the absence of Atoh7. We conclude that competence of RPCs for different retinal fates is defined by lineage-specific genes co-expressed in the transitional state and that Atoh7 defines the RGC competence and collaborates with other factors to shepherd transitional RPCs to the RGC lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuguo Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology/Ross Eye Institute, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan E Bard
- New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Julien Kann
- New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Donald Yergeau
- New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Darshan Sapkota
- Department of Ophthalmology/Ross Eye Institute, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Yichen Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology/Ross Eye Institute, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Zihua Hu
- New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Xiuqian Mu
- Department of Ophthalmology/Ross Eye Institute, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
- New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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20
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Sox2 knockdown in the neonatal retina causes cell fate to switch from amacrine to bipolar. Brain Res 2021; 1752:147265. [PMID: 33422527 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147265] [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: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factor Sox2 is widely recognized for its critical roles in the nervous system, including the neural retina. Here, we aimed to reveal the function of Sox2 in the process of mouse postnatal development. After the suppression of Sox2 at P0, there was an increase number in bipolar cells but a decrease in amacrine cells. Inhibited Sox2 expression also led to decreased visual function. Furthermore, we found a distinctive type of retinal cells expressing the characteristic proteins of both bipolar cells and amacrine cells at P6, which may be an intermediate state in which amacrine cells were transforming into bipolar cells. Transcription factors associated with the development of bipolar cells and amacrine cells also support those changes. Our work indicated that inhibition of Sox2 could change cell fate by affecting transcription factors in the development of bipolar cells and amacrine cells, may provide new directions for the study and treatment of retinal genetic diseases and retinal dysplasia.
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21
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Iwagawa T, Honda H, Watanabe S. Jmjd3 Plays Pivotal Roles in the Proper Development of Early-Born Retinal Lineages: Amacrine, Horizontal, and Retinal Ganglion Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:43. [PMID: 32986815 PMCID: PMC7533738 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.11.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3) is a critical mediator of transcriptional gene repression, and Jmjd3 and Utx are the demethylases specific to H3K27me3. Using an in vitro retinal explant culture system, we previously revealed the role of Jmjd3 in the development of rod bipolar cells; however, the roles of Jmjd3 in the development of early-born retinal cells are unknown due to limitations concerning the use of retinal explant culture systems. In this study, we investigated the roles of Jmjd3 in the development of early-born retinal cells. Methods We examined retina-specific conditional Jmjd3 knockout (Jmjd3-cKO) mice using immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription PCR and JMJD3 binding to a target locus by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. Results We observed reductions in amacrine cells (ACs) and horizontal cells (HCs), as well as lowered expression levels of several transcription factors involved in the development of ACs and HCs in the Jmjd3-cKO mouse retina. JMJD3 bound the promoter regions of these transcription factors. Notably, an elevated number of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) was observed at embryonic stages, whereas RGCs were moderately reduced at later postnatal stages in the Jmjd3-cKO retina. We also observed reduced expression of Eomes, which is required for the maintenance of RGCs, as well as lower H3K27me3 level and lower JMJD3 binding in the promoter region of Eomes in RGC-enriched cells. Conclusions The results indicated that Jmjd3 has critical roles in the development of early-born retinal subtypes, and suggested biphasic roles of Jmjd3 in RGC production and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiro Iwagawa
- Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Honda
- Field of Human Disease Models, Major in Advanced Life Sciences and Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animals, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sumiko Watanabe
- Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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22
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Dose-dependent regulation of horizontal cell fate by Onecut family of transcription factors. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237403. [PMID: 32790713 PMCID: PMC7425962 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237403] [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: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome duplication leads to an emergence of gene paralogs that are essentially free to undergo the process of neofunctionalization, subfunctionalization or degeneration (gene loss). Onecut1 (Oc1) and Onecut2 (Oc2) transcription factors, encoded by paralogous genes in mammals, are expressed in precursors of horizontal cells (HCs), retinal ganglion cells and cone photoreceptors. Previous studies have shown that ablation of either Oc1 or Oc2 gene in the mouse retina results in a decreased number of HCs, while simultaneous deletion of Oc1 and Oc2 leads to a complete loss of HCs. Here we study the genetic redundancy between Oc1 and Oc2 paralogs and focus on how the dose of Onecut transcription factors influences abundance of individual retinal cell types and overall retina physiology. Our data show that reducing the number of functional Oc alleles in the developing retina leads to a gradual decrease in the number of HCs, progressive thinning of the outer plexiform layer and diminished electrophysiology responses. Taken together, these observations indicate that in the context of HC population, the alleles of Oc1/Oc2 paralogous genes are mutually interchangeable, function additively to support proper retinal function and their molecular evolution does not follow one of the typical routes after gene duplication.
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23
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Xu B, Tang X, Jin M, Zhang H, Du L, Yu S, He J. Unifying developmental programs for embryonic and postembryonic neurogenesis in the zebrafish retina. Development 2020; 147:dev.185660. [PMID: 32467236 DOI: 10.1242/dev.185660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish retina grows for a lifetime. Whether embryonic and postembryonic retinogenesis conform to the same developmental program is an outstanding question that remains under debate. Using single-cell RNA sequencing of ∼20,000 cells of the developing zebrafish retina at four different stages, we identified seven distinct developmental states. Each state explicitly expresses a gene set. Disruption of individual state-specific marker genes results in various defects ranging from small eyes to the loss of distinct retinal cell types. Using a similar approach, we further characterized the developmental states of postembryonic retinal stem cells (RSCs) and their progeny in the ciliary marginal zone. Expression pattern analysis of state-specific marker genes showed that the developmental states of postembryonic RSCs largely recapitulated those of their embryonic counterparts, except for some differences in rod photoreceptor genesis. Thus, our findings reveal the unifying developmental program used by the embryonic and postembryonic retinogenesis in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baijie Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xia Tang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China .,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Mengmeng Jin
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Lei Du
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Shuguang Yu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jie He
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China .,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
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24
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Burger CA, Alevy J, Casasent AK, Jiang D, Albrecht NE, Liang JH, Hirano AA, Brecha NC, Samuel MA. LKB1 coordinates neurite remodeling to drive synapse layer emergence in the outer retina. eLife 2020; 9:e56931. [PMID: 32378514 PMCID: PMC7237215 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56931] [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: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural changes in pre and postsynaptic neurons that accompany synapse formation often temporally and spatially overlap. Thus, it has been difficult to resolve which processes drive patterned connectivity. To overcome this, we use the laminated outer murine retina. We identify the serine/threonine kinase LKB1 as a key driver of synapse layer emergence. The absence of LKB1 in the retina caused a marked mislocalization and delay in synapse layer formation. In parallel, LKB1 modulated postsynaptic horizontal cell refinement and presynaptic photoreceptor axon growth. Mislocalized horizontal cell processes contacted aberrant cone axons in LKB1 mutants. These defects coincided with altered synapse protein organization, and horizontal cell neurites were misdirected to ectopic synapse protein regions. Together, these data suggest that LKB1 instructs the timing and location of connectivity in the outer retina via coordinate regulation of pre and postsynaptic neuron structure and the localization of synapse-associated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Burger
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Jonathan Alevy
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Anna K Casasent
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Danye Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Nicholas E Albrecht
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Justine H Liang
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Arlene A Hirano
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLALos AngelesUnited States
- United States Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Nicholas C Brecha
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLALos AngelesUnited States
- United States Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Melanie A Samuel
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
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25
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Xiao D, Deng Q, Guo Y, Huang X, Zou M, Zhong J, Rao P, Xu Z, Liu Y, Hu Y, Shen Y, Jin K, Xiang M. Generation of self-organized sensory ganglion organoids and retinal ganglion cells from fibroblasts. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz5858. [PMID: 32523990 PMCID: PMC7259937 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz5858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Neural organoids provide a powerful tool for investigating neural development, modeling neural diseases, screening drugs, and developing cell-based therapies. Somatic cells have previously been reprogrammed by transcription factors (TFs) into sensory ganglion (SG) neurons but not SG organoids. We identify a combination of triple TFs Ascl1, Brn3b/3a, and Isl1 (ABI) as an efficient means to reprogram mouse and human fibroblasts into self-organized and networked induced SG (iSG) organoids. The iSG neurons exhibit molecular features, subtype diversity, electrophysiological and calcium response properties, and innervation patterns characteristic of peripheral sensory neurons. Moreover, we have defined retinal ganglion cell (RGC)-specific identifiers to demonstrate the ability for ABI to reprogram induced RGCs (iRGCs) from fibroblasts. Unlike iSG neurons, iRGCs maintain a scattering distribution pattern characteristic of endogenous RGCs. iSG organoids may serve as a model to decipher the pathogenesis of sensorineural diseases and screen effective drugs and a source for cell replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongchang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Qinqin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Yanan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xiuting Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Min Zou
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, Room 312B, 1130 St. Nicholas Ave., New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jiawei Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Pinhong Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Zihui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yifan Liu
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Youjin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yin Shen
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Kangxin Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Mengqing Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
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26
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Foxn4 is a temporal identity factor conferring mid/late-early retinal competence and involved in retinal synaptogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:5016-5027. [PMID: 32071204 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1918628117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
During development, neural progenitors change their competence states over time to sequentially generate different types of neurons and glia. Several cascades of temporal transcription factors (tTFs) have been discovered in Drosophila to control the temporal identity of neuroblasts, but the temporal regulation mechanism is poorly understood in vertebrates. Mammalian retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) give rise to several types of neuronal and glial cells following a sequential yet overlapping temporal order. Here, by temporal cluster analysis, RNA-sequencing analysis, and loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies, we show that the Fox domain TF Foxn4 functions as a tTF during retinogenesis to confer RPCs with the competence to generate the mid/late-early cell types: amacrine, horizontal, cone, and rod cells, while suppressing the competence of generating the immediate-early cell type: retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In early embryonic retinas, Foxn4 inactivation causes down-regulation of photoreceptor marker genes and decreased photoreceptor generation but increased RGC production, whereas its overexpression has the opposite effect. Just as in Drosophila, Foxn4 appears to positively regulate its downstream tTF Casz1 while negatively regulating its upstream tTF Ikzf1. Moreover, retina-specific ablation of Foxn4 reveals that it may be indirectly involved in the synaptogenesis, establishment of laminar structure, visual signal transmission, and long-term maintenance of the retina. Together, our data provide evidence that Foxn4 acts as a tTF to bias RPCs toward the mid/late-early cell fates and identify a missing member of the tTF cascade that controls RPC temporal identities to ensure the generation of proper neuronal diversity in the retina.
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27
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Brooks PM, Rose KP, MacRae ML, Rangoussis KM, Gurjar M, Hertzano R, Coate TM. Pou3f4-expressing otic mesenchyme cells promote spiral ganglion neuron survival in the postnatal mouse cochlea. J Comp Neurol 2020; 528:1967-1985. [PMID: 31994726 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
During inner ear development, primary auditory neurons named spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) are surrounded by otic mesenchyme cells, which express the transcription factor Pou3f4. Mutations in Pou3f4 are associated with DFNX2, the most common form of X-linked deafness and typically include developmental malformations of the middle ear and inner ear. It is known that interactions between Pou3f4-expressing mesenchyme cells and SGNs are important for proper axon bundling during development. However, Pou3f4 continues to be expressed through later phases of development, and potential interactions between Pou3f4 and SGNs during this period had not been explored. To address this, we documented Pou3f4 protein expression in the early postnatal mouse cochlea and compared SGNs in Pou3f4 knockout mice and littermate controls. In Pou3f4y/- mice, SGN density begins to decline by the end of the first postnatal week, with approximately 25% of SGNs ultimately lost. This period of SGN loss in Pou3f4y/- cochleae coincides with significant elevations in SGN apoptosis. Interestingly, this period also coincides with the presence of a transient population of Pou3f4-expressing cells around and within the spiral ganglion. To determine if Pou3f4 is normally required for SGN peripheral axon extension into the sensory domain, we used a genetic sparse labeling approach to track SGNs and found no differences compared with controls. We also found that Pou3f4 loss did not lead to changes in the proportions of Type I SGN subtypes. Overall, these data suggest that otic mesenchyme cells may play a role in maintaining SGN populations during the early postnatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige M Brooks
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Kevin P Rose
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Meaghan L MacRae
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | | - Mansa Gurjar
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Ronna Hertzano
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland.,Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Thomas M Coate
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
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28
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Ye H, Duan M. FOXN4 Inhibits Breast Cancer Progression By Direct Activation Of P53. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:71-81. [PMID: 32021256 PMCID: PMC6954834 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s206775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fork head domain-containing gene family (Fox) transcription factors, consisting of over 20 members, are involved in the progression of certain types of tumor. However, whether FOXN4 is involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression is still unclear. Purpose In this study, we investigated the clinicopathological significance and the underlying mechanism of FOXN4 in breast cancer. Methods and results We examined the lower expression of FOXN4 in breast cancer tissues and cancer cell lines. The expression of FOXN4 is negatively correlated with tumor size and lymph node metastasis. Using CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, and Transwell assay, we revealed that FOXN4 notably decreased breast cancer cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasion in vitro. In addition, quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays determined that FOXN4 was able to directly bind with the promoter of P53. RT-qPCR and Western blotting analysis showed that FOXN4 could directly activate P53 expression. Functionally, P53 knockdown rescued the tumor inhibition effects of FOXN4 in breast cancer cells. Conclusion The present study provides new insights into the role of FOXN4 in breast cancer progression and suggests FOXN4 might represent a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer by modulating P53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ye
- Department of Galactophore, Linyi Central Hospital of Shandong, Linyi, People's Republic of China
| | - Meiling Duan
- Department of Respiratory One, Linyi Central Hospital of Shandong, Linyi, People's Republic of China
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29
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Quinn PM, Wijnholds J. Retinogenesis of the Human Fetal Retina: An Apical Polarity Perspective. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E987. [PMID: 31795518 PMCID: PMC6947654 DOI: 10.3390/genes10120987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Crumbs complex has prominent roles in the control of apical cell polarity, in the coupling of cell density sensing to downstream cell signaling pathways, and in regulating junctional structures and cell adhesion. The Crumbs complex acts as a conductor orchestrating multiple downstream signaling pathways in epithelial and neuronal tissue development. These pathways lead to the regulation of cell size, cell fate, cell self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation, migration, mitosis, and apoptosis. In retinogenesis, these are all pivotal processes with important roles for the Crumbs complex to maintain proper spatiotemporal cell processes. Loss of Crumbs function in the retina results in loss of the stratified appearance resulting in retinal degeneration and loss of visual function. In this review, we begin by discussing the physiology of vision. We continue by outlining the processes of retinogenesis and how well this is recapitulated between the human fetal retina and human embryonic stem cell (ESC) or induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal organoids. Additionally, we discuss the functionality of in utero and preterm human fetal retina and the current level of functionality as detected in human stem cell-derived organoids. We discuss the roles of apical-basal cell polarity in retinogenesis with a focus on Leber congenital amaurosis which leads to blindness shortly after birth. Finally, we discuss Crumbs homolog (CRB)-based gene augmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M.J. Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands;
- The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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30
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Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of hESC-Derived 3D Retinal Organoids Reveals Novel Genes Regulating RPC Commitment in Early Human Retinogenesis. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 13:747-760. [PMID: 31543471 PMCID: PMC6829752 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of the mammalian retina is a complicated process involving the generation of distinct types of neurons from retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) in a spatiotemporal-specific manner. The progression of RPCs during retinogenesis includes RPC proliferation, cell-fate commitment, and specific neuronal differentiation. In this study, by performing single-cell RNA sequencing of cells isolated from human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived 3D retinal organoids, we successfully deconstructed the temporal progression of RPCs during early human retinogenesis. We identified two distinctive subtypes of RPCs with unique molecular profiles, namely multipotent RPCs and neurogenic RPCs. We found that genes related to the Notch and Wnt signaling pathways, as well as chromatin remodeling, were dynamically regulated during RPC commitment. Interestingly, our analysis identified that CCND1, a G1-phase cell-cycle regulator, was coexpressed with ASCL1 in a cell-cycle-independent manner. Temporally controlled overexpression of CCND1 in retinal organoids demonstrated a role for CCND1 in promoting early retinal neurogenesis. Together, our results revealed critical pathways and novel genes in early retinogenesis of humans. Fate transition occurring in RPC is concomitant with onset of retinal neurogenesis Molecular dynamics underlying RPC commitment are dissected CCND1 promotes retinal neurogenesis in a cell-cycle-independent manner
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31
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Ivanov D. Notch Signaling-Induced Oscillatory Gene Expression May Drive Neurogenesis in the Developing Retina. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:226. [PMID: 31607861 PMCID: PMC6761228 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
After integrating classic and cutting-edge research, we proposed a unified model that attempts to explain the key steps of mammalian retinal neurogenesis. We proposed that the Notch signaling-induced lateral inhibition mechanism promotes oscillatory expression of Hes1. Oscillating Hes1 inhibitory activity as a result leads to oscillatory expression of Notch signaling inhibitors, activators/inhibitors of retinal neuronal phenotypes, and cell cycle-promoting genes all within a retinal progenitor cell (RPC). We provided a mechanism explaining not only how oscillatory expression prevents the progenitor-to-precursor transition, but also how this transition happens. Our proposal of the mechanism posits that the levels of the above factors not only oscillate but also rise (with the exception of Hes1) as the factors accumulate within a progenitor. Depending on which factors accumulate fastest and reach the required supra-threshold levels (cell cycle activators or Notch signaling inhibitors), the progenitor either proliferates or begins to differentiate without any further proliferation when Notch signaling ceases. Thus, oscillatory gene expression may regulate an RPC's decision to proliferate or differentiate. Meanwhile, a post-mitotic precursor's selection of one retinal neuronal phenotype over many others depends on the expression level of key transcription factors (activators) required for each of these retinal neuronal phenotypes. Because the events described above are stochastic due to oscillatory gene expression and gene product inheritance from a mother RPC after its division, an RPC or precursor's decision requires the assignment of probabilities to specific outcomes in the selection process. While low and sustained (non-oscillatory) Notch signaling activity is required to promote the transition of retinal progenitors into various retinal neuronal phenotypes, we propose that the lateral inhibition mechanism, combined with high expression of the BMP signaling-induced Inhibitor of Differentiation (ID) protein family, promotes high and sustained (non-oscillatory) Hes1 and Hes5 expression. These events facilitate the transition of an RPC into the Müller glia (MG) phenotype at the late stage of retinal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Ivanov
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
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32
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Di Bella DJ, Carcagno AL, Bartolomeu ML, Pardi MB, Löhr H, Siegel N, Hammerschmidt M, Marín-Burgin A, Lanuza GM. Ascl1 Balances Neuronal versus Ependymal Fate in the Spinal Cord Central Canal. Cell Rep 2019; 28:2264-2274.e3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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33
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Denes V, Hideg O, Nyisztor Z, Lakk M, Godri Z, Berta G, Geck P, Gabriel R. The Neuroprotective Peptide PACAP1-38 Contributes to Horizontal Cell Development in Postnatal Rat Retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:770-778. [PMID: 30795011 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-25719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose PACAP1-38, a member of the secretin/glucagon superfamily, is expressed in the developing retina with documented neuroprotective effects. However, its function in retinal cell differentiation has yet to be elucidated. Our goals, therefore, were to identify PAC1 expressing cells morphologically, investigate the PACAP1-38 action functionally, and establish PACAP1-38 regulated events developmentally during the first postnatal week in rat retina. Methods P1 retinal sections or whole mounts of Wistar rats were used to reveal PAC1 and calbindin immunoreactive structures. P1, P3, or P7 pups were injected intravitreally with 100 pmol PACAP1-38. Tissues were harvested 24 hours post-treatment, then processed for calbindin immunohistochemistry to determine horizontal cell number, or 6, 12, 24 hours post-treatment for real-time PCR and immunoblots to detect PCNA expression. To localize proliferating cells, anti-PCNA antibody was applied. Results We showed various PAC1 expressing cells in RPE, NBL, and GCL in P1 retina including calbindin positive horizontal cells. We found that PACAP1-38 induced a marked cell number increase at P3 and P7 and showed upregulated cell proliferation as its mechanism; however, it was ineffective at P1. PACAP1-38 induced proliferative cells localized in the NBL, and double-marker studies demonstrated that the induced proliferative cells were horizontal cells. Conclusions PACAP1-38 appears to act in retinal differentiation by inducing mitosis selectively in a time and cell specific manner through PAC1. The control of horizontal cell proliferation raises the novel possibilities that (1) PACAP1-38 may be a major player in retinal patterning and (2) PACAP signaling may be critical in retinoblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Denes
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Hideg
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Nyisztor
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Monika Lakk
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Zoltan Godri
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gergely Berta
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Peter Geck
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Robert Gabriel
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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34
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Hu Y, Wang X, Hu B, Mao Y, Chen Y, Yan L, Yong J, Dong J, Wei Y, Wang W, Wen L, Qiao J, Tang F. Dissecting the transcriptome landscape of the human fetal neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium by single-cell RNA-seq analysis. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000365. [PMID: 31269016 PMCID: PMC6634428 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The developmental pathway of the neural retina (NR) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) has been revealed by extensive research in mice. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of the human NR and RPE, as well as the interactions between these two tissues, have not been well defined. Here, we analyzed 2,421 individual cells from human fetal NR and RPE using single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technique and revealed the tightly regulated spatiotemporal gene expression network of human retinal cells. We identified major cell classes of human fetal retina and potential crucial transcription factors for each cell class. We dissected the dynamic expression patterns of visual cycle- and ligand-receptor interaction-related genes in the RPE and NR. Moreover, we provided a map of disease-related genes for human fetal retinal cells and highlighted the importance of retinal progenitor cells as potential targets of inherited retinal diseases. Our findings captured the key in vivo features of the development of the human NR and RPE and offered insightful clues for further functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqiong Hu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoye Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Boqiang Hu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunuo Mao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yidong Chen
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Liying Yan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Yong
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Ji Dong
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Wei
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Wen
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Zibetti C, Liu S, Wan J, Qian J, Blackshaw S. Epigenomic profiling of retinal progenitors reveals LHX2 is required for developmental regulation of open chromatin. Commun Biol 2019; 2:142. [PMID: 31044167 PMCID: PMC6484012 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0375-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal neurogenesis occurs through partially overlapping temporal windows, driven by concerted actions of transcription factors which, in turn, may contribute to the establishment of divergent genetic programs in the developing retina by coordinating variations in chromatin landscapes. Here we comprehensively profile murine retinal progenitors by integrating next generation sequencing methods and interrogate changes in chromatin accessibility at embryonic and post-natal stages. An unbiased search for motifs in open chromatin regions identifies putative factors involved in the developmental progression of the epigenome in retinal progenitor cells. Among these factors, the transcription factor LHX2 exhibits a developmentally regulated cis-regulatory repertoire and stage-dependent motif instances. Using loss-of-function assays, we determine LHX2 coordinates variations in chromatin accessibility, by competition for nucleosome occupancy and secondary regulation of candidate pioneer factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Zibetti
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Sheng Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
| | - Jun Wan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
| | - Jiang Qian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- Center for Human Systems Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
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36
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Sghari S, Gunhaga L. Temporal Requirement of Mab21l2 During Eye Development in Chick Reveals Stage-Dependent Functions for Retinogenesis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:3869-3878. [PMID: 30073347 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-24236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Different missense mutations in the single exon gene Mab21l2 have been identified in unrelated families with various bilateral eye malformations, including microphthalmia, anophthalmia, and coloboma, but the molecular function of Mab21l2 during eye development still remains largely unknown. Methods We have established an in vivo Mab21l2-deficient eye development model in chick, by using a Mab21l2 RNA interference construct that we electroporated in ovo in prospective retinal cells. In addition, we designed a Mab21l2 gain-of-function electroporation vector. Mab21l2-modulated retinas were analyzed on consecutive sections in terms of morphology, and molecular markers for apoptosis, cell proliferation, and retinogenesis. Results Our Mab21l2-deficient chick model mimics human ocular phenotypes. When Mab21l2 is downregulated prior to optic vesicle formation, the embryos develop anophthalmia, and Mab21l2 inhibition by optic cup stages results in a microphthalmic colobomatous phenotype. Our results show that inhibition of Mab21l2 affects cell proliferation, cell cycle exit, and the expression of Atoh7/Ath5, NeuroD4/Ath3, Isl1, Pax6, AP-2α, and Prox1. In addition, Mab21l2 overexpression hampers cell cycle exit and differentiation of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs). Conclusions Our results highlight the importance of a regulated temporal expression of Mab21l2 during eye development: At early stages, Mab21l2 is required to maintain RPC proliferation and expansion of cell number; before retinogenesis, a decrease in Mab21l2 expression in proliferating RPCs is required for cell cycle exit and differentiation; during retinogenesis, Mab21l2 is chronologically upregulated in RGCs, followed by differentiated horizontal and amacrine cells and cone photoreceptor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soufien Sghari
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lena Gunhaga
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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37
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Jin K, Xiang M. Transcription factor Ptf1a in development, diseases and reprogramming. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:921-940. [PMID: 30470852 PMCID: PMC11105224 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2972-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Ptf1a is a crucial helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein selectively expressed in the pancreas, retina, spinal cord, brain, and enteric nervous system. Ptf1a is preferably assembled into a transcription trimeric complex PTF1 with an E protein and Rbpj (or Rbpjl). In pancreatic development, Ptf1a is indispensable in controlling the expansion of multipotent progenitor cells as well as the specification and maintenance of the acinar cells. In neural tissues, Ptf1a is transiently expressed in the post-mitotic cells and specifies the inhibitory neuronal cell fates, mostly mediated by downstream genes such as Tfap2a/b and Prdm13. Mutations in the coding and non-coding regulatory sequences resulting in Ptf1a gain- or loss-of-function are associated with genetic diseases such as pancreatic and cerebellar agenesis in the rodent and human. Surprisingly, Ptf1a alone is sufficient to reprogram mouse or human fibroblasts into tripotential neural stem cells. Its pleiotropic functions in many biological processes remain to be deciphered in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangxin Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Mengqing Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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38
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Hicks EA, Zaveri M, Deschamps PA, Noseworthy MD, Ball A, Williams T, West-Mays JA. Conditional Deletion of AP-2α and AP-2β in the Developing Murine Retina Leads to Altered Amacrine Cell Mosaics and Disrupted Visual Function. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:2229-2239. [PMID: 29715367 PMCID: PMC5931233 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-23283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The combined action of the activating protein-2 (AP-2) transcription factors, AP-2α and AP-2β, is important in early retinal development, specifically in the formation of horizontal cells. However, in previous studies, it was not possible to analyze postnatal development and function of additional retinal subtypes. Methods We used a double conditional deletion of AP-2α and AP-2β from the retina to further examine the combinatory role of these genes in retinal cell patterning and function in postnatal adult mice as measured by Voronoi domain area and nearest-neighbor distance spatial analyses and ERGs, respectively. Results Conditional deletion of both AP-2α and AP-2β from the retina resulted in a variety of abnormalities, including the absence of horizontal cells, defects in the photoreceptor ribbons in which synapses failed to form, along with evidence of aberrant amacrine cell arrangement. Although no significant changes in amacrine cell population numbers were observed in the double mutants, significant irregularities in the mosaic patterning of amacrine cells was observed as demonstrated by both Voronoi domain areas and nearest-neighbor distances analyses. These changes were further accompanied by an alteration in the retinal response to light as recorded by ERGs. In particular, in the double-mutant mice lacking AP-2α and AP-2β, the b-wave amplitude, representative of interneuron signal processing, was significantly reduced compared with control littermates. Conclusions Together these findings demonstrate the requirement for both AP-2α and AP-2β in proper amacrine mosaic patterning and a normal functional light response in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Anne Hicks
- McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mizna Zaveri
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paula A Deschamps
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael D Noseworthy
- McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexander Ball
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Trevor Williams
- Department of Craniofacial Biology and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Judith A West-Mays
- McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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39
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Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the early developmental origins of six ocular tissues: the cornea, lens, ciliary body, iris, neural retina, and retina pigment epithelium. Many of these tissue types are concurrently specified and undergo a complex set of morphogenetic movements that facilitate their structural interconnection. Within the context of vertebrate eye organogenesis, we also discuss the genetic hierarchies of transcription factors and signaling pathways that regulate growth, patterning, cell type specification and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel B Miesfeld
- Department of Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Nadean L Brown
- Department of Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.
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40
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Di Nardo AA, Fuchs J, Joshi RL, Moya KL, Prochiantz A. The Physiology of Homeoprotein Transduction. Physiol Rev 2019; 98:1943-1982. [PMID: 30067157 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00018.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The homeoprotein family comprises ~300 transcription factors and was long seen as primarily involved in developmental programs through cell autonomous regulation. However, recent evidence reveals that many of these factors are also expressed in the adult where they exert physiological functions not yet fully deciphered. Furthermore, the DNA-binding domain of most homeoproteins contains two signal sequences allowing their secretion and internalization, thus intercellular transfer. This review focuses on this new-found signaling in cell migration, axon guidance, and cerebral cortex physiological homeostasis and speculates on how it may play important roles in early arealization of the neuroepithelium. It also describes the use of homeoproteins as therapeutic proteins in mouse models of diseases affecting the central nervous system, in particular Parkinson disease and glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel A Di Nardo
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, Labex MemoLife, PSL Research University , Paris , France
| | - Julia Fuchs
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, Labex MemoLife, PSL Research University , Paris , France
| | - Rajiv L Joshi
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, Labex MemoLife, PSL Research University , Paris , France
| | - Kenneth L Moya
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, Labex MemoLife, PSL Research University , Paris , France
| | - Alain Prochiantz
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), Collège de France, CNRS UMR 7241, INSERM U1050, Labex MemoLife, PSL Research University , Paris , France
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41
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Diacou R, Zhao Y, Zheng D, Cvekl A, Liu W. Six3 and Six6 Are Jointly Required for the Maintenance of Multipotent Retinal Progenitors through Both Positive and Negative Regulation. Cell Rep 2018; 25:2510-2523.e4. [PMID: 30485816 PMCID: PMC6317371 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.10.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene regulation of multipotent neuroretinal progenitors is partially understood. Through characterizing Six3 and Six6 double knockout retinas (DKOs), we demonstrate Six3 and Six6 are jointly required for the maintenance of multipotent neuroretinal progenitors. Phenotypes in DKOs were not found in either Six3 nulls or Six6 nulls. At the far periphery, ciliary margin (CM) markers Otx1 and Cdon together with Wnt3a and Fzd1 were ectopically upregulated, whereas neuroretinal progenitor markers Sox2, Notch1, and Otx2 were absent or reduced. At the mid periphery, multi-lineage differentiation was defective. The gene set jointly regulated by Six3 and Six6 significantly overlapped with the gene networks regulated by WNT3A, CTNNB1, POU4F2, or SOX2. Stimulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by either Wnt-3a or a GS3Kβ inhibitor promoted CM progenitors at the cost of neuroretinal identity at the periphery of eyecups. Therefore, Six3 and Six6 together directly or indirectly suppress Wnt/β-catenin signaling but promote retinogenic factors for the maintenance of multipotent neuroretinal progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raven Diacou
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Yilin Zhao
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ales Cvekl
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA.
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42
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Xiao D, Jin K, Xiang M. Necessity and Sufficiency of Ldb1 in the Generation, Differentiation and Maintenance of Non-photoreceptor Cell Types During Retinal Development. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:271. [PMID: 30127719 PMCID: PMC6087769 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
During mammalian retinal development, the multipotent progenitors differentiate into all classes of retinal cells under the delicate control of transcriptional factors. The deficiency of a transcription cofactor, the LIM-domain binding protein Ldb1, has been shown to cause proliferation and developmental defects in multiple tissues including cardiovascular, hematopoietic, and nervous systems; however, it remains unclear whether and how it regulates retinal development. By expression profiling, RNA in situ hybridization and immunostaining, here we show that Ldb1 is expressed in the progenitors during early retinal development, but later its expression gradually shifts to non-photoreceptor cell types including bipolar, amacrine, horizontal, ganglion, and Müller glial cells. Retina-specific ablation of Ldb1 in mice resulted in microphthalmia, optic nerve hypoplasia, retinal thinning and detachment, and profound vision impairment as determined by electroretinography. In the mutant retina, there was precocious differentiation of amacrine and horizontal cells, indicating a requirement of Ldb1 in maintaining the retinal progenitor pool. Additionally, all non-photoreceptor cell types were greatly reduced which appeared to be caused by a generation defect and/or retinal degeneration via excessive cell apoptosis. Furthermore, we showed that misexpressed Ldb1 was sufficient to promote the generation of bipolar, amacrine, horizontal, ganglion, and Müller glial cells at the expense of photoreceptors. Together, these results demonstrate that Ldb1 is not only necessary but also sufficient for the development and/or maintenance of non-photoreceptor cell types, and implicate that the pleiotropic functions of Ldb1 during retinal development are context-dependent and determined by its interaction with diverse LIM-HD (LIM-homeodomain) and LMO (LIM domain-only) binding protein partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongchang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kangxin Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengqing Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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43
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Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into neural stem cells by single non-neural progenitor transcription factor Ptf1a. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2865. [PMID: 30030434 PMCID: PMC6054649 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05209-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) reprogrammed from somatic cells have great potentials in cell replacement therapies and in vitro modeling of neural diseases. Direct conversion of fibroblasts into iNSCs has been shown to depend on a couple of key neural progenitor transcription factors (TFs), raising the question of whether such direct reprogramming can be achieved by non-neural progenitor TFs. Here we report that the non-neural progenitor TF Ptf1a alone is sufficient to directly reprogram mouse and human fibroblasts into self-renewable iNSCs capable of differentiating into functional neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and improving cognitive dysfunction of Alzheimer’s disease mouse models when transplanted. The reprogramming activity of Ptf1a depends on its Notch-independent interaction with Rbpj which leads to subsequent activation of expression of TF genes and Notch signaling required for NSC specification, self-renewal, and homeostasis. Together, our data identify a non-canonical and safer approach to establish iNSCs for research and therapeutic purposes. Fibroblasts can be reprogrammed into induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) using transcription factors expressed in neural progenitors. Here the authors show that Ptf1a, which is normally expressed in postmitotic neurons, can reprogram fibroblasts to iNSCs through Notch independent interaction with Rbpj.
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44
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Chen L, Zhang YH, Zhang Z, Huang T, Cai YD. Inferring Novel Tumor Suppressor Genes with a Protein-Protein Interaction Network and Network Diffusion Algorithms. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 10:57-67. [PMID: 30069494 PMCID: PMC6068090 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Extensive studies on tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) are helpful to understand the pathogenesis of cancer and design effective treatments. However, identifying TSGs using traditional experiments is quite difficult and time consuming. Developing computational methods to identify possible TSGs is an alternative way. In this study, we proposed two computational methods that integrated two network diffusion algorithms, including Laplacian heat diffusion (LHD) and random walk with restart (RWR), to search possible genes in the whole network. These two computational methods were LHD-based and RWR-based methods. To increase the reliability of the putative genes, three strict screening tests followed to filter genes obtained by these two algorithms. After comparing the putative genes obtained by the two methods, we designated twelve genes (e.g., MAP3K10, RND1, and OTX2) as common genes, 29 genes (e.g., RFC2 and GUCY2F) as genes that were identified only by the LHD-based method, and 128 genes (e.g., SNAI2 and FGF4) as genes that were inferred only by the RWR-based method. Some obtained genes can be confirmed as novel TSGs according to recent publications, suggesting the utility of our two proposed methods. In addition, the reported genes in this study were quite different from those reported in a previous one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, People’s Republic of China
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu-Hang Zhang
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenghua Zhang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Jing’an District Centre Hospital of Shanghai (Huashan Hospital Fudan University Jing’An Branch), Shanghai 200040, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Huang
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, People’s Republic of China
- Corresponding author: Tao Huang, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, People’s Republic of China.
| | - Yu-Dong Cai
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People’s Republic of China
- Corresponding author: Yu-Dong Cai, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People’s Republic of China.
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45
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Wei W, Liu B, Jiang H, Jin K, Xiang M. Requirement of the Mowat-Wilson Syndrome Gene Zeb2 in the Differentiation and Maintenance of Non-photoreceptor Cell Types During Retinal Development. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:1719-1736. [PMID: 29922981 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1186-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the human transcription factor gene ZEB2 cause Mowat-Wilson syndrome, a congenital disorder characterized by multiple and variable anomalies including microcephaly, Hirschsprung disease, intellectual disability, epilepsy, microphthalmia, retinal coloboma, and/or optic nerve hypoplasia. Zeb2 in mice is involved in patterning neural and lens epithelia, neural tube closure, as well as in the specification, differentiation and migration of neural crest cells and cortical neurons. At present, it is still unclear how Zeb2 mutations cause retinal coloboma, whether Zeb2 inactivation results in retinal degeneration, and whether Zeb2 is sufficient to promote the differentiation of different retinal cell types. Here, we show that during mouse retinal development, Zeb2 is expressed transiently in early retinal progenitors and in all non-photoreceptor cell types including bipolar, amacrine, horizontal, ganglion, and Müller glial cells. Its retina-specific ablation causes severe loss of all non-photoreceptor cell types, cell fate switch to photoreceptors by retinal progenitors, and elevated apoptosis, which lead to age-dependent retinal degeneration, optic nerve hypoplasia, synaptic connection defects, and impaired ERG (electroretinogram) responses. Moreover, overexpression of Zeb2 is sufficient to promote the fate of all non-photoreceptor cell types at the expense of photoreceptors. Together, our data not only suggest that Zeb2 is both necessary and sufficient for the differentiation of non-photoreceptor cell types while simultaneously inhibiting the photoreceptor cell fate by repressing transcription factor genes involved in photoreceptor specification and differentiation, but also reveal a necessity of Zeb2 in the long-term maintenance of retinal cell types. This work helps to decipher the etiology of retinal atrophy associated with Mowat-Wilson syndrome and hence will impact on clinical diagnosis and management of the patients suffering from this syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Bin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.,Institute for Metabolic and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Haisong Jiang
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 679 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Kangxin Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Mengqing Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China. .,Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 679 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Chromatin Remodeling BAF155 Subunit Regulates the Genesis of Basal Progenitors in Developing Cortex. iScience 2018; 4:109-126. [PMID: 30240734 PMCID: PMC6147019 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The abundance of basal progenitors (BPs), basal radial glia progenitors (bRGs) and basal intermediate progenitors (bIPs), in primate brain has been correlated to the high degree of cortical folding. Here we examined the role of BAF155, a subunit of the chromatin remodeling BAF complex, in generation of cortical progenitor heterogeneity. The conditional deletion of BAF155 led to diminished bIP pool and increased number of bRGs, due to delamination of apical RGs. We found that BAF155 is required for normal activity of neurogenic transcription factor PAX6, thus controlling the expression of genes that are involved in bIP specification, cell-cell interaction, and establishment of adherens junction. In a PAX6-dependent manner, BAF155 regulates the expression of the CDC42 effector protein CEP4, thereby controlling progenitor delamination. Furthermore, BAF155-dependent chromatin remodeling seems to exert a specific role in the genesis of BPs through the regulation of human RG-specific genes (such as Foxn4) that possibly acquired evolutionary significance.
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The transcription factor FOXN3 inhibits cell proliferation by downregulating E2F5 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Oncotarget 2017; 7:43534-43545. [PMID: 27259277 PMCID: PMC5190042 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and the mechanisms underlying the development of HCC remain to be elucidated. Forkhead box N3 (FOXN3) is an important member of the FOX family of transcription factors that plays an essential role in several cancers but has not been investigated in HCC. In this study, we demonstrate that FOXN3 is downregulated in human primary HCC tissues compared with their matched adjacent liver tissues. Functional tests of FOXN3 demonstrated that FOXN3 inhibits the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, FOXN3 repressed the mRNA and protein expression of E2F5, a reported potential oncogene, by inhibiting the promoter activity of E2F5. Collectively, our findings indicate that FOXN3 functions as a tumor suppressor in HCC by downregulating the expression of E2F5.
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Goodson NB, Nahreini J, Randazzo G, Uruena A, Johnson JE, Brzezinski JA. Prdm13 is required for Ebf3+ amacrine cell formation in the retina. Dev Biol 2017; 434:149-163. [PMID: 29258872 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Amacrine interneurons play a critical role in the processing of visual signals within the retina. They are highly diverse, representing 30 or more distinct subtypes. Little is known about how amacrine subtypes acquire their unique gene expression and morphological features. We characterized the gene expression pattern of the zinc-finger transcription factor Prdm13 in the mouse. Consistent with a developmental role, Prdm13 was expressed by Ptf1a+ amacrine and horizontal precursors. Over time, Prdm13 expression diverged from the transiently expressed Ptf1a and marked just a subset of amacrine cells in the adult retina. While heterogeneous, we show that most of these Prdm13+ amacrine cells express the transcription factor Ebf3 and the calcium binding protein calretinin. Loss of Prdm13 did not affect the number of amacrine cells formed during development. However, we observed a modest loss of amacrine cells and increased apoptosis that correlated with the onset timing of Ebf3 expression. Adult Prdm13 loss-of-function mice had 25% fewer amacrine cells, altered calretinin expression, and a lack of Ebf3+ amacrines. Forcing Prdm13 expression in retinal progenitor cells did not significantly increase amacrine cell formation, Ebf3 or calretinin expression, and appeared detrimental to the survival of photoreceptors. Our data show that Prdm13 is not required for amacrine fate as a class, but is essential for the formation of Ebf3+ amacrine cell subtypes. Rather than driving subtype identity, Prdm13 may act by restricting competing fate programs to maintain identity and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah B Goodson
- University of Colorado Denver, Department of Ophthalmology, United States; University of Colorado Denver, Neuroscience Graduate Program, United States
| | - Jhenya Nahreini
- University of Colorado Denver, Department of Ophthalmology, United States
| | - Grace Randazzo
- University of Colorado Denver, Department of Ophthalmology, United States
| | - Ana Uruena
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Neuroscience, United States
| | - Jane E Johnson
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Neuroscience, United States
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Fujimura N, Kuzelova A, Ebert A, Strnad H, Lachova J, Machon O, Busslinger M, Kozmik Z. Polycomb repression complex 2 is required for the maintenance of retinal progenitor cells and balanced retinal differentiation. Dev Biol 2017; 433:47-60. [PMID: 29137925 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complexes maintain transcriptional repression of genes encoding crucial developmental regulators through chromatin modification. Here we investigated the role of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) in retinal development by inactivating its key components Eed and Ezh2. Conditional deletion of Ezh2 resulted in a partial loss of PRC2 function and accelerated differentiation of Müller glial cells. In contrast, inactivation of Eed led to the ablation of PRC2 function at early postnatal stage. Cell proliferation was reduced and retinal progenitor cells were significantly decreased in this mutant, which subsequently caused depletion of Müller glia, bipolar, and rod photoreceptor cells, primarily generated from postnatal retinal progenitor cells. Interestingly, the proportion of amacrine cells was dramatically increased at postnatal stages in the Eed-deficient retina. In accordance, multiple transcription factors controlling amacrine cell differentiation were upregulated. Furthermore, ChIP-seq analysis showed that these deregulated genes contained bivalent chromatin (H3K27me3+ H3K4me3+). Our results suggest that PRC2 is required for proliferation in order to maintain the retinal progenitor cells at postnatal stages and for retinal differentiation by controlling amacrine cell generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Fujimura
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Kuzelova
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, Vestec, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Anja Ebert
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, A-1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hynek Strnad
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Lachova
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, Vestec, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Machon
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Meinrad Busslinger
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, A-1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Eye Biology, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, Vestec, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
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Pten Regulates Retinal Amacrine Cell Number by Modulating Akt, Tgfβ, and Erk Signaling. J Neurosci 2017; 36:9454-71. [PMID: 27605619 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0936-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED All tissues are genetically programmed to acquire an optimal size that is defined by total cell number and individual cellular dimensions. The retina contains stereotyped proportions of one glial and six neuronal cell types that are generated in overlapping waves. How multipotent retinal progenitors know when to switch from making one cell type to the next so that appropriate numbers of each cell type are generated is poorly understood. Pten is a phosphatase that controls progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation in several lineages. Here, using a conditional loss-of-function strategy, we found that Pten regulates retinal cell division and is required to produce the full complement of rod photoreceptors and amacrine cells in mouse. We focused on amacrine cell number control, identifying three downstream Pten effector pathways. First, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling is hyperactivated in Pten conditional knock-out (cKO) retinas, and misexpression of constitutively active Akt (Akt-CA) in retinal explants phenocopies the reduction in amacrine cell production observed in Pten cKOs. Second, Akt-CA activates Tgfβ signaling in retinal explants, which is a negative feedback pathway for amacrine cell production. Accordingly, Tgfβ signaling is elevated in Pten cKO retinas, and epistatic analyses placed Pten downstream of TgfβRII in amacrine cell number control. Finally, Pten regulates Raf/Mek/Erk signaling levels to promote the differentiation of all amacrine cell subtypes, which are each reduced in number in Pten cKOs. Pten is thus a positive regulator of amacrine cell production, acting via multiple downstream pathways, highlighting its diverse actions as a mediator of cell number control. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Despite the importance of size for optimal organ function, how individual cell types are generated in correct proportions is poorly understood. There are several ways to control cell number, including readouts of organ function (e.g., secreted hormones reach functional levels when enough cells are made) or counting of cell divisions or cell number. The latter applies to the retina, where cell number is regulated by negative feedback signals, which arrest differentiation of particular cell types at threshold levels. Herein, we show that Pten is a critical regulator of amacrine cell number in the retina, acting via multiple downstream pathways. Our studies provide molecular insights into how PTEN loss in humans may lead to uncontrolled cell division in several pathological conditions.
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