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Park J, Lee E, Kim CH, Ohk J, Jung H. Mosaicism-independent mechanisms contribute to Pcdh19-related epilepsy and repetitive behaviors in Xenopus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321388121. [PMID: 38748583 PMCID: PMC11126968 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321388121] [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] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Protocadherin19 (PCDH19)-related epilepsy syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by early-onset epilepsy, intellectual disability, and autistic behaviors. PCDH19 is located on the X chromosome and encodes a calcium-dependent single-pass transmembrane protein, which regulates cell-to-cell adhesion through homophilic binding. In human, 90% of heterozygous females, containing PCDH19 wild-type and mutant cells due to random X inactivation, are affected, whereas mutant males, containing only mutant cells, are typically not. The current view, the cellular interference, is that the altered interactions between wild-type and mutant cells during development, rather than loss of function itself, are responsible. However, studies using Pcdh19 knockout mice showed that the complete loss of function also causes autism-like behaviors both in males and females, suggesting that other functions of PCDH19 may also contribute to pathogenesis. To address whether mosaicism is required for PCDH19-related epilepsy, we generated Xenopus tropicalis tadpoles with complete or mosaic loss of function by injecting antisense morpholino oligonucleotides into the blastomeres of neural lineage at different stages of development. We found that either mosaic or complete knockdown results in seizure-like behaviors, which could be rescued by antiseizure medication, and repetitive behaviors. Our results suggest that the loss of PCDH19 function itself, in addition to cellular interference, may also contribute to PCDH19-related epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jugeon Park
- Department of Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunee Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul Hoon Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyeon Ohk
- Department of Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hosung Jung
- Department of Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Republic of Korea
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2
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Kowkabi S, Yavarian M, Kaboodkhani R, Mohammadi M, Shervin Badv R. PCDH19-clustering epilepsy, pathophysiology and clinical significance. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 154:109730. [PMID: 38521028 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
PCDH19 clustering epilepsy (PCDH19-CE) is an X-linked epilepsy disorder associated with intellectual disability (ID) and behavioral disturbances, which is caused by PCDH19 gene variants. PCDH19 pathogenic variant leads to epilepsy in heterozygous females, not in hemizygous males and the inheritance pattern is unusual. The hypothesis of cellular interference was described as a key pathogenic mechanism. According to that, males do not develop the disease because of the uniform expression of PCDH19 (variant or wild type) unless they have a somatic variation. We conducted a literature review on PCDH19-CE pathophysiology and concluded that other significant mechanisms could contribute to pathogenesis including: asymmetric cell division and heterochrony, female-related allopregnanolone deficiency, altered steroid gene expression, decreased Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor A (GABAA) function, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. Being aware of these mechanisms helps us when we should decide which therapeutic option is more suitable for which patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safoura Kowkabi
- Child Neurology Division and Children's Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Children's Medical Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Majid Yavarian
- Hematology Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | | | - Mahmood Mohammadi
- Child Neurology Division and Children's Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Children's Medical Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Shervin Badv
- Child Neurology Division and Children's Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Children's Medical Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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3
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Niu W, Deng L, Mojica-Perez SP, Tidball AM, Sudyk R, Stokes K, Parent JM. Abnormal cell sorting and altered early neurogenesis in a human cortical organoid model of Protocadherin-19 clustering epilepsy. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1339345. [PMID: 38638299 PMCID: PMC11024992 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1339345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Protocadherin-19 (PCDH19)-Clustering Epilepsy (PCE) is a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy caused by loss-of-function variants of the PCDH19 gene on the X-chromosome. PCE affects females and mosaic males while male carriers are largely spared. Mosaic expression of the cell adhesion molecule PCDH19 due to random X-chromosome inactivation is thought to impair cell-cell interactions between mutant and wild type PCDH19-expressing cells to produce the disease. Progress has been made in understanding PCE using rodent models or patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, rodents do not faithfully model key aspects of human brain development, and patient iPSC models are limited by issues with random X-chromosome inactivation. Methods To overcome these challenges and model mosaic PCDH19 expression in vitro, we generated isogenic female human embryonic stem cells with either HA-FLAG-tagged PCDH19 (WT) or homozygous PCDH19 knockout (KO) using genome editing. We then mixed GFP-labeled WT and RFP-labeled KO cells and generated human cortical organoids (hCOs). Results We found that PCDH19 is highly expressed in early (days 20-35) WT neural rosettes where it co-localizes with N-Cadherin in ventricular zone (VZ)-like regions. Mosaic PCE hCOs displayed abnormal cell sorting in the VZ with KO and WT cells completely segregated. This segregation remained robust when WT:KO cells were mixed at 2:1 or 1:2 ratios. PCE hCOs also exhibited altered expression of PCDH19 (in WT cells) and N-Cadherin, and abnormal deep layer neurogenesis. None of these abnormalities were observed in hCOs generated by mixing only WT or only KO (modeling male carrier) cells. Discussion Our results using the mosaic PCE hCO model suggest that PCDH19 plays a critical role in human VZ radial glial organization and early cortical development. This model should offer a key platform for exploring mechanisms underlying PCE-related cortical hyperexcitability and testing of potential precision therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Niu
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Lu Deng
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Rehabilitation, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | | | - Andrew M. Tidball
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Roksolana Sudyk
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Kyle Stokes
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jack M. Parent
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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4
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Mincheva-Tasheva S, Pfitzner C, Kumar R, Kurtsdotter I, Scherer M, Ritchie T, Muhr J, Gecz J, Thomas PQ. Mapping combinatorial expression of non-clustered protocadherins in the developing brain identifies novel PCDH19-mediated cell adhesion properties. Open Biol 2024; 14:230383. [PMID: 38629124 PMCID: PMC11037505 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230383] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-clustered protocadherins (ncPcdhs) are adhesive molecules with spatio-temporally regulated overlapping expression in the developing nervous system. Although their unique role in neurogenesis has been widely studied, their combinatorial role in brain physiology and pathology is poorly understood. Using probabilistic cell typing by in situ sequencing, we demonstrate combinatorial inter- and intra-familial expression of ncPcdhs in the developing mouse cortex and hippocampus, at single-cell resolution. We discovered the combinatorial expression of Protocadherin-19 (Pcdh19), a protein involved in PCDH19-clustering epilepsy, with Pcdh1, Pcdh9 or Cadherin 13 (Cdh13) in excitatory neurons. Using aggregation assays, we demonstrate a code-specific adhesion function of PCDH19; mosaic PCDH19 absence in PCDH19+9 and PCDH19 + CDH13, but not in PCDH19+1 codes, alters cell-cell interaction. Interestingly, we found that PCDH19 as a dominant protein in two heterophilic adhesion codes could promote trans-interaction between them. In addition, we discovered increased CDH13-mediated cell adhesion in the presence of PCDH19, suggesting a potential role of PCDH19 as an adhesion mediator of CDH13. Finally, we demonstrated novel cis-interactions between PCDH19 and PCDH1, PCDH9 and CDH13. These observations suggest that there is a unique combinatorial code with a cell- and region-specific characteristic where a single molecule defines the heterophilic cell-cell adhesion properties of each code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefka Mincheva-Tasheva
- School of Biomedicine and Robinson Research Institute,
University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia5005, Australia
- Genome Editing Program, South Australian Health and Medical
Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia5000, Australia
| | - Chandran Pfitzner
- School of Biomedicine and Robinson Research Institute,
University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia5005, Australia
- Genome Editing Program, South Australian Health and Medical
Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia5000, Australia
| | - Raman Kumar
- School of Medicine and Robinson Research Institute, University
of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia5005, Australia
| | - Idha Kurtsdotter
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska
Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michaela Scherer
- School of Biomedicine and Robinson Research Institute,
University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia5005, Australia
- Genome Editing Program, South Australian Health and Medical
Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia5000, Australia
| | - Tarin Ritchie
- School of Medicine and Robinson Research Institute, University
of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia5005, Australia
| | - Jonas Muhr
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska
Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jozef Gecz
- School of Medicine and Robinson Research Institute, University
of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia5005, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research
Institute, Adelaide, 5000 ,
Australia
| | - Paul Q. Thomas
- School of Biomedicine and Robinson Research Institute,
University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia5005, Australia
- Genome Editing Program, South Australian Health and Medical
Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia5000, Australia
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5
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O'Connor M, Qiao H, Odamah K, Cerdeira PC, Man HY. Heterozygous Nexmif female mice demonstrate mosaic NEXMIF expression, autism-like behaviors, and abnormalities in dendritic arborization and synaptogenesis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24703. [PMID: 38322873 PMCID: PMC10844029 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic basis. ASDs are commonly characterized by impairments in language, restrictive and repetitive behaviors, and deficits in social interactions. Although ASD is a highly heterogeneous disease with many different genes implicated in its etiology, many ASD-associated genes converge on common cellular defects, such as aberrant neuronal morphology and synapse dysregulation. Our previous work revealed that, in mice, complete loss of the ASD-associated X-linked gene NEXMIF results in a reduction in dendritic complexity, a decrease in spine and synapse density, altered synaptic transmission, and ASD-like behaviors. Interestingly, human females of NEXMIF haploinsufficiency have recently been reported to demonstrate autistic features; however, the cellular and molecular basis for this haploinsufficiency-caused ASD remains unclear. Here we report that in the brains of Nexmif± female mice, NEXMIF shows a mosaic pattern in its expression in neurons. Heterozygous female mice demonstrate behavioral impairments similar to those of knockout male mice. In the mosaic mixture of neurons from Nexmif± mice, cells that lack NEXMIF have impairments in dendritic arborization and spine development. Remarkably, the NEXMIF-expressing neurons from Nexmif± mice also demonstrate similar defects in dendritic growth and spine formation. These findings establish a novel mouse model of NEXMIF haploinsufficiency and provide new insights into the pathogenesis of NEXMIF-dependent ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret O'Connor
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Hui Qiao
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - KathrynAnn Odamah
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Heng-Ye Man
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St., Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, 610 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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6
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Martinez AP, Chung AC, Huang S, Bisogni AJ, Lin Y, Cao Y, Williams EO, Kim JY, Yang JY, Lin DM. Pcdh19 mediates olfactory sensory neuron coalescence during postnatal stages and regeneration. iScience 2023; 26:108220. [PMID: 37965156 PMCID: PMC10641745 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The mouse olfactory system regenerates constantly throughout life. While genes critical for the initial projection of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) to the olfactory bulb have been identified, what genes are important for maintaining the olfactory map during regeneration are still unknown. Here we show a mutation in Protocadherin 19 (Pcdh19), a cell adhesion molecule and member of the cadherin superfamily, leads to defects in OSN coalescence during regeneration. Surprisingly, lateral glomeruli were more affected and males in particular showed a more severe phenotype. Single cell analysis unexpectedly showed OSNs expressing the MOR28 odorant receptor could be subdivided into two major clusters. We showed that at least one protocadherin is differentially expressed between OSNs coalescing on the medial and lateral glomeruli. Moreover, females expressed a slightly different complement of genes from males. These features may explain the differential effects of mutating Pcdh19 on medial and lateral glomeruli in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P. Martinez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Alexander C. Chung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Suihong Huang
- Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Adam J. Bisogni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Yingxin Lin
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, F07 University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Yue Cao
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, F07 University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Eric O. Williams
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Jin Y. Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jean Y.H. Yang
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, F07 University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - David M. Lin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
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7
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Toader C, Eva L, Covache-Busuioc RA, Costin HP, Glavan LA, Corlatescu AD, Ciurea AV. Unraveling the Multifaceted Role of the Golgi Apparatus: Insights into Neuronal Plasticity, Development, Neurogenesis, Alzheimer's Disease, and SARS-CoV-2 Interactions. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1363. [PMID: 37891732 PMCID: PMC10605100 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101363] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This article critically evaluates the multifunctional role of the Golgi apparatus within neurological paradigms. We succinctly highlight its influence on neuronal plasticity, development, and the vital trafficking and sorting mechanisms for proteins and lipids. The discourse further navigates to its regulatory prominence in neurogenesis and its implications in Alzheimer's Disease pathogenesis. The emerging nexus between the Golgi apparatus and SARS-CoV-2 underscores its potential in viral replication processes. This consolidation accentuates the Golgi apparatus's centrality in neurobiology and its intersections with both neurodegenerative and viral pathologies. In essence, understanding the Golgi's multifaceted functions harbors profound implications for future therapeutic innovations in neurological and viral afflictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corneliu Toader
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.T.); (H.P.C.); (L.-A.G.); (A.D.C.); (A.V.C.)
- Department of Vascular Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases, 077160 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Lucian Eva
- Faculty of Medicine, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 800201 Galați, Romania
- Emergency Clinical Hospital “Prof. dr. N. Oblu”, 700309 Iasi, Romania
| | - Razvan-Adrian Covache-Busuioc
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.T.); (H.P.C.); (L.-A.G.); (A.D.C.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Horia Petre Costin
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.T.); (H.P.C.); (L.-A.G.); (A.D.C.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Luca-Andrei Glavan
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.T.); (H.P.C.); (L.-A.G.); (A.D.C.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Antonio Daniel Corlatescu
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.T.); (H.P.C.); (L.-A.G.); (A.D.C.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Alexandru Vlad Ciurea
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.T.); (H.P.C.); (L.-A.G.); (A.D.C.); (A.V.C.)
- Neurosurgery Department, Sanador Clinical Hospital, 010991 Bucharest, Romania
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8
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Hayashi S, Ohno N, Knott G, Molnár Z. Correlative light and volume electron microscopy to study brain development. Microscopy (Oxf) 2023; 72:279-286. [PMID: 36620906 DOI: 10.1093/jmicro/dfad002] [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: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in volume electron microscopy (EM) have been driving our thorough understanding of the brain architecture. Volume EM becomes increasingly powerful when cells and their subcellular structures that are imaged in light microscopy are correlated to those in ultramicrographs obtained with EM. This correlative approach, called correlative light and volume electron microscopy (vCLEM), is used to link three-dimensional ultrastructural information with physiological data such as intracellular Ca2+ dynamics. Genetic tools to express fluorescent proteins and/or an engineered form of a soybean ascorbate peroxidase allow us to perform vCLEM using natural landmarks including blood vessels without immunohistochemical staining. This immunostaining-free vCLEM has been successfully employed in two-photon Ca2+ imaging in vivo as well as in studying complex synaptic connections in thalamic neurons that receive a variety of specialized inputs from the cerebral cortex. In this mini-review, we overview how volume EM and vCLEM have contributed to studying the developmental processes of the brain. We also discuss potential applications of genetic manipulation of target cells using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 and subsequent volume EM to the analysis of protein localization as well as to loss-of-function studies of genes regulating brain development. We give examples for the combinatorial usage of genetic tools with vCLEM that will further enhance our understanding of regulatory mechanisms underlying brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuichi Hayashi
- Department of Anatomy, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Ohno
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Histology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
- Division of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Graham Knott
- Biological Electron Microscopy Facility, Faculty of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Route Cantonale, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Zoltán Molnár
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
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9
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Giansante G, Mazzoleni S, Zippo AG, Ponzoni L, Ghilardi A, Maiellano G, Lewerissa E, van Hugte E, Nadif Kasri N, Francolini M, Sala M, Murru L, Bassani S, Passafaro M. Neuronal network activity and connectivity are impaired in a conditional knockout mouse model with PCDH19 mosaic expression. Mol Psychiatry 2023:10.1038/s41380-023-02022-1. [PMID: 36997609 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02022-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in PCDH19 gene, which encodes protocadherin-19 (PCDH19), cause Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy 9 (DEE9). Heterogeneous loss of PCDH19 expression in neurons is considered a key determinant of the disorder; however, how PCDH19 mosaic expression affects neuronal network activity and circuits is largely unclear. Here, we show that the hippocampus of Pcdh19 mosaic mice is characterized by structural and functional synaptic defects and by the presence of PCDH19-negative hyperexcitable neurons. Furthermore, global reduction of network firing rate and increased neuronal synchronization have been observed in different limbic system areas. Finally, network activity analysis in freely behaving mice revealed a decrease in excitatory/inhibitory ratio and functional hyperconnectivity within the limbic system of Pcdh19 mosaic mice. Altogether, these results indicate that altered PCDH19 expression profoundly affects circuit wiring and functioning, and provide new key to interpret DEE9 pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Mazzoleni
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129, Milano, Italy
| | - Antonio G Zippo
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Luisa Ponzoni
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
| | - Anna Ghilardi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129, Milano, Italy
| | - Greta Maiellano
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129, Milano, Italy
| | - Elly Lewerissa
- Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Department of Human Genetics, Department of Human Genetics Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Eline van Hugte
- Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Department of Human Genetics, Department of Human Genetics Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Nael Nadif Kasri
- Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Department of Human Genetics, Department of Human Genetics Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Maura Francolini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Luca Murru
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Bassani
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Italy.
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126, Milano, Italy.
| | - Maria Passafaro
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Italy.
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126, Milano, Italy.
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10
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Shoji H, Ikeda K, Miyakawa T. Behavioral phenotype, intestinal microbiome, and brain neuronal activity of male serotonin transporter knockout mice. Mol Brain 2023; 16:32. [PMID: 36991468 PMCID: PMC10061809 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-01020-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) plays a critical role in the regulation of serotonin neurotransmission. Mice genetically deficient in 5-HTT expression have been used to study the physiological functions of 5-HTT in the brain and have been proposed as a potential animal model for neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Recent studies have provided evidence for a link between the gut-brain axis and mood disorders. However, the effects of 5-HTT deficiency on gut microbiota, brain function, and behavior remain to be fully characterized. Here we investigated the effects of 5-HTT deficiency on different types of behavior, the gut microbiome, and brain c-Fos expression as a marker of neuronal activation in response to the forced swim test for assessing depression-related behavior in male 5-HTT knockout mice. Behavioral analysis using a battery of 16 different tests showed that 5-HTT-/- mice exhibited markedly reduced locomotor activity, decreased pain sensitivity, reduced motor function, increased anxiety-like and depression-related behavior, altered social behavior in novel and familiar environments, normal working memory, enhanced spatial reference memory, and impaired fear memory compared to 5-HTT+/+ mice. 5-HTT+/- mice showed slightly reduced locomotor activity and impaired social behavior compared to 5-HTT+/+ mice. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicons showed that 5-HTT-/- mice had altered gut microbiota abundances, such as a decrease in Allobaculum, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium sensu stricto, and Turicibacter, compared to 5-HTT+/+ mice. This study also showed that after exposure to the forced swim test, the number of c-Fos-positive cells was higher in the paraventricular thalamus and lateral hypothalamus and was lower in the prefrontal cortical regions, nucleus accumbens shell, dorsolateral septal nucleus, hippocampal regions, and ventromedial hypothalamus in 5-HTT-/- mice than in 5-HTT+/+ mice. These phenotypes of 5-HTT-/- mice partially recapitulate clinical observations in humans with major depressive disorder. The present findings indicate that 5-HTT-deficient mice serve as a good and valid animal model to study anxiety and depression with altered gut microbial composition and abnormal neuronal activity in the brain, highlighting the importance of 5-HTT in brain function and the mechanisms underlying the regulation of anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Shoji
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, 470-1192, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Ikeda
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, 470-1192, Japan.
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11
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Dougnon G, Matsui H. Modelling Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Using Mice and Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147550. [PMID: 35886894 PMCID: PMC9319972 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two debilitating neurodevelopmental disorders. The former is associated with social impairments whereas the latter is associated with inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. There is recent evidence that both disorders are somehow related and that genes may play a large role in these disorders. Despite mounting human and animal research, the neurological pathways underlying ASD and ADHD are still not well understood. Scientists investigate neurodevelopmental disorders by using animal models that have high similarities in genetics and behaviours with humans. Mice have been utilized in neuroscience research as an excellent animal model for a long time; however, the zebrafish has attracted much attention recently, with an increasingly large number of studies using this model. In this review, we first discuss ASD and ADHD aetiology from a general point of view to their characteristics and treatments. We also compare mice and zebrafish for their similarities and discuss their advantages and limitations in neuroscience. Finally, we summarize the most recent and existing research on zebrafish and mouse models of ASD and ADHD. We believe that this review will serve as a unique document providing interesting information to date about these models, thus facilitating research on ASD and ADHD.
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12
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Robens BK, Yang X, McGraw CM, Turner LH, Robens C, Thyme S, Rotenberg A, Poduri A. Mosaic and non-mosaic protocadherin 19 mutation leads to neuronal hyperexcitability in zebrafish. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 169:105738. [PMID: 35460869 PMCID: PMC9284424 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. The X-linked gene PCDH19 is associated with sporadic and familial epilepsy in humans, typically with early-onset clustering seizures and intellectual disability in females but not in so-called 'carrier' males, suggesting that mosaic PCDH19 expression is required to produce epilepsy. To characterize the role of loss of PCDH19 function in epilepsy, we generated zebrafish with truncating pcdh19 variants. Evaluating zebrafish larvae for electrophysiological abnormalities, we observed hyperexcitability phenotypes in both mosaic and non-mosaic pcdh19+/- and pcdh19-/- mutant larvae. Thus, we demonstrate that the key feature of epilepsy-network hyperexcitability-can be modeled effectively in zebrafish, even though overt spontaneous seizure-like swim patterns were not observed. Further, zebrafish with non-mosaic pcdh19 mutation displayed reduced numbers of inhibitory interneurons suggesting a potential cellular basis for the observed hyperexcitability. Our findings in both mosaic and non-mosaic pcdh19 mutant zebrafish challenge the prevailing theory that mosaicism governs all PCDH19-related phenotypes and point to interneuron-mediated mechanisms underlying these phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara K Robens
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Epilepsy Genetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xinzhu Yang
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Epilepsy Genetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher M McGraw
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Epilepsy Genetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura H Turner
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Epilepsy Genetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carsten Robens
- MIT-Harvard Center for Ultracold Atoms, Research Laboratory of Electronics, and Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Summer Thyme
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Alexander Rotenberg
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Annapurna Poduri
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Epilepsy Genetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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13
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Lamers D, Landi S, Mezzena R, Baroncelli L, Pillai V, Cruciani F, Migliarini S, Mazzoleni S, Pasqualetti M, Passafaro M, Bassani S, Ratto GM. Perturbation of Cortical Excitability in a Conditional Model of PCDH19 Disorder. Cells 2022; 11:cells11121939. [PMID: 35741068 PMCID: PMC9222106 DOI: 10.3390/cells11121939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PCDH19 epilepsy (DEE9) is an X-linked syndrome associated with cognitive and behavioral disturbances. Since heterozygous females are affected, while mutant males are spared, it is likely that DEE9 pathogenesis is related to disturbed cell-to-cell communication associated with mosaicism. However, the effects of mosaic PCDH19 expression on cortical networks are unknown. We mimicked the pathology of DEE9 by introducing a patch of mosaic protein expression in one hemisphere of the cortex of conditional PCDH19 knockout mice one day after birth. In the contralateral area, PCDH19 expression was unaffected, thus providing an internal control. In this model, we characterized the physiology of the disrupted network using local field recordings and two photon Ca2+ imaging in urethane anesthetized mice. We found transient episodes of hyperexcitability in the form of brief hypersynchronous spikes or bursts of field potential oscillations in the 9–25 Hz range. Furthermore, we observed a strong disruption of slow wave activity, a crucial component of NREM sleep. This phenotype was present also when PCDH19 loss occurred in adult mice, demonstrating that PCDH19 exerts a function on cortical circuitry outside of early development. Our results indicate that a focal mosaic mutation of PCDH19 disrupts cortical networks and broaden our understanding of DEE9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didi Lamers
- National Enterprise for NanoScience and NanoTchnology (NEST), Istituto Nanoscienze, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) and Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.); (S.L.); (R.M.); (V.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Silvia Landi
- National Enterprise for NanoScience and NanoTchnology (NEST), Istituto Nanoscienze, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) and Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.); (S.L.); (R.M.); (V.P.); (F.C.)
- Istituto di Neuroscienze, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Roberta Mezzena
- National Enterprise for NanoScience and NanoTchnology (NEST), Istituto Nanoscienze, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) and Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.); (S.L.); (R.M.); (V.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Laura Baroncelli
- Istituto di Neuroscienze, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vinoshene Pillai
- National Enterprise for NanoScience and NanoTchnology (NEST), Istituto Nanoscienze, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) and Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.); (S.L.); (R.M.); (V.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Federica Cruciani
- National Enterprise for NanoScience and NanoTchnology (NEST), Istituto Nanoscienze, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) and Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.); (S.L.); (R.M.); (V.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Sara Migliarini
- Unit of Cellular and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (S.M.); (M.P.)
| | - Sara Mazzoleni
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; (S.M.); (M.P.); (S.B.)
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Pasqualetti
- Unit of Cellular and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (S.M.); (M.P.)
| | - Maria Passafaro
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; (S.M.); (M.P.); (S.B.)
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Bassani
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; (S.M.); (M.P.); (S.B.)
- NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Gian Michele Ratto
- National Enterprise for NanoScience and NanoTchnology (NEST), Istituto Nanoscienze, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) and Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.); (S.L.); (R.M.); (V.P.); (F.C.)
- Correspondence:
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14
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Gerosa L, Mazzoleni S, Rusconi F, Longaretti A, Lewerissa E, Pelucchi S, Murru L, Giannelli SG, Broccoli V, Marcello E, Kasri NN, Battaglioli E, Passafaro M, Bassani S. The epilepsy-associated protein PCDH19 undergoes NMDA receptor-dependent proteolytic cleavage and regulates the expression of immediate-early genes. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110857. [PMID: 35613587 PMCID: PMC9152703 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Protocadherin-19 (PCDH19) is a synaptic cell-adhesion molecule encoded by X-linked PCDH19, a gene linked with epilepsy. Here, we report a synapse-to-nucleus signaling pathway through which PCDH19 bridges neuronal activity with gene expression. In particular, we describe the NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent proteolytic cleavage of PCDH19, which leads to the generation of a PCDH19 C-terminal fragment (CTF) able to enter the nucleus. We demonstrate that PCDH19 CTF associates with chromatin and with the chromatin remodeler lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) and regulates expression of immediate-early genes (IEGs). Our results are consistent with a model whereby PCDH19 favors maintenance of neuronal homeostasis via negative feedback regulation of IEG expression and provide a key to interpreting PCDH19-related hyperexcitability. PCDH19 undergoes NMDAR-dependent cleavage by ADAM10 and possibly gamma secretase In the nucleus, PCDH19 C-terminal fragment (CTF) associates with the chromatin remodeler LSD1 PCDH19 CTF favors immediate-early gene (IEG) repression PCDH19 downregulation affects LSD1 splicing by NOVA1 and increases IEG expression
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gerosa
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy
| | - Sara Mazzoleni
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20129 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Rusconi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20129 Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandra Longaretti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20129 Milano, Italy
| | - Elly Lewerissa
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Department of Human Genetics, Department of Human Genetics Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Silvia Pelucchi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Murru
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Serena Gea Giannelli
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Vania Broccoli
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Marcello
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Nael Nadif Kasri
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Department of Human Genetics, Department of Human Genetics Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Elena Battaglioli
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20129 Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Passafaro
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Bassani
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy.
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15
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Cwetsch AW, Ziogas I, Narducci R, Savardi A, Bolla M, Pinto B, Perlini LE, Bassani S, Passafaro M, Cancedda L. A rat model of a focal mosaic expression of PCDH19 replicates human brain developmental abnormalities and behaviors. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac091. [PMID: 35528232 PMCID: PMC9070467 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Protocadherin 19 gene-related epilepsy or protocadherin 19 clustering epilepsy is an infantile-onset epilepsy syndrome characterized by psychiatric (including autism-related), sensory, and cognitive impairment of varying degrees. Protocadherin 19 clustering epilepsy is caused by X-linked protocadherin 19 protein loss of function. Due to random X-chromosome inactivation, protocadherin 19 clustering epilepsy-affected females present a mosaic population of healthy and protocadherin 19-mutant cells. Unfortunately, to date, no current mouse model can fully recapitulate both the brain histological and behavioural deficits present in people with protocadherin 19 clustering epilepsy. Thus, the search for a proper understanding of the disease and possible future treatment is hampered. By inducing a focal mosaicism of protocadherin 19 expression using in utero electroporation in rats, we found here that protocadherin 19 signalling in specific brain areas is implicated in neuronal migration, heat-induced epileptic seizures, core/comorbid behaviours related to autism and cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej W Cwetsch
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Genova, Via Balbi, 5, 16126 Genova, Italy
- Instituto de Biotecnologia y Biomedicina (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Ilias Ziogas
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Genova, Via Balbi, 5, 16126 Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Narducci
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Annalisa Savardi
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Italy
| | - Maria Bolla
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Genova, Via Balbi, 5, 16126 Genova, Italy
| | - Bruno Pinto
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Bio@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura E Perlini
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Laura Cancedda
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Italy
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Borghi R, Magliocca V, Trivisano M, Specchio N, Tartaglia M, Bertini E, Compagnucci C. Modeling PCDH19-CE: From 2D Stem Cell Model to 3D Brain Organoids. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073506. [PMID: 35408865 PMCID: PMC8998847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PCDH19 clustering epilepsy (PCDH19-CE) is a genetic disease characterized by a heterogeneous phenotypic spectrum ranging from focal epilepsy with rare seizures and normal cognitive development to severe drug-resistant epilepsy associated with intellectual disability and autism. Unfortunately, little is known about the pathogenic mechanism underlying this disease and an effective treatment is lacking. Studies with zebrafish and murine models have provided insights on the function of PCDH19 during brain development and how its altered function causes the disease, but these models fail to reproduce the human phenotype. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has provided a complementary experimental approach for investigating the pathogenic mechanisms implicated in PCDH19-CE during neurogenesis and studying the pathology in a more physiological three-dimensional (3D) environment through the development of brain organoids. We report on recent progress in the development of human brain organoids with a particular focus on how this 3D model may shed light on the pathomechanisms implicated in PCDH19-CE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Borghi
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Research Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (M.T.); (E.B.)
| | - Valentina Magliocca
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Research Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (M.T.); (E.B.)
| | - Marina Trivisano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rare and Complex Epilepsy Unit, Division of Neurology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.T.); (N.S.)
| | - Nicola Specchio
- Department of Neurosciences, Rare and Complex Epilepsy Unit, Division of Neurology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.T.); (N.S.)
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Research Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (M.T.); (E.B.)
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Research Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (M.T.); (E.B.)
| | - Claudia Compagnucci
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Research Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (M.T.); (E.B.)
- Correspondence:
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17
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de Nys R, Kumar R, Gecz J. Protocadherin 19 Clustering Epilepsy and Neurosteroids: Opportunities for Intervention. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9769. [PMID: 34575929 PMCID: PMC8469663 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Steroids yield great influence on neurological development through nuclear hormone receptor (NHR)-mediated gene regulation. We recently reported that cell adhesion molecule protocadherin 19 (encoded by the PCDH19 gene) is involved in the coregulation of steroid receptor activity on gene expression. PCDH19 variants cause early-onset developmental epileptic encephalopathy clustering epilepsy (CE), with altered steroidogenesis and NHR-related gene expression being identified in these individuals. The implication of hormonal pathways in CE pathogenesis has led to the investigation of various steroid-based antiepileptic drugs in the treatment of this disorder, with mixed results so far. Therefore, there are many unmet challenges in assessing the antiseizure targets and efficiency of steroid-based therapeutics for CE. We review and assess the evidence for and against the implication of neurosteroids in the pathogenesis of CE and in view of their possible clinical benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah de Nys
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (R.d.N.); (R.K.)
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - Raman Kumar
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (R.d.N.); (R.K.)
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - Jozef Gecz
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (R.d.N.); (R.K.)
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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18
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Cellular and Behavioral Characterization of Pcdh19 Mutant Mice: subtle Molecular Changes, Increased Exploratory Behavior and an Impact of Social Environment. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0510-20.2021. [PMID: 34272258 PMCID: PMC8362684 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0510-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the X-linked cell adhesion protein PCDH19 lead to seizures, cognitive impairment, and other behavioral comorbidities when present in a mosaic pattern. Neither the molecular mechanisms underpinning this disorder nor the function of PCDH19 itself are well understood. By combining RNA in situ hybridization with immunohistochemistry and analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing datasets, we reveal Pcdh19 expression in cortical interneurons and provide a first account of the subtypes of neurons expressing Pcdh19/PCDH19, both in the mouse and the human cortex. Our quantitative analysis of the Pcdh19 mutant mouse exposes subtle changes in cortical layer composition, with no major alterations of the main axonal tracts. In addition, Pcdh19 mutant animals, particularly females, display preweaning behavioral changes, including reduced anxiety and increased exploratory behavior. Importantly, our experiments also reveal an effect of the social environment on the behavior of wild-type littermates of Pcdh19 mutant mice, which show alterations when compared with wild-type animals not housed with mutants.
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Feng J, Hsu WH, Patterson D, Tseng CS, Hsing HW, Zhuang ZH, Huang YT, Faedo A, Rubenstein JL, Touboul J, Chou SJ. COUP-TFI specifies the medial entorhinal cortex identity and induces differential cell adhesion to determine the integrity of its boundary with neocortex. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabf6808. [PMID: 34215582 PMCID: PMC11057786 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf6808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Development of cortical regions with precise, sharp, and regular boundaries is essential for physiological function. However, little is known of the mechanisms ensuring these features. Here, we show that determination of the boundary between neocortex and medial entorhinal cortex (MEC), two abutting cortical regions generated from the same progenitor lineage, relies on COUP-TFI (chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor I), a patterning transcription factor with graded expression in cortical progenitors. In contrast with the classical paradigm, we found that increased COUP-TFI expression expands MEC, creating protrusions and disconnected ectopic tissue. We further developed a mathematical model that predicts that neuronal specification and differential cell affinity contribute to the emergence of an instability region and boundary sharpness. Correspondingly, we demonstrated that high expression of COUP-TFI induces MEC cell fate and protocadherin 19 expression. Thus, we conclude that a sharp boundary requires a subtle interplay between patterning transcription factors and differential cell affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Feng
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hsin Hsu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Denis Patterson
- Department of Mathematics and Volen National Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Ching-San Tseng
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Wei Hsing
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Zi-Hui Zhuang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Huang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Andrea Faedo
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - John L Rubenstein
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jonathan Touboul
- Department of Mathematics and Volen National Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Shen-Ju Chou
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Borghi R, Magliocca V, Petrini S, Conti LA, Moreno S, Bertini E, Tartaglia M, Compagnucci C. Dissecting the Role of PCDH19 in Clustering Epilepsy by Exploiting Patient-Specific Models of Neurogenesis. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10132754. [PMID: 34201522 PMCID: PMC8268119 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10132754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PCDH19-related epilepsy is a rare genetic disease caused by defective function of PCDH19, a calcium-dependent cell–cell adhesion protein of the cadherin superfamily. This disorder is characterized by a heterogeneous phenotypic spectrum, with partial and generalized febrile convulsions that are gradually increasing in frequency. Developmental regression may occur during disease progression. Patients may present with intellectual disability (ID), behavioral problems, motor and language delay, and a low motor tone. In most cases, seizures are resistant to treatment, but their frequency decreases with age, and some patients may even become seizure-free. ID generally persists after seizure remission, making neurological abnormalities the main clinical issue in affected individuals. An effective treatment is lacking. In vitro studies using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reported accelerated neural differentiation as a major endophenotype associated with PCDH19 mutations. By using this in vitro model system, we show that accelerated in vitro neurogenesis is associated with a defect in the cell division plane at the neural progenitors stage. We also provide evidence that altered PCDH19 function affects proper mitotic spindle orientation. Our findings identify an altered equilibrium between symmetric versus asymmetric cell division as a previously unrecognized mechanism contributing to the pathogenesis of this rare epileptic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Borghi
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.T.)
- Department of Science, University “Roma Tre”, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Valentina Magliocca
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.T.)
- Department of Science, University “Roma Tre”, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Stefania Petrini
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (L.A.C.)
| | - Libenzio Adrian Conti
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (L.A.C.)
| | - Sandra Moreno
- Department of Science, University “Roma Tre”, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Claudia Compagnucci
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.B.); (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.T.)
- Correspondence:
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21
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Mazzurco M, Pulvirenti G, Caccamo M, Presti S, Soma R, Salafia S, Praticò ER, Filosco F, Falsaperla R, Praticò AD. PCDH19-Related Epilepsies. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1728641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AbstractProtocadherin-19 (PCDH19) is considered one of the most relevant genes related to epilepsy. To date, more than 150 mutations have been identified as causative for PCDH19-female epilepsy (also known as early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-9, EIEE9), which is characterized by early onset epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral disturbances. More recently, mosaic-males (i.e., exhibiting the variants in less than 25% of their cells) have been described as affected by infant-onset epilepsy associated with intellectual disability, as well as compulsive or aggressive behavior and autistic features. Although little is known about the physiological role of PCDH19 protein and the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to EIEE9, many reports and clinical observation seem to suggest a relevant role of this protein in the development of cellular hyperexcitability. However, a genotype–phenotype correlation is difficult to establish. The main feature of EIEE9 consists in early onset of seizures, which generally occur in clusters lasting 1 to 5 minutes and repeating up to 10 times a day for several days. Seizures tend to present during febrile episodes, similarly to the first phases of Dravet syndrome and PCDH19 variants have been found in ∼25% of females who present with features of Dravet syndrome and testing negative for SCN1A variants. There is no “standardized” treatment for PCDH19-related epilepsy and most of the patients receiving a combination of several drugs. In this review, we focus on the latest researches on these aspects, with regard to protein expression, its known functions, and the mechanisms by which the protein acts. The clinical phenotypes related to PCDH19 mutations are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulio Pulvirenti
- Pediatrics Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Martina Caccamo
- Pediatrics Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Santiago Presti
- Pediatrics Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rachele Soma
- Unit of Rare Diseases of the Nervous System in Childhood, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - Federica Filosco
- Pediatrics Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Raffaele Falsaperla
- Unit of Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency, University Hospital “Policlinico Rodolico-San Marco,” Catania, Italy
- Unit of Neonatal Intensive Care and Neonatology, University Hospital “Policlinico Rodolico-San Marco,” Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea D. Praticò
- Unit of Rare Diseases of the Nervous System in Childhood, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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22
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Hoshina N, Johnson-Venkatesh EM, Hoshina M, Umemori H. Female-specific synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairment in a mouse model of PCDH19 disorder. Science 2021; 372:372/6539/eaaz3893. [PMID: 33859005 PMCID: PMC9873198 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaz3893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Protocadherin-19 (PCDH19) mutations cause early-onset seizures and cognitive impairment. The PCDH19 gene is on the X-chromosome. Unlike most X-linked disorders, PCDH19 mutations affect heterozygous females (PCDH19HET♀ ) but not hemizygous males (PCDH19HEMI♂ ); however, the reason why remains to be elucidated. We demonstrate that PCDH19, a cell-adhesion molecule, is enriched at hippocampal mossy fiber synapses. Pcdh19HET♀ but not Pcdh19HEMI♂ mice show impaired mossy fiber synaptic structure and physiology. Consistently, Pcdh19HET♀ but not Pcdh19HEMI♂ mice exhibit reduced pattern completion and separation abilities, which require mossy fiber synaptic function. Furthermore, PCDH19 appears to interact with N-cadherin at mossy fiber synapses. In Pcdh19HET♀ conditions, mismatch between PCDH19 and N-cadherin diminishes N-cadherin-dependent signaling and impairs mossy fiber synapse development; N-cadherin overexpression rescues Pcdh19HET♀ phenotypes. These results reveal previously unknown molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the female-specific PCDH19 disorder phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hisashi Umemori
- Corresponding author. Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Center for Life Sciences 13074, Boston, MA 02115,
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23
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Disrupted Excitatory Synaptic Contacts and Altered Neuronal Network Activity Underpins the Neurological Phenotype in PCDH19-Clustering Epilepsy (PCDH19-CE). Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:2005-2018. [PMID: 33411240 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02242-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PCDH19-Clustering Epilepsy (PCDH19-CE) is an infantile onset disorder caused by mutation of the X-linked PCDH19 gene. Intriguingly, heterozygous females are affected while hemizygous males are not. While there is compelling evidence that this disorder stems from the coexistence of WT and PCDH19-null cells, the cellular mechanism underpinning the neurological phenotype remains unclear. Here, we investigate the impact of Pcdh19 WT and KO neuron mosaicism on synaptogenesis and network activity. Using our previously established knock-in and knock-out mouse models, together with CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology, we demonstrate a reduction in excitatory synaptic contacts between PCDH19-expressing and PCDH19-null neurons. Significantly altered neuronal morphology and neuronal network activities were also identified in the mixed populations. In addition, we show that in Pcdh19 heterozygous mice, where the coexistence of WT and KO neurons naturally occurs, aberrant contralateral axonal branching is present. Overall, our data show that mosaic expression of PCDH19 disrupts physiological neurite communication leading to abnormal neuronal activity, a hallmark of PCDH19-CE.
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24
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Right Place at the Right Time: How Changes in Protocadherins Affect Synaptic Connections Contributing to the Etiology of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122711. [PMID: 33352832 PMCID: PMC7766791 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During brain development, neurons need to form the correct connections with one another in order to give rise to a functional neuronal circuitry. Mistakes during this process, leading to the formation of improper neuronal connectivity, can result in a number of brain abnormalities and impairments collectively referred to as neurodevelopmental disorders. Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), present on the cell surface, take part in the neurodevelopmental process regulating migration and recognition of specific cells to form functional neuronal assemblies. Among CAMs, the members of the protocadherin (PCDH) group stand out because they are involved in cell adhesion, neurite initiation and outgrowth, axon pathfinding and fasciculation, and synapse formation and stabilization. Given the critical role of these macromolecules in the major neurodevelopmental processes, it is not surprising that clinical and basic research in the past two decades has identified several PCDH genes as responsible for a large fraction of neurodevelopmental disorders. In the present article, we review these findings with a focus on the non-clustered PCDH sub-group, discussing the proteins implicated in the main neurodevelopmental disorders.
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25
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Rakotomamonjy J, Sabetfakhri NP, McDermott SL, Guemez-Gamboa A. Characterization of seizure susceptibility in Pcdh19 mice. Epilepsia 2020; 61:2313-2320. [PMID: 32944953 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE PCDH19-related epilepsy is characterized by a distinctive pattern of X-linked inheritance, where heterozygous females exhibit seizures and hemizygous males are asymptomatic. A cellular interference mechanism resulting from the presence of both wild-type and mutant PCDH19 neurons in heterozygous patients or mosaic carriers of PCDH19 variants has been hypothesized. We aim to investigate seizure susceptibility and progression in the Pchd19 mouse model. METHODS We assessed seizure susceptibility and progression in the Pcdh19 mouse model using three acute seizure induction paradigms. We first induced focal, clonic seizures using the 6-Hz psychomotor test. Mice were stimulated with increasing current intensities and graded according to a modified Racine scale. We next induced generalized seizures using flurothyl or pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), both γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor function inhibitors, and recorded latencies to myoclonic and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. RESULTS Pcdh19 knockout and heterozygous females displayed increased seizure susceptibility across all current intensities in the 6-Hz psychomotor test, and increased severity overall. They also exhibited shorter latencies to generalized seizures following flurothyl, but not PTZ, seizure induction. Hemizygous males showed comparable seizure incidence and severity to their wild-type male littermates across all paradigms tested. SIGNIFICANCE The heightened susceptibility observed in Pcdh19 knockout females suggests additional mechanisms other than cellular interference are at play in PCDH19-related epilepsy. Further experiments are needed to understand the variability in seizure susceptibility so that this model can be best utilized toward development of future therapeutic strategies for PCDH19-related epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Rakotomamonjy
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Niki P Sabetfakhri
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sean L McDermott
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Alicia Guemez-Gamboa
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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26
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Gecz J, Thomas PQ. Disentangling the paradox of the PCDH19 clustering epilepsy, a disorder of cellular mosaics. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 65:169-175. [PMID: 32726744 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PCDH19 Clustering Epilepsy (CE) is an intriguing early-onset seizure, autism and neurocognitive disorder with unique inheritance. The causative gene, PCDH19, is on the X-chromosome and encodes a cell-cell adhesion protein with restricted expression during brain development. Unlike other X-linked disorders, PCDH19-CE manifests in heterozygous females. Strikingly, hemizygous males are not affected. However, males with postzygotic somatic mutation in PCDH19 are affected and clinically similar to the affected females. PCDH19-CE is a disorder of cellular mosaicism. The coexistence of two different, but otherwise 'normal' cells in a PCDH19-CE individual, that is the wild type and the variant PCDH19 cells, has been proposed as the driving force of the disorder. This 'cellular interference' hypothesis could and has now been tested using sophisticated mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Gecz
- Adelaide Medical School and the Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Women and Kids, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
| | - Paul Q Thomas
- Adelaide Medical School and the Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Precision Medicine, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
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27
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PCDH19-Related Epilepsy Syndrome: A Comprehensive Clinical Review. Pediatr Neurol 2020; 105:3-9. [PMID: 32057594 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2019.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PCDH19-related epilepsy is a distinct childhood-onset epilepsy syndrome characterized by brief clusters of febrile and afebrile seizures with onset primarily before the age of three years, cognitive impairment, autistic traits, and behavioral abnormalities. PCDH19 gene is located in Xq22 and produces nonclustered delta protocadherin. This disorder primarily manifests in heterozygote females due to random X chromosome inactivation leading to somatic mosaicism and abnormal cellular interference between cells with and without delta-protocadherin. This article reviews the clinical features based on a comprehensive literature review (MEDLINE using PubMed and OvidSP vendors with appropriate keywords to incorporate recent evidence), personal practice, and experience. Significant progress has been made in the past 10 years, including identification of the gene responsible for the condition, characterization of clinical phenotypes, and development of animal models. More rigorous studies involving quality-of-life measures as well as standardized neuropsychiatric testing are necessary to understand the full spectrum of the disease. The recent discovery of allopregnanolone deficiency in patients with PCDH19-related epilepsy leads to opportunities in precision therapy. A phase 3 clinical study is currently active to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of adjunctive ganaxolone (an allopregnanolone analog) therapy.
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Sterlini B, Fruscione F, Baldassari S, Benfenati F, Zara F, Corradi A. Progress of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Technologies to Understand Genetic Epilepsy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21020482. [PMID: 31940887 PMCID: PMC7013950 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of the pathomechanisms by which gene mutations lead to neurological diseases has benefit from several cellular and animal models. Recently, induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) technologies have made possible the access to human neurons to study nervous system disease-related mechanisms, and are at the forefront of the research into neurological diseases. In this review, we will focalize upon genetic epilepsy, and summarize the most recent studies in which iPSC-based technologies were used to gain insight on the molecular bases of epilepsies. Moreover, we discuss the latest advancements in epilepsy cell modeling. At the two dimensional (2D) level, single-cell models of iPSC-derived neurons lead to a mature neuronal phenotype, and now allow a reliable investigation of synaptic transmission and plasticity. In addition, functional characterization of cerebral organoids enlightens neuronal network dynamics in a three-dimensional (3D) structure. Finally, we discuss the use of iPSCs as the cutting-edge technology for cell therapy in epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Sterlini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Floriana Fruscione
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Largo P. Daneo 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Simona Baldassari
- Unità Operativa Complessa Genetica Medica, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Giannina Gaslini, Genova Italy, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Largo P. Daneo 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- Unità Operativa Complessa Genetica Medica, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Giannina Gaslini, Genova Italy, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
- Correspondence: (F.Z.); (A.C.)
| | - Anna Corradi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.Z.); (A.C.)
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29
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Yang L, Liu J, Su Q, Li Y, Yang X, Xu L, Tong L, Li B. Novel and de novo mutation of PCDH19 in Girls Clustering Epilepsy. Brain Behav 2019; 9:e01455. [PMID: 31714027 PMCID: PMC6908879 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND PCDH19 has become the second most relevant gene in epilepsy after SCN1A. Seizures often provoked by fever. METHODS We screened 152 children with fever-sensitive epilepsy for gene detection. Their clinical information was followed up. RESULTS We found eight PCDH19 point mutations (four novel and four reported) and one whole gene deletion in 10 female probands (seven sporadic cases and three family cases) who also had cluster seizures. The common clinical features of 16 patients in 10 families included fever-sensitive and cluster seizures, mainly focal or tonic-clonic seizures, and absence of status epilepticus, normal intelligence, or mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment, the onset age ranges from 5 months to 20 years. Only four patients had multiple or focal transient discharges in interictal EEG. Focal seizures originating in the frontal region were recorded in four patients, two from the parietal region, and one from the occipital region. CONCLUSION PCDH19 mutation can be inherited or de novo. The clinical spectrum of PCDH19 mutation includes PCDH19 Girls Clustering Epilepsy with or without mental retardation, psychosis, and asymptomatic male. The onset age of PCDH19 Girls Clustering Epilepsy can range from infancy to adulthood. Sisters in the same family may be sensitive to the same antiepileptic drugs. And our report expands the mutation spectrum of PCDH19 Girls Clustering Epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Quanping Su
- Central Laboratory, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Yufen Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Xiaofan Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Liyun Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Linyi People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Linyi, China
| | - Lili Tong
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Baomin Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Lim J, Ryu J, Kang S, Noh HJ, Kim CH. Autism-like behaviors in male mice with a Pcdh19 deletion. Mol Brain 2019; 12:95. [PMID: 31747920 PMCID: PMC6864969 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-019-0519-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in protocadherin 19 (PCDH19), which is on the X-chromosome, cause the brain disease Epilepsy in Females with Mental Retardation (EFMR). EFMR is also often associated with autism-like symptoms. In mice and humans, epilepsy occurs only in heterozygous females who have a mixture of PCDH19 wild-type (WT) and mutant cells caused by random X-inactivation; it does not occur in hemizygous PCDH19 mutant males. This unique inheritance pattern strongly suggests the underlying disease mechanism operates via interference between WT and mutant cells rather than being a result of complete loss of PCDH19 functions. Although it remains unclear whether the other symptoms of EFMR also conform to this unique genotype-phenotype relationship, PCDH19 mutant males were recently reported to demonstrate autism-like symptoms. We, therefore, used a Pcdh19 knockout (KO) mouse model to ask whether a complete lack of PCDH19 causes autism-like behaviors. Consistent with the autism observed in EFMR females, we found Pcdh19 heterozygous KO female mice (with mosaic expression of PCDH19) show defects in sociability in the 3-chamber test. Surprisingly, hemizygous Pcdh19 KO male mice (without any PCDH19 expression) exhibit impaired sociability in the 3-chamber test and reduced social interactions in the reciprocal social interaction test. We also observed that, compared to WT mice, mutant mice display more repetitive behaviors, including self-grooming and rearing. These findings indicate that hemizygous Pcdh19 KO male mice show autism-like phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisoo Lim
- Department of Pharmacology, BK21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Jiin Ryu
- Department of Pharmacology, BK21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Shinwon Kang
- Department of Pharmacology, BK21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Hyun Jong Noh
- Department of Pharmacology, BK21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Chul Hoon Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, BK21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Korea. .,Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Korea.
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31
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Lv X, Ren SQ, Zhang XJ, Shen Z, Ghosh T, Xianyu A, Gao P, Li Z, Lin S, Yu Y, Zhang Q, Groszer M, Shi SH. TBR2 coordinates neurogenesis expansion and precise microcircuit organization via Protocadherin 19 in the mammalian cortex. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3946. [PMID: 31477701 PMCID: PMC6718393 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11854-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral cortex expansion is a hallmark of mammalian brain evolution; yet, how increased neurogenesis is coordinated with structural and functional development remains largely unclear. The T-box protein TBR2/EOMES is preferentially enriched in intermediate progenitors and supports cortical neurogenesis expansion. Here we show that TBR2 regulates fine-scale spatial and circuit organization of excitatory neurons in addition to enhancing neurogenesis in the mouse cortex. TBR2 removal leads to a significant reduction in neuronal, but not glial, output of individual radial glial progenitors as revealed by mosaic analysis with double markers. Moreover, in the absence of TBR2, clonally related excitatory neurons become more laterally dispersed and their preferential synapse development is impaired. Interestingly, TBR2 directly regulates the expression of Protocadherin 19 (PCDH19), and simultaneous PCDH19 expression rescues neurogenesis and neuronal organization defects caused by TBR2 removal. Together, these results suggest that TBR2 coordinates neurogenesis expansion and precise microcircuit assembly via PCDH19 in the mammalian cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Lv
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Si-Qiang Ren
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.,IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center of Biological Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xin-Jun Zhang
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Zhongfu Shen
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center of Biological Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Tanay Ghosh
- Inserm, UMR-S839, Sorbonne Université, Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, 75005, France.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council- Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Anjin Xianyu
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.,Graduate Program in Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Peng Gao
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Zhizhong Li
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Susan Lin
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Yang Yu
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Qiangqiang Zhang
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Matthias Groszer
- Inserm, UMR-S839, Sorbonne Université, Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Song-Hai Shi
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA. .,IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center of Biological Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China. .,Graduate Program in Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA. .,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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32
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Pederick DT, Richards KL, Piltz SG, Kumar R, Mincheva-Tasheva S, Mandelstam SA, Dale RC, Scheffer IE, Gecz J, Petrou S, Hughes JN, Thomas PQ. Abnormal Cell Sorting Underlies the Unique X-Linked Inheritance of PCDH19 Epilepsy. Neuron 2019; 97:59-66.e5. [PMID: 29301106 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
X-linked diseases typically exhibit more severe phenotypes in males than females. In contrast, protocadherin 19 (PCDH19) mutations cause epilepsy in heterozygous females but spare hemizygous males. The cellular mechanism responsible for this unique pattern of X-linked inheritance is unknown. We show that PCDH19 contributes to adhesion specificity in a combinatorial manner such that mosaic expression of Pcdh19 in heterozygous female mice leads to striking sorting between cells expressing wild-type (WT) PCDH19 and null PCDH19 in the developing cortex, correlating with altered network activity. Complete deletion of PCDH19 in heterozygous mice abolishes abnormal cell sorting and restores normal network activity. Furthermore, we identify variable cortical malformations in PCDH19 epilepsy patients. Our results highlight the role of PCDH19 in determining cell adhesion affinities during cortical development and the way segregation of WT and null PCDH19 cells is associated with the unique X-linked inheritance of PCDH19 epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T Pederick
- School of Biological Sciences and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Kay L Richards
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Medicine Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Sandra G Piltz
- School of Biological Sciences and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Raman Kumar
- School of Medicine and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Stefka Mincheva-Tasheva
- School of Biological Sciences and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Simone A Mandelstam
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Radiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Children's Hospital, Florey Neurosciences Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Russell C Dale
- Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ingrid E Scheffer
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Medicine Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; The University of Melbourne, Austin Health and Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Jozef Gecz
- School of Biological Sciences and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; School of Medicine and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Steven Petrou
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Medicine Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - James N Hughes
- School of Biological Sciences and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Paul Q Thomas
- School of Biological Sciences and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; School of Medicine and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
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33
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Multiplane Calcium Imaging Reveals Disrupted Development of Network Topology in Zebrafish pcdh19 Mutants. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0420-18.2019. [PMID: 31061071 PMCID: PMC6525332 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0420-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional brain networks self-assemble during development, although the molecular basis of network assembly is poorly understood. Protocadherin-19 (pcdh19) is a homophilic cell adhesion molecule that is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, and influences multiple cellular and developmental events in zebrafish. Although loss of PCDH19 in humans and model organisms leads to functional deficits, the underlying network defects remain unknown. Here, we employ multiplane, resonant-scanning in vivo two-photon calcium imaging of developing zebrafish, and use graph theory to characterize the development of resting state functional networks in both wild-type and pcdh19 mutant larvae. We find that the brain networks of pcdh19 mutants display enhanced clustering and an altered developmental trajectory of network assembly. Our results show that functional imaging and network analysis in zebrafish larvae is an effective approach for characterizing the developmental impact of lesions in genes of clinical interest.
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34
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Bassani S, Cwetsch AW, Gerosa L, Serratto GM, Folci A, Hall IF, Mazzanti M, Cancedda L, Passafaro M. The female epilepsy protein PCDH19 is a new GABAAR-binding partner that regulates GABAergic transmission as well as migration and morphological maturation of hippocampal neurons. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:1027-1038. [PMID: 29360992 PMCID: PMC5886308 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The PCDH19 gene (Xp22.1) encodes the cell-adhesion protein protocadherin-19 (PCDH19) and is responsible for a neurodevelopmental pathology characterized by female-limited epilepsy, cognitive impairment and autistic features, the pathogenic mechanisms of which remain to be elucidated. Here, we identified a new interaction between PCDH19 and GABAA receptor (GABAAR) alpha subunits in the rat brain. PCDH19 shRNA-mediated downregulation reduces GABAAR surface expression and affects the frequency and kinetics of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) in cultured hippocampal neurons. In vivo, PCDH19 downregulation impairs migration, orientation and dendritic arborization of CA1 hippocampal neurons and increases rat seizure susceptibility. In sum, these data indicate a role for PCDH19 in GABAergic transmission as well as migration and morphological maturation of neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrzej W Cwetsch
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Laura Gerosa
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Milan 20129, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Michele Mazzanti
- Department of Bioscience, University of Milan, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Laura Cancedda
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa 16163, Italy.,Telethon Dulbecco Institute, Milan, Italy
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35
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Gerosa L, Francolini M, Bassani S, Passafaro M. The Role of Protocadherin 19 (PCDH19) in Neurodevelopment and in the Pathophysiology of Early Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy-9 (EIEE9). Dev Neurobiol 2019; 79:75-84. [PMID: 30431232 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PCDH19 is considered one of the most clinically relevant genes in epilepsy, second only to SCN1A. To date about 150 mutations have been identified as causative for PCDH19-female epilepsy (also known as early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-9, EIEE9), which is characterized by early onset epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral disturbances. Although little is known about the physiological role of PCDH19 and the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to EIEE9, in this review, we will present latest researches focused on these aspects, underlining protein expression, its known functions and the mechanisms by which the protein acts, with particular interest in PCDH19 extracellular and intracellular roles in neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maura Francolini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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36
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Hattori S, Okumura Y, Takao K, Yamaguchi Y, Miyakawa T. Open source code for behavior analysis in rodents. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep 2019; 39:67-69. [PMID: 30659767 PMCID: PMC7292282 DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim We have conducted a series of behavioral tests, which cover a broad range of behavioral domains, on various strains of genetically engineered mice. For the behavioral screening, we have been using Image J plugins that we developed for most of the tests in the battery. Our behavioral analysis system with the plugins enables systematic and automated image analysis of behavior. The plugins are freely available on the “Mouse Phenotype Database” website (http://www.mouse-phenotype.org/software.html). Here, we release the source code of the plugins in a Git repository with the aim of promoting their use and expanding their functionality. Methods We published the source code of the Image J plugins for behavioral analysis at Git repository (https://github.com/neuroinformatics). The source code for light/dark transition, elevated plus maze, open filed, T‐maze, and fear conditioning tests was made publicly available in the repository. Conclusions The source code of the plugins for the behavioral tests as well as the pre‐compiled binaries can be freely obtained. The open source code could promote the development and modification of the plugins for additional behavioral indices in these tests and for other behavioral tests. We developed the Image J plugins for behavioral analysis, and the pre‐compiled plugins are freely available on the website of “Mouse Phenotype Database.” Here, we released the source code of the plugins in the Git repository.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoko Hattori
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Okumura
- Neuroinformatics Unit, Integrative Computational Brain Science Collaboration Center, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Keizo Takao
- Division of Animal Resources and Development, Life Science Research Center, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yoko Yamaguchi
- Neuroinformatics Unit, Integrative Computational Brain Science Collaboration Center, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
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37
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Niazi R, Fanning EA, Depienne C, Sarmady M, Abou Tayoun AN. A mutation update for the PCDH19 gene causing early-onset epilepsy in females with an unusual expression pattern. Hum Mutat 2019; 40:243-257. [PMID: 30582250 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The PCDH19 gene consists of six exons encoding a 1,148 amino acid transmembrane protein, Protocadherin 19, which is involved in brain development. Heterozygous pathogenic variants in this gene are inherited in an unusual X-linked dominant pattern in which heterozygous females are affected, while hemizygous males are typically unaffected, although they pass on the pathogenic variant to each affected daughter. PCDH19-related disorder is known to cause early-onset epilepsy in females characterized by seizure clusters exacerbated by fever and in most cases, onset is within the first year of life. This condition was initially described in 1971 and in 2008 PCDH19 was identified as the underlying genetic etiology. This condition is the result of pathogenic loss-of-function variants that may be de novo or inherited from an affected mother or unaffected father and cellular interference has been hypothesized to be the culprit. Heterozygous females are symptomatic because of the presence of both wild-type and mutant cells that interfere with one another due to the production of different surface proteins, whereas nonmosaic hemizygous males produce a homogenous population of cells. Here, we review novel pathogenic variants in the PCDH19 gene since 2012 to date, and summarize any genotype-phenotype correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rojeen Niazi
- Division of Genomic Diagnostics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Elizabeth A Fanning
- Division of Genomic Diagnostics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Christel Depienne
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris, 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, Paris, France.,IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104/INSERM U964/Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Mahdi Sarmady
- Division of Genomic Diagnostics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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38
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A systematic review and meta-analysis of 271 PCDH19-variant individuals identifies psychiatric comorbidities, and association of seizure onset and disease severity. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:241-251. [PMID: 29892053 PMCID: PMC6344372 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0066-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy and Mental Retardation Limited to Females (EFMR) is an infantile onset disorder characterized by clusters of seizures. EFMR is due to mutations in the X-chromosome gene PCDH19, and is underpinned by cellular mosaicism due to X-chromosome inactivation in females or somatic mutation in males. This review characterizes the neuropsychiatric profile of this disorder and examines the association of clinical and molecular factors with neuropsychiatric outcomes. Data were extracted from 38 peer-reviewed original articles including 271 individual cases. We found that seizure onset ≤12 months was significantly associated (p = 4.127 × 10-7) with more severe intellectual disability, compared with onset >12 months. We identified two recurrent variants p.Asn340Ser and p.Tyr366Leufs*10 occurring in 25 (20 unrelated) and 30 (11 unrelated) cases, respectively. PCDH19 mutations were associated with psychiatric comorbidities in approximately 60% of females, 80% of affected mosaic males, and reported in nine hemizygous males. Hyperactive, autistic, and obsessive-compulsive features were most frequently reported. There were no genotype-phenotype associations in the individuals with recurrent variants or the group overall. Age at seizure onset can be used to provide more informative prognostic counseling.
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39
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Homan CC, Pederson S, To TH, Tan C, Piltz S, Corbett MA, Wolvetang E, Thomas PQ, Jolly LA, Gecz J. PCDH19 regulation of neural progenitor cell differentiation suggests asynchrony of neurogenesis as a mechanism contributing to PCDH19 Girls Clustering Epilepsy. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 116:106-119. [PMID: 29763708 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PCDH19-Girls Clustering Epilepsy (PCDH19-GCE) is a childhood epileptic encephalopathy characterised by a spectrum of neurodevelopmental problems. PCDH19-GCE is caused by heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the X-chromosome gene, Protocadherin 19 (PCDH19) encoding a cell-cell adhesion molecule. Intriguingly, hemizygous males are generally unaffected. As PCDH19 is subjected to random X-inactivation, heterozygous females are comprised of a mosaic of cells expressing either the normal or mutant allele, which is thought to drive pathology. Despite being the second most prevalent monogeneic cause of epilepsy, little is known about the role of PCDH19 in brain development. In this study we show that PCDH19 is highly expressed in human neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) and investigate its function in vitro in these cells of both mouse and human origin. Transcriptomic analysis of mouse NSPCs lacking Pcdh19 revealed changes to genes involved in regulation of neuronal differentiation, and we subsequently show that loss of Pcdh19 causes increased NSPC neurogenesis. We reprogramed human fibroblast cells harbouring a pathogenic PCDH19 mutation into human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) and employed neural differentiation of these to extend our studies into human NSPCs. As in mouse, loss of PCDH19 function caused increased neurogenesis, and furthermore, we show this is associated with a loss of human NSPC polarity. Overall our data suggests a conserved role for PCDH19 in regulating mammalian cortical neurogenesis and has implications for the pathogenesis of PCDH19-GCE. We propose that the difference in timing or "heterochrony" of neuronal cell production originating from PCDH19 wildtype and mutant NSPCs within the same individual may lead to downstream asynchronies and abnormalities in neuronal network formation, which in-part predispose the individual to network dysfunction and epileptic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire C Homan
- School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia; Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5006, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Stephen Pederson
- Bioinformatics Hub, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Thu-Hien To
- Bioinformatics Hub, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Chuan Tan
- School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia; Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5006, Australia
| | - Sandra Piltz
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5006, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide 5000, Australia
| | - Mark A Corbett
- School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia; Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5006, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Ernst Wolvetang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Paul Q Thomas
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5006, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide 5000, Australia
| | - Lachlan A Jolly
- School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia; Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5006, Australia.
| | - Jozef Gecz
- School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia; Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5006, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide 5000, Australia.
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