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Hamel K, Moncada EL, Sheeler C, Rosa JG, Gilliat S, Zhang Y, Cvetanovic M. Cerebellar Heterogeneity and Selective vulnerability in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 (SCA1). Neurobiol Dis 2024; 197:106530. [PMID: 38750673 PMCID: PMC11184674 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneity is one of the key features of the healthy brain and selective vulnerability characterizes many, if not all, neurodegenerative diseases. While cerebellum contains majority of brain cells, neither its heterogeneity nor selective vulnerability in disease are well understood. Here we describe molecular, cellular and functional heterogeneity in the context of healthy cerebellum as well as in cerebellar disease Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 (SCA1). We first compared disease pathology in cerebellar vermis and hemispheres across anterior to posterior axis in a knock-in SCA1 mouse model. Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated earlier and more severe pathology of PCs and glia in the posterior cerebellar vermis of SCA1 mice. We also demonstrate heterogeneity of Bergmann glia in the unaffected, wild-type mice. Then, using RNA sequencing, we found both shared, as well as, posterior cerebellum-specific molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis that include exacerbated gene dysregulation, increased number of altered signaling pathways, and decreased pathway activity scores in the posterior cerebellum of SCA1 mice. We demonstrated unexpectedly large differences in the gene expression between posterior and anterior cerebellar vermis of wild-type mice, indicative of robust intraregional heterogeneity of gene expression in the healthy cerebellum. Additionally, we found that SCA1 disease profoundly reduces intracerebellar heterogeneity of gene expression. Further, using fiber photometry, we found that population level PC calcium activity was altered in the posterior lobules in SCA1 mice during walking. We also identified regional differences in the population level activity of Purkinje cells (PCs) in unrestrained wild-type mice that were diminished in SCA1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Juao-Guilherme Rosa
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, USA; Current affiliation Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, 677 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Stephen Gilliat
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, USA; Current affiliation Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, USA
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, University of Minnesota, USA; Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 2101 6(th) Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Marija Cvetanovic
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, USA; Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 2101 6(th) Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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2
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Tejwani L, Ravindra NG, Lee C, Cheng Y, Nguyen B, Luttik K, Ni L, Zhang S, Morrison LM, Gionco J, Xiang Y, Yoon J, Ro H, Haidery F, Grijalva RM, Bae E, Kim K, Martuscello RT, Orr HT, Zoghbi HY, McLoughlin HS, Ranum LPW, Shakkottai VG, Faust PL, Wang S, van Dijk D, Lim J. Longitudinal single-cell transcriptional dynamics throughout neurodegeneration in SCA1. Neuron 2024; 112:362-383.e15. [PMID: 38016472 PMCID: PMC10922326 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.10.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is a protracted process involving progressive changes in myriad cell types that ultimately results in the death of vulnerable neuronal populations. To dissect how individual cell types within a heterogeneous tissue contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of a neurodegenerative disorder, we performed longitudinal single-nucleus RNA sequencing of mouse and human spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) cerebellar tissue, establishing continuous dynamic trajectories of each cell population. Importantly, we defined the precise transcriptional changes that precede loss of Purkinje cells and, for the first time, identified robust early transcriptional dysregulation in unipolar brush cells and oligodendroglia. Finally, we applied a deep learning method to predict disease state accurately and identified specific features that enable accurate distinction of wild-type and SCA1 cells. Together, this work reveals new roles for diverse cerebellar cell types in SCA1 and provides a generalizable analysis framework for studying neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon Tejwani
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Neal G Ravindra
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Changwoo Lee
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yubao Cheng
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Billy Nguyen
- University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Kimberly Luttik
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Luhan Ni
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Shupei Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Logan M Morrison
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - John Gionco
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Yangfei Xiang
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Hannah Ro
- Yale College, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Rosalie M Grijalva
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Kristen Kim
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Regina T Martuscello
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Harry T Orr
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hayley S McLoughlin
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
| | - Laura P W Ranum
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for Neurogenetics, College of Medicine, Genetics Institute, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Vikram G Shakkottai
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Phyllis L Faust
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Siyuan Wang
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - David van Dijk
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Janghoo Lim
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Wu Tsai Institute, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
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3
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Ruff DS, Balbo I, Lai R, Dieng D, Hennessey C, Vennam K, Dwork AJ, McCreary M, Louis ED, Faust PL, Kuo S. Reduced Bergmann glial process terminations and lateral appendages in essential tremor. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2024; 11:377-388. [PMID: 38098226 PMCID: PMC10863904 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Postmortem examination of the essential tremor cerebellum has revealed a variety of pathological changes centered in and around Purkinje cells. Studies have predominantly focused on cerebellar neuronal connections. Bergmann glial morphology has not yet been studied in essential tremor. Among their many roles, Bergmann glia in the cerebellar cortex ensheath Purkinje cell synapses and provide neuroprotection. Specifically, the complex radial processes and lateral appendages of Bergmann glia are structural domains that modulate Purkinje cell synaptic transmission. In this study, we investigate whether Bergmann glia morphology is altered in the essential tremor cerebellum. METHODS We applied the Golgi-Kopsch method and used computerized three-dimensional cell reconstruction to visualize Bergmann glia in the postmortem cerebellum of 34 cases and 17 controls. We quantified morphology of terminal structures (number of terminations and lateral appendage density) and morphology of radial processes (total process length, branch length, branch order, and branch volume) in each glial cell. We quantified number of branches and volume as well. RESULTS Essential tremor cases had a 31.9% decrease in process terminations and a 35.7% decrease in lateral appendage density in Bergmann glia. Total process length and branch length did not differ between essential tremor cases and controls. We found also a reduction in number of secondary and tertiary branches and tertiary branches volume. INTERPRETATION These findings suggest that Bergmann glia in essential tremor cases have more alterations in their terminal structures, with a relative preservation of radial processes, and highlight a potential role for these astrocytes in the disease pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Ruff
- Department of NeurologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
- Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and TremorColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
| | - Ilaria Balbo
- Department of NeurologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
- Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and TremorColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
| | - Ruo‐Yah Lai
- Department of NeurologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
- Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and TremorColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
| | - Diarra Dieng
- Department of NeurologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
- Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and TremorColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
| | - Charlotte Hennessey
- Department of NeurologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
- Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and TremorColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
| | - Krish Vennam
- Department of NeurologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
- Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and TremorColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
| | - Andrew J. Dwork
- Department of Pathology and Cell BiologyColumbia University Medical Center, The New York Presbyterian HospitalNew YorkNew York10032USA
- Department of PsychiatryColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Morgan McCreary
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas SouthwesternDallasTexas75390USA
| | - Elan D. Louis
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas SouthwesternDallasTexas75390USA
| | - Phyllis L. Faust
- Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and TremorColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell BiologyColumbia University Medical Center, The New York Presbyterian HospitalNew YorkNew York10032USA
| | - Sheng‐Han Kuo
- Department of NeurologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
- Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and TremorColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew York10032USA
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Luttik K, Olmos V, Owens A, Khan A, Yun J, Driessen T, Lim J. Identifying Disease Signatures in the Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 Mouse Cortex. Cells 2022; 11:2632. [PMID: 36078042 PMCID: PMC9454518 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is known to lead to the progressive degeneration of specific neuronal populations, including cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs), brainstem cranial nerve nuclei and inferior olive nuclei, and spinocerebellar tracts. The disease-causing protein ataxin-1 is fairly ubiquitously expressed throughout the brain and spinal cord, but most studies have primarily focused on the role of ataxin-1 in the cerebellum and brainstem. Therefore, the functions of ataxin-1 and the effects of SCA1 mutations in other brain regions including the cortex are not well-known. Here, we characterized pathology in the motor cortex of a SCA1 mouse model and performed RNA sequencing in this brain region to investigate the impact of mutant ataxin-1 towards transcriptomic alterations. We identified progressive cortical pathology and significant transcriptomic changes in the motor cortex of a SCA1 mouse model. We also identified progressive, region-specific, colocalization of p62 protein with mutant ataxin-1 aggregates in broad brain regions, but not the cerebellum or brainstem. A cross-regional comparison of the SCA1 cortical and cerebellar transcriptomic changes identified both common and unique gene expression changes between the two regions, including shared synaptic dysfunction and region-specific kinase regulation. These findings suggest that the cortex is progressively impacted via both shared and region-specific mechanisms in SCA1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Luttik
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Victor Olmos
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Ashley Owens
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Joy Yun
- Yale College, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Terri Driessen
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Janghoo Lim
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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