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Yang Z. The Principle of Cortical Development and Evolution. Neurosci Bull 2024:10.1007/s12264-024-01259-2. [PMID: 39023844 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01259-2] [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: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Human's robust cognitive abilities, including creativity and language, are made possible, at least in large part, by evolutionary changes made to the cerebral cortex. This paper reviews the biology and evolution of mammalian cortical radial glial cells (primary neural stem cells) and introduces the concept that a genetically step wise process, based on a core molecular pathway already in use, is the evolutionary process that has molded cortical neurogenesis. The core mechanism, which has been identified in our recent studies, is the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP7)-GLI3 repressor form (GLI3R)-sonic hedgehog (SHH) positive feedback loop. Additionally, I propose that the molecular basis for cortical evolutionary dwarfism, exemplified by the lissencephalic mouse which originated from a larger gyrencephalic ancestor, is an increase in SHH signaling in radial glia, that antagonizes ERK-BMP7 signaling. Finally, I propose that: (1) SHH signaling is not a key regulator of primate cortical expansion and folding; (2) human cortical radial glial cells do not generate neocortical interneurons; (3) human-specific genes may not be essential for most cortical expansion. I hope this review assists colleagues in the field, guiding research to address gaps in our understanding of cortical development and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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2
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Cujbă L, Banc A, Stan C, Drugan T, Nicula C. Macular OCT's Proficiency in Identifying Retrochiasmal Visual Pathway Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis-A Pilot Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:1221. [PMID: 38928637 PMCID: PMC11202879 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14121221] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique based on the principle of low-coherence interferometry that captures detailed images of ocular structures. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease that can lead to damage of the optic nerve and retina, which can be depicted by OCT. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine whether macular OCT can be used as a biomarker in the detection of retrochiasmal lesions of the visual pathway in MS patients. We conducted a prospective study in which we included 52 MS patients and 27 healthy controls. All participants underwent brain MRI, visual field testing, and OCT evaluation of the thicknesses of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), macular ganglion cell layer (GCL), and macular inner plexiform layer (IPL). OCT measurements were adjusted for optic neuritis (ON). VF demonstrated poor capability to depict a retrochiasmal lesion identified by brain MRI (PPV 0.50). In conclusion, the OCT analysis of the macula appears to excel in identifying retrochiasmal MS lesions compared to VF changes. The alterations in the GCL and IPL demonstrate the most accurate detection of retrochiasmal visual pathway changes in MS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Cujbă
- Medical Doctoral School, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania;
| | - Ana Banc
- Department of Ophthalmology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristina Stan
- Department of Ophthalmology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Tudor Drugan
- Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristina Nicula
- Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Radiology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
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3
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Gao Y, Huang X, Liu Y, Lv H, Yin X, Li W, Chu Z. Transcriptome analysis of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) at different growth rates. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2024:10.1007/s10695-024-01367-w. [PMID: 38842792 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-024-01367-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
The unsynchronized growth of the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea), which impacts growth efficiency, poses a challenge for aquaculture practitioners. In our study, juvenile stocks of large yellow croaker were sorted by size after being cultured in offshore cages for 4 months. Subsequently, individuals from both the fast-growing (FG) and slow-growing (SG) groups were sampled for analysis. High-throughput RNA-Seq was employed to identify genes and pathways that are differentially expressed during varying growth rates, which could suggest potential physiological mechanisms that influence growth rate. Our transcriptome analysis identified 382 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), comprising 145 upregulated and 237 downregulated genes in comparison to the SG group. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that these DEGs are predominantly involved in signal transduction and biochemical metabolic pathways. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) results demonstrated that cat, fasn, idh1, pgd, fgf19, igf2, and fads2 exhibited higher expression levels, whereas gadd45b and gadd45g showed lower expression compared to the slow-growing group. In conclusion, the differential growth rates of large yellow croaker are intricately associated with cellular proliferation, metabolic rates of the organism, and immune regulation. These findings offer novel insights into the molecular mechanisms and regulatory aspects of growth in large yellow croaker and enhance our understanding of growth-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- Fishery School, Zhejiang Ocean University, No.1 Haida South Road, Lincheng Street, Dinghai District, Zhoushan City, 316022, Zhejiang Province, P. R. China.
| | - Xuming Huang
- Fishery School, Zhejiang Ocean University, No.1 Haida South Road, Lincheng Street, Dinghai District, Zhoushan City, 316022, Zhejiang Province, P. R. China
| | - Yanli Liu
- Fishery School, Zhejiang Ocean University, No.1 Haida South Road, Lincheng Street, Dinghai District, Zhoushan City, 316022, Zhejiang Province, P. R. China
| | - Huirong Lv
- Fishery School, Zhejiang Ocean University, No.1 Haida South Road, Lincheng Street, Dinghai District, Zhoushan City, 316022, Zhejiang Province, P. R. China
| | - Xiaolong Yin
- Zhoushan Fisheries Research Institute, Zhoushan, China
| | - Weiye Li
- Zhoushan Fisheries Research Institute, Zhoushan, China
| | - Zhangjie Chu
- Fishery School, Zhejiang Ocean University, No.1 Haida South Road, Lincheng Street, Dinghai District, Zhoushan City, 316022, Zhejiang Province, P. R. China
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Tamada A, Muguruma K. Recapitulation and investigation of human brain development with neural organoids. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 16:106-117. [PMID: 39007085 PMCID: PMC11240300 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.12.006] [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] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Organoids are 3D cultured tissues derived from stem cells that resemble the structure of living organs. Based on the accumulated knowledge of neural development, neural organoids that recapitulate neural tissue have been created by inducing self-organized neural differentiation of stem cells. Neural organoid techniques have been applied to human pluripotent stem cells to differentiate 3D human neural tissues in culture. Various methods have been developed to generate neural tissues of different regions. Currently, neural organoid technology has several significant limitations, which are being overcome in an attempt to create neural organoids that more faithfully recapitulate the living brain. The rapidly advancing neural organoid technology enables the use of living human neural tissue as research material and contributes to our understanding of the development, structure and function of the human nervous system, and is expected to be used to overcome neurological diseases and for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Tamada
- Department of iPS Cell Applied Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan
| | - Keiko Muguruma
- Department of iPS Cell Applied Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan
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Manning E, Placzek M. Organizing activities of axial mesoderm. Curr Top Dev Biol 2024; 157:83-123. [PMID: 38556460 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2024.02.007] [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] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
For almost a century, developmental biologists have appreciated that the ability of the embryonic organizer to induce and pattern the body plan is intertwined with its differentiation into axial mesoderm. Despite this, we still have a relatively poor understanding of the contribution of axial mesoderm to induction and patterning of different body regions, and the manner in which axial mesoderm-derived information is interpreted in tissues of changing competence. Here, with a particular focus on the nervous system, we review the evidence that axial mesoderm notochord and prechordal mesoderm/mesendoderm act as organizers, discuss how their influence extends through the different axes of the developing organism, and describe how the ability of axial mesoderm to direct morphogenesis impacts on its role as a local organizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Manning
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Marysia Placzek
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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Hosseini SM, Borys B, Karimi-Abdolrezaee S. Neural stem cell therapies for spinal cord injury repair: an update on recent preclinical and clinical advances. Brain 2024; 147:766-793. [PMID: 37975820 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad392] [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] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a leading cause of lifelong disabilities. Permanent sensory, motor and autonomic impairments after SCI are substantially attributed to degeneration of spinal cord neurons and axons, and disintegration of neural network. To date, minimal regenerative treatments are available for SCI with an unmet need for new therapies to reconstruct the damaged spinal cord neuron-glia network and restore connectivity with the supraspinal pathways. Multipotent neural precursor cells (NPCs) have a unique capacity to generate neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Due to this capacity, NPCs have been an attractive cell source for cellular therapies for SCI. Transplantation of NPCs has been extensively tested in preclinical models of SCI in the past two decades. These studies have identified opportunities and challenges associated with NPC therapies. While NPCs have the potential to promote neuroregeneration through various mechanisms, their low long-term survival and integration within the host injured spinal cord limit the functional benefits of NPC-based therapies for SCI. To address this challenge, combinatorial strategies have been developed to optimize the outcomes of NPC therapies by enriching SCI microenvironment through biomaterials, genetic and pharmacological therapies. In this review, we will provide an in-depth discussion on recent advances in preclinical NPC-based therapies for SCI. We will discuss modes of actions and mechanism by which engrafted NPCs contribute to the repair process and functional recovery. We will also provide an update on current clinical trials and new technologies that have facilitated preparation of medical-grade human NPCs suitable for transplantation in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Spinal Cord Research Centre, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
- Manitoba Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Ben Borys
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Spinal Cord Research Centre, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Soheila Karimi-Abdolrezaee
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Spinal Cord Research Centre, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
- Manitoba Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3P4, Canada
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7
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Senovilla-Ganzo R, García-Moreno F. The Phylotypic Brain of Vertebrates, from Neural Tube Closure to Brain Diversification. BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2024; 99:45-68. [PMID: 38342091 DOI: 10.1159/000537748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The phylotypic or intermediate stages are thought to be the most evolutionary conserved stages throughout embryonic development. The contrast with divergent early and later stages derived from the concept of the evo-devo hourglass model. Nonetheless, this developmental constraint has been studied as a whole embryo process, not at organ level. In this review, we explore brain development to assess the existence of an equivalent brain developmental hourglass. In the specific case of vertebrates, we propose to split the brain developmental stages into: (1) Early: Neurulation, when the neural tube arises after gastrulation. (2) Intermediate: Brain patterning and segmentation, when the neuromere identities are established. (3) Late: Neurogenesis and maturation, the stages when the neurons acquire their functionality. Moreover, we extend this analysis to other chordates brain development to unravel the evolutionary origin of this evo-devo constraint. SUMMARY Based on the existing literature, we hypothesise that a major conservation of the phylotypic brain might be due to the pleiotropy of the inductive regulatory networks, which are predominantly expressed at this stage. In turn, earlier stages such as neurulation are rather mechanical processes, whose regulatory networks seem to adapt to environment or maternal geometries. The later stages are also controlled by inductive regulatory networks, but their effector genes are mostly tissue-specific and functional, allowing diverse developmental programs to generate current brain diversity. Nonetheless, all stages of the hourglass are highly interconnected: divergent neurulation must have a vertebrate shared end product to reproduce the vertebrate phylotypic brain, and the boundaries and transcription factor code established during the highly conserved patterning will set the bauplan for the specialised and diversified adult brain. KEY MESSAGES The vertebrate brain is conserved at phylotypic stages, but the highly conserved mechanisms that occur during these brain mid-development stages (Inducing Regulatory Networks) are also present during other stages. Oppositely, other processes as cell interactions and functional neuronal genes are more diverse and majoritarian in early and late stages of development, respectively. These phenomena create an hourglass of transcriptomic diversity during embryonic development and evolution, with a really conserved bottleneck that set the bauplan for the adult brain around the phylotypic stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Senovilla-Ganzo
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Scientific Park of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Fernando García-Moreno
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Scientific Park of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- IKERBASQUE Foundation, Bilbao, Spain
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Atamian A, Birtele M, Hosseini N, Nguyen T, Seth A, Del Dosso A, Paul S, Tedeschi N, Taylor R, Coba MP, Samarasinghe R, Lois C, Quadrato G. Human cerebellar organoids with functional Purkinje cells. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:39-51.e6. [PMID: 38181749 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Research on human cerebellar development and disease has been hampered by the need for a human cell-based system that recapitulates the human cerebellum's cellular diversity and functional features. Here, we report a human organoid model (human cerebellar organoids [hCerOs]) capable of developing the complex cellular diversity of the fetal cerebellum, including a human-specific rhombic lip progenitor population that have never been generated in vitro prior to this study. 2-month-old hCerOs form distinct cytoarchitectural features, including laminar organized layering, and create functional connections between inhibitory and excitatory neurons that display coordinated network activity. Long-term culture of hCerOs allows healthy survival and maturation of Purkinje cells that display molecular and electrophysiological hallmarks of their in vivo counterparts, addressing a long-standing challenge in the field. This study therefore provides a physiologically relevant, all-human model system to elucidate the cell-type-specific mechanisms governing cerebellar development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Atamian
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Marcella Birtele
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Negar Hosseini
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Tuan Nguyen
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Anoothi Seth
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Ashley Del Dosso
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Sandeep Paul
- Spatial Genomics, 145 Vista Avenue Suite 111, Pasadena, CA 91107, USA
| | - Neil Tedeschi
- Spatial Genomics, 145 Vista Avenue Suite 111, Pasadena, CA 91107, USA
| | - Ryan Taylor
- Spatial Genomics, 145 Vista Avenue Suite 111, Pasadena, CA 91107, USA
| | - Marcelo P Coba
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1501 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Ranmal Samarasinghe
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Carlos Lois
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Giorgia Quadrato
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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Miyake A, Ohmori T, Murakawa Y. Fgf22 and Fgfr2b are required for neurogenesis and gliogenesis in the zebrafish forebrain. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 681:212-217. [PMID: 37783119 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.09.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) play crucial roles in various developmental processes including brain development. We previously identified Fgf22 in zebrafish and found that fgf22 is involved in midbrain patterning during embryogenesis. Here, we investigated the role of Fgf22 in the formation of the zebrafish forebrain. We found that fgf22 was essential for determining the ventral properties of the telencephalon and diencephalon but not for cell proliferation. In addition, the knockdown of fgf22 inhibited the generation of glutamatergic neurons, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons and astrocytes. Recently, Fgf signaling has received much attention because of its importance in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis, in which oligodendrocytes and myelin are destroyed. However, the effects of each Fgf on oligodendrocytes remain largely unknown. Therefore, we also investigated the role of Fgf22 in oligodendrocyte development and explored whether there is a difference between Fgf22 and other Fgfs. Knockdown of fgf22 promoted the generation of oligodendrocytes. Conversely, overexpression of fgf22 inhibited the generation of oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, the forebrain phenotypes of fgfr2b knockdown zebrafish were remarkably similar to those of fgf22 knockdown zebrafish. This establishes the Fgf22-Fgfr2b axis as a key ligand‒receptor partnership in neurogenesis and gliogenesis in the forebrain. Our results indicate that Fgf22 has a unique function in suppressing oligodendrocyte differentiation through Fgfr2b without affecting cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Miyake
- Department of Genetic Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan; Department of Molecular Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wakayama Medical University, 25-1, Shichibancho, Wakayama, 640-8156, Japan.
| | - Takatoshi Ohmori
- Department of Genetic Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan; Department of Molecular Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wakayama Medical University, 25-1, Shichibancho, Wakayama, 640-8156, Japan
| | - Yuka Murakawa
- Department of Genetic Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
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Zhi Y, Liu L, Wang H, Chen X, Lv Y, Cui X, Chang H, Wang Y, Cui S. Prenatal exome sequencing analysis in fetuses with central nervous system anomalies. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2023; 62:721-726. [PMID: 37204857 DOI: 10.1002/uog.26254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the utility of prenatal exome sequencing (pES) in fetuses with central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of fetuses identified to have CNS abnormality on prenatal ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging. All fetuses were first analyzed by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). Fetuses with a confirmed aneuploidy or causal pathogenic copy-number variant (CNV) on CMA did not undergo pES analysis and were excluded, while those with a negative CMA result were offered pES testing. RESULTS Of the 167 pregnancies included in the study, 42 (25.1%) were identified to have a pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant. The diagnostic rate was significantly higher in fetuses with a non-isolated CNS abnormality than in those with a single CNS abnormality (35.7% (20/56) vs 14.5% (8/55); P = 0.010). Moreover, when a fetus had three or more CNS abnormalities, the positive diagnostic rate increased to 42.9%. A total of 25/42 (59.5%) cases had de-novo mutations, while, in the remaining cases, mutations were inherited and carried a significant risk of recurrence. Families whose fetus carried a P/LP mutation were more likely to choose advanced pregnancy termination than those with a variant of uncertain significance, secondary/incidental finding or negative pES result (83.3% (25/30) vs 41.3% (38/92); P < 0.001). CONCLUSION pES improved the identification of genetic disorders in fetuses with CNS anomalies without a chromosomal abnormality or CNV identified on CMA, regardless of the number of CNS anomalies and presence of extracranial abnormality. We also demonstrated that pES findings can significantly impact parental decision-making. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhi
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - L Liu
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - H Wang
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - X Chen
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Y Lv
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - X Cui
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - H Chang
- Scientific Research Office, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Y Wang
- Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - S Cui
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
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Tresenrider A, Sridhar A, Eldred KC, Cuschieri S, Hoffer D, Trapnell C, Reh TA. Single-cell sequencing of individual retinal organoids reveals determinants of cell-fate heterogeneity. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100548. [PMID: 37671011 PMCID: PMC10475847 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100548] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
With a critical need for more complete in vitro models of human development and disease, organoids hold immense potential. Their complex cellular composition makes single-cell sequencing of great utility; however, the limitation of current technologies to a handful of treatment conditions restricts their use in screens or studies of organoid heterogeneity. Here, we apply sci-Plex, a single-cell combinatorial indexing (sci)-based RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) multiplexing method to retinal organoids. We demonstrate that sci-Plex and 10× methods produce highly concordant cell-class compositions and then expand sci-Plex to analyze the cell-class composition of 410 organoids upon modulation of critical developmental pathways. Leveraging individual organoid data, we develop a method to measure organoid heterogeneity, and we identify that activation of Wnt signaling early in retinal organoid cultures increases retinal cell classes up to 6 weeks later. Our data show sci-Plex's potential to dramatically scale up the analysis of treatment conditions on relevant human models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Tresenrider
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Kiara C. Eldred
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sophia Cuschieri
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Dawn Hoffer
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Cole Trapnell
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Thomas A. Reh
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Ishii R, Yoshida M, Suzuki N, Ogino H, Suzuki M. X-ray micro-computed tomography of Xenopus tadpole reveals changes in brain ventricular morphology during telencephalon regeneration. Dev Growth Differ 2023; 65:300-310. [PMID: 37477433 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Xenopus tadpoles serve as an exceptional model organism for studying post-embryonic development in vertebrates. During post-embryonic development, large-scale changes in tissue morphology, including organ regeneration and metamorphosis, occur at the organ level. However, understanding these processes in a three-dimensional manner remains challenging. In this study, the use of X-ray micro-computed tomography (microCT) for the three-dimensional observation of the soft tissues of Xenopus tadpoles was explored. The findings revealed that major organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, could be visualized with high contrast by phosphotungstic acid staining following fixation with Bouin's solution. Then, the changes in brain shape during telencephalon regeneration were analyzed as the first example of utilizing microCT to study organ regeneration in Xenopus tadpoles, and it was found that the size of the amputated telencephalon recovered to >80% of its original length within approximately 1 week. It was also observed that the ventricles tended to shrink after amputation and maintained this state for at least 3 days. This shrinkage was transient, as the ventricles expanded to exceed their original size within the following week. Temporary shrinkage and expansion of the ventricles, which were also observed in transgenic or fluorescent dye-injected tadpoles with telencephalon amputation, may be significant in tissue homeostasis in response to massive brain injury and subsequent repair and regeneration. This established method will improve experimental analyses in developmental biology and medical science using Xenopus tadpoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riona Ishii
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Mana Yoshida
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Nanoka Suzuki
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hajime Ogino
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Makoto Suzuki
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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13
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Tresenrider A, Sridhar A, Eldred KC, Cuschieri S, Hoffer D, Trapnell C, Reh TA. Single-cell sequencing of individual retinal organoids reveals determinants of cell fate heterogeneity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.31.543087. [PMID: 37398481 PMCID: PMC10312535 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.31.543087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
With a critical need for more complete in vitro models of human development and disease, organoids hold immense potential. Their complex cellular composition makes single-cell sequencing of great utility; however, the limitation of current technologies to a handful of treatment conditions restricts their use in screens or studies of organoid heterogeneity. Here, we apply sci-Plex, a single-cell combinatorial indexing (sci)-based RNA-seq multiplexing method to retinal organoids. We demonstrate that sci-Plex and 10x methods produce highly concordant cell class compositions and then expand sci-Plex to analyze the cell class composition of 410 organoids upon modulation of critical developmental pathways. Leveraging individual organoid data, we develop a method to measure organoid heterogeneity, and we identify that activation of Wnt signaling early in retinal organoid cultures increases retinal cell classes up to six weeks later. Our data show sci-Plex's potential to dramatically scale-up the analysis of treatment conditions on relevant human models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Tresenrider
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Kiara C. Eldred
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sophia Cuschieri
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Dawn Hoffer
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Cole Trapnell
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Thomas A. Reh
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Pipicelli F, Baumann N, Di Giaimo R, Forero-Echeverry A, Kyrousi C, Bonrath R, Maccarrone G, Jabaudon D, Cappello S. Non-cell-autonomous regulation of interneuron specification mediated by extracellular vesicles. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd8164. [PMID: 37205765 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add8164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Disruption in neurogenesis and neuronal migration can influence the assembly of cortical circuits, affecting the excitatory-inhibitory balance and resulting in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Using ventral cerebral organoids and dorsoventral cerebral assembloids with mutations in the extracellular matrix gene LGALS3BP, we show that extracellular vesicles released into the extracellular environment regulate the molecular differentiation of neurons, resulting in alterations in migratory dynamics. To investigate how extracellular vesicles affect neuronal specification and migration dynamics, we collected extracellular vesicles from ventral cerebral organoids carrying a mutation in LGALS3BP, previously identified in individuals with cortical malformations and neuropsychiatric disorders. These results revealed differences in protein composition and changes in dorsoventral patterning. Proteins associated with cell fate decision, neuronal migration, and extracellular matrix composition were altered in mutant extracellular vesicles. Moreover, we show that treatment with extracellular vesicles changes the transcriptomic profile in neural progenitor cells. Our results indicate that neuronal molecular differentiation can be influenced by extracellular vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Pipicelli
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Natalia Baumann
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rossella Di Giaimo
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU), Großhaderner Straße 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Andrea Forero-Echeverry
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU), Großhaderner Straße 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Denis Jabaudon
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Cappello
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU), Großhaderner Straße 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
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Transcriptional Profile of the Developing Subthalamic Nucleus. eNeuro 2022; 9:9/5/ENEURO.0193-22.2022. [PMID: 36257692 PMCID: PMC9581575 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0193-22.2022] [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: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a small, excitatory nucleus that regulates the output of basal ganglia motor circuits. The functions of the STN and its role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease are now well established. However, some basic characteristics like the developmental origin and molecular phenotype of neuronal subpopulations are still being debated. The classical model of forebrain development attributed the origin of STN within the diencephalon. Recent studies of gene expression patterns exposed shortcomings of the classical model. To accommodate these findings, the prosomeric model was developed. In this concept, STN develops within the hypothalamic primordium, which is no longer a part of the diencephalic primordium. This concept is further supported by the expression patterns of many transcription factors. It is interesting to note that many transcription factors involved in the development of the STN are also involved in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders. Thus, the study of neurodevelopmental disorders could provide us with valuable information on the roles of these transcription factors in the development and maintenance of STN phenotype. In this review, we summarize historical theories about the developmental origin of the STN and interpret the gene expression data within the prosomeric conceptual framework. Finally, we discuss the importance of neurodevelopmental disorders for the development of the STN and its potential role in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Oliveira MFS, Rocha LIQ, Dias LC, de Moura CEB, Vogt RC, Magalhães MS. Embryonic development of Podocnemis unifilis (Testudines: Podocnemididae). ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-022-00571-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2022]
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17
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Fasano G, Compagnucci C, Dallapiccola B, Tartaglia M, Lauri A. Teleost Fish and Organoids: Alternative Windows Into the Development of Healthy and Diseased Brains. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:855786. [PMID: 36034498 PMCID: PMC9403253 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.855786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The variety in the display of animals’ cognition, emotions, and behaviors, typical of humans, has its roots within the anterior-most part of the brain: the forebrain, giving rise to the neocortex in mammals. Our understanding of cellular and molecular events instructing the development of this domain and its multiple adaptations within the vertebrate lineage has progressed in the last decade. Expanding and detailing the available knowledge on regionalization, progenitors’ behavior and functional sophistication of the forebrain derivatives is also key to generating informative models to improve our characterization of heterogeneous and mechanistically unexplored cortical malformations. Classical and emerging mammalian models are irreplaceable to accurately elucidate mechanisms of stem cells expansion and impairments of cortex development. Nevertheless, alternative systems, allowing a considerable reduction of the burden associated with animal experimentation, are gaining popularity to dissect basic strategies of neural stem cells biology and morphogenesis in health and disease and to speed up preclinical drug testing. Teleost vertebrates such as zebrafish, showing conserved core programs of forebrain development, together with patients-derived in vitro 2D and 3D models, recapitulating more accurately human neurogenesis, are now accepted within translational workflows spanning from genetic analysis to functional investigation. Here, we review the current knowledge of common and divergent mechanisms shaping the forebrain in vertebrates, and causing cortical malformations in humans. We next address the utility, benefits and limitations of whole-brain/organism-based fish models or neuronal ensembles in vitro for translational research to unravel key genes and pathological mechanisms involved in neurodevelopmental diseases.
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LaNoce E, Dumeng-Rodriguez J, Christian KM. Using 2D and 3D pluripotent stem cell models to study neurotropic viruses. FRONTIERS IN VIROLOGY 2022; 2:869657. [PMID: 36325520 PMCID: PMC9624474 DOI: 10.3389/fviro.2022.869657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the impact of viral pathogens on the human central nervous system (CNS) has been challenging due to the lack of viable human CNS models for controlled experiments to determine the causal factors underlying pathogenesis. Human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and, more recently, cellular reprogramming of adult somatic cells to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide opportunities for directed differentiation to neural cells that can be used to evaluate the impact of known and emerging viruses on neural cell types. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can be induced to neural lineages in either two- (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) cultures, each bearing distinct advantages and limitations for modeling viral pathogenesis and evaluating effective therapeutics. Here we review the current state of technology in stem cell-based modeling of the CNS and how these models can be used to determine viral tropism and identify cellular phenotypes to investigate virus-host interactions and facilitate drug screening. We focus on several viruses (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), Zika virus (ZIKV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), SARS-CoV-2, West Nile virus (WNV)) to illustrate key advantages, as well as challenges, of PSC-based models. We also discuss how human PSC-based models can be used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of therapeutic drugs by generating data that are complementary to existing preclinical models. Ultimately, these efforts could facilitate the movement towards personalized medicine and provide patients and physicians with an additional source of information to consider when evaluating available treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma LaNoce
- Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jeriel Dumeng-Rodriguez
- Developmental, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Program, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kimberly M. Christian
- Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Yamamoto M, Ong Lee Chen A, Shinozuka T, Sasai N. The Rx transcription factor is required for determination of the retinal lineage and regulates the timing of neuronal differentiation. Dev Growth Differ 2022; 64:318-324. [PMID: 35700309 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanisms leading to retinal development is of great interest for both basic scientific and clinical applications. Several signaling molecules and transcription factors involved in retinal development have been isolated and analyzed; however, determining the direct impact of the loss of a specific molecule is problematic, due to difficulties in identifying the corresponding cellular lineages in different individuals. Here, we conducted genome-wide expression analysis with embryonic stem cells devoid of the Rx gene, which encodes one of several homeobox transcription factors essential for retinal development. We performed three-dimensional differentiation of wild-type and mutant cells and compared their gene-expression profiles. The mutant tissue failed to differentiate into the retinal lineage and exhibited precocious expression of genes characteristic of neuronal cells. Together, these results suggest that Rx expression is an important biomarker of the retinal lineage and that it helps regulates appropriate differentiation stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maho Yamamoto
- Developmental Biomedical Science, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5, Takayama-cho, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Agnes Ong Lee Chen
- Developmental Biomedical Science, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5, Takayama-cho, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Takuma Shinozuka
- Developmental Biomedical Science, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5, Takayama-cho, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Noriaki Sasai
- Developmental Biomedical Science, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5, Takayama-cho, Ikoma, Japan
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20
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Clinical and Demographic Profile of Uveal Coloboma: A hospital-based Study of 14,371 eyes of 9557 Indian Patients. Am J Ophthalmol 2022; 242:1-6. [PMID: 35613650 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2022.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the demographics and clinical profile of uveal coloboma in patients presenting to a multi-tier ophthalmology hospital network in India. DESIGN Cross- sectional hospital -based study. METHODS This cross-sectional hospital-based study included 2,817,766 new patients presenting between August 2010 and May 2021. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of uveal coloboma in at least one eye were included as cases. The data were collected using an electronic medical record system. RESULTS Overall, 9,557 (0.34%) patients were diagnosed with uveal coloboma. Just over half of the patients were male (51.82%) and had bilateral (50.37%) affliction. The most common age group at presentation was during the second decade of life with 2,198 (23%) patients. The overall prevalence was higher in patients from a lower socio-economic status (0.53%) and presenting from the rural geography (0.39%). The most common type was retino-choroidal coloboma in 8,049 (84.22%) patients followed by iris coloboma in 2,129 (22.28%) patients. The most common Ida Mann classification in the eyes with retino-choroidal coloboma was type 4 in 7,049 (57.23%) eyes followed by type 2 in 3,685 (29.92%) eyes. In the 14,371 eyes, 5,696 (39.64%) eyes had a visual impairment of blindness (>20/400) followed by mild or no visual impairment (<20/70) in 2,875 (20.01%) eyes. In the 2,228 (15.5%) eyes that required a surgical/ laser intervention, cataract surgery was performed in 951 (6.62%) eyes, vitreo-retinal surgery in 661 (4.6%) eyes followed by laser photocoagulation in 357 (2.48%) eyes. CONCLUSION Uveal Coloboma is more common in males, is predominantly bilateral in the population studied. It is more commonly found in patients from lower socio-economic strata and from a rural background. The most common type is retino-choroidal coloboma and over a third of the eyes are affected with blindness.
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21
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Brain Organization and Human Diseases. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101642. [PMID: 35626679 PMCID: PMC9139716 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The cortex is a highly organized structure that develops from the caudal regions of the segmented neural tube. Its spatial organization sets the stage for future functional arealization. Here, we suggest using a developmental perspective to describe and understand the etiology of common cortical malformations and their manifestation in the human brain.
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22
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Zarei M, Xie D, Jiang F, Bagirov A, Huang B, Raj A, Nagarajan S, Guo S. High activity and high functional connectivity are mutually exclusive in resting state zebrafish and human brains. BMC Biol 2022; 20:84. [PMID: 35410342 PMCID: PMC8996543 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01286-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The structural connectivity of neurons in the brain allows active neurons to impact the physiology of target neuron types with which they are functionally connected. While the structural connectome is at the basis of functional connectome, it is the functional connectivity measured through correlations between time series of individual neurophysiological events that underlies behavioral and mental states. However, in light of the diverse neuronal cell types populating the brain and their unique connectivity properties, both neuronal activity and functional connectivity are heterogeneous across the brain, and the nature of their relationship is not clear. Here, we employ brain-wide calcium imaging at cellular resolution in larval zebrafish to understand the principles of resting state functional connectivity. Results We recorded the spontaneous activity of >12,000 neurons in the awake resting state forebrain. By classifying their activity (i.e., variances of ΔF/F across time) and functional connectivity into three levels (high, medium, low), we find that highly active neurons have low functional connections and highly connected neurons are of low activity. This finding holds true when neuronal activity and functional connectivity data are classified into five instead of three levels, and in whole brain spontaneous activity datasets. Moreover, such activity-connectivity relationship is not observed in randomly shuffled, noise-added, or simulated datasets, suggesting that it reflects an intrinsic brain network property. Intriguingly, deploying the same analytical tools on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from the resting state human brain, we uncover a similar relationship between activity (signal variance over time) and functional connectivity, that is, regions of high activity are non-overlapping with those of high connectivity. Conclusions We found a mutually exclusive relationship between high activity (signal variance over time) and high functional connectivity of neurons in zebrafish and human brains. These findings reveal a previously unknown and evolutionarily conserved brain organizational principle, which has implications for understanding disease states and designing artificial neuronal networks. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01286-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Zarei
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
| | - Dan Xie
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Fei Jiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Adil Bagirov
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, USA.,Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Ashish Raj
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Srikantan Nagarajan
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Su Guo
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, USA. .,Programs in Human Genetics and Biological Sciences, Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
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Agnès F, Torres-Paz J, Michel P, Rétaux S. A 3D molecular map of the cavefish neural plate illuminates eye-field organization and its borders in vertebrates. Development 2022; 149:274971. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.199966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The vertebrate retinas originate from a specific anlage in the anterior neural plate called the eye field. Its identity is conferred by a set of ‘eye transcription factors’, whose combinatorial expression has been overlooked. Here, we use the dimorphic teleost Astyanax mexicanus, which develops proper eyes in the wild type and smaller colobomatous eyes in the blind cavefish embryos, to unravel the molecular anatomy of the eye field and its variations within a species. Using a series of markers (rx3, pax6a, cxcr4b, zic1, lhx2, emx3 and nkx2.1a), we draw a comparative 3D expression map at the end of gastrulation/onset of neurulation, which highlights hyper-regionalization of the eye field into sub-territories of distinct sizes, shapes, cell identities and combinatorial gene expression levels along the three body axes. All these features show significant variations in the cavefish natural mutant. We also discover sub-domains within the prospective telencephalon and characterize cell identities at the frontiers of the eye field. We propose putative fates for some of the characterized eye-field subdivisions, and suggest the existence of a trade-off between some subdivisions in the two Astyanax morphs on a micro-evolutionary scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Agnès
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR9197, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jorge Torres-Paz
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR9197, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Pauline Michel
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR9197, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Sylvie Rétaux
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR9197, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Fritzsch B, Martin PR. Vision and retina evolution: how to develop a retina. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2022; 12:240-248. [PMID: 35449767 PMCID: PMC9018162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Early in vertebrate evolution, a single homeobox (Hox) cluster in basal chordates was quadrupled to generate the Hox gene clusters present in extant vertebrates. Here we ask how this expanded gene pool may have influenced the evolution of the visual system. We suggest that a single neurosensory cell type split into ciliated sensory cells (photoreceptors, which transduce light) and retinal ganglion cells (RGC, which project to the brain). In vertebrates, development of photoreceptors is regulated by the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Neurod1 whereas RGC development depends on Atoh7 and related bHLH genes. Lancelet (a basal chordate) does not express Neurod or Atoh7 and possesses a few neurosensory cells with cilia that reach out of the opening of the neural tube. Sea-squirts (Ascidians) do not express Neurod and express a different bHLH gene, Atoh8, that is likely expressed in the anterior vesicle. Recent data indicate the neurosensory cells in lancelets may correspond to three distinct eye fields in ascidians, which in turn may be the basis of the vertebrate retina, pineal and parapineal. In this review we contrast the genetic control of visual structure development in these chordates with that of basal vertebrates such as lampreys and hagfish, and jawed vertebrates. We propose an evolutionary sequence linking whole-genome duplications, initially to a split between photoreceptor and projection neurons (RGC) and subsequently between pineal and lateral eye structures.
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25
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Lee DR, Rhodes C, Mitra A, Zhang Y, Maric D, Dale RK, Petros TJ. Transcriptional heterogeneity of ventricular zone cells in the ganglionic eminences of the mouse forebrain. eLife 2022; 11:71864. [PMID: 35175194 PMCID: PMC8887903 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ventricular zone (VZ) of the nervous system contains radial glia cells that were originally considered relatively homogenous in their gene expression, but a detailed characterization of transcriptional diversity in these VZ cells has not been reported. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize transcriptional heterogeneity of neural progenitors within the VZ and subventricular zone (SVZ) of the ganglionic eminences (GEs), the source of all forebrain GABAergic neurons. By using a transgenic mouse line to enrich for VZ cells, we characterize significant transcriptional heterogeneity, both between GEs and within spatial subdomains of specific GEs. Additionally, we observe differential gene expression between E12.5 and E14.5 VZ cells, which could provide insights into temporal changes in cell fate. Together, our results reveal a previously unknown spatial and temporal genetic diversity of VZ cells in the ventral forebrain that will aid our understanding of initial fate decisions in the forebrain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjin R Lee
- Unit on Cellular and Molecular Neurodevelopment, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States
| | - Christopher Rhodes
- Unit on Cellular and Molecular Neurodevelopment, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States
| | - Apratim Mitra
- Bioinformatics and Scientific Programming Core, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States
| | - Yajun Zhang
- Unit on Cellular and Molecular Neurodevelopment, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States
| | - Dragan Maric
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core, National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke, Bethesda, United States
| | - Ryan K Dale
- Bioinformatics and Scientific Programming Core, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States
| | - Timothy J Petros
- Unit on Cellular and Molecular Neurodevelopment, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, United States
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Lo HF, Hong M, Krauss RS. Concepts in Multifactorial Etiology of Developmental Disorders: Gene-Gene and Gene-Environment Interactions in Holoprosencephaly. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:795194. [PMID: 35004690 PMCID: PMC8727999 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.795194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many common developmental disorders are thought to arise from a complex set of genetic and environmental risk factors. These factors interact with each other to affect the strength and duration of key developmental signaling pathways, thereby increasing the possibility that they fail to achieve the thresholds required for normal embryonic patterning. One such disorder, holoprosencephaly (HPE), serves as a useful model system in understanding various forms of multifactorial etiology. Genomic analysis of HPE cases, epidemiology, and mechanistic studies of animal models have illuminated multiple potential ways that risk factors interact to produce adverse developmental outcomes. Among these are: 1) interactions between driver and modifier genes; 2) oligogenic inheritance, wherein each parent provides predisposing variants in one or multiple distinct loci; 3) interactions between genetic susceptibilities and environmental risk factors that may be insufficient on their own; and 4) interactions of multiple genetic variants with multiple non-genetic risk factors. These studies combine to provide concepts that illuminate HPE and are also applicable to additional disorders with complex etiology, including neural tube defects, congenital heart defects, and oro-facial clefting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Fan Lo
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Mingi Hong
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Robert S Krauss
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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27
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Kandarakis SA, Chronopoulou K, Petrou P, Georgalas I. The "Keyhole" Pupil: Clinical Significance of Ocular Coloboma. J Pediatr 2022; 240:302-303. [PMID: 34530022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stylianos A Kandarakis
- 1st Department of Ophthalmology, 'G. Gennimatas Hospital', National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Chronopoulou
- 1st Department of Ophthalmology, 'G. Gennimatas Hospital', National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Petrou
- 1st Department of Ophthalmology, 'G. Gennimatas Hospital', National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ilias Georgalas
- 1st Department of Ophthalmology, 'G. Gennimatas Hospital', National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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28
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Kikkawa T, Osumi N. Multiple Functions of the Dmrt Genes in the Development of the Central Nervous System. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:789583. [PMID: 34955736 PMCID: PMC8695973 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.789583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Dmrt genes encode the transcription factor containing the DM (doublesex and mab-3) domain, an intertwined zinc finger-like DNA binding module. While Dmrt genes are mainly involved in the sexual development of various species, recent studies have revealed that Dmrt genes, which belong to the DmrtA subfamily, are differentially expressed in the embryonic brain and spinal cord and are essential for the development of the central nervous system. Herein, we summarize recent studies that reveal the multiple functions of the Dmrt genes in various aspects of vertebrate neural development, including brain patterning, neurogenesis, and the specification of neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Kikkawa
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, United Centers for Advanced Research and Translational Medicine (ART), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Noriko Osumi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, United Centers for Advanced Research and Translational Medicine (ART), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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29
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Bou-Rouphael J, Durand BC. T-Cell Factors as Transcriptional Inhibitors: Activities and Regulations in Vertebrate Head Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:784998. [PMID: 34901027 PMCID: PMC8651982 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.784998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its first discovery in the late 90s, Wnt canonical signaling has been demonstrated to affect a large variety of neural developmental processes, including, but not limited to, embryonic axis formation, neural proliferation, fate determination, and maintenance of neural stem cells. For decades, studies have focused on the mechanisms controlling the activity of β-catenin, the sole mediator of Wnt transcriptional response. More recently, the spotlight of research is directed towards the last cascade component, the T-cell factor (TCF)/Lymphoid-Enhancer binding Factor (LEF), and more specifically, the TCF/LEF-mediated switch from transcriptional activation to repression, which in both embryonic blastomeres and mouse embryonic stem cells pushes the balance from pluri/multipotency towards differentiation. It has been long known that Groucho/Transducin-Like Enhancer of split (Gro/TLE) is the main co-repressor partner of TCF/LEF. More recently, other TCF/LEF-interacting partners have been identified, including the pro-neural BarH-Like 2 (BARHL2), which belongs to the evolutionary highly conserved family of homeodomain-containing transcription factors. This review describes the activities and regulatory modes of TCF/LEF as transcriptional repressors, with a specific focus on the functions of Barhl2 in vertebrate brain development. Specific attention is given to the transcriptional events leading to formation of the Organizer, as well as the roles and regulations of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in growth of the caudal forebrain. We present TCF/LEF activities in both embryonic and neural stem cells and discuss how alterations of this pathway could lead to tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Béatrice C. Durand
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR7622, IBPS Developmental Biology Laboratory, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
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30
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Ichinose M, Suzuki N, Wang T, Kobayashi H, Vrbanac L, Ng JQ, Wright JA, Lannagan TRM, Gieniec KA, Lewis M, Ando R, Enomoto A, Koblar S, Thomas P, Worthley DL, Woods SL. The BMP antagonist gremlin 1 contributes to the development of cortical excitatory neurons, motor balance and fear responses. Development 2021; 148:269258. [PMID: 34184027 PMCID: PMC8313862 DOI: 10.1242/dev.195883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is required for early forebrain development and cortical formation. How the endogenous modulators of BMP signaling regulate the structural and functional maturation of the developing brain remains unclear. Here, we show that expression of the BMP antagonist Grem1 marks committed layer V and VI glutamatergic neurons in the embryonic mouse brain. Lineage tracing of Grem1-expressing cells in the embryonic brain was examined by administration of tamoxifen to pregnant Grem1creERT; Rosa26LSLTdtomato mice at 13.5 days post coitum (dpc), followed by collection of embryos later in gestation. In addition, at 14.5 dpc, bulk mRNA-seq analysis of differentially expressed transcripts between FACS-sorted Grem1-positive and -negative cells was performed. We also generated Emx1-cre-mediated Grem1 conditional knockout mice (Emx1-Cre;Grem1flox/flox) in which the Grem1 gene was deleted specifically in the dorsal telencephalon. Grem1Emx1cKO animals had reduced cortical thickness, especially layers V and VI, and impaired motor balance and fear sensitivity compared with littermate controls. This study has revealed new roles for Grem1 in the structural and functional maturation of the developing cortex. Summary: The BMP antagonist Grem1 is expressed by committed deep-layer glutamatergic neurons in the embryonic mouse cortex. Grem1 conditional knockout mice display cortical and behavioral abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Ichinose
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.,Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Nobumi Suzuki
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.,Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Tongtong Wang
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.,Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Hiroki Kobayashi
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.,Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.,Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan
| | - Laura Vrbanac
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.,Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Jia Q Ng
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.,Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Josephine A Wright
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.,Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Tamsin R M Lannagan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.,Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Krystyna A Gieniec
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.,Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Martin Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5001, Australia.,Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Ryota Ando
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan
| | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan
| | - Simon Koblar
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.,Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Paul Thomas
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.,Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Daniel L Worthley
- Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Susan L Woods
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.,Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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31
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Fischer M, Chander P, Kang H, Mellios N, Weick JP. Transcriptomic changes due to early, chronic intermittent alcohol exposure during forebrain development implicate WNT signaling, cell-type specification, and cortical regionalization as primary determinants of fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:979-995. [PMID: 33682149 PMCID: PMC8643076 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) due to gestational alcohol exposure represents one of the most common causes of nonheritable lifelong disability worldwide. In vitro and in vivo models have successfully recapitulated multiple facets of the disorder, including morphological and behavioral deficits, but far less is understood regarding the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying FAS. METHODS In this study, we utilized an in vitro human pluripotent stem cell-based (hPSC) model of corticogenesis to probe the effects of early, chronic intermittent alcohol exposure on the transcriptome of first trimester-equivalent cortical neurons. RESULTS We used RNA sequencing of developing hPSC-derived neurons treated for 50 days with 50 mM ethanol and identified a relatively small number of biological pathways significantly altered by alcohol exposure. These included cell-type specification, axon guidance, synaptic function, and regional patterning, with a notable upregulation of WNT signaling-associated transcripts observed in alcohol-exposed cultures relative to alcohol-naïve controls. Importantly, this effect paralleled a shift in gene expression of transcripts associated with regional patterning, such that caudal forebrain-related transcripts were upregulated at the expense of more anterior ones. Results from H9 embryonic stem cells were largely replicated in an induced pluripotent stem cell line (IMR90-4), indicating that these patterning alterations are not cell line-specific. CONCLUSIONS We found that a major effect of chronic intermittent alcohol on the developing cerebral cortex is an overall imbalance in regionalization, with enrichment of gene expression related to the production of posterodorsal progenitors and a diminution of anteroventral progenitors. This finding parallels behavioral and morphological phenotypes observed in animal models of high-dose prenatal alcohol exposure, as well as patients with FAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Máté Fischer
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico HSC, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Praveen Chander
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico HSC, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Huining Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico HSC, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Nikolaos Mellios
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico HSC, Albuquerque, NM, USA.,Autophagy Inflammation and Metabolism (AIM) Center, University of New Mexico HSC, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jason P Weick
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico HSC, Albuquerque, NM, USA.,Center for Brain Recovery and Repair, University of New Mexico HSC, Albuquerque, NM, USA.,New Mexico Alcohol Research Center, University of New Mexico HSC, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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32
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Petersen RA, Morris AC. Visualizing Ocular Morphogenesis by Lightsheet Microscopy using rx3:GFP Transgenic Zebrafish. J Vis Exp 2021. [PMID: 33871454 DOI: 10.3791/62296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate eye development is a complex process that begins near the end of embryo gastrulation and requires the precise coordination of cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Time-lapse imagining offers unique insight to the behavior of cells during eye development because it allows us to visualize oculogenesis in vivo. Zebrafish are an excellent model to visualize this process due to their highly conserved vertebrate eye and their ability to develop rapidly and externally while remaining optically transparent. Time-lapse imaging studies of zebrafish eye development are greatly facilitated by use of the transgenic zebrafish line Tg(rx3:GFP). In the developing forebrain, rx3:GFP expression marks the cells of the single eye field, and GFP continues to be expressed as the eye field evaginates to form an optic vesicle, which then invaginates to form an optic cup. High resolution time lapse imaging of rx3:GFP expression, therefore, allows us to track the eye primordium through time as it develops into the retina. Lightsheet microscopy is an ideal method to image ocular morphogenesis over time due to its ability to penetrate thicker samples for fluorescent imaging, minimize photobleaching and phototoxicity, and image at a high speed. Here, a protocol is provided for time-lapse imaging of ocular morphogenesis using a commercially available lightsheet microscope and an image processing workstation to analyze the resulting data. This protocol details the procedures for embryo anesthesia, embedding in low melting temperature agarose, suspension in the imaging chamber, setting up the imaging parameters, and finally analyzing the imaging data using image analysis software. The resulting dataset can provide valuable insights into the process of ocular morphogenesis, as well as perturbations to this process as a result of genetic mutation, exposure to pharmacological agents, or other experimental manipulations.
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33
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Eze UC, Bhaduri A, Haeussler M, Nowakowski TJ, Kriegstein AR. Single-cell atlas of early human brain development highlights heterogeneity of human neuroepithelial cells and early radial glia. Nat Neurosci 2021; 24:584-594. [PMID: 33723434 PMCID: PMC8012207 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-00794-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The human cortex comprises diverse cell types that emerge from an initially uniform neuroepithelium that gives rise to radial glia, the neural stem cells of the cortex. To characterize the earliest stages of human brain development, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing across regions of the developing human brain, including the telencephalon, diencephalon, midbrain, hindbrain and cerebellum. We identify nine progenitor populations physically proximal to the telencephalon, suggesting more heterogeneity than previously described, including a highly prevalent mesenchymal-like population that disappears once neurogenesis begins. Comparison of human and mouse progenitor populations at corresponding stages identifies two progenitor clusters that are enriched in the early stages of human cortical development. We also find that organoid systems display low fidelity to neuroepithelial and early radial glia cell types, but improve as neurogenesis progresses. Overall, we provide a comprehensive molecular and spatial atlas of early stages of human brain and cortical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugomma C Eze
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aparna Bhaduri
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA.
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | | | - Tomasz J Nowakowski
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Arnold R Kriegstein
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA.
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA.
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34
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Lingam G, Sen AC, Lingam V, Bhende M, Padhi TR, Xinyi S. Ocular coloboma-a comprehensive review for the clinician. Eye (Lond) 2021; 35:2086-2109. [PMID: 33746210 PMCID: PMC8302742 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-021-01501-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Typical ocular coloboma is caused by defective closure of the embryonal fissure. The occurrence of coloboma can be sporadic, hereditary (known or unknown gene defects) or associated with chromosomal abnormalities. Ocular colobomata are more often associated with systemic abnormalities when caused by chromosomal abnormalities. The ocular manifestations vary widely. At one extreme, the eye is hardly recognisable and non-functional—having been compressed by an orbital cyst, while at the other, one finds minimalistic involvement that hardly affects the structure and function of the eye. In the fundus, the variability involves the size of the coloboma (anteroposterior and transverse extent) and the involvement of the optic disc and fovea. The visual acuity is affected when coloboma involves disc and fovea, or is complicated by occurrence of retinal detachment, choroidal neovascular membrane, cataract, amblyopia due to uncorrected refractive errors, etc. While the basic birth anomaly cannot be corrected, most of the complications listed above are correctable to a great extent. Current day surgical management of coloboma-related retinal detachments has evolved to yield consistently good results. Cataract surgery in these eyes can pose a challenge due to a combination of microphthalmos and relatively hard lenses, resulting in increased risk of intra-operative complications. Prophylactic laser retinopexy to the border of choroidal coloboma appears to be an attractive option for reducing risk of coloboma-related retinal detachment. However, a majority of the eyes have the optic disc within the choroidal coloboma, thus making it difficult to safely administer a complete treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopal Lingam
- National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Alok C Sen
- Sadguru Netra Chikitsalaya, Chitrakoot, India
| | | | | | | | - Su Xinyi
- National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
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35
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Castro Colabianchi AM, Tavella MB, Boyadjián López LE, Rubinstein M, Franchini LF, López SL. Segregation of brain and organizer precursors is differentially regulated by Nodal signaling at blastula stage. Biol Open 2021; 10:bio.051797. [PMID: 33563608 PMCID: PMC7928228 DOI: 10.1242/bio.051797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The blastula Chordin- and Noggin-expressing (BCNE) center comprises animal-dorsal and marginal-dorsal cells of the amphibian blastula and contains the precursors of the brain and the gastrula organizer. Previous findings suggested that the BCNE behaves as a homogeneous cell population that only depends on nuclear β-catenin activity but does not require Nodal and later segregates into its descendants during gastrulation. In contrast to previous findings, in this work, we show that the BCNE does not behave as a homogeneous cell population in response to Nodal antagonists. In fact, we found that chordin.1 expression in a marginal subpopulation of notochordal precursors indeed requires Nodal input. We also establish that an animal BCNE subpopulation of cells that express both, chordin.1 and sox2 (a marker of pluripotent neuroectodermal cells), and gives rise to most of the brain, persisted at blastula stage after blocking Nodal. Therefore, Nodal signaling is required to define a population of chordin.1+ cells and to restrict the recruitment of brain precursors within the BCNE as early as at blastula stage. We discuss our findings in Xenopus in comparison to other vertebrate models, uncovering similitudes in early brain induction and delimitation through Nodal signaling. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Nodal signaling is involved in the delimitation of the blastula cell populations that give rise to the brain and axial mesoderm in Xenopus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitana M Castro Colabianchi
- Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología / 1° U.A. Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Laboratorio de Embriología Molecular "Prof. Dr. Andrés E. Carrasco", Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina.,CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
| | - María B Tavella
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI) "Dr. Héctor N. Torres", Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1428, Argentina
| | - Laura E Boyadjián López
- Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología / 1° U.A. Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Laboratorio de Embriología Molecular "Prof. Dr. Andrés E. Carrasco", Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina.,CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Rubinstein
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI) "Dr. Héctor N. Torres", Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1428, Argentina.,Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - Lucía F Franchini
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI) "Dr. Héctor N. Torres", Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1428, Argentina
| | - Silvia L López
- Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología / 1° U.A. Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Laboratorio de Embriología Molecular "Prof. Dr. Andrés E. Carrasco", Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina .,CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
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36
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Jacobs CT, Huang P. Complex crosstalk of Notch and Hedgehog signalling during the development of the central nervous system. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:635-644. [PMID: 32880661 PMCID: PMC11072263 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03627-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) is tightly regulated by many highly conserved cell signalling pathways. These pathways ensure that differentiation and migration events occur in a specific and spatiotemporally restricted manner. Two of these pathways, Notch and Hedgehog (Hh) signalling, have been shown to form a complex web of interaction throughout different stages of CNS development. Strikingly, some processes employ Notch signalling to regulate Hh response, while others utilise Hh signalling to modulate Notch response. Notch signalling functions upstream of Hh response through controlling the trafficking of integral pathway components as well as through modulating protein levels and transcription of downstream transcriptional factors. In contrast, Hh signalling regulates Notch response by either indirectly controlling expression of key Notch ligands and regulatory proteins or directly through transcriptional control of canonical Notch target genes. Here, we review these interactions and demonstrate the level of interconnectivity between the pathways, highlighting context-dependent modes of crosstalk. Since many other developmental signalling pathways are active in these tissues, it is likely that the interplay between Notch and Hh signalling is not only an example of signalling crosstalk but also functions as a component of a wider, multi-pathway signalling network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig T Jacobs
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
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37
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Wnt Signaling Regulates Ipsilateral Pathfinding in the Zebrafish Forebrain through slit3. Neuroscience 2020; 449:9-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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38
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Dawes ML, Soeller C, Scholpp S. Studying molecular interactions in the intact organism: fluorescence correlation spectroscopy in the living zebrafish embryo. Histochem Cell Biol 2020; 154:507-519. [PMID: 33067656 PMCID: PMC7609432 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-020-01930-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell behaviour and function is determined through the interactions of a multitude of molecules working in concert. To observe these molecular dynamics, biophysical studies have been developed that track single interactions. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is an optical biophysical technique that non-invasively resolves single molecules through recording the signal intensity at the femtolitre scale. However, recording the behaviour of these biomolecules using in vitro-based assays often fails to recapitulate the full range of variables in vivo that directly confer dynamics. Therefore, there has been an increasing interest in observing the state of these biomolecules within living organisms such as the zebrafish Danio rerio. In this review, we explore the advancements of FCS within the zebrafish and compare and contrast these findings to those found in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Dawes
- Living Systems Institute, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Christian Soeller
- Living Systems Institute, College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Steffen Scholpp
- Living Systems Institute, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK.
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Nagai-Tanima M, Hong S, Hu P, Carrington B, Sood R, Roessler E, Muenke M. Rare hypomorphic human variation in the heptahelical domain of SMO contributes to holoprosencephaly phenotypes. Hum Mutat 2020; 41:2105-2118. [PMID: 32906187 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is the most common congenital anomaly affecting the forebrain and face in humans and occurs as frequently as 1:250 conceptions or 1:10,000 livebirths. Sonic Hedgehog signaling molecule is one of the best characterized HPE genes that plays crucial roles in numerous developmental processes including midline neural patterning and craniofacial development. The Frizzled class G-protein coupled receptor Smoothened (SMO), whose signaling activity is tightly regulated, is the sole obligate transducer of Hedgehog-related signals. However, except for previous reports of somatic oncogenic driver mutations in human cancers (or mosaic tumors in rare syndromes), any potential disease-related role of SMO genetic variation in humans is largely unknown. To our knowledge, ours is the first report of a human hypomorphic variant revealed by functional testing of seven distinct nonsynonymous SMO variants derived from HPE molecular and clinical data. Here we describe several zebrafish bioassays developed and guided by a systems biology analysis. This analysis strategy, and detection of hypomorphic variation in human SMO, demonstrates the necessity of integrating the genomic variant findings in HPE probands with other components of the Hedgehog gene regulatory network in overall medical interpretations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Momoko Nagai-Tanima
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sungkook Hong
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ping Hu
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Blake Carrington
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Zebrafish Core, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Raman Sood
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Zebrafish Core, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Erich Roessler
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Maximilian Muenke
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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40
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Chan WK, Griffiths R, Price DJ, Mason JO. Cerebral organoids as tools to identify the developmental roots of autism. Mol Autism 2020; 11:58. [PMID: 32660622 PMCID: PMC7359249 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00360-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some autism spectrum disorders (ASD) likely arise as a result of abnormalities during early embryonic development of the brain. Studying human embryonic brain development directly is challenging, mainly due to ethical and practical constraints. However, the recent development of cerebral organoids provides a powerful tool for studying both normal human embryonic brain development and, potentially, the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD. Substantial evidence now indicates that cerebral organoids can mimic normal embryonic brain development and neural cells found in organoids closely resemble their in vivo counterparts. However, with prolonged culture, significant differences begin to arise. We suggest that cerebral organoids, in their current form, are most suitable to model earlier neurodevelopmental events and processes such as neurogenesis and cortical lamination. Processes implicated in ASDs which occur at later stages of development, such as synaptogenesis and neural circuit formation, may also be modeled using organoids. The accuracy of such models will benefit from continuous improvements to protocols for organoid differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Kit Chan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Rosie Griffiths
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - David J Price
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - John O Mason
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
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41
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Xu B, Tang X, Jin M, Zhang H, Du L, Yu S, He J. Unifying developmental programs for embryonic and postembryonic neurogenesis in the zebrafish retina. Development 2020; 147:dev.185660. [PMID: 32467236 DOI: 10.1242/dev.185660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish retina grows for a lifetime. Whether embryonic and postembryonic retinogenesis conform to the same developmental program is an outstanding question that remains under debate. Using single-cell RNA sequencing of ∼20,000 cells of the developing zebrafish retina at four different stages, we identified seven distinct developmental states. Each state explicitly expresses a gene set. Disruption of individual state-specific marker genes results in various defects ranging from small eyes to the loss of distinct retinal cell types. Using a similar approach, we further characterized the developmental states of postembryonic retinal stem cells (RSCs) and their progeny in the ciliary marginal zone. Expression pattern analysis of state-specific marker genes showed that the developmental states of postembryonic RSCs largely recapitulated those of their embryonic counterparts, except for some differences in rod photoreceptor genesis. Thus, our findings reveal the unifying developmental program used by the embryonic and postembryonic retinogenesis in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baijie Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xia Tang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China .,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Mengmeng Jin
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Lei Du
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Shuguang Yu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jie He
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China .,Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China
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42
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Bayramov AV, Ermakova GV, Zaraisky AG. Genetic Mechanisms of the Early Development of the Telencephalon, a Unique Segment of the Vertebrate Central Nervous System, as Reflecting Its Emergence and Evolution. Russ J Dev Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360420030054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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43
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Neuronal Reprogramming for Tissue Repair and Neuroregeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124273. [PMID: 32560072 PMCID: PMC7352898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell and cell reprogramming technology represent a rapidly growing field in regenerative medicine. A number of novel neural reprogramming methods have been established, using pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) or direct reprogramming, to efficiently derive specific neuronal cell types for therapeutic applications. Both in vitro and in vivo cellular reprogramming provide diverse therapeutic pathways for modeling neurological diseases and injury repair. In particular, the retina has emerged as a promising target for clinical application of regenerative medicine. Herein, we review the potential of neuronal reprogramming to develop regenerative strategy, with a particular focus on treating retinal degenerative diseases and discuss future directions and challenges in the field.
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44
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We review the ways in which stem cells are used in psychiatric disease research, including the related advances in gene editing and directed cell differentiation. RECENT FINDINGS The recent development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies has created new possibilities for the study of psychiatric disease. iPSCs can be derived from patients or controls and differentiated to an array of neuronal and non-neuronal cell types. Their genomes can be edited as desired, and they can be assessed for a variety of phenotypes. This makes them especially interesting for studying genetic variation, which is particularly useful today now that our knowledge on the genetics of psychiatric disease is quickly expanding. The recent advances in cell engineering have led to powerful new methods for studying psychiatric illness including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism. There is a wide array of possible applications as illustrated by the many examples from the literature, most of which are cited here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debamitra Das
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kyra Feuer
- Predoctoral Training Program in Human Genetics, Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marah Wahbeh
- Predoctoral Training Program in Human Genetics, Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dimitrios Avramopoulos
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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45
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Kelman JC, Hodge C, Stanwell P, Mustafic N, Fraser CL. Retinal nerve fibre changes in sports-related repetitive traumatic brain injury. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2020; 48:204-211. [PMID: 31691473 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.13673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE There is limited literature on the use of optical coherence tomography in the assessment of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness in sports-related repetitive mild traumatic brain injury. BACKGROUND To evaluate RNFL thickness in professional rugby league players. RNFL thinning may serve as a proxy for wider white matter degeneration. DESIGN Cross-sectional observational study. PARTICIPANTS Thirteen retired Australian professional rugby league players were recruited. METHODS Participants underwent binocular optical coherence tomography to measure RNFL thickness. Each participant underwent a complete ophthalmic assessment to exclude concurrent disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES RNFL thickness of each eye were compared with a normative database. RESULTS Participants had played professional Rugby League for 18 years on average and reported sustaining 15 sports-related concussions throughout their career. The RNFL in participants was four micrometres thinner than that of matched normative data. Cohort average RNFL thickness was reduced in 12 out of 14 optical coherence testing parameters. These findings were statistically significant in the left inferonasal [P = .013] and left nasal [P = .006] sectors. There was no statistically significant relationship between RNFL thickness and other visual measures. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study is the first to demonstrate RNFL thinning in a cohort of retired Australian professional Rugby League players. RNFL changes have been shown to correlate with cerebral white matter loss and neurodegeneration. Optical coherence tomography may serve as a safe and economical means of screening for repetitive traumatic brain injury related neurodegeneration in contact sport athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian C Kelman
- Save Sight Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher Hodge
- Save Sight Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter Stanwell
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nina Mustafic
- Save Sight Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Clare L Fraser
- Save Sight Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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46
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Ahmad I, Teotia P, Erickson H, Xia X. Recapitulating developmental mechanisms for retinal regeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 2019; 76:100824. [PMID: 31843569 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.100824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Degeneration of specific retinal neurons in diseases like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and retinitis pigmentosa is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Currently, there is no therapy to modify the disease-associated degenerative changes. With the advancement in our knowledge about the mechanisms that regulate the development of the vertebrate retina, the approach to treat blinding diseases through regenerative medicine appears a near possibility. Recapitulation of developmental mechanisms is critical for reproducibly generating cells in either 2D or 3D culture of pluripotent stem cells for retinal repair and disease modeling. It is the key for unlocking the neurogenic potential of Müller glia in the adult retina for therapeutic regeneration. Here, we examine the current status and potential of the regenerative medicine approach for the retina in the backdrop of developmental mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iqbal Ahmad
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
| | - Pooja Teotia
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Helen Erickson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Xiaohuan Xia
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
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47
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Young RM, Ewan KB, Ferrer VP, Allende ML, Godovac-Zimmermann J, Dale TC, Wilson SW. Developmentally regulated Tcf7l2 splice variants mediate transcriptional repressor functions during eye formation. eLife 2019; 8:e51447. [PMID: 31829936 PMCID: PMC6908431 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tcf7l2 mediates Wnt/β-Catenin signalling during development and is implicated in cancer and type-2 diabetes. The mechanisms by which Tcf7l2 and Wnt/β-Catenin signalling elicit such a diversity of biological outcomes are poorly understood. Here, we study the function of zebrafish tcf7l2alternative splice variants and show that only variants that include exon five or an analogous human tcf7l2 variant can effectively provide compensatory repressor function to restore eye formation in embryos lacking tcf7l1a/tcf7l1b function. Knockdown of exon five specific tcf7l2 variants in tcf7l1a mutants also compromises eye formation, and these variants can effectively repress Wnt pathway activity in reporter assays using Wnt target gene promoters. We show that the repressive activities of exon5-coded variants are likely explained by their interaction with Tle co-repressors. Furthermore, phosphorylated residues in Tcf7l2 coded exon5 facilitate repressor activity. Our studies suggest that developmentally regulated splicing of tcf7l2 can influence the transcriptional output of the Wnt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo M Young
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyUCLLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Kenneth B Ewan
- School of Bioscience, Cardiff UniversityCardiffUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Miguel L Allende
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de ChileSantiagoChile
| | | | - Trevor C Dale
- School of Bioscience, Cardiff UniversityCardiffUnited Kingdom
| | - Stephen W Wilson
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyUCLLondonUnited Kingdom
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48
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Staudt N, Giger FA, Fielding T, Hutt JA, Foucher I, Snowden V, Hellich A, Kiecker C, Houart C. Pineal progenitors originate from a non-neural territory limited by FGF signalling. Development 2019; 146:dev.171405. [PMID: 31754007 PMCID: PMC7375831 DOI: 10.1242/dev.171405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The embryonic development of the pineal organ, a neuroendocrine gland on top of the diencephalon, remains enigmatic. Classic fate-mapping studies suggested that pineal progenitors originate from the lateral border of the anterior neural plate. We show here, using gene expression and fate mapping/lineage tracing in zebrafish, that pineal progenitors originate, at least in part, from the non-neural ectoderm. Gene expression in chick indicates that this non-neural origin of pineal progenitors is conserved in amniotes. Genetic repression of placodal, but not neural crest, cell fate results in pineal hypoplasia in zebrafish, while mis-expression of transcription factors known to specify placodal identity during gastrulation promotes the formation of ectopic pineal progenitors. We also demonstrate that fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) position the pineal progenitor domain within the non-neural border by repressing pineal fate and that the Otx transcription factors promote pinealogenesis by inhibiting this FGF activity. The non-neural origin of the pineal organ reveals an underlying similarity in the formation of the pineal and pituitary glands, and suggests that all CNS neuroendocrine organs may require a non-neural contribution to form neurosecretory cells. Highlighted Article: Gene expression and fate mapping/lineage tracing in zebrafish reveals that the pineal organ develops from the non-neural pre-placodal ectoderm under the control of FGF signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Staudt
- Department for Developmental Neurobiology, Guy's Hospital Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Florence A Giger
- Department for Developmental Neurobiology, Guy's Hospital Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Triona Fielding
- Department for Developmental Neurobiology, Guy's Hospital Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - James A Hutt
- Department for Developmental Neurobiology, Guy's Hospital Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Isabelle Foucher
- Department for Developmental Neurobiology, Guy's Hospital Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Vicky Snowden
- Department for Developmental Neurobiology, Guy's Hospital Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Agathe Hellich
- Department for Developmental Neurobiology, Guy's Hospital Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Clemens Kiecker
- Department for Developmental Neurobiology, Guy's Hospital Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Corinne Houart
- Department for Developmental Neurobiology, Guy's Hospital Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
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49
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Modeling neuropsychiatric disorders using human induced pluripotent stem cells. Protein Cell 2019; 11:45-59. [PMID: 31134525 PMCID: PMC6949328 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-019-0638-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders are complex disorders characterized by heterogeneous genetic variations, variable symptoms, and widespread changes in anatomical pathology. In the context of neuropsychiatric disorders, limited access to relevant tissue types presents challenges for understanding disease etiology and developing effective treatments. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reprogrammed from patient somatic cells offer an opportunity to recapitulate disease development in relevant cell types, and they provide novel approaches for understanding disease mechanisms and for development of effective treatments. Here we review recent progress and challenges in differentiation paradigms for generating disease-relevant cells and recent studies of neuropsychiatric disorders using human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) models where cellular phenotypes linked to disease have been reported. The use of iPSC-based disease models holds great promise for understanding disease mechanisms and supporting discovery of effective treatments.
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50
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Grinblat Y, Lipinski RJ. A forebrain undivided: Unleashing model organisms to solve the mysteries of holoprosencephaly. Dev Dyn 2019; 248:626-633. [PMID: 30993762 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary conservation and experimental tractability have made animal model systems invaluable tools in our quest to understand human embryogenesis, both normal and abnormal. Standard genetic approaches, particularly useful in understanding monogenic diseases, are no longer sufficient as research attention shifts toward multifactorial outcomes. Here, we examine this progression through the lens of holoprosencephaly (HPE), a common human malformation involving incomplete forebrain division, and a classic example of an etiologically complex outcome. We relate the basic underpinning of HPE pathogenesis to critical cell-cell interactions and signaling molecules discovered through embryological and genetic approaches in multiple model organisms, and discuss the role of the mouse model in functional examination of HPE-linked genes. We then outline the most critical remaining gaps to understanding human HPE, including the conundrum of incomplete penetrance/expressivity and the role of gene-environment interactions. To tackle these challenges, we outline a strategy that leverages new and emerging technologies in multiple model systems to solve the puzzle of HPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yevgenya Grinblat
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.,McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Robert J Lipinski
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.,Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
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