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Cui Y, Ma X, Wei J, Chen C, Shakir N, Guirram H, Dai Z, Anderson T, Ferguson D, Qiu S. MET receptor tyrosine kinase promotes the generation of functional synapses in adult cortical circuits. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1431-1444. [PMID: 39075910 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202505000-00026/figure1/v/2024-07-28T173839Z/r/image-tiff Loss of synapse and functional connectivity in brain circuits is associated with aging and neurodegeneration, however, few molecular mechanisms are known to intrinsically promote synaptogenesis or enhance synapse function. We have previously shown that MET receptor tyrosine kinase in the developing cortical circuits promotes dendritic growth and dendritic spine morphogenesis. To investigate whether enhancing MET in adult cortex has synapse regenerating potential, we created a knockin mouse line, in which the human MET gene expression and signaling can be turned on in adult (10-12 months) cortical neurons through doxycycline-containing chow. We found that similar to the developing brain, turning on MET signaling in the adult cortex activates small GTPases and increases spine density in prefrontal projection neurons. These findings are further corroborated by increased synaptic activity and transient generation of immature silent synapses. Prolonged MET signaling resulted in an increased α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid/N-methyl-D-aspartate (AMPA/NMDA) receptor current ratio, indicative of enhanced synaptic function and connectivity. Our data reveal that enhancing MET signaling could be an interventional approach to promote synaptogenesis and preserve functional connectivity in the adult brain. These findings may have implications for regenerative therapy in aging and neurodegeneration conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehua Cui
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Xiaokuang Ma
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Jing Wei
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Chang Chen
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Neha Shakir
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Hitesch Guirram
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Zhiyu Dai
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Trent Anderson
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Deveroux Ferguson
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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2
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Lanjewar AL, Levitt P, Eagleson KL. Developmental and molecular contributions to contextual fear memory emergence in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:1392-1401. [PMID: 38438594 PMCID: PMC11251045 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01835-0] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a common phenotype of neurodevelopmental disorders, but how these deficits arise remains elusive. Determining the onset of discrete cognitive capabilities facilitates studies in probing mechanisms underlying their emergence. The present study analyzed the emergence of contextual fear memory persistence (7-day memory retention) and remote memory (30-day memory retention). There was a rapid transition from postnatal day (P) 20 to P21, in which memory persistence emerged in C57Bl/6 J male and female mice. Remote memory was present at P23, but expression was not robust compared to pubertal and adult mice. Previous studies reported that following deletion of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (MET), there are fear memory deficits in adult mice and the timing of critical period plasticity is altered in the developing visual cortex, positioning MET as a regulator for onset of contextual fear memory. Sustaining Met past the normal window of peak cortical expression or deleting Met, however, did not alter the timing of emergence of persistence or remote memory capabilities during development. Fear memory in young adults, however, was disrupted. Remarkably, compared to homecage controls, the number of FOS-expressing infragranular neurons in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) did not increase from contextual memory formation recall of fear conditioning at P35 but exhibited enhanced activation at P90 in male and female mice. Additionally, MET-expressing neurons were preferentially recruited at P90 compared to P35 during fear memory expression. The studies demonstrate a developmental profile of contextual fear memory capabilities. Further, developmental disruption of Met leads to a delayed functional deficit that arises in young adulthood, correlated with an increase of mPFC neuron activation during fear memory recall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Lanjewar
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Pat Levitt
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kathie L Eagleson
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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3
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Shen L, Ma X, Wang Y, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Pham HQH, Tao X, Cui Y, Wei J, Lin D, Abeywanada T, Hardikar S, Halabelian L, Smith N, Chen T, Barsyte-Lovejoy D, Qiu S, Xing Y, Yang Y. Loss-of-function mutation in PRMT9 causes abnormal synapse development by dysregulation of RNA alternative splicing. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2809. [PMID: 38561334 PMCID: PMC10984984 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47107-9] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferase 9 (PRMT9) is a recently identified member of the PRMT family, yet its biological function remains largely unknown. Here, by characterizing an intellectual disability associated PRMT9 mutation (G189R) and establishing a Prmt9 conditional knockout (cKO) mouse model, we uncover an important function of PRMT9 in neuronal development. The G189R mutation abolishes PRMT9 methyltransferase activity and reduces its protein stability. Knockout of Prmt9 in hippocampal neurons causes alternative splicing of ~1900 genes, which likely accounts for the aberrant synapse development and impaired learning and memory in the Prmt9 cKO mice. Mechanistically, we discover a methylation-sensitive protein-RNA interaction between the arginine 508 (R508) of the splicing factor 3B subunit 2 (SF3B2), the site that is exclusively methylated by PRMT9, and the pre-mRNA anchoring site, a cis-regulatory element that is critical for RNA splicing. Additionally, using human and mouse cell lines, as well as an SF3B2 arginine methylation-deficient mouse model, we provide strong evidence that SF3B2 is the primary methylation substrate of PRMT9, thus highlighting the conserved function of the PRMT9/SF3B2 axis in regulating pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Shen
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Xiaokuang Ma
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Graduate Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Zhihao Wang
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Hoang Quoc Hai Pham
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Xiaoqun Tao
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Yuehua Cui
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Jing Wei
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Dimitri Lin
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Tharindumala Abeywanada
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Swanand Hardikar
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Levon Halabelian
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Noah Smith
- Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Taiping Chen
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.
| | - Yi Xing
- Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Yanzhong Yang
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
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4
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Lanjewar AL, Levitt P, Eagleson KL. Developmental and molecular contributions to contextual fear memory emergence in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.02.03.527024. [PMID: 36778231 PMCID: PMC9915741 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.03.527024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a common phenotype of neurodevelopmental disorders, but how these deficits arise remains elusive. Determining the onset of discrete cognitive capabilities facilitates studies in probing mechanisms underlying their emergence. The present study analyzed the emergence of contextual fear memory persistence (7-day memory retention) and remote memory (30-day memory retention). There was a rapid transition from postnatal day (P) 20 to P21, in which memory persistence emerged in C57Bl/6J male and female mice. Remote memory was present at P23, but expression was not robust compared to pubertal and adult mice. Previous studies reported that following deletion of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (MET), there are fear memory deficits in adult mice and the timing of critical period plasticity is altered in the developing visual cortex, positioning MET as a regulator for onset of contextual fear memory. Sustaining Met past the normal window of peak cortical expression or deleting Met, however, did not alter the timing of emergence of persistence or remote memory capabilities during development. Fear memory in young adults, however, was disrupted. Remarkably, compared to homecage controls, the number of FOS-expressing infragranular neurons in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) did not increase from contextual memory formation recall of fear conditioning at P35 but exhibited enhanced activation at P90 in male and female mice. Additionally, MET-expressing neurons were preferentially recruited at P90 compared to P35 during fear memory expression. The studies demonstrate a developmental profile of contextual fear memory capabilities. Further, developmental disruption of Met leads to a delayed functional deficit that arises in young adulthood, correlated with an increase of mPFC neuron activation during fear memory recall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L. Lanjewar
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Pat Levitt
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kathie L. Eagleson
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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5
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Yang Y, Yang Z, Lv M, Jia A, Li J, Liao B, Chen J, Wu Z, Shi Y, Xia Y, Yao D, Chen K. Morphological disruption and visual tuning alterations in the primary visual cortex in glaucoma (DBA/2J) mice. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:220-225. [PMID: 37488870 PMCID: PMC10479843 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.375341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and previous studies have shown that, in addition to affecting the eyes, it also causes abnormalities in the brain. However, it is not yet clear how the primary visual cortex (V1) is altered in glaucoma. This study used DBA/2J mice as a model for spontaneous secondary glaucoma. The aim of the study was to compare the electrophysiological and histomorphological characteristics of neurons in the V1 between 9-month-old DBA/2J mice and age-matched C57BL/6J mice. We conducted single-unit recordings in the V1 of light-anesthetized mice to measure the visually induced responses, including single-unit spiking and gamma band oscillations. The morphology of layer II/III neurons was determined by neuronal nuclear antigen staining and Nissl staining of brain tissue sections. Eighty-seven neurons from eight DBA/2J mice and eighty-one neurons from eight C57BL/6J mice were examined. Compared with the C57BL/6J group, V1 neurons in the DBA/2J group exhibited weaker visual tuning and impaired spatial summation. Moreover, fewer neurons were observed in the V1 of DBA/2J mice compared with C57BL/6J mice. These findings suggest that DBA/2J mice have fewer neurons in the V1 compared with C57BL/6J mice, and that these neurons have impaired visual tuning. Our findings provide a better understanding of the pathological changes that occur in V1 neuron function and morphology in the DBA/2J mouse model. This study might offer some innovative perspectives regarding the treatment of glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Medical School, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Zhaoxi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Medical School, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Maoxia Lv
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Medical School, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Ang Jia
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Junjun Li
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Baitao Liao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jing’an Chen
- Research Unit of NeuroInformation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengzheng Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Medical School, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yi Shi
- Health Management Center, Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yang Xia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Medical School, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Dezhong Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Medical School, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
- Research Unit of NeuroInformation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Ke Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Medical School, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
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Eagleson KL, Levitt P. Alterations in the Proteome of Developing Neocortical Synaptosomes in the Absence of MET Signaling Revealed by Comparative Proteomics. Dev Neurosci 2023; 45:126-138. [PMID: 36882009 PMCID: PMC10239366 DOI: 10.1159/000529981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in synapse formation, maturation, and function are a hallmark of many neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. For example, there is reduced neocortical expression of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) transcript and protein in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Rett syndrome. Preclinical in vivo and in vitro models manipulating MET signaling reveal that the receptor modulates excitatory synapse development and maturation in select forebrain circuits. The molecular adaptations underlying the altered synaptic development remain unknown. We performed a comparative mass spectrometry analysis of synaptosomes generated from the neocortex of wild type and Met null mice during the peak of synaptogenesis (postnatal day 14; data are available from ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD033204). The analyses revealed broad disruption of the developing synaptic proteome in the absence of MET, consistent with the localization of MET protein in pre- and postsynaptic compartments, including proteins associated with the neocortical synaptic MET interactome and those encoded by syndromic and ASD risk genes. In addition to an overrepresentation of altered proteins associated with the SNARE complex, multiple proteins in the ubiquitin-proteasome system and associated with the synaptic vesicle, as well as proteins that regulate actin filament organization and synaptic vesicle exocytosis/endocytosis, were disrupted. Taken together, the proteomic changes are consistent with structural and functional changes observed following alterations in MET signaling. We hypothesize that the molecular adaptations following Met deletion may reflect a general mechanism that produces circuit-specific molecular changes due to loss or reduction of synaptic signaling proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathie L Eagleson
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,
- Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,
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Wei J, Ma X, Nehme A, Cui Y, Zhang L, Qiu S. Reduced HGF/MET Signaling May Contribute to the Synaptic Pathology in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:954266. [PMID: 35903536 PMCID: PMC9314739 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.954266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder strongly associates with aging. While amyloid plagues and neurofibrillary tangles are pathological hallmarks of AD, recent evidence suggests synaptic dysfunction and physical loss may be the key mechanisms that determine the clinical syndrome and dementia onset. Currently, no effective therapy prevents neuropathological changes and cognitive decline. Neurotrophic factors and their receptors represent novel therapeutic targets to treat AD and dementia. Recent clinical literature revealed that MET receptor tyrosine kinase protein is reduced in AD patient's brain. Activation of MET by its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) initiates pleiotropic signaling in the developing brain that promotes neurogenesis, survival, synaptogenesis, and plasticity. We hypothesize that if reduced MET signaling plays a role in AD pathogenesis, this might be reflected in the AD mouse models and as such provides opportunities for mechanistic studies on the role of HGF/MET in AD. Examining the 5XFAD mouse model revealed that MET protein exhibits age-dependent progressive reduction prior to overt neuronal pathology, which cannot be explained by indiscriminate loss of total synaptic proteins. In addition, genetic ablation of MET protein in cortical excitatory neurons exacerbates amyloid-related neuropathology in 5XFAD mice. We further found that HGF enhances prefrontal layer 5 neuron synaptic plasticity measured by long-term potentiation (LTP). However, the degree of LTP enhancement is significantly reduced in 5XFAD mice brain slices. Taken together, our study revealed that early reduction of HGF/MET signaling may contribute to the synaptic pathology observed in AD.
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Diehl V, Huber LS, Trebicka J, Wygrecka M, Iozzo RV, Schaefer L. The Role of Decorin and Biglycan Signaling in Tumorigenesis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:801801. [PMID: 34917515 PMCID: PMC8668865 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.801801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex and adaptive nature of malignant neoplasm constitute a major challenge for the development of effective anti-oncogenic therapies. Emerging evidence has uncovered the pivotal functions exerted by the small leucine-rich proteoglycans, decorin and biglycan, in affecting tumor growth and progression. In their soluble forms, decorin and biglycan act as powerful signaling molecules. By receptor-mediated signal transduction, both proteoglycans modulate key processes vital for tumor initiation and progression, such as autophagy, inflammation, cell-cycle, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Despite of their structural homology, these two proteoglycans interact with distinct cell surface receptors and thus modulate distinct signaling pathways that ultimately affect cancer development. In this review, we summarize growing evidence for the complex roles of decorin and biglycan signaling in tumor biology and address potential novel therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Diehl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lisa Sophie Huber
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Wygrecka
- Center for Infection and Genomics of the Lung, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Giessen, Germany
| | - Renato V. Iozzo
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology and the Translational Cellular Oncology Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Liliana Schaefer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
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9
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Kamitakahara AK, Ali Marandi Ghoddousi R, Lanjewar AL, Magalong VM, Wu HH, Levitt P. MET Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Regulates Lifespan Ultrasonic Vocalization and Vagal Motor Neuron Development. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:768577. [PMID: 34803597 PMCID: PMC8600253 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.768577] [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: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The intrinsic muscles of the larynx are innervated by the vagal motor nucleus ambiguus (nAmb), which provides direct motor control over vocal production in humans and rodents. Here, we demonstrate in mice using the Phox2b Cre line, that conditional embryonic deletion of the gene encoding the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) in the developing brainstem (cKO) results in highly penetrant, severe deficits in ultrasonic vocalization in early postnatal life. Major deficits and abnormal vocalization patterns persist into adulthood in more than 70% of mice, with the remaining recovering the ability to vocalize, reflecting heterogeneity in circuit restitution. We show that underlying the functional deficits, conditional deletion of Met results in a loss of approximately one-third of MET+ nAmb motor neurons, which begins as early as embryonic day 14.5. The loss of motor neurons is specific to the nAmb, as other brainstem motor and sensory nuclei are unaffected. In the recurrent laryngeal nerve, through which nAmb motor neurons project to innervate the larynx, there is a one-third loss of axons in cKO mice. Together, the data reveal a novel, heterogenous MET-dependence, for which MET differentially affects survival of a subset of nAmb motor neurons necessary for lifespan ultrasonic vocal capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K. Kamitakahara
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ramin Ali Marandi Ghoddousi
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Alexandra L. Lanjewar
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Valerie M. Magalong
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Hsiao-Huei Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Pat Levitt
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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10
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Ma X, Wei J, Cui Y, Xia B, Zhang L, Nehme A, Zuo Y, Ferguson D, Levitt P, Qiu S. Disrupted Timing of MET Signaling Derails the Developmental Maturation of Cortical Circuits and Leads to Altered Behavior in Mice. Cereb Cortex 2021; 32:1769-1786. [PMID: 34470051 PMCID: PMC9016286 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular regulation of the temporal dynamics of circuit maturation is a key contributor to the emergence of normal structure-function relations. Developmental control of cortical MET receptor tyrosine kinase, expressed early postnatally in subpopulations of excitatory neurons, has a pronounced impact on the timing of glutamatergic synapse maturation and critical period plasticity. Here, we show that using a controllable overexpression (cto-Met) transgenic mouse, extending the duration of MET signaling after endogenous Met is switched off leads to altered molecular constitution of synaptic proteins, persistent activation of small GTPases Cdc42 and Rac1, and sustained inhibitory phosphorylation of cofilin. These molecular changes are accompanied by an increase in the density of immature dendritic spines, impaired cortical circuit maturation of prefrontal cortex layer 5 projection neurons, and altered laminar excitatory connectivity. Two photon in vivo imaging of dendritic spines reveals that cto-Met enhances de novo spine formation while inhibiting spine elimination. Extending MET signaling for two weeks in developing cortical circuits leads to pronounced repetitive activity and impaired social interactions in adult mice. Collectively, our data revealed that temporally controlled MET signaling as a critical mechanism for controlling cortical circuit development and emergence of normal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokuang Ma
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Jing Wei
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Yuehua Cui
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Baomei Xia
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Le Zhang
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Antoine Nehme
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Yi Zuo
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Deveroux Ferguson
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Developmental Neurogenetics, The Saban Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
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11
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Levitt P. Progressions on the Coexistence of Neuronal and Glial Precursor Cells in the Cerebral Ventricular Zone. J Neurosci 2021; 41:3301-3306. [PMID: 33597270 PMCID: PMC8051679 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3190-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneity is defined as the quality or state of being diverse in character or content. This article summarizes the natural progression from my studies, reported in the first issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, that identified molecular heterogeneity in precursor cells of the developing primate cerebral cortex to the current state in which differences defined at the molecular, cellular, circuit, and systems levels are building data encyclopedias. The emphasis on heterogeneity has impacted many contributors in the field of developmental neuroscience, who have led a quest to determine the extent to which there is diversity, when it appears developmentally, and what heritable and nonheritable factors mediate nervous system assembly and function. Since the appearance of the article on progenitor cell heterogeneity in the inaugural issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, there have been continuous advances in technologies and data analytics that are contributing to a much better understanding of the origins of neurobiological and behavioral heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pat Levitt
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90027
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90027
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12
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Boyce WT, Levitt P, Martinez FD, McEwen BS, Shonkoff JP. Genes, Environments, and Time: The Biology of Adversity and Resilience. Pediatrics 2021; 147:peds.2020-1651. [PMID: 33495368 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-1651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposures to adverse environments, both psychosocial and physicochemical, are prevalent and consequential across a broad range of childhood populations. Such adversity, especially early in life, conveys measurable risk to learning and behavior and to the foundations of both mental and physical health. Using an interactive gene-environment-time (GET) framework, we survey the independent and interactive roles of genetic variation, environmental context, and developmental timing in light of advances in the biology of adversity and resilience, as well as new discoveries in biomedical research. Drawing on this rich evidence base, we identify 4 core concepts that provide a powerful catalyst for fresh thinking about primary health care for young children: (1) all biological systems are inextricably integrated, continuously "reading" and adapting to the environment and "talking back" to the brain and each other through highly regulated channels of cross-system communication; (2) adverse environmental exposures induce alterations in developmental trajectories that can lead to persistent disruptions of organ function and structure; (3) children vary in their sensitivity to context, and this variation is influenced by interactions among genetic factors, family and community environments, and developmental timing; and (4) critical or sensitive periods provide unmatched windows of opportunity for both positive and negative influences on multiple biological systems. These rapidly moving frontiers of investigation provide a powerful framework for new, science-informed thinking about health promotion and disease prevention in the early childhood period.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Thomas Boyce
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Pat Levitt
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Fernando D Martinez
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Bruce S McEwen
- The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.,Deceased
| | - Jack P Shonkoff
- Center on the Developing Child and .,Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and.,Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts.,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; and.,Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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13
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Xia B, Wei J, Ma X, Nehme A, Liong K, Cui Y, Chen C, Gallitano A, Ferguson D, Qiu S. Conditional knockout of MET receptor tyrosine kinase in cortical excitatory neurons leads to enhanced learning and memory in young adult mice but early cognitive decline in older adult mice. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 179:107397. [PMID: 33524570 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Human genetic studies established MET gene as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders. We have previously shown that signaling mediated by MET receptor tyrosine kinase, expressed in early postnatal developing forebrain circuits, controls glutamatergic neuron morphological development, synapse maturation, and cortical critical period plasticity. Here we investigated how MET signaling affects synaptic plasticity, learning and memory behavior, and whether these effects are age-dependent. We found that in young adult (postnatal 2-3 months) Met conditional knockout (Metfx/fx:emx1cre, cKO) mice, the hippocampus exhibits elevated plasticity, measured by increased magnitude of long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) in hippocampal slices. Surprisingly, in older adult cKO mice (10-12 months), LTP and LTD magnitudes were diminished. We further conducted a battery of behavioral tests to assess learning and memory function in cKO mice and littermate controls. Consistent with age-dependent LTP/LTD findings, we observed enhanced spatial memory learning in 2-3 months old young adult mice, assessed by hippocampus-dependent Morris water maze test, but impaired spatial learning in 10-12 months mice. Contextual and cued learning were further assessed using a Pavlovian fear conditioning test, which also revealed enhanced associative fear acquisition and extinction in young adult mice, but impaired fear learning in older adult mice. Lastly, young cKO mice also exhibited enhanced motor learning. Our results suggest that a shift in the window of synaptic plasticity and an age-dependent early cognitive decline may be novel circuit pathophysiology for a well-established autism genetic risk factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baomei Xia
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
| | - Jing Wei
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
| | - Xiaokuang Ma
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
| | - Antoine Nehme
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
| | - Katerina Liong
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
| | - Yuehua Cui
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
| | - Chang Chen
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
| | - Amelia Gallitano
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
| | - Deveroux Ferguson
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States.
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14
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Reh RK, Dias BG, Nelson CA, Kaufer D, Werker JF, Kolb B, Levine JD, Hensch TK. Critical period regulation across multiple timescales. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:23242-23251. [PMID: 32503914 PMCID: PMC7519216 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1820836117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain plasticity is dynamically regulated across the life span, peaking during windows of early life. Typically assessed in the physiological range of milliseconds (real time), these trajectories are also influenced on the longer timescales of developmental time (nurture) and evolutionary time (nature), which shape neural architectures that support plasticity. Properly sequenced critical periods of circuit refinement build up complex cognitive functions, such as language, from more primary modalities. Here, we consider recent progress in the biological basis of critical periods as a unifying rubric for understanding plasticity across multiple timescales. Notably, the maturation of parvalbumin-positive (PV) inhibitory neurons is pivotal. These fast-spiking cells generate gamma oscillations associated with critical period plasticity, are sensitive to circadian gene manipulation, emerge at different rates across brain regions, acquire perineuronal nets with age, and may be influenced by epigenetic factors over generations. These features provide further novel insight into the impact of early adversity and neurodevelopmental risk factors for mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K Reh
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Brian G Dias
- Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA 30322
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329
| | - Charles A Nelson
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Daniela Kaufer
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Janet F Werker
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Bryan Kolb
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Joel D Levine
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Takao K Hensch
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115;
- Center for Brain Science, Department of Molecular Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence, University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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