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Strohm AO, Johnston C, Hernady E, Marples B, O'Banion MK, Majewska AK. Cranial irradiation disrupts homeostatic microglial dynamic behavior. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:82. [PMID: 38570852 PMCID: PMC10993621 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03073-z] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cranial irradiation causes cognitive deficits that are in part mediated by microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain. Microglia are highly reactive, exhibiting changes in shape and morphology depending on the function they are performing. Additionally, microglia processes make dynamic, physical contacts with different components of their environment to monitor the functional state of the brain and promote plasticity. Though evidence suggests radiation perturbs homeostatic microglia functions, it is unknown how cranial irradiation impacts the dynamic behavior of microglia over time. Here, we paired in vivo two-photon microscopy with a transgenic mouse model that labels cortical microglia to follow these cells and determine how they change over time in cranial irradiated mice and their control littermates. We show that a single dose of 10 Gy cranial irradiation disrupts homeostatic cortical microglia dynamics during a 1-month time course. We found a lasting loss of microglial cells following cranial irradiation, coupled with a modest dysregulation of microglial soma displacement at earlier timepoints. The homogeneous distribution of microglia was maintained, suggesting microglia rearrange themselves to account for cell loss and maintain territorial organization following cranial irradiation. Furthermore, we found cranial irradiation reduced microglia coverage of the parenchyma and their surveillance capacity, without overtly changing morphology. Our results demonstrate that a single dose of radiation can induce changes in microglial behavior and function that could influence neurological health. These results set the foundation for future work examining how cranial irradiation impacts complex cellular dynamics in the brain which could contribute to the manifestation of cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra O Strohm
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Carl Johnston
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Eric Hernady
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Brian Marples
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - M Kerry O'Banion
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
- Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Ania K Majewska
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
- Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
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Cealie MY, Douglas JC, Swan HK, Vonkaenel ED, McCall MN, Drew PD, Majewska AK. Developmental Ethanol Exposure Impacts Purkinje Cells but Not Microglia in the Young Adult Cerebellum. Cells 2024; 13:386. [PMID: 38474350 PMCID: PMC10930603 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050386] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) caused by developmental ethanol exposure lead to cerebellar impairments, including motor problems, decreased cerebellar weight, and cell death. Alterations in the sole output of the cerebellar cortex, Purkinje cells, and central nervous system immune cells, microglia, have been reported in animal models of FASD. To determine how developmental ethanol exposure affects adult cerebellar microglia and Purkinje cells, we used a human third-trimester binge exposure model in which mice received ethanol or saline from postnatal (P) days 4-9. In adolescence, cerebellar cranial windows were implanted and mice were aged to young adulthood for examination of microglia and Purkinje cells in vivo with two-photon imaging or in fixed tissue. Ethanol had no effect on microglia density, morphology, dynamics, or injury response. However, Purkinje cell linear frequency was reduced by ethanol. Microglia-Purkinje cell interactions in the Purkinje Cell Layer were altered in females compared to males. Overall, developmental ethanol exposure had few effects on cerebellar microglia in young adulthood and Purkinje cells appeared to be more susceptible to its effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- MaKenna Y. Cealie
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA;
| | - James C. Douglas
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (J.C.D.); (P.D.D.)
| | - Hannah K. Swan
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; (H.K.S.); (M.N.M.)
| | - Erik D. Vonkaenel
- Earth and Biological Systems Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA;
| | - Matthew N. McCall
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; (H.K.S.); (M.N.M.)
| | - Paul D. Drew
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (J.C.D.); (P.D.D.)
| | - Ania K. Majewska
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA;
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3
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Strohm AO, O'Connor TN, Oldfield S, Young S, Hammond C, McCall M, Dirksen RT, Majewska AK. Cortical microglia dynamics are conserved during voluntary wheel running. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2024; 136:89-108. [PMID: 37969082 PMCID: PMC11212787 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00311.2023] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We present the first demonstration of chronic in vivo imaging of microglia in mice undergoing voluntary wheel running. We find that healthy mice undergoing voluntary wheel running have similar microglia dynamics, morphologies, and responses to injury when compared to sedentary mice. This suggests that exercise over a period of 1 mo does not grossly alter cortical microglial phenotypes and that exercise may exert its beneficial effects on the brain through other mechanisms. Future work examining how microglia dynamics may be altered during exercise in disease or injury models could provide further insights into the therapeutic benefit of exercise.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate the first use of chronic in vivo imaging of microglia over time during physical exercise. We found that microglia movement, morphology, and process motility were remarkably stable during voluntary wheel running (VWR). Additionally, microglia in running mice respond similarly to laser ablation injury compared to sedentary mice. These findings indicate that VWR does not induce changes in microglia dynamics in healthy adults. Exercise may elicit positive effects on the brain through other mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra O Strohm
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Thomas N O'Connor
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Sadie Oldfield
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Sala Young
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Christian Hammond
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Matthew McCall
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Robert T Dirksen
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Ania K Majewska
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
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4
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Sun Y, Che J, Zhang J. Emerging non-proinflammatory roles of microglia in healthy and diseased brains. Brain Res Bull 2023; 199:110664. [PMID: 37192719 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Microglia, the resident myeloid cells of the central nervous system, are the first line of defense against foreign pathogens, thereby confining the extent of brain injury. However, the role of microglia is not limited to macrophage-like functions. In addition to proinflammatory response mediation, microglia are involved in neurodevelopmental remodeling and homeostatic maintenance in the absence of disease. An increasing number of studies have also elucidated microglia-mediated regulation of tumor growth and neural repair in diseased brains. Here, we review the non-proinflammatory roles of microglia, with the aim of promoting a deeper understanding of the functions of microglia in healthy and diseased brains and contributing to the development of novel therapeutics that target microglia in neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinying Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 200032, Shanghai China.
| | - Ji Che
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 200032, Shanghai China.
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 200032, Shanghai China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai China.
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5
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Cealie MY, Douglas JC, Le LHD, Vonkaenel ED, McCall MN, Drew PD, Majewska AK. Developmental ethanol exposure has minimal impact on cerebellar microglial dynamics, morphology, and interactions with Purkinje cells during adolescence. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1176581. [PMID: 37214408 PMCID: PMC10198441 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1176581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are the most common cause of non-heritable, preventable mental disability, occurring in almost 5% of births in the United States. FASD lead to physical, behavioral, and cognitive impairments, including deficits related to the cerebellum. There is no known cure for FASD and their mechanisms remain poorly understood. To better understand these mechanisms, we examined the cerebellum on a cellular level by studying microglia, the principal immune cells of the central nervous system, and Purkinje cells, the sole output of the cerebellum. Both cell types have been shown to be affected in models of FASD, with increased cell death, immune activation of microglia, and altered firing in Purkinje cells. While ethanol administered in adulthood can acutely depress the dynamics of the microglial process arbor, it is unknown how developmental ethanol exposure impacts microglia dynamics and their interactions with Purkinje cells in the long term. Methods To address this question, we used a mouse model of human 3rd trimester exposure, whereby L7cre/Ai9+/-/Cx3cr1G/+ mice (with fluorescently labeled microglia and Purkinje cells) of both sexes were subcutaneously treated with a binge-level dose of ethanol (5.0 g/kg/day) or saline from postnatal days 4-9. Cranial windows were implanted in adolescent mice above the cerebellum to examine the long-term effects of developmental ethanol exposure on cerebellar microglia and Purkinje cell interactions using in vivo two-photon imaging. Results We found that cerebellar microglia dynamics and morphology were not affected after developmental ethanol exposure. Microglia dynamics were also largely unaltered with respect to how they interact with Purkinje cells, although subtle changes in these interactions were observed in females in the molecular layer of the cerebellum. Discussion This work suggests that there are limited in vivo long-term effects of ethanol exposure on microglia morphology, dynamics, and neuronal interactions, so other avenues of research may be important in elucidating the mechanisms of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- MaKenna Y. Cealie
- Majewska Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - James C. Douglas
- Drew Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Linh H. D. Le
- Majewska Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Erik D. Vonkaenel
- McCall Laboratory, Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Matthew N. McCall
- McCall Laboratory, Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Paul D. Drew
- Drew Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Ania K. Majewska
- Majewska Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
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6
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Nutt D, Hayes A, Fonville L, Zafar R, Palmer EO, Paterson L, Lingford-Hughes A. Alcohol and the Brain. Nutrients 2021; 13:3938. [PMID: 34836193 PMCID: PMC8625009 DOI: 10.3390/nu13113938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol works on the brain to produce its desired effects, e.g., sociability and intoxication, and hence the brain is an important organ for exploring subsequent harms. These come in many different forms such as the consequences of damage during intoxication, e.g., from falls and fights, damage from withdrawal, damage from the toxicity of alcohol and its metabolites and altered brain structure and function with implications for behavioral processes such as craving and addiction. On top of that are peripheral factors that compound brain damage such as poor diet, vitamin deficiencies leading to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Prenatal alcohol exposure can also have a profound impact on brain development and lead to irremediable changes of fetal alcohol syndrome. This chapter briefly reviews aspects of these with a particular focus on recent brain imaging results. Cardiovascular effects of alcohol that lead to brain pathology are not covered as they are dealt with elsewhere in the volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Nutt
- Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 ONN, UK; (A.H.); (L.F.); (R.Z.); (E.O.C.P.); (L.P.); (A.L.-H.)
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7
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Rossetto IMU, Cagnon VHA, Kido LA, Lizarte Neto FS, Tirapelli LF, Tirapelli DPDC, de Almeida Chuffa LG, Martinez FE, Martinez M. Caffeine consumption attenuates ethanol-induced inflammation through the regulation of adenosinergic receptors in the UChB rats cerebellum. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2021; 10:835-849. [PMID: 34484675 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfab067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Caffeine consumption is able to interfere in cellular processes related to inflammatory mechanisms by acting through the adenosinergic system. This study aimed to recognize alterations related to adenosinergic system and inflammatory process in the cerebellum of University of Chile Bibulous (UChB) rats after the consumption of ethanol and caffeine. UChB and Wistar rats, males at 5 months old, were divided into the groups (n = 15/group): (i) Control (Wistar rats receiving water); (ii) Ethanol group (UChB rats receiving ethanol solution at 10%) and (iii) Ethanol+caffeine group (UChB rats receiving ethanol solution at 10% added of 3 g/L of caffeine). The cerebellar tissue was collected and processed for immunohistochemistry, Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting techniques for the adenosinergic receptors A1 and A2a and inflammatory markers, including Nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB), TLR4, TLR2, MyD88, TNF-α, COX-2, iNOS and microglial marker Iba-1. Results showed ethanol and caffeine consumption differentially altering the immunolocalization of adenosinergic receptors and inflammatory markers in the cerebellar tissue. The A2a receptor was overexpressed in the Ethanol group and was evident in the glial cells. The Ethanol group had increased protein levels for NFκB and TLR4, expressively in Bergmann glia and Purkinje cells. Caffeine reduced the expression of these markers to levels similar to those found in the Control group. The A1 gene was upregulated the Ethanol group, but not its protein levels, suggesting post-transcriptional interference. In conclusion, caffeine seems to attenuate ethanol-induced inflammation in the cerebellum of UChB rats through the A1 and A2a modulation, playing a neuroprotective role in the chronic context of ethanol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela Maria Urra Rossetto
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 255 Monteiro Lobato St, Campinas, SP 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Valéria Helena Alves Cagnon
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 255 Monteiro Lobato St, Campinas, SP 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Larissa Akemi Kido
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 80 Monteiro Lobato St, Campinas, SP 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Fermino Sanches Lizarte Neto
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, University of São Paulo (USP), 3900 Bandeirantes Ave, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Luís Fernando Tirapelli
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, University of São Paulo (USP), 3900 Bandeirantes Ave, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-900, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz Gustavo de Almeida Chuffa
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of São Paulo (UNESP), 250 Prof. Dr. Antônio Celso Wagner Zanin St, Botucatu, SP 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Francisco Eduardo Martinez
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of São Paulo (UNESP), 250 Prof. Dr. Antônio Celso Wagner Zanin St, Botucatu, SP 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Martinez
- Department of Morphology and Pathology, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), 13571 Biblioteca Comunitária Ave, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil
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8
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Majewska AK, Verkhratsky A, Hughes EG. Special issue editorial: Glial plasticity in health and disease. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:5643-5648. [PMID: 34363271 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ania K Majewska
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania.,Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.,Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED, Leioa, Spain
| | - Ethan G Hughes
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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9
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Wong EL, Strohm A, Atlas J, Lamantia C, Majewska AK. Dynamics of microglia and dendritic spines in early adolescent cortex after developmental alcohol exposure. Dev Neurobiol 2021; 81:786-804. [PMID: 34228891 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder patients suffer from many cognitive disabilities. These include impaired auditory, visual, and tactile sensory information processing, making it more difficult for these patients to learn to navigate social scenarios. Rodent studies have shown that alcohol exposure during the brain growth spurt (BGS) can lead to acute neuronal apoptosis and an immunological response by microglia in the somatosensory cortex. Since microglia have critical physiological functions, including the support of excitatory synapse remodeling via interactions with dendritic spines, we sought to understand whether BGS alcohol exposure has long-term effects on microglial or dendritic spine dynamics. Using in vivo two-photon microscopy in 4-5 week old mice, we evaluated microglial functions such as process motility, the response to tissue injury, and the dynamics of physical interactions between microglial processes and dendritic spines. We also investigated potential differences in the morphology, density, or dynamics of dendritic spines in layer I/II primary sensory cortex of control and BGS alcohol exposed mice. We found that microglial process motility and contact with dendritic spines were not altered after BGS alcohol exposure. While the response of microglial processes toward tissue injury was not significantly altered by prior alcohol exposure, there was a trend suggesting that alcohol early in life may prime microglia to respond more quickly to secondary injury. Spine density, morphology, stability, and remodeling over time were not perturbed after BGS alcohol exposure. We demonstrate that after BGS alcohol exposure, the physiological functions of microglia and excitatory neurons remain intact in early adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissa L Wong
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, US.,Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, US
| | - Alexandra Strohm
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, US
| | - Jason Atlas
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, US
| | - Cassandra Lamantia
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, US
| | - Ania K Majewska
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, US.,Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, US
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10
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Stoessel MB, Majewska AK. Little cells of the little brain: microglia in cerebellar development and function. Trends Neurosci 2021; 44:564-578. [PMID: 33933255 PMCID: PMC8222145 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Microglia are long-lived resident macrophages of the brain with diverse roles that span development, adulthood, and aging. Once thought to be a relatively homogeneous population, there is a growing recognition that microglia are highly specialized to suit their specific brain region. Cerebellar microglia represent an example of such specialization, exhibiting a dynamical, transcriptional, and immunological profile that differs from that of other microglial populations. Here we review the evidence that cerebellar microglia shape the cerebellar environment and are in turn shaped by it. We examine the roles microglia play in cerebellar function, development, and aging. The emerging findings on cerebellar microglia may also provide insights into disease processes involving cerebellar dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark B Stoessel
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Ania K Majewska
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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11
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Kane CJM, Douglas JC, Rafferty T, Johnson JW, Niedzwiedz-Massey VM, Phelan KD, Majewska AK, Drew PD. Ethanol modulation of cerebellar neuroinflammation in a postnatal mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:1986-2007. [PMID: 33533128 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are alarmingly common, result in significant personal and societal loss, and there is no effective treatment for these disorders. Cerebellar neuropathology is common in FASD and causes aberrant cognitive and motor function. Ethanol-induced neuroinflammation is believed to contribute to neuropathological sequelae of FASD, and was previously demonstrated in the cerebellum in animal models of FASD. We now demonstrate neuroinflammation persists in the cerebellum several days following cessation of ethanol treatment in an early postnatal mouse model, with meaningful implications for timing of therapeutic intervention in FASD. We also demonstrate by Sholl analysis that ethanol decreases ramification of microglia cell processes in cells located near the Purkinje cell layer but not those near the external granule cell layer. Ethanol did not alter the expression of anti-inflammatory molecules or molecules that constitute NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes. Interestingly, ethanol decreased the expression of IL-23a (P19) and IL-12Rβ1 suggesting that ethanol may suppress IL-12 and IL-23 signaling. Fractalkine-fractalkine receptor (CX3CL1-CX3CR1) signaling is believed to suppress microglial activation and our demonstration that ethanol decreases CX3CL1 expression suggests that ethanol modulation of CX3CL1-CX3CR1 signaling may contribute to cerebellar neuroinflammation and neuropathology. We demonstrate ethanol alters the expression of specific molecules in the cerebellum understudied in FASD, but crucial for immune responses. Ethanol increases the expression of NOX-2 and NGP and decreases the expression of RAG1, NOS1, CD59a, S1PR5, PTPN22, GPR37, and Serpinb1b. These molecules represent a new horizon as potential targets for development of FASD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia J M Kane
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, Biomedical Research Center II, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - James C Douglas
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, Biomedical Research Center II, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Tonya Rafferty
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, Biomedical Research Center II, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Jennifer W Johnson
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, Biomedical Research Center II, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Victoria M Niedzwiedz-Massey
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, Biomedical Research Center II, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Kevin D Phelan
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, Biomedical Research Center II, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Ania Katarzyna Majewska
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Paul D Drew
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, Biomedical Research Center II, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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12
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Gruol DL, Melkonian C, Ly K, Sisouvanthong J, Tan Y, Roberts AJ. Alcohol and IL-6 Alter Expression of Synaptic Proteins in Cerebellum of Transgenic Mice with Increased Astrocyte Expression of IL-6. Neuroscience 2020; 442:124-137. [PMID: 32634532 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies indicate that neuroimmune factors, including the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), play a role in the CNS actions of alcohol. The cerebellum is a sensitive target of alcohol, but few studies have examined a potential role for neuroimmune factors in the actions of alcohol on this brain region. A number of studies have shown that synaptic transmission, and in particular inhibitory synaptic transmission, is an important cerebellar target of alcohol. IL-6 also alters synaptic transmission, although it is unknown if IL-6 targets are also targets of alcohol. This is an important issue because alcohol induces glial production of IL-6, which could then covertly influence the actions of alcohol. The persistent cerebellar effects of both IL-6 and alcohol typically involve chronic exposure and, presumably, altered gene and protein expression. Thus, in the current studies we tested the possibility that proteins involved in inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmission in the cerebellum are common targets of alcohol and IL-6. We used transgenic mice that express elevated levels of astrocyte produced IL-6 to model persistently elevated expression of IL-6, as would occur in alcohol use disorders, and a chronic intermittent alcohol exposure/withdrawal paradigm (CIE/withdrawal) that is known to produce alcohol dependence. Multiple cerebellar synaptic proteins were assessed by Western blot. Results show that IL-6 and CIE/withdrawal have both unique and common actions that affect synaptic protein expression. These common targets could provide sites for IL-6/alcohol exposure/withdrawal interactions and play an important role in cerebellar symptoms of alcohol use such as ataxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna L Gruol
- Neuroscience Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Claudia Melkonian
- Neuroscience Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kristine Ly
- Neuroscience Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jasmin Sisouvanthong
- Neuroscience Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yvette Tan
- Neuroscience Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Amanda J Roberts
- Animal Models Core Facility, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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