1
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Joana Alves M, Browe BM, Carolina Rodrigues Dias A, Torres JM, Zaza G, Bangudi S, Blackburn J, Wang W, de Araujo Fernandes-Junior S, Fadda P, Toland A, Baer LA, Stanford KI, Czeisler C, Garcia AJ, Javier Otero J. Metabolic trade-offs in Neonatal sepsis triggered by TLR4 and TLR1/2 ligands result in unique dysfunctions in neural breathing circuits. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 119:333-350. [PMID: 38561095 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Neonatal sepsis remains one of the leading causes of mortality in newborns. Several brainstem-regulated physiological processes undergo disruption during neonatal sepsis. Mechanistic knowledge gaps exist at the interplay between metabolism and immune activation to brainstem neural circuits and pertinent physiological functions in neonates. To delineate this association, we induced systemic inflammation either by TLR4 (LPS) or TLR1/2 (PAM3CSK4) ligand administration in postnatal day 5 mice (PD5). Our findings show that LPS and PAM3CSK4 evoke substantial changes in respiration and metabolism. Physiological trade-offs led to hypometabolic-hypothermic responses due to LPS, but not PAM3CSK4, whereas to both TLR ligands blunted respiratory chemoreflexes. Neuroinflammatory pathways modulation in brainstem showed more robust effects in LPS than PAM3CSK4. Brainstem neurons, microglia, and astrocyte gene expression analyses showed unique responses to TLR ligands. PAM3CSK4 did not significantly modulate gene expression changes in GLAST-1 positive brainstem astrocytes. PD5 pups receiving PAM3CSK4 failed to maintain a prolonged metabolic state repression, which correlated to enhanced gasping latency and impaired autoresuscitation during anoxic chemoreflex challenges. In contrast, LPS administered pups showed no significant changes in anoxic chemoreflex. Electrophysiological studies from brainstem slices prepared from pups exposed to either TLR4 or PAM3CSK4 showed compromised transmission between preBötzinger complex and Hypoglossal as an exclusive response to the TLR1/2 ligand. Spatial gene expression analysis demonstrated a region-specific modulation of PAM3CSK4 within the raphe nucleus relative to other anatomical sites evaluated. Our findings suggest that metabolic changes due to inflammation might be a crucial tolerance mechanism for neonatal sepsis preserving neural control of breathing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Joana Alves
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Brigitte M Browe
- Institute for Integrative Physiology, Grossman Institute for Neuroscience Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior, The Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ana Carolina Rodrigues Dias
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Juliet M Torres
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Giuliana Zaza
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Suzy Bangudi
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jessica Blackburn
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Wesley Wang
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | | | - Paolo Fadda
- Genomics Shared Resource, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Amanda Toland
- Genomics Shared Resource, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and Division of Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Lisa A Baer
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and Division of Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Kristin I Stanford
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Catherine Czeisler
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Alfredo J Garcia
- Institute for Integrative Physiology, Grossman Institute for Neuroscience Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior, The Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
| | - José Javier Otero
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States.
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2
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Cui K, Xia Y, Patnaik A, Salivara A, Lowenstein ED, Isik EG, Knorz AL, Airaghi L, Crotti M, Garratt AN, Meng F, Schmitz D, Studer M, Rijli FM, Nothwang HG, Rost BR, Strauß U, Hernandez-Miranda LR. Genetic identification of medullary neurons underlying congenital hypoventilation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj0720. [PMID: 38896627 PMCID: PMC11186509 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj0720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Mutations in the transcription factors encoded by PHOX2B or LBX1 correlate with congenital central hypoventilation disorders. These conditions are typically characterized by pronounced hypoventilation, central apnea, and diminished chemoreflexes, particularly to abnormally high levels of arterial PCO2. The dysfunctional neurons causing these respiratory disorders are largely unknown. Here, we show that distinct, and previously undescribed, sets of medullary neurons coexpressing both transcription factors (dB2 neurons) account for specific respiratory functions and phenotypes seen in congenital hypoventilation. By combining intersectional chemogenetics, intersectional labeling, lineage tracing, and conditional mutagenesis, we uncovered subgroups of dB2 neurons with key functions in (i) respiratory tidal volumes, (ii) the hypercarbic reflex, (iii) neonatal respiratory stability, and (iv) neonatal survival. These data provide functional evidence for the critical role of distinct medullary dB2 neurons in neonatal respiratory physiology. In summary, our work identifies distinct subgroups of dB2 neurons regulating breathing homeostasis, dysfunction of which causes respiratory phenotypes associated with congenital hypoventilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Cui
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yiling Xia
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Abhisarika Patnaik
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aikaterini Salivara
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Eser G. Isik
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Adrian L. Knorz
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Airaghi
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michela Crotti
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alistair N. Garratt
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fanqi Meng
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dietmar Schmitz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michèle Studer
- Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), CNRS, Inserm, Institute of Biology Valrose (iBV), Nice, France
| | - Filippo M. Rijli
- Laboratory of Developmental Neuroepigenetics, Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hans G. Nothwang
- Division of Neurogenetics, Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin R. Rost
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulf Strauß
- Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luis R. Hernandez-Miranda
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Benz P, Zablotski Y, Schulz B. Influence of acclimatization time on parameters of barometric whole-body plethysmography in healthy adult cats. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299252. [PMID: 38470892 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary function testing by barometric whole-body plethysmography (BWBP) is a long-established and well-accepted, non-invasive investigative procedure in cats. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES To evaluate, if different acclimatization times influence the measurement parameters of BWBP in healthy adult cats. ANIMALS 48 healthy adult cats. METHODS In the prospective observational study, healthy cats were placed in a measuring chamber and BWBP was performed over 30 minutes. Parameters obtained during the three measurement units of 10 minutes each (T1, T2 and T3) were compared. RESULTS All measurement parameters except for tidal volume per body weight changed significantly (p<0.05) over the three time periods. From T1-T2, the parameters minute volume per body weight (p<0.001), peak inspiratory flow per body weight (p<0.001), peak expiratory flow per body weight (p = 0.002), pause (p = 0.03), enhanced pause (p = 0.03) and quotient of peak expiratory flow divided by expiratory flow at end expiratory volume plus 50% tidal volume (p = 0.03) changed significantly. From the time interval T2-T3, only respiratory rate (p = 0.02), inspiratory time (p = 0.02), expiratory time (p = 0.04), and relaxation time (p = 0.01) changed significantly. All measurement parameters except for tidal volume per body weight changed significantly (p<0.05) between T1 and T3. Age had a significant influence on all parameters except for peak expiratory flow per body weight and peak inspiratory flow per body weight. The parameters were not influenced by sex. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE All measurement parameters except tidal volume per body weight were significantly affected by acclimatization time. Controlling for age and sex, there was still a significant influence of acclimatization time on all parameters except for tidal volume per body weight. Standardization of the acclimatization time for future studies would be appropriate in order to maintain comparability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Benz
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Yury Zablotski
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bianka Schulz
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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4
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Gan-Or B, London M. Cortical circuits modulate mouse social vocalizations. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade6992. [PMID: 37774030 PMCID: PMC10541007 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade6992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Vocalizations provide a means of communication with high fidelity and information rate for many species. Diencephalon and brainstem neural circuits have been shown to control mouse vocal production; however, the role of cortical circuits in this process is debatable. Using electrical and optogenetic stimulation, we identified a cortical region in the anterior cingulate cortex in which stimulation elicits ultrasonic vocalizations. Moreover, fiber photometry showed an increase in Ca2+ dynamics preceding vocal initiation, whereas optogenetic suppression in this cortical area caused mice to emit fewer vocalizations. Last, electrophysiological recordings indicated a differential increase in neural activity in response to female social exposure dependent on vocal output. Together, these results indicate that the cortex is a key node in the neuronal circuits controlling vocal behavior in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Gan-Or
- Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences and Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
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5
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Muñoz EM, Martínez Cerdeño V. Editorial: Transcription regulation - Brain development and homeostasis - A finely tuned and orchestrated scenario in physiology and pathology, volume II. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1280573. [PMID: 37736114 PMCID: PMC10509287 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1280573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Estela M. Muñoz
- Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM), National University of Cuyo (UNCuyo), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Verónica Martínez Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, and MIND Institute at the UC Davis Medical Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
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6
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Lowenstein ED, Ruffault PL, Misios A, Osman KL, Li H, Greenberg RS, Thompson R, Song K, Dietrich S, Li X, Vladimirov N, Woehler A, Brunet JF, Zampieri N, Kühn R, Liberles SD, Jia S, Lewin GR, Rajewsky N, Lever TE, Birchmeier C. Prox2 and Runx3 vagal sensory neurons regulate esophageal motility. Neuron 2023; 111:2184-2200.e7. [PMID: 37192624 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Vagal sensory neurons monitor mechanical and chemical stimuli in the gastrointestinal tract. Major efforts are underway to assign physiological functions to the many distinct subtypes of vagal sensory neurons. Here, we use genetically guided anatomical tracing, optogenetics, and electrophysiology to identify and characterize vagal sensory neuron subtypes expressing Prox2 and Runx3 in mice. We show that three of these neuronal subtypes innervate the esophagus and stomach in regionalized patterns, where they form intraganglionic laminar endings. Electrophysiological analysis revealed that they are low-threshold mechanoreceptors but possess different adaptation properties. Lastly, genetic ablation of Prox2 and Runx3 neurons demonstrated their essential roles for esophageal peristalsis in freely behaving mice. Our work defines the identity and function of the vagal neurons that provide mechanosensory feedback from the esophagus to the brain and could lead to better understanding and treatment of esophageal motility disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elijah D Lowenstein
- Developmental Biology/Signal Transduction, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, CharitéUniversitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pierre-Louis Ruffault
- Developmental Biology/Signal Transduction, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aristotelis Misios
- Developmental Biology/Signal Transduction, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, CharitéUniversitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Systems Biology of Gene Regulatory Elements, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kate L Osman
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Huimin Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rachel S Greenberg
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Rebecca Thompson
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Kun Song
- Developmental Biology/Signal Transduction, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Dietrich
- Development and Function of Neural Circuits, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Xun Li
- Immune Regulation and Cancer, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nikita Vladimirov
- Systems Biology Imaging, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrew Woehler
- Systems Biology Imaging, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jean-François Brunet
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Inserm, CNRS, École normale supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Niccolò Zampieri
- Development and Function of Neural Circuits, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Kühn
- Genome Engineering & Disease Models, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephen D Liberles
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shiqi Jia
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gary R Lewin
- Molecular Physiology of Somatic Sensation, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Rajewsky
- Systems Biology of Gene Regulatory Elements, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Teresa E Lever
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Carmen Birchmeier
- Developmental Biology/Signal Transduction, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, CharitéUniversitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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7
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Mai L, Inada H, Osumi N. Whole-brain mapping of neuronal activity evoked by maternal separation in neonatal mice: An association with ultrasound vocalization. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep 2023. [PMID: 37128179 DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12337] [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: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal mice emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) when separated from their mothers. Since the USVs attract their mothers' attention and trigger maternal retrieval, they are considered to serve as social signals for communication. We have modeled paternal aging effects on the vocal communication of offspring in mice. However, little is known about the neural basis underlying neonatal USV production. To identify responsible brain regions driving the vocal behavior, we comprehensively mapped the neuronal activity associated with USV production in the entire brain of mice at postnatal day 6 (P6). Using an expression of immediate-early gene c-Fos as a neuronal activity marker, correlations between the numbers of USVs and c-Fos positive neurons were analyzed. We identified 23 candidate brain regions associated with USV production in the mice at P6. Our study would be a first step toward comprehensively understanding the neuronal mechanisms that regulate and develop vocal behaviors in neonatal mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Mai
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Inada
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
- Laboratory of Health and Sports Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering for Health and Welfare, Tohoku University Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Noriko Osumi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
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8
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Jourjine N, Woolfolk ML, Sanguinetti-Scheck JI, Sabatini JE, McFadden S, Lindholm AK, Hoekstra HE. Two pup vocalization types are genetically and functionally separable in deer mice. Curr Biol 2023; 33:1237-1248.e4. [PMID: 36893759 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.02.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Vocalization is a widespread social behavior in vertebrates that can affect fitness in the wild. Although many vocal behaviors are highly conserved, heritable features of specific vocalization types can vary both within and between species, raising the questions of why and how some vocal behaviors evolve. Here, using new computational tools to automatically detect and cluster vocalizations into distinct acoustic categories, we compare pup isolation calls across neonatal development in eight taxa of deer mice (genus Peromyscus) and compare them with laboratory mice (C57BL6/J strain) and free-living, wild house mice (Mus musculus domesticus). Whereas both Peromyscus and Mus pups produce ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), Peromyscus pups also produce a second call type with acoustic features, temporal rhythms, and developmental trajectories that are distinct from those of USVs. In deer mice, these lower frequency "cries" are predominantly emitted in postnatal days one through nine, whereas USVs are primarily made after day 9. Using playback assays, we show that cries result in a more rapid approach by Peromyscus mothers than USVs, suggesting a role for cries in eliciting parental care early in neonatal development. Using a genetic cross between two sister species of deer mice exhibiting large, innate differences in the acoustic structure of cries and USVs, we find that variation in vocalization rate, duration, and pitch displays different degrees of genetic dominance and that cry and USV features can be uncoupled in second-generation hybrids. Taken together, this work shows that vocal behavior can evolve quickly between closely related rodent species in which vocalization types, likely serving distinct functions in communication, are controlled by distinct genetic loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Jourjine
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Maya L Woolfolk
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Juan I Sanguinetti-Scheck
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - John E Sabatini
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Sade McFadden
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Anna K Lindholm
- Department of Evolutionary Biology & Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse, 190 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hopi E Hoekstra
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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9
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Pranic NM, Kornbrek C, Yang C, Cleland TA, Tschida KA. Rates of ultrasonic vocalizations are more strongly related than acoustic features to non-vocal behaviors in mouse pups. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:1015484. [PMID: 36600992 PMCID: PMC9805956 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1015484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse pups produce. ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in response to isolation from the nest (i.e., isolation USVs). Rates and acoustic features of isolation USVs change dramatically over the first two weeks of life, and there is also substantial variability in the rates and acoustic features of isolation USVs at a given postnatal age. The factors that contribute to within age variability in isolation USVs remain largely unknown. Here, we explore the extent to which non-vocal behaviors of mouse pups relate to the within age variability in rates and acoustic features of their USVs. We recorded non-vocal behaviors of isolated C57BL/6J mouse pups at four postnatal ages (postnatal days 5, 10, 15, and 20), measured rates of isolation USV production, and applied a combination of pre-defined acoustic feature measurements and an unsupervised machine learning-based vocal analysis method to examine USV acoustic features. When we considered different categories of non-vocal behavior, our analyses revealed that mice in all postnatal age groups produce higher rates of isolation USVs during active non-vocal behaviors than when lying still. Moreover, rates of isolation USVs are correlated with the intensity (i.e., magnitude) of non-vocal body and limb movements within a given trial. In contrast, USVs produced during different categories of non-vocal behaviors and during different intensities of non-vocal movement do not differ substantially in their acoustic features. Our findings suggest that levels of behavioral arousal contribute to within age variability in rates, but not acoustic features, of mouse isolation USVs.
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10
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Xia Y, Cui K, Alonso A, Lowenstein ED, Hernandez-Miranda LR. Transcription factors regulating the specification of brainstem respiratory neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1072475. [PMID: 36523603 PMCID: PMC9745097 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1072475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Breathing (or respiration) is an unconscious and complex motor behavior which neuronal drive emerges from the brainstem. In simplistic terms, respiratory motor activity comprises two phases, inspiration (uptake of oxygen, O2) and expiration (release of carbon dioxide, CO2). Breathing is not rigid, but instead highly adaptable to external and internal physiological demands of the organism. The neurons that generate, monitor, and adjust breathing patterns locate to two major brainstem structures, the pons and medulla oblongata. Extensive research over the last three decades has begun to identify the developmental origins of most brainstem neurons that control different aspects of breathing. This research has also elucidated the transcriptional control that secures the specification of brainstem respiratory neurons. In this review, we aim to summarize our current knowledge on the transcriptional regulation that operates during the specification of respiratory neurons, and we will highlight the cell lineages that contribute to the central respiratory circuit. Lastly, we will discuss on genetic disturbances altering transcription factor regulation and their impact in hypoventilation disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiling Xia
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ke Cui
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Antonia Alonso
- Functional Genoarchitecture and Neurobiology Groups, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Elijah D. Lowenstein
- Developmental Biology/Signal Transduction, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luis R. Hernandez-Miranda
- The Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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11
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Abstract
Breathing is a vital rhythmic motor behavior with a surprisingly broad influence on the brain and body. The apparent simplicity of breathing belies a complex neural control system, the breathing central pattern generator (bCPG), that exhibits diverse operational modes to regulate gas exchange and coordinate breathing with an array of behaviors. In this review, we focus on selected advances in our understanding of the bCPG. At the core of the bCPG is the preBötzinger complex (preBötC), which drives inspiratory rhythm via an unexpectedly sophisticated emergent mechanism. Synchronization dynamics underlying preBötC rhythmogenesis imbue the system with robustness and lability. These dynamics are modulated by inputs from throughout the brain and generate rhythmic, patterned activity that is widely distributed. The connectivity and an emerging literature support a link between breathing, emotion, and cognition that is becoming experimentally tractable. These advances bring great potential for elucidating function and dysfunction in breathing and other mammalian neural circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sufyan Ashhad
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA;
| | - Kaiwen Kam
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Jack L Feldman
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA;
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12
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Mafa-dependent GABAergic activity promotes mouse neonatal apneas. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3284. [PMID: 35672398 PMCID: PMC9174494 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30825-3] [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: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
While apneas are associated with multiple pathological and fatal conditions, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We report that a mutated form of the transcription factor Mafa (Mafa4A) that prevents phosphorylation of the Mafa protein leads to an abnormally high incidence of breath holding apneas and death in newborn Mafa4A/4A mutant mice. This apneic breathing is phenocopied by restricting the mutation to central GABAergic inhibitory neurons and by activation of inhibitory Mafa neurons while reversed by inhibiting GABAergic transmission centrally. We find that Mafa activates the Gad2 promoter in vitro and that this activation is enhanced by the mutation that likely results in increased inhibitory drives onto target neurons. We also find that Mafa inhibitory neurons are absent from respiratory, sensory (primary and secondary) and pontine structures but are present in the vicinity of the hypoglossal motor nucleus including premotor neurons that innervate the geniohyoid muscle, to control upper airway patency. Altogether, our data reveal a role for Mafa phosphorylation in regulation of GABAergic drives and suggest a mechanism whereby reduced premotor drives to upper airway muscles may cause apneic breathing at birth. Apneas are associated with many pathological conditions. Here, the authors show in a mouse model that stabilization of the transcription factor Mafa in brainstem GABAergic neurons may contribute to apnea, by decreasing motor drive to muscles controlling the airways.
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13
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Ruat J, Genewsky AJ, Heinz DE, Kaltwasser SF, Canteras NS, Czisch M, Chen A, Wotjak CT. Why do mice squeak? Towards a better understanding of defensive vocalization. iScience 2022; 25:104657. [PMID: 35845167 PMCID: PMC9283514 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although mice mostly communicate in the ultrasonic range, they also emit audible calls. We demonstrate that mice selectively bred for high anxiety-related behavior (HAB) have a high disposition for emitting sonic calls when caught by the tail. The vocalization was unrelated to pain but sensitive to anxiolytics. As revealed by manganese-enhanced MRI, HAB mice displayed an increased tonic activity of the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Selective inhibition of the dorsolateral PAG not only reduced anxiety-like behavior but also completely abolished sonic vocalization. Calls were emitted at a fundamental frequency of 3.8 kHz, which falls into the hearing range of numerous predators. Indeed, playback of sonic vocalization attracted rats if associated with a stimulus mouse. If played back to HAB mice, sonic calls were repellent in the absence of a conspecific but attractive in their presence. Our data demonstrate that sonic vocalization attracts both predators and conspecifics depending on the context. Sonic vocalization in threatening situations is prominent in highly anxious mice It coincides with increased neuronal activity within the periaqueductal gray (PAG) Pharmacological inhibition of the PAG attenuates sonic vocalization Sonic calls attract both rats and mice in the presence of a stimulus mouse
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14
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Bogacki-Rychlik W, Wrona A, Bialy M. A Protocol for the Non-invasive Method of Ultrasound Separation During the Sociosexual Vocal-Non-contact Model in Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:910591. [PMID: 35692382 PMCID: PMC9176391 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.910591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrasonic vocalization (USV) is one of the measurable behavioral parameters of sociosexual interactions in rats. To precisely and accurately describe the neurobehavioral properties of USV and the potentially related specific emotional responsiveness of animals, we need to know which animals vocalize and what is their exact behavioral and physiological response. To this end, we modified the non-contact cage [non-contact erection model (NCE)] by adding a modification [vocalization-non-contact erection (VOC-NCE)] that makes it possible to assign emitted ultrasonic signals to a particular animal. Typically, the NCE cage consists of two compartments separated by perforated baffles. A male is placed in one section, and a receptive female is placed in the other section. This makes possible the accurate description of sexual parameters related to the cues controlled by the experimenter. In VOC-NCE, we completely separated the male USV from the female USV by three appropriately perforated baffles and located microphones combined with ultrasonic screening. We recorded emission in both typical bands, the so-called 22- and 50-kHz bands, with various subtypes, thus highlighting the utility of our protocol to investigate the sexual dimorphism of vocalization. Similar to the anticipatory model, we showed that emission can occur without acoustic feedback from concomitants during the VOC-NCE test. Therefore, we propose a relatively simple method for assigning individual vocalization. We discuss its usefulness and limitations in assessing vocal differentiation related to sexual parameters, adaptive changes during conditioning procedures, and further applications.
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15
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Zheng DJ, Okobi DE, Shu R, Agrawal R, Smith SK, Long MA, Phelps SM. Mapping the vocal circuitry of Alston's singing mouse with pseudorabies virus. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2075-2099. [PMID: 35385140 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Vocalizations are often elaborate, rhythmically structured behaviors. Vocal motor patterns require close coordination of neural circuits governing the muscles of the larynx, jaw, and respiratory system. In the elaborate vocalization of Alston's singing mouse (Scotinomys teguina) each note of its rapid, frequency-modulated trill is accompanied by equally rapid modulation of breath and gape. To elucidate the neural circuitry underlying this behavior, we introduced the polysynaptic retrograde neuronal tracer pseudorabies virus (PRV) into the cricothyroid and digastricus muscles, which control frequency modulation and jaw opening, respectively. Each virus singly labels ipsilateral motoneurons (nucleus ambiguus for cricothyroid, and motor trigeminal nucleus for digastricus). We find that the two isogenic viruses heavily and bilaterally colabel neurons in the gigantocellular reticular formation, a putative central pattern generator. The viruses also show strong colabeling in compartments of the midbrain including the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray and the parabrachial nucleus, two structures strongly implicated in vocalizations. In the forebrain, regions important to social cognition and energy balance both exhibit extensive colabeling. This includes the paraventricular and arcuate nuclei of the hypothalamus, the lateral hypothalamus, preoptic area, extended amygdala, central amygdala, and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Finally, we find doubly labeled neurons in M1 motor cortex previously described as laryngeal, as well as in the prelimbic cortex, which indicate these cortical regions play a role in vocal production. The progress of both viruses is broadly consistent with vertebrate-general patterns of vocal circuitry, as well as with circuit models derived from primate literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Jiang Zheng
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel E Okobi
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ryan Shu
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Rania Agrawal
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Samantha K Smith
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Michael A Long
- NYU Neuroscience Institute and Department of Otolaryngology, Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Steven M Phelps
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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16
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Wei XP, Collie M, Dempsey B, Fortin G, Yackle K. A novel reticular node in the brainstem synchronizes neonatal mouse crying with breathing. Neuron 2022; 110:644-657.e6. [PMID: 34998469 PMCID: PMC8857054 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Human speech can be divided into short, rhythmically timed elements, similar to syllables within words. Even our cries and laughs, as well as the vocalizations of other species, are periodic. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the tempo of mammalian vocalizations remain unknown. Furthermore, even the core cells that produce vocalizations remain ill-defined. Here, we describe rhythmically timed neonatal mouse vocalizations that occur within single breaths and identify a brainstem node that is necessary for and sufficient to structure these cries, which we name the intermediate reticular oscillator (iRO). We show that the iRO acts autonomously and sends direct inputs to key muscles and the respiratory rhythm generator in order to coordinate neonatal vocalizations with breathing, as well as paces and patterns these cries. These results reveal that a novel mammalian brainstem oscillator embedded within the conserved breathing circuitry plays a central role in the production of neonatal vocalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Paul Wei
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Matthew Collie
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Bowen Dempsey
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Gilles Fortin
- Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Kevin Yackle
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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17
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Warren MR, Campbell D, Borie AM, Ford CL, Dharani AM, Young LJ, Liu RC. Maturation of Social-Vocal Communication in Prairie Vole ( Microtus ochrogaster) Pups. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:814200. [PMID: 35087387 PMCID: PMC8787284 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.814200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Impairments in social communication are common among neurodevelopmental disorders. While traditional animal models have advanced our understanding of the physiological and pathological development of social behavior, they do not recapitulate some aspects where social communication is essential, such as biparental care and the ability to form long-lasting social bonds. Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) have emerged as a valuable rodent model in social neuroscience because they naturally display these behaviors. Nonetheless, the role of vocalizations in prairie vole social communication remains unclear. Here, we studied the ontogeny [from postnatal days (P) 8-16] of prairie vole pup ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), both when isolated and when the mother was present but physically unattainable. In contrast to other similarly sized rodents such as mice, prairie vole pups of all ages produced isolation USVs with a relatively low fundamental frequency between 22 and 50 kHz, often with strong harmonic structure. Males consistently emitted vocalizations with a lower frequency than females. With age, pups vocalized less, and the acoustic features of vocalizations (e.g., duration and bandwidth) became more stereotyped. Manipulating an isolated pup's social environment by introducing its mother significantly increased vocal production at older (P12-16) but not younger ages, when pups were likely unable to hear or see her. Our data provide the first indication of a maturation in social context-dependent vocal emission, which may facilitate more active acoustic communication. These results help lay a foundation for the use of prairie voles as a model organism to probe the role of early life experience in the development of social-vocal communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan R. Warren
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Drayson Campbell
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Amélie M. Borie
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Charles L. Ford
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ammar M. Dharani
- Summer Opportunities of Academic Research Program, James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Larry J. Young
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Robert C. Liu
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
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18
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Hirsch D, Kohl A, Wang Y, Sela-Donenfeld D. Axonal Projection Patterns of the Dorsal Interneuron Populations in the Embryonic Hindbrain. Front Neuroanat 2022; 15:793161. [PMID: 35002640 PMCID: PMC8738170 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.793161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Unraveling the inner workings of neural circuits entails understanding the cellular origin and axonal pathfinding of various neuronal groups during development. In the embryonic hindbrain, different subtypes of dorsal interneurons (dINs) evolve along the dorsal-ventral (DV) axis of rhombomeres and are imperative for the assembly of central brainstem circuits. dINs are divided into two classes, class A and class B, each containing four neuronal subgroups (dA1-4 and dB1-4) that are born in well-defined DV positions. While all interneurons belonging to class A express the transcription factor Olig3 and become excitatory, all class B interneurons express the transcription factor Lbx1 but are diverse in their excitatory or inhibitory fate. Moreover, within every class, each interneuron subtype displays its own specification genes and axonal projection patterns which are required to govern the stage-by-stage assembly of their connectivity toward their target sites. Remarkably, despite the similar genetic landmark of each dINs subgroup along the anterior-posterior (AP) axis of the hindbrain, genetic fate maps of some dA/dB neuronal subtypes uncovered their contribution to different nuclei centers in relation to their rhombomeric origin. Thus, DV and AP positional information has to be orchestrated in each dA/dB subpopulation to form distinct neuronal circuits in the hindbrain. Over the span of several decades, different axonal routes have been well-documented to dynamically emerge and grow throughout the hindbrain DV and AP positions. Yet, the genetic link between these distinct axonal bundles and their neuronal origin is not fully clear. In this study, we reviewed the available data regarding the association between the specification of early-born dorsal interneuron subpopulations in the hindbrain and their axonal circuitry development and fate, as well as the present existing knowledge on molecular effectors underlying the process of axonal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Hirsch
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.,Department of Veterinary Resources, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ayelet Kohl
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Dalit Sela-Donenfeld
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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19
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Abstract
Breathing (or respiration) is a complex motor behavior that originates in the brainstem. In minimalistic terms, breathing can be divided into two phases: inspiration (uptake of oxygen, O2) and expiration (release of carbon dioxide, CO2). The neurons that discharge in synchrony with these phases are arranged in three major groups along the brainstem: (i) pontine, (ii) dorsal medullary, and (iii) ventral medullary. These groups are formed by diverse neuron types that coalesce into heterogeneous nuclei or complexes, among which the preBötzinger complex in the ventral medullary group contains cells that generate the respiratory rhythm (Chapter 1). The respiratory rhythm is not rigid, but instead highly adaptable to the physic demands of the organism. In order to generate the appropriate respiratory rhythm, the preBötzinger complex receives direct and indirect chemosensory information from other brainstem respiratory nuclei (Chapter 2) and peripheral organs (Chapter 3). Even though breathing is a hard-wired unconscious behavior, it can be temporarily altered at will by other higher-order brain structures (Chapter 6), and by emotional states (Chapter 7). In this chapter, we focus on the development of brainstem respiratory groups and highlight the cell lineages that contribute to central and peripheral chemoreflexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eser Göksu Isik
- Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luis R Hernandez-Miranda
- Brainstem Group, Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
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20
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Bosque Ortiz GM, Santana GM, Dietrich MO. Deficiency of the paternally inherited gene Magel2 alters the development of separation-induced vocalization and maternal behavior in mice. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2021; 21:e12776. [PMID: 34812568 PMCID: PMC9744533 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The behavior of offspring results from the combined expression of maternal and paternal genes. Genomic imprinting silences some genes in a parent-of-origin specific manner, a process that, among all animals, occurs only in mammals. How genomic imprinting affects the behavior of mammalian offspring, however, remains poorly understood. Here, we studied how the loss of the paternally inherited gene Magel2 in mouse pups affects the emission of separation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations (USV). Using quantitative analysis of more than 1000 USVs, we characterized the rate of vocalizations as well as their spectral features from postnatal days 6-12 (P6-P12), a critical phase of mouse development that covers the peak of vocal behavior in pups. Our analyses show that Magel2 deficient offspring emit separation-induced vocalizations at lower rates and with altered spectral features mainly at P8. We also show that dams display altered behavior towards their own Magel2 deficient offspring at this age. In a test to compare the retrieval of two pups, dams retrieve wildtype control pups first and faster than Magel2 deficient offspring. These results suggest that the loss of Magel2 impairs the expression of separation-induced vocalization in pups as well as maternal behavior at a specific age of postnatal development, both of which support the pups' growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela M. Bosque Ortiz
- Laboratory of Physiology of Behavior, Department of Comparative MedicineYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA,Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Graduate School in Arts and SciencesYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Gustavo M. Santana
- Laboratory of Physiology of Behavior, Department of Comparative MedicineYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA,Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Graduate School in Arts and SciencesYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA,Graduate Program in Biological Sciences‐BiochemistryFederal University of Rio Grande do SulPorto AlegreBrazil
| | - Marcelo O. Dietrich
- Laboratory of Physiology of Behavior, Department of Comparative MedicineYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA,Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Graduate School in Arts and SciencesYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA,Yale Center for Molecular and Systems MetabolismYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA,Department of NeuroscienceYale School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticutUSA
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21
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Kamitakahara AK, Ali Marandi Ghoddousi R, Lanjewar AL, Magalong VM, Wu HH, Levitt P. MET Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Regulates Lifespan Ultrasonic Vocalization and Vagal Motor Neuron Development. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:768577. [PMID: 34803597 PMCID: PMC8600253 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.768577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The intrinsic muscles of the larynx are innervated by the vagal motor nucleus ambiguus (nAmb), which provides direct motor control over vocal production in humans and rodents. Here, we demonstrate in mice using the Phox2b Cre line, that conditional embryonic deletion of the gene encoding the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) in the developing brainstem (cKO) results in highly penetrant, severe deficits in ultrasonic vocalization in early postnatal life. Major deficits and abnormal vocalization patterns persist into adulthood in more than 70% of mice, with the remaining recovering the ability to vocalize, reflecting heterogeneity in circuit restitution. We show that underlying the functional deficits, conditional deletion of Met results in a loss of approximately one-third of MET+ nAmb motor neurons, which begins as early as embryonic day 14.5. The loss of motor neurons is specific to the nAmb, as other brainstem motor and sensory nuclei are unaffected. In the recurrent laryngeal nerve, through which nAmb motor neurons project to innervate the larynx, there is a one-third loss of axons in cKO mice. Together, the data reveal a novel, heterogenous MET-dependence, for which MET differentially affects survival of a subset of nAmb motor neurons necessary for lifespan ultrasonic vocal capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K. Kamitakahara
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ramin Ali Marandi Ghoddousi
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Alexandra L. Lanjewar
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Valerie M. Magalong
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Hsiao-Huei Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Pat Levitt
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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22
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Dempsey B, Sungeelee S, Bokiniec P, Chettouh Z, Diem S, Autran S, Harrell ER, Poulet JFA, Birchmeier C, Carey H, Genovesio A, McMullan S, Goridis C, Fortin G, Brunet JF. A medullary centre for lapping in mice. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6307. [PMID: 34728601 PMCID: PMC8563905 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26275-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
It has long been known that orofacial movements for feeding can be triggered, coordinated, and often rhythmically organized at the level of the brainstem, without input from higher centers. We uncover two nuclei that can organize the movements for ingesting fluids in mice. These neuronal groups, IRtPhox2b and Peri5Atoh1, are marked by expression of the pan-autonomic homeobox gene Phox2b and are located, respectively, in the intermediate reticular formation of the medulla and around the motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. They are premotor to all jaw-opening and tongue muscles. Stimulation of either, in awake animals, opens the jaw, while IRtPhox2b alone also protracts the tongue. Moreover, stationary stimulation of IRtPhox2b entrains a rhythmic alternation of tongue protraction and retraction, synchronized with jaw opening and closing, that mimics lapping. Finally, fiber photometric recordings show that IRtPhox2b is active during volitional lapping. Our study identifies one of the subcortical nuclei underpinning a stereotyped feeding behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Dempsey
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Inserm, CNRS, École normale supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Selvee Sungeelee
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Inserm, CNRS, École normale supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Phillip Bokiniec
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), and Neuroscience Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zoubida Chettouh
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Inserm, CNRS, École normale supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Séverine Diem
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences NeuroPSI, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Sandra Autran
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences NeuroPSI, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Evan R Harrell
- Institut Pasteur, INSERM, Institut de l'Audition, Paris, France
| | - James F A Poulet
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), and Neuroscience Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carmen Birchmeier
- Developmental Biology/Signal Transduction, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, and Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure, Neuroscience Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Harry Carey
- Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
| | - Auguste Genovesio
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Inserm, CNRS, École normale supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Simon McMullan
- Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
| | - Christo Goridis
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Inserm, CNRS, École normale supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Gilles Fortin
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Inserm, CNRS, École normale supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Jean-François Brunet
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Inserm, CNRS, École normale supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France.
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23
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Hülsmann S, Khan A, Hagos L, Hindermann M, Nägel T, Dullin C. Evaluation of a mechanical lung model to test small animal whole body plethysmography. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17099. [PMID: 34429449 PMCID: PMC8384843 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96355-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-body plethysmography (WBP) is an established method to determine physiological parameters and pathophysiological alteration of breathing in animals and animal models of a variety of diseases. Although frequently used, there is ongoing debate about what exactly is measured by whole-body-plethysmography and how reliable the data derived from this method are. Here, we designed an artificial lung model that enables a thorough evaluation of different predictions about and around whole-body plethysmography. Using our lung model, we confirmed that during WBP two components contribute to the pressure changes detected in the chamber: (1) the increase in the pressure due to heating and moistening of the air during inspiration, termed conditioning; (2) changes in the chamber pressure that depend on airway resistance. Both components overlap and contribute to the temporal pressure-profile measured in the chamber or across the wall of the chamber, respectively. Our data showed that a precise measurement of the breathing volume appears to be hindered by at least two factors: (1) the unknown relative contribution of each of these two components; (2) not only the air in the inspired volume is conditioned during inspiration, but also air within the residual volume and dead space that is recruited during inspiration. Moreover, our data suggest that the expiratory negative pressure peak that is used to determine the enhanced pause (Penh) parameter is not a measure for airway resistance as such but rather a consequence of the animal’s response to the airway resistance, using forced or active expiration to overcome the resistance by a higher thoracic pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swen Hülsmann
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Amara Khan
- Department of Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Plank-Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Liya Hagos
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Hindermann
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Max-Plank-Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Torsten Nägel
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Dullin
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany.,Italian Synchrotron Light Source 'Elettra' Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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24
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Premoli M, Memo M, Bonini SA. Ultrasonic vocalizations in mice: relevance for ethologic and neurodevelopmental disorders studies. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1158-1167. [PMID: 33269765 PMCID: PMC8224126 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.300340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice use ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) to communicate each other and to convey their emotional state. USVs have been greatly characterized in specific life phases and contexts, such as mother isolation-induced USVs for pups or female-induced USVs for male mice during courtship. USVs can be acquired by means of specific tools and later analyzed on the base of both quantitative and qualitative parameters. Indeed, different ultrasonic call categories exist and have already been defined. The understanding of different calls meaning is still missing, and it will represent an essential step forward in the field of USVs. They have long been studied in the ethological context, but recently they emerged as a precious instrument to study pathologies characterized by deficits in communication, in particular neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorders. This review covers the topics of USVs characteristics in mice, contexts for USVs emission and factors that modulate their expression. A particular focus will be devoted to mouse USVs in the context of NDDs. Indeed, several NDDs murine models exist and an intense study of USVs is currently in progress, with the aim of both performing an early diagnosis and to find a pharmacological/behavioral intervention to improve patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Premoli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Anna Bonini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, Brescia, Italy
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25
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Chrobok L, Wojcik M, Klich JD, Pradel K, Lewandowski MH, Piggins HD. Phasic Neuronal Firing in the Rodent Nucleus of the Solitary Tract ex vivo. Front Physiol 2021; 12:638695. [PMID: 33762969 PMCID: PMC7982836 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.638695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Phasic pattern of neuronal activity has been previously described in detail for magnocellular vasopressin neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. This characteristic bistable pattern consists of alternating periods of electrical silence and elevated neuronal firing, implicated in neuropeptide release. Here, with the use of multi-electrode array recordings ex vivo, we aimed to study the firing pattern of neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) - the brainstem hub for homeostatic, cardio-vascular, and metabolic processes. Our recordings from the mouse and rat hindbrain slices reveal the phasic activity pattern to be displayed by a subset of neurons in the dorsomedial NTS subjacent to the area postrema (AP), with the inter-spike interval distribution closely resembling that reported for phasic magnocellular vasopressin cells. Additionally, we provide interspecies comparison, showing higher phasic frequency and firing rate of phasic NTS cells in mice compared to rats. Further, we describe daily changes in their firing rate and pattern, peaking at the middle of the night. Last, we reveal these phasic cells to be sensitive to α 2 adrenergic receptors activation and to respond to electrical stimulation of the AP. This study provides a comprehensive description of the phasic neuronal activity in the rodent NTS and identifies it as a potential downstream target of the AP noradrenergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Chrobok
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.,Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Michal Wojcik
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jasmin Daniela Klich
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Kamil Pradel
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marian Henryk Lewandowski
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Hugh David Piggins
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,School of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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26
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Minakova E, Sarafinovska S, Mikati MO, Barclay KM, McCullough KB, Dougherty JD, Al-Hasani R, Maloney SE. Ontogenetic Oxycodone Exposure Affects Early Life Communicative Behaviors, Sensorimotor Reflexes, and Weight Trajectory in Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:615798. [PMID: 33692675 PMCID: PMC7937712 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.615798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nationwide, opioid misuse among pregnant women has risen four-fold from 1999 to 2014, with commensurate increase in neonates hospitalized for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS occurs when a fetus exposed to opioids in utero goes into rapid withdrawal after birth. NAS treatment via continued post-natal opioid exposure has been suggested to worsen neurodevelopmental outcomes. We developed a novel model to characterize the impact of in utero and prolonged post-natal oxycodone (Oxy) exposure on early behavior and development. Via subcutaneous pump implanted before breeding, C57BL/6J dams were infused with Oxy at 10 mg/kg/day from conception through pup-weaning. At birth, in utero oxy-exposed pups were either cross-fostered (paired with non-Oxy exposed dams) to model opioid abstinence (in utero Oxy) or reared by their biological dams still receiving Oxy to model continued post-natal opioid exposure (prolonged Oxy). Offspring from vehicle-exposed dams served as cross-fostered (in utero Veh) or biologically reared (prolonged Veh) controls. In utero Oxy exposure resulted in sex-dependent weight reductions and altered spectrotemporal features of isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalization (USV). Meanwhile, prolonged Oxy pups exhibited reduced weight and sex-differential delays in righting reflex. Specifically, prolonged Oxy female offspring exhibited increased latency to righting. Prolonged Oxy pups also showed decreases in number of USV calls and changes to spectrotemporal USV features. Overall, ontogenetic Oxy exposure was associated with impaired attainment of gross and sensorimotor milestones, as well as alterations in communication and affective behaviors, indicating a need for therapeutic interventions. The model developed here will enable studies of withdrawal physiology and opioid-mediated mechanisms underlying these neurodevelopmental deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Minakova
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Simona Sarafinovska
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Marwa O. Mikati
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Kia M. Barclay
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Katherine B. McCullough
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Joseph D. Dougherty
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University In St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Ream Al-Hasani
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Susan E. Maloney
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University In St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
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27
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Lowenstein ED, Rusanova A, Stelzer J, Hernaiz-Llorens M, Schroer AE, Epifanova E, Bladt F, Isik EG, Buchert S, Jia S, Tarabykin V, Hernandez-Miranda LR. Olig3 regulates early cerebellar development. eLife 2021; 10:64684. [PMID: 33591268 PMCID: PMC7886330 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The mature cerebellum controls motor skill precision and participates in other sophisticated brain functions that include learning, cognition, and speech. Different types of GABAergic and glutamatergic cerebellar neurons originate in temporal order from two progenitor niches, the ventricular zone and rhombic lip, which express the transcription factors Ptf1a and Atoh1, respectively. However, the molecular machinery required to specify the distinct neuronal types emanating from these progenitor zones is still unclear. Here, we uncover the transcription factor Olig3 as a major determinant in generating the earliest neuronal derivatives emanating from both progenitor zones in mice. In the rhombic lip, Olig3 regulates progenitor cell proliferation. In the ventricular zone, Olig3 safeguards Purkinje cell specification by curtailing the expression of Pax2, a transcription factor that suppresses the Purkinje cell differentiation program. Our work thus defines Olig3 as a key factor in early cerebellar development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aleksandra Rusanova
- Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation
| | - Jonas Stelzer
- Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Adrian E Schroer
- Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Epifanova
- Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation
| | - Francesca Bladt
- Max-Delbrück-Centrum in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eser Göksu Isik
- Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sven Buchert
- Max-Delbrück-Centrum in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Shiqi Jia
- Max-Delbrück-Centrum in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Victor Tarabykin
- Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation
| | - Luis R Hernandez-Miranda
- Max-Delbrück-Centrum in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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28
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Pitts T, Huff A, Reed M, Iceman K, Mellen N. Evidence of intermediate reticular formation involvement in swallow pattern generation, recorded optically in the neonate rat sagittally sectioned hindbrain. J Neurophysiol 2021; 125:993-1005. [PMID: 33566745 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00623.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Swallow is a primitive behavior regulated by medullary networks, responsible for movement of food/liquid from the oral cavity to the esophagus. To investigate how functionally heterogeneous networks along the medullary intermediate reticular formation (IRt) and ventral respiratory column (VRC) control swallow, we electrically stimulated the nucleus tractus solitarius to induce fictive swallow between inspiratory bursts, with concurrent optical recordings using a synthetic Ca2+ indicator in the neonatal sagittally sectioned rat hindbrain (SSRH) preparation. Simultaneous recordings from hypoglossal nerve rootlet (XIIn) and ventral cervical spinal root C1-C2 enabled identification of the system-level correlates of 1) swallow (identified as activation of the XIIn but not the cervical root) and 2) Breuer-Hering expiratory reflex (BHE; lengthened expiration in response to stimuli during expiration). Optical recording revealed reconfiguration of respiration-modulated networks in the ventrolateral medulla during swallow and the BHE reflex. Recordings identified novel spatially compact networks in the IRt near the facial nucleus (VIIn) that were active during fictive swallow, suggesting that the swallow network is not restricted to the caudal medulla. These findings also establish the utility of using this in vitro preparation to investigate how functionally heterogeneous medullary networks interact and reconfigure to enable a repertoire of orofacial behaviors.NEW & NOTEWORTHY For the first time, medullary networks that control breathing and swallow are recorded optically. Episodic swallows are induced via electrical stimulation along the dorsal medulla, in and near the NTS, during spontaneously occurring fictive respiration. These findings establish that networks regulating both orofacial behaviors and breathing are accessible for optical recording at the surface of the sagittally sectioned rodent hindbrain preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Pitts
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Alyssa Huff
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Mitchell Reed
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Kimberly Iceman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Nicholas Mellen
- Department of Neurology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
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29
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Schwenkgrub J, Harrell ER, Bathellier B, Bouvier J. Deep imaging in the brainstem reveals functional heterogeneity in V2a neurons controlling locomotion. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/49/eabc6309. [PMID: 33277252 PMCID: PMC7821901 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc6309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
V2a neurons are a genetically defined cell class that forms a major excitatory descending pathway from the brainstem reticular formation to the spinal cord. Their activation has been linked to the termination of locomotor activity based on broad optogenetic manipulations. However, because of the difficulties involved in accessing brainstem structures for in vivo cell type-specific recordings, V2a neuron function has never been directly observed during natural behaviors. Here, we imaged the activity of V2a neurons using micro-endoscopy in freely moving mice. We find that as many as half of the V2a neurons are excited at locomotion arrest and with low reliability. Other V2a neurons are inhibited at locomotor arrests and/or activated during other behaviors such as locomotion initiation or stationary grooming. Our results establish that V2a neurons not only drive stops as suggested by bulk optogenetics but also are stratified into subpopulations that likely contribute to diverse motor patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Schwenkgrub
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institut Pasteur, INSERM, Institut de l'Audition, 63 rue de Charenton, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Evan R Harrell
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institut Pasteur, INSERM, Institut de l'Audition, 63 rue de Charenton, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Brice Bathellier
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
- Institut Pasteur, INSERM, Institut de l'Audition, 63 rue de Charenton, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Julien Bouvier
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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30
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Yang CF, Kim EJ, Callaway EM, Feldman JL. Monosynaptic Projections to Excitatory and Inhibitory preBötzinger Complex Neurons. Front Neuroanat 2020; 14:58. [PMID: 33013329 PMCID: PMC7507425 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The key driver of breathing rhythm is the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC) whose activity is modulated by various functional inputs, e.g., volitional, physiological, and emotional. While the preBötC is highly interconnected with other regions of the breathing central pattern generator (bCPG) in the brainstem, there is no data about the direct projections to either excitatory and inhibitory preBötC subpopulations from other elements of the bCPG or from suprapontine regions. Using modified rabies tracing, we identified neurons throughout the brain that send monosynaptic projections to identified excitatory and inhibitory preBötC neurons in mice. Within the brainstem, neurons from sites in the bCPG, including the contralateral preBötC, Bötzinger Complex, the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), parafacial region (pF L /pF V ), and parabrachial nuclei (PB), send direct projections to both excitatory and inhibitory preBötC neurons. Suprapontine inputs to the excitatory and inhibitory preBötC neurons include the superior colliculus, red nucleus, amygdala, hypothalamus, and cortex; these projections represent potential direct pathways for volitional, emotional, and physiological control of breathing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy F. Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Euiseok J. Kim
- Systems Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Edward M. Callaway
- Systems Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Jack L. Feldman
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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31
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Chaimowicz C, Ruffault PL, Chéret C, Woehler A, Zampieri N, Fortin G, Garratt AN, Birchmeier C. Teashirt 1 (Tshz1) is essential for the development, survival and function of hypoglossal and phrenic motor neurons in mouse. Development 2019; 146:dev.174045. [PMID: 31427287 PMCID: PMC6765129 DOI: 10.1242/dev.174045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Feeding and breathing are essential motor functions and rely on the activity of hypoglossal and phrenic motor neurons that innervate the tongue and diaphragm, respectively. Little is known about the genetic programs that control the development of these neuronal subtypes. The transcription factor Tshz1 is strongly and persistently expressed in developing hypoglossal and phrenic motor neurons. We used conditional mutation of Tshz1 in the progenitor zone of motor neurons (Tshz1MN Δ) to show that Tshz1 is essential for survival and function of hypoglossal and phrenic motor neurons. Hypoglossal and phrenic motor neurons are born in correct numbers, but many die between embryonic day 13.5 and 14.5 in Tshz1MN Δ mutant mice. In addition, innervation and electrophysiological properties of phrenic and hypoglossal motor neurons are altered. Severe feeding and breathing problems accompany this developmental deficit. Although motor neuron survival can be rescued by elimination of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax, innervation, feeding and breathing defects persist in Bax-/-; Tshz1MN Δ mutants. We conclude that Tshz1 is an essential transcription factor for the development and physiological function of phrenic and hypoglossal motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Chaimowicz
- Developmental Biology/Signal Transduction, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Pierre-Louis Ruffault
- Developmental Biology/Signal Transduction, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Cyril Chéret
- Developmental Biology/Signal Transduction, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrew Woehler
- Systems Biology Imaging, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Niccolò Zampieri
- Development and Function of Neural Circuits, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gilles Fortin
- UMR9197, CNRS/Université Paris-Sud, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, 1 Avenue de la Terrasse, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Alistair N Garratt
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Virchowweg 6, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Carmen Birchmeier
- Developmental Biology/Signal Transduction, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, 13125 Berlin, Germany
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32
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Potter HG, Ashbrook DG, Hager R. Offspring genetic effects on maternal care. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 52:195-205. [PMID: 30576700 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parental care is found widely across animal taxa and is manifest in a range of behaviours from basic provisioning in cockroaches to highly complex behaviours seen in mammals. The evolution of parental care is viewed as the outcome of an evolutionary cost/benefit trade-off between investing in current and future offspring, leading to the selection of traits in offspring that influence parental behaviour. Thus, level and quality of parental care are affected by both parental and offspring genetic differences that directly and indirectly influence parental care behaviour. While significant research effort has gone into understanding how parental genomes affect parental, and mostly maternal, behaviour, few studies have investigated how offspring genomes affect parental care. In this review, we bring together recent findings across different fields focussing on the mechanism and genetics of offspring effects on maternal care in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry G Potter
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom.
| | - David G Ashbrook
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, Translational Science Research Building, Room 415, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 71 S Manassas St, Memphis, TN 38103, United States
| | - Reinmar Hager
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
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33
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Mutation in LBX1/Lbx1 precludes transcription factor cooperativity and causes congenital hypoventilation in humans and mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:13021-13026. [PMID: 30487221 PMCID: PMC6304989 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1813520115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintaining low CO2 levels in our bodies is critical for life and depends on neurons that generate the respiratory rhythm and monitor tissue gas levels. Inadequate response to increasing levels of CO2 is common in congenital hypoventilation diseases. Here, we identified a mutation in LBX1, a homeodomain transcription factor, that causes congenital hypoventilation in humans. The mutation alters the C terminus of the protein without disturbing its DNA-binding domain. Mouse models carrying an analogous mutation recapitulate the disease. The mutation spares most Lbx1 functions, but selectively affects development of a small group of neurons central in respiration. Our work reveals a very unusual pathomechanism, a mutation that hampers a small subset of functions carried out by a transcription factor. The respiratory rhythm is generated by the preBötzinger complex in the medulla oblongata, and is modulated by neurons in the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN), which are essential for accelerating respiration in response to high CO2. Here we identify a LBX1 frameshift (LBX1FS) mutation in patients with congenital central hypoventilation. The mutation alters the C-terminal but not the DNA-binding domain of LBX1. Mice with the analogous mutation recapitulate the breathing deficits found in humans. Furthermore, the mutation only interferes with a small subset of Lbx1 functions, and in particular with development of RTN neurons that coexpress Lbx1 and Phox2b. Genome-wide analyses in a cell culture model show that Lbx1FS and wild-type Lbx1 proteins are mostly bound to similar sites, but that Lbx1FS is unable to cooperate with Phox2b. Thus, our analyses on Lbx1FS (dys)function reveals an unusual pathomechanism; that is, a mutation that selectively interferes with the ability of Lbx1 to cooperate with Phox2b, and thus impairs the development of a small subpopulation of neurons essential for respiratory control.
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Hülsmann S, Oke Y, Mesuret G, Latal AT, Fortuna MG, Niebert M, Hirrlinger J, Fischer J, Hammerschmidt K. The postnatal development of ultrasonic vocalization-associated breathing is altered in glycine transporter 2-deficient mice. J Physiol 2018; 597:173-191. [PMID: 30296333 DOI: 10.1113/jp276976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Newborn mice produce ultrasonic vocalization to communicate with their mother. The neuronal glycine transporter (GlyT2) is required for efficient loading of synaptic vesicles in glycinergic neurons. Mice lacking GlyT2 develop a phenotype that resembles human hyperekplexia and the mice die in the second postnatal week. In the present study, we show that GlyT2-knockout mice do not acquire adult ultrasonic vocalization-associated breathing patterns. Despite the strong impairment of glycinergic inhibition, they can produce sufficient expiratory airflow to produce ultrasonic vocalization. Because mouse ultrasonic vocalization is a valuable read-out in translational research, these data are highly relevant for a broad range of research fields. ABSTRACT Mouse models are instrumental with respect to determining the genetic basis and neural foundations of breathing regulation. To test the hypothesis that glycinergic synaptic inhibition is required for normal breathing and proper post-inspiratory activity, we analysed breathing and ultrasonic vocalization (USV) patterns in neonatal mice lacking the neuronal glycine transporter (GlyT2). GlyT2-knockout (KO) mice have a profound reduction of glycinergic synaptic currents already at birth, develop a severe motor phenotype and survive only until the second postnatal week. At this stage, GlyT2-KO mice are smaller, have a reduced respiratory rate and still display a neonatal breathing pattern with active expiration for the production of USV. By contrast, wild-type mice acquire different USV-associated breathing patterns that depend on post-inspiratory control of air flow. Nonetheless, USVs per se remain largely indistinguishable between both genotypes. We conclude that GlyT2-KO mice, despite the strong impairment of glycinergic inhibition, can produce sufficient expiratory airflow to produce ultrasonic vocalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swen Hülsmann
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany.,Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yoshihiko Oke
- Division of Physiome, Department of Physiology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Guillaume Mesuret
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany.,Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - A Tobias Latal
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany.,Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michal G Fortuna
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany.,Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marcus Niebert
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Hirrlinger
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Neurogenetics, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Julia Fischer
- German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kurt Hammerschmidt
- German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, Göttingen, Germany
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Ashbrook DG, Roy S, Clifford BG, Riede T, Scattoni ML, Heck DH, Lu L, Williams RW. Born to Cry: A Genetic Dissection of Infant Vocalization. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:250. [PMID: 30420800 PMCID: PMC6216097 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Infant vocalizations are one of the most fundamental and innate forms of behavior throughout avian and mammalian orders. They have a critical role in motivating parental care and contribute significantly to fitness and reproductive success. Dysregulation of these vocalizations has been reported to predict risk of central nervous system pathologies such as hypoxia, meningitis, or autism spectrum disorder. Here, we have used the expanded BXD family of mice, and a diallel cross between DBA/2J and C57BL/6J parental strains, to begin the process of genetically dissecting the numerous facets of infant vocalizations. We calculate heritability, estimate the role of parent-of-origin effects, and identify novel quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) on postnatal days 7, 8, and 9; a stage that closely matches human infants at birth. Heritability estimates for the number and frequency of calls are low, suggesting that these traits are under high selective pressure. In contrast, duration and amplitude of calls have higher heritabilities, indicating lower selection, or their importance for kin recognition. We find suggestive evidence that amplitude of infant calls is dependent on the maternal genotype, independent of shared genetic variants. Finally, we identify two loci on Chrs 2 and 14 influencing call frequency, and a third locus on Chr 8 influencing the amplitude of vocalizations. All three loci contain strong candidate genes that merit further analysis. Understanding the genetic control of infant vocalizations is not just important for understanding the evolution of parent–offspring interactions, but also in understanding the earliest innate behaviors, the development of parent–offspring relations, and the early identification of behavioral abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David George Ashbrook
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Snigdha Roy
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Brittany G Clifford
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Tobias Riede
- Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, United States
| | - Maria Luisa Scattoni
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Detlef H Heck
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Lu Lu
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Robert W Williams
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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Fu Y, Tessneer KL, Li C, Gaffney PM. From association to mechanism in complex disease genetics: the role of the 3D genome. Arthritis Res Ther 2018; 20:216. [PMID: 30268153 PMCID: PMC6162955 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-018-1721-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and fine mapping studies in autoimmune diseases have identified thousands of genetic variants, the majority of which are located in non-protein-coding enhancer regions. Enhancers function within the context of the three-dimensional (3D) genome to form long-range DNA looping events with target gene promoters that spatially and temporally regulate gene expression. Investigating the functional significance of GWAS variants in the context of the 3D genome is essential for mechanistic understanding of these variants and how they influence disease pathology by altering DNA looping between enhancers and the target gene promoters they regulate. In this review, we discuss the functional complexity of the 3D genome and the technological approaches used to characterize DNA looping events. We then highlight examples from the literature that illustrate how functional mapping of the 3D genome can assist in defining mechanisms that influence pathogenic gene expression. We conclude by highlighting future advances necessary to fully integrate 3D genome analyses into the functional workup of GWAS variants in the continuing effort to improve the health of patients with autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Fu
- Division of Genomics and Data Sciences, Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 Northeast 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 USA
| | - Kandice L Tessneer
- Division of Genomics and Data Sciences, Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 Northeast 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 USA
| | - Chuang Li
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Devan Energy Hall 150, 110 West Boyd Street, Norman, OK 73019 USA
| | - Patrick M Gaffney
- Division of Genomics and Data Sciences, Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 Northeast 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 USA
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Examining the Reversibility of Long-Term Behavioral Disruptions in Progeny of Maternal SSRI Exposure. eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-NWR-0120-18. [PMID: 30073191 PMCID: PMC6071194 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0120-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonergic dysregulation is implicated in numerous psychiatric disorders. Serotonin plays widespread trophic roles during neurodevelopment; thus perturbations to this system during development may increase risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Epidemiological studies have examined association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment during pregnancy and increased autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in offspring. It is unclear from these studies whether ASD susceptibility is purely related to maternal psychiatric diagnosis, or if treatment poses additional risk. We sought to determine whether maternal SSRI treatment alone or in combination with genetically vulnerable background was sufficient to induce offspring behavior disruptions relevant to ASD. We exposed C57BL/6J or Celf6+/- mouse dams to fluoxetine (FLX) during different periods of gestation and lactation and characterized offspring on tasks assessing social communicative interaction and repetitive behavior patterns including sensory sensitivities. We demonstrate robust reductions in pup ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) and alterations in social hierarchy behaviors, as well as perseverative behaviors and tactile hypersensitivity. Celf6 mutant mice demonstrate social communicative deficits and perseverative behaviors, without further interaction with FLX. FLX re-exposure in adulthood ameliorates the tactile hypersensitivity yet exacerbates the dominance phenotype. This suggests acute deficiencies in serotonin levels likely underlie the abnormal responses to sensory stimuli, while the social alterations are instead due to altered development of social circuits. These findings indicate maternal FLX treatment, independent of maternal stress, can induce behavioral disruptions in mammalian offspring, thus contributing to our understanding of the developmental role of the serotonin system and the possible risks to offspring of SSRI treatment during pregnancy.
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Abstract
Rhythmicity is a universal timing mechanism in the brain, and the rhythmogenic mechanisms are generally dynamic. This is illustrated for the neuronal control of breathing, a behavior that occurs as a one-, two-, or three-phase rhythm. Each breath is assembled stochastically, and increasing evidence suggests that each phase can be generated independently by a dedicated excitatory microcircuit. Within each microcircuit, rhythmicity emerges through three entangled mechanisms: ( a) glutamatergic transmission, which is amplified by ( b) intrinsic bursting and opposed by ( c) concurrent inhibition. This rhythmogenic triangle is dynamically tuned by neuromodulators and other network interactions. The ability of coupled oscillators to reconfigure and recombine may allow breathing to remain robust yet plastic enough to conform to nonventilatory behaviors such as vocalization, swallowing, and coughing. Lessons learned from the respiratory network may translate to other highly dynamic and integrated rhythmic systems, if approached one breath at a time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Marino Ramirez
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98101, USA;
| | - Nathan A Baertsch
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98101, USA;
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Abstract
Breathing is a well-described, vital and surprisingly complex behaviour, with behavioural and physiological outputs that are easy to directly measure. Key neural elements for generating breathing pattern are distinct, compact and form a network amenable to detailed interrogation, promising the imminent discovery of molecular, cellular, synaptic and network mechanisms that give rise to the behaviour. Coupled oscillatory microcircuits make up the rhythmic core of the breathing network. Primary among these is the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC), which is composed of excitatory rhythmogenic interneurons and excitatory and inhibitory pattern-forming interneurons that together produce the essential periodic drive for inspiration. The preBötC coordinates all phases of the breathing cycle, coordinates breathing with orofacial behaviours and strongly influences, and is influenced by, emotion and cognition. Here, we review progress towards cracking the inner workings of this vital core.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Del Negro
- Department of Applied Science, Integrated Science Center, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, USA
| | - Gregory D Funk
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, Women's and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jack L Feldman
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Center for Health Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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