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Grigoryan EN, Markitantova YV. Tail and Spinal Cord Regeneration in Urodelean Amphibians. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:594. [PMID: 38792615 PMCID: PMC11122520 DOI: 10.3390/life14050594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Urodelean amphibians can regenerate the tail and the spinal cord (SC) and maintain this ability throughout their life. This clearly distinguishes these animals from mammals. The phenomenon of tail and SC regeneration is based on the capability of cells involved in regeneration to dedifferentiate, enter the cell cycle, and change their (or return to the pre-existing) phenotype during de novo organ formation. The second critical aspect of the successful tail and SC regeneration is the mutual molecular regulation by tissues, of which the SC and the apical wound epidermis are the leaders. Molecular regulatory systems include signaling pathways components, inflammatory factors, ECM molecules, ROS, hormones, neurotransmitters, HSPs, transcriptional and epigenetic factors, etc. The control, carried out by regulatory networks on the feedback principle, recruits the mechanisms used in embryogenesis and accompanies all stages of organ regeneration, from the moment of damage to the completion of morphogenesis and patterning of all its structures. The late regeneration stages and the effects of external factors on them have been poorly studied. A new model for addressing this issue is herein proposed. The data summarized in the review contribute to understanding a wide range of fundamentally important issues in the regenerative biology of tissues and organs in vertebrates including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuliya V. Markitantova
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia;
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2
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Youssef KK, Nieto MA. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tissue repair and degeneration. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41580-024-00733-z. [PMID: 38684869 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00733-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) are the epitome of cell plasticity in embryonic development and cancer; during EMT, epithelial cells undergo dramatic phenotypic changes and become able to migrate to form different tissues or give rise to metastases, respectively. The importance of EMTs in other contexts, such as tissue repair and fibrosis in the adult, has become increasingly recognized and studied. In this Review, we discuss the function of EMT in the adult after tissue damage and compare features of embryonic and adult EMT. Whereas sustained EMT leads to adult tissue degeneration, fibrosis and organ failure, its transient activation, which confers phenotypic and functional plasticity on somatic cells, promotes tissue repair after damage. Understanding the mechanisms and temporal regulation of different EMTs provides insight into how some tissues heal and has the potential to open new therapeutic avenues to promote repair or regeneration of tissue damage that is currently irreversible. We also discuss therapeutic strategies that modulate EMT that hold clinical promise in ameliorating fibrosis, and how precise EMT activation could be harnessed to enhance tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Angela Nieto
- Instituto de Neurociencias (CSIC-UMH), Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain.
- CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
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3
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González-Orozco JC, Escobedo-Avila I, Velasco I. Transcriptome Profiling after Early Spinal Cord Injury in the Axolotl and Its Comparison with Rodent Animal Models through RNA-Seq Data Analysis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2189. [PMID: 38137011 PMCID: PMC10742908 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122189] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disabling condition that affects millions of people around the world. Currently, no clinical treatment can restore spinal cord function. Comparison of molecular responses in regenerating to non-regenerating vertebrates can shed light on neural restoration. The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is an amphibian that regenerates regions of the brain or spinal cord after damage. METHODS In this study, we compared the transcriptomes after SCI at acute (1-2 days after SCI) and sub-acute (6-7 days post-SCI) periods through the analysis of RNA-seq public datasets from axolotl and non-regenerating rodents. RESULTS Genes related to wound healing and immune responses were upregulated in axolotls, rats, and mice after SCI; however, the immune-related processes were more prevalent in rodents. In the acute phase of SCI in the axolotl, the molecular pathways and genes associated with early development were upregulated, while processes related to neuronal function were downregulated. Importantly, the downregulation of processes related to sensorial and motor functions was observed only in rodents. This analysis also revealed that genes related to pluripotency, cytoskeleton rearrangement, and transposable elements (e.g., Sox2, Krt5, and LOC100130764) were among the most upregulated in the axolotl. Finally, gene regulatory networks in axolotls revealed the early activation of genes related to neurogenesis, including Atf3/4 and Foxa2. CONCLUSIONS Immune-related processes are upregulated shortly after SCI in axolotls and rodents; however, a strong immune response is more noticeable in rodents. Genes related to early development and neurogenesis are upregulated beginning in the acute stage of SCI in axolotls, while the loss of motor and sensory functions is detected only in rodents during the sub-acute period of SCI. The approach employed in this study might be useful for designing and establishing regenerative therapies after SCI in mammals, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos González-Orozco
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular-Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.C.G.-O.); (I.E.-A.)
| | - Itzel Escobedo-Avila
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular-Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.C.G.-O.); (I.E.-A.)
| | - Iván Velasco
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular-Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.C.G.-O.); (I.E.-A.)
- Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
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4
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Wang D, Zhao M, Tang X, Gao M, Liu W, Xiang M, Ruan J, Chen J, Long B, Li J. Transcriptomic analysis of spinal cord regeneration after injury in Cynops orientalis. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:2743-2750. [PMID: 37449639 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.373717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cynops orientalis (C. orientalis) has a pronounced ability to regenerate its spinal cord after injury. Thus, exploring the molecular mechanism of this process could provide new approaches for promoting mammalian spinal cord regeneration. In this study, we established a model of spinal cord thoracic transection injury in C. orientalis, which is an endemic species in China. We performed RNA sequencing of the contused axolotl spinal cord at two early time points after spinal cord injury - during the very acute stage (4 days) and the subacute stage (7 days) - and identified differentially expressed genes; additionally, we performed Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses, at each time point. Transcriptome sequencing showed that 13,059 genes were differentially expressed during C. orientalis spinal cord regeneration compared with uninjured animals, among which 4273 were continuously down-regulated and 1564 were continuously up-regulated. Down-regulated genes were most enriched in the Gene Ontology term "multicellular organismal process" and in the ribosome pathway at 10 days following spinal cord injury. We found that multiple genes associated with energy metabolism were down-regulated and multiple genes associated with the lysosome were up-regulated after spinal cord injury, indicating the importance of low metabolic activity during wound healing. Immune response-associated pathways were activated during the early acute phase (4 days), while the expression of extracellular matrix proteins such as glycosaminoglycan and collagen, as well as tight junction proteins, was lower at 10 days post-spinal cord injury than 4 days post-spinal cord injury. However, compared with 4 days post-injury, at 10 days post-injury neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions were no longer down-regulated, up-regulated differentially expressed genes were enriched in pathways associated with cancer and the cell cycle, and SHH, VIM, and Sox2 were prominently up-regulated. Immunofluorescence staining showed that glial fibrillary acidic protein was up-regulated in axolotl ependymoglial cells after injury, similar to what is observed in mammalian astrocytes after spinal cord injury, even though axolotls do not form a glial scar during regeneration. We suggest that low intracellular energy production could slow the rapid amplification of ependymoglial cells, thereby inhibiting reactive gliosis, at early stages after spinal cord injury. Extracellular matrix degradation slows cellular responses, represses the expression of neurogenic genes, and reactivates a transcriptional program similar to that of embryonic neuroepithelial cells. These ependymoglial cells act as neural stem cells: they migrate and proliferate to repair the lesion and then differentiate to replace lost glial cells and neurons. This provides the regenerative microenvironment that allows axon growth after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Man Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiao Tang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Man Gao
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Wenjing Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Minghui Xiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jian Ruan
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The Second People's Hospital, Wuhu, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Bin Long
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jun Li
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
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5
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Krylov A, Yu S, Veen K, Newton A, Ye A, Qin H, He J, Jusuf PR. Heterogeneity in quiescent Müller glia in the uninjured zebrafish retina drive differential responses following photoreceptor ablation. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1087136. [PMID: 37575968 PMCID: PMC10413128 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1087136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Loss of neurons in the neural retina is a leading cause of vision loss. While humans do not possess the capacity for retinal regeneration, zebrafish can achieve this through activation of resident Müller glia. Remarkably, despite the presence of Müller glia in humans and other mammalian vertebrates, these cells lack an intrinsic ability to contribute to regeneration. Upon activation, zebrafish Müller glia can adopt a stem cell-like state, undergo proliferation and generate new neurons. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this activation subsequent retinal regeneration remains unclear. Methods/Results To address this, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and report remarkable heterogeneity in gene expression within quiescent Müller glia across distinct dorsal, central and ventral retina pools of such cells. Next, we utilized a genetically driven, chemically inducible nitroreductase approach to study Müller glia activation following selective ablation of three distinct photoreceptor subtypes: long wavelength sensitive cones, short wavelength sensitive cones, and rods. There, our data revealed that a region-specific bias in activation of Müller glia exists in the zebrafish retina, and this is independent of the distribution of the ablated cell type across retinal regions. Notably, gene ontology analysis revealed that injury-responsive dorsal and central Müller glia express genes related to dorsal/ventral pattern formation, growth factor activity, and regulation of developmental process. Through scRNA-seq analysis, we identify a shared genetic program underlying initial Müller glia activation and cell cycle entry, followed by differences that drive the fate of regenerating neurons. We observed an initial expression of AP-1 and injury-responsive transcription factors, followed by genes involved in Notch signaling, ribosome biogenesis and gliogenesis, and finally expression of cell cycle, chromatin remodeling and microtubule-associated genes. Discussion Taken together, our findings document the regional specificity of gene expression within quiescent Müller glia and demonstrate unique Müller glia activation and regeneration features following neural ablation. These findings will improve our understanding of the molecular pathways relevant to neural regeneration in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Krylov
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Shuguang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Kellie Veen
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Axel Newton
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Aojun Ye
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huiwen Qin
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie He
- State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Patricia R. Jusuf
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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6
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Gupta S, Dutta S, Hui SP. Regenerative Potential of Injured Spinal Cord in the Light of Epigenetic Regulation and Modulation. Cells 2023; 12:1694. [PMID: 37443728 PMCID: PMC10341208 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A spinal cord injury is a form of physical harm imposed on the spinal cord that causes disability and, in many cases, leads to permanent mammalian paralysis, which causes a disastrous global issue. Because of its non-regenerative aspect, restoring the spinal cord's role remains one of the most daunting tasks. By comparison, the remarkable regenerative ability of some regeneration-competent species, such as some Urodeles (Axolotl), Xenopus, and some teleost fishes, enables maximum functional recovery, even after complete spinal cord transection. During the last two decades of intensive research, significant progress has been made in understanding both regenerative cells' origins and the molecular signaling mechanisms underlying the regeneration and reconstruction of damaged spinal cords in regenerating organisms and mammals, respectively. Epigenetic control has gradually moved into the center stage of this research field, which has been helped by comprehensive work demonstrating that DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs are important for the regeneration of the spinal cord. In this review, we concentrate primarily on providing a comparison of the epigenetic mechanisms in spinal cord injuries between non-regenerating and regenerating species. In addition, we further discuss the epigenetic mediators that underlie the development of a regeneration-permissive environment following injury in regeneration-competent animals and how such mediators may be implicated in optimizing treatment outcomes for spinal cord injurie in higher-order mammals. Finally, we briefly discuss the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the context of spinal cord injury and their potential as targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samudra Gupta
- S.N. Pradhan Centre for Neurosciences, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India;
| | - Suman Dutta
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK;
| | - Subhra Prakash Hui
- S.N. Pradhan Centre for Neurosciences, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India;
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7
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Jia X, Lin W, Wang W. Regulation of chromatin organization during animal regeneration. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 12:19. [PMID: 37259007 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-023-00162-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Activation of regeneration upon tissue damages requires the activation of many developmental genes responsible for cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and tissue patterning. Ample evidence revealed that the regulation of chromatin organization functions as a crucial mechanism for establishing and maintaining cellular identity through precise control of gene transcription. The alteration of chromatin organization can lead to changes in chromatin accessibility and/or enhancer-promoter interactions. Like embryogenesis, each stage of tissue regeneration is accompanied by dynamic changes of chromatin organization in regeneration-responsive cells. In the past decade, many studies have been conducted to investigate the contribution of chromatin organization during regeneration in various tissues, organs, and organisms. A collection of chromatin regulators were demonstrated to play critical roles in regeneration. In this review, we will summarize the progress in the understanding of chromatin organization during regeneration in different research organisms and discuss potential common mechanisms responsible for the activation of regeneration response program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Jia
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
- China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Weifeng Lin
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Wei Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China.
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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8
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Shafqat A, Albalkhi I, Magableh HM, Saleh T, Alkattan K, Yaqinuddin A. Tackling the glial scar in spinal cord regeneration: new discoveries and future directions. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1180825. [PMID: 37293626 PMCID: PMC10244598 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1180825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Axonal regeneration and functional recovery are poor after spinal cord injury (SCI), typified by the formation of an injury scar. While this scar was traditionally believed to be primarily responsible for axonal regeneration failure, current knowledge takes a more holistic approach that considers the intrinsic growth capacity of axons. Targeting the SCI scar has also not reproducibly yielded nearly the same efficacy in animal models compared to these neuron-directed approaches. These results suggest that the major reason behind central nervous system (CNS) regeneration failure is not the injury scar but a failure to stimulate axon growth adequately. These findings raise questions about whether targeting neuroinflammation and glial scarring still constitute viable translational avenues. We provide a comprehensive review of the dual role of neuroinflammation and scarring after SCI and how future research can produce therapeutic strategies targeting the hurdles to axonal regeneration posed by these processes without compromising neuroprotection.
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9
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Danilov CA, Thein TZ, Tahara SM, Schönthal AH, Chen TC. Intranasal Delivery of miR133b in a NEO100-Based Formulation Induces a Healing Response in Spinal Cord-Injured Mice. Cells 2023; 12:931. [PMID: 36980272 PMCID: PMC10047048 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite important advances in the pre-clinical animal studies investigating the neuroinhibitory microenvironment at the injury site, traumatic injury to the spinal cord remains a major problem with no concrete response. Here, we examined whether (1) intranasal (IN) administration of miR133b/Ago2 can reach the injury site and achieve a therapeutic effect and (2) NEO100-based formulation of miR133b/Ago2 can improve effectiveness. 24 h after a cervical contusion, C57BL6 female mice received IN delivery of miR133b/Ago2 or miR133b/Ago2/NEO100 for 3 days, one dose per day. The pharmacokinetics of miR133b in the spinal cord lesion was determined by RT-qPCR. The role of IN delivery of miR133b on motor function was assessed by the grip strength meter (GSM) and hanging tasks. The activity of miR133b at the lesion site was established by immunostaining of fibronectin 1 (FN1), a miR133b target. We found that IN delivery of miR133b/Ago2 (1) reaches the lesion scar and co-administration of miR133b with NEO100 facilitated the cellular uptake; (2) enhanced the motor function and addition of NEO100 potentiated this effect and (3) targeted FN1 expression at the lesion scar. Our results suggest a high efficacy of IN delivery of miR133b/Ago2 to the injured spinal cord that translates to improved healing with NEO100 further potentiating this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camelia A. Danilov
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (C.A.D.)
| | - Thu Zan Thein
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (C.A.D.)
| | - Stanley M. Tahara
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Axel H. Schönthal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Thomas C. Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (C.A.D.)
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10
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Walker S, Santos-Ferreira T, Echeverri K. A Reproducible Spinal Cord Crush Injury in the Regeneration-Permissive Axolotl. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2636:237-246. [PMID: 36881304 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3012-9_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Following injury, axolotls are able to functionally regenerate their spinal cord, regaining both motor and sensory control. In contrast, humans respond to severe spinal cord injury by forming a glial scar, which prevents further damage but also inhibits any regenerative growth, resulting in loss of function caudal to the injury site. The axolotl has become a popular system to elucidate the underlying cellular and molecular events that contribute to successful CNS regeneration. However, the experimental injuries (tail amputation and transection) that are utilized in axolotls do not mimic the blunt trauma that is often sustained in humans. Here, we report a more clinically relevant model for spinal cord injuries in the axolotl using a weight-drop technique. This reproducible model allows precise control over the severity of the injury by regulating the drop height, weight, compression, and position of the injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Walker
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Chicago, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Tiago Santos-Ferreira
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karen Echeverri
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Chicago, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
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11
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Tanaka EM. Now that We Got There, What Next? Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2562:471-479. [PMID: 36272095 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2659-7_31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
As seen in the protocols in this book, the opportunities to pursue work at the cellular and molecular work in salamanders have considerably broadened over the last years. The availability of genomic information and genome editing, and the possibility to image tissues live and other methods enhance the spectrum of biological questions accessible to all researchers. Here I provide a personal perspective on what I consider exciting future questions open for investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elly M Tanaka
- Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.
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12
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Wang H, Wang Q, Xiao X, Luo X, Gao L. Clinical Trials of Non-Coding RNAs as Diagnostic and Therapeutic Biomarkers for Central Nervous System Injuries. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:2237-2246. [PMID: 36443964 PMCID: PMC10556392 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666221128090025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Huiqing Wang
- Medical Simulation Centre, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University and the Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolei Luo
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Linbo Gao
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
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13
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Corrigendum: Purinergic signaling systems across comparative models of spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2022; 18:689-696. [PMID: 36018196 PMCID: PMC9727416 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.350234] [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] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.338993].
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14
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Walker SE, Echeverri K. Spinal cord regeneration - the origins of progenitor cells for functional rebuilding. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2022; 75:101917. [PMID: 35623298 PMCID: PMC9878350 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2022.101917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The spinal cord is one of the most important structures for all vertebrate animals as it connects almost all parts of the body to the brain. Injury to the mammalian spinal cord has devastating consequences, resulting in paralysis with little to no hope of recovery. In contrast, other vertebrate animals have been known for centuries to be capable of functionally regenerating large lesions in the spinal cord. Here, we will review the current knowledge of spinal cord regeneration and recent work in different proregenerative animals that has begun to shed light on the cellular and molecular mechanisms these animals use to direct cells to rebuild a complex, functional spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Walker
- Corresponding author: Karen Echeverri (), Twitter account: S.E. Walker (@EcheverriLab), K. Echeverri (@MBLScience)
| | - Karen Echeverri
- Corresponding author: Karen Echeverri (), Twitter account: S.E. Walker (@EcheverriLab), K. Echeverri (@MBLScience)
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15
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The architecture and operating mechanism of a cnidarian stinging organelle. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3494. [PMID: 35715400 PMCID: PMC9205923 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31090-0] [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: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The stinging organelles of jellyfish, sea anemones, and other cnidarians, known as nematocysts, are remarkable cellular weapons used for both predation and defense. Nematocysts consist of a pressurized capsule containing a coiled harpoon-like thread. These structures are in turn built within specialized cells known as nematocytes. When triggered, the capsule explosively discharges, ejecting the coiled thread which punctures the target and rapidly elongates by turning inside out in a process called eversion. Due to the structural complexity of the thread and the extreme speed of discharge, the precise mechanics of nematocyst firing have remained elusive7. Here, using a combination of live and super-resolution imaging, 3D electron microscopy, and genetic perturbations, we define the step-by-step sequence of nematocyst operation in the model sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. This analysis reveals the complex biomechanical transformations underpinning the operating mechanism of nematocysts, one of nature’s most exquisite biological micro-machines. Further, this study will provide insight into the form and function of related cnidarian organelles and serve as a template for the design of bioinspired microdevices. The venomous stinging cells of jellyfish, anemones, and corals contain an organelle, the nematocyst, which explosively discharges a venom-laden thread. Here, the authors describe the nematocyst thread and its sub-structures in the sea anemone N. vectensis, revealing a complexity and sophistication underpinning this cellular weapon.
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16
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Walker SE, Sabin KZ, Gearhart MD, Yamamoto K, Echeverri K. Regulation of stem cell identity by miR-200a during spinal cord regeneration. Development 2022; 149:274347. [PMID: 35156681 PMCID: PMC8918811 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Axolotls are an important model organism for multiple types of regeneration, including functional spinal cord regeneration. Remarkably, axolotls can repair their spinal cord after a small lesion injury and can also regenerate their entire tail following amputation. Several classical signaling pathways that are used during development are reactivated during regeneration, but how this is regulated remains a mystery. We have previously identified miR-200a as a key factor that promotes successful spinal cord regeneration. Here, using RNA-seq analysis, we discovered that the inhibition of miR-200a results in an upregulation of the classical mesodermal marker brachyury in spinal cord cells after injury. However, these cells still express the neural stem cell marker sox2. In vivo cell tracking allowed us to determine that these cells can give rise to cells of both the neural and mesoderm lineage. Additionally, we found that miR-200a can directly regulate brachyury via a seed sequence in the 3′UTR of the gene. Our data indicate that miR-200a represses mesodermal cell fate after a small lesion injury in the spinal cord when only glial cells and neurons need to be replaced. Summary: Axolotl spinal cord cells have the potential to form cells of the ectoderm and mesoderm depending on the extent of the injury they are responding to.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Walker
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Keith Z Sabin
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | | | | | - Karen Echeverri
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
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17
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Edgar RC, Taylor B, Lin V, Altman T, Barbera P, Meleshko D, Lohr D, Novakovsky G, Buchfink B, Al-Shayeb B, Banfield JF, de la Peña M, Korobeynikov A, Chikhi R, Babaian A. Petabase-scale sequence alignment catalyses viral discovery. Nature 2022; 602:142-147. [PMID: 35082445 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04332-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Public databases contain a planetary collection of nucleic acid sequences, but their systematic exploration has been inhibited by a lack of efficient methods for searching this corpus, which (at the time of writing) exceeds 20 petabases and is growing exponentially1. Here we developed a cloud computing infrastructure, Serratus, to enable ultra-high-throughput sequence alignment at the petabase scale. We searched 5.7 million biologically diverse samples (10.2 petabases) for the hallmark gene RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and identified well over 105 novel RNA viruses, thereby expanding the number of known species by roughly an order of magnitude. We characterized novel viruses related to coronaviruses, hepatitis delta virus and huge phages, respectively, and analysed their environmental reservoirs. To catalyse the ongoing revolution of viral discovery, we established a free and comprehensive database of these data and tools. Expanding the known sequence diversity of viruses can reveal the evolutionary origins of emerging pathogens and improve pathogen surveillance for the anticipation and mitigation of future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brie Taylor
- Independent researcher, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Victor Lin
- Independent researcher, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Pierre Barbera
- Computational Molecular Evolution Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dmitry Meleshko
- Center for Algorithmic Biotechnology, St Petersburg State University, St Petersburg, Russia
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Computational Biology and Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Gherman Novakovsky
- Bioinformatics Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Benjamin Buchfink
- Computational Biology Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Basem Al-Shayeb
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jillian F Banfield
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Marcos de la Peña
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia-CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Anton Korobeynikov
- Center for Algorithmic Biotechnology, St Petersburg State University, St Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Statistical Modelling, St Petersburg State University, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Rayan Chikhi
- G5 Sequence Bioinformatics, Department of Computational Biology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Artem Babaian
- Independent researcher, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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18
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Murad R, Macias-Muñoz A, Wong A, Ma X, Mortazavi A. Coordinated Gene Expression and Chromatin Regulation during Hydra Head Regeneration. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:evab221. [PMID: 34877597 PMCID: PMC8651858 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cnidarian model organism Hydra has long been studied for its remarkable ability to regenerate its head, which is controlled by a head organizer located near the hypostome. The canonical Wnt pathway plays a central role in head organizer function during regeneration and during bud formation, which is the asexual mode of reproduction in Hydra. However, it is unclear how shared the developmental programs of head organizer genesis are in budding and regeneration. Time-series analysis of gene expression changes during head regeneration and budding revealed a set of 298 differentially expressed genes during the 48-h head regeneration and 72-h budding time courses. In order to understand the regulatory elements controlling Hydra head regeneration, we first identified 27,137 open-chromatin elements that are open in one or more sections of the organism body or regenerating tissue. We used histone modification ChIP-seq to identify 9,998 candidate proximal promoter and 3,018 candidate enhancer-like regions respectively. We show that a subset of these regulatory elements is dynamically remodeled during head regeneration and identify a set of transcription factor motifs that are enriched in the enhancer regions activated during head regeneration. Our results show that Hydra displays complex gene regulatory structures of developmentally dynamic enhancers, which suggests that the evolution of complex developmental enhancers predates the split of cnidarians and bilaterians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabi Murad
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California Irvine, USA
| | - Aide Macias-Muñoz
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California Irvine, USA
| | - Ashley Wong
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California Irvine, USA
| | - Xinyi Ma
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California Irvine, USA
| | - Ali Mortazavi
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California Irvine, USA
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19
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Zavvarian MM, Zhou C, Kahnemuyipour S, Hong J, Fehlings MG. The MAPK Signaling Pathway Presents Novel Molecular Targets for Therapeutic Intervention after Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Comparative Cross-Species Transcriptional Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12934. [PMID: 34884738 PMCID: PMC8657729 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the debilitating consequences following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), there is a lack of safe and effective therapeutics in the clinic. The species-specific responses to SCI present major challenges and opportunities for the clinical translation of biomolecular and pharmacological interventions. Recent transcriptional analyses in preclinical SCI studies have provided a snapshot of the local SCI-induced molecular responses in different animal models. However, the variation in the pathogenesis of traumatic SCI across species is yet to be explored. This study aims to identify and characterize the common and inconsistent SCI-induced differentially expressed genes across species to identify potential therapeutic targets of translational relevance. A comprehensive search of open-source transcriptome datasets identified four cross-compatible microarray experiments in rats, mice, and salamanders. We observed consistent expressional changes in extracellular matrix components across the species. Conversely, salamanders showed downregulation of intracellular MAPK signaling compared to rodents. Additionally, sequence conservation and interactome analyses highlighted the well-preserved sequences of Fn1 and Jun with extensive protein-protein interaction networks. Lastly, in vivo immunohistochemical staining for fibronectin was used to validate the observed expressional pattern. These transcriptional changes in extracellular and MAPK pathways present potential therapeutic targets for traumatic SCI with promising translational relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad-Masoud Zavvarian
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (M.-M.Z.); (C.Z.); (J.H.)
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Cindy Zhou
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (M.-M.Z.); (C.Z.); (J.H.)
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Sabah Kahnemuyipour
- Human Biology Department, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3J6, Canada;
| | - James Hong
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (M.-M.Z.); (C.Z.); (J.H.)
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Michael G. Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; (M.-M.Z.); (C.Z.); (J.H.)
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
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20
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Analysis of the early response to spinal cord injury identified a key role for mTORC1 signaling in the activation of neural stem progenitor cells. NPJ Regen Med 2021; 6:68. [PMID: 34686684 PMCID: PMC8536777 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-021-00179-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Xenopus laevis are able to regenerate the spinal cord during larvae stages through the activation of neural stem progenitor cells (NSPCs). Here we use high-resolution expression profiling to characterize the early transcriptome changes induced after spinal cord injury, aiming to identify the signals that trigger NSPC proliferation. The analysis delineates a pathway that starts with a rapid and transitory activation of immediate early genes, followed by migration processes and immune response genes, the pervasive increase of NSPC-specific ribosome biogenesis factors, and genes involved in stem cell proliferation. Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis showed that mTORC1 is rapidly and transiently activated after SCI, and its pharmacological inhibition impairs spinal cord regeneration and proliferation of NSPC through the downregulation of genes involved in the G1/S transition of cell cycle, with a strong effect on PCNA. We propose that the mTOR signaling pathway is a key player in the activation of NPSCs during the early steps of spinal cord regeneration.
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21
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Hincapie Agudelo M, Carbonell Medina BA, Arenas Gómez CM, Delgado JP. Ambystoma mexicanum, a model organism in developmental biology and regeneration: a colombian experience. ACTA BIOLÓGICA COLOMBIANA 2021. [DOI: 10.15446/abc.v27n1.88309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ambystoma mexicanum is a urodele amphibian endemic to Xochimilco Lake in Mexico, it belongs to the salamander family Ambystomatidae. This species has frequently been used as model organism in developmental biology and regeneration laboratories around the world due to its broad regenerative capacities and adaptability to laboratory conditions. In this review we describe the establishment of the first colony of axolotls in Colombia to study tissue regeneration and our perspectives on the use A. mexicanum as a model organism in Colombia are discussed emphasizing its possible uses in regeneration and developmental biology
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22
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Khyeam S, Lee S, Huang GN. Genetic, Epigenetic, and Post-Transcriptional Basis of Divergent Tissue Regenerative Capacities Among Vertebrates. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 2. [PMID: 34423307 DOI: 10.1002/ggn2.10042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Regeneration is widespread across the animal kingdom but varies vastly across phylogeny and even ontogeny. Adult mammalian regeneration in most organs and appendages is limited, while vertebrates such as zebrafish and salamanders are able to regenerate various organs and body parts. Here, we focus on the regeneration of appendages, spinal cord, and heart - organs and body parts that are highly regenerative among fish and amphibian species but limited in adult mammals. We then describe potential genetic, epigenetic, and post-transcriptional similarities among these different forms of regeneration across vertebrates and discuss several theories for diminished regenerative capacity throughout evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheamin Khyeam
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Sukjun Lee
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Guo N Huang
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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23
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Srivastava M. Beyond Casual Resemblances: Rigorous Frameworks for Comparing Regeneration Across Species. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 2021; 37:415-440. [PMID: 34288710 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-120319-114716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The majority of animal phyla have species that can regenerate. Comparing regeneration across animals can reconstruct the molecular and cellular evolutionary history of this process. Recent studies have revealed some similarity in regeneration mechanisms, but rigorous comparative methods are needed to assess whether these resemblances are ancestral pathways (homology) or are the result of convergent evolution (homoplasy). This review aims to provide a framework for comparing regeneration across animals, focusing on gene regulatory networks (GRNs), which are substrates for assessing process homology. The homology of the wound-induced activation of Wnt signaling and of adult stem cells are discussed as examples of ongoing studies of regeneration that enable comparisons in a GRN framework. Expanding the study of regeneration GRNs in currently studied species and broadening taxonomic sampling for these approaches will identify processes that are unifying principles of regeneration biology across animals. These insights are important both for evolutionary studies of regeneration and for human regenerative medicine. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 37 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansi Srivastava
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA;
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24
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Abo-Al-Ela HG. The emerging regulatory roles of noncoding RNAs in immune function of fish: MicroRNAs versus long noncoding RNAs. Mol Genet Genomics 2021; 296:765-781. [PMID: 33904988 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-021-01786-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The genome could be considered as raw data expressed in proteins and various types of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). However, a large portion of the genome is dedicated to ncRNAs, which in turn represent a considerable amount of the transcriptome. ncRNAs are modulated on levels of type and amount whenever any physiological process occurs or as a response to external modulators. ncRNAs, typically forming complexes with other partners, are key molecules that influence diverse cellular processes. Based on the knowledge of mammalian biology, ncRNAs are known to regulate and control diverse trafficking pathways and cellular activities. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) notably have diverse and more regulatory roles than microRNAs. Expanding these studies on fish has derived the same conclusion with relevance to other species, including invertebrates, explored the potentials to harness such types of RNA to further understand the biology of such organisms, and opened gates for applying recent technologies, such as RNA interference and delivering micromolecules as microRNAs to living cells and possibly to target organs. These technologies should improve aquaculture productivity and fish health, as well as help understand fish biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitham G Abo-Al-Ela
- Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fish Resources, Suez University, 43518, Suez, Egypt.
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25
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Arenas Gómez CM, Echeverri K. Salamanders: The molecular basis of tissue regeneration and its relevance to human disease. Curr Top Dev Biol 2021; 145:235-275. [PMID: 34074531 PMCID: PMC8186737 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2020.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Salamanders are recognized for their ability to regenerate a broad range of tissues. They have also have been used for hundreds of years for classical developmental biology studies because of their large accessible embryos. The range of tissues these animals can regenerate is fascinating, from full limbs to parts of the brain or heart, a potential that is missing in humans. Many promising research efforts are working to decipher the molecular blueprints shared across the organisms that naturally have the capacity to regenerate different tissues and organs. Salamanders are an excellent example of a vertebrate that can functionally regenerate a wide range of tissue types. In this review, we outline some of the significant insights that have been made that are aiding in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tissue regeneration in salamanders and discuss why salamanders are a worthy model in which to study regenerative biology and how this may benefit research fields like regenerative medicine to develop therapies for humans in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Marcela Arenas Gómez
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, University of Chicago, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Karen Echeverri
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, University of Chicago, Woods Hole, MA, United States.
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26
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Gaire J, Varholick JA, Rana S, Sunshine MD, Doré S, Barbazuk WB, Fuller DD, Maden M, Simmons CS. Spiny mouse (Acomys): an emerging research organism for regenerative medicine with applications beyond the skin. NPJ Regen Med 2021; 6:1. [PMID: 33397999 PMCID: PMC7782534 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-020-00111-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The spiny mouse (Acomys species) has emerged as an exciting research organism due to its remarkable ability to undergo scarless regeneration of skin wounds and ear punches. Excitingly, Acomys species demonstrate scar-free healing in a wide-range of tissues beyond the skin. In this perspective article, we discuss published findings from a variety of tissues to highlight how this emerging research organism could shed light on numerous clinically relevant human diseases. We also discuss the challenges of working with this emerging research organism and suggest strategies for future Acomys-inspired research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janak Gaire
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, USA
| | - Justin A Varholick
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, USA
| | - Sabhya Rana
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, USA
| | - Michael D Sunshine
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, USA
| | - Sylvain Doré
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, USA
| | - W Brad Barbazuk
- Department of Biology and UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, USA
| | - David D Fuller
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, USA.,McKnight Brain Institute and Center for Breathing Research and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, USA
| | - Malcolm Maden
- Department of Biology and UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, USA
| | - Chelsey S Simmons
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, USA. .,J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, USA.
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27
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Divergent Influenza-Like Viruses of Amphibians and Fish Support an Ancient Evolutionary Association. Viruses 2020; 12:v12091042. [PMID: 32962015 PMCID: PMC7551885 DOI: 10.3390/v12091042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza viruses (family Orthomyxoviridae) infect a variety of vertebrates, including birds, humans, and other mammals. Recent metatranscriptomic studies have uncovered divergent influenza viruses in amphibians, fish and jawless vertebrates, suggesting that these viruses may be widely distributed. We sought to identify additional vertebrate influenza-like viruses through the analysis of publicly available RNA sequencing data. Accordingly, by data mining, we identified the complete coding segments of five divergent vertebrate influenza-like viruses. Three fell as sister lineages to influenza B virus: salamander influenza-like virus in Mexican walking fish (Ambystoma mexicanum) and plateau tiger salamander (Ambystoma velasci), Siamese algae-eater influenza-like virus in Siamese algae-eater fish (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri) and chum salmon influenza-like virus in chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). Similarly, we identified two influenza-like viruses of amphibians that fell as sister lineages to influenza D virus: cane toad influenza-like virus and the ornate chorus frog influenza-like virus, in the cane toad (Rhinella marina) and ornate chorus frog (Microhyla fissipes), respectively. Despite their divergent phylogenetic positions, these viruses retained segment conservation and splicing consistent with transcriptional regulation in influenza B and influenza D viruses, and were detected in respiratory tissues. These data suggest that influenza viruses have been associated with vertebrates for their entire evolutionary history.
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28
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Abo-Al-Ela HG, Burgos-Aceves MA. Exploring the role of microRNAs in axolotl regeneration. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:839-850. [PMID: 32638401 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, is used extensively for research in developmental biology, particularly for its ability to regenerate and restore lost organs, including in the nervous system, to full functionality. Regeneration in mammals typically depends on the healing process and scar formation with limited replacement of lost tissue. Other organisms, such as spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus), salamanders, and zebrafish, are able to regenerate some damaged body components. Blastema is a tissue that is formed after tissue injury in such organisms and is composed of progenitor cells or dedifferentiated cells that differentiate into various cell types during regeneration. Thus, identifying the molecules responsible for initiation of blastema formation is an important aspect for understanding regeneration. Introns, a major source of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), have characteristic sizes in the axolotl, particularly in genes associated with development. These ncRNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), exhibit dynamic regulation during regeneration. These miRNAs play an essential role in timing and control of gene expression to order and organize processes necessary for blastema creation. Master keys or molecules that underlie the remarkable regenerative abilities of the axolotl remain to be fully explored and exploited. Further and ongoing research on regeneration promises new knowledge that may allow improved repair and renewal of human tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitham G Abo-Al-Ela
- Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fish Resources, Suez University, Suez, Egypt
| | - Mario A Burgos-Aceves
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
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29
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Arzate DM, Covarrubias L. Adult Neurogenesis in the Context of Brain Repair and Functional Relevance. Stem Cells Dev 2020; 29:544-554. [PMID: 31910108 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2019.0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Urodeles and some fishes possess a remarkable capacity to regenerate their limbs/fins, a property that correlates with their additional ability to regenerate large areas of the brain and/or produce a variety of new neurons during adulthood. In contrast, neurogenesis in adult mammals is apparently restricted to two main regions, the subventricular zone of lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone of the hippocampus. There, astrocyte-like neural stem cells (NSCs) reside and derive into new neurons. Although it is becoming apparent that other brain regions carry out neurogenesis, in many cases, its functional significance is controversial, particularly, because very few putative NSCs capable of deriving into new neurons have been found. Hence, is renewal of certain neurons a requirement for a healthy brain? Are there specific physiological conditions that stimulate neurogenesis in a particular region? Does the complexity of the brain demand reduced neurogenesis? In this study, we review the production of new neurons in the vertebrate adult brain in the context of a possible functional relevance. In addition, we consider the intrinsic properties of potential cellular sources of new neurons, as well as the contribution of the milieu surrounding them to estimate the reparative capacity of the brain upon injury or a neurodegenerative condition. The conclusion of this review should bring into debate the potential and convenience of promoting neuronal regeneration in the adult human brain.
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The various routes to functional regeneration in the central nervous system. Commun Biol 2020; 3:47. [PMID: 31996777 PMCID: PMC6989630 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0773-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Sabin KZ, Echeverri K. The role of the immune system during regeneration of the central nervous system. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 7. [PMID: 32864529 DOI: 10.1016/j.regen.2019.100023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Central nervous system damage in mammals leads to neuronal cell death, axonal degeneration, and formation of a glial scar resulting in functional and behavioral defects. Other vertebrates, like fish and salamanders, have retained the ability to functionally regenerate after central nervous system injury. To date research from many research organisms has led to a more concise understanding of the response of local neural cells to injury. However, it has become clear that non-neural cells of the immune system play an important role in determining the tissue response to injury. In this review we briefly consider the mammalian response to injury compared to organisms with the natural ability to regenerate. We then discuss similarities and differences in how cells of the innate and adaptive immune system respond and contribute to tissue repair in various species.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Z Sabin
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology & Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA
| | - K Echeverri
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology & Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA
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Gazave E, Röttinger E. 7th Euro Evo Devo meeting: Report on the "Evolution of regeneration in Metazoa" symposium. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2019; 336:89-93. [PMID: 31461214 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Regeneration, the ability to restore lost parts of the body, is a widespread phenomenon in animals. While this ability is somehow limited in classical developmental model organisms, a variety of animals are able to regenerate complex structures such as limbs or important parts of their body, upon injury. Despite the recent emergence of regenerative studies using a large variety of metazoans, we still lack a general view of the evolution of animal regeneration. In the context of the 7th EvoDevo meeting that took place in June 2018 in Galway, Ireland, the "Evolution of regeneration in Metazoa" symposium gathered scientists studying the regenerative potential of evolutionarily distant animal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eve Gazave
- Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS, UMR, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Eric Röttinger
- UCNRS, INSERM, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice (IRCAN), Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
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Cofano F, Boido M, Monticelli M, Zenga F, Ducati A, Vercelli A, Garbossa D. Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Spinal Cord Injury: Current Options, Limitations, and Future of Cell Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112698. [PMID: 31159345 PMCID: PMC6600381 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) constitutes an inestimable public health issue. The most crucial phase in the pathophysiological process of SCI concerns the well-known secondary injury, which is the uncontrolled and destructive cascade occurring later with aberrant molecular signaling, inflammation, vascular changes, and secondary cellular dysfunctions. The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represents one of the most important and promising tested strategies. Their appeal, among the other sources and types of stem cells, increased because of their ease of isolation/preservation and their properties. Nevertheless, encouraging promise from preclinical studies was followed by weak and conflicting results in clinical trials. In this review, the therapeutic role of MSCs is discussed, together with their properties, application, limitations, and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Cofano
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", Neurosurgery Unit, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
| | - Marina Boido
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", Neuroscience Institute "Cavalieri Ottolenghi", University of Turin, Consorzio Istituto Nazionale di Neuroscienze, 10043 Orbassano, Italy.
| | - Matteo Monticelli
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", Neurosurgery Unit, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
| | - Francesco Zenga
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", Neurosurgery Unit, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Ducati
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", Neurosurgery Unit, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Vercelli
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", Neuroscience Institute "Cavalieri Ottolenghi", University of Turin, Consorzio Istituto Nazionale di Neuroscienze, 10043 Orbassano, Italy.
| | - Diego Garbossa
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", Neurosurgery Unit, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
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