1
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Cooper ML, Calkins DJ. Beyond hypertrophy: Changing views of astrocytes in glaucoma. Vision Res 2024; 223:108461. [PMID: 39059109 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2024.108461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes serve multiple roles in helping to maintain homeostatic physiology of central nervous system tissue, ranging from metabolic support to coupling between vascular and neural elements. Astrocytes are especially critical in axonal tracts such as the optic nerve, where axons propagate energy-demanding action potentials great distances. In disease, astrocyte remodeling is a dynamic, multifaceted process that is often over-simplified between states of quiescence and reactivity. In glaucoma, axon degeneration in the optic nerve is characterized by progressive stages. So too is astrocyte remodeling. Here, using quantitative analysis of light and electron micrographs of myelinated optic nerve sections from the DBA/2J mouse model of glaucoma, we offer further insight into how astrocyte organization reflects stages of degeneration. This analysis indicates that even as axons degenerate, astrocyte gliosis in the nerve increases without abject proliferation, similar to results in the DBA/2J retina. Gliosis is accompanied by reorganization. As axons expand prior to frank degeneration, astrocyte processes retract from the extra-axonal space and reorient towards the nerve edge. After a critical threshold of expansion, axons drop out, and astrocyte processes distribute more evenly across the nerve reflecting gliosis. This multi-stage process likely reflects local rather than global cues from axons and the surrounding tissue that induce rapid reorganization to promote axon survival and extend functionality of the nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L Cooper
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - David J Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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2
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Tai NC, Shinmyo Y, Kawasaki H. Astrocyte diversity in the ferret cerebrum revealed with astrocyte-specific genetic manipulation. Glia 2024; 72:1862-1873. [PMID: 38884631 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24587] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes in the cerebrum play important roles such as the regulation of synaptic functions, homeostasis, water transport, and the blood-brain barrier. It has been proposed that astrocytes in the cerebrum acquired diversity and developed functionally during evolution. Here, we show that like human astrocytes, ferret astrocytes in the cerebrum exhibit various morphological subtypes which mice do not have. We found that layer 1 of the ferret cerebrum contained not only protoplasmic astrocytes but also pial interlaminar astrocytes and subpial interlaminar astrocytes. Morphologically polarized astrocytes, which have a long unbranched process, were found in layer 6. Like human white matter, ferret white matter exhibited four subtypes of astrocytes. Furthermore, our quantification showed that ferret astrocytes had a larger territory size and a longer radius length than mouse astrocytes. Thus, our results indicate that, similar to the human cerebrum, the ferret cerebrum has a well-developed diversity of astrocytes. Ferrets should be useful for investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to astrocyte diversity, the functions of each astrocyte subtype and the involvement of different astrocyte subtypes in various neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Chi Tai
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
- Sapiens Life Sciences, Evolution and Medicine Research Center, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yohei Shinmyo
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
- Department of Neurophysiology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kawasaki
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
- Sapiens Life Sciences, Evolution and Medicine Research Center, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
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3
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Yi R, Chen S, Guan M, Liao C, Zhu Y, Ip JPK, Ye T, Chen Y. A single-cell transcriptomic dataset of pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes via NFIB/SOX9 overexpression. Sci Data 2024; 11:987. [PMID: 39256463 PMCID: PMC11387634 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03823-x] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes, the predominant glial cells in the central nervous system, play essential roles in maintaining brain function. Reprogramming induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to become astrocytes through overexpression of the transcription factors, NFIB and SOX9, is a rapid and efficient approach for studying human neurological diseases and identifying therapeutic targets. However, the precise differentiation path and molecular signatures of induced astrocytes remain incompletely understood. Accordingly, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing analysis on 64,736 cells to establish a comprehensive atlas of NFIB/SOX9-directed astrocyte differentiation from human iPSCs. Our dataset provides detailed information about the path of astrocyte differentiation, highlighting the stepwise molecular changes that occur throughout the differentiation process. This dataset serves as a valuable reference for dissecting uncharacterized transcriptomic features of NFIB/SOX9-induced astrocytes and investigating lineage progression during astrocyte differentiation. Moreover, these findings pave the way for future studies on neurological diseases using the NFIB/SOX9-induced astrocyte model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Yi
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
- SIAT-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuai Chen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
- SIAT-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mingfeng Guan
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
- SIAT-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunyan Liao
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
- SIAT-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yao Zhu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jacque Pak Kan Ip
- School of Biomedical Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tao Ye
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China.
- SIAT-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Yu Chen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China.
- SIAT-HKUST Joint Laboratory for Brain Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China.
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4
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Lendemeijer B, Unkel M, Smeenk H, Mossink B, Hijazi S, Gordillo-Sampedro S, Shpak G, Slump DE, van den Hout MCGN, van IJcken WFJ, Bindels EMJ, Hoogendijk WJG, Nadif Kasri N, de Vrij FMS, Kushner SA. Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Astrocyte Functionality Compares Favorably with Primary Rat Astrocytes. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0148-24.2024. [PMID: 39227152 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0148-24.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are essential for the formation and maintenance of neural networks. However, a major technical challenge for investigating astrocyte function and disease-related pathophysiology has been the limited ability to obtain functional human astrocytes. Despite recent advances in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) techniques, primary rodent astrocytes remain the gold standard in coculture with human neurons. We demonstrate that a combination of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4) directs hPSC-derived neural precursor cells to a highly pure population of astroglia in 28 d. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we confirm the astroglial identity of these cells and highlight profound transcriptional adaptations in cocultured hPSC-derived astrocytes and neurons, consistent with their further maturation. In coculture with human neurons, multielectrode array recordings revealed robust network activity of human neurons in a coculture with hPSC-derived or rat astrocytes [3.63 ± 0.44 min-1 (hPSC-derived), 2.86 ± 0.64 min-1 (rat); p = 0.19]. In comparison, we found increased spike frequency within network bursts of human neurons cocultured with hPSC-derived astrocytes [56.31 ± 8.56 Hz (hPSC-derived), 24.77 ± 4.04 Hz (rat); p < 0.01], and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed an increase of postsynaptic currents [2.76 ± 0.39 Hz (hPSC-derived), 1.07 ± 0.14 Hz (rat); p < 0.001], consistent with a corresponding increase in synapse density [14.90 ± 1.27/100 μm2 (hPSC-derived), 8.39 ± 0.63/100 μm2 (rat); p < 0.001]. Taken together, we show that hPSC-derived astrocytes compare favorably with rat astrocytes in supporting human neural network activity and maturation, providing a fully human platform for investigating astrocyte function and neuronal-glial interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bas Lendemeijer
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 AA, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Center for Precision Psychiatry & Mental Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
| | - Maurits Unkel
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 AA, The Netherlands
| | - Hilde Smeenk
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 AA, The Netherlands
| | - Britt Mossink
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen 6525GA, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Hijazi
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 AA, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Gordillo-Sampedro
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 AA, The Netherlands
| | - Guy Shpak
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 AA, The Netherlands
| | - Denise E Slump
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 AA, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam C G N van den Hout
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Biomics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015AA, The Netherlands
| | - Wilfred F J van IJcken
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Biomics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015AA, The Netherlands
| | - Eric M J Bindels
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015AA, The Netherlands
| | - Witte J G Hoogendijk
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 AA, The Netherlands
| | - Nael Nadif Kasri
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen 6525GA, The Netherlands
| | - Femke M S de Vrij
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 AA, The Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015AA, The Netherlands
| | - Steven A Kushner
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 AA, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Center for Precision Psychiatry & Mental Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
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5
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Heffernan KS, Martinez I, Jaeger D, Khakh BS, Smith Y, Galvan A. Scaled Complexity of Mammalian Astrocytes: Insights From Mouse and Macaque. J Comp Neurol 2024; 532:e25665. [PMID: 39235147 PMCID: PMC11378921 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes intricately weave within the neuropil, giving rise to characteristic bushy morphologies. Pioneering studies suggested that primate astrocytes are more complex due to increased branch numbers and territory size compared to rodent counterparts. However, there has been no comprehensive comparison of astrocyte morphology across species. We employed several techniques to investigate astrocyte morphology and directly compared them between mice and rhesus macaques in cortical and subcortical regions. We assessed astrocyte density, territory size, branching structure, fine morphological complexity, and interactions with neuronal synapses using a combination of techniques, including immunohistochemistry, adeno-associated virus-mediated transduction of astrocytes, diOlistics, confocal imaging, and electron microscopy. We found significant morphological similarities between primate and rodent astrocytes, suggesting that astrocyte structure has scaled with evolution. Our findings show that primate astrocytes are larger and more numerous than those in rodents but contest the view that primate astrocytes are morphologically far more complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate S Heffernan
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurological Disorders, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Dieter Jaeger
- Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Baljit S Khakh
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yoland Smith
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurological Disorders, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Adriana Galvan
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurological Disorders, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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6
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Wu D, Lee HH, Ba R, Turnbill V, Wang X, Luo Y, Walczak P, Fieremans E, Novikov DS, Martin LJ, Northington FJ, Zhang J. In vivo mapping of cellular resolution neuropathology in brain ischemia with diffusion MRI. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk1817. [PMID: 39018390 PMCID: PMC466947 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk1817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Noninvasive mapping of cellular pathology can provide critical diagnostic and prognostic information. Recent advances in diffusion magnetic resonance imaging enabled in vivo examination of tissue microstructures well beyond the imaging resolution. Here, we proposed to use diffusion time-dependent diffusion kurtosis imaging (tDKI) to simultaneously assess cellular morphology and transmembrane permeability in hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury. Through numerical simulations and organoid imaging, we demonstrated the feasibility of capturing effective size and permeability changes using tDKI. In vivo MRI of HI-injured mouse brains detected a shift of the tDKI peak to longer diffusion times, suggesting swelling of the cellular processes. Furthermore, we observed a faster decrease of the tDKI tail, reflecting increased transmembrane permeability associated with up-regulated water exchange or necrosis. Such information, unavailable from a single diffusion time, can predict salvageable tissues. Preliminary applications of tDKI in patients with ischemic stroke suggested increased transmembrane permeability in stroke regions, illustrating tDKI's potential for detecting pathological changes in the clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hong-Hsi Lee
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ruicheng Ba
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Victoria Turnbill
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- School of Medical Imaging, Weifang Medical School, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yu Luo
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Piotr Walczak
- Department of Radiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Els Fieremans
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dmitry S. Novikov
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lee J. Martin
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Frances J. Northington
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiangyang Zhang
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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7
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Jin M, Ma Z, Zhang H, Papetti AV, Dang R, Stillitano AC, Goldman SA, Jiang P. Co-Transplantation-Based Human-Mouse Chimeric Brain Models to Study Human Glial-Glial and Glial-Neuronal Interactions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.03.601990. [PMID: 39005270 PMCID: PMC11244967 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.03.601990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Human-mouse chimeric brain models, generated by transplanting human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neural cells, are valuable for studying the development and function of human neural cells in vivo. Understanding glial-glial and glial-neuronal interactions is essential for unraveling the complexities of brain function and developing treatments for neurological disorders. To explore these interactions between human neural cells within an intact brain environment, we employe a co-transplantation strategy involving the engraftment of hiPSC-derived neural progenitor cells along with primitive macrophage progenitors into the neonatal mouse brain. This approach creates human-mouse chimeric brains containing human microglia, macroglia (astroglia and oligodendroglia), and neurons. Using super-resolution imaging and 3D reconstruction techniques, we examine the dynamics between human neurons and glia, unveiling human microglia engulfing immature human neurons, microglia pruning synapses of human neurons, and significant interactions between human oligodendrocytes and neurons. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of the chimeric brain uncovers a close recapitulation of the human glial progenitor cell population, along with a dynamic stage in astroglial development that mirrors the processes found in the human brain. Furthermore, cell-cell communication analysis highlights significant neuronal-glial and glial-glial interactions, especially the interaction between adhesion molecules neurexins and neuroligins. This innovative co-transplantation model opens up new avenues for exploring the complex pathophysiological mechanisms underlying human neurological diseases. It holds particular promise for studying disorders where glial-neuronal interactions and non-cell-autonomous effects play crucial roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Jin
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Ziyuan Ma
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Haiwei Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Ava V. Papetti
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Rui Dang
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | | | - Steven A. Goldman
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peng Jiang
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Lead Contact
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8
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Ojalvo-Sanz AC, Pernia-Solanilla C, López-Mascaraque L. Spatial organization of astrocyte clones: The role of developmental progenitor timing. Glia 2024; 72:1290-1303. [PMID: 38506330 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24529] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes represent a diverse and morphologically complex group of glial cells critical for shaping and maintaining nervous system homeostasis, as well as responding to injuries. Understanding the origins of astroglial heterogeneity, originated from a limited number of progenitors, has been the focus of many studies. Most of these investigations have centered on protoplasmic and pial astrocytes, while the clonal relationship of fibrous astrocytes or juxtavascular astrocytes has remained relatively unexplored. In this study, we sought to elucidate the morphological diversity and clonal distribution of astrocytes across adult cortical layers, with particular emphasis on their ontogenetic origins. Using the StarTrack lineage tracing tool, we explored the characteristics of adult astroglial clones derived from single and specific progenitors at various embryonic stages. Our results revealed a heterogeneous spatial distribution of astroglial clones, characterized by variations in location, clonal size, and rostro-caudal dispersion. While a considerable proportion of clones were confined within specific cortical layers, others displayed sibling cells crossing layer boundaries. Notably, we observed a correlation between clone location and developmental stage at earlier embryonic stages, although this relationship diminished in later stages. Fibrous astrocyte clones were exclusively confined to the corpus callosum. In contrast, protoplasmic or juxtavascular clones were located in either the upper or lower cortical layers, with certain clones displayed sibling cells distributed across both regions. Our findings underscore the developmental origins and spatial distribution of astroglial clones within cortical layers, providing new insights into the interplay between their morphology, clonal sizes, and progenitor heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina Ojalvo-Sanz
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology Department, Instituto Cajal-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Laura López-Mascaraque
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology Department, Instituto Cajal-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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9
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Baldwin KT, Murai KK, Khakh BS. Astrocyte morphology. Trends Cell Biol 2024; 34:547-565. [PMID: 38180380 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.09.006] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes are predominant glial cells that tile the central nervous system (CNS). A cardinal feature of astrocytes is their complex and visually enchanting morphology, referred to as bushy, spongy, and star-like. A central precept of this review is that such complex morphological shapes evolved to allow astrocytes to contact and signal with diverse cells at a range of distances in order to sample, regulate, and contribute to the extracellular milieu, and thus participate widely in cell-cell signaling during physiology and disease. The recent use of improved imaging methods and cell-specific molecular evaluations has revealed new information on the structural organization and molecular underpinnings of astrocyte morphology, the mechanisms of astrocyte morphogenesis, and the contributions to disease states of reduced morphology. These insights have reignited interest in astrocyte morphological complexity as a cornerstone of fundamental glial biology and as a critical substrate for multicellular spatial and physiological interactions in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine T Baldwin
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Keith K Murai
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada.
| | - Baljit S Khakh
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034, USA; Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034, USA.
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10
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Fessel J. All GLP-1 Agonists Should, Theoretically, Cure Alzheimer's Dementia but Dulaglutide Might Be More Effective Than the Others. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3729. [PMID: 38999294 PMCID: PMC11242057 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13133729] [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: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Addressing the dysfunctions of all brain cell types in Alzheimer's disease (AD) should cure the dementia, an objective that might be achieved by GLP-1 agonist drugs, because receptors for GLP-1 are present in all of the main brain cell types, i.e., neurons, oligodendroglia, astroglia, microglia, endothelial cells and pericytes. This article describes the benefits provided to all of those brain cell types by GLP-1 agonist drugs. The article uses studies in humans, not rodents, to describe the effect of GLP-1 agonists upon cognition, because rodents' brains differ from those of humans in so many ways that results from rodent studies may not be totally transferable to humans. Commercially available GLP-1 agonists have mostly shown either positive effects upon cognition or no effects. One important reason for no effects is a reduced rate of entering brain parenchyma. Dulaglutide has the greatest entry to brain, at 61.8%, among the available GLP-1 agonists, and seems to offer the best likelihood for cure of AD. Although there is only one study of cognition that used dulaglutide, it was randomized, placebo controlled, and very large; it involved 8828 participants and showed significant benefit to cognition. A clinical trial to test the hypothesis that dulaglutide may cure AD should have, as its primary outcome, a 30% greater cure rate of AD by dulaglutide than that achieved by an equipoise arm of, e.g., lithium plus memantine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Fessel
- Department of Medicine, University of California, 2069 Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA 94123, USA
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11
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White KE, Bailey HL, Shaw BS, Geiszler PC, Mesquita-Ribeiro R, Scott D, Layfield R, Serres S. A convenient model of serum-induced reactivity of human astrocytes to investigate astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1414142. [PMID: 38915876 PMCID: PMC11195030 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1414142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted by all cells in the CNS, including neurons and astrocytes. EVs are lipid membrane enclosed particles loaded with various bioactive cargoes reflecting the dynamic activities of cells of origin. In contrast to neurons, the specific role of EVs released by astrocytes is less well understood, partly due to the difficulty in maintaining primary astrocyte cultures in a quiescent state. The aim of this study was to establish a human serum-free astrocyte culture system that maintains primary astrocytes in a quiescent state to study the morphology, function, and protein cargoes of astrocyte-derived EVs. Serum-free medium with G5 supplement and serum-supplemented medium with 2% FBS were compared for the culture of commercially available human primary fetal astrocytes. Serum-free astrocytes displayed morphologies similar to in vivo astrocytes, and surprisingly, higher levels of astrocyte markers compared to astrocytes chronically cultured in FBS. In contrast, astrocyte and inflammatory markers in serum-free astrocytes were upregulated 24 h after either acute 2% FBS or cytokine exposure, confirming their capacity to become reactive. Importantly, this suggests that distinct signaling pathways are involved in acute and chronic astrocyte reactivity. Despite having a similar morphology, chronically serum-cultured astrocyte-derived EVs (ADEVs) were smaller in size compared to serum-free ADEVs and could reactivate serum-free astrocytes. Proteomic analysis identified distinct protein datasets for both types of ADEVs with enrichment of complement and coagulation cascades for chronically serum-cultured astrocyte-derived EVs, offering insights into their roles in the CNS. Collectively, these results suggest that human primary astrocytes cultured in serum-free medium bear similarities with in vivo quiescent astrocytes and the addition of serum induces multiple morphological and transcriptional changes that are specific to human reactive astrocytes and their ADEVs. Thus, more emphasis should be made on using multiple structural, molecular, and functional parameters when evaluating ADEVs as biomarkers of astrocyte health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E. White
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah L. Bailey
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Barry S. Shaw
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Daniel Scott
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Layfield
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sébastien Serres
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- The David Greenfield Human Physiology Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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12
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Li Y, Luo Y, Zhu P, Liang X, Li J, Dou X, Liu L, Qin L, Zhou M, Deng Y, Jiang L, Wang S, Yang W, Tang J, Tang Y. Running exercise improves astrocyte loss, morphological complexity and astrocyte-contacted synapses in the hippocampus of CUS-induced depression model mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 239:173750. [PMID: 38494007 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Although the antidepressant effects of running exercise have been widely reported, further research is still needed to determine the structural bases for these effects. Astrocyte processes physically contact many synapses and directly regulate the numbers of synapses, but it remains unclear whether running exercise can modulate astrocyte morphological complexity and astrocyte-contacted synapses in the hippocampus of the mice with depressive-like behavior. Male C57BL/6 J mice underwent four weeks of running exercise after four weeks of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). The sucrose preference test (SPT), tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) were used to assess anhedonia in mice. Western blotting was used to measure the expression of astrocyte- and synapse-related proteins. Immunofluorescence and 3D reconstruction were used to quantify the density and morphology of astrocytes, and astrocyte-contacted synapses in each hippocampal subregion. Four weeks of running exercise alleviated depressive-like symptoms in mice. The expression of astrocyte- and synapse-related proteins in the hippocampus; astrocyte process lengths, process numbers, and dendritic arborization; and the number of astrocyte-contacted PSD95 positive synapses in the CA2-3 and DG regions were significantly decreased in the mice with depressive-like behavior, and running exercise successfully reserved these changes. Running exercise improved the decreases in astrocyte morphological complexity and astrocyte-contacted PSD95 positive synapses in the CA2-3 and DG regions of the mice with depressive-like behavior, suggesting that the physical interactions between astrocytes and synapses can be increased by running exercise, which might be an important structural basis for the antidepressant effects of running exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Yanmin Luo
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Peilin Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Xin Liang
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Xiaoyun Dou
- Institute of Life Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Lu Qin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Mei Zhou
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Yuhui Deng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Lin Jiang
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Shun Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Wenyu Yang
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China.
| | - Yong Tang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China.
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13
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Tan LY, Cunliffe G, Hogan MP, Yeo XY, Oh C, Jin B, Kang J, Park J, Kwon MS, Kim M, Jung S. Emergence of the brain-border immune niches and their contribution to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1380063. [PMID: 38863704 PMCID: PMC11165048 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1380063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Historically, the central nervous system (CNS) was regarded as 'immune-privileged', possessing its own distinct immune cell population. This immune privilege was thought to be established by a tight blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-cerebrospinal-fluid barrier (BCSFB), which prevented the crossing of peripheral immune cells and their secreted factors into the CNS parenchyma. However, recent studies have revealed the presence of peripheral immune cells in proximity to various brain-border niches such as the choroid plexus, cranial bone marrow (CBM), meninges, and perivascular spaces. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that peripheral immune cells may be able to infiltrate the brain through these sites and play significant roles in driving neuronal cell death and pathology progression in neurodegenerative disease. Thus, in this review, we explore how the brain-border immune niches may contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). We then discuss several emerging options for harnessing the neuroimmune potential of these niches to improve the prognosis and treatment of these debilitative disorders using novel insights from recent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang Tan
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Grace Cunliffe
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Patrick Hogan
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Xin Yi Yeo
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chansik Oh
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Bohwan Jin
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Junmo Kang
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Junho Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Research Institute for Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Soo Kwon
- Department of Pharmacology, Research Institute for Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - MinYoung Kim
- Rehabilitation and Regeneration Research Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangyong Jung
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
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14
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Pratt HE, Andrews G, Shedd N, Phalke N, Li T, Pampari A, Jensen M, Wen C, Consortium P, Gandal MJ, Geschwind DH, Gerstein M, Moore J, Kundaje A, Colubri A, Weng Z. Using a comprehensive atlas and predictive models to reveal the complexity and evolution of brain-active regulatory elements. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj4452. [PMID: 38781344 PMCID: PMC11114231 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj4452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Most genetic variants associated with psychiatric disorders are located in noncoding regions of the genome. To investigate their functional implications, we integrate epigenetic data from the PsychENCODE Consortium and other published sources to construct a comprehensive atlas of candidate brain cis-regulatory elements. Using deep learning, we model these elements' sequence syntax and predict how binding sites for lineage-specific transcription factors contribute to cell type-specific gene regulation in various types of glia and neurons. The elements' evolutionary history suggests that new regulatory information in the brain emerges primarily via smaller sequence mutations within conserved mammalian elements rather than entirely new human- or primate-specific sequences. However, primate-specific candidate elements, particularly those active during fetal brain development and in excitatory neurons and astrocytes, are implicated in the heritability of brain-related human traits. Additionally, we introduce PsychSCREEN, a web-based platform offering interactive visualization of PsychENCODE-generated genetic and epigenetic data from diverse brain cell types in individuals with psychiatric disorders and healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry E. Pratt
- Department of Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Gregory Andrews
- Department of Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Nicole Shedd
- Department of Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Nishigandha Phalke
- Department of Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Tongxin Li
- Department of Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Khoury College of Computer Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anusri Pampari
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Matthew Jensen
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Cindy Wen
- Interdepartmental Program in Bioinformatics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | | | - Michael J. Gandal
- Interdepartmental Program in Bioinformatics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Lifespan Brain Institute, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel H. Geschwind
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Institute of Precision Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Mark Gerstein
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Jill Moore
- Department of Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Anshul Kundaje
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andrés Colubri
- Department of Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Zhiping Weng
- Department of Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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15
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Wamsley B, Bicks L, Cheng Y, Kawaguchi R, Quintero D, Margolis M, Grundman J, Liu J, Xiao S, Hawken N, Mazariegos S, Geschwind DH. Molecular cascades and cell type-specific signatures in ASD revealed by single-cell genomics. Science 2024; 384:eadh2602. [PMID: 38781372 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh2602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Genomic profiling in postmortem brain from autistic individuals has consistently revealed convergent molecular changes. What drives these changes and how they relate to genetic susceptibility in this complex condition are not well understood. We performed deep single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to examine cell composition and transcriptomics, identifying dysregulation of cell type-specific gene regulatory networks (GRNs) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which we corroborated using single-nucleus assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (snATAC-seq) and spatial transcriptomics. Transcriptomic changes were primarily cell type specific, involving multiple cell types, most prominently interhemispheric and callosal-projecting neurons, interneurons within superficial laminae, and distinct glial reactive states involving oligodendrocytes, microglia, and astrocytes. Autism-associated GRN drivers and their targets were enriched in rare and common genetic risk variants, connecting autism genetic susceptibility and cellular and circuit alterations in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brie Wamsley
- Program in Neurobehavioral Genetics and Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Lucy Bicks
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yuyan Cheng
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Riki Kawaguchi
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Diana Quintero
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Michael Margolis
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jennifer Grundman
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jianyin Liu
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shaohua Xiao
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Natalie Hawken
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Samantha Mazariegos
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Program in Neurobehavioral Genetics and Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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16
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Plaitakis A, Sidiropoulou K, Kotzamani D, Litso I, Zaganas I, Spanaki C. Evolution of Glutamate Metabolism via GLUD2 Enhances Lactate-Dependent Synaptic Plasticity and Complex Cognition. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5297. [PMID: 38791334 PMCID: PMC11120665 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105297] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Human evolution is characterized by rapid brain enlargement and the emergence of unique cognitive abilities. Besides its distinctive cytoarchitectural organization and extensive inter-neuronal connectivity, the human brain is also defined by high rates of synaptic, mainly glutamatergic, transmission, and energy utilization. While these adaptations' origins remain elusive, evolutionary changes occurred in synaptic glutamate metabolism in the common ancestor of humans and apes via the emergence of GLUD2, a gene encoding the human glutamate dehydrogenase 2 (hGDH2) isoenzyme. Driven by positive selection, hGDH2 became adapted to function upon intense excitatory firing, a process central to the long-term strengthening of synaptic connections. It also gained expression in brain astrocytes and cortical pyramidal neurons, including the CA1-CA3 hippocampal cells, neurons crucial to cognition. In mice transgenic for GLUD2, theta-burst-evoked long-term potentiation (LTP) is markedly enhanced in hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses, with patch-clamp recordings from CA1 pyramidal neurons revealing increased sNMDA receptor currents. D-lactate blocked LTP enhancement, implying that glutamate metabolism via hGDH2 potentiates L-lactate-dependent glia-neuron interaction, a process essential to memory consolidation. The transgenic (Tg) mice exhibited increased dendritic spine density/synaptogenesis in the hippocampus and improved complex cognitive functions. Hence, enhancement of neuron-glia communication, via GLUD2 evolution, likely contributed to human cognitive advancement by potentiating synaptic plasticity and inter-neuronal connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Plaitakis
- Department of Neurology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Voutes, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (D.K.); (I.L.); (I.Z.)
| | - Kyriaki Sidiropoulou
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece;
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (IMBB-FORTH), 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Dimitra Kotzamani
- Department of Neurology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Voutes, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (D.K.); (I.L.); (I.Z.)
| | - Ionela Litso
- Department of Neurology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Voutes, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (D.K.); (I.L.); (I.Z.)
| | - Ioannis Zaganas
- Department of Neurology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Voutes, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (D.K.); (I.L.); (I.Z.)
- Neurology Department, PaGNI University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Cleanthe Spanaki
- Department of Neurology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Voutes, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (D.K.); (I.L.); (I.Z.)
- Neurology Department, PaGNI University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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17
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Żuromski D, Pacholik-Żuromska A. Socio-cultural brain reprogramming-The uniqueness of human cognition. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1331213. [PMID: 38532787 PMCID: PMC10963407 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1331213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anita Pacholik-Żuromska
- Department of Cognitive Science, Institute of Information and Communication Research, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
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18
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Wang M, Zhang L, Novak SW, Yu J, Gallina IS, Xu LL, Lim CK, Fernandes S, Shokhirev MN, Williams AE, Saxena MD, Coorapati S, Parylak SL, Quintero C, Molina E, Andrade LR, Manor U, Gage FH. Morphological diversification and functional maturation of human astrocytes in glia-enriched cortical organoid transplanted in mouse brain. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02157-8. [PMID: 38418648 PMCID: PMC11349933 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02157-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell type in the brain, are underrepresented in traditional cortical organoid models due to the delayed onset of cortical gliogenesis. Here we introduce a new glia-enriched cortical organoid model that exhibits accelerated astrogliogenesis. We demonstrated that induction of a gliogenic switch in a subset of progenitors enabled the rapid derivation of astroglial cells, which account for 25-31% of the cell population within 8-10 weeks of differentiation. Intracerebral transplantation of these organoids reliably generated a diverse repertoire of cortical neurons and anatomical subclasses of human astrocytes. Spatial transcriptome profiling identified layer-specific expression patterns among distinct subclasses of astrocytes within organoid transplants. Using an in vivo acute neuroinflammation model, we identified a subpopulation of astrocytes that rapidly activates pro-inflammatory pathways upon cytokine stimulation. Additionally, we demonstrated that CD38 signaling has a crucial role in mediating metabolic and mitochondrial stress in reactive astrocytes. This model provides a robust platform for investigating human astrocyte function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyan Wang
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sammy Weiser Novak
- Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jingting Yu
- Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Iryna S Gallina
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lynne L Xu
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christina K Lim
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Fernandes
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Maxim N Shokhirev
- Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - April E Williams
- Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Monisha D Saxena
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shashank Coorapati
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sarah L Parylak
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cristian Quintero
- Next Generation Sequencing Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Elsa Molina
- Next Generation Sequencing Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Leonardo R Andrade
- Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Uri Manor
- Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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19
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Catalano M, Limatola C, Trettel F. Non-neoplastic astrocytes: key players for brain tumor progression. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1352130. [PMID: 38293652 PMCID: PMC10825036 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1352130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are highly plastic cells whose activity is essential to maintain the cerebral homeostasis, regulating synaptogenesis and synaptic transmission, vascular and metabolic functions, ions, neuro- and gliotransmitters concentrations. In pathological conditions, astrocytes may undergo transient or long-lasting molecular and functional changes that contribute to disease resolution or exacerbation. In recent years, many studies demonstrated that non-neoplastic astrocytes are key cells of the tumor microenvironment that contribute to the pathogenesis of glioblastoma, the most common primary malignant brain tumor and of secondary metastatic brain tumors. This Mini Review covers the recent development of research on non-neoplastic astrocytes as tumor-modulators. Their double-edged capability to promote cancer progression or to represent potential tools to counteract brain tumors will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam Catalano
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Limatola
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Flavia Trettel
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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20
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Badawi AH, Mohamad NA, Stanslas J, Kirby BP, Neela VK, Ramasamy R, Basri H. In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Models for Neuroinfectious Diseases: A Narrative Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:1344-1373. [PMID: 38073104 PMCID: PMC11092920 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231207114346] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a complex, dynamic, and adaptable barrier between the peripheral blood system and the central nervous system. While this barrier protects the brain and spinal cord from inflammation and infection, it prevents most drugs from reaching the brain tissue. With the expanding interest in the pathophysiology of BBB, the development of in vitro BBB models has dramatically evolved. However, due to the lack of a standard model, a range of experimental protocols, BBB-phenotype markers, and permeability flux markers was utilized to construct in vitro BBB models. Several neuroinfectious diseases are associated with BBB dysfunction. To conduct neuroinfectious disease research effectively, there stems a need to design representative in vitro human BBB models that mimic the BBB's functional and molecular properties. The highest necessity is for an in vitro standardised BBB model that accurately represents all the complexities of an intact brain barrier. Thus, this in-depth review aims to describe the optimization and validation parameters for building BBB models and to discuss previous research on neuroinfectious diseases that have utilized in vitro BBB models. The findings in this review may serve as a basis for more efficient optimisation, validation, and maintenance of a structurally- and functionally intact BBB model, particularly for future studies on neuroinfectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Hussein Badawi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nur Afiqah Mohamad
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Centre for Foundation Studies, Lincoln University College, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Johnson Stanslas
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Brian Patrick Kirby
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Vasantha Kumari Neela
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Rajesh Ramasamy
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hamidon Basri
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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21
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Harder EV, Franklin JP, VanRyzin JW, Reissner KJ. Astrocyte-Neuron Interactions in Substance Use Disorders. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 39:165-191. [PMID: 39190075 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-64839-7_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Engagement of astrocytes within the brain's reward circuitry has been apparent for approximately 30 years, when noncontingent drug administration was observed to lead to cytological markers of reactive astrocytes. Since that time, advanced approaches in rodent behavior and astrocyte monitoring have revealed complex interactions between astrocytes with drug type, animal sex, brain region, and dose and duration of drug administration. A number of studies now collectively reveal that rodent drug self-administration followed by prolonged abstinence results in decreased features of structure and synaptic colocalization of astrocytes. In addition, stimulation of astrocytes in the nucleus accumbens with DREADD receptors or pharmacological compounds opposes drug-seeking behavior. These findings provide a clear path for ongoing investigation into astrocytes as mediators of drug action in the brain and underscore the potential therapeutic utility of astrocytes in the regulation of drug craving and relapse vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eden V Harder
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Neuroscience Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Janay P Franklin
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Neuroscience Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jonathan W VanRyzin
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Neuroscience Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kathryn J Reissner
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Neuroscience Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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22
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Pio T, Hill EJ, Kebede N, Andersen J, Sloan SA. Neuron-Astrocyte Interactions: A Human Perspective. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 39:69-93. [PMID: 39190072 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-64839-7_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
This chapter explores the intricate interactions between neurons and astrocytes within the nervous system with a particular emphasis on studies conducted in human tissue or with human cells. We specifically explore how neuron-astrocyte interactions relate to processes of cellular development, morphology, migration, synapse formation, and metabolism. These findings enrich our understanding of basic neurobiology and how disruptions in these processes are relevant to human diseases.The study of human neuron-astrocyte interactions is made possible because of transformative in vitro advancements that have facilitated the generation and sustained culture of human neural cells. In addition, the rise of techniques like sequencing at single-cell resolution has enabled the exploration of numerous human cell atlases and their comparisons to other animal model systems. Thus, the innovations outlined in this chapter illuminate the convergence and divergence of neuron-astrocyte interactions across species. As technologies progress, continually more sophisticated in vitro systems will increasingly reflect in vivo environments and deepen our command of neuron-glial interactions in human biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Pio
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Emily J Hill
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nardos Kebede
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jimena Andersen
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Steven A Sloan
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Naghieh P, Delavar A, Amiri M, Peremans H. Astrocyte's self-repairing characteristics improve working memory in spiking neuronal networks. iScience 2023; 26:108241. [PMID: 38047076 PMCID: PMC10692671 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108241] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes play a significant role in the working memory (WM) mechanism, yet their contribution to spiking neuron-astrocyte networks (SNAN) is underexplored. This study proposes a non-probabilistic SNAN incorporating a self-repairing (SR) mechanism through endocannabinoid pathways to facilitate WM function. Four experiments were conducted with different damaging patterns, replicating close-to-realistic synaptic impairments. Simulation results suggest that the SR process enhances WM performance by improving the consistency of neuronal firing. Moreover, the intercellular astrocytic [Ca]2+ transmission via gap junctions improves WM and SR processes. With increasing damage, WM and SR activities initially fail for non-matched samples and then for smaller and minimally overlapping matched samples. Simulation results also indicate that the inclusion of the SR mechanism in both random and continuous forms of damage improves the resilience of the WM by approximately 20%. This study highlights the importance of astrocytes in synaptically impaired networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedram Naghieh
- Medical Technology Research Center, Institute of Health Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Delavar
- Medical Technology Research Center, Institute of Health Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mahmood Amiri
- Medical Technology Research Center, Institute of Health Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Department of Engineering Management, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Herbert Peremans
- Department of Engineering Management, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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24
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Li Q, Zhou B, Su M, Liao P, Lei F, Li X, Liao D, Zhang X, Jiang R. Visualization and Characterization of the Brain Regional Heterogeneity of Astrocyte-Astrocyte Structural Interactions by Using Improved Iontophoresis with Dual-Fluorescent Dyes. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1644. [PMID: 38137092 PMCID: PMC10741863 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are morphologically intricate cells and actively modulate the function of the brain. Through numerous fine processes, astrocytes come into contact with neurons, blood vessels, and other glia cells. Emerging evidence has shown that astrocytes exhibit brain regional diversity in their morphology, transcriptome, calcium signaling, and functions. However, little is known about the brain regional heterogeneity of astrocyte-astrocyte structural interaction. So far, the visualization and characterization of the morphological features of adjacent astrocytes have been difficult, and as a result, it is still well-accepted that astrocytes in the adult brain share non-overlapped territory. In contrast, employing an approach that combines viral labeling with dual-fluorescent dyes iontophoresis under brightfield and imaging using confocal microscopy allows for the efficient and specific labeling of adjacent astrocytes, enabling a comprehensive visualization of their fine processes and the degree of their territorial overlap. Our study in the hypothalamic regions of the brain revealed a marked spatial overlap among adjacent astrocytes, which differs from the conventional understanding based on more extensively studied regions, like the hippocampus. Additionally, we revealed the heterogeneity of the astrocyte-neuron ratio across brain regions and conducted an assessment of the photostability and labeling efficiency of fluorescent dyes used for labeling adjacent astrocytes. Our study provides new insights for studying the morphological heterogeneity of astrocytes across the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingran Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Mengchan Su
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ping Liao
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Fan Lei
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xin Li
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Daqing Liao
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ruotian Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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25
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Lopez-Ortiz AO, Eyo UB. Astrocytes and microglia in the coordination of CNS development and homeostasis. J Neurochem 2023:10.1111/jnc.16006. [PMID: 37985374 PMCID: PMC11102936 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Glia have emerged as important architects of central nervous system (CNS) development and maintenance. While traditionally glial contributions to CNS development and maintenance have been studied independently, there is growing evidence that either suggests or documents that glia may act in coordinated manners to effect developmental patterning and homeostatic functions in the CNS. In this review, we focus on astrocytes, the most abundant glia in the CNS, and microglia, the earliest glia to colonize the CNS highlighting research that documents either suggestive or established coordinated actions by these glial cells in various CNS processes including cell and/or debris clearance, neuronal survival and morphogenesis, synaptic maturation, and circuit function, angio-/vasculogenesis, myelination, and neurotransmission. Some molecular mechanisms underlying these processes that have been identified are also described. Throughout, we categorize the available evidence as either suggestive or established interactions between microglia and astrocytes in the regulation of the respective process and raise possible avenues for further research. We conclude indicating that a better understanding of coordinated astrocyte-microglial interactions in the developing and mature brain holds promise for developing effective therapies for brain pathologies where these processes are perturbed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aída Oryza Lopez-Ortiz
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Ukpong B Eyo
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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26
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Chameh HM, Falby M, Movahed M, Arbabi K, Rich S, Zhang L, Lefebvre J, Tripathy SJ, De Pittà M, Valiante TA. Distinctive biophysical features of human cell-types: insights from studies of neurosurgically resected brain tissue. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 15:1250834. [PMID: 37860223 PMCID: PMC10584155 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2023.1250834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrophysiological characterization of live human tissue from epilepsy patients has been performed for many decades. Although initially these studies sought to understand the biophysical and synaptic changes associated with human epilepsy, recently, it has become the mainstay for exploring the distinctive biophysical and synaptic features of human cell-types. Both epochs of these human cellular electrophysiological explorations have faced criticism. Early studies revealed that cortical pyramidal neurons obtained from individuals with epilepsy appeared to function "normally" in comparison to neurons from non-epilepsy controls or neurons from other species and thus there was little to gain from the study of human neurons from epilepsy patients. On the other hand, contemporary studies are often questioned for the "normalcy" of the recorded neurons since they are derived from epilepsy patients. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the distinct biophysical features of human cortical neurons and glia obtained from tissue removed from patients with epilepsy and tumors. We then explore the concept of within cell-type diversity and its loss (i.e., "neural homogenization"). We introduce neural homogenization to help reconcile the epileptogenicity of seemingly "normal" human cortical cells and circuits. We propose that there should be continued efforts to study cortical tissue from epilepsy patients in the quest to understand what makes human cell-types "human".
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Affiliation(s)
- Homeira Moradi Chameh
- Division of Clinical and Computational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Madeleine Falby
- Division of Clinical and Computational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mandana Movahed
- Division of Clinical and Computational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Keon Arbabi
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Scott Rich
- Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Liang Zhang
- Division of Clinical and Computational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jérémie Lefebvre
- Division of Clinical and Computational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Mathematics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shreejoy J. Tripathy
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maurizio De Pittà
- Division of Clinical and Computational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Bilbao, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
| | - Taufik A. Valiante
- Division of Clinical and Computational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Center for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application (CRANIA), Toronto, ON, Canada
- Max Planck-University of Toronto Center for Neural Science and Technology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Hastings N, Yu Y, Huang B, Middya S, Inaoka M, Erkamp NA, Mason RJ, Carnicer‐Lombarte A, Rahman S, Knowles TPJ, Bance M, Malliaras GG, Kotter MRN. Electrophysiological In Vitro Study of Long-Range Signal Transmission by Astrocytic Networks. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301756. [PMID: 37485646 PMCID: PMC10582426 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are diverse brain cells that form large networks communicating via gap junctions and chemical transmitters. Despite recent advances, the functions of astrocytic networks in information processing in the brain are not fully understood. In culture, brain slices, and in vivo, astrocytes, and neurons grow in tight association, making it challenging to establish whether signals that spread within astrocytic networks communicate with neuronal groups at distant sites, or whether astrocytes solely respond to their local environments. A multi-electrode array (MEA)-based device called AstroMEA is designed to separate neuronal and astrocytic networks, thus allowing to study the transfer of chemical and/or electrical signals transmitted via astrocytic networks capable of changing neuronal electrical behavior. AstroMEA demonstrates that cortical astrocytic networks can induce a significant upregulation in the firing frequency of neurons in response to a theta-burst charge-balanced biphasic current stimulation (5 pulses of 100 Hz × 10 with 200 ms intervals, 2 s total duration) of a separate neuronal-astrocytic group in the absence of direct neuronal contact. This result corroborates the view of astrocytic networks as a parallel mechanism of signal transmission in the brain that is separate from the neuronal connectome. Translationally, it highlights the importance of astrocytic network protection as a treatment target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataly Hastings
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
- Wellcome‐MRC Cambridge Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0AWUK
- Electrical Engineering DivisionDepartment of EngineeringUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB3 0FAUK
| | - Yi‐Lin Yu
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
- Department of Neurological SurgeryTri‐Service General HospitalNational Defence Medical CentreTaipei, Neihu District11490Taiwan
| | - Botian Huang
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
| | - Sagnik Middya
- Electrical Engineering DivisionDepartment of EngineeringUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB3 0FAUK
| | - Misaki Inaoka
- Electrical Engineering DivisionDepartment of EngineeringUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB3 0FAUK
| | - Nadia A. Erkamp
- Yusuf Hamied Department of ChemistryCentre for Misfolding DiseasesUniversity of CambridgeLensfield RoadCambridgeCB2 1EWUK
| | - Roger J. Mason
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
| | | | - Saifur Rahman
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
- Wellcome‐MRC Cambridge Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0AWUK
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Yusuf Hamied Department of ChemistryCentre for Misfolding DiseasesUniversity of CambridgeLensfield RoadCambridgeCB2 1EWUK
- Cavendish LaboratoryDepartment of PhysicsUniversity of CambridgeJ J Thomson AveCambridgeCB3 0HEUK
| | - Manohar Bance
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
| | - George G. Malliaras
- Electrical Engineering DivisionDepartment of EngineeringUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB3 0FAUK
| | - Mark R. N. Kotter
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
- Wellcome‐MRC Cambridge Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0AWUK
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28
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Stanca S, Rossetti M, Bongioanni P. Astrocytes as Neuroimmunocytes in Alzheimer's Disease: A Biochemical Tool in the Neuron-Glia Crosstalk along the Pathogenetic Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13880. [PMID: 37762184 PMCID: PMC10531177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813880] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This work aimed at assessing Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis through the investigation of the astrocytic role to transduce the load of amyloid-beta (Aβ) into neuronal death. The backbone of this review is focused on the deepening of the molecular pathways eliciting the activation of astrocytes crucial phenomena in the understanding of AD as an autoimmune pathology. The complex relations among astrocytes, Aβ and tau, together with the role played by the tripartite synapsis are discussed. A review of studies published from 1979 to 2023 on Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar databases was conducted. The selected papers focused not only on the morphological and metabolic characteristics of astrocytes, but also on the latest notions about their multifunctional involvement in AD pathogenesis. Astrocytes participate in crucial pathways, including pruning and sprouting, by which the AD neurodegeneration evolves from an aggregopathy to neuroinflammation, loss of synapses and neuronal death. A1 astrocytes stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory molecules which have been correlated with the progression of AD cognitive impairment. Further research is needed to "hold back" the A1 polarization and, thus, to slow the worsening of the disease. AD clinical expression is the result of dysfunctional neuronal interactions, but this is only the end of a process involving a plurality of protagonists. One of these is the astrocyte, whose importance this work intends to put under the spotlight in the AD scenario, reflecting the multifaceted nature of this disease in the functional versatility of this glial population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Stanca
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- NeuroCare Onlus, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Martina Rossetti
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- NeuroCare Onlus, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Bongioanni
- NeuroCare Onlus, 56100 Pisa, Italy
- Medical Specialties Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56100 Pisa, Italy
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29
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Panchenko PE, Hippauf L, Konsman JP, Badaut J. Do astrocytes act as immune cells after pediatric TBI? Neurobiol Dis 2023; 185:106231. [PMID: 37468048 PMCID: PMC10530000 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106231] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are in contact with the vasculature, neurons, oligodendrocytes and microglia, forming a local network with various functions critical for brain homeostasis. One of the primary responders to brain injury are astrocytes as they detect neuronal and vascular damage, change their phenotype with morphological, proteomic and transcriptomic transformations for an adaptive response. The role of astrocytic responses in brain dysfunction is not fully elucidated in adult, and even less described in the developing brain. Children are vulnerable to traumatic brain injury (TBI), which represents a leading cause of death and disability in the pediatric population. Pediatric brain trauma, even with mild severity, can lead to long-term health complications, such as cognitive impairments, emotional disorders and social dysfunction later in life. To date, the underlying pathophysiology is still not fully understood. In this review, we focus on the astrocytic response in pediatric TBI and propose a potential immune role of the astrocyte in response to trauma. We discuss the contribution of astrocytes in the local inflammatory cascades and secretion of various immunomodulatory factors involved in the recruitment of local microglial cells and peripheral immune cells through cerebral blood vessels. Taken together, we propose that early changes in the astrocytic phenotype can alter normal development of the brain, with long-term consequences on neurological outcomes, as described in preclinical models and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lea Hippauf
- CNRS UMR 5536 RMSB-University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Jerome Badaut
- CNRS UMR 5536 RMSB-University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
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Wu D, Turnbill V, Lee HH, Wang X, Ba R, Walczak P, Martin LJ, Fieremans E, Novikov DS, Northington FJ, Zhang J. In vivo Mapping of Cellular Resolution Neuropathology in Brain Ischemia by Diffusion MRI. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.08.552374. [PMID: 37609182 PMCID: PMC10441332 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.08.552374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Non-invasive mapping of cellular pathology can provide critical diagnostic and prognostic information. Recent developments in diffusion MRI have produced new tools for examining tissue microstructure at a level well below the imaging resolution. Here, we report the use of diffusion time ( t )-dependent diffusion kurtosis imaging ( t DKI) to simultaneously assess the morphology and transmembrane permeability of cells and their processes in the context of pathological changes in hypoxic-ischemic brain (HI) injury. Through Monte Carlo simulations and cell culture organoid imaging, we demonstrate feasibility in measuring effective size and permeability changes based on the peak and tail of t DKI curves. In a mouse model of HI, in vivo imaging at 11.7T detects a marked shift of the t DKI peak to longer t in brain edema, suggesting swelling and beading associated with the astrocytic processes and neuronal neurites. Furthermore, we observed a faster decrease of the t DKI tail in injured brain regions, reflecting increased membrane permeability that was associated with upregulated water exchange upon astrocyte activation at acute stage as well as necrosis with disrupted membrane integrity at subacute stage. Such information, unavailable with conventional diffusion MRI at a single t, can predict salvageable tissues. For a proof-of-concept, t DKI at 3T on an ischemic stroke patient suggested increased membrane permeability in the stroke region. This work therefore demonstrates the potential of t DKI for in vivo detection of the pathological changes in microstructural morphology and transmembrane permeability after ischemic injury using a clinically translatable protocol.
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31
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Berryer MH, Tegtmeyer M, Binan L, Valakh V, Nathanson A, Trendafilova D, Crouse E, Klein JA, Meyer D, Pietiläinen O, Rapino F, Farhi SL, Rubin LL, McCarroll SA, Nehme R, Barrett LE. Robust induction of functional astrocytes using NGN2 expression in human pluripotent stem cells. iScience 2023; 26:106995. [PMID: 37534135 PMCID: PMC10391684 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence of species divergent features of astrocytes coupled with the relative inaccessibility of human brain tissue underscore the utility of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) technologies for the generation and study of human astrocytes. However, existing approaches for hPSC-astrocyte generation are typically lengthy or require intermediate purification steps. Here, we establish a rapid and highly scalable method for generating functional human induced astrocytes (hiAs). These hiAs express canonical astrocyte markers, respond to pro-inflammatory stimuli, exhibit ATP-induced calcium transients and support neuronal network development. Moreover, single-cell transcriptomic analyses reveal the generation of highly reproducible cell populations across individual donors, mostly resembling human fetal astrocytes. Finally, hiAs generated from a trisomy 21 disease model identify expected alterations in cell-cell adhesion and synaptic signaling, supporting their utility for disease modeling applications. Thus, hiAs provide a valuable and practical resource for the study of basic human astrocyte function and dysfunction in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin H. Berryer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew Tegtmeyer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, King’s College, London, UK
| | - Loïc Binan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Vera Valakh
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anna Nathanson
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Darina Trendafilova
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ethan Crouse
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jenny A. Klein
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Meyer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Olli Pietiläinen
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Francesca Rapino
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Samouil L. Farhi
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lee L. Rubin
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Steven A. McCarroll
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ralda Nehme
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lindy E. Barrett
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Pereira MJ, Ayana R, Holt MG, Arckens L. Chemogenetic manipulation of astrocyte activity at the synapse- a gateway to manage brain disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1193130. [PMID: 37534103 PMCID: PMC10393042 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1193130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are the major glial cell type in the central nervous system (CNS). Initially regarded as supportive cells, it is now recognized that this highly heterogeneous cell population is an indispensable modulator of brain development and function. Astrocytes secrete neuroactive molecules that regulate synapse formation and maturation. They also express hundreds of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that, once activated by neurotransmitters, trigger intracellular signalling pathways that can trigger the release of gliotransmitters which, in turn, modulate synaptic transmission and neuroplasticity. Considering this, it is not surprising that astrocytic dysfunction, leading to synaptic impairment, is consistently described as a factor in brain diseases, whether they emerge early or late in life due to genetic or environmental factors. Here, we provide an overview of the literature showing that activation of genetically engineered GPCRs, known as Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs), to specifically modulate astrocyte activity partially mimics endogenous signalling pathways in astrocytes and improves neuronal function and behavior in normal animals and disease models. Therefore, we propose that expressing these genetically engineered GPCRs in astrocytes could be a promising strategy to explore (new) signalling pathways which can be used to manage brain disorders. The precise molecular, functional and behavioral effects of this type of manipulation, however, differ depending on the DREADD receptor used, targeted brain region and timing of the intervention, between healthy and disease conditions. This is likely a reflection of regional and disease/disease progression-associated astrocyte heterogeneity. Therefore, a thorough investigation of the effects of such astrocyte manipulation(s) must be conducted considering the specific cellular and molecular environment characteristic of each disease and disease stage before this has therapeutic applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Pereira
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rajagopal Ayana
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthew G. Holt
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Laboratory of Synapse Biology, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
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Vaill M, Kawanishi K, Varki N, Gagneux P, Varki A. Comparative physiological anthropogeny: exploring molecular underpinnings of distinctly human phenotypes. Physiol Rev 2023; 103:2171-2229. [PMID: 36603157 PMCID: PMC10151058 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00040.2021] [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: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogeny is a classic term encompassing transdisciplinary investigations of the origins of the human species. Comparative anthropogeny is a systematic comparison of humans and other living nonhuman hominids (so-called "great apes"), aiming to identify distinctly human features in health and disease, with the overall goal of explaining human origins. We begin with a historical perspective, briefly describing how the field progressed from the earliest evolutionary insights to the current emphasis on in-depth molecular and genomic investigations of "human-specific" biology and an increased appreciation for cultural impacts on human biology. While many such genetic differences between humans and other hominids have been revealed over the last two decades, this information remains insufficient to explain the most distinctive phenotypic traits distinguishing humans from other living hominids. Here we undertake a complementary approach of "comparative physiological anthropogeny," along the lines of the preclinical medical curriculum, i.e., beginning with anatomy and considering each physiological system and in each case considering genetic and molecular components that are relevant. What is ultimately needed is a systematic comparative approach at all levels from molecular to physiological to sociocultural, building networks of related information, drawing inferences, and generating testable hypotheses. The concluding section will touch on distinctive considerations in the study of human evolution, including the importance of gene-culture interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Vaill
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Kunio Kawanishi
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nissi Varki
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Pascal Gagneux
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Ajit Varki
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
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Han Z, Luo N, Ma W, Liu X, Cai Y, Kou J, Wang J, Li L, Peng S, Xu Z, Zhang W, Qiu Y, Wu Y, Ye C, Lin K, Xu F. AAV11 enables efficient retrograde targeting of projection neurons and enhances astrocyte-directed transduction. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3792. [PMID: 37365155 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39554-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral tracers that enable efficient retrograde labeling of projection neurons are powerful vehicles for structural and functional dissections of the neural circuit and for the treatment of brain diseases. Currently, some recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) based on capsid engineering are widely used for retrograde tracing, but display undesirable brain area selectivity due to inefficient retrograde transduction in certain neural connections. Here we developed an easily editable toolkit to produce high titer AAV11 and demonstrated that it exhibits potent and stringent retrograde labeling of projection neurons in adult male wild-type or Cre transgenic mice. AAV11 can function as a powerful retrograde viral tracer complementary to AAV2-retro in multiple neural connections. In combination with fiber photometry, AAV11 can be used to monitor neuronal activities in the functional network by retrograde delivering calcium-sensitive indicator under the control of a neuron-specific promoter or the Cre-lox system. Furthermore, we showed that GfaABC1D promoter embedding AAV11 is superior to AAV8 and AAV5 in astrocytic tropism in vivo, combined with bidirectional multi-vector axoastrocytic labeling, AAV11 can be used to study neuron-astrocyte connection. Finally, we showed that AAV11 allows for analyzing circuit connectivity difference in the brains of the Alzheimer's disease and control mice. These properties make AAV11 a promising tool for mapping and manipulating neural circuits and for gene therapy of some neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengpeng Han
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Nengsong Luo
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Wenyu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Peter Hung Pain Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Yuxiang Cai
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Jiaxin Kou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Lei Li
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
| | - Siqi Peng
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, PR China
| | - Zihong Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, PR China
| | - Wen Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, PR China
| | - Yuxiang Qiu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Chaohui Ye
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Kunzhang Lin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
- Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China.
- Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China.
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China.
- Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, PR China.
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Valles SL, Singh SK, Campos-Campos J, Colmena C, Campo-Palacio I, Alvarez-Gamez K, Caballero O, Jorda A. Functions of Astrocytes under Normal Conditions and after a Brain Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098434. [PMID: 37176144 PMCID: PMC10179527 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In the central nervous system (CNS) there are a greater number of glial cells than neurons (between five and ten times more). Furthermore, they have a greater number of functions (more than eight functions). Glia comprises different types of cells, those of neural origin (astrocytes, radial glia, and oligodendroglia) and differentiated blood monocytes (microglia). During ontogeny, neurons develop earlier (at fetal day 15 in the rat) and astrocytes develop later (at fetal day 21 in the rat), which could indicate their important and crucial role in the CNS. Analysis of the phylogeny reveals that reptiles have a lower number of astrocytes compared to neurons and in humans this is reversed, as there have a greater number of astrocytes compared to neurons. These data perhaps imply that astrocytes are important and special cells, involved in many vital functions, including memory, and learning processes. In addition, astrocytes are involved in different mechanisms that protect the CNS through the production of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory proteins and they clean the extracellular environment and help neurons to communicate correctly with each other. The production of inflammatory mediators is important to prevent changes in brain homeostasis. On the contrary, excessive, or continued production appears as a characteristic element in many diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), and in neurodevelopmental diseases, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism. Furthermore, different drugs and techniques have been developed to reverse oxidative stress and/or excess of inflammation that occurs in many CNS diseases, but much remains to be investigated. This review attempts to highlight the functional relevance of astrocytes in normal and neuropathological conditions by showing the molecular and cellular mechanisms of their role in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya L Valles
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Sandeep Kumar Singh
- Indian Scientific Education and Technology Foundation, Lucknow 226002, India
| | - Juan Campos-Campos
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos Colmena
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ignacio Campo-Palacio
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Kenia Alvarez-Gamez
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Oscar Caballero
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Adrian Jorda
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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36
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Liu M, Zhu L, Guo YJ, Zhang SS, Jiang L, Zhang Y, Chao FL, Tang Y. The effects of voluntary running exercise on the astrocytes of the medial prefrontal cortex in APP/PS1 mice. J Comp Neurol 2023. [PMID: 37146123 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Pathological changes in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and astrocytes are closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Voluntary running has been found to effectively delay AD. However, the effects of voluntary running on mPFC astrocytes in AD are unclear. A total of 40 10-month-old male amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) mice and 40 wild-type (WT) mice were randomly divided into control and running groups, and the running groups underwent voluntary running for 3 months. Mouse cognition was assessed by the novel object recognition (NOR), Morris water maze (MWM), and Y maze tests. The effects of voluntary running on mPFC astrocytes were investigated using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and stereology. APP/PS1 mice performed significantly worse than WT mice in the NOR, MWM, and Y maze tests, and voluntary running improved the performance of APP/PS1 mice in these tests. The total number of mPFC astrocytes was increased, cell bodies were enlarged, and protrusion number and length were increased in AD mice compared with WT mice, but there was no difference in component 3 (C3) levels in the mPFC (total mPFC level); however, C3 and S100B levels in astrocytes were increased in AD mice. Voluntary running reduced the total number of astrocytes and S100B levels in astrocytes and increased the density of PSD95+ puncta in direct contact with astrocyte protrusions in the APP/PS1 mouse mPFC. Three months of voluntary running inhibited astrocyte hyperplasia and S100B expression in astrocytes, increased the density of synapses in contact with astrocytes, and improved cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Jing Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Shan-Shan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Lin Jiang
- Laboratory Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Feng-Lei Chao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yong Tang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
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37
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Delgado L, Navarrete M. Shining the Light on Astrocytic Ensembles. Cells 2023; 12:1253. [PMID: 37174653 PMCID: PMC10177371 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
While neurons have traditionally been considered the primary players in information processing, the role of astrocytes in this mechanism has largely been overlooked due to experimental constraints. In this review, we propose that astrocytic ensembles are active working groups that contribute significantly to animal conduct and suggest that studying the maps of these ensembles in conjunction with neurons is crucial for a more comprehensive understanding of behavior. We also discuss available methods for studying astrocytes and argue that these ensembles, complementarily with neurons, code and integrate complex behaviors, potentially specializing in concrete functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Navarrete
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28002 Madrid, Spain
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Peppercorn K, Kleffmann T, Hughes SM, Tate WP. Secreted Amyloid Precursor Protein Alpha (sAPPα) Regulates the Cellular Proteome and Secretome of Mouse Primary Astrocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087165. [PMID: 37108327 PMCID: PMC10138557 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Secreted amyloid precursor protein alpha (sAPPα), processed from a parent mammalian brain protein, amyloid precursor protein, can modulate learning and memory. Recently it has been shown to modulate the transcriptome and proteome of human neurons, including proteins with neurological functions. Here, we analysed whether the acute administration of sAPPα facilitated changes in the proteome and secretome of mouse primary astrocytes in culture. Astrocytes contribute to the neuronal processes of neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Cortical mouse astrocytes in culture were exposed to 1 nM sAPPα, and changes in both the whole-cell proteome (2 h) and the secretome (6 h) were identified with Sequential Window Acquisition of All Theoretical Fragment Ion Spectra-Mass Spectrometry (SWATH-MS). Differentially regulated proteins were identified in both the cellular proteome and secretome that are involved with neurologically related functions of the normal physiology of the brain and central nervous system. Groups of proteins have a relationship to APP and have roles in the modulation of cell morphology, vesicle dynamics and the myelin sheath. Some are related to pathways containing proteins whose genes have been previously implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The secretome is also enriched in proteins related to Insulin Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) signaling and the extracellular matrix (ECM). There is the promise that a more specific investigation of these proteins will help to understand the mechanisms of how sAPPα signaling affects memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Peppercorn
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Torsten Kleffmann
- Research Infrastructure Centre, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Stephanie M Hughes
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Warren P Tate
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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Khakh BS, Goldman SA. Astrocytic contributions to Huntington's disease pathophysiology. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1522:42-59. [PMID: 36864567 PMCID: PMC10145027 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14977] [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] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal, monogenic, autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by a polyglutamine-encoding CAG expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene that results in mutant huntingtin proteins (mHTT) in cells throughout the body. Although large parts of the central nervous system (CNS) are affected, the striatum is especially vulnerable and undergoes marked atrophy. Astrocytes are abundant within the striatum and contain mHTT in HD, as well as in mouse models of the disease. We focus on striatal astrocytes and summarize how they participate in, and contribute to, molecular pathophysiology and disease-related phenotypes in HD model mice. Where possible, reference is made to pertinent astrocyte alterations in human HD. Astrocytic dysfunctions related to cellular morphology, extracellular ion and neurotransmitter homeostasis, and metabolic support all accompany the development and progression of HD, in both transgenic mouse and human cellular and chimeric models of HD. These findings reveal the potential for the therapeutic targeting of astrocytes so as to restore synaptic as well as tissue homeostasis in HD. Elucidation of the mechanisms by which astrocytes contribute to HD pathogenesis may inform a broader understanding of the role of glial pathology in neurodegenerative disorders and, by so doing, enable new strategies of glial-directed therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baljit S. Khakh
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Steven A. Goldman
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
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40
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Hazra R, Novelli EM, Hu X. Astrocytic mitochondrial frataxin-A promising target for ischemic brain injury. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:783-788. [PMID: 36550598 PMCID: PMC9928550 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the ischemic brain, hypoxia leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, insufficient energy production, and astrocyte activation. Yet, most studies investigating mitochondrial dysfunction in cerebral ischemia have focused exclusively on neurons. This review will highlight the importance of the morphological, molecular, and functional heterogeneity of astrocytes in their role in brain injuries and explore how activated astrocytes exhibit calcium imbalance, reactive oxygen species overproduction, and apoptosis. In addition, special focus will be given to the role of the mitochondrial protein frataxin in activated astrocytes during ischemia and its putative role in the pharmacological management of cerebral ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimi Hazra
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Enrico M Novelli
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xiaoming Hu
- Center of Cerebrovascular Disease Research, Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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41
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Henao‐Restrepo J, López‐Murillo C, Valderrama‐Carmona P, Orozco‐Santa N, Gomez J, Gutiérrez‐Vargas J, Moraga R, Toledo J, Littau JL, Härtel S, Arboleda‐Velásquez JF, Sepulveda‐Falla D, Lopera F, Cardona‐Gómez GP, Villegas A, Posada‐Duque R. Gliovascular alterations in sporadic and familial Alzheimer's disease: APOE3 Christchurch homozygote glioprotection. Brain Pathol 2023; 33:e13119. [PMID: 36130084 PMCID: PMC10041169 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13119] [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: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to brain insults, astrocytes become reactive, promoting protection and tissue repair. However, astroglial reactivity is typical of brain pathologies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Considering the heterogeneity of the reactive response, the role of astrocytes in the course of different forms of AD has been underestimated. Colombia has the largest human group known to have familial AD (FAD). This group carries the autosomal dominant and fully penetrant mutation E280A in PSEN1, which causes early-onset AD. Recently, our group identified an E280A carrier who did not develop FAD. The individual was homozygous for the Christchurch mutation R136S in APOE3 (APOEch). Remarkably, APOE is the main genetic risk factor for developing sporadic AD (SAD) and most of cerebral ApoE is produced by astroglia. Here, we characterized astrocyte properties related to reactivity, glutamate homeostasis, and structural integrity of the gliovascular unit (GVU), as factors that could underlie the pathogenesis or protection of AD. Specifically, through histological and 3D microscopy analyses of postmortem samples, we briefly describe the histopathology and cytoarchitecture of the frontal cortex of SAD, FAD, and APOEch, and demonstrate that, while astrodegeneration and vascular deterioration are prominent in SAD, FAD is characterized by hyperreactive-like glia, and APOEch displays the mildest astrocytic and vascular alterations despite having the highest burden of Aβ. Notably, astroglial, gliovascular, and vascular disturbances, as well as brain cell death, correlate with the specific astrocytic phenotypes identified in each condition. This study provides new insights into the potential relevance of the gliovasculature in the development and protection of AD. To our knowledge, this is the first study assessing the components of the GVU in human samples of SAD, FAD, and APOEch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julián Henao‐Restrepo
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y NaturalesUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
- Área de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Grupo de Neurociencias de AntioquiaUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - Carolina López‐Murillo
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y NaturalesUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
- Área de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Grupo de Neurociencias de AntioquiaUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - Pablo Valderrama‐Carmona
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y NaturalesUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
- Área de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Grupo de Neurociencias de AntioquiaUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - Natalia Orozco‐Santa
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y NaturalesUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
- Área de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Grupo de Neurociencias de AntioquiaUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - Johana Gomez
- Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia, Facultad de MedicinaSIU, Universidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - Johanna Gutiérrez‐Vargas
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y NaturalesUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
- Health Sciences FacultyRemington University CorporationMedellínColombia
| | - Renato Moraga
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute BNI, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of ChileSantiagoChile
| | - Jorge Toledo
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute BNI, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of ChileSantiagoChile
| | - Jessica Lisa Littau
- Molecular Neuropathology of Alzheimer's DiseaseInstitute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Steffen Härtel
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute BNI, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of ChileSantiagoChile
| | - Joseph F. Arboleda‐Velásquez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Department of OphthalmologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Diego Sepulveda‐Falla
- Molecular Neuropathology of Alzheimer's DiseaseInstitute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Francisco Lopera
- Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia, Facultad de MedicinaSIU, Universidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - Gloria Patricia Cardona‐Gómez
- Área de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Grupo de Neurociencias de AntioquiaUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - Andrés Villegas
- Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia, Facultad de MedicinaSIU, Universidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - Rafael Posada‐Duque
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y NaturalesUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
- Área de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Grupo de Neurociencias de AntioquiaUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
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42
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Astrocytes regulate neuronal network activity by mediating synapse remodeling. Neurosci Res 2023; 187:3-13. [PMID: 36170922 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Based on experience during our life, neuronal connectivity continuously changes through structural remodeling of synapses. Recent studies have shown that the complex interaction between astrocytes and synapses regulates structural synapse remodeling by inducing the formation and elimination of synapses, as well as their functional maturation. Defects in this astrocyte-mediated synapse remodeling cause problems in not only neuronal network activities but also animal behaviors. Moreover, in various neurological disorders, astrocytes have been shown to play central roles in the initiation and progression of synaptic pathophysiology through impaired interactions with synapses. In this review, we will discuss recent studies identifying the novel roles of astrocytes in neuronal circuit remodeling, focusing on synapse formation and elimination. We will also discuss the potential implication of defective astrocytic function in evoking various brain disorders.
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Myers AJ, Brahimi A, Jenkins IJ, Koob AO. The Synucleins and the Astrocyte. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020155. [PMID: 36829434 PMCID: PMC9952504 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Synucleins consist of three proteins exclusively expressed in vertebrates. α-Synuclein (αS) has been identified as the main proteinaceous aggregate in Lewy bodies, a pathological hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. Less is understood about β-synuclein (βS) and γ-synuclein (γS), although it is known βS can interact with αS in vivo to inhibit aggregation. Likewise, both γS and βS can inhibit αS's propensity to aggregate in vitro. In the central nervous system, βS and αS, and to a lesser extent γS, are highly expressed in the neural presynaptic terminal, although they are not strictly located there, and emerging data have shown a more complex expression profile. Synapse loss and astrocyte atrophy are early aspects of degenerative diseases of the brain and correlate with disease progression. Synucleins appear to be involved in synaptic transmission, and astrocytes coordinate and organize synaptic function, with excess αS degraded by astrocytes and microglia adjacent to the synapse. βS and γS have also been observed in the astrocyte and may provide beneficial roles. The astrocytic responsibility for degradation of αS as well as emerging evidence on possible astrocytic functions of βS and γS, warrant closer inspection on astrocyte-synuclein interactions at the synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail J. Myers
- Neuroscience Program, Health Science Research Facility, University of Vermont, 149 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Ayat Brahimi
- Biology Department, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117, USA
| | - Imani J. Jenkins
- Biology Department, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117, USA
| | - Andrew O. Koob
- Biology Department, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-860-768-5780
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44
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Bindu DS, Tan CX, Savage JT, Eroglu C. GEARBOCS: An Adeno Associated Virus Tool for In Vivo Gene Editing in Astrocytes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.17.524433. [PMID: 36711516 PMCID: PMC9884502 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.17.524433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes are indispensable for brain development, function, and health. However, non-invasive tools to study astrocyte biology and function in vivo have been limited to genetically modified mice. CRISPR/Cas9-based genome engineering enables rapid and precise gene manipulations in the CNS. Here, we developed a non-invasive astrocyte-specific method utilizing a single AAV vector, GEARBOCS (Gene Editing in AstRocytes Based On CRISPR/Cas9 System). We verified GEARBOCS' specificity to mouse cortical astrocytes and demonstrated its utility for three types of gene manipulations: knockout (KO); tagging (TagIN); and reporter gene knock-in (Gene-TRAP) strategies. We deployed GEARBOCS to determine whether cortical astrocytes express Vamp2 protein. The presence of Vamp2-positive vesicles in cultured astrocytes is well-established, however, Vamp2 protein expression in astrocytes in vivo has proven difficult to ascertain due to its overwhelming abundance in neurons. Using GEARBOCS, we delineated the in vivo astrocytic Vamp2 expression and found that it is required for maintaining excitatory and inhibitory synapse numbers in the visual cortex. GEARBOCS strategy provides fast and efficient means to study astrocyte biology in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christabel Xin Tan
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Justin T. Savage
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS), Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
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45
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Potentially toxic elements in the brains of people with multiple sclerosis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:655. [PMID: 36635465 PMCID: PMC9837144 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-27169-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Potentially toxic elements such as lead and aluminium have been proposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), since their neurotoxic mechanisms mimic many of the pathogenetic processes in MS. We therefore examined the distribution of several potentially toxic elements in the autopsied brains of people with and without MS, using two methods of elemental bio-imaging. Toxicants detected in the locus ceruleus were used as indicators of past exposures. Autometallography of paraffin sections from multiple brain regions of 21 MS patients and 109 controls detected inorganic mercury, silver, or bismuth in many locus ceruleus neurons of both groups, and in widespread blood vessels, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and neurons of four MS patients and one control. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry imaging of pons paraffin sections from all MS patients and 12 controls showed that combinations of iron, silver, lead, aluminium, mercury, nickel, and bismuth were present more often in the locus ceruleus of MS patients and were located predominantly in white matter tracts. Based on these results, we propose that metal toxicants in locus ceruleus neurons weaken the blood-brain barrier, enabling multiple interacting toxicants to pass through blood vessels and enter astrocytes and oligodendroglia, leading to demyelination.
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46
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Konstantinidis E, Portal B, Mothes T, Beretta C, Lindskog M, Erlandsson A. Intracellular deposits of amyloid-beta influence the ability of human iPSC-derived astrocytes to support neuronal function. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:3. [PMID: 36593462 PMCID: PMC9809017 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02687-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Astrocytes are crucial for maintaining brain homeostasis and synaptic function, but are also tightly connected to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our previous data demonstrate that astrocytes ingest large amounts of aggregated amyloid-beta (Aβ), but then store, rather than degrade the ingested material, which leads to severe cellular stress. However, the involvement of pathological astrocytes in AD-related synaptic dysfunction remains to be elucidated. METHODS In this study, we aimed to investigate how intracellular deposits of Aβ in astrocytes affect their interplay with neurons, focusing on neuronal function and viability. For this purpose, human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived astrocytes were exposed to sonicated Αβ42 fibrils. The direct and indirect effects of the Αβ-exposed astrocytes on hiPSC-derived neurons were analyzed by performing astrocyte-neuron co-cultures as well as additions of conditioned media or extracellular vesicles to pure neuronal cultures. RESULTS Electrophysiological recordings revealed significantly decreased frequency of excitatory post-synaptic currents in neurons co-cultured with Aβ-exposed astrocytes, while conditioned media from Aβ-exposed astrocytes had the opposite effect and resulted in hyperactivation of the synapses. Clearly, factors secreted from control, but not from Aβ-exposed astrocytes, benefited the wellbeing of neuronal cultures. Moreover, reactive astrocytes with Aβ deposits led to an elevated clearance of dead cells in the co-cultures. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results demonstrate that inclusions of aggregated Aβ affect the reactive state of the astrocytes, as well as their ability to support neuronal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos Konstantinidis
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Benjamin Portal
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tobias Mothes
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Chiara Beretta
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Lindskog
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Erlandsson
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
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47
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Barzilai A, Mitiagin Y. Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated plays an important role in cerebellar integrity and functionality. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:497-502. [DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.350194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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48
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Cvetanovic M, Gray M. Contribution of Glial Cells to Polyglutamine Diseases: Observations from Patients and Mouse Models. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:48-66. [PMID: 37020152 PMCID: PMC10119372 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01357-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are broadly characterized neuropathologically by the degeneration of vulnerable neuronal cell types in a specific brain region. The degeneration of specific cell types has informed on the various phenotypes/clinical presentations in someone suffering from these diseases. Prominent neurodegeneration of specific neurons is seen in polyglutamine expansion diseases including Huntington's disease (HD) and spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA). The clinical manifestations observed in these diseases could be as varied as the abnormalities in motor function observed in those who have Huntington's disease (HD) as demonstrated by a chorea with substantial degeneration of striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) or those with various forms of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) with an ataxic motor presentation primarily due to degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje cells. Due to the very significant nature of the degeneration of MSNs in HD and Purkinje cells in SCAs, much of the research has centered around understanding the cell autonomous mechanisms dysregulated in these neuronal cell types. However, an increasing number of studies have revealed that dysfunction in non-neuronal glial cell types contributes to the pathogenesis of these diseases. Here we explore these non-neuronal glial cell types with a focus on how each may contribute to the pathogenesis of HD and SCA and the tools used to evaluate glial cells in the context of these diseases. Understanding the regulation of supportive and harmful phenotypes of glia in disease could lead to development of novel glia-focused neurotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Cvetanovic
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Michelle Gray
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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49
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Tzioras M, McGeachan RI, Durrant CS, Spires-Jones TL. Synaptic degeneration in Alzheimer disease. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:19-38. [PMID: 36513730 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00749-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 109.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline in older individuals accompanied by the presence of two pathological protein aggregates - amyloid-β and phosphorylated tau - in the brain. The disease results in brain atrophy caused by neuronal loss and synapse degeneration. Synaptic loss strongly correlates with cognitive decline in both humans and animal models of AD. Indeed, evidence suggests that soluble forms of amyloid-β and tau can cause synaptotoxicity and spread through neural circuits. These pathological changes are accompanied by an altered phenotype in the glial cells of the brain - one hypothesis is that glia excessively ingest synapses and modulate the trans-synaptic spread of pathology. To date, effective therapies for the treatment or prevention of AD are lacking, but understanding how synaptic degeneration occurs will be essential for the development of new interventions. Here, we highlight the mechanisms through which synapses degenerate in the AD brain, and discuss key questions that still need to be answered. We also cover the ways in which our understanding of the mechanisms of synaptic degeneration is leading to new therapeutic approaches for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makis Tzioras
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robert I McGeachan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,The Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Claire S Durrant
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. .,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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50
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Chen S, Chang Y, Li L, Acosta D, Li Y, Guo Q, Wang C, Turkes E, Morrison C, Julian D, Hester ME, Scharre DW, Santiskulvong C, Song SX, Plummer JT, Serrano GE, Beach TG, Duff KE, Ma Q, Fu H. Spatially resolved transcriptomics reveals genes associated with the vulnerability of middle temporal gyrus in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:188. [PMID: 36544231 PMCID: PMC9773466 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01494-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human middle temporal gyrus (MTG) is a vulnerable brain region in early Alzheimer's disease (AD), but little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying this regional vulnerability. Here we utilize the 10 × Visium platform to define the spatial transcriptomic profile in both AD and control (CT) MTG. We identify unique marker genes for cortical layers and the white matter, and layer-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in human AD compared to CT. Deconvolution of the Visium spots showcases the significant difference in particular cell types among cortical layers and the white matter. Gene co-expression analyses reveal eight gene modules, four of which have significantly altered co-expression patterns in the presence of AD pathology. The co-expression patterns of hub genes and enriched pathways in the presence of AD pathology indicate an important role of cell-cell-communications among microglia, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and neurons, which may contribute to the cellular and regional vulnerability in early AD. Using single-molecule fluorescent in situ hybridization, we validated the cell-type-specific expression of three novel DEGs (e.g., KIF5A, PAQR6, and SLC1A3) and eleven previously reported DEGs associated with AD pathology (i.e., amyloid beta plaques and intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles or neuropil threads) at the single cell level. Our results may contribute to the understanding of the complex architecture and neuronal and glial response to AD pathology of this vulnerable brain region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Chen
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA ,grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Yuzhou Chang
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA ,grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Liangping Li
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Diana Acosta
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Yang Li
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Qi Guo
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA ,grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Cankun Wang
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Emir Turkes
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201UK Dementia Research Institute, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Cody Morrison
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Dominic Julian
- grid.240344.50000 0004 0392 3476The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205 USA
| | - Mark E. Hester
- grid.240344.50000 0004 0392 3476The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205 USA
| | - Douglas W. Scharre
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Neurology, Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders, Center for Neuromodulation, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Chintda Santiskulvong
- grid.50956.3f0000 0001 2152 9905Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048 USA
| | - Sarah XueYing Song
- grid.50956.3f0000 0001 2152 9905Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048 USA
| | - Jasmine T. Plummer
- grid.50956.3f0000 0001 2152 9905Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048 USA
| | - Geidy E. Serrano
- grid.414208.b0000 0004 0619 8759Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351 USA
| | - Thomas G. Beach
- grid.414208.b0000 0004 0619 8759Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351 USA
| | - Karen E. Duff
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201UK Dementia Research Institute, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Qin Ma
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Hongjun Fu
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
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