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Pavlinek A, Adhya D, Tsompanidis A, Warrier V, Vernon AC, Lancaster M, Mill J, Srivastava DP, Baron-Cohen S. Using Organoids to Model Sex Differences in the Human Brain. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:100343. [PMID: 39092139 PMCID: PMC11292257 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100343] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex differences are widespread during neurodevelopment and play a role in neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism, which is more prevalent in males than females. In humans, males have been shown to have larger brain volumes than females with development of the hippocampus and amygdala showing prominent sex differences. Mechanistically, sex steroids and sex chromosomes drive these differences in brain development, which seem to peak during prenatal and pubertal stages. Animal models have played a crucial role in understanding sex differences, but the study of human sex differences requires an experimental model that can recapitulate complex genetic traits. To fill this gap, human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived brain organoids are now being used to study how complex genetic traits influence prenatal brain development. For example, brain organoids from individuals with autism and individuals with X chromosome-linked Rett syndrome and fragile X syndrome have revealed prenatal differences in cell proliferation, a measure of brain volume differences, and excitatory-inhibitory imbalances. Brain organoids have also revealed increased neurogenesis of excitatory neurons due to androgens. However, despite growing interest in using brain organoids, several key challenges remain that affect its validity as a model system. In this review, we discuss how sex steroids and the sex chromosomes each contribute to sex differences in brain development. Then, we examine the role of X chromosome inactivation as a factor that drives sex differences. Finally, we discuss the combined challenges of modeling X chromosome inactivation and limitations of brain organoids that need to be taken into consideration when studying sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Pavlinek
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dwaipayan Adhya
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Tsompanidis
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Varun Warrier
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony C. Vernon
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jonathan Mill
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Deepak P. Srivastava
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Mattei D, Ivanov A, Hammer J, Ugursu B, Schalbetter S, Richetto J, Weber-Stadlbauer U, Mueller F, Scarborough J, Wolf SA, Kettenmann H, Wollscheid B, Beule D, Meyer U. Microglia undergo molecular and functional adaptations to dark and light phases in male laboratory mice. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 120:571-583. [PMID: 38986723 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia are increasingly recognized to contribute to brain health and disease. Preclinical studies using laboratory rodents are essential to advance our understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of these cells in the central nervous system. Rodents are nocturnal animals, and they are mostly maintained in a defined light-dark cycle within animal facilities, with many laboratories investigating the molecular and functional profiles of microglia exclusively during the animals' light (sleep) phase. However, only a few studies have considered possible differences in microglial functions between the active and sleep phases. Based on initial evidence suggesting that microglial intrinsic clock genes can affect their phenotypes, we sought to investigate differences in transcriptional, proteotype and functional profiles of microglia between light (sleep) and dark (active) phases, and how these changes are affected in pathological models. We found marked transcriptional and proteotype differences between microglia harvested from male mice during the light or dark phase. Amongst others, these differences related to genes and proteins associated with immune responses, motility, and phagocytosis, which were reflected by functional alterations in microglial synaptic pruning and response to bacterial stimuli. Possibly accounting for such changes, we found RNA and protein regulation in SWI/SNF and NuRD chromatin remodeling complexes between light and dark phases. Importantly, we also show that the time of microglial sample collection influences the nature of microglial transcriptomic changes in a model of immune-mediated neurodevelopmental disorders. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering diurnal factors in studying microglial cells and indicate that implementing a circadian perspective is pivotal for advancing our understanding of their physiological and pathophysiological roles in brain health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Mattei
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience & Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America.
| | - Andranik Ivanov
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Hammer
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology and Department for Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bilge Ugursu
- Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany; Department of Ophthalmology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; Psychoneuroimmunology, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sina Schalbetter
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Juliet Richetto
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Weber-Stadlbauer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Flavia Mueller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joseph Scarborough
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susanne A Wolf
- Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany; Department of Ophthalmology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; Psychoneuroimmunology, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helmut Kettenmann
- Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany; Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bernd Wollscheid
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology and Department for Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dieter Beule
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Zhao S, Dai Q, Rao Z, Li J, Wang A, Gao Z, Fan Y. Identification of Optic Nerve-Related Biomarkers in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Based on Comprehensive Bioinformatics and Mendelian Randomization. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2024; 13:21. [PMID: 39133496 PMCID: PMC11323985 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.13.8.21] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Glaucoma is the primary cause of permanent vision loss worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the main type of glaucoma, has not yet been completely understood. Methods In our study, the POAG cohorts were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE45570). Biomarkers with diagnostic utility for POAG were identified through combining differentially expressed analysis, enrichment analysis, machine learning algorithms, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The regulatory networks (including a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network and a small molecule compounds-mRNA network) were created. In addition, the Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to identify exposures causally associated with POAG. Finally, the expression of the biomarkers was validated via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results The Gene Ontology (GO) items that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between POAG and control groups enriched were relevant to light stimulation and DNA methylation. A total of three light stimulation-related biomarkers (RAB8A, PRG3, and SMAD3) were identified, which had diagnostic value for POAG patients. Besides, the ceRNA regulatory network contained 88 nodes and 93 edges, and a small molecule compounds-mRNA network included 66 nodes and 76 edges. The MR results indicated a causal association between DNA methylation GrimAge acceleration and POAG. Additionally, the results of RT-qPCR revealed that the expression trend of RAB8A was consistent with that of GSE45570. Conclusions Taken together, this study provides three light stimulation-related biomarkers (RAB8A, PRG3, and SMAD3) for the diagnosis of POAG, providing scientifically valuable insights for further studies of POAG. Translational Relevance Discovering biomarkers that possess diagnostic significance for POAG has the potential to offer new insights into the pathogenesis of POAG and present novel objectives for clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijie Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Qing Dai
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Zixuan Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China
- Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Aiqin Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Ziqing Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Yuchen Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China
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Chmykhalo VK, Deev RV, Tokarev AT, Polunina YA, Xue L, Shidlovskii YV. SWI/SNF Complex Connects Signaling and Epigenetic State in Cells of Nervous System. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04355-6. [PMID: 39002058 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04355-6] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
SWI/SNF protein complexes are evolutionarily conserved epigenetic regulators described in all eukaryotes. In metameric animals, the complexes are involved in all processes occurring in the nervous system, from neurogenesis to higher brain functions. On the one hand, the range of roles is wide because the SWI/SNF complexes act universally by mobilizing the nucleosomes in a chromatin template at multiple loci throughout the genome. On the other hand, the complexes mediate the action of multiple signaling pathways that control most aspects of neural tissue development and function. The issues are discussed to provide insight into the molecular basis of the multifaceted role of SWI/SNFs in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, activation of immediate-early genes, neurogenesis, and brain and connectome formation. An overview is additionally provided for the molecular basis of nervous system pathologies associated with the SWI/SNF complexes and their contribution to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Finally, we discuss the idea that SWI/SNFs act as an integration platform to connect multiple signaling and genetic programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor K Chmykhalo
- Laboratory of Gene Expression Regulation in Development, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilova St, Moscow, 119334, Russia.
| | - Roman V Deev
- Laboratory of Gene Expression Regulation in Development, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilova St, Moscow, 119334, Russia
| | - Artemiy T Tokarev
- Laboratory of Gene Expression Regulation in Development, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilova St, Moscow, 119334, Russia
| | - Yulia A Polunina
- Laboratory of Gene Expression Regulation in Development, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilova St, Moscow, 119334, Russia
| | - Lei Xue
- School of Life Science and Technology, The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yulii V Shidlovskii
- Laboratory of Gene Expression Regulation in Development, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilova St, Moscow, 119334, Russia
- Department of Biology and General Genetics, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
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Russ JB, Stone AC, Maney K, Morris L, Wright CF, Hurst JH, Cohen JL. Pathogenic variants associated with speech/cognitive delay and seizures affect genes with expression biases in excitatory neurons and microglia in developing human cortex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.01.601597. [PMID: 39005386 PMCID: PMC11245013 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.01.601597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Background & Objective Congenital brain malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are common pediatric neurological disorders and result in chronic disability. With the expansion of genetic testing, new etiologies for NDDs are continually uncovered, with as many as one third attributable to single-gene pathogenic variants. While our ability to identify pathogenic variants has continually improved, we have little understanding of the underlying cellular pathophysiology in the nervous system that results from these variants. We therefore integrated phenotypic information from subjects with monogenic diagnoses with two large, single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNAseq) datasets from human cortex across developmental stages in order to investigate cell-specific biases in gene expression associated with distinct neurodevelopmental phenotypes. Methods Phenotypic data was gathered from 1) a single-institution cohort of 84 neonates with pathogenic single-gene variants referred to Duke Pediatric Genetics, and 2) a cohort of 4,238 patients with neurodevelopmental disorders and pathogenic single-gene variants enrolled in the Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) study. Pathogenic variants were grouped into genesets by neurodevelopmental phenotype and geneset expression across cortical cell subtypes was compared within snRNAseq datasets from 86 human cortex samples spanning the 2nd trimester of gestation to adulthood. Results We find that pathogenic variants associated with speech/cognitive delay or seizures involve genes that are more highly expressed in cortical excitatory neurons than variants in genes not associated with these phenotypes (Speech/cognitive: p=2.25×10-7; Seizures: p=7.97×10-12). A separate set of primarily rare variants associated with speech/cognitive delay or seizures, distinct from those with excitatory neuron expression biases, demonstrated expression biases in microglia. We also found that variants associated with speech/cognitive delay and an excitatory neuron expression bias could be further parsed by the presence or absence of comorbid seizures. Variants associated with speech/cognitive delay without seizures tended to involve calcium regulatory pathways and showed greater expression in extratelencephalic neurons, while those associated with speech/cognitive delay with seizures tended to involve synaptic regulatory machinery and an intratelencephalic neuron expression bias (ANOVA by geneset p<2×10-16). Conclusions By combining extensive phenotype datasets from subjects with neurodevelopmental disorders with massive human cortical snRNAseq datasets across developmental stages, we identified cell-specific expression biases for genes in which pathogenic variants are associated with speech/cognitive delay and seizures. The involvement of genes with enriched expression in excitatory neurons or microglia highlights the unique role both cell types play in proper sculpting of the developing brain. Moreover, this information begins to shed light on distinct cortical cell types that are more likely to be impacted by pathogenic variants and that may mediate the symptomatology of resulting neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey B Russ
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Duke University, USA
| | - Alexa C Stone
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Neurology Residency Program, Duke University, USA
| | - Kayli Maney
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Neurology Residency Program, Duke University, USA
| | - Lauren Morris
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Neurology Residency Program, Duke University, USA
| | - Caroline F Wright
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Jillian H Hurst
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Health & Discovery Initiative, Duke University, USA
| | - Jennifer L Cohen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, USA
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Fard YA, Sadeghi EN, Pajoohesh Z, Gharehdaghi Z, Khatibi DM, Khosravifar S, Pishkari Y, Nozari S, Hijazi A, Pakmehr S, Shayan SK. Epigenetic underpinnings of the autistic mind: Histone modifications and prefrontal excitation/inhibition imbalance. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2024:e32986. [PMID: 38837296 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is complex neurobehavioral condition influenced by several cellular and molecular mechanisms that are often concerned with synaptogenesis and synaptic activity. Based on the excitation/inhibition (E/I) imbalance theory, ASD could be the result of disruption in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission across the brain. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the chief regulator of executive function and can be affected by altered neuronal excitation and inhibition in the course of ASD. The molecular mechanisms involved in E/I imbalance are subject to epigenetic regulation. In ASD, altered enrichment and spreading of histone H3 and H4 modifications such as the activation-linked H3K4me2/3, H3K9ac, and H3K27ac, and repression-linked H3K9me2, H3K27me3, and H4K20me2 in the PFC result in dysregulation of molecules mediating synaptic excitation (ARC, EGR1, mGluR2, mGluR3, GluN2A, and GluN2B) and synaptic inhibition (BSN, EphA7, SLC6A1). Histone modifications are a dynamic component of the epigenetic regulatory elements with a pronounced effect on patterns of gene expression with regards to any biological process. The excitation/inhibition imbalance associated with ASD is based on the excitatory and inhibitory synaptic activity in different regions of the brain, including the PFC, the ultimate outcome of which is highly influenced by transcriptional activity of relevant genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zohreh Pajoohesh
- Faculty of Medicine, Zabol Univeristy of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
| | - Zahra Gharehdaghi
- Department of Pharmacology, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
| | | | | | - Yasamin Pishkari
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shadi Nozari
- School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmed Hijazi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Sepideh Karkon Shayan
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
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Valamparamban GF, Spéder P. Homemade: building the structure of the neurogenic niche. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1275963. [PMID: 38107074 PMCID: PMC10722289 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1275963] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural stem/progenitor cells live in an intricate cellular environment, the neurogenic niche, which supports their function and enables neurogenesis. The niche is made of a diversity of cell types, including neurons, glia and the vasculature, which are able to signal to and are structurally organised around neural stem/progenitor cells. While the focus has been on how individual cell types signal to and influence the behaviour of neural stem/progenitor cells, very little is actually known on how the niche is assembled during development from multiple cellular origins, and on the role of the resulting topology on these cells. This review proposes to draw a state-of-the art picture of this emerging field of research, with the aim to expose our knowledge on niche architecture and formation from different animal models (mouse, zebrafish and fruit fly). We will span its multiple aspects, from the existence and importance of local, adhesive interactions to the potential emergence of larger-scale topological properties through the careful assembly of diverse cellular and acellular components.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pauline Spéder
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3738, Structure and Signals in the Neurogenic Niche, Paris, France
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Zhu H, Guan A, Liu J, Peng L, Zhang Z, Wang S. Noteworthy perspectives on microglia in neuropsychiatric disorders. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:223. [PMID: 37794488 PMCID: PMC10548593 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02901-y] [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: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia are so versatile that they not only provide immune surveillance for central nervous system, but participate in neural circuitry development, brain blood vessels formation, blood-brain barrier architecture, and intriguingly, the regulation of emotions and behaviors. Microglia have a profound impact on neuronal survival, brain wiring and synaptic plasticity. As professional phagocytic cells in the brain, they remove dead cell debris and neurotoxic agents via an elaborate mechanism. The functional profile of microglia varies considerately depending on age, gender, disease context and other internal or external environmental factors. Numerous studies have demonstrated a pivotal involvement of microglia in neuropsychiatric disorders, including negative affection, social deficit, compulsive behavior, fear memory, pain and other symptoms associated with major depression disorder, anxiety disorder, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. In this review, we summarized the latest discoveries regarding microglial ontogeny, cell subtypes or state spectrum, biological functions and mechanistic underpinnings of emotional and behavioral disorders. Furthermore, we highlight the potential of microglia-targeted therapies of neuropsychiatric disorders, and propose outstanding questions to be addressed in future research of human microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongrui Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Ao Guan
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jiayuan Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Li Peng
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
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Wong FK, Favuzzi E. The brain's polymath: Emerging roles of microglia throughout brain development. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 79:102700. [PMID: 36848726 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Microglia, the resident brain immune cells, have garnered a reputation as major effectors of circuit wiring due to their ability to prune synapses. Other roles of microglia in regulating neuronal circuit development have so far received comparatively less attention. Here, we review the latest studies that have contributed to our increased understanding of how microglia regulate brain wiring beyond their role in synapse pruning. We summarize recent findings showing that microglia regulate neuronal numbers and influence neuronal connectivity through a bidirectional communication between microglia and neurons, processes regulated by neuronal activity and the remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Finally, we speculate on the potential contribution of microglia to the development of functional networks and propose an integrative view of microglia as active elements of neural circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fong Kuan Wong
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom; Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK. https://twitter.com/brainotopia
| | - Emilia Favuzzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA; Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA.
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Lebedev T, Kousar R, Patrick B, Usama M, Lee MK, Tan M, Li XG. Targeting ARID1A-Deficient Cancers: An Immune-Metabolic Perspective. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060952. [PMID: 36980292 PMCID: PMC10047504 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060952] [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: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic remodeling and metabolic reprogramming, two well-known cancer hallmarks, are highly intertwined. In addition to their abilities to confer cancer cell growth advantage, these alterations play a critical role in dynamically shaping the tumor microenvironment and antitumor immunity. Recent studies point toward the interplay between epigenetic regulation and metabolic rewiring as a potentially targetable Achilles' heel in cancer. In this review, we explore the key metabolic mechanisms that underpin the immunomodulatory role of AT-rich interaction domain 1A (ARID1A), the most frequently mutated epigenetic regulator across human cancers. We will summarize the recent advances in targeting ARID1A-deficient cancers by harnessing immune-metabolic vulnerability elicited by ARID1A deficiency to stimulate antitumor immune response, and ultimately, to improve patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timofey Lebedev
- Department of Cancer Cell Biology, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Rubina Kousar
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
| | - Bbumba Patrick
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
| | - Muhammad Usama
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Kuei Lee
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
| | - Ming Tan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
| | - Xing-Guo Li
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 110122, Taiwan
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Hoch M, Rauthe J, Cesnulevicius K, Schultz M, Lescheid D, Wolkenhauer O, Chiurchiù V, Gupta S. Cell-Type-Specific Gene Regulatory Networks of Pro-Inflammatory and Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediator Biosynthesis in the Immune System. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054342. [PMID: 36901771 PMCID: PMC10001763 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid mediators are important regulators in inflammatory responses, and their biosynthetic pathways are targeted by commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs. Switching from pro-inflammatory lipid mediators (PIMs) to specialized pro-resolving (SPMs) is a critical step toward acute inflammation resolution and preventing chronic inflammation. Although the biosynthetic pathways and enzymes for PIMs and SPMs have now been largely identified, the actual transcriptional profiles underlying the immune cell type-specific transcriptional profiles of these mediators are still unknown. Using the Atlas of Inflammation Resolution, we created a large network of gene regulatory interactions linked to the biosynthesis of SPMs and PIMs. By mapping single-cell sequencing data, we identified cell type-specific gene regulatory networks of the lipid mediator biosynthesis. Using machine learning approaches combined with network features, we identified cell clusters of similar transcriptional regulation and demonstrated how specific immune cell activation affects PIM and SPM profiles. We found substantial differences in regulatory networks in related cells, accounting for network-based preprocessing in functional single-cell analyses. Our results not only provide further insight into the gene regulation of lipid mediators in the immune response but also shed light on the contribution of selected cell types in their biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti Hoch
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, 18055 Rostock, Germany
| | - Jannik Rauthe
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, 18055 Rostock, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Olaf Wolkenhauer
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, 18055 Rostock, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Study, Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
| | - Valerio Chiurchiù
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Resolution of Neuroinflammation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Shailendra Gupta
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, 18055 Rostock, Germany
- Correspondence:
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