1
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Shigetomi E, Suzuki H, Hirayama YJ, Sano F, Nagai Y, Yoshihara K, Koga K, Tateoka T, Yoshioka H, Shinozaki Y, Kinouchi H, Tanaka KF, Bito H, Tsuda M, Koizumi S. Disease-relevant upregulation of P2Y 1 receptor in astrocytes enhances neuronal excitability via IGFBP2. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6525. [PMID: 39117630 PMCID: PMC11310333 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50190-7] [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: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Reactive astrocytes play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases; however, their functional phenotype and the downstream molecules by which they modify disease pathogenesis remain unclear. Here, we genetically increase P2Y1 receptor (P2Y1R) expression, which is upregulated in reactive astrocytes in several neurological diseases, in astrocytes of male mice to explore its function and the downstream molecule. This astrocyte-specific P2Y1R overexpression causes neuronal hyperexcitability by increasing both astrocytic and neuronal Ca2+ signals. We identify insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) as a downstream molecule of P2Y1R in astrocytes; IGFBP2 acts as an excitatory signal to cause neuronal excitation. In neurological disease models of epilepsy and stroke, reactive astrocytes upregulate P2Y1R and increase IGFBP2. The present findings identify a mechanism underlying astrocyte-driven neuronal hyperexcitability, which is likely to be shared by several neurological disorders, providing insights that might be relevant for intervention in diverse neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiji Shigetomi
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.
- Yamanashi GLIA center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.
| | - Hideaki Suzuki
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
- Yamanashi GLIA center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
| | - Yukiho J Hirayama
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
| | - Fumikazu Sano
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
- Yamanashi GLIA center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
| | - Yuki Nagai
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
- Yamanashi GLIA center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
| | - Kohei Yoshihara
- Department of Molecular and System Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Keisuke Koga
- Department of Molecular and System Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Neurophysiology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan
| | - Toru Tateoka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Yoshioka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
| | - Youichi Shinozaki
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
- Yamanashi GLIA center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kinouchi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan
| | - Kenji F Tanaka
- Division of Brain Sciences, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Bito
- Department of Neurochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Makoto Tsuda
- Department of Molecular and System Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Life Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Schuichi Koizumi
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.
- Yamanashi GLIA center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.
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2
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Endo F. Deciphering the spectrum of astrocyte diversity: Insights into molecular, morphological, and functional dimensions in health and neurodegenerative diseases. Neurosci Res 2024:S0168-0102(24)00098-1. [PMID: 39098767 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2024.07.008] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes are the most abundant and morphologically complex glial cells that play active roles in the central nervous system (CNS). Recent research has identified shared and region-specific astrocytic genes and functions, elucidated the cellular origins of their regional diversity, and uncovered the molecular networks for astrocyte morphology, which are essential for their functional complexity. Reactive astrocytes exhibit a wide range of functional diversity in a context-specific manner in CNS disorders. This review discusses recent advances in understanding the molecular and morphological diversity of astrocytes in healthy individuals and those with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumito Endo
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University.
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3
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Chung WS, Baldwin KT, Allen NJ. Astrocyte Regulation of Synapse Formation, Maturation, and Elimination. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2024; 16:a041352. [PMID: 38346858 PMCID: PMC11293538 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes play an integral role in the development, maturation, and refinement of neuronal circuits. Astrocytes secrete proteins and lipids that instruct the formation of new synapses and induce the maturation of existing synapses. Through contact-mediated signaling, astrocytes can regulate the formation and state of synapses within their domain. Through phagocytosis, astrocytes participate in the elimination of excess synaptic connections. In this work, we will review key findings on the molecular mechanisms of astrocyte-synapse interaction with a focus on astrocyte-secreted factors, contact-mediated mechanisms, and synapse elimination. We will discuss this in the context of typical brain development and maintenance, as well as consider the consequences of dysfunction in these pathways in neurological disorders, highlighting a role for astrocytes in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Suk Chung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Katherine T Baldwin
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology and UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Nicola J Allen
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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4
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Foerster S, Floriddia EM, van Bruggen D, Kukanja P, Hervé B, Cheng S, Kim E, Phillips BU, Heath CJ, Tripathi RB, Call C, Bartels T, Ridley K, Neumann B, López-Cruz L, Crawford AH, Lynch CJ, Serrano M, Saksida L, Rowitch DH, Möbius W, Nave KA, Rasband MN, Bergles DE, Kessaris N, Richardson WD, Bussey TJ, Zhao C, Castelo-Branco G, Franklin RJM. Developmental origin of oligodendrocytes determines their function in the adult brain. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:1545-1554. [PMID: 38849524 PMCID: PMC11303253 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01666-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
In the mouse embryonic forebrain, developmentally distinct oligodendrocyte progenitor cell populations and their progeny, oligodendrocytes, emerge from three distinct regions in a spatiotemporal gradient from ventral to dorsal. However, the functional importance of this oligodendrocyte developmental heterogeneity is unknown. Using a genetic strategy to ablate dorsally derived oligodendrocyte lineage cells (OLCs), we show here that the areas in which dorsally derived OLCs normally reside in the adult central nervous system become populated and myelinated by OLCs of ventral origin. These ectopic oligodendrocytes (eOLs) have a distinctive gene expression profile as well as subtle myelination abnormalities. The failure of eOLs to fully assume the role of the original dorsally derived cells results in locomotor and cognitive deficits in the adult animal. This study reveals the importance of developmental heterogeneity within the oligodendrocyte lineage and its importance for homeostatic brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Foerster
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Altos Labs, Cambridge Institute of Science, Cambridge, UK
| | - Elisa M Floriddia
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David van Bruggen
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Petra Kukanja
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bastien Hervé
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shangli Cheng
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Stockholm and Hong Kong nodes, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eosu Kim
- Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Benjamin U Phillips
- Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christopher J Heath
- School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Richa B Tripathi
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London, UK
| | - Cody Call
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Theresa Bartels
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katherine Ridley
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Björn Neumann
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Altos Labs, Cambridge Institute of Science, Cambridge, UK
| | - Laura López-Cruz
- Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Abbe H Crawford
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cian J Lynch
- Altos Labs, Cambridge Institute of Science, Cambridge, UK
| | - Manuel Serrano
- Altos Labs, Cambridge Institute of Science, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lisa Saksida
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - David H Rowitch
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Wiebke Möbius
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Klaus-Armin Nave
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthew N Rasband
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dwight E Bergles
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicoletta Kessaris
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London, UK
| | - William D Richardson
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London, UK
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Chao Zhao
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Altos Labs, Cambridge Institute of Science, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Gonçalo Castelo-Branco
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Stockholm and Hong Kong nodes, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Robin J M Franklin
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Altos Labs, Cambridge Institute of Science, Cambridge, UK.
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5
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Man JHK, Breur M, van Gelder CAGH, Marcon G, Maderna E, Giaccone G, Altelaar M, van der Knaap MS, Bugiani M. Region-specific and age-related differences in astrocytes in the human brain. Neurobiol Aging 2024; 140:102-115. [PMID: 38763075 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2024.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Astrocyte heterogeneity and its relation to aging in the normal human brain remain poorly understood. We here analyzed astrocytes in gray and white matter brain tissues obtained from donors ranging in age between the neonatal period to over 100 years. We show that astrocytes are differently distributed with higher density in the white matter. This regional difference in cellular density becomes less prominent with age. Additionally, we confirm the presence of morphologically distinct astrocytes, with gray matter astrocytes being morphologically more complex. Notably, gray matter astrocytes morphologically change with age, while white matter astrocytes remain relatively consistent in morphology. Using regional mass spectrometry-based proteomics, we did, however, identify astrocyte specific proteins with regional differences in abundance, reflecting variation in cellular density or expression level. Importantly, the expression of some astrocyte specific proteins region-dependently decreases with age. Taken together, we provide insights into region- and age-related differences in astrocytes in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodie H K Man
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Breur
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte A G H van Gelder
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gabriella Marcon
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy; DAME, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Emanuela Maderna
- Division of Neurology 5 - Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giaccone
- Division of Neurology 5 - Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Maarten Altelaar
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marjo S van der Knaap
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marianna Bugiani
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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6
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Wang W, Yin C, Wen S, Liu Z, Wang B, Zeng B, Sun L, Zhou X, Zhong S, Zhang J, Ma W, Wu Q, Wang X. DCX knockout ferret reveals a neurogenic mechanism in cortical development. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114508. [PMID: 39018244 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114508] [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: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Lissencephaly is a rare brain malformation for which our understanding remains limited due to the absence of suitable animal models that accurately represent human phenotypes. Here, we establish doublecortin (DCX) knockout ferrets as a model that faithfully replicates key features of the disorder. We reveal the critical roles of DCX in neural progenitor cell proliferation and radial glial fiber extension, processes essential for normal cortical development. Utilizing single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics, we provide a detailed atlas of the lissencephalic cortex, illustrating disrupted neuronal lamination and the specific interactions between inhibitory and excitatory neurons. These findings enhance our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying lissencephaly and highlight the potential of DCX knockout ferrets as a valuable tool for neurodevelopmental research, offering insights into both the pathology of lissencephaly and the general principles of brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China; State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | | | - Shaonan Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Zeyuan Liu
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Bosong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Bo Zeng
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Le Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China; Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Suijuan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China; Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Junjing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wenji Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China; Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xiaoqun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Beijing 100875, China; State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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7
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Lorin C, Guiet R, Chiaruttini N, Ambrosini G, Boci E, Abdellah M, Markram H, Keller D. Structural and molecular characterization of astrocyte and vasculature connectivity in the mouse hippocampus and cortex. Glia 2024. [PMID: 39007459 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24594] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The relation of astrocytic endfeet to the vasculature plays a key functional role in the neuro-glia-vasculature unit. We characterize the spatial organization of astrocytes and the structural aspects that facilitate their involvement in molecular exchanges. Using double transgenic mice, we performed co-immunostaining, confocal microscopy, and three-dimensional digital segmentation to investigate the biophysical and molecular organization of astrocytes and their intricate endfoot network at the micrometer level in the isocortex and hippocampus. The results showed that hippocampal astrocytes had smaller territories, reduced endfoot dimensions, and fewer contacts with blood vessels compared with those in the isocortex. Additionally, we found that both connexins 43 and 30 have a higher density in the endfoot and the former is overexpressed relative to the latter. However, due to the limitations of the method, further studies are needed to determine the exact localization on the endfoot. The quantitative information obtained in this study will be useful for modeling the interactions of astrocytes with the vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Lorin
- Blue Brain Project, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Romain Guiet
- Bioimaging and Optics Platform, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Chiaruttini
- Bioimaging and Optics Platform, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giovanna Ambrosini
- Bioinformatics Competence Center, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Bioinformatics Competence Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elvis Boci
- Blue Brain Project, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marwan Abdellah
- Blue Brain Project, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Henry Markram
- Blue Brain Project, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Keller
- Blue Brain Project, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
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8
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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.
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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.
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9
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Ojalvo-Sanz AC, Pernia-Solanilla C, López-Mascaraque L. Spatial organization of astrocyte clones: The role of developmental progenitor timing. Glia 2024; 72:1290-1303. [PMID: 38506330 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes represent a diverse and morphologically complex group of glial cells critical for shaping and maintaining nervous system homeostasis, as well as responding to injuries. Understanding the origins of astroglial heterogeneity, originated from a limited number of progenitors, has been the focus of many studies. Most of these investigations have centered on protoplasmic and pial astrocytes, while the clonal relationship of fibrous astrocytes or juxtavascular astrocytes has remained relatively unexplored. In this study, we sought to elucidate the morphological diversity and clonal distribution of astrocytes across adult cortical layers, with particular emphasis on their ontogenetic origins. Using the StarTrack lineage tracing tool, we explored the characteristics of adult astroglial clones derived from single and specific progenitors at various embryonic stages. Our results revealed a heterogeneous spatial distribution of astroglial clones, characterized by variations in location, clonal size, and rostro-caudal dispersion. While a considerable proportion of clones were confined within specific cortical layers, others displayed sibling cells crossing layer boundaries. Notably, we observed a correlation between clone location and developmental stage at earlier embryonic stages, although this relationship diminished in later stages. Fibrous astrocyte clones were exclusively confined to the corpus callosum. In contrast, protoplasmic or juxtavascular clones were located in either the upper or lower cortical layers, with certain clones displayed sibling cells distributed across both regions. Our findings underscore the developmental origins and spatial distribution of astroglial clones within cortical layers, providing new insights into the interplay between their morphology, clonal sizes, and progenitor heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina Ojalvo-Sanz
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology Department, Instituto Cajal-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Laura López-Mascaraque
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology Department, Instituto Cajal-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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10
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Chen R, Nie P, Wang J, Wang GZ. Deciphering brain cellular and behavioral mechanisms: Insights from single-cell and spatial RNA sequencing. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2024; 15:e1865. [PMID: 38972934 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
The brain is a complex computing system composed of a multitude of interacting neurons. The computational outputs of this system determine the behavior and perception of every individual. Each brain cell expresses thousands of genes that dictate the cell's function and physiological properties. Therefore, deciphering the molecular expression of each cell is of great significance for understanding its characteristics and role in brain function. Additionally, the positional information of each cell can provide crucial insights into their involvement in local brain circuits. In this review, we briefly overview the principles of single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, the potential issues and challenges in their data processing, and their applications in brain research. We further outline several promising directions in neuroscience that could be integrated with single-cell RNA sequencing, including neurodevelopment, the identification of novel brain microstructures, cognition and behavior, neuronal cell positioning, molecules and cells related to advanced brain functions, sleep-wake cycles/circadian rhythms, and computational modeling of brain function. We believe that the deep integration of these directions with single-cell and spatial RNA sequencing can contribute significantly to understanding the roles of individual cells or cell types in these specific functions, thereby making important contributions to addressing critical questions in those fields. This article is categorized under: RNA Evolution and Genomics > Computational Analyses of RNA RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renrui Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengxing Nie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Guang-Zhong Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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11
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Li Y, Zhang J, Gao X, Zhang QC. Tissue module discovery in single-cell-resolution spatial transcriptomics data via cell-cell interaction-aware cell embedding. Cell Syst 2024; 15:578-592.e7. [PMID: 38823396 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Computational methods are desired for single-cell-resolution spatial transcriptomics (ST) data analysis to uncover spatial organization principles for how individual cells exert tissue-specific functions. Here, we present ST data analysis via interaction-aware cell embedding (SPACE), a deep-learning method for cell-type identification and tissue module discovery from single-cell-resolution ST data by learning a cell representation that captures its gene expression profile and interactions with its spatial neighbors. SPACE identified spatially informed cell subtypes defined by their special spatial distribution patterns and distinct proximal-interacting cell types. SPACE also automatically discovered "cell communities"-tissue modules with discernible boundaries and a uniform spatial distribution of constituent cell types. For each cell community, SPACE outputs a characteristic proximal cell-cell interaction network associated with physiological processes, which can be used to refine ligand-receptor-based intercellular signaling analyses. We envision that SPACE can be used in large-scale ST projects to understand how proximal cell-cell interactions contribute to emergent biological functions within cell communities. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhe Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology & Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology & Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China; Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xin Gao
- Computer Science Program, Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; KAUST Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; BioMap, Beijing 100086, China.
| | - Qiangfeng Cliff Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology & Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China.
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12
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Thomas CI, Ryan MA, McNabb MC, Kamasawa N, Scholl B. Astrocyte coverage of excitatory synapses correlates to measures of synapse structure and function in ferret primary visual cortex. Glia 2024. [PMID: 38856149 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24582] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Most excitatory synapses in the mammalian brain are contacted or ensheathed by astrocyte processes, forming tripartite synapses. Astrocytes are thought to be critical regulators of the structural and functional dynamics of synapses. While the degree of synaptic coverage by astrocytes is known to vary across brain regions and animal species, the reason for and implications of this variability remains unknown. Further, how astrocyte coverage of synapses relates to in vivo functional properties of individual synapses has not been investigated. Here, we characterized astrocyte coverage of synapses of pyramidal neurons in the ferret visual cortex and, using correlative light and electron microscopy, examined their relationship to synaptic strength and sensory-evoked Ca2+ activity. Nearly, all synapses were contacted by astrocytes, and most were contacted along the axon-spine interface. Structurally, we found that the degree of synaptic astrocyte coverage directly scaled with synapse size and postsynaptic density complexity. Functionally, we found that the amount of astrocyte coverage scaled with how selectively a synapse responds to a particular visual stimulus and, at least for the largest synapses, scaled with the reliability of visual stimuli to evoke postsynaptic Ca2+ events. Our study shows astrocyte coverage is highly correlated with structural metrics of synaptic strength of excitatory synapses in the visual cortex and demonstrates a previously unknown relationship between astrocyte coverage and reliable sensory activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connon I Thomas
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Melissa A Ryan
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Micaiah C McNabb
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Naomi Kamasawa
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Benjamin Scholl
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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13
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Zhang L, Xiong Z, Xiao M. A Review of the Application of Spatial Transcriptomics in Neuroscience. Interdiscip Sci 2024; 16:243-260. [PMID: 38374297 DOI: 10.1007/s12539-024-00603-4] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Since spatial transcriptomics can locate and distinguish the gene expression of functional genes in special regions and tissue, it is important for us to investigate the brain development, the development mechanism of brain diseases, and the relationship between brain structure and function in Neuroscience (or Brain science). While previous studies have introduced the crucial spatial transcriptomic techniques and data analysis methods, there are few studies to comprehensively overview the key methods, data resources, and technological applications of spatial transcriptomics in Neuroscience. For these reasons, we first investigate several common spatial transcriptomic data analysis approaches and data resources. Second, we introduce the applications of the spatial transcriptomic data analysis approaches in Neuroscience. Third, we summarize the integrating spatial transcriptomics with other technologies in Neuroscience. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future research directions of spatial transcriptomics in Neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Zhang
- College of Computer Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Zhenqi Xiong
- College of Computer Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Ming Xiao
- College of Computer Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
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14
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Osetrova M, Tkachev A, Mair W, Guijarro Larraz P, Efimova O, Kurochkin I, Stekolshchikova E, Anikanov N, Foo JC, Cazenave-Gassiot A, Mitina A, Ogurtsova P, Guo S, Potashnikova DM, Gulin AA, Vasin AA, Sarycheva A, Vladimirov G, Fedorova M, Kostyukevich Y, Nikolaev E, Wenk MR, Khrameeva EE, Khaitovich P. Lipidome atlas of the adult human brain. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4455. [PMID: 38796479 PMCID: PMC11127996 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48734-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Lipids are the most abundant but poorly explored components of the human brain. Here, we present a lipidome map of the human brain comprising 75 regions, including 52 neocortical ones. The lipidome composition varies greatly among the brain regions, affecting 93% of the 419 analyzed lipids. These differences reflect the brain's structural characteristics, such as myelin content (345 lipids) and cell type composition (353 lipids), but also functional traits: functional connectivity (76 lipids) and information processing hierarchy (60 lipids). Combining lipid composition and mRNA expression data further enhances functional connectivity association. Biochemically, lipids linked with structural and functional brain features display distinct lipid class distribution, unsaturation extent, and prevalence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid residues. We verified our conclusions by parallel analysis of three adult macaque brains, targeted analysis of 216 lipids, mass spectrometry imaging, and lipidome assessment of sorted murine neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Osetrova
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Tkachev
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Waltraud Mair
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Olga Efimova
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilia Kurochkin
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Juat Chin Foo
- Singapore Lipidomics Incubator, Life Sciences Institute and Precision Medicine Translational Research Program, Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amaury Cazenave-Gassiot
- Singapore Lipidomics Incubator, Life Sciences Institute and Precision Medicine Translational Research Program, Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Song Guo
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Daria M Potashnikova
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander A Gulin
- N. N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander A Vasin
- N. N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Gleb Vladimirov
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Evgeny Nikolaev
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Markus R Wenk
- Singapore Lipidomics Incubator, Life Sciences Institute and Precision Medicine Translational Research Program, Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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15
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Lee EJ, Suh M, Choi H, Choi Y, Hwang DW, Bae S, Lee DS. Spatial transcriptomic brain imaging reveals the effects of immunomodulation therapy on specific regional brain cells in a mouse dementia model. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:516. [PMID: 38796425 PMCID: PMC11128132 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10434-8] [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: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence of brain-immune crosstalk raises expectations for the efficacy of novel immunotherapies in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the lack of methods to examine brain tissues makes it difficult to evaluate therapeutics. Here, we investigated the changes in spatial transcriptomic signatures and brain cell types using the 10x Genomics Visium platform in immune-modulated AD models after various treatments. To proceed with an analysis suitable for barcode-based spatial transcriptomics, we first organized a workflow for segmentation of neuroanatomical regions, establishment of appropriate gene combinations, and comprehensive review of altered brain cell signatures. Ultimately, we investigated spatial transcriptomic changes following administration of immunomodulators, NK cell supplements and an anti-CD4 antibody, which ameliorated behavior impairment, and designated brain cells and regions showing probable associations with behavior changes. We provided the customized analytic pipeline into an application named STquantool. Thus, we anticipate that our approach can help researchers interpret the real action of drug candidates by simultaneously investigating the dynamics of all transcripts for the development of novel AD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Ji Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minseok Suh
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongyoon Choi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoori Choi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Cliniclal Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Won Hwang
- Research and Development Center, THERABEST Inc., Seocho-daero 40-gil, Seoul, 06657, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungwoo Bae
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dong Soo Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Medical Science and Engineering, School of Convergence Science and Technology, POSTECH, Pohang, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Jovanovic VM, Mesch KT, Tristan CA. hPSC-Derived Astrocytes at the Forefront of Translational Applications in Neurological Disorders. Cells 2024; 13:903. [PMID: 38891034 PMCID: PMC11172187 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell type in the brain, play crucial roles in maintaining homeostasis within the central nervous system (CNS). Impairment or abnormalities of typical astrocyte functions in the CNS serve as a causative or contributing factor in numerous neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Currently, disease-modeling and drug-screening approaches, primarily focused on human astrocytes, rely on human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived astrocytes. However, it is important to acknowledge that these hPSC-derived astrocytes exhibit notable differences across studies and when compared to their in vivo counterparts. These differences may potentially compromise translational outcomes if not carefully accounted for. This review aims to explore state-of-the-art in vitro models of human astrocyte development, focusing on the developmental processes, functional maturity, and technical aspects of various hPSC-derived astrocyte differentiation protocols. Additionally, it summarizes their successful application in modeling neurological disorders. The discussion extends to recent advancements in the large-scale production of human astrocytes and their application in developing high-throughput assays conducive to therapeutic drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vukasin M. Jovanovic
- Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), Division of Preclinical Innovation (DPI), National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA (C.A.T.)
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17
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Huuki-Myers LA, Spangler A, Eagles NJ, Montgomery KD, Kwon SH, Guo B, Grant-Peters M, Divecha HR, Tippani M, Sriworarat C, Nguyen AB, Ravichandran P, Tran MN, Seyedian A, Hyde TM, Kleinman JE, Battle A, Page SC, Ryten M, Hicks SC, Martinowich K, Collado-Torres L, Maynard KR. A data-driven single-cell and spatial transcriptomic map of the human prefrontal cortex. Science 2024; 384:eadh1938. [PMID: 38781370 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh1938] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The molecular organization of the human neocortex historically has been studied in the context of its histological layers. However, emerging spatial transcriptomic technologies have enabled unbiased identification of transcriptionally defined spatial domains that move beyond classic cytoarchitecture. We used the Visium spatial gene expression platform to generate a data-driven molecular neuroanatomical atlas across the anterior-posterior axis of the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Integration with paired single-nucleus RNA-sequencing data revealed distinct cell type compositions and cell-cell interactions across spatial domains. Using PsychENCODE and publicly available data, we mapped the enrichment of cell types and genes associated with neuropsychiatric disorders to discrete spatial domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise A Huuki-Myers
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Abby Spangler
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Nicholas J Eagles
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kelsey D Montgomery
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sang Ho Kwon
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Boyi Guo
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Melissa Grant-Peters
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Heena R Divecha
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Madhavi Tippani
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chaichontat Sriworarat
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Annie B Nguyen
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Prashanthi Ravichandran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Matthew N Tran
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Arta Seyedian
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Thomas M Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Joel E Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Alexis Battle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Malone Center for Engineering in Healthcare, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Stephanie C Page
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Mina Ryten
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Stephanie C Hicks
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Malone Center for Engineering in Healthcare, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Center for Computational Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Keri Martinowich
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Johns Hopkins Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Leonardo Collado-Torres
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Computational Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kristen R Maynard
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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18
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Iwasaki R, Kohro Y, Tsuda M. A method for selective and efficient isolation of gray matter astrocytes from the spinal cord of adult mice. Mol Brain 2024; 17:25. [PMID: 38773624 PMCID: PMC11106874 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-024-01097-3] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence indicates intra- and inter-regional heterogeneity of astrocytes in the brain. However, because of a lack of an efficient method for isolating astrocytes from the spinal cord, little is known about how much spinal cord astrocytes are heterogeneous in adult mice. In this study, we developed a new method for isolating spinal astrocytes from adult mice using a cold-active protease from Bacillus licheniformis with an astrocyte cell surface antigen-2 (ACSA-2) antibody. Using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, isolated spinal ACSA-2+ cells were divided into two distinct populations, ACSA-2high and ACSA-2low. By analyzing the expression of cell-type marker genes, the ACSA-2high and ACSA-2low populations were identified as astrocytes and ependymal cells, respectively. Furthermore, ACSA-2high cells had mRNAs encoding genes that were abundantly expressed in the gray matter (GM) but not white matter astrocytes. By optimizing enzymatic isolation procedures, the yield of GM astrocytes also increased. Therefore, our newly established method enabled the selective and efficient isolation of GM astrocytes from the spinal cord of adult mice and may be useful for bulk- or single-cell RNA-sequencing under physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Iwasaki
- Department of Molecular and System Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yuta Kohro
- Department of Molecular and System Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Makoto Tsuda
- Department of Molecular and System Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
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19
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Hoo R, Ruiz-Morales ER, Kelava I, Rawat M, Mazzeo CI, Tuck E, Sancho-Serra C, Chelaghma S, Predeus AV, Murray S, Fernandez-Antoran D, Waller RF, Álvarez-Errico D, Lee MCS, Vento-Tormo R. Acute response to pathogens in the early human placenta at single-cell resolution. Cell Syst 2024; 15:425-444.e9. [PMID: 38703772 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The placenta is a selective maternal-fetal barrier that provides nourishment and protection from infections. However, certain pathogens can attach to and even cross the placenta, causing pregnancy complications with potential lifelong impacts on the child's health. Here, we profiled at the single-cell level the placental responses to three pathogens associated with intrauterine complications-Plasmodium falciparum, Listeria monocytogenes, and Toxoplasma gondii. We found that upon exposure to the pathogens, all placental lineages trigger inflammatory responses that may compromise placental function. Additionally, we characterized the responses of fetal macrophages known as Hofbauer cells (HBCs) to each pathogen and propose that they are the probable niche for T. gondii. Finally, we revealed how P. falciparum adapts to the placental microenvironment by modulating protein export into the host erythrocyte and nutrient uptake pathways. Altogether, we have defined the cellular networks and signaling pathways mediating acute placental inflammatory responses that could contribute to pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Hoo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Iva Kelava
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mukul Rawat
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | | | | | - Sara Chelaghma
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - David Fernandez-Antoran
- Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Marcus C S Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - Roser Vento-Tormo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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20
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Huber RE, Babbitt C, Peyton SR. Heterogeneity of brain extracellular matrix and astrocyte activation. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102:e25356. [PMID: 38773875 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25356] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
From the blood brain barrier to the synaptic space, astrocytes provide structural, metabolic, ionic, and extracellular matrix (ECM) support across the brain. Astrocytes include a vast array of subtypes, their phenotypes and functions varying both regionally and temporally. Astrocytes' metabolic and regulatory functions poise them to be quick and sensitive responders to injury and disease in the brain as revealed by single cell sequencing. Far less is known about the influence of the local healthy and aging microenvironments on these astrocyte activation states. In this forward-looking review, we describe the known relationship between astrocytes and their local microenvironment, the remodeling of the microenvironment during disease and injury, and postulate how they may drive astrocyte activation. We suggest technology development to better understand the dynamic diversity of astrocyte activation states, and how basal and activation states depend on the ECM microenvironment. A deeper understanding of astrocyte response to stimuli in ECM-specific contexts (brain region, age, and sex of individual), paves the way to revolutionize how the field considers astrocyte-ECM interactions in brain injury and disease and opens routes to return astrocytes to a healthy quiescent state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Huber
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Courtney Babbitt
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shelly R Peyton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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21
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Cahill MK, Collard M, Tse V, Reitman ME, Etchenique R, Kirst C, Poskanzer KE. Network-level encoding of local neurotransmitters in cortical astrocytes. Nature 2024; 629:146-153. [PMID: 38632406 PMCID: PMC11062919 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07311-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes, the most abundant non-neuronal cell type in the mammalian brain, are crucial circuit components that respond to and modulate neuronal activity through calcium (Ca2+) signalling1-7. Astrocyte Ca2+ activity is highly heterogeneous and occurs across multiple spatiotemporal scales-from fast, subcellular activity3,4 to slow, synchronized activity across connected astrocyte networks8-10-to influence many processes5,7,11. However, the inputs that drive astrocyte network dynamics remain unclear. Here we used ex vivo and in vivo two-photon astrocyte imaging while mimicking neuronal neurotransmitter inputs at multiple spatiotemporal scales. We find that brief, subcellular inputs of GABA and glutamate lead to widespread, long-lasting astrocyte Ca2+ responses beyond an individual stimulated cell. Further, we find that a key subset of Ca2+ activity-propagative activity-differentiates astrocyte network responses to these two main neurotransmitters, and may influence responses to future inputs. Together, our results demonstrate that local, transient neurotransmitter inputs are encoded by broad cortical astrocyte networks over a minutes-long time course, contributing to accumulating evidence that substantial astrocyte-neuron communication occurs across slow, network-level spatiotemporal scales12-14. These findings will enable future studies to investigate the link between specific astrocyte Ca2+ activity and specific functional outputs, which could build a consistent framework for astrocytic modulation of neuronal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle K Cahill
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Max Collard
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vincent Tse
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Michael E Reitman
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Roberto Etchenique
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química Física, INQUIMAE, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Christoph Kirst
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Kira E Poskanzer
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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22
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Yeo S, Schrader AW, Lee J, Asadian M, Han HS. Spot-Based Global Registration for Subpixel Stitching of Single-Molecule Resolution Images for Tissue-Scale Spatial Transcriptomics. Anal Chem 2024; 96:6517-6522. [PMID: 38621224 PMCID: PMC11076048 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05686] [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] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Single-molecule imaging at the tissue scale has revolutionized our understanding of biology by providing unprecedented insight into the molecular expression of individual cells and their spatial organization within tissues. However, achieving precise image stitching at the single-molecule level remains a challenge, primarily due to heterogeneous background signals and dim labeling signals in single-molecule images. This paper introduces Spot-Based Global Registration (SBGR), a novel strategy that shifts the focus from raw images to identified molecular spots for high-resolution image alignment. The use of spot-based data enables straightforward and robust evaluation of the credibility of estimated translations and stitching performance. The method outperforms existing image-based stitching methods, achieving subpixel accuracy (83 ± 36 nm) with exceptional consistency. Furthermore, SBGR incorporates a mechanism to surgically remove duplicate spots in overlapping regions, maximizing information recovery from duplicate measurements. In conclusion, SBGR emerges as a robust and accurate solution for stitching single-molecule resolution images in tissue-scale spatial transcriptomics, offering versatility and potential for high-resolution spatial analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokjin Yeo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Alex W Schrader
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Juyeon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Marisa Asadian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Hee-Sun Han
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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23
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Aydin AG, Lemenze A, Bieszczad KM. Functional diversities within neurons and astrocytes in the adult rat auditory cortex revealed by single-nucleus RNA sequencing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.16.589831. [PMID: 38659766 PMCID: PMC11042262 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.16.589831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The mammalian cerebral cortex is composed of a rich diversity of cell types. Cortical cells are organized into networks that rely on their functional diversity to ultimately carry out a variety of sophisticated cognitive functions. To investigate the breadth of transcriptional diverse cell types in the sensory cortex, we have used single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) in the auditory cortex of the adult rat. A variety of unique excitatory and inhibitory neuron types were identified. In addition, we report for the first time a diversity of astrocytes in the auditory cortex that may represent functionally unique subtypes. Together, these results pave the way for building models of how neurons in the sensory cortex work in concert with astrocytes at synapses to fulfill high-cognitive functions like learning and memory.
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24
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Kakogiannis D, Kourla M, Dimitrakopoulos D, Kazanis I. Reversal of Postnatal Brain Astrocytes and Ependymal Cells towards a Progenitor Phenotype in Culture. Cells 2024; 13:668. [PMID: 38667283 PMCID: PMC11049274 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080668] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes and ependymal cells have been reported to be able to switch from a mature cell identity towards that of a neural stem/progenitor cell. Astrocytes are widely scattered in the brain where they exert multiple functions and are routinely targeted for in vitro and in vivo reprogramming. Ependymal cells serve more specialized functions, lining the ventricles and the central canal, and are multiciliated, epithelial-like cells that, in the spinal cord, act as bi-potent progenitors in response to injury. Here, we isolate or generate ependymal cells and post-mitotic astrocytes, respectively, from the lateral ventricles of the mouse brain and we investigate their capacity to reverse towards a progenitor-like identity in culture. Inhibition of the GSK3 and TGFβ pathways facilitates the switch of mature astrocytes to Sox2-expressing, mitotic cells that generate oligodendrocytes. Although this medium allows for the expansion of quiescent NSCs, isolated from live rats by "milking of the brain", it does not fully reverse astrocytes towards the bona fide NSC identity; this is a failure correlated with a concomitant lack of neurogenic activity. Ependymal cells could be induced to enter mitosis either via exposure to neuraminidase-dependent stress or by culturing them in the presence of FGF2 and EGF. Overall, our data confirm that astrocytes and ependymal cells retain a high capacity to reverse to a progenitor identity and set up a simple and highly controlled platform for the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that regulate this reversal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kakogiannis
- Lab of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (D.K.); (M.K.); (D.D.)
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Michaela Kourla
- Lab of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (D.K.); (M.K.); (D.D.)
- Biology-Biochemistry Lab, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Dimitrakopoulos
- Lab of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (D.K.); (M.K.); (D.D.)
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ilias Kazanis
- Lab of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (D.K.); (M.K.); (D.D.)
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK
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25
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Leal-Nazaré CG, Arrifano GP, Lopes-Araújo A, Santos-Sacramento L, Barthelemy JL, Soares-Silva I, Crespo-Lopez ME, Augusto-Oliveira M. Methylmercury neurotoxicity: Beyond the neurocentric view. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 920:170939. [PMID: 38365040 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Mercury is a highly toxic metal widely used in human activities worldwide, therefore considered a global public health problem. Many cases of mercury intoxication have occurred in history and represent a huge challenge nowadays. Of particular importance is its methylated form, methylmercury (MeHg). This mercurial species induces damage to several organs in the human body, especially to the central nervous system. Neurological impairments such as executive, memory, motor and visual deficits are associated with MeHg neurotoxicity. Molecular mechanisms involved in MeHg-induced neurotoxicity include excitotoxicity due to glutamatergic imbalance, disturbance in calcium homeostasis and oxidative balance, failure in synaptic support, and inflammatory response. Although neurons are largely affected by MeHg intoxication, they only represent half of the brain cells. Glial cells represent roughly 50 % of the brain cells and are key elements in the functioning of the central nervous system. Particularly, astrocytes and microglia are deeply involved in MeHg-induced neurotoxicity, resulting in distinct neurological outcomes depending on the context. In this review, we discuss the main findings on astroglial and microglial involvement as mediators of neuroprotective and neurotoxic responses to MeHg intoxication. The literature shows that these responses depend on chemical and morphophysiological features, thus, we present some insights for future investigations, considering the particularities of the context, including time and dose of exposure, brain region, and species of study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio Gustavo Leal-Nazaré
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Gabriela P Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Leticia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Jean Ludger Barthelemy
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Isabela Soares-Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
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26
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Gau YTA, Hsu ET, Cha RJ, Pak RW, Looger LL, Kang JU, Bergles DE. Multicore fiber optic imaging reveals that astrocyte calcium activity in the mouse cerebral cortex is modulated by internal motivational state. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3039. [PMID: 38589390 PMCID: PMC11002016 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47345-x] [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: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are a direct target of neuromodulators and can influence neuronal activity on broad spatial and temporal scales in response to a rise in cytosolic calcium. However, our knowledge about how astrocytes are recruited during different animal behaviors remains limited. To measure astrocyte activity calcium in vivo during normative behaviors, we utilize a high-resolution, long working distance multicore fiber optic imaging system that allows visualization of individual astrocyte calcium transients in the cerebral cortex of freely moving mice. We define the spatiotemporal dynamics of astrocyte calcium changes during diverse behaviors, ranging from sleep-wake cycles to the exploration of novel objects, showing that their activity is more variable and less synchronous than apparent in head-immobilized imaging conditions. In accordance with their molecular diversity, individual astrocytes often exhibit distinct thresholds and activity patterns during explorative behaviors, allowing temporal encoding across the astrocyte network. Astrocyte calcium events were induced by noradrenergic and cholinergic systems and modulated by internal state. The distinct activity patterns exhibited by astrocytes provides a means to vary their neuromodulatory influence in different behavioral contexts and internal states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Tian A Gau
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Eric T Hsu
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Richard J Cha
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rebecca W Pak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Loren L Looger
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jin U Kang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Dwight E Bergles
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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27
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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.
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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.
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28
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Kwok AJ, Lu J, Huang J, Ip BY, Mok VCT, Lai HM, Ko H. High-resolution omics of vascular ageing and inflammatory pathways in neurodegeneration. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 155:30-49. [PMID: 37380595 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
High-resolution omics, particularly single-cell and spatial transcriptomic profiling, are rapidly enhancing our comprehension of the normal molecular diversity of gliovascular cells, as well as their age-related changes that contribute to neurodegeneration. With more omic profiling studies being conducted, it is becoming increasingly essential to synthesise valuable information from the rapidly accumulating findings. In this review, we present an overview of the molecular features of neurovascular and glial cells that have been recently discovered through omic profiling, with a focus on those that have potentially significant functional implications and/or show cross-species differences between human and mouse, and that are linked to vascular deficits and inflammatory pathways in ageing and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, we highlight the translational applications of omic profiling, and discuss omic-based strategies to accelerate biomarker discovery and facilitate disease course-modifying therapeutics development for neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Kwok
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Margaret K. L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Lau Tat-chuen Research Centre of Brain Degenerative Diseases in Chinese, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Jianning Lu
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Junzhe Huang
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Margaret K. L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Lau Tat-chuen Research Centre of Brain Degenerative Diseases in Chinese, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bonaventure Y Ip
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Margaret K. L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Lau Tat-chuen Research Centre of Brain Degenerative Diseases in Chinese, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vincent C T Mok
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Margaret K. L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Lau Tat-chuen Research Centre of Brain Degenerative Diseases in Chinese, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hei Ming Lai
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Margaret K. L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Ho Ko
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Margaret K. L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Lau Tat-chuen Research Centre of Brain Degenerative Diseases in Chinese, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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29
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Wang M, Zhang L, Novak SW, Yu J, Gallina IS, Xu LL, Lim CK, Fernandes S, Shokhirev MN, Williams AE, Saxena MD, Coorapati S, Parylak SL, Quintero C, Molina E, Andrade LR, Manor U, Gage FH. Morphological diversification and functional maturation of human astrocytes in glia-enriched cortical organoid transplanted in mouse brain. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02157-8. [PMID: 38418648 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02157-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell type in the brain, are underrepresented in traditional cortical organoid models due to the delayed onset of cortical gliogenesis. Here we introduce a new glia-enriched cortical organoid model that exhibits accelerated astrogliogenesis. We demonstrated that induction of a gliogenic switch in a subset of progenitors enabled the rapid derivation of astroglial cells, which account for 25-31% of the cell population within 8-10 weeks of differentiation. Intracerebral transplantation of these organoids reliably generated a diverse repertoire of cortical neurons and anatomical subclasses of human astrocytes. Spatial transcriptome profiling identified layer-specific expression patterns among distinct subclasses of astrocytes within organoid transplants. Using an in vivo acute neuroinflammation model, we identified a subpopulation of astrocytes that rapidly activates pro-inflammatory pathways upon cytokine stimulation. Additionally, we demonstrated that CD38 signaling has a crucial role in mediating metabolic and mitochondrial stress in reactive astrocytes. This model provides a robust platform for investigating human astrocyte function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyan Wang
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sammy Weiser Novak
- Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jingting Yu
- Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Iryna S Gallina
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lynne L Xu
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christina K Lim
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Fernandes
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Maxim N Shokhirev
- Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - April E Williams
- Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Monisha D Saxena
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shashank Coorapati
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sarah L Parylak
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cristian Quintero
- Next Generation Sequencing Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Elsa Molina
- Next Generation Sequencing Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Leonardo R Andrade
- Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Uri Manor
- Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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30
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Harkany T, Tretiakov E, Varela L, Jarc J, Rebernik P, Newbold S, Keimpema E, Verkhratsky A, Horvath T, Romanov R. Molecularly stratified hypothalamic astrocytes are cellular foci for obesity. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3748581. [PMID: 38405925 PMCID: PMC10889077 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3748581/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes safeguard the homeostasis of the central nervous system1,2. Despite their prominent morphological plasticity under conditions that challenge the brain's adaptive capacity3-5, the classification of astrocytes, and relating their molecular make-up to spatially devolved neuronal operations that specify behavior or metabolism, remained mostly futile6,7. Although it seems unexpected in the era of single-cell biology, the lack of a major advance in stratifying astrocytes under physiological conditions rests on the incompatibility of 'neurocentric' algorithms that rely on stable developmental endpoints, lifelong transcriptional, neurotransmitter, and neuropeptide signatures for classification6-8 with the dynamic functional states, anatomic allocation, and allostatic plasticity of astrocytes1. Simplistically, therefore, astrocytes are still grouped as 'resting' vs. 'reactive', the latter referring to pathological states marked by various inducible genes3,9,10. Here, we introduced a machine learning-based feature recognition algorithm that benefits from the cumulative power of published single-cell RNA-seq data on astrocytes as a reference map to stepwise eliminate pleiotropic and inducible cellular features. For the healthy hypothalamus, this walk-back approach revealed gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that specified subsets of astrocytes, and could be used as landmarking tools for their anatomical assignment. The core molecular censuses retained by astrocyte subsets were sufficient to stratify them by allostatic competence, chiefly their signaling and metabolic interplay with neurons. Particularly, we found differentially expressed mitochondrial genes in insulin-sensing astrocytes and demonstrated their reciprocal signaling with neurons that work antagonistically within the food intake circuitry. As a proof-of-concept, we showed that disrupting Mfn2 expression in astrocytes reduced their ability to support dynamic circuit reorganization, a time-locked feature of satiety in the hypothalamus, thus leading to obesity in mice. Overall, our results suggest that astrocytes in the healthy brain are fundamentally more heterogeneous than previously thought and topologically mirror the specificity of local neurocircuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Harkany
- Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna
| | | | | | - Jasna Jarc
- Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna
| | | | | | - Erik Keimpema
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Brain Research
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Verkerke M, Berdenis van Berlekom A, Donega V, Vonk D, Sluijs JA, Butt NF, Kistemaker L, de Witte LD, Pasterkamp RJ, Middeldorp J, Hol EM. Transcriptomic and morphological maturation of human astrocytes in cerebral organoids. Glia 2024; 72:362-374. [PMID: 37846809 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24479] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral organoids (CerOrgs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a valuable tool to study human astrocytes and their interaction with neurons and microglia. The timeline of astrocyte development and maturation in this model is currently unknown and this limits the value and applicability of the model. Therefore, we generated CerOrgs from three healthy individuals and assessed astrocyte maturation after 5, 11, 19, and 37 weeks in culture. At these four time points, the astrocyte lineage was isolated based on the expression of integrin subunit alpha 6 (ITGA6). Based on the transcriptome of the isolated ITGA6-positive cells, astrocyte development started between 5 and 11 weeks in culture and astrocyte maturation commenced after 11 weeks in culture. After 19 weeks in culture, the ITGA6-positive astrocytes had the highest expression of human mature astrocyte genes, and the predicted functional properties were related to brain homeostasis. After 37 weeks in culture, a subpopulation of ITGA6-negative astrocytes appeared, highlighting the heterogeneity within the astrocytes. The morphology shifted from an elongated progenitor-like morphology to the typical bushy astrocyte morphology. Based on the morphological properties, predicted functional properties, and the similarities with the human mature astrocyte transcriptome, we concluded that ITGA6-positive astrocytes have developed optimally in 19-week-old CerOrgs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marloes Verkerke
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Amber Berdenis van Berlekom
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vanessa Donega
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Anatomy & Neurosciences, section Clinical Neuroanatomy and Biobanking, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniëlle Vonk
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline A Sluijs
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nayab F Butt
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lois Kistemaker
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lot D de Witte
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jinte Middeldorp
- Department of Neurobiology & Aging, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Elly M Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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32
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Yang S, Zhou X. SRT-Server: powering the analysis of spatial transcriptomic data. Genome Med 2024; 16:18. [PMID: 38279156 PMCID: PMC10811909 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01288-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spatial resolved transcriptomics (SRT) encompasses a rapidly developing set of technologies that enable the measurement of gene expression in tissue while retaining spatial localization information. SRT technologies and the enabled SRT studies have provided unprecedent insights into the structural and functional underpinnings of complex tissues. As SRT technologies have advanced and an increasing number of SRT studies have emerged, numerous sophisticated statistical and computational methods have been developed to facilitate the analysis and interpretation of SRT data. However, despite the growing popularity of SRT studies and the widespread availability of SRT analysis methods, analysis of large-scale and complex SRT datasets remains challenging and not easily accessible to researchers with limited statistical and computational backgrounds. RESULTS Here, we present SRT-Server, the first webserver designed to carry out comprehensive SRT analyses for a wide variety of SRT technologies while requiring minimal prior computational knowledge. Implemented with cutting-edge web development technologies, SRT-Server is user-friendly and features multiple analytic modules that can perform a range of SRT analyses. With a flowchart-style interface, these different analytic modules on the SRT-Server can be dragged into the main panel and connected to each other to create custom analytic pipelines. SRT-Server then automatically executes the desired analyses, generates corresponding figures, and outputs results-all without requiring prior programming knowledge. We demonstrate the advantages of SRT-Server through three case studies utilizing SRT data collected from two common platforms, highlighting its versatility and values to researchers with varying analytic expertise. CONCLUSIONS Overall, SRT-Server presents a user-friendly, efficient, effective, secure, and expandable solution for SRT data analysis, opening new doors for researchers in the field. SRT-Server is freely available at https://spatialtranscriptomicsanalysis.com/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China.
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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Piluso S, Souedet N, Jan C, Hérard AS, Clouchoux C, Delzescaux T. giRAff: an automated atlas segmentation tool adapted to single histological slices. Front Neurosci 2024; 17:1230814. [PMID: 38274499 PMCID: PMC10808556 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1230814] [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: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Conventional histology of the brain remains the gold standard in the analysis of animal models. In most biological studies, standard protocols usually involve producing a limited number of histological slices to be analyzed. These slices are often selected into a specific anatomical region of interest or around a specific pathological lesion. Due to the lack of automated solutions to analyze such single slices, neurobiologists perform the segmentation of anatomical regions manually most of the time. Because the task is long, tedious, and operator-dependent, we propose an automated atlas segmentation method called giRAff, which combines rigid and affine registrations and is suitable for conventional histological protocols involving any number of single slices from a given mouse brain. In particular, the method has been tested on several routine experimental protocols involving different anatomical regions of different sizes and for several brains. For a given set of single slices, the method can automatically identify the corresponding slices in the mouse Allen atlas template with good accuracy and segmentations comparable to those of an expert. This versatile and generic method allows the segmentation of any single slice without additional anatomical context in about 1 min. Basically, our proposed giRAff method is an easy-to-use, rapid, and automated atlas segmentation tool compliant with a wide variety of standard histological protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Piluso
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, MIRCen, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- WITSEE, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Souedet
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, MIRCen, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Caroline Jan
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, MIRCen, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Hérard
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, MIRCen, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | | | - Thierry Delzescaux
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, MIRCen, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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Niu C, Yue X, An JJ, Bass R, Xu H, Xu B. Genetic Dissection of BDNF and TrkB Expression in Glial Cells. Biomolecules 2024; 14:91. [PMID: 38254691 PMCID: PMC10813193 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its high-affinity receptor tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B (TrkB) are widely expressed in the central nervous system. It is well documented that neurons express BDNF and full-length TrkB (TrkB.FL) as well as a lower level of truncated TrkB (TrkB.T). However, there are conflicting reports regarding the expression of BDNF and TrkB in glial cells, particularly microglia. In this study, we employed a sensitive and reliable genetic method to characterize the expression of BDNF and TrkB in glial cells in the mouse brain. We utilized three Cre mouse strains in which Cre recombinase is expressed in the same cells as BDNF, TrkB.FL, or all TrkB isoforms, and crossed them to Cre-dependent reporter mice to label BDNF- or TrkB-expressing cells with soma-localized EGFP. We performed immunohistochemistry with glial cell markers to examine the expression of BDNF and TrkB in microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Surprisingly, we found no BDNF- or TrkB-expressing microglia in examined CNS regions, including the somatomotor cortex, hippocampal CA1, and spinal cord. Consistent with previous studies, most astrocytes only express TrkB.T in the hippocampus of adult brains. Moreover, there are a small number of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes that express BDNF in the hippocampus, the function of which is to be determined. We also found that oligodendrocyte precursor cells, but not mature oligodendrocytes, express both TrkB.FL and TrkB.T in the hippocampus of adult mice. These results not only clarify the expression of BDNF and TrkB in glial cells but also open opportunities to investigate previously unidentified roles of BDNF and TrkB in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changran Niu
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (C.N.); (X.Y.); (J.J.A.); (R.B.); (H.X.)
- Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Xinpei Yue
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (C.N.); (X.Y.); (J.J.A.); (R.B.); (H.X.)
- Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Juan Ji An
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (C.N.); (X.Y.); (J.J.A.); (R.B.); (H.X.)
| | - Robert Bass
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (C.N.); (X.Y.); (J.J.A.); (R.B.); (H.X.)
- Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Haifei Xu
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (C.N.); (X.Y.); (J.J.A.); (R.B.); (H.X.)
| | - Baoji Xu
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; (C.N.); (X.Y.); (J.J.A.); (R.B.); (H.X.)
- Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
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35
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Schneider Y, Gauer C, Andert M, Hoffmann A, Riemenschneider MJ, Krebs W, Chalmers N, Lötzsch C, Naumann UJ, Xiang W, Rothhammer V, Beckervordersandforth R, Schlachetzki JCM, Winkler J. Distinct forebrain regions define a dichotomous astrocytic profile in multiple system atrophy. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2024; 12:1. [PMID: 38167307 PMCID: PMC10759635 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01699-3] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The growing recognition of a dichotomous role of astrocytes in neurodegenerative processes has heightened the need for unraveling distinct astrocytic subtypes in neurological disorders. In multiple system atrophy (MSA), a rare, rapidly progressing atypical Parkinsonian disease characterized by increased astrocyte reactivity. However the specific contribution of astrocyte subtypes to neuropathology remains elusive. Hence, we first set out to profile glial fibrillary acidic protein levels in astrocytes across the human post mortem motor cortex, putamen, and substantia nigra of MSA patients and observed an overall profound astrocytic response. Matching the post mortem human findings, a similar astrocytic phenotype was present in a transgenic MSA mouse model. Notably, MSA mice exhibited a decreased expression of the glutamate transporter 1 and glutamate aspartate transporter in the basal ganglia, but not the motor cortex. We developed an optimized astrocyte isolation protocol based on magnetic-activated cell sorting via ATPase Na+/K+ transporting subunit beta 2 and profiled the transcriptomic landscape of striatal and cortical astrocytes in transgenic MSA mice. The gene expression profile of astrocytes in the motor cortex displayed an anti-inflammatory signature with increased oligodendroglial and pro-myelinogenic expression pattern. In contrast, striatal astrocytes were defined by elevated pro-inflammatory transcripts accompanied by dysregulated genes involved in homeostatic functions for lipid and calcium metabolism. These findings provide new insights into a region-dependent, dichotomous astrocytic response-potentially beneficial in the cortex and harmful in the striatum-in MSA suggesting a differential role of astrocytes in MSA-related neurodegenerative processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Schneider
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - C Gauer
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - M Andert
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - A Hoffmann
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - M J Riemenschneider
- Department of Neuropathology, Regensburg University Hospital, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - W Krebs
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Data Integration and Analysis (CUBiDA), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - N Chalmers
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - C Lötzsch
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - U J Naumann
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - W Xiang
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - V Rothhammer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - R Beckervordersandforth
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - J C M Schlachetzki
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - J Winkler
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
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Rosenberg MF, Godoy MI, Wade SD, Paredes MF, Zhang Y, Molofsky AV. β-Adrenergic Signaling Promotes Morphological Maturation of Astrocytes in Female Mice. J Neurosci 2023; 43:8621-8636. [PMID: 37845031 PMCID: PMC10727121 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0357-23.2023] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes play essential roles in the developing nervous system, including supporting synapse function. These astrocyte support functions emerge coincident with brain maturation and may be tailored in a region-specific manner. For example, gray matter astrocytes have elaborate synapse-associated processes and are morphologically and molecularly distinct from white matter astrocytes. This raises the question of whether there are unique environmental cues that promote gray matter astrocyte identity and synaptogenic function. We previously identified adrenergic receptors as preferentially enriched in developing gray versus white matter astrocytes, suggesting that noradrenergic signaling could be a cue that promotes the functional maturation of gray matter astrocytes. We first characterized noradrenergic projections during postnatal brain development in mouse and human, finding that process density was higher in the gray matter and increased concurrently with astrocyte maturation. RNA sequencing revealed that astrocytes in both species expressed α- and β-adrenergic receptors. We found that stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors increased primary branching of rodent astrocytes in vitro Conversely, astrocyte-conditional knockout of the β1-adrenergic receptor reduced the size of gray matter astrocytes and led to dysregulated sensorimotor integration in female mice. These studies suggest that adrenergic signaling to developing astrocytes impacts their morphology and has implications for adult behavior, particularly in female animals. More broadly, they demonstrate a mechanism through which environmental cues impact astrocyte development. Given the key roles of norepinephrine in brain states, such as arousal, stress, and learning, these findings could prompt further inquiry into how developmental stressors impact astrocyte development and adult brain function.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study demonstrates a role for noradrenergic signaling in the development of gray matter astrocytes. We provide new evidence that the β1-adrenergic receptor is robustly expressed by both mouse and human astrocytes, and that conditional KO of the β1-adrenergic receptor from female mouse astrocytes impairs gray matter astrocyte maturation. Moreover, female conditional KO mice exhibit behavioral deficits in two paradigms that test sensorimotor function. Given the emerging interest in moving beyond RNA sequencing to probe specific pathways that underlie astrocyte heterogeneity, this study provides a foundation for future investigation into the effect of noradrenergic signaling on astrocyte functions in conditions where noradrenergic signaling is altered, such as stress, arousal, and learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marci F Rosenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Weill Institute of Neurosciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
- Medical Scientist Training Program and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Marlesa I Godoy
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Sarah D Wade
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Weill Institute of Neurosciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Mercedes F Paredes
- Department of Neurology, Weill Institute of Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub-San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Anna V Molofsky
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Weill Institute of Neurosciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
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Manu DR, Slevin M, Barcutean L, Forro T, Boghitoiu T, Balasa R. Astrocyte Involvement in Blood-Brain Barrier Function: A Critical Update Highlighting Novel, Complex, Neurovascular Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17146. [PMID: 38138976 PMCID: PMC10743219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417146] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders have been linked to a defective blood-brain barrier (BBB), with dysfunctions triggered by stage-specific disease mechanisms, some of these being generated through interactions in the neurovascular unit (NVU). Advanced knowledge of molecular and signaling mechanisms in the NVU and the emergence of improved experimental models allow BBB permeability prediction and the development of new brain-targeted therapies. As NVU constituents, astrocytes are the most numerous glial cells, characterized by a heterogeneity that occurs as a result of developmental and context-based gene expression profiles and the differential expression of non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs). Due to their heterogeneity and dynamic responses to different signals, astrocytes may have a beneficial or detrimental role in the BBB's barrier function, with deep effects on the pathophysiology of (and on the progression of) central nervous system diseases. The implication of astrocytic-derived extracellular vesicles in pathological mechanisms, due to their ability to pass the BBB, must also be considered. The molecular mechanisms of astrocytes' interaction with endothelial cells at the BBB level are considered promising therapeutic targets in different neurological conditions. Nevertheless, a personalized and well-founded approach must be addressed, due to the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of reactive astrogliosis states during disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doina Ramona Manu
- Centre for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania; (D.R.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Mark Slevin
- Centre for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania; (D.R.M.); (M.S.)
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BH, UK
| | - Laura Barcutean
- Neurology 1 Clinic, County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania;
- Department of Neurology, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Timea Forro
- Doctoral School, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania;
| | - Tudor Boghitoiu
- Psychiatry II Clinic, County Clinical Hospital, 540072 Targu Mures, Romania;
| | - Rodica Balasa
- Neurology 1 Clinic, County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania;
- Department of Neurology, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
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Cahill MK, Collard M, Tse V, Reitman ME, Etchenique R, Kirst C, Poskanzer KE. Network-level encoding of local neurotransmitters in cortical astrocytes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.01.568932. [PMID: 38106119 PMCID: PMC10723263 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.01.568932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes-the most abundant non-neuronal cell type in the mammalian brain-are crucial circuit components that respond to and modulate neuronal activity via calcium (Ca 2+ ) signaling 1-8 . Astrocyte Ca 2+ activity is highly heterogeneous and occurs across multiple spatiotemporal scales: from fast, subcellular activity 3,4 to slow, synchronized activity that travels across connected astrocyte networks 9-11 . Furthermore, astrocyte network activity has been shown to influence a wide range of processes 5,8,12 . While astrocyte network activity has important implications for neuronal circuit function, the inputs that drive astrocyte network dynamics remain unclear. Here we used ex vivo and in vivo two-photon Ca 2+ imaging of astrocytes while mimicking neuronal neurotransmitter inputs at multiple spatiotemporal scales. We find that brief, subcellular inputs of GABA and glutamate lead to widespread, long-lasting astrocyte Ca 2+ responses beyond an individual stimulated cell. Further, we find that a key subset of Ca 2+ activity-propagative events-differentiates astrocyte network responses to these two major neurotransmitters, and gates responses to future inputs. Together, our results demonstrate that local, transient neurotransmitter inputs are encoded by broad cortical astrocyte networks over the course of minutes, contributing to accumulating evidence across multiple model organisms that significant astrocyte-neuron communication occurs across slow, network-level spatiotemporal scales 13-15 . We anticipate that this study will be a starting point for future studies investigating the link between specific astrocyte Ca 2+ activity and specific astrocyte functional outputs, which could build a consistent framework for astrocytic modulation of neuronal activity.
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Choi H, Lee EJ, Shin JS, Kim H, Bae S, Choi Y, Lee DS. Spatiotemporal characterization of glial cell activation in an Alzheimer's disease model by spatially resolved transcriptomics. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:2564-2575. [PMID: 38036733 PMCID: PMC10767047 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01123-9] [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: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular changes that occur with the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are well known, but an understanding of the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of changes in the brain is lacking. Here, we investigated the spatially resolved transcriptome in a 5XFAD AD model at different ages to understand regional changes at the molecular level. Spatially resolved transcriptomic data were obtained from 5XFAD AD models and age-matched control mice. Differentially expressed genes were identified using spots clustered by anatomical structures. Gene signatures of activation of microglia and astrocytes were calculated and mapped on the spatially resolved transcriptomic data. We identified early alterations in the white matter (WM) of the AD model before the definite accumulation of amyloid plaques in the gray matter (GM). Changes in the early stage of the disease involved primarily glial cell activation in the WM, whereas the changes in the later stage of pathology were prominent in the GM. We confirmed that disease-associated microglia (DAM) and astrocyte (DAA) signatures also showed initial changes in WM and that activation spreads to GM. Trajectory inference using microglial gene sets revealed the subdivision of DAMs with different spatial patterns. Taken together, these results help to understand the spatiotemporal changes associated with reactive glial cells as a major pathophysiological characteristic of AD. The heterogeneous spatial molecular changes apply to identifying diagnostic and therapeutic targets caused by amyloid accumulation in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyoon Choi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eun Ji Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Seop Shin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungwoo Bae
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoori Choi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dong Soo Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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40
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Collyer E, Boyle BR, Gomez-Galvez Y, Iacovitti L, Blanco-Suarez E. Absence of chordin-like 1 aids motor recovery in a mouse model of stroke. Exp Neurol 2023; 370:114548. [PMID: 37769794 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114548] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Chordin-like 1 (Chrdl1) is an astrocyte-secreted protein that regulates synaptic maturation, and limits plasticity via GluA2-containing AMPA receptors (AMPARs). It was demonstrated that Chrdl1 expression is very heterogeneous throughout the brain, and it is enriched in astrocytes in cortical layers 2/3, with peak expression in the visual cortex at postnatal day 14. In response to ischemic stroke, Chrdl1 is upregulated during the acute and sub-acute phases in the peri-infarct region, potentially hindering recovery after stroke. Here, we used photothrombosis to model ischemic stroke in the motor cortex of adult male and female mice. In this study, we demonstrate that elimination of Chrdl1 in a global knock-out mouse reduces apoptotic cell death at early post-stroke stages and prevents ischemia-driven synaptic loss of AMPA receptors at later time points, all contributing to faster motor recovery. This suggests that synapse-regulating astrocyte-secreted proteins such as Chrdl1 have therapeutic potential to aid functional recovery after an ischemic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Collyer
- Department of Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bridget R Boyle
- Department of Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yolanda Gomez-Galvez
- Department of Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Joseph and Marie Field Cerebrovascular Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lorraine Iacovitti
- Department of Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Joseph and Marie Field Cerebrovascular Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elena Blanco-Suarez
- Department of Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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41
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Rupareliya VP, Singh AA, Butt AM, A H, Kumar H. The "molecular soldiers" of the CNS: Astrocytes, a comprehensive review on their roles and molecular signatures. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 959:176048. [PMID: 37758010 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176048] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
For a long time, neurons held the position of central players in the nervous system. Since there are far more astrocytes than neurons in the brain, it makes us wonder if these cells just take up space and support the neurons or if they are actively participating in central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. Now, astrocytes' contribution to CNS physiology is appreciated as they are known to regulate ion and neurotransmitter levels, synapse formation and elimination, blood-brain barrier integrity, immune function, cerebral blood flow, and many more. In many neurological and psychiatric disorders, astrocyte functions are altered. Advancements in microscopic and transcriptomic tools revealed populations of astrocytes with varied morphology, electrophysiological properties, and transcriptomic profiles. Neuron-circuit-specific functions and neuron-specific interactions of astroglial subpopulations are found, which suggests that diversity is essential in carrying out diverse region-specific CNS functions. Investigations on heterogeneous astrocyte populations are revealing new astrocyte functions and their role in pathological conditions, opening a new therapeutic avenue for targeting neurological conditions. The true extent of astrocytic heterogeneity and its functional implications are yet to be fully explored. This review summarizes essential astrocytic functions and their relevance in pathological conditions and discusses astrocytic diversity in relation to morphology, function, and gene expression throughout the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vimal P Rupareliya
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Aditya A Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Ayub Mohammed Butt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Hariharan A
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Hemant Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India.
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42
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Guo R, Han D, Song X, Gao Y, Li Z, Li X, Yang Z, Xu Z. Context-dependent regulation of Notch signaling in glial development and tumorigenesis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi2167. [PMID: 37948517 PMCID: PMC10637744 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi2167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
In the mammalian brain, Notch signaling maintains the cortical stem cell pool and regulates the glial cell fate choice and differentiation. However, the function of Notch in regulating glial development and its involvement in tumorigenesis have not been well understood. Here, we show that Notch inactivation by genetic deletion of Rbpj in stem cells decreases astrocytes but increases oligodendrocytes with altered internal states. Inhibiting Notch in glial progenitors does not affect cell generation but instead accelerates the growth of Notch-deprived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and OPC-related glioma. We also identified a cross-talk between oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, with premyelinating oligodendrocytes secreting BMP4, which is repressed by Notch, to up-regulate GFAP expression in adjacent astrocytes. Moreover, Notch inactivation in stem cells causes a glioma subtype shift from astroglia-associated to OPC-correlated patterns and vice versa. Our study reveals Notch's context-dependent function, promoting astrocytes and astroglia-associated glioma in stem cells and repressing OPCs and related glioma in glial progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yanjing Gao
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenmeiyu Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaosu Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhejun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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43
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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.
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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
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44
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Jetter H, Ackerman SD. Neuronal cadherins: The keys that unlock layer-specific astrocyte identity? J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202309050. [PMID: 37856080 PMCID: PMC10587848 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202309050] [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] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
An astrocyte's intricate morphology is essential for proper brain function, but the intrinsic and extrinsic cues that set astrocyte morphology are largely unknown. In this issue, Tan et al. (https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202303138) show that layer-specific expression of neuronal cadherins locally regulates astrocyte morphogenesis and heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley Jetter
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Brain Immunology and Glia Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sarah D. Ackerman
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Brain Immunology and Glia Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
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45
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Tan CX, Bindu DS, Hardin EJ, Sakers K, Baumert R, Ramirez JJ, Savage JT, Eroglu C. δ-Catenin controls astrocyte morphogenesis via layer-specific astrocyte-neuron cadherin interactions. J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202303138. [PMID: 37707499 PMCID: PMC10501387 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202303138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes control the formation of specific synaptic circuits via cell adhesion and secreted molecules. Astrocyte synaptogenic functions are dependent on the establishment of their complex morphology. However, it is unknown if distinct neuronal cues differentially regulate astrocyte morphogenesis. δ-Catenin was previously thought to be a neuron-specific protein that regulates dendrite morphology. We found δ-catenin is also highly expressed by astrocytes and required both in astrocytes and neurons for astrocyte morphogenesis. δ-Catenin is hypothesized to mediate transcellular interactions through the cadherin family of cell adhesion proteins. We used structural modeling and biochemical analyses to reveal that δ-catenin interacts with the N-cadherin juxtamembrane domain to promote N-cadherin surface expression. An autism-linked δ-catenin point mutation impaired N-cadherin cell surface expression and reduced astrocyte complexity. In the developing mouse cortex, only lower-layer cortical neurons express N-cadherin. Remarkably, when we silenced astrocytic N-cadherin throughout the cortex, only lower-layer astrocyte morphology was disrupted. These findings show that δ-catenin controls astrocyte-neuron cadherin interactions that regulate layer-specific astrocyte morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christabel Xin Tan
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Evelyn J. Hardin
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kristina Sakers
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ryan Baumert
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Juan J. Ramirez
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Justin T. Savage
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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46
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Murphy-Royal C, Ching S, Papouin T. A conceptual framework for astrocyte function. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1848-1856. [PMID: 37857773 PMCID: PMC10990637 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01448-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The participation of astrocytes in brain computation was hypothesized in 1992, coinciding with the discovery that these cells display a form of intracellular Ca2+ signaling sensitive to neuroactive molecules. This finding fostered conceptual leaps crystalized around the idea that astrocytes, once thought to be passive, participate actively in brain signaling and outputs. A multitude of disparate roles of astrocytes has since emerged, but their meaningful integration has been muddied by the lack of consensus and models of how we conceive the functional position of these cells in brain circuitry. In this Perspective, we propose an intuitive, data-driven and transferable conceptual framework we coin 'contextual guidance'. It describes astrocytes as 'contextual gates' that shape neural circuitry in an adaptive, state-dependent fashion. This paradigm provides fresh perspectives on principles of astrocyte signaling and its relevance to brain function, which could spur new experimental avenues, including in computational space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciaran Murphy-Royal
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) & Département de Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - ShiNung Ching
- Electrical and Systems Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Thomas Papouin
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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47
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Kameyama T, Miyata M, Shiotani H, Adachi J, Kakuta S, Uchiyama Y, Mizutani K, Takai Y. Heterogeneity of perivascular astrocyte endfeet depending on vascular regions in the mouse brain. iScience 2023; 26:108010. [PMID: 37829206 PMCID: PMC10565786 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes interact with not only synapses but also brain blood vessels through perivascular astrocyte endfeet (PV-AEF) to form the neurovascular unit (NVU). However, PV-AEF components have not been fully identified. Here, we biochemically isolated blood vessels from mouse brain homogenates and purified PV-AEF. The purified PV-AEF were observed in different sizes, similar to PV-AEF on brain blood vessels. Mass spectrometry analysis identified 9,762 proteins in the purified PV-AEF, including cell adhesion molecules, nectin-2δ, Kirrel2, and podoplanin. Immunofluorescence microscopic analysis revealed that nectin-2δ and podoplanin were concentrated mainly in arteries/arterioles and veins/venules of the mouse brain, whereas Kirrel2 was mainly in arteries/arterioles. Nectin-2α/δ, Kirrel2, and podoplanin were preferentially observed in large sizes of the purified PV-AEF. Furthermore, Kirrel2 potentially has cell adhesion activity of cultured astrocytes. Collectively, these results indicate that PV-AEF have heterogeneity in sizes and molecular components, implying different roles of PV-AEF in NVU function depending on vascular regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Kameyama
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Muneaki Miyata
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Hajime Shiotani
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Jun Adachi
- Laboratory of Proteomics for Drug Discovery, Center for Drug Design Research, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
- Laboratory of Clinical and Analytical Chemistry, Center for Drug Design Research, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Soichiro Kakuta
- Laboratory of Morphology and Image Analysis, Biomedical Research Core Facilities, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Department of Cellular Molecular Neuropathology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Yasuo Uchiyama
- Department of Cellular Molecular Neuropathology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Kiyohito Mizutani
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Takai
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
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48
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Krienen FM, Levandowski KM, Zaniewski H, del Rosario RC, Schroeder ME, Goldman M, Wienisch M, Lutservitz A, Beja-Glasser VF, Chen C, Zhang Q, Chan KY, Li KX, Sharma J, McCormack D, Shin TW, Harrahill A, Nyase E, Mudhar G, Mauermann A, Wysoker A, Nemesh J, Kashin S, Vergara J, Chelini G, Dimidschstein J, Berretta S, Deverman BE, Boyden E, McCarroll SA, Feng G. A marmoset brain cell census reveals regional specialization of cellular identities. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadk3986. [PMID: 37824615 PMCID: PMC10569717 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk3986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian brain is composed of many brain structures, each with its own ontogenetic and developmental history. We used single-nucleus RNA sequencing to sample over 2.4 million brain cells across 18 locations in the common marmoset, a New World monkey primed for genetic engineering, and examined gene expression patterns of cell types within and across brain structures. The adult transcriptomic identity of most neuronal types is shaped more by developmental origin than by neurotransmitter signaling repertoire. Quantitative mapping of GABAergic types with single-molecule FISH (smFISH) reveals that interneurons in the striatum and neocortex follow distinct spatial principles, and that lateral prefrontal and other higher-order cortical association areas are distinguished by high proportions of VIP+ neurons. We use cell type-specific enhancers to drive AAV-GFP and reconstruct the morphologies of molecularly resolved interneuron types in neocortex and striatum. Our analyses highlight how lineage, local context, and functional class contribute to the transcriptional identity and biodistribution of primate brain cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenna M. Krienen
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kirsten M. Levandowski
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Heather Zaniewski
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ricardo C.H. del Rosario
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Margaret E. Schroeder
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Melissa Goldman
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Martin Wienisch
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Alyssa Lutservitz
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Victoria F. Beja-Glasser
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Cindy Chen
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Qiangge Zhang
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ken Y. Chan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Katelyn X. Li
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jitendra Sharma
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Dana McCormack
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tay Won Shin
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Andrew Harrahill
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Eric Nyase
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Gagandeep Mudhar
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Abigail Mauermann
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Alec Wysoker
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - James Nemesh
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Seva Kashin
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Josselyn Vergara
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Gabriele Chelini
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Piazza della Manifattura n.1, Rovereto (TN) 38068, Italy
| | - Jordane Dimidschstein
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Sabina Berretta
- Basic Neuroscience Division, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Benjamin E. Deverman
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ed Boyden
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Steven A. McCarroll
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Guoping Feng
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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49
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Micali N, Ma S, Li M, Kim SK, Mato-Blanco X, Sindhu SK, Arellano JI, Gao T, Shibata M, Gobeske KT, Duque A, Santpere G, Sestan N, Rakic P. Molecular programs of regional specification and neural stem cell fate progression in macaque telencephalon. Science 2023; 382:eadf3786. [PMID: 37824652 PMCID: PMC10705812 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf3786] [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: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
During early telencephalic development, intricate processes of regional patterning and neural stem cell (NSC) fate specification take place. However, our understanding of these processes in primates, including both conserved and species-specific features, remains limited. Here, we profiled 761,529 single-cell transcriptomes from multiple regions of the prenatal macaque telencephalon. We deciphered the molecular programs of the early organizing centers and their cross-talk with NSCs, revealing primate-biased galanin-like peptide (GALP) signaling in the anteroventral telencephalon. Regional transcriptomic variations were observed along the frontotemporal axis during early stages of neocortical NSC progression and in neurons and astrocytes. Additionally, we found that genes associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and brain cancer risk might play critical roles in the early telencephalic organizers and during NSC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Micali
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Shaojie Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Mingfeng Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Suel-Kee Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Xoel Mato-Blanco
- Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Jon I. Arellano
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Tianliuyun Gao
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Mikihito Shibata
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Kevin T. Gobeske
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Alvaro Duque
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Gabriel Santpere
- Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Nenad Sestan
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry, Genetics and Comparative Medicine, Wu Tsai Institute, Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, and Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Pasko Rakic
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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50
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de Ceglia R, Ledonne A, Litvin DG, Lind BL, Carriero G, Latagliata EC, Bindocci E, Di Castro MA, Savtchouk I, Vitali I, Ranjak A, Congiu M, Canonica T, Wisden W, Harris K, Mameli M, Mercuri N, Telley L, Volterra A. Specialized astrocytes mediate glutamatergic gliotransmission in the CNS. Nature 2023; 622:120-129. [PMID: 37674083 PMCID: PMC10550825 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06502-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Multimodal astrocyte-neuron communications govern brain circuitry assembly and function1. For example, through rapid glutamate release, astrocytes can control excitability, plasticity and synchronous activity2,3 of synaptic networks, while also contributing to their dysregulation in neuropsychiatric conditions4-7. For astrocytes to communicate through fast focal glutamate release, they should possess an apparatus for Ca2+-dependent exocytosis similar to neurons8-10. However, the existence of this mechanism has been questioned11-13 owing to inconsistent data14-17 and a lack of direct supporting evidence. Here we revisited the astrocyte glutamate exocytosis hypothesis by considering the emerging molecular heterogeneity of astrocytes18-21 and using molecular, bioinformatic and imaging approaches, together with cell-specific genetic tools that interfere with glutamate exocytosis in vivo. By analysing existing single-cell RNA-sequencing databases and our patch-seq data, we identified nine molecularly distinct clusters of hippocampal astrocytes, among which we found a notable subpopulation that selectively expressed synaptic-like glutamate-release machinery and localized to discrete hippocampal sites. Using GluSnFR-based glutamate imaging22 in situ and in vivo, we identified a corresponding astrocyte subgroup that responds reliably to astrocyte-selective stimulations with subsecond glutamate release events at spatially precise hotspots, which were suppressed by astrocyte-targeted deletion of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1). Furthermore, deletion of this transporter or its isoform VGLUT2 revealed specific contributions of glutamatergic astrocytes in cortico-hippocampal and nigrostriatal circuits during normal behaviour and pathological processes. By uncovering this atypical subpopulation of specialized astrocytes in the adult brain, we provide insights into the complex roles of astrocytes in central nervous system (CNS) physiology and diseases, and identify a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta de Ceglia
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ada Ledonne
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Experimental Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - David Gregory Litvin
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Wyss Center for Bio and Neuro Engineering, Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Lykke Lind
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Giovanni Carriero
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Erika Bindocci
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Iaroslav Savtchouk
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Ilaria Vitali
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anurag Ranjak
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mauro Congiu
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tara Canonica
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - William Wisden
- Department of Life Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Kenneth Harris
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Manuel Mameli
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Mercuri
- Department of Experimental Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovic Telley
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Andrea Volterra
- Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Wyss Center for Bio and Neuro Engineering, Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland.
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