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Nussinov R, Yavuz BR, Jang H. Single cell spatial biology over developmental time can decipher pediatric brain pathologies. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 199:106597. [PMID: 38992777 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106597] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Pediatric low grade brain tumors and neurodevelopmental disorders share proteins, signaling pathways, and networks. They also share germline mutations and an impaired prenatal differentiation origin. They may differ in the timing of the events and proliferation. We suggest that their pivotal distinct, albeit partially overlapping, outcomes relate to the cell states, which depend on their spatial location, and timing of gene expression during brain development. These attributes are crucial as the brain develops sequentially, and single-cell spatial organization influences cell state, thus function. Our underlying premise is that the root cause in neurodevelopmental disorders and pediatric tumors is impaired prenatal differentiation. Data related to pediatric brain tumors, neurodevelopmental disorders, brain cell (sub)types, locations, and timing of expression in the developing brain are scant. However, emerging single cell technologies, including transcriptomic, spatial biology, spatial high-resolution imaging performed over the brain developmental time, could be transformational in deciphering brain pathologies thereby pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Nussinov
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Bengi Ruken Yavuz
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Hyunbum Jang
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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2
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Olie CS, O'Brien DP, Jones HBL, Liang Z, Damianou A, Sur-Erdem I, Pinto-Fernández A, Raz V, Kessler BM. Deubiquitinases in muscle physiology and disorders. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1085-1098. [PMID: 38716888 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
In vivo, muscle and neuronal cells are post-mitotic, and their function is predominantly regulated by proteostasis, a multilayer molecular process that maintains a delicate balance of protein homeostasis. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a key regulator of proteostasis. A dysfunctional UPS is a hallmark of muscle ageing and is often impacted in neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). Malfunction of the UPS often results in aberrant protein accumulation which can lead to protein aggregation and/or mis-localization affecting its function. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are key players in the UPS, controlling protein turnover and maintaining the free ubiquitin pool. Several mutations in DUB encoding genes are linked to human NMDs, such as ATXN3, OTUD7A, UCHL1 and USP14, whilst other NMDs are associated with dysregulation of DUB expression. USP5, USP9X and USP14 are implicated in synaptic transmission and remodeling at the neuromuscular junction. Mice lacking USP19 show increased maintenance of lean muscle mass. In this review, we highlight the involvement of DUBs in muscle physiology and NMDs, particularly in processes affecting muscle regeneration, degeneration and inflammation following muscle injury. DUBs have recently garnered much respect as promising drug targets, and their roles in muscle maturation, regeneration and degeneration may provide the framework for novel therapeutics to treat muscular disorders including NMDs, sarcopenia and cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyriel S Olie
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Darragh P O'Brien
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
| | - Hannah B L Jones
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
| | - Zhu Liang
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
- Chinese Academy for Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
| | - Andreas Damianou
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
- Chinese Academy for Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
| | - Ilknur Sur-Erdem
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, U.K
| | - Adán Pinto-Fernández
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
- Chinese Academy for Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
| | - Vered Raz
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Benedikt M Kessler
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
- Chinese Academy for Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
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3
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Castelli L, Vasta R, Allen SP, Waller R, Chiò A, Traynor BJ, Kirby J. From use of omics to systems biology: Identifying therapeutic targets for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:209-268. [PMID: 38802176 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a heterogeneous progressive neurodegenerative disorder with available treatments such as riluzole and edaravone extending survival by an average of 3-6 months. The lack of highly effective, widely available therapies reflects the complexity of ALS. Omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomic and proteomics have contributed to the identification of biological pathways dysregulated and targeted by therapeutic strategies in preclinical and clinical trials. Integrating clinical, environmental and neuroimaging information with omics data and applying a systems biology approach can further improve our understanding of the disease with the potential to stratify patients and provide more personalised medicine. This chapter will review the omics technologies that contribute to a systems biology approach and how these components have assisted in identifying therapeutic targets. Current strategies, including the use of genetic screening and biosampling in clinical trials, as well as the future application of additional technological advances, will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Castelli
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Rosario Vasta
- ALS Expert Center,'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Scott P Allen
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Waller
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Adriano Chiò
- ALS Expert Center,'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Bryan J Traynor
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; RNA Therapeutics Laboratory, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD, United States; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, United States; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States; Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology,University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janine Kirby
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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4
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Simard S, Matosin N, Mechawar N. Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in the Human Brain: Updates, Challenges, and Perspectives. Neuroscientist 2024:10738584241252581. [PMID: 38757781 DOI: 10.1177/10738584241252581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The existence of neurogenesis in the adult human hippocampus has been under considerable debate within the past three decades due to the diverging conclusions originating mostly from immunohistochemistry studies. While some of these reports conclude that hippocampal neurogenesis in humans occurs throughout physiologic aging, others indicate that this phenomenon ends by early childhood. More recently, some groups have adopted next-generation sequencing technologies to characterize with more acuity the extent of this phenomenon in humans. Here, we review the current state of research on adult hippocampal neurogenesis in the human brain with an emphasis on the challenges and limitations of using immunohistochemistry and next-generation sequencing technologies for its study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Simard
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Natalie Matosin
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Naguib Mechawar
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
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5
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Fangma Y, Liu M, Liao J, Chen Z, Zheng Y. Dissecting the brain with spatially resolved multi-omics. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:694-710. [PMID: 37577383 PMCID: PMC10422112 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.04.003] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted spatially resolved multi-omics technologies, including spatial genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, as powerful tools to decipher the spatial heterogeneity of the brain. Here, we focus on two major approaches in spatial transcriptomics (next-generation sequencing-based technologies and image-based technologies), and mass spectrometry imaging technologies used in spatial proteomics and spatial metabolomics. Furthermore, we discuss their applications in neuroscience, including building the brain atlas, uncovering gene expression patterns of neurons for special behaviors, deciphering the molecular basis of neuronal communication, and providing a more comprehensive explanation of the molecular mechanisms underlying central nervous system disorders. However, further efforts are still needed toward the integrative application of multi-omics technologies, including the real-time spatial multi-omics analysis in living cells, the detailed gene profile in a whole-brain view, and the combination of functional verification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijia Fangma
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Mengting Liu
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Jie Liao
- Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yanrong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
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Park H, Jo SH, Lee RH, Macks CP, Ku T, Park J, Lee CW, Hur JK, Sohn CH. Spatial Transcriptomics: Technical Aspects of Recent Developments and Their Applications in Neuroscience and Cancer Research. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206939. [PMID: 37026425 PMCID: PMC10238226 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Spatial transcriptomics is a newly emerging field that enables high-throughput investigation of the spatial localization of transcripts and related analyses in various applications for biological systems. By transitioning from conventional biological studies to "in situ" biology, spatial transcriptomics can provide transcriptome-scale spatial information. Currently, the ability to simultaneously characterize gene expression profiles of cells and relevant cellular environment is a paradigm shift for biological studies. In this review, recent progress in spatial transcriptomics and its applications in neuroscience and cancer studies are highlighted. Technical aspects of existing technologies and future directions of new developments (as of March 2023), computational analysis of spatial transcriptome data, application notes in neuroscience and cancer studies, and discussions regarding future directions of spatial multi-omics and their expanding roles in biomedical applications are emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han‐Eol Park
- Center for NanomedicineInstitute for Basic ScienceYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in Nanobiomedical EngineeringAdvanced Science InstituteYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
- School of Biological SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoul08826Republic of Korea
| | - Song Hyun Jo
- Graduate School of Medical Science and EngineeringKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
| | - Rosalind H. Lee
- School of Life SciencesGwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)Gwangju61005Republic of Korea
| | - Christian P. Macks
- Center for NanomedicineInstitute for Basic ScienceYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in Nanobiomedical EngineeringAdvanced Science InstituteYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
| | - Taeyun Ku
- Graduate School of Medical Science and EngineeringKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
| | - Jihwan Park
- School of Life SciencesGwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)Gwangju61005Republic of Korea
| | - Chung Whan Lee
- Department of ChemistryGachon UniversitySeongnamGyeonggi‐do13120Republic of Korea
| | - Junho K. Hur
- Department of GeneticsCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoul04763Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Ho Sohn
- Center for NanomedicineInstitute for Basic ScienceYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in Nanobiomedical EngineeringAdvanced Science InstituteYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
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7
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Valori CF, Sulmona C, Brambilla L, Rossi D. Astrocytes: Dissecting Their Diverse Roles in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Cells 2023; 12:1450. [PMID: 37296571 PMCID: PMC10252425 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are fatal neurodegenerative disorders often co-occurring in the same patient, a feature that suggests a common origin of the two diseases. Consistently, pathological inclusions of the same proteins as well as mutations in the same genes can be identified in both ALS/FTD. Although many studies have described several disrupted pathways within neurons, glial cells are also regarded as crucial pathogenetic contributors in ALS/FTD. Here, we focus our attention on astrocytes, a heterogenous population of glial cells that perform several functions for optimal central nervous system homeostasis. Firstly, we discuss how post-mortem material from ALS/FTD patients supports astrocyte dysfunction around three pillars: neuroinflammation, abnormal protein aggregation, and atrophy/degeneration. Furthermore, we summarize current attempts at monitoring astrocyte functions in living patients using either novel imaging strategies or soluble biomarkers. We then address how astrocyte pathology is recapitulated in animal and cellular models of ALS/FTD and how we used these models both to understand the molecular mechanisms driving glial dysfunction and as platforms for pre-clinical testing of therapeutics. Finally, we present the current clinical trials for ALS/FTD, restricting our discussion to treatments that modulate astrocyte functions, directly or indirectly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara F. Valori
- Molecular Neuropathology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72072 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Claudia Sulmona
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Liliana Brambilla
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Daniela Rossi
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Ho NJ, Chen X, Lei Y, Gu S. Decoding hereditary spastic paraplegia pathogenicity through transcriptomic profiling. Zool Res 2023; 44:650-662. [PMID: 37161652 PMCID: PMC10236304 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a group of genetic motor neuron diseases resulting from length-dependent axonal degeneration of the corticospinal upper motor neurons. Due to the advancement of next-generation sequencing, more than 70 novel HSP disease-causing genes have been identified in the past decade. Despite this, our understanding of HSP physiopathology and the development of efficient management and treatment strategies remain poor. One major challenge in studying HSP pathogenicity is selective neuronal vulnerability, characterized by the manifestation of clinical symptoms that are restricted to specific neuronal populations, despite the presence of germline disease-causing variants in every cell of the patient. Furthermore, disease genes may exhibit ubiquitous expression patterns and involve a myriad of different pathways to cause motor neuron degeneration. In the current review, we explore the correlation between transcriptomic data and clinical manifestations, as well as the importance of interspecies models by comparing tissue-specific transcriptomic profiles of humans and mice, expression patterns of different genes in the brain during development, and single-cell transcriptomic data from related tissues. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of emerging single-cell RNA sequencing technologies to resolve unanswered questions related to HSP pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas James Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Dr. Li Dak Sum-Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute & School of Basic Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- Department of Sports Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- China Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Group (CORMed), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058 China
| | - Yong Lei
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, China
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Futian Biomedical Innovation R&D Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, China. E-mail:
| | - Shen Gu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research of Common Diseases, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Hong Kong Branch of CAS Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. E-mail:
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9
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Piwecka M, Rajewsky N, Rybak-Wolf A. Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics: deciphering brain complexity in health and disease. Nat Rev Neurol 2023:10.1038/s41582-023-00809-y. [PMID: 37198436 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00809-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, single-cell technologies have proliferated and improved from their technically challenging beginnings to become common laboratory methods capable of determining the expression of thousands of genes in thousands of cells simultaneously. The field has progressed by taking the CNS as a primary research subject - the cellular complexity and multiplicity of neuronal cell types provide fertile ground for the increasing power of single-cell methods. Current single-cell RNA sequencing methods can quantify gene expression with sufficient accuracy to finely resolve even subtle differences between cell types and states, thus providing a great tool for studying the molecular and cellular repertoire of the CNS and its disorders. However, single-cell RNA sequencing requires the dissociation of tissue samples, which means that the interrelationships between cells are lost. Spatial transcriptomic methods bypass tissue dissociation and retain this spatial information, thereby allowing gene expression to be assessed across thousands of cells within the context of tissue structural organization. Here, we discuss how single-cell and spatially resolved transcriptomics have been contributing to unravelling the pathomechanisms underlying brain disorders. We focus on three areas where we feel these new technologies have provided particularly useful insights: selective neuronal vulnerability, neuroimmune dysfunction and cell-type-specific treatment response. We also discuss the limitations and future directions of single-cell and spatial RNA sequencing technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Piwecka
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Nikolaus Rajewsky
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Agnieszka Rybak-Wolf
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
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Piol D, Robberechts T, Da Cruz S. Lost in local translation: TDP-43 and FUS in axonal/neuromuscular junction maintenance and dysregulation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuron 2023; 111:1355-1380. [PMID: 36963381 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Key early features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are denervation of neuromuscular junctions and axonal degeneration. Motor neuron homeostasis relies on local translation through controlled regulation of axonal mRNA localization, transport, and stability. Yet the composition of the local transcriptome, translatome (mRNAs locally translated), and proteome during health and disease remains largely unexplored. This review covers recent discoveries on axonal translation as a critical mechanism for neuronal maintenance/survival. We focus on two RNA binding proteins, transactive response DNA binding protein-43 (TDP-43) and fused in sarcoma (FUS), whose mutations cause ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Emerging evidence points to their essential role in the maintenance of axons and synapses, including mRNA localization, transport, and local translation, and whose dysfunction may contribute to ALS. Finally, we describe recent advances in omics-based approaches mapping compartment-specific local RNA and protein compositions, which will be invaluable to elucidate fundamental local processes and identify key targets for therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Piol
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tessa Robberechts
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sandrine Da Cruz
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium.
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11
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Shen J, Lin X, Dai F, Chen G, Lin H, Fang B, Liu H. Ubiquitin-specific peptidases: Players in bone metabolism. Cell Prolif 2023:e13444. [PMID: 36883930 PMCID: PMC10392067 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoporosis is an ageing-related disease, that has become a major public health problem and its pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated. Substantial evidence suggests a strong link between overall age-related disease progression and epigenetic modifications throughout the life cycle. As an important epigenetic modification, ubiquitination is extensively involved in various physiological processes, and its role in bone metabolism has attracted increasing attention. Ubiquitination can be reversed by deubiquitinases, which counteract protein ubiquitination degradation. As the largest and most structurally diverse cysteinase family of deubiquitinating enzymes, ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs), comprising the largest and most structurally diverse cysteine kinase family of deubiquitinating enzymes, have been found to be important players in maintaining the balance between bone formation and resorption. The aim of this review is to explore recent findings highlighting the regulatory functions of USPs in bone metabolism and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms governing their actions during bone loss. An in-deep understanding of USPs-mediated regulation of bone formation and bone resorption will provide a scientific rationale for the discovery and development of novel USP-targeted therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlin Shen
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
| | - Xiaoning Lin
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
| | - Feifei Dai
- School of Medicine, Putian Universtiy, Putian, China
| | - Guoli Chen
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
| | - Haibin Lin
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
| | - Bangjiang Fang
- Department of Emergency, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, China
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12
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Udine E, Jain A, van Blitterswijk M. Advances in sequencing technologies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:4. [PMID: 36635726 PMCID: PMC9838075 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00593-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is caused by upper and lower motor neuron loss and has a fairly rapid disease progression, leading to fatality in an average of 2-5 years after symptom onset. Numerous genes have been implicated in this disease; however, many cases remain unexplained. Several technologies are being used to identify regions of interest and investigate candidate genes. Initial approaches to detect ALS genes include, among others, linkage analysis, Sanger sequencing, and genome-wide association studies. More recently, next-generation sequencing methods, such as whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing, have been introduced. While those methods have been particularly useful in discovering new ALS-linked genes, methodological advances are becoming increasingly important, especially given the complex genetics of ALS. Novel sequencing technologies, like long-read sequencing, are beginning to be used to uncover the contribution of repeat expansions and other types of structural variation, which may help explain missing heritability in ALS. In this review, we discuss how popular and/or upcoming methods are being used to discover ALS genes, highlighting emerging long-read sequencing platforms and their role in aiding our understanding of this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Udine
- grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA ,grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA
| | - Angita Jain
- grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA ,grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA ,grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA
| | - Marka van Blitterswijk
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
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13
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Ya D, Zhang Y, Cui Q, Jiang Y, Yang J, Tian N, Xiang W, Lin X, Li Q, Liao R. Application of spatial transcriptome technologies to neurological diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1142923. [PMID: 36936681 PMCID: PMC10020196 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1142923] [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: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatial transcriptome technology acquires gene expression profiles while retaining spatial location information, it displays the gene expression properties of cells in situ. Through the investigation of cell heterogeneity, microenvironment, function, and cellular interactions, spatial transcriptome technology can deeply explore the pathogenic mechanisms of cell-type-specific responses and spatial localization in neurological diseases. The present article overviews spatial transcriptome technologies based on microdissection, in situ hybridization, in situ sequencing, in situ capture, and live cell labeling. Each technology is described along with its methods, detection throughput, spatial resolution, benefits, and drawbacks. Furthermore, their applications in neurodegenerative disease, neuropsychiatric illness, stroke and epilepsy are outlined. This information can be used to understand disease mechanisms, pick therapeutic targets, and establish biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongshan Ya
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Yingmei Zhang
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Qi Cui
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Yanlin Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Jiaxin Yang
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Ning Tian
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Wenjing Xiang
- Department of Neurology ward 2, Guilin People’s Hospital, Guilin, China
| | - Xiaohui Lin
- Department of Geriatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Qinghua Li
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Rujia Liao
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
- *Correspondence: Rujia Liao,
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14
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Blum JA, Gitler AD. Singling out motor neurons in the age of single-cell transcriptomics. Trends Genet 2022; 38:904-919. [PMID: 35487823 PMCID: PMC9378604 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Motor neurons are a remarkably powerful cell type in the central nervous system. They innervate and control the contraction of virtually every muscle in the body and their dysfunction underlies numerous neuromuscular diseases. Some motor neurons seem resistant to degeneration whereas others are vulnerable. The intrinsic heterogeneity of motor neurons in adult organisms has remained elusive. The development of high-throughput single-cell transcriptomics has changed the paradigm, empowering rapid isolation and profiling of motor neuron nuclei, revealing remarkable transcriptional diversity within the skeletal and autonomic nervous systems. Here, we discuss emerging technologies for defining motor neuron heterogeneity in the adult motor system as well as implications for disease and spinal cord injury. We establish a roadmap for future applications of emerging techniques - such as epigenetic profiling, spatial RNA sequencing, and single-cell somatic mutational profiling to adult motor neurons, which will revolutionize our understanding of the healthy and degenerating adult motor system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Blum
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Neurosciences Interdepartmental Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Aaron D Gitler
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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15
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Baratta AM, Brandner AJ, Plasil SL, Rice RC, Farris SP. Advancements in Genomic and Behavioral Neuroscience Analysis for the Study of Normal and Pathological Brain Function. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:905328. [PMID: 35813067 PMCID: PMC9259865 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.905328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric and neurological disorders are influenced by an undetermined number of genes and molecular pathways that may differ among afflicted individuals. Functionally testing and characterizing biological systems is essential to discovering the interrelationship among candidate genes and understanding the neurobiology of behavior. Recent advancements in genetic, genomic, and behavioral approaches are revolutionizing modern neuroscience. Although these tools are often used separately for independent experiments, combining these areas of research will provide a viable avenue for multidimensional studies on the brain. Herein we will briefly review some of the available tools that have been developed for characterizing novel cellular and animal models of human disease. A major challenge will be openly sharing resources and datasets to effectively integrate seemingly disparate types of information and how these systems impact human disorders. However, as these emerging technologies continue to be developed and adopted by the scientific community, they will bring about unprecedented opportunities in our understanding of molecular neuroscience and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa M. Baratta
- Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Adam J. Brandner
- Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sonja L. Plasil
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Rachel C. Rice
- Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sean P. Farris
- Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Sean P. Farris,
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16
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Zheng B, Fang L. Spatially resolved transcriptomics provide a new method for cancer research. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:179. [PMID: 35590346 PMCID: PMC9118771 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02385-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A major feature of cancer is the heterogeneity, both intratumoral and intertumoral. Traditional single-cell techniques have given us a comprehensive understanding of the biological characteristics of individual tumor cells, but the lack of spatial context of the transcriptome has limited the study of cell-to-cell interaction patterns and hindered further exploration of tumor heterogeneity. In recent years, the advent of spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) technology has made possible the multidimensional analysis of the tumor microenvironment in the context of intact tissues. Different SRT methods are applicable to different working ranges due to different working principles. In this paper, we review the advantages and disadvantages of various current SRT methods and the overall idea of applying these techniques to oncology studies, hoping to help researchers find breakthroughs. Finally, we discussed the future direction of SRT technology, and deeper investigation into the complex mechanisms of tumor development from different perspectives through multi-omics fusion, paving the way for precisely targeted tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Zheng
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Fang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Turati J, Rudi J, Beauquis J, Carniglia L, López Couselo F, Saba J, Caruso C, Saravia F, Lasaga M, Durand D. A metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGlu3R) isoform playing neurodegenerative roles in astrocytes is prematurely up-regulated in an Alzheimer's model. J Neurochem 2022; 161:366-382. [PMID: 35411603 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Subtype 3 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGlu3R) displays a broad range of neuroprotective effects. We previously demonstrated that mGlu3R activation in astrocytes protects hippocampal neurons from Aβ neurotoxicity through stimulation of both neurotrophin release and Aβ uptake. Alternative-spliced variants of mGlu3R were found in human brains. The most prevalent variant, mGlu3Δ4, lacks exon 4 encoding the transmembrane domain and can inhibit ligand binding to mGlu3R. To date, neither its role in neurodegenerative disorders nor its endogenous expression in CNS cells has been addressed. The present paper describes for the first time an association between altered hippocampal expression of mGlu3Δ4 and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the preclinical murine model PDAPP-J20, as well as a deleterious effect of mGlu3Δ4 in astrocytes. As assessed by western blot, hippocampal mGlu3R levels progressively decreased with age in PDAPP-J20 mice. On the contrary, mGlu3Δ4 levels were drastically increased with aging in nontransgenic mice, but prematurely over-expressed in 5-month-old PDAPP-J20-derived hippocampi, prior to massive senile plaque deposition. Also, we found that mGlu3Δ4 co-precipitated with mGlu3R mainly in 5-month-old PDAPP-J20 mice. We further showed by western blot that primary cultured astrocytes and neurons expressed mGlu3Δ4, whose levels were reduced by Aβ, thereby discouraging a causal effect of Aβ on mGlu3Δ4 induction. However, heterologous expression of mGlu3Δ4 in astrocytes induced cell death, inhibited mGlu3R expression, and prevented mGlu3R-dependent Aβ glial uptake. Indeed, mGlu3Δ4 promoted neurodegeneration in neuron-glia co-cultures. These results provide evidence of an inhibitory role of mGlu3Δ4 in mGlu3R-mediated glial neuroprotective pathways, which may lie behind AD onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Turati
- INBIOMED Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julieta Rudi
- INBIOMED Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,IATIMET Instituto Alberto C. Taquini de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Beauquis
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología del Envejecimiento, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lila Carniglia
- INBIOMED Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico López Couselo
- INBIOMED Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julieta Saba
- INBIOMED Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla Caruso
- INBIOMED Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Flavia Saravia
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología del Envejecimiento, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Lasaga
- INBIOMED Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Durand
- INBIOMED Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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18
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Clinical and translational values of spatial transcriptomics. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:111. [PMID: 35365599 PMCID: PMC8972902 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00960-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The combination of spatial transcriptomics (ST) and single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) acts as a pivotal component to bridge the pathological phenomes of human tissues with molecular alterations, defining in situ intercellular molecular communications and knowledge on spatiotemporal molecular medicine. The present article overviews the development of ST and aims to evaluate clinical and translational values for understanding molecular pathogenesis and uncovering disease-specific biomarkers. We compare the advantages and disadvantages of sequencing- and imaging-based technologies and highlight opportunities and challenges of ST. We also describe the bioinformatics tools necessary on dissecting spatial patterns of gene expression and cellular interactions and the potential applications of ST in human diseases for clinical practice as one of important issues in clinical and translational medicine, including neurology, embryo development, oncology, and inflammation. Thus, clear clinical objectives, designs, optimizations of sampling procedure and protocol, repeatability of ST, as well as simplifications of analysis and interpretation are the key to translate ST from bench to clinic.
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19
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Mehta PR, Lashley T, Fratta P, Bampton A. Markers of cognitive resilience and a framework for investigating clinical heterogeneity in ALS. J Pathol 2022; 257:251-254. [PMID: 35342958 DOI: 10.1002/path.5897] [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: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Despite the unifying pathological hallmark of TDP-43 proteinopathy, ALS is clinically a highly heterogeneous disease, and little is known about the underlying mechanisms driving this phenotypic diversity. In a recent issue of The Journal of Pathology, Banerjee et al. use region-specific transcriptomic profiling in postmortem brains from a deeply phenotyped clinical cohort of ALS patients to detect molecular signatures differentiating cognitively affected and unaffected patients. They identified differential expression of specific genes, including upregulation of pro-inflammatory IL-6 in the cognitively affected group and anti-inflammatory IL-1 in the cognitively unaffected group. They then utilised BaseScope™ in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry to validate upregulation of NLRP3, an activator of the inflammasome, in the cognitively affected group, and upregulation of SIRT2, an inhibitor of NLRP3, in the cognitively unaffected group. In summary, Banerjee et al. demonstrate the usefulness of combining a well curated clinical cohort with transcriptomic analysis of pathological samples to identify a perturbed pathway (e.g., the inflammasome), offering opportunities for novel therapeutic targets in ALS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puja R Mehta
- Department of Neuromuscular diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Tammaryn Lashley
- The Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, Department of Clinical and Movement Neuroscience, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Pietro Fratta
- Department of Neuromuscular diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Alexander Bampton
- The Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, Department of Clinical and Movement Neuroscience, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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20
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Griffin CP, Paul CL, Alexander KL, Walker MM, Hondermarck H, Lynam J. Postmortem brain donations vs premortem surgical resections for glioblastoma research: viewing the matter as a whole. Neurooncol Adv 2022; 4:vdab168. [PMID: 35047819 PMCID: PMC8760897 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdab168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been limited improvements in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of primary brain cancers, including glioblastoma, over the past 10 years. This is largely attributable to persistent deficits in understanding brain tumor biology and pathogenesis due to a lack of high-quality biological research specimens. Traditional, premortem, surgical biopsy samples do not allow full characterization of the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of glioblastoma, nor capture end-stage disease to allow full evaluation of the evolutionary and mutational processes that lead to treatment resistance and recurrence. Furthermore, the necessity of ensuring sufficient viable tissue is available for histopathological diagnosis, while minimizing surgically induced functional deficit, leaves minimal tissue for research purposes and results in formalin fixation of most surgical specimens. Postmortem brain donation programs are rapidly gaining support due to their unique ability to address the limitations associated with surgical tissue sampling. Collecting, processing, and preserving tissue samples intended solely for research provides both a spatial and temporal view of tumor heterogeneity as well as the opportunity to fully characterize end-stage disease from histological and molecular standpoints. This review explores the limitations of traditional sample collection and the opportunities afforded by postmortem brain donations for future neurobiological cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra P Griffin
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Biobank: NSW Regional Biospecimen and Research Services, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christine L Paul
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kimberley L Alexander
- Neurosurgery Department, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Brainstorm Brain Cancer Research, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Neuropathology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marjorie M Walker
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hubert Hondermarck
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - James Lynam
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Calvary Mater, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
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21
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De Marchi F, Munitic I, Amedei A, Berry JD, Feldman EL, Aronica E, Nardo G, Van Weehaeghe D, Niccolai E, Prtenjaca N, Sakowski SA, Bendotti C, Mazzini L. Interplay between immunity and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Clinical impact. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:958-978. [PMID: 34153344 PMCID: PMC8428677 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating and rapidly fatal neurodegenerative disease. Despite decades of research and many new insights into disease biology over the 150 years since the disease was first described, causative pathogenic mechanisms in ALS remain poorly understood, especially in sporadic cases. Our understanding of the role of the immune system in ALS pathophysiology, however, is rapidly expanding. The aim of this manuscript is to summarize the recent advances regarding the immune system involvement in ALS, with particular attention to clinical translation. We focus on the potential pathophysiologic mechanism of the immune system in ALS, discussing local and systemic factors (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and microbiota) that influence ALS onset and progression in animal models and people. We also explore the potential of Positron Emission Tomography to detect neuroinflammation in vivo, and discuss ongoing clinical trials of therapies targeting the immune system. With validation in human patients, new evidence in this emerging field will serve to identify novel therapeutic targets and provide realistic hope for personalized treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola De Marchi
- Department of Neurology and ALS Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, Novara, 28100, Italy
| | - Ivana Munitic
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - James D Berry
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro) Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Giovanni Nardo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milanm, 20156, Italy
| | - Donatienne Van Weehaeghe
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Imaging and Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elena Niccolai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Nikolina Prtenjaca
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Stacey A Sakowski
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milanm, 20156, Italy
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- Department of Neurology and ALS Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, Novara, 28100, Italy.
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22
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Zhao G, Liu Z, Wang M, Yuan Y, Ni J, Li W, Huang L, Hu Y, Liu P, Hou X, Guo J, Jiang H, Shen L, Tang B, Li J, Wang J. Gene4MND: An Integrative Genetic Database and Analytic Platform for Motor Neuron Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:644202. [PMID: 33867934 PMCID: PMC8047132 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.644202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Guihu Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengli Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanchun Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jie Ni
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wanzhen Li
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ling Huang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yiting Hu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Pan Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaorong Hou
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jifeng Guo
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lu Shen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Beisha Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jinchen Li
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Junling Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
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23
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Maynard KR, Collado-Torres L, Weber LM, Uytingco C, Barry BK, Williams SR, Catallini JL, Tran MN, Besich Z, Tippani M, Chew J, Yin Y, Kleinman JE, Hyde TM, Rao N, Hicks SC, Martinowich K, Jaffe AE. Transcriptome-scale spatial gene expression in the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Nat Neurosci 2021; 24:425-436. [PMID: 33558695 PMCID: PMC8095368 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-00787-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 333] [Impact Index Per Article: 111.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We used the 10x Genomics Visium platform to define the spatial topography of gene expression in the six-layered human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We identified extensive layer-enriched expression signatures and refined associations to previous laminar markers. We overlaid our laminar expression signatures on large-scale single nucleus RNA-sequencing data, enhancing spatial annotation of expression-driven clusters. By integrating neuropsychiatric disorder gene sets, we showed differential layer-enriched expression of genes associated with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder, highlighting the clinical relevance of spatially defined expression. We then developed a data-driven framework to define unsupervised clusters in spatial transcriptomics data, which can be applied to other tissues or brain regions in which morphological architecture is not as well defined as cortical laminae. Last, we created a web application for the scientific community to explore these raw and summarized data to augment ongoing neuroscience and spatial transcriptomics research ( http://research.libd.org/spatialLIBD ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen R Maynard
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leonardo Collado-Torres
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Computational Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lukas M Weber
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Brianna K Barry
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Joseph L Catallini
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew N Tran
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zachary Besich
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Madhavi Tippani
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Joel E Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thomas M Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Stephanie C Hicks
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Keri Martinowich
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Andrew E Jaffe
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Center for Computational Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Genetic Medicine, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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24
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Miedema A, Wijering MHC, Eggen BJL, Kooistra SM. High-Resolution Transcriptomic and Proteomic Profiling of Heterogeneity of Brain-Derived Microglia in Multiple Sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:583811. [PMID: 33192299 PMCID: PMC7654237 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.583811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are important for central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis and first to respond to tissue damage and perturbations. Microglia are heterogeneous cells; in case of pathology, microglia adopt a range of phenotypes with altered functions. However, how these different microglia subtypes are implicated in CNS disease is largely unresolved. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the CNS, characterized by inflammation and axonal degeneration, ultimately leading to neurological decline. One way microglia are implicated in MS is through stimulation of remyelination. They facilitate efficient remyelination by phagocytosis of myelin debris. In addition, microglia recruit oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) to demyelinated areas and stimulate remyelination. The development of high-resolution technologies to profile individual cells has greatly contributed to our understanding of microglia heterogeneity and function under normal and pathological conditions. Gene expression profiling technologies have evolved from whole tissue RNA sequencing toward single-cell or nucleus sequencing. Single microglia proteomic profiles are also increasingly generated, offering another layer of high-resolution data. Here, we will review recent studies that have employed these technologies in the context of MS and their respective advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, recent developments that allow for (single) cell profiling while retaining spatial information and tissue context will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneke Miedema
- Section Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Marion H C Wijering
- Section Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Bart J L Eggen
- Section Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Susanne M Kooistra
- Section Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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25
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Suk TR, Rousseaux MWC. The role of TDP-43 mislocalization in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Mol Neurodegener 2020; 15:45. [PMID: 32799899 PMCID: PMC7429473 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-020-00397-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its discovery as a primary component in cytoplasmic aggregates in post-mortem tissue of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), TAR DNA Binding Protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) has remained a central focus to understand the disease. TDP-43 links both familial and sporadic forms of ALS as mutations are causative for disease and cytoplasmic aggregates are a hallmark of nearly all cases, regardless of TDP-43 mutational status. Research has focused on the formation and consequences of cytosolic protein aggregates as drivers of ALS pathology through both gain- and loss-of-function mechanisms. Not only does aggregation sequester the normal function of TDP-43, but these aggregates also actively block normal cellular processes inevitably leading to cellular demise in a short time span. Although there may be some benefit to therapeutically targeting TDP-43 aggregation, this step may be too late in disease development to have substantial therapeutic benefit. However, TDP-43 pathology appears to be tightly linked with its mislocalization from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, making it difficult to decouple the consequences of nuclear-to-cytoplasmic mislocalization from protein aggregation. Studies focusing on the effects of TDP-43 mislocalization have demonstrated both gain- and loss-of-function consequences including altered splicing regulation, over responsiveness to cellular stressors, increases in DNA damage, and transcriptome-wide changes. Additionally, mutations in TARDBP confer a baseline increase in cytoplasmic TDP-43 thus suggesting that small changes in the subcellular localization of TDP-43 could in fact drive early pathology. In this review, we bring forth the theme of protein mislocalization as a key mechanism underlying ALS, by highlighting the importance of maintaining subcellular proteostasis along with the gain- and loss-of-functional consequences when TDP-43 localization is dysregulated. Additional research, focusing on early events in TDP-43 pathogenesis (i.e. to the protein mislocalization stage) will provide insight into disease mechanisms, therapeutic targets, and novel biomarkers for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry R. Suk
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Maxime W. C. Rousseaux
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- Eric Poulin Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Ottawa, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, Canada
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26
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Jäkel S, Williams A. What Have Advances in Transcriptomic Technologies Taught us About Human White Matter Pathologies? Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:238. [PMID: 32848627 PMCID: PMC7418269 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For a long time, post-mortem analysis of human brain pathologies has been purely descriptive, limiting insight into the pathological mechanisms. However, starting in the early 2000s, next-generation sequencing (NGS) and the routine application of bulk RNA-sequencing and microarray technologies have revolutionized the usefulness of post-mortem human brain tissue. This has allowed many studies to provide novel mechanistic insights into certain brain pathologies, albeit at a still unsatisfying resolution, with masking of lowly expressed genes and regulatory elements in different cell types. The recent rapid evolution of single-cell technologies has now allowed researchers to shed light on human pathologies at a previously unreached resolution revealing further insights into pathological mechanisms that will open the way for the development of new strategies for therapies. In this review article, we will give an overview of the incremental information that single-cell technologies have given us for human white matter (WM) pathologies, summarize which single-cell technologies are available, and speculate where these novel approaches may lead us for pathological assessment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jäkel
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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