1
|
Di Bella DJ, Domínguez-Iturza N, Brown JR, Arlotta P. Making Ramón y Cajal proud: Development of cell identity and diversity in the cerebral cortex. Neuron 2024; 112:2091-2111. [PMID: 38754415 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.04.021] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Since the beautiful images of Santiago Ramón y Cajal provided a first glimpse into the immense diversity and complexity of cell types found in the cerebral cortex, neuroscience has been challenged and inspired to understand how these diverse cells are generated and how they interact with each other to orchestrate the development of this remarkable tissue. Some fundamental questions drive the field's quest to understand cortical development: what are the mechanistic principles that govern the emergence of neuronal diversity? How do extrinsic and intrinsic signals integrate with physical forces and activity to shape cell identity? How do the diverse populations of neurons and glia influence each other during development to guarantee proper integration and function? The advent of powerful new technologies to profile and perturb cortical development at unprecedented resolution and across a variety of modalities has offered a new opportunity to integrate past knowledge with brand new data. Here, we review some of this progress using cortical excitatory projection neurons as a system to draw out general principles of cell diversification and the role of cell-cell interactions during cortical development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela J Di Bella
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Nuria Domínguez-Iturza
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Juliana R Brown
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Paola Arlotta
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liddelow SA, Olsen ML, Sofroniew MV. Reactive Astrocytes and Emerging Roles in Central Nervous System (CNS) Disorders. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2024; 16:a041356. [PMID: 38316554 PMCID: PMC11216178 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
In addition to their many functions in the healthy central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes respond to CNS damage and disease through a process called "reactivity." Recent evidence reveals that astrocyte reactivity is a heterogeneous spectrum of potential changes that occur in a context-specific manner. These changes are determined by diverse signaling events and vary not only with the nature and severity of different CNS insults but also with location in the CNS, genetic predispositions, age, and potentially also with "molecular memory" of previous reactivity events. Astrocyte reactivity can be associated with both essential beneficial functions as well as with harmful effects. The available information is rapidly expanding and much has been learned about molecular diversity of astrocyte reactivity. Emerging functional associations point toward central roles for astrocyte reactivity in determining the outcome in CNS disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shane A Liddelow
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - Michelle L Olsen
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Michael V Sofroniew
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang X, Liu L, Li Y, Li X, Wang K, Han S, Wang M, Zhang Y, Zheng G, Cheng J, Wen B. Integrative neurovascular coupling and neurotransmitter analyses in anisometropic and visual deprivation amblyopia children. iScience 2024; 27:109988. [PMID: 38883835 PMCID: PMC11177132 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The association between visual abnormalities and impairments in cerebral blood flow and brain region potentially results in neural dysfunction of amblyopia. Nevertheless, the differences in the complex mechanisms of brain neural network coupling and its relationship with neurotransmitters remain unclear. Here, the neurovascular coupling mechanism and neurotransmitter activity in children with anisometropic amblyopia (AA) and visual deprivation amblyopia (VDA) was explored. The neurovascular coupling of 17 brain regions in amblyopia children was significantly abnormal than in normal controls. The classification abilities of coupling units in brain regions differed between two types of amblyopia. Correlations between different coupling effects and neurotransmitters were different. The findings of this study demonstrate a correlation between the neurovascular coupling and neurotransmitter in children with AA and VDA, implying their impaired neurovascular coupling function and potential molecular underpinnings. The neuroimaging evidence revealed herein offers potential for the development of neural therapies for amblyopia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopan Zhang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yadong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kejia Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shaoqiang Han
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mengzhu Wang
- MR Research Collaboration, Siemens Healthineers Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guangying Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Baohong Wen
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jang MH, Song J. Adenosine and adenosine receptors in metabolic imbalance-related neurological issues. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:116996. [PMID: 38897158 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116996] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic syndromes (e.g., obesity) are characterized by insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, impaired glucose metabolism, and dyslipidemia. Recently, patients with metabolic syndromes have experienced not only metabolic problems but also neuropathological issues, including cognitive impairment. Several studies have reported blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and insulin resistance in the brain of patients with obesity and diabetes. Adenosine, a purine nucleoside, is known to regulate various cellular responses (e.g., the neuroinflammatory response) by binding with adenosine receptors in the central nervous system (CNS). Adenosine has four known receptors: A1R, A2AR, A2BR, and A3R. These receptors play distinct roles in various physiological and pathological processes in the brain, including endothelial cell homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, microglial activation, lipid metabolism, immune cell infiltration, and synaptic plasticity. Here, we review the recent findings on the role of adenosine receptor-mediated signaling in neuropathological issues related to metabolic imbalance. We highlight the importance of adenosine signaling in the development of therapeutic solutions for neuropathological issues in patients with metabolic syndromes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Hyeon Jang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States.
| | - Juhyun Song
- Department of Anatomy, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 58128, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Le AD, Fu M, Kumar R, Zacharias G, Garcia ADR. Astrocyte modulation of synaptic plasticity mediated by activity-dependent Sonic hedgehog signaling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.05.588352. [PMID: 38915525 PMCID: PMC11195099 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.05.588352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
The influence of neural activity on astrocytes and their reciprocal interactions with neurons has emerged as an important modulator of synapse function. Astrocytes exhibit activity-dependent changes in gene expression, yet the molecular mechanisms by which they accomplish this have remained largely unknown. The molecular signaling pathway, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), mediates neuron-astrocyte communication and regulates the organization of cortical synapses. Here, we demonstrate that neural activity stimulates Shh signaling in cortical astrocytes and upregulates expression of Hevin and SPARC, astrocyte derived molecules that modify synapses. Whisker stimulation and chemogenetic activation both increase Shh activity in deep layers of the somatosensory cortex, where neuron-astrocyte Shh signaling is predominantly found. Experience-dependent Hevin and SPARC require intact Shh signaling and selective loss of pathway activity in astrocytes occludes experience-dependent structural plasticity. Taken together, these data identify Shh signaling as an activity-dependent, neuronal derived cue that stimulates astrocyte interactions with synapses and promotes synaptic plasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anh Duc Le
- Department of Biology, Drexel University
| | - Marissa Fu
- Department of Biology, Drexel University
| | - Riya Kumar
- Department of Biology, Drexel University
| | | | - A Denise R Garcia
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wu E, Qi D, Nizamutdinov D, Huang JH. Astrocytic calcium waves: unveiling their roles in sleep and arousal modulation. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:984-987. [PMID: 37862199 PMCID: PMC10749589 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.385287] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuron-astrocyte interactions are vital for the brain's connectome. Understanding astrocyte activities is crucial for comprehending the complex neural network, particularly the population-level functions of neurons in different cortical states and associated behaviors in mammals. Studies on animal sleep and wakefulness have revealed distinct cortical synchrony patterns between neurons. Astrocytes, outnumbering neurons by nearly fivefold, support and regulate neuronal and synaptic function. Recent research on astrocyte activation during cortical state transitions has emphasized the influence of norepinephrine as a neurotransmitter and calcium waves as key components of ion channel signaling. This summary focuses on a few recent studies investigating astrocyte-neuron interactions in mouse models during sleep, wakefulness, and arousal levels, exploring the involvement of noradrenaline signaling, ion channels, and glutamatergic signaling in different cortical states. These findings highlight the significant impact of astrocytes on large-scale neuronal networks, influencing brain activity and responsiveness. Targeting astrocytic signaling pathways shows promise for treating sleep disorders and arousal dysregulation. More research is needed to understand astrocytic calcium signaling in different brain regions and its implications for dysregulated brain states, requiring future human studies to comprehensively investigate neuron-astrocyte interactions and pave the way for therapeutic interventions in sleep- and arousal-related disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erxi Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience Institute, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX, USA
- Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA
- Texas A&M University School of Pharmacy, College Station, TX, USA
- LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes and Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Dan Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience Institute, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Damir Nizamutdinov
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience Institute, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX, USA
- Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Jason H. Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience Institute, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX, USA
- Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Holt LM, Nestler EJ. Astrocytic transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug addiction. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2024; 131:409-424. [PMID: 37940687 PMCID: PMC11066772 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02716-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Addiction is a leading cause of disease burden worldwide and remains a challenge in current neuroscience research. Drug-induced lasting changes in gene expression are mediated by transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in the brain and are thought to underlie behavioral adaptations. Emerging evidence implicates astrocytes in regulating drug-seeking behaviors and demonstrates robust transcriptional response to several substances of abuse. This review focuses on the astrocytic transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leanne M Holt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yang XM, Yu H, Li JX, Li N, Li C, Xu DH, Zhang H, Fang TH, Wang SJ, Yan PY, Han BB. Excitotoxic Storms of Ischemic Stroke: A Non-neuronal Perspective. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04184-7. [PMID: 38662299 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04184-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Numerous neurological disorders share a fatal pathologic process known as glutamate excitotoxicity. Among which, ischemic stroke is the major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. For a long time, the main idea of developing anti-excitotoxic neuroprotective agents was to block glutamate receptors. Despite this, there has been little successful clinical translation to date. After decades of "neuron-centered" views, a growing number of studies have recently revealed the importance of non-neuronal cells. Glial cells, cerebral microvascular endothelial cells, blood cells, and so forth are extensively engaged in glutamate synthesis, release, reuptake, and metabolism. They also express functional glutamate receptors and can listen and respond for fast synaptic transmission. This broadens the thoughts of developing excitotoxicity antagonists. In this review, the critical contribution of non-neuronal cells in glutamate excitotoxicity during ischemic stroke will be emphasized in detail, and the latest research progress as well as corresponding therapeutic strategies will be updated at length, aiming to reconceptualize glutamate excitotoxicity in a non-neuronal perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Man Yang
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, People's Republic of China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Yu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Xin Li
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chong Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-Han Xu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian-He Fang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi-Jun Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Pei-Yu Yan
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, People's Republic of China.
- Zhuhai MUST Science and Technology Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bing-Bing Han
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Babenko VA, Varlamova EG, Saidova AA, Turovsky EA, Plotnikov EY. Lactate protects neurons and astrocytes against ischemic injury by modulating Ca 2+ homeostasis and inflammatory response. FEBS J 2024; 291:1684-1698. [PMID: 38226425 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17051] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Lactate is now considered an additional fuel or signaling molecule in the brain. In this study, using an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model, we found that treatment with lactate inhibited the global increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]) in neurons and astrocytes, decreased the percentage of dying cells, and caused a metabolic shift in astrocytes and neurons toward aerobic oxidation of substrates. OGD resulted in proinflammatory changes and increased expression of cytokines and chemokines, whereas incubation with lactate reduced these changes. Pure astrocyte cultures were less sensitive than neuroglia cultures during OGD. Astrocytes exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) also showed pro-inflammatory changes that were reduced by incubation with lactate. Our study suggests that lactate may have neuroprotective effects under ischemic and inflammatory conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina A Babenko
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena G Varlamova
- Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", Russia
| | - Aleena A Saidova
- Cell Biology and Histology Department, School of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia
| | - Egor A Turovsky
- Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", Russia
| | - Egor Y Plotnikov
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia
- Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zimmer TS, Orr AL, Orr AG. Astrocytes in selective vulnerability to neurodegenerative disease. Trends Neurosci 2024; 47:289-302. [PMID: 38521710 PMCID: PMC11006581 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2024.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Selective vulnerability of specific brain regions and cell populations is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders. Mechanisms of selective vulnerability involve neuronal heterogeneity, functional specializations, and differential sensitivities to stressors and pathogenic factors. In this review we discuss the growing body of literature suggesting that, like neurons, astrocytes are heterogeneous and specialized, respond to and integrate diverse inputs, and induce selective effects on brain function. In disease, astrocytes undergo specific, context-dependent changes that promote different pathogenic trajectories and functional outcomes. We propose that astrocytes contribute to selective vulnerability through maladaptive transitions to context-divergent phenotypes that impair specific brain regions and functions. Further studies on the multifaceted roles of astrocytes in disease may provide new therapeutic approaches to enhance resilience against neurodegenerative disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Till S Zimmer
- Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adam L Orr
- Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna G Orr
- Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Shen Y, Shao M, Hao ZZ, Huang M, Xu N, Liu S. Multimodal Nature of the Single-cell Primate Brain Atlas: Morphology, Transcriptome, Electrophysiology, and Connectivity. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:517-532. [PMID: 38194157 PMCID: PMC11003949 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01160-4] [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: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Primates exhibit complex brain structures that augment cognitive function. The neocortex fulfills high-cognitive functions through billions of connected neurons. These neurons have distinct transcriptomic, morphological, and electrophysiological properties, and their connectivity principles vary. These features endow the primate brain atlas with a multimodal nature. The recent integration of next-generation sequencing with modified patch-clamp techniques is revolutionizing the way to census the primate neocortex, enabling a multimodal neuronal atlas to be established in great detail: (1) single-cell/single-nucleus RNA-seq technology establishes high-throughput transcriptomic references, covering all major transcriptomic cell types; (2) patch-seq links the morphological and electrophysiological features to the transcriptomic reference; (3) multicell patch-clamp delineates the principles of local connectivity. Here, we review the applications of these technologies in the primate neocortex and discuss the current advances and tentative gaps for a comprehensive understanding of the primate neocortex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Mingting Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Zhao-Zhe Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Mengyao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Nana Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Sheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chalmers N, Masouti E, Beckervordersandforth R. Astrocytes in the adult dentate gyrus-balance between adult and developmental tasks. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:982-991. [PMID: 38177351 PMCID: PMC11176073 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02386-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes, a major glial cell type in the brain, are indispensable for the integration, maintenance and survival of neurons during development and adulthood. Both life phases make specific demands on the molecular and physiological properties of astrocytes, and most research projects traditionally focus on either developmental or adult astrocyte functions. In most brain regions, the generation of brain cells and the establishment of neural circuits ends with postnatal development. However, few neurogenic niches exist in the adult brain in which new neurons and glial cells are produced lifelong, and the integration of new cells into functional circuits represent a very special form of plasticity. Consequently, in the neurogenic niche, the astrocytes must be equipped to execute both mature and developmental tasks in order to integrate newborn neurons into the circuit and yet maintain overall homeostasis without affecting the preexisting neurons. In this review, we focus on astrocytes of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), and discuss specific features of the astrocytic compartment that may allow the execution of both tasks. Firstly, astrocytes of the adult DG are molecularly, morphologically and functionally diverse, and the distinct astrocytes subtypes are characterized by their localization to DG layers. This spatial separation may lead to a functional specification of astrocytes subtypes according to the neuronal structures they are embedded in, hence a division of labor. Secondly, the astrocytic compartment is not static, but steadily increasing in numbers due to lifelong astrogenesis. Interestingly, astrogenesis can adapt to environmental and behavioral stimuli, revealing an unexpected astrocyte dynamic that allows the niche to adopt to changing demands. The diversity and dynamic of astrocytes in the adult DG implicate a vital contribution to hippocampal plasticity and represent an interesting model to uncover mechanisms how astrocytes simultaneously fulfill developmental and adult tasks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Chalmers
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Evangelia Masouti
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mihalj D, Borbelyova V, Pirnik Z, Bacova Z, Ostatnikova D, Bakos J. Shank3 Deficiency Results in a Reduction in GABAergic Postsynaptic Puncta in the Olfactory Brain Areas. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:1008-1016. [PMID: 38183586 PMCID: PMC10902016 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-04097-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Dysfunctional sensory systems, including altered olfactory function, have recently been reported in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Disturbances in olfactory processing can potentially result from gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic synaptic abnormalities. The specific molecular mechanism by which GABAergic transmission affects the olfactory system in ASD remains unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate selected components of the GABAergic system in olfactory brain regions and primary olfactory neurons isolated from Shank3-deficient (-/-) mice, which are known for their autism-like behavioral phenotype. Shank3 deficiency led to a significant reduction in GEPHYRIN/GABAAR colocalization in the piriform cortex and in primary neurons isolated from the olfactory bulb, while no change of cell morphology was observed. Gene expression analysis revealed a significant reduction in the mRNA levels of GABA transporter 1 in the olfactory bulb and Collybistin in the frontal cortex of the Shank3-/- mice compared to WT mice. A similar trend of reduction was observed in the expression of Somatostatin in the frontal cortex of Shank3-/- mice. The analysis of the expression of other GABAergic neurotransmission markers did not yield statistically significant results. Overall, it appears that Shank3 deficiency leads to changes in GABAergic synapses in the brain regions that are important for olfactory information processing, which may represent basis for understanding functional impairments in autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Mihalj
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava, 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Borbelyova
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zdeno Pirnik
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava, 845 05, Slovakia
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Bacova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava, 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Ostatnikova
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jan Bakos
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava, 845 05, Slovakia.
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Albizzati E, Breccia M, Florio E, Cabasino C, Postogna FM, Grassi R, Boda E, Battaglia C, De Palma C, De Quattro C, Pozzi D, Landsberger N, Frasca A. Mecp2 knock-out astrocytes affect synaptogenesis by interleukin 6 dependent mechanisms. iScience 2024; 27:109296. [PMID: 38469559 PMCID: PMC10926209 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Synaptic abnormalities are a hallmark of several neurological diseases, and clarification of the underlying mechanisms represents a crucial step toward the development of therapeutic strategies. Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder, mainly affecting females, caused by mutations in the X-linked methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene, leading to a deep derangement of synaptic connectivity. Although initial studies supported the exclusive involvement of neurons, recent data have highlighted the pivotal contribution of astrocytes in RTT pathogenesis through non-cell autonomous mechanisms. Since astrocytes regulate synapse formation and functionality by releasing multiple molecules, we investigated the influence of soluble factors secreted by Mecp2 knock-out (KO) astrocytes on synapses. We found that Mecp2 deficiency in astrocytes negatively affects their ability to support synaptogenesis by releasing synaptotoxic molecules. Notably, neuronal inputs from a dysfunctional astrocyte-neuron crosstalk lead KO astrocytes to aberrantly express IL-6, and blocking IL-6 activity prevents synaptic alterations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Albizzati
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, via F.lli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Breccia
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, via F.lli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Florio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, via F.lli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Cabasino
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, via F.lli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Maddalena Postogna
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, via F.lli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Grassi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrica Boda
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi-Montalcini, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Battaglia
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, via F.lli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara De Palma
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, via F.lli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Concetta De Quattro
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Cà Vignal 1, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Davide Pozzi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Landsberger
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, via F.lli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Angelisa Frasca
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, via F.lli Cervi 93, 20054 Segrate, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sidoryk-Węgrzynowicz M, Adamiak K, Strużyńska L. Astrocyte-Neuron Interaction via the Glutamate-Glutamine Cycle and Its Dysfunction in Tau-Dependent Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3050. [PMID: 38474295 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25053050] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Astroglia constitute the largest group of glial cells and are involved in numerous actions that are critical to neuronal development and functioning, such as maintaining the blood-brain barrier, forming synapses, supporting neurons with nutrients and trophic factors, and protecting them from injury. These properties are deeply affected in the course of many neurodegenerative diseases, including tauopathies, often before the onset of the disease. In this respect, the transfer of essential amino acids such as glutamate and glutamine between neurons and astrocytes in the glutamate-glutamine cycle (GGC) is one example. In this review, we focus on the GGC and the disruption of this cycle in tau-dependent neurodegeneration. A profound understanding of the complex functions of the GGC and, in the broader context, searching for dysfunctions in communication pathways between astrocytes and neurons via GGC in health and disease, is of critical significance for the development of novel mechanism-based therapies for neurodegenerative disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Sidoryk-Węgrzynowicz
- Laboratory of Pathoneurochemistry, Department of Neurochemistry, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Str., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kamil Adamiak
- Laboratory of Pathoneurochemistry, Department of Neurochemistry, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Str., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Lidia Strużyńska
- Laboratory of Pathoneurochemistry, Department of Neurochemistry, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Str., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Tanner G, Barrow R, Ajaib S, Al-Jabri M, Ahmed N, Pollock S, Finetti M, Rippaus N, Bruns AF, Syed K, Poulter JA, Matthews L, Hughes T, Wilson E, Johnson C, Varn FS, Brüning-Richardson A, Hogg C, Droop A, Gusnanto A, Care MA, Cutillo L, Westhead DR, Short SC, Jenkinson MD, Brodbelt A, Chakrabarty A, Ismail A, Verhaak RGW, Stead LF. IDHwt glioblastomas can be stratified by their transcriptional response to standard treatment, with implications for targeted therapy. Genome Biol 2024; 25:45. [PMID: 38326875 PMCID: PMC10848526 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03172-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumors lacking IDH1 mutations (IDHwt) have the worst prognosis of all brain neoplasms. Patients receive surgery and chemoradiotherapy but tumors almost always fatally recur. RESULTS Using RNA sequencing data from 107 pairs of pre- and post-standard treatment locally recurrent IDHwt GBM tumors, we identify two responder subtypes based on longitudinal changes in gene expression. In two thirds of patients, a specific subset of genes is upregulated from primary to recurrence (Up responders), and in one third, the same genes are downregulated (Down responders), specifically in neoplastic cells. Characterization of the responder subtypes indicates subtype-specific adaptive treatment resistance mechanisms that are associated with distinct changes in the tumor microenvironment. In Up responders, recurrent tumors are enriched in quiescent proneural GBM stem cells and differentiated neoplastic cells, with increased interaction with the surrounding normal brain and neurotransmitter signaling, whereas Down responders commonly undergo mesenchymal transition. ChIP-sequencing data from longitudinal GBM tumors suggests that the observed transcriptional reprogramming could be driven by Polycomb-based chromatin remodeling rather than DNA methylation. CONCLUSIONS We show that the responder subtype is cancer-cell intrinsic, recapitulated in in vitro GBM cell models, and influenced by the presence of the tumor microenvironment. Stratifying GBM tumors by responder subtype may lead to more effective treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgette Tanner
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Rhiannon Barrow
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Shoaib Ajaib
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Muna Al-Jabri
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Nazia Ahmed
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Steven Pollock
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Martina Finetti
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Nora Rippaus
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Alexander F Bruns
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Khaja Syed
- The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - James A Poulter
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Laura Matthews
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Thomas Hughes
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- School of Science, Technology and Health, York St John University, York, YO31 7EX, UK
| | - Erica Wilson
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Colin Johnson
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Frederick S Varn
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | | | - Catherine Hogg
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | | | - Matthew A Care
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Luisa Cutillo
- School of Mathematics, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - David R Westhead
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Susan C Short
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Teaching Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Michael D Jenkinson
- The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | | | - Roel G W Verhaak
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lucy F Stead
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Holt LM, Gyles TM, Parise EM, Minier-Toribio A, Markovic T, Rivera M, Yeh SY, Nestler EJ. Astrocytic CREB in nucleus accumbens promotes susceptibility to chronic stress. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.15.575728. [PMID: 38293227 PMCID: PMC10827054 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.15.575728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Background Increasing evidence implicates astrocytes in stress and depression in both rodent models and human Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Despite this, little is known about the transcriptional responses to stress of astrocytes within the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain reward region, and their influence on behavioral outcomes. Methods We used whole cell sorting, RNA-sequencing, and bioinformatic analyses to investigate the NAc astrocyte transcriptome in male mice in response to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). Immunohistochemistry was used to determine stress-induced changes in astrocytic CREB within the NAc. Finally, astrocytic regulation of depression-like behavior was investigated using viral-mediated manipulation of CREB in combination with CSDS. Results We found a robust transcriptional response in NAc astrocytes to CSDS in stressed mice, with changes seen in both stress-susceptible and stress-resilient animals. Bioinformatic analysis revealed CREB, a transcription factor widely studied in neurons, as one of the top-predicted upstream regulators of the NAc astrocyte transcriptome, with opposite activation states seen in resilient versus susceptible mice. This bioinformatic result was confirmed at the protein level with immunohistochemistry. Viral overexpression of CREB selectively in NAc astrocytes promoted susceptibility to chronic stress. Conclusions Together, our data demonstrate that the astrocyte transcriptome responds robustly to CSDS and, for the first time, that transcriptional regulation in astrocytes contributes to depressive-like behaviors. A better understanding of transcriptional regulation in astrocytes may reveal unknown molecular mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leanne M Holt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Trevonn M Gyles
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Eric M Parise
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Angelica Minier-Toribio
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Tamara Markovic
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Matthew Rivera
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Szu-Ying Yeh
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wallace JL, Pollen AA. Human neuronal maturation comes of age: cellular mechanisms and species differences. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:7-29. [PMID: 37996703 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00760-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The delayed and prolonged postmitotic maturation of human neurons, compared with neurons from other species, may contribute to human-specific cognitive abilities and neurological disorders. Here we review the mechanisms of neuronal maturation, applying lessons from model systems to understand the specific features of protracted human cortical maturation and species differences. We cover cell-intrinsic features of neuronal maturation, including transcriptional, epigenetic and metabolic mechanisms, as well as cell-extrinsic features, including the roles of activity and synapses, the actions of glial cells and the contribution of the extracellular matrix. We discuss evidence for species differences in biochemical reaction rates, the proposed existence of an epigenetic maturation clock and the contributions of both general and modular mechanisms to species-specific maturation timing. Finally, we suggest approaches to measure, improve and accelerate the maturation of human neurons in culture, examine crosstalk and interactions among these different aspects of maturation and propose conceptual models to guide future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenelle L Wallace
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Alex A Pollen
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Fong TG, Vasunilashorn SM, Kivisäkk P, Metzger E, Schmitt EM, Marcantonio ER, Jones RN, Shanes H, Arnold SE, Inouye SK, Ngo LH. Biomarkers of neurodegeneration and neural injury as potential predictors for delirium. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024; 39:e6044. [PMID: 38161287 PMCID: PMC10798573 DOI: 10.1002/gps.6044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Determine if biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and neural injury may play a role in the prediction of delirium risk. METHODS In a cohort of older adults who underwent elective surgery, delirium case-no delirium control pairs (N = 70, or 35 matched pairs) were matched by age, sex and vascular comorbidities. Biomarkers from CSF and plasma samples collected prior to surgery, including amyloid beta (Aβ)42 , Aβ40 , total (t)-Tau, phosphorylated (p)-Tau181 , neurofilament-light (NfL), and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) or ultrasensitive single molecule array (Simoa) immunoassays. RESULTS Plasma GFAP correlated significantly with CSF GFAP and both plasma and CSF GFAP values were nearly two-fold higher in delirium cases. The median paired difference between delirium case and control without delirium for plasma GFAP was not significant (p = 0.074) but higher levels were associated with a greater risk for delirium (odds ratio 1.52, 95% confidence interval 0.85, 2.72 per standard deviation increase in plasma GFAP concentration) in this small study. No matched pair differences or associations with delirium were observed for NfL, p-Tau 181, Aβ40 and Aβ42 . CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings suggest that plasma GFAP, a marker of astroglial activation, may be worth further investigation as a predictive risk marker for delirium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamara G. Fong
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
- Aging Brain Center, Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sarinnapha M. Vasunilashorn
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Pia Kivisäkk
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- MGH Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
| | - Eran Metzger
- Aging Brain Center, Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Eva M. Schmitt
- Aging Brain Center, Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA
| | - Edward R. Marcantonio
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
- Division of Gerontology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Richard N. Jones
- Departments of Psychiatry and Human Behavior and Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Hannah Shanes
- Aging Brain Center, Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA
| | - Steven E. Arnold
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- MGH Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
| | - Sharon K. Inouye
- Aging Brain Center, Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Division of Gerontology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Long H. Ngo
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Lee HG, Lee JH, Flausino LE, Quintana FJ. Neuroinflammation: An astrocyte perspective. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadi7828. [PMID: 37939162 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi7828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are abundant glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) that play active roles in health and disease. Recent technologies have uncovered the functional heterogeneity of astrocytes and their extensive interactions with other cell types in the CNS. In this Review, we highlight the intricate interactions between astrocytes, other CNS-resident cells, and CNS-infiltrating cells as well as their potential therapeutic value in the context of inflammation and neurodegeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Gyun Lee
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joon-Hyuk Lee
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lucas E Flausino
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Francisco J Quintana
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Frazel PW, Labib D, Fisher T, Brosh R, Pirjanian N, Marchildon A, Boeke JD, Fossati V, Liddelow SA. Longitudinal scRNA-seq analysis in mouse and human informs optimization of rapid mouse astrocyte differentiation protocols. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1726-1738. [PMID: 37697111 PMCID: PMC10763608 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01424-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Macroglia (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) are required for normal development and function of the central nervous system, yet many questions remain about their emergence during the development of the brain and spinal cord. Here we used single-cell/single-nucleus RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq/snRNA-seq) to analyze over 298,000 cells and nuclei during macroglia differentiation from mouse embryonic and human-induced pluripotent stem cells. We computationally identify candidate genes involved in the fate specification of glia in both species and report heterogeneous expression of astrocyte surface markers across differentiating cells. We then used our transcriptomic data to optimize a previous mouse astrocyte differentiation protocol, decreasing the overall protocol length and complexity. Finally, we used multi-omic, dual single-nuclei (sn)RNA-seq/snATAC-seq analysis to uncover potential genomic regulatory sites mediating glial differentiation. These datasets will enable future optimization of glial differentiation protocols and provide insight into human glial differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul W Frazel
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.
| | - David Labib
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Theodore Fisher
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Ran Brosh
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Nicolette Pirjanian
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Anne Marchildon
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Jef D Boeke
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, New York City, NY, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Valentina Fossati
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Shane A Liddelow
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.
- Parekh Center for Interdisciplinary Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Martinez-Lozada Z, Todd FW, Schober AL, Krizman E, Robinson MB, Murai KK. Cooperative and competitive regulation of the astrocytic transcriptome by neurons and endothelial cells: Impact on astrocyte maturation. J Neurochem 2023; 167:52-75. [PMID: 37525469 PMCID: PMC10543513 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes have essential roles in central nervous system (CNS) health and disease. During development, immature astrocytes show complex interactions with neurons, endothelial cells, and other glial cell types. Our work and that of others have shown that these interactions are important for astrocytic maturation. However, whether and how these cells work together to control this process remains poorly understood. Here, we test the hypothesis that cooperative interactions of astrocytes with neurons and endothelial cells promote astrocytic maturation. Astrocytes were cultured alone, with neurons, endothelial cells, or a combination of both. This was followed by astrocyte sorting, RNA sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis to detect transcriptional changes. Across culture configurations, 7302 genes were differentially expressed by 4 or more fold and organized into 8 groups that demonstrate cooperative and antagonist effects of neurons and endothelia on astrocytes. We also discovered that neurons and endothelial cells caused splicing of 200 and 781 mRNAs, respectively. Changes in gene expression were validated using quantitative PCR, western blot (WB), and immunofluorescence analysis. We found that the transcriptomic data from the three-culture configurations correlated with protein expression of three representative targets (FAM107A, GAT3, and GLT1) in vivo. Alternative splicing results also correlated with cortical tissue isoform representation of a target (Fibronectin 1) at different developmental stages. By comparing our results to published transcriptomes of immature and mature astrocytes, we found that neurons or endothelia shift the astrocytic transcriptome toward a mature state and that the presence of both cell types has a greater effect on maturation than either cell alone. These results increase our understanding of cellular interactions/pathways that contribute to astrocytic maturation. They also provide insight into how alterations to neurons and/or endothelial cells may alter astrocytes with implications for astrocytic changes in CNS disorders and diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zila Martinez-Lozada
- Departments of Pediatrics and Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19104-4318
| | - Farmer W. Todd
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1A4
| | - Alexandra L. Schober
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1A4
| | - Elizabeth Krizman
- Departments of Pediatrics and Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19104-4318
| | - Michael B. Robinson
- Departments of Pediatrics and Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19104-4318
| | - Keith K. Murai
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1A4
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Gale JR, Hartnett-Scott K, Ross MM, Rosenberg PA, Aizenman E. Copper induces neuron-sparing, ferredoxin 1-independent astrocyte toxicity mediated by oxidative stress. J Neurochem 2023; 167:277-295. [PMID: 37702109 PMCID: PMC10591933 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Copper is an essential enzyme cofactor in oxidative metabolism, anti-oxidant defenses, and neurotransmitter synthesis. However, intracellular copper, when improperly buffered, can also lead to cell death. Given the growing interest in the use of copper in the presence of the ionophore elesclomol (CuES) for the treatment of gliomas, we investigated the effect of this compound on the surround parenchyma-namely neurons and astrocytes in vitro. Here, we show that astrocytes were highly sensitive to CuES toxicity while neurons were surprisingly resistant, a vulnerability profile that is opposite of what has been described for zinc and other toxins. Bolstering these findings, a human astrocytic cell line was similarly sensitive to CuES. Modifications of cellular metabolic pathways implicated in cuproptosis, a form of copper-regulated cell death, such as inhibition of mitochondrial respiration or knock-down of ferredoxin 1 (FDX1), did not block CuES toxicity to astrocytes. CuES toxicity was also unaffected by inhibitors of apoptosis, necrosis or ferroptosis. However, we did detect the presence of lipid peroxidation products in CuES-treated astrocytes, indicating that oxidative stress is a mediator of CuES-induced glial toxicity. Indeed, treatment with anti-oxidants mitigated CuES-induced cell death in astrocytes indicating that oxidative stress is a mediator of CuES-induced glial toxicity. Lastly, prior induction of metallothioneins 1 and 2 in astrocytes with zinc plus pyrithione was strikingly protective against CuES toxicity. As neurons express high levels of metallothioneins basally, these results may partially account for their resistance to CuES toxicity. These results demonstrate a unique toxic response to copper in glial cells which contrasts with the cell selectivity profile of zinc, another biologically relevant metal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna R. Gale
- Department of Neurobiology and Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
| | - Karen Hartnett-Scott
- Department of Neurobiology and Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
| | - Madeline M. Ross
- Department of Neurobiology and Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
| | - Paul A. Rosenberg
- Department of Neurology and the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115
| | - Elias Aizenman
- Department of Neurobiology and Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Tzioras M, Daniels MJD, Davies C, Baxter P, King D, McKay S, Varga B, Popovic K, Hernandez M, Stevenson AJ, Barrington J, Drinkwater E, Borella J, Holloway RK, Tulloch J, Moss J, Latta C, Kandasamy J, Sokol D, Smith C, Miron VE, Káradóttir RT, Hardingham GE, Henstridge CM, Brennan PM, McColl BW, Spires-Jones TL. Human astrocytes and microglia show augmented ingestion of synapses in Alzheimer's disease via MFG-E8. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101175. [PMID: 37652017 PMCID: PMC10518633 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Synapse loss correlates with cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Data from mouse models suggests microglia are important for synapse degeneration, but direct human evidence for any glial involvement in synapse removal in human AD remains to be established. Here we observe astrocytes and microglia from human brains contain greater amounts of synaptic protein in AD compared with non-disease controls, and that proximity to amyloid-β plaques and the APOE4 risk gene exacerbate this effect. In culture, mouse and human astrocytes and primary mouse and human microglia phagocytose AD patient-derived synapses more than synapses from controls. Inhibiting interactions of MFG-E8 rescues the elevated engulfment of AD synapses by astrocytes and microglia without affecting control synapse uptake. Thus, AD promotes increased synapse ingestion by human glial cells at least in part via an MFG-E8 opsonophagocytic mechanism with potential for targeted therapeutic manipulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Makis Tzioras
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Michael J D Daniels
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Caitlin Davies
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Paul Baxter
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Declan King
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Sean McKay
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Balazs Varga
- Wellcome - MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Karla Popovic
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Madison Hernandez
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Anna J Stevenson
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Jack Barrington
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Elizabeth Drinkwater
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Julia Borella
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Rebecca K Holloway
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Jane Tulloch
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Jonathan Moss
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; The Roslin Institute, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Clare Latta
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Jothy Kandasamy
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Drahoslav Sokol
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Colin Smith
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Veronique E Miron
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; Barlo Multiple Sclerosis Centre at St. Michael's Hospital, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
| | | | - Giles E Hardingham
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | | | - Paul M Brennan
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Barry W McColl
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK.
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Nagai K, Muto Y, Miura S, Takahashi K, Naruse Y, Hiruta R, Hashimoto Y, Uzuki M, Haga Y, Fujii R, Ueda K, Kawaguchi Y, Fujii M, Kitazume S. Brain-specific glycosylation enzyme GnT-IX maintains levels of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor PTPRZ, thereby mediating glioma growth. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105128. [PMID: 37543361 PMCID: PMC10480537 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most prevalent primary tumor of the central nervous system. Despite advances in imaging technologies, neurosurgical techniques, and radiotherapy, a cure for high-grade glioma remains elusive. Several groups have reported that protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (PTPRZ) is highly expressed in glioblastoma, and that targeting PTPRZ attenuates tumor growth in mice. PTPRZ is modified with diverse glycan, including the PTPRZ-unique human natural killer-1 capped O-mannosyl core M2 glycans. However, the regulation and function of these unique glycans are unclear. Using CRISPR genome-editing technology, we first demonstrated that disruption of the PTPRZ gene in human glioma LN-229 cells resulted in profoundly reduced tumor growth in xenografted mice, confirming the potential of PTPRZ as a therapeutic target for glioma. Furthermore, multiple glycan analyses revealed that PTPRZ derived from glioma patients and from xenografted glioma expressed abundant levels of human natural killer-1-capped O-Man glycans via extrinsic signals. Finally, since deficiency of O-Man core M2 branching enzyme N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase IX (GnT-IX) was reported to reduce PTPRZ protein levels, we disrupted the GnT-IX gene in LN-229 cells and found a significant reduction of glioma growth both in vitro and in the xenograft model. These results suggest that the PTPR glycosylation enzyme GnT-IX may represent a promising therapeutic target for glioma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenichiro Nagai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yui Muto
- Division of Molecular Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Saori Miura
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kazuto Takahashi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yu Naruse
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Ryo Hiruta
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yuko Hashimoto
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Miwa Uzuki
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Haga
- Cancer Proteomics Group, Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Risa Fujii
- Cancer Proteomics Group, Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Ueda
- Cancer Proteomics Group, Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Kawaguchi
- Division of Molecular Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Infectious Disease Control, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Research Center for Asian Infectious Diseases, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masazumi Fujii
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.
| | - Shinobu Kitazume
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Jiwaji Z, Hardingham GE. The consequences of neurodegenerative disease on neuron-astrocyte metabolic and redox interactions. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 185:106255. [PMID: 37558170 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain metabolic pathways relating to bioenergetic and redox homeostasis are closely linked, and deficits in these pathways are thought to occur in many neurodegenerative diseases. Astrocytes play important roles in both processes, and growing evidence suggests that neuron-astrocyte intercellular signalling ensures brain bioenergetic and redox homeostasis in health. Moreover, alterations to this crosstalk have been observed in the context of neurodegenerative pathology. In this review, we summarise the current understanding of how neuron-astrocyte interactions influence brain metabolism and antioxidant functions in health as well as during neurodegeneration. It is apparent that deleterious and adaptive protective responses alter brain metabolism in disease, and that knowledge of both may illuminate targets for future therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoeb Jiwaji
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.
| | - Giles E Hardingham
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Jiwaji Z, Márkus NM, McQueen J, Emelianova K, He X, Dando O, Chandran S, Hardingham GE. General anesthesia alters CNS and astrocyte expression of activity-dependent and activity-independent genes. FRONTIERS IN NETWORK PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 3:1216366. [PMID: 37670849 PMCID: PMC10476527 DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2023.1216366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
General anesthesia represents a common clinical intervention and yet can result in long-term adverse CNS effects particularly in the elderly or dementia patients. Suppression of cortical activity is a key feature of the anesthetic-induced unconscious state, with activity being a well-described regulator of pathways important for brain health. However, the extent to which the effects of anesthesia go beyond simple suppression of neuronal activity is incompletely understood. We found that general anesthesia lowered cortical expression of genes induced by physiological activity in vivo, and recapitulated additional patterns of gene regulation induced by total blockade of firing activity in vitro, including repression of neuroprotective genes and induction of pro-apoptotic genes. However, the influence of anesthesia extended beyond that which could be accounted for by activity modulation, including the induction of non activity-regulated genes associated with inflammation and cell death. We next focused on astrocytes, important integrators of both neuronal activity and inflammatory signaling. General anesthesia triggered gene expression changes consistent with astrocytes being in a low-activity environment, but additionally caused induction of a reactive profile, with transcriptional changes enriched in those triggered by stroke, neuroinflammation, and Aß/tau pathology. Thus, while the effects of general anesthesia on cortical gene expression are consistent with the strong repression of brain activity, further deleterious effects are apparent including a reactive astrocyte profile.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoeb Jiwaji
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Usher Institute, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nóra M. Márkus
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie McQueen
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Emelianova
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Xin He
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Owen Dando
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Giles E. Hardingham
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Baxter PS, Dando O, Hardingham GE. Differential splicing choices made by neurons and astrocytes and their importance when investigating signal-dependent alternative splicing in neural cells. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1214439. [PMID: 37465362 PMCID: PMC10350517 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1214439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
A variety of proteins can be encoded by a single gene via the differential splicing of exons. In neurons this form of alternative splicing can be controlled by activity-dependent calcium signaling, leading to the properties of proteins being altered, including ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors and synaptic cell adhesion molecules. The pre-synaptic cell adhesion molecule Neurexin 1 (Nrxn1) is alternatively spliced at splice-site 4 (SS4) which governs exon 22 inclusion (SS4+) and consequently postsynaptic NMDA receptor responses. Nrxn1 was reported to be subject to a delayed-onset shift in Nrxn1 SS4 splicing resulting in increased exon 22 inclusion, involving epigenetic mechanisms which, if disrupted, reduce memory stability. Exon inclusion at SS4 represented one of hundreds of exons reported to be subject to a genome-wide shift in fractional exon inclusion following membrane depolarization with high extracellular K+ that was delayed in onset. We report that high K+ does not increase the SS4+/SS4- ratio in cortical neurons, but does induce a delayed-onset NMDA receptor-dependent neuronal death. In mixed neuronal/astrocyte cultures this neuronal death results in an increase in the astrocyte: neuron ratio, and a misleading increase in SS4+/SS4- ratio attributable to astrocytes having a far higher SS4+/SS4- ratio than neurons, rather than any change in the neurons themselves. We reassessed the previously reported genome-wide delayed-onset shift in fractional exon inclusion after high K+ exposure. This revealed that the reported changes correlated strongly with differences in exon inclusion level between astrocytes and neurons, and was accompanied by a strong decrease in the ratio of neuron-specific: astrocyte-specific gene expression. As such, these changes can be explained by the neurotoxic nature of the stimulation paradigm, underlining the importance of NMDA receptor blockade when using high K+ depolarizing stimuli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul S. Baxter
- Edinburgh Medical School, UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Owen Dando
- Edinburgh Medical School, UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Giles E. Hardingham
- Edinburgh Medical School, UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Patani R, Hardingham GE, Liddelow SA. Functional roles of reactive astrocytes in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:395-409. [PMID: 37308616 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00822-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in uncovering the mechanisms that underlie neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disease, therapies that prevent neuronal loss remain elusive. Targeting of disease-defining markers in conditions such as Alzheimer disease (amyloid-β and tau) or Parkinson disease (α-synuclein) has been met with limited success, suggesting that these proteins do not act in isolation but form part of a pathological network. This network could involve phenotypic alteration of multiple cell types in the CNS, including astrocytes, which have a major neurosupportive, homeostatic role in the healthy CNS but adopt reactive states under acute or chronic adverse conditions. Transcriptomic studies in human patients and disease models have revealed the co-existence of many putative reactive sub-states of astrocytes. Inter-disease and even intra-disease heterogeneity of reactive astrocytic sub-states are well established, but the extent to which specific sub-states are shared across different diseases is unclear. In this Review, we highlight how single-cell and single-nuclei RNA sequencing and other 'omics' technologies can enable the functional characterization of defined reactive astrocyte states in various pathological scenarios. We provide an integrated perspective, advocating cross-modal validation of key findings to define functionally important sub-states of astrocytes and their triggers as tractable therapeutic targets with cross-disease relevance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rickie Patani
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, Human Stem Cells and Neurodegeneration Laboratory, London, UK
| | - Giles E Hardingham
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Shane A Liddelow
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Parekh Center for Interdisciplinary Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Frasch MG, Yoon BJ, Helbing DL, Snir G, Antonelli MC, Bauer R. Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Neuro-Immunometabolic Hypothesis of the Developmental Origins. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:914. [PMID: 37508346 PMCID: PMC10375982 DOI: 10.3390/biology12070914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Fetal neuroinflammation and prenatal stress (PS) may contribute to lifelong neurological disabilities. Astrocytes and microglia, among the brain's non-neuronal "glia" cell populations, play a pivotal role in neurodevelopment and predisposition to and initiation of disease throughout lifespan. One of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders manifesting between 1-4 years of age is the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A pathological glial-neuronal interplay is thought to increase the risk for clinical manifestation of ASD in at-risk children, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood, and integrative, multi-scale models are needed. We propose a model that integrates the data across the scales of physiological organization, from genome to phenotype, and provides a foundation to explain the disparate findings on the genomic level. We hypothesize that via gene-environment interactions, fetal neuroinflammation and PS may reprogram glial immunometabolic phenotypes that impact neurodevelopment and neurobehavior. Drawing on genomic data from the recently published series of ovine and rodent glial transcriptome analyses with fetuses exposed to neuroinflammation or PS, we conducted an analysis on the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) Gene database. We confirmed 21 gene hits. Using unsupervised statistical network analysis, we then identified six clusters of probable protein-protein interactions mapping onto the immunometabolic and stress response networks and epigenetic memory. These findings support our hypothesis. We discuss the implications for ASD etiology, early detection, and novel therapeutic approaches. We conclude with delineation of the next steps to verify our model on the individual gene level in an assumption-free manner. The proposed model is of interest for the multidisciplinary community of stakeholders engaged in ASD research, the development of novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, early prevention, and detection as well as for policy makers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin G Frasch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Byung-Jun Yoon
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Dario Lucas Helbing
- Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Gal Snir
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Marta C Antonelli
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo De Robertis", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 2 a, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Reinhard Bauer
- Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, 07747 Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Barros LF, Ruminot I, Sandoval PY, San Martín A. Enlightening brain energy metabolism. Neurobiol Dis 2023:106211. [PMID: 37352985 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tissue metabolism is distributed across several cell types and subcellular compartments, which activate at different times and with different temporal patterns. The introduction of genetically-encoded fluorescent indicators that are imaged using time-lapse microscopy has opened the possibility of studying brain metabolism at cellular and sub-cellular levels. There are indicators for sugars, monocarboxylates, Krebs cycle intermediates, amino acids, cofactors, and energy nucleotides, which inform about relative levels, concentrations and fluxes. This review offers a brief survey of the metabolic indicators that have been validated in brain cells, with some illustrative examples from the literature. Whereas only a small fraction of the metabolome is currently accessible to fluorescent probes, there are grounds to be optimistic about coming developments and the application of these tools to the study of brain disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L F Barros
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile; Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Valdivia, Chile.
| | - I Ruminot
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile; Facultad de Ciencias para el Cuidado de La Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Valdivia, Chile
| | - P Y Sandoval
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile; Facultad de Ciencias para el Cuidado de La Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Valdivia, Chile
| | - A San Martín
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile; Facultad de Ciencias para el Cuidado de La Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Valdivia, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sardar D, Cheng YT, Woo J, Choi DJ, Lee ZF, Kwon W, Chen HC, Lozzi B, Cervantes A, Rajendran K, Huang TW, Jain A, Arenkiel B, Maze I, Deneen B. Induction of astrocytic Slc22a3 regulates sensory processing through histone serotonylation. Science 2023; 380:eade0027. [PMID: 37319217 PMCID: PMC10874521 DOI: 10.1126/science.ade0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal activity drives alterations in gene expression within neurons, yet how it directs transcriptional and epigenomic changes in neighboring astrocytes in functioning circuits is unknown. We found that neuronal activity induces widespread transcriptional up-regulation and down-regulation in astrocytes, highlighted by the identification of Slc22a3 as an activity-inducible astrocyte gene that encodes neuromodulator transporter Slc22a3 and regulates sensory processing in the mouse olfactory bulb. Loss of astrocytic Slc22a3 reduced serotonin levels in astrocytes, leading to alterations in histone serotonylation. Inhibition of histone serotonylation in astrocytes reduced the expression of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) biosynthetic genes and GABA release, culminating in olfactory deficits. Our study reveals that neuronal activity orchestrates transcriptional and epigenomic responses in astrocytes while illustrating new mechanisms for how astrocytes process neuromodulatory input to gate neurotransmitter release for sensory processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debosmita Sardar
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Yi-Ting Cheng
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Junsung Woo
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Dong-Joo Choi
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Zhung-Fu Lee
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Program in Development, Disease Models, and Therapeutics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Wookbong Kwon
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Hsiao-Chi Chen
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- The Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Brittney Lozzi
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Alexis Cervantes
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Kavitha Rajendran
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Teng-Wei Huang
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Antrix Jain
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Benjamin Arenkiel
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston TX
| | - Ian Maze
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY 10029
| | - Benjamin Deneen
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Program in Development, Disease Models, and Therapeutics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Acevedo A, Torres F, Kiwi M, Baeza-Lehnert F, Barros LF, Lee-Liu D, González-Billault C. Metabolic switch in the aging astrocyte supported via integrative approach comprising network and transcriptome analyses. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:9896-9912. [PMID: 37074814 PMCID: PMC10599759 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204663] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulated central-energy metabolism is a hallmark of brain aging. Supplying enough energy for neurotransmission relies on the neuron-astrocyte metabolic network. To identify genes contributing to age-associated brain functional decline, we formulated an approach to analyze the metabolic network by integrating flux, network structure and transcriptomic databases of neurotransmission and aging. Our findings support that during brain aging: (1) The astrocyte undergoes a metabolic switch from aerobic glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation, decreasing lactate supply to the neuron, while the neuron suffers intrinsic energetic deficit by downregulation of Krebs cycle genes, including mdh1 and mdh2 (Malate-Aspartate Shuttle); (2) Branched-chain amino acid degradation genes were downregulated, identifying dld as a central regulator; (3) Ketone body synthesis increases in the neuron, while the astrocyte increases their utilization, in line with neuronal energy deficit in favor of astrocytes. We identified candidates for preclinical studies targeting energy metabolism to prevent age-associated cognitive decline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Acevedo
- Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Región Metropolitana 7800003, Chile
| | - Felipe Torres
- Department of Physics, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Región Metropolitana 7800003, Chile
- Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, CEDENNA, Santiago, Región Metropolitana 7800003, Chile
- Department of Physics, Center for Advanced Nanoscience, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Miguel Kiwi
- Department of Physics, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Región Metropolitana 7800003, Chile
- Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, CEDENNA, Santiago, Región Metropolitana 7800003, Chile
| | | | - L. Felipe Barros
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia 5110466, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Valdivia, Región de Los Ríos 5110773, Chile
| | - Dasfne Lee-Liu
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Cellular and Neuronal Dynamics, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Región Metropolitana 7800003, Chile
- Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Región Metropolitana 7800003, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Región Metropolitana 7510157, Chile
| | - Christian González-Billault
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Cellular and Neuronal Dynamics, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Región Metropolitana 7800003, Chile
- Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Región Metropolitana 7800003, Chile
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA 94945, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Delepine C, Shih J, Li K, Gaudeaux P, Sur M. Differential Effects of Astrocyte Manipulations on Learned Motor Behavior and Neuronal Ensembles in the Motor Cortex. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2696-2713. [PMID: 36894315 PMCID: PMC10089242 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1982-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Although motor cortex is crucial for learning precise and reliable movements, whether and how astrocytes contribute to its plasticity and function during motor learning is unknown. Here, we report that astrocyte-specific manipulations in primary motor cortex (M1) during a lever push task alter motor learning and execution, as well as the underlying neuronal population coding. Mice that express decreased levels of the astrocyte glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1) show impaired and variable movement trajectories, whereas mice with increased astrocyte Gq signaling show decreased performance rates, delayed response times, and impaired trajectories. In both groups, which include male and female mice, M1 neurons have altered interneuronal correlations and impaired population representations of task parameters, including response time and movement trajectories. RNA sequencing further supports a role for M1 astrocytes in motor learning and shows changes in astrocytic expression of glutamate transporter genes, GABA transporter genes, and extracellular matrix protein genes in mice that have acquired this learned behavior. Thus, astrocytes coordinate M1 neuronal activity during motor learning, and our results suggest that this contributes to learned movement execution and dexterity through mechanisms that include regulation of neurotransmitter transport and calcium signaling.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We demonstrate for the first time that in the M1 of mice, astrocyte function is critical for coordinating neuronal population activity during motor learning. We demonstrate that knockdown of astrocyte glutamate transporter GLT1 affects specific components of learning, such as smooth trajectory formation. Altering astrocyte calcium signaling by activation of Gq-DREADD upregulates GLT1 and affects other components of learning, such as response rates and reaction times as well as trajectory smoothness. In both manipulations, neuronal activity in motor cortex is dysregulated, but in different ways. Thus, astrocytes have a crucial role in motor learning via their influence on motor cortex neurons, and they do so by mechanisms that include regulation of glutamate transport and calcium signals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Delepine
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Jennifer Shih
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Keji Li
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Pierre Gaudeaux
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Mriganka Sur
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Simons Center for the Social Brain, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Yao J, Chen C, Guo Y, Yang Y, Liu X, Chu S, Ai Q, Zhang Z, Lin M, Yang S, Chen N. A Review of Research on the Association between Neuron-Astrocyte Signaling Processes and Depressive Symptoms. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24086985. [PMID: 37108148 PMCID: PMC10139177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is a mental illness that has a serious negative impact on physical and mental health. The pathophysiology of depression is still unknown, and therapeutic medications have drawbacks, such as poor effectiveness, strong dependence, adverse drug withdrawal symptoms, and harmful side effects. Therefore, the primary purpose of contemporary research is to understand the exact pathophysiology of depression. The connection between astrocytes, neurons, and their interactions with depression has recently become the focus of great research interest. This review summarizes the pathological changes of neurons and astrocytes, and their interactions in depression, including the alterations of mid-spiny neurons and pyramidal neurons, the alterations of astrocyte-related biomarkers, and the alterations of gliotransmitters between astrocytes and neurons. In addition to providing the subjects of this research and suggestions for the pathogenesis and treatment techniques of depression, the intention of this article is to more clearly identify links between neuronal-astrocyte signaling processes and depressive symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Yao
- Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Research of TCM, Education Department of Hunan Province, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Cong Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Yi Guo
- Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
- School of Acupuncture & Tuina and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Yantao Yang
- Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Xinya Liu
- Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Shifeng Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Qidi Ai
- Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Research of TCM, Education Department of Hunan Province, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Meiyu Lin
- Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Songwei Yang
- Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Research of TCM, Education Department of Hunan Province, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Naihong Chen
- Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Hasel P, Cooper ML, Marchildon AE, Rufen-Blanchette UA, Kim RD, Ma TC, Kang UJ, Chao MV, Liddelow SA. Defining the molecular identity and morphology of glia limitans superficialis astrocytes in mouse and human. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.06.535893. [PMID: 37066303 PMCID: PMC10104130 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.06.535893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are a highly abundant glial cell type that perform critical homeostatic functions in the central nervous system. Like neurons, astrocytes have many discrete heterogenous subtypes. The subtype identity and functions are, at least in part, associated with their anatomical location and can be highly restricted to strategically important anatomical domains. Here, we report that astrocytes forming the glia limitans superficialis, the outermost border of brain and spinal cord, are a highly specialized astrocyte subtype and can be identified by a single marker: Myocilin (Myoc). We show that Myoc+ astrocytes cover the entire brain and spinal cord surface, exhibit an atypical morphology, and are evolutionarily conserved from rodents to humans. Identification of this highly specialized astrocyte subtype will advance our understanding of CNS homeostasis and potentially be targeted for therapeutic intervention to combat peripheral inflammatory effects on the CNS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip Hasel
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
| | - Melissa L Cooper
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
| | - Anne E Marchildon
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
| | | | - Rachel D Kim
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
| | - Thong C Ma
- Fresco Institute for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
- Parekh Center for Interdisciplinary Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
| | - Un Jung Kang
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
- Fresco Institute for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
- Parekh Center for Interdisciplinary Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
| | - Moses V Chao
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
- Department of Cell Biology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
| | - Shane A Liddelow
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
- Parekh Center for Interdisciplinary Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY., USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Hasel P, Aisenberg WH, Bennett FC, Liddelow SA. Molecular and metabolic heterogeneity of astrocytes and microglia. Cell Metab 2023; 35:555-570. [PMID: 36958329 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes and microglia are central players in a myriad of processes in the healthy and diseased brain, ranging from metabolism to immunity. The crosstalk between these two cell types contributes to pathology in many if not all neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent advancements in integrative multimodal sequencing techniques have begun to highlight how heterogeneous both cell types are and the importance of metabolism to their regulation. We discuss here the transcriptomic, metabolic, and functional heterogeneity of astrocytes and microglia and highlight their interaction in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip Hasel
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - William H Aisenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - F Chris Bennett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Shane A Liddelow
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Parekh Center for Interdisciplinary Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Farizatto KLG, Baldwin KT. Astrocyte-synapse interactions during brain development. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 80:102704. [PMID: 36913751 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Bidirectional communication between astrocytes and neurons is essential for proper brain development. Astrocytes, a major glial cell type, are morphologically complex cells that directly interact with neuronal synapses to regulate synapse formation, maturation, and function. Astrocyte-secreted factors bind neuronal receptors to induce synaptogenesis with regional and circuit-level precision. Cell adhesion molecules mediate the direct contact between astrocytes and neurons, which is required for both synaptogenesis and astrocyte morphogenesis. Neuron-derived signals also shape astrocyte development, function, and molecular identity. This review highlights recent findings on the topic of astrocyte-synapse interactions, and discusses the importance of these interactions for synapse and astrocyte development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karen L G Farizatto
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Katherine T Baldwin
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Long-term plasticity of astrocytic phenotypes and their control by neurons in health and disease. Essays Biochem 2023; 67:39-47. [PMID: 36695493 PMCID: PMC10011399 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The brain is a complex organ even when viewed from a cell biological perspective. Neuronal networks are embedded in a dense milieu of diverse and specialised cell types, including several types of vascular, immune, and macroglial cells. To view each cell as a small cog in a highly complex machine is itself an oversimplification. Not only are they functionally coupled to enable the brain to operate, each cell type's functions are themselves influenced by each other, in development, maturity, and also in disease. Astrocytes are a type of macroglia that occupy a significant fraction of the human forebrain. They play a critical role in sustaining functional neuronal circuits across the lifespan through myriad homeostatic functions including the maintenance of redox balance, ionic gradients, neurotransmitter clearance, and bioenergetic support. It is becoming apparent that astrocytes' capacity to carry out these and other neurosupportive roles is not fixed, but is regulated by signals coming from the neurons themselves, both in the healthy brain but also in response to neuron-derived disease pathology. Here, we review mechanisms by which neurons control the properties of astrocytes long term in order to alter their homeostatic capacity both in development and maturity. Our working hypothesis is that these signals are designed to change and maintain the homeostatic capacity of local astrocytes to suit the needs of nearby neurons. Knowledge of the external signals that can control core aspects of a healthy astrocytic phenotype are being uncovered, raising the question as to whether this knowledge can be harnessed to promote astrocyte-mediated neurosupport in brain disorders.
Collapse
|
40
|
Astrocytes in memory formation and maintenance. Essays Biochem 2023; 67:107-117. [PMID: 36148596 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Learning and memory are fundamental but highly complex functions of the brain. They rely on multiple mechanisms including the processing of sensory information, memory formation, maintenance of short- and long-term memory, memory retrieval and memory extinction. Recent experiments provide strong evidence that, besides neurons, astrocytes crucially contribute to these higher brain functions. However, the complex interplay of astrocytes and neurons in local neuron-glia assemblies is far from being understood. Although important basic cellular principles that govern and link neuronal and astrocytic cellular functions have been established, additional mechanisms clearly continue to emerge. In this short essay, we first review current technologies allowing the experimenter to explore the role of astrocytes in behaving animals, with focus on spatial memory. We then discuss astrocytic signaling mechanisms and their role in learning and memory. We also reveal gaps in our knowledge that currently prevent a comprehensive understanding of how astrocytes contribute to acquisition, storage and retrieval of memory by modulating neuronal signaling in local circuits.
Collapse
|
41
|
Astrocyte heterogeneity and interactions with local neural circuits. Essays Biochem 2023; 67:93-106. [PMID: 36748397 PMCID: PMC10011406 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are ubiquitous within the central nervous system (CNS). These cells possess many individual processes which extend out into the neuropil, where they interact with a variety of other cell types, including neurons at synapses. Astrocytes are now known to be active players in all aspects of the synaptic life cycle, including synapse formation and elimination, synapse maturation, maintenance of synaptic homeostasis and modulation of synaptic transmission. Traditionally, astrocytes have been studied as a homogeneous group of cells. However, recent studies have uncovered a surprising degree of heterogeneity in their development and function, suggesting that astrocytes may be matched to neurons to support local circuits. Hence, a better understanding of astrocyte heterogeneity and its implications are needed to understand brain function.
Collapse
|
42
|
Jin C, Wu Y, Zhang H, Xu B, Liu W, Ji C, Li P, Chen Z, Chen B, Li J, Wu X, Jiang P, Hu Y, Xiao Z, Zhao Y, Dai J. Spinal cord tissue engineering using human primary neural progenitor cells and astrocytes. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10448. [PMID: 36925694 PMCID: PMC10013752 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation is a promising approach for repairing spinal cord injury (SCI). However, cell survival, maturation and integration after transplantation are still major challenges. Here, we produced a novel centimeter-scale human spinal cord neural tissue (hscNT) construct with human spinal cord neural progenitor cells (hscNPCs) and human spinal cord astrocytes (hscAS) on a linearly ordered collagen scaffold (LOCS). The hscAS promoted hscNPC adhesion, survival and neurite outgrowth on the LOCS, to form a linearly ordered spinal cord-like structure consisting of mature neurons and glia cells. When transplanted into rats with SCI, the hscNT created a favorable microenvironment by inhibiting inflammation and glial scar formation, and promoted neural and vascular regeneration. Notably, the hscNT promoted neural circuit reconstruction and motor functional recovery. Engineered human spinal cord implants containing astrocytes and neurons assembled on axon guidance scaffolds may therefore have potential in the treatment of SCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Jin
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Yayu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Haipeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Bai Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Wenbin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Chunnan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Panpan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Zhenni Chen
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Bing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jiayin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Xianming Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Peipei Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School Nanjing China
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School Nanjing China
| | - Zhifeng Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Yannan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jianwu Dai
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Sardar D, Cheng YT, Woo J, Choi DJ, Lee ZF, Kwon W, Chen HC, Lozzi B, Cervantes A, Rajendran K, Huang TW, Jain A, Arenkiel B, Maze I, Deneen B. Activity-dependent induction of astrocytic Slc22a3 regulates sensory processing through histone serotonylation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.24.529904. [PMID: 36909526 PMCID: PMC10002681 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.24.529904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal activity drives global alterations in gene expression within neurons, yet how it directs transcriptional and epigenomic changes in neighboring astrocytes in functioning circuits is unknown. Here we show that neuronal activity induces widespread transcriptional upregulation and downregulation in astrocytes, highlighted by the identification of a neuromodulator transporter Slc22a3 as an activity-inducible astrocyte gene regulating sensory processing in the olfactory bulb. Loss of astrocytic Slc22a3 reduces serotonin levels in astrocytes, leading to alterations in histone serotonylation. Inhibition of histone serotonylation in astrocytes reduces expression of GABA biosynthetic genes and GABA release, culminating in olfactory deficits. Our study reveals that neuronal activity orchestrates transcriptional and epigenomic responses in astrocytes, while illustrating new mechanisms for how astrocytes process neuromodulatory input to gate neurotransmitter release for sensory processing.
Collapse
|
44
|
Barros LF, Ruminot I, Sotelo-Hitschfeld T, Lerchundi R, Fernández-Moncada I. Metabolic Recruitment in Brain Tissue. Annu Rev Physiol 2023; 85:115-135. [PMID: 36270291 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-021422-091035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Information processing imposes urgent metabolic demands on neurons, which have negligible energy stores and restricted access to fuel. Here, we discuss metabolic recruitment, the tissue-level phenomenon whereby active neurons harvest resources from their surroundings. The primary event is the neuronal release of K+ that mirrors workload. Astrocytes sense K+ in exquisite fashion thanks to their unique coexpression of NBCe1 and α2β2 Na+/K+ ATPase, and within seconds switch to Crabtree metabolism, involving GLUT1, aerobic glycolysis, transient suppression of mitochondrial respiration, and lactate export. The lactate surge serves as a secondary recruiter by inhibiting glucose consumption in distant cells. Additional recruiters are glutamate, nitric oxide, and ammonium, which signal over different spatiotemporal domains. The net outcome of these events is that more glucose, lactate, and oxygen are made available. Metabolic recruitment works alongside neurovascular coupling and various averaging strategies to support the inordinate dynamic range of individual neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L F Barros
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile; .,Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Valdivia, Chile;
| | - I Ruminot
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile; .,Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Valdivia, Chile;
| | - T Sotelo-Hitschfeld
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - R Lerchundi
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), MIRCen, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - I Fernández-Moncada
- NeuroCentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Pietiläinen O, Trehan A, Meyer D, Mitchell J, Tegtmeyer M, Valakh V, Gebre H, Chen T, Vartiainen E, Farhi SL, Eggan K, McCarroll SA, Nehme R. Astrocytic cell adhesion genes linked to schizophrenia correlate with synaptic programs in neurons. Cell Rep 2023; 42:111988. [PMID: 36640364 PMCID: PMC10721115 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The maturation of neurons and the development of synapses, although emblematic of neurons, also relies on interactions with astrocytes and other glia. Here, to study the role of glia-neuron interactions, we analyze the transcriptomes of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neurons, from 80 human donors, that were cultured with or without contact with glial cells. We find that the presence of astrocytes enhances synaptic gene-expression programs in neurons when in physical contact with astrocytes. These changes in neurons correlate with increased expression, in the cocultured glia, of genes that encode synaptic cell adhesion molecules. Both the neuronal and astrocyte gene-expression programs are enriched for genes associated with schizophrenia risk. Our results suggest that astrocyte-expressed genes with synaptic functions are associated with stronger expression of synaptic genetic programs in neurons, and they suggest a potential role for astrocyte-neuron interactions in schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olli Pietiläinen
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Harvard Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute for Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Aditi Trehan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Harvard Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Daniel Meyer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jana Mitchell
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Harvard Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Matthew Tegtmeyer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Harvard Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, King's College, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Vera Valakh
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Hilena Gebre
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Theresa Chen
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Emilia Vartiainen
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute for Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Samouil L Farhi
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kevin Eggan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Harvard Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Steven A McCarroll
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ralda Nehme
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Harvard Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Sun J, Osenberg S, Irwin A, Ma LH, Lee N, Xiang Y, Li F, Wan YW, Park IH, Maletic-Savatic M, Ballas N. Mutations in the transcriptional regulator MeCP2 severely impact key cellular and molecular signatures of human astrocytes during maturation. Cell Rep 2023; 42:111942. [PMID: 36640327 PMCID: PMC10857774 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the MECP2 gene underlie a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders, most commonly Rett syndrome (RTT). We ask whether MECP2 mutations interfere with human astrocyte developmental maturation, thereby affecting their ability to support neurons. Using human-based models, we show that RTT-causing MECP2 mutations greatly impact the key role of astrocytes in regulating overall brain bioenergetics and that these metabolic aberrations are likely mediated by dysfunctional mitochondria. During post-natal maturation, astrocytes rely on neurons to induce their complex stellate morphology and transcriptional changes. While MECP2 mutations cause cell-intrinsic aberrations in the astrocyte transcriptional landscape, surprisingly, they do not affect the neuron-induced astrocyte gene expression. Notably, however, astrocytes are unable to develop complex mature morphology due to cell- and non-cell-autonomous aberrations caused by MECP2 mutations. Thus, MECP2 mutations critically impact key cellular and molecular features of human astrocytes and, hence, their ability to interact and support the structural and functional maturation of neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jialin Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Sivan Osenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; Departments of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Austin Irwin
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Li-Hua Ma
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nigel Lee
- Departments of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yangfei Xiang
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Feng Li
- Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ying-Wooi Wan
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - In-Hyun Park
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Mirjana Maletic-Savatic
- Departments of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Nurit Ballas
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Kim J, Kaang BK. Cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) transcription factor in astrocytic synaptic communication. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 14:1059918. [PMID: 36685081 PMCID: PMC9845270 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.1059918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are known to actively participate in synaptic communication by forming structures called tripartite synapses. These synapses consist of presynaptic axon terminals, postsynaptic dendritic spines, and astrocytic processes where astrocytes release and receive transmitters. Although the transcription factor cyclic AMP response element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB) has been actively studied as an important factor for mediating synaptic activity-induced responses in neurons, its role in astrocytes is relatively unknown. Synaptic signals are known to activate various downstream pathways in astrocytes, which can activate the CREB transcription factor. Therefore, there is a need to summarize studies on astrocytic intracellular pathways that are induced by synaptic communication resulting in activation of the CREB pathway. In this review, we discuss the various neurotransmitter receptors and intracellular pathways that can induce CREB activation and CREB-induced gene regulation in astrocytes.
Collapse
|
48
|
Activity-dependent translation dynamically alters the proteome of the perisynaptic astrocyte process. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111474. [PMID: 36261025 PMCID: PMC9624251 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Within eukaryotic cells, translation is regulated independent of transcription, enabling nuanced, localized, and rapid responses to stimuli. Neurons respond transcriptionally and translationally to synaptic activity. Although transcriptional responses are documented in astrocytes, here we test whether astrocytes have programmed translational responses. We show that seizure activity rapidly changes the transcripts on astrocyte ribosomes, some predicted to be downstream of BDNF signaling. In acute slices, we quantify the extent to which cues of neuronal activity activate translation in astrocytes and show that this translational response requires the presence of neurons, indicating that the response is non-cell autonomous. We also show that this induction of new translation extends into the periphery of astrocytes. Finally, synaptic proteomics show that new translation is required for changes that occur in perisynaptic astrocyte protein composition after fear conditioning. Regulation of translation in astrocytes by neuronal activity suggests an additional mechanism by which astrocytes may dynamically modulate nervous system functioning.
Collapse
|
49
|
Kruyer A. Astrocyte Heterogeneity in Regulation of Synaptic Activity. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193135. [PMID: 36231097 PMCID: PMC9562199 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Our awareness of the number of synapse regulatory functions performed by astroglia is rapidly expanding, raising interesting questions regarding astrocyte heterogeneity and specialization across brain regions. Whether all astrocytes are poised to signal in a multitude of ways, or are instead tuned to surrounding synapses and how astroglial signaling is altered in psychiatric and cognitive disorders are fundamental questions for the field. In recent years, molecular and morphological characterization of astroglial types has broadened our ability to design studies to better analyze and manipulate specific functions of astroglia. Recent data emerging from these studies will be discussed in depth in this review. I also highlight remaining questions emerging from new techniques recently applied toward understanding the roles of astrocytes in synapse regulation in the adult brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kruyer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Kaul D, Schwab SG, Mechawar N, Ooi L, Matosin N. Alterations in Astrocytic Regulation of Excitation and Inhibition by Stress Exposure and in Severe Psychopathology. J Neurosci 2022; 42:6823-6834. [PMID: 38377014 PMCID: PMC9463979 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2410-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of excitatory and inhibitory signaling is commonly observed in major psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder, and is often targeted by psychological and pharmacological treatment methods. The balance of excitation and inhibition is highly sensitive to severe psychological stress, one of the strongest risk factors for psychiatric disorders. The role of astrocytes in regulating excitatory and inhibitory signaling is now widely recognized; however, the specific involvement of astrocytes in the context of psychiatric disorders with a history of significant stress exposure remains unclear. In this review, we summarize how astrocytes regulate the balance of excitation and inhibition in the context of stress exposure and severe psychopathology, with a focus on the PFC, a brain area highly implicated in psychopathology. We first focus on preclinical models to demonstrate that the duration of stress (particularly acute vs chronic stress) is key to shaping astrocyte function and downstream behavior. We then provide a hypothesis for how astrocytes are involved in stress-associated cortical signaling imbalance, discuss how this directly contributes to phenotypes of psychopathologies, and provide suggestions for future research. We highlight that astrocytes are a key target to understand and treat the dysregulation of cortical signaling associated with stress-related psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Kaul
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, Australia
| | - Sibylle G Schwab
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, Australia
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, Australia
| | - Naguib Mechawar
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Blvd, Verdun, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Lezanne Ooi
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, Australia
| | - Natalie Matosin
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, Australia
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstrasse 2-10, Munich, 80804, Germany
| |
Collapse
|