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Lei L, Wang YF, Chen CY, Wang YT, Zhang Y. Novel insight into astrocyte-mediated gliotransmission modulates the synaptic plasticity in major depressive disorder. Life Sci 2024; 355:122988. [PMID: 39153595 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122988] [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: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a form of glial cell-based synaptic dysfunction disease in which glial cells interact closely with neuronal synapses and perform synaptic information processing. Glial cells, particularly astrocytes, are active components of the brain and are responsible for synaptic activity through the release gliotransmitters. A reduced density of astrocytes and astrocyte dysfunction have both been identified the brains of patients with MDD. Furthermore, gliotransmission, i.e., active information transfer mediated by gliotransmitters between astrocytes and neurons, is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of MDD. However, the mechanism by which astrocyte-mediated gliotransmission contributes to depression remains unknown. This review therefore summarizes the alterations in astrocytes in MDD, including astrocyte marker, connexin 43 (Cx43) expression, Cx43 gap junctions, and Cx43 hemichannels, and describes the regulatory mechanisms of astrocytes involved in synaptic plasticity. Additionally, we investigate the mechanisms acting of the glutamatergic, gamma-aminobutyric acidergic, and purinergic systems that modulate synaptic function and the antidepressant mechanisms of the related receptor antagonists. Further, we summarize the roles of glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid, d-serine, and adenosine triphosphate in depression, providing a basis for the identification of diagnostic and therapeutic targets for MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Lei
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Fei Wang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Cong-Ya Chen
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Ting Wang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
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2
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Olvera-Rojas M, Plaza-Florido A, Solis-Urra P, Osuna-Prieto FJ, Ortega FB. Neurological-related proteomic profiling in plasma of children with metabolic healthy and unhealthy overweight/obesity. Pediatr Obes 2024:e13155. [PMID: 39075931 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.13155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children with overweight/obesity (OW/OB) exhibit poor cardiometabolic health, yet mechanisms influencing brain health remain unclear. We examined the differences in neurological-related circulating proteins in plasma among children with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) and the association with metabolic syndrome markers. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we included 84 Caucasian children (39% girls), aged 10.1 ± 1.1 years, from the ActiveBrains project (NCT02295072). A ninety-two-protein targeted approach using Olink's® technology was used. RESULTS We identified distinct concentrations of CD38, LAIR2, MANF and NRP2 proteins in MHO compared with MUO. Moreover, individual metabolic syndrome (MS) markers were linked to nine proteins (CD38, CPM, EDA2R, IL12, JAMB, KYNU, LAYN, MSR1 and SMOC2) in children with OW/OB. These proteins play crucial roles in diverse biological processes (e.g., angiogenesis, cholesterol transport, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) catalysis and maintenance of blood-brain barrier) related to brain health. CONCLUSION Our proteomics study suggests that cardiometabolic health (represented by MHO/MUO or individual MS markers) is associated with the concentration in plasma of several proteins involved in brain health. Larger-scale studies are needed to contrast/confirm these findings, with CD38 standing out as a particularly noteworthy and robust discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Olvera-Rojas
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Abel Plaza-Florido
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Pediatric Exercise and Genomics Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Patricio Solis-Urra
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Viña del Mar, Chile
| | - Francisco J Osuna-Prieto
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Tarragona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco B Ortega
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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3
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Ehara T, Ohka F, Motomura K, Saito R. Epilepsy in Patients with Gliomas. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 2024; 64:253-260. [PMID: 38839295 PMCID: PMC11304448 DOI: 10.2176/jns-nmc.2023-0299] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain tumor-related epilepsy (BTRE) is a complication that significantly impairs the quality of life and course of treatment of patients with brain tumors. Several recent studies have shed further light on the mechanisms and pathways by which genes and biological molecules in the tumor microenvironment can cause epilepsy. Moreover, epileptic seizures have been found to promote the growth of brain tumors, making the control of epilepsy a critical factor in treating brain tumors. In this study, we summarize the previous research and recent findings concerning BTRE. Expectedly, a deeper understanding of the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms leads to safer and more effective treatments for suppressing epileptic symptoms and tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuro Ehara
- Department of Neuro-Oncology/Neurosurgery, International Medical Center, Saitama Medical University
| | - Fumiharu Ohka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Kazuya Motomura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Ryuta Saito
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
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4
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Borroto-Escuela DO, Gonzalez-Cristo E, Ochoa-Torres V, Serra-Rojas EM, Ambrogini P, Arroyo-García LE, Fuxe K. Understanding electrical and chemical transmission in the brain. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1398862. [PMID: 38988663 PMCID: PMC11233782 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1398862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The histochemical Falck-Hillarp method for the localization of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin in the central nervous system (CNS) of rodents was introduced in the 1960s. It supported the existence of chemical neurotransmission in the CNS. The monoamine neurons in the lower brain stem formed monosynaptic ascending systems to the telencephalon and diencephalon and monoamine descending systems to the entire spinal cord. The monoamines were early on suggested to operate via synaptic chemical transmission in the CNS. This chemical transmission reduced the impact of electrical transmission. In 1969 and the 1970s indications were obtained that important modes of chemical monoamine communication in the CNS also took place through the extra-synaptic fluid, the extracellular fluid, and long-distance communication in the cerebrospinal fluid involving diffusion and flow of transmitters like DA, NA and serotonin. In 1986, this type of transmission was named volume transmission (VT) by Agnati and Fuxe and their colleagues, also characterized by transmitter varicosity and receptor mismatches. The short and long-distance VT pathways were characterized by volume fraction, tortuosity and clearance. Electrical transmission also exists in the mammalian CNS, but chemical transmission is in dominance. One electrical mode is represented by electrical synapses formed by gap junctions which represent low resistant passages between nerve cells. It allows for a more rapid passage of action potentials between nerve cells compared to chemical transmission. The second mode is based on the ability of synaptic currents to generate electrical fields to modulate chemical transmission. One aim is to understand how chemical transmission can be integrated with electrical transmission and how putative (aquaporin water channel, dopamine D2R and adenosine A2AR) complexes in astrocytes can significancy participate in the clearance of waste products from the glymphatic system. VT may also help accomplish the operation of the acupuncture meridians essential for Chinese medicine in view of the indicated existence of extracellular VT pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasiel O. Borroto-Escuela
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Department of Human Physiology Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Emmanuell Gonzalez-Cristo
- Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Department of Human Physiology Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Verty Ochoa-Torres
- Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Department of Human Physiology Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
- Faculty of Engineering and Biotechnology, University OTR and the Regional Cooperative for Comprehensive Medical Assistance (CRAMI), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Emilio M. Serra-Rojas
- Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Department of Human Physiology Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
- Cardiology Service, Lozano Blesa University Clinical Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Patrizia Ambrogini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Università di Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Luis E. Arroyo-García
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kjell Fuxe
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Evans WR, Baskar SS, Costa ARCE, Ravoori S, Arigbe A, Huda R. Functional activation of dorsal striatum astrocytes improves movement deficits in hemi-parkinsonian mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.02.587694. [PMID: 38617230 PMCID: PMC11014576 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.02.587694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal inputs, which causes striatal network dysfunction and leads to pronounced motor deficits. Recent evidence highlights astrocytes as a potential local source of striatal network modulation. However, it remains unknown how dopamine loss affects striatal astrocyte activity and whether astrocyte activity regulates behavioral deficits in PD. We addressed these questions by performing astrocyte-specific calcium recordings and manipulations using in vivo fiber photometry and chemogenetics. We find that locomotion elicits astrocyte calcium activity over a slower timescale than neurons. Unilateral dopamine depletion reduced locomotion-related astrocyte responses. Chemogenetic activation facilitated astrocyte activity, and improved asymmetrical motor deficits and open field exploratory behavior in dopamine lesioned mice. Together, our results establish a novel role for functional striatal astrocyte signaling in modulating motor function in PD and highlight non-neuronal targets for potential PD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley R. Evans
- WM Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Sindhuja S. Baskar
- WM Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ, 08854, USA
| | | | - Sanya Ravoori
- WM Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Abimbola Arigbe
- WM Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Rafiq Huda
- WM Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ, 08854, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ, 08854, USA
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6
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Edison P. Astroglial activation: Current concepts and future directions. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:3034-3053. [PMID: 38305570 PMCID: PMC11032537 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13678] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes are abundantly and ubiquitously expressed cell types with diverse functions throughout the central nervous system. Astrocytes show remarkable plasticity and exhibit morphological, molecular, and functional remodeling in response to injury, disease, or infection of the central nervous system, as evident in neurodegenerative diseases. Astroglial mediated inflammation plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. This review focus on the role of astrocytes as essential players in neuroinflammation and discuss their morphological and functional heterogeneity in the normal central nervous system and explore the spatial and temporal variations in astroglial phenotypes observed under different disease conditions. This review discusses the intimate relationship of astrocytes to pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, this review considers the putative therapeutic strategies that can be deployed to modulate the astroglial functions in neurodegenerative diseases. HIGHLIGHTS: Astroglia mediated neuroinflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Activated astrocytes exhibit diverse phenotypes in a region-specific manner in brain and interact with β-amyloid, tau, and α-synuclein species as well as with microglia and neuronal circuits. Activated astrocytes are likely to influence the trajectory of disease progression of neurodegenerative diseases, as determined by the stage of disease, individual susceptibility, and state of astroglial priming. Modulation of astroglial activation may be a therapeutic strategy at various stages in the trajectory of neurodegenerative diseases to modify the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Edison
- Division of NeurologyDepartment of Brain SciencesFaculty of Medicine, Imperial College LondonLondonUK
- Division of Psychological medicine and clinical neurosciencesSchool of Medicine, Cardiff UniversityWalesUK
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7
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Vecchiarelli HA, Lopes LT, Paolicelli RC, Stevens B, Wake H, Tremblay MÈ. Synapse Regulation. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 37:179-208. [PMID: 39207693 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-55529-9_11] [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: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Microglia are the resident immune cells of the brain. As such, they rapidly detect changes in normal brain homeostasis and accurately respond by fine-tuning in a tightly regulated manner their morphology, gene expression, and functional behavior. Depending on the nature of these changes, microglia can thicken and retract their processes, proliferate and migrate, release numerous signaling factors and compounds influencing neuronal physiology (e.g., cytokines and trophic factors), in addition to secreting proteases able to transform the extracellular matrix, and phagocytosing various types of cellular debris, etc. Because microglia also transform rapidly (on a time scale of minutes) during experimental procedures, studying these very special cells requires methods that are specifically non-invasive. The development of such methods has provided unprecedented insights into the roles of microglia during normal physiological conditions. In particular, transcranial two-photon in vivo imaging revealed that presumably "resting" microglia continuously survey the brain parenchyma with their highly motile processes, in addition to modulating their structural and functional interactions with neuronal circuits along the changes in neuronal activity and behavioral experience occurring throughout the lifespan. In this chapter, we will describe how surveillant microglia interact with synaptic elements and modulate the number, maturation, function, and plasticity of synapses in the healthy developing, mature, and aging brain, with consequences on neuronal activity, learning and memory, and the behavioral outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rosa C Paolicelli
- Division of Psychiatry Research, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Beth Stevens
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Center for Life Science, Boston Children's Hospital, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hiroaki Wake
- Division of Brain Circuits, National Institute for Basic Biology, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
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8
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Hull VL, Wang Y, Burns T, Sternbach S, Gong S, McDonough J, Guo F, Borodinsky LN, Pleasure D. Pathological Bergmann glia alterations and disrupted calcium dynamics in ataxic Canavan disease mice. Glia 2023; 71:2832-2849. [PMID: 37610133 PMCID: PMC10591969 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24454] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Canavan disease (CD) is a recessively inherited pediatric leukodystrophy resulting from inactivating mutations to the oligodendroglial enzyme aspartoacylase (ASPA). ASPA is responsible for hydrolyzing the amino acid derivative N-acetyl-L-aspartate (NAA), and without it, brain NAA concentrations increase by 50% or more. Infants and children with CD present with progressive cognitive and motor delays, cytotoxic edema, astroglial vacuolation, and prominent spongiform brain degeneration. ASPA-deficient CD mice (Aspanur7/nur7 ) present similarly with elevated NAA, widespread astroglial dysfunction, ataxia, and Purkinje cell (PC) dendritic atrophy. Bergmann glia (BG), radial astrocytes essential for cerebellar development, are intimately intertwined with PCs, where they regulate synapse stability, functionality, and plasticity. BG damage is common to many neurodegenerative conditions and frequently associated with PC dysfunction and ataxia. Here, we report that, in CD mice, BG exhibit significant morphological alterations, decreased structural associations with PCs, loss of synaptic support proteins, and altered calcium dynamics. We also find that BG dysfunction predates cerebellar vacuolation and PC damage in CD mice. Previously, we developed an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy targeting Nat8l (N-acetyltransferase-8-like, "Nat8l ASO") that inhibits the production of NAA and reverses ataxia and PC atrophy in CD mice. Here, we show that Nat8l ASO administration in adult CD mice also leads to BG repair. Furthermore, blocking astroglial uptake of NAA is neuroprotective in astroglia-neuron cocultures exposed to elevated NAA. Our findings suggest that restoration of BG structural and functional integrity could be a mechanism for PC regeneration and improved motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa L. Hull
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Travis Burns
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Sarah Sternbach
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA
| | - Shuaishuai Gong
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Jennifer McDonough
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA
| | - Fuzheng Guo
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Laura N. Borodinsky
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children, Sacramento, California, USA
- Department of Physiology & Membrane Biology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - David Pleasure
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children, Sacramento, California, USA
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9
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Mitroshina E, Kalinina E, Vedunova M. Optogenetics in Alzheimer's Disease: Focus on Astrocytes. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1856. [PMID: 37891935 PMCID: PMC10604138 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12101856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, resulting in disability and mortality. The global incidence of AD is consistently surging. Although numerous therapeutic agents with promising potential have been developed, none have successfully treated AD to date. Consequently, the pursuit of novel methodologies to address neurodegenerative processes in AD remains a paramount endeavor. A particularly promising avenue in this search is optogenetics, enabling the manipulation of neuronal activity. In recent years, research attention has pivoted from neurons to glial cells. This review aims to consider the potential of the optogenetic correction of astrocyte metabolism as a promising strategy for correcting AD-related disorders. The initial segment of the review centers on the role of astrocytes in the genesis of neurodegeneration. Astrocytes have been implicated in several pathological processes associated with AD, encompassing the clearance of β-amyloid, neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism (along with a critical role in apolipoprotein E function). The effect of astrocyte-neuronal interactions will also be scrutinized. Furthermore, the review delves into a number of studies indicating that changes in cellular calcium (Ca2+) signaling are one of the causes of neurodegeneration. The review's latter section presents insights into the application of various optogenetic tools to manipulate astrocytic function as a means to counteract neurodegenerative changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Mitroshina
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Avenue, 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia (M.V.)
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10
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Lee YF, Russ AN, Zhao Q, Perle SJ, Maci M, Miller MR, Hou SS, Algamal M, Zhao Z, Li H, Gelwan N, Liu Z, Gomperts SN, Araque A, Galea E, Bacskai BJ, Kastanenka KV. Optogenetic targeting of astrocytes restores slow brain rhythm function and slows Alzheimer's disease pathology. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13075. [PMID: 37567942 PMCID: PMC10421876 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40402-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep disturbances in addition to memory deficits. Disruption of NREM slow waves occurs early in the disease progression and is recapitulated in transgenic mouse models of beta-amyloidosis. However, the mechanisms underlying slow-wave disruptions remain unknown. Because astrocytes contribute to slow-wave activity, we used multiphoton microscopy and optogenetics to investigate whether they contribute to slow-wave disruptions in APP/PS1 mice. The power but not the frequency of astrocytic calcium transients was reduced in APP/PS1 mice compared to nontransgenic controls. Optogenetic activation of astrocytes at the endogenous frequency of slow waves restored slow-wave power, reduced amyloid deposition, prevented neuronal calcium elevations, and improved memory performance. Our findings revealed malfunction of the astrocytic network driving slow-wave disruptions. Thus, targeting astrocytes to restore circuit activity underlying sleep and memory disruptions in AD could ameliorate disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee Fun Lee
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Alyssa N Russ
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Qiuchen Zhao
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Stephen J Perle
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Megi Maci
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Morgan R Miller
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Steven S Hou
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Moustafa Algamal
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Zhuoyang Zhao
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Hanyan Li
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Noah Gelwan
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Zhe Liu
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Stephen N Gomperts
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Alfonso Araque
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Elena Galea
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Brian J Bacskai
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
| | - Ksenia V Kastanenka
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
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11
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Paulson OB, Schousboe A, Hultborn H. The history of Danish neuroscience. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:2893-2960. [PMID: 37477973 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16062] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
The history of Danish neuroscience starts with an account of impressive contributions made at the 17th century. Thomas Bartholin was the first Danish neuroscientist, and his disciple Nicolaus Steno became internationally one of the most prominent neuroscientists in this period. From the start, Danish neuroscience was linked to clinical disciplines. This continued in the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries with new initiatives linking basic neuroscience to clinical neurology and psychiatry in the same scientific environment. Subsequently, from the middle of the 20th century, basic neuroscience was developing rapidly within the preclinical university sector. Clinical neuroscience continued and was even reinforced during this period with important translational research and a close co-operation between basic and clinical neuroscience. To distinguish 'history' from 'present time' is not easy, as many historical events continue in present time. Therefore, we decided to consider 'History' as new major scientific developments in Denmark, which were launched before the end of the 20th century. With this aim, scientists mentioned will have been born, with a few exceptions, no later than the early 1960s. However, we often refer to more recent publications in documenting the developments of initiatives launched before the end of the last century. In addition, several scientists have moved to Denmark after the beginning of the present century, and they certainly are contributing to the present status of Danish neuroscience-but, again, this is not the History of Danish neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf B Paulson
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, 9 Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arne Schousboe
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans Hultborn
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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12
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Kelly P, Sanchez-Mico MV, Hou SS, Whiteman S, Russ A, Hudry E, Arbel-Ornath M, Greenberg SM, Bacskai BJ. Neuronally Derived Soluble Abeta Evokes Cell-Wide Astrocytic Calcium Dysregulation in Absence of Amyloid Plaques in Vivo. J Neurosci 2023; 43:4926-4940. [PMID: 37236808 PMCID: PMC10312057 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1988-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The key pathologic entities driving the destruction of synaptic function and integrity during the evolution of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain elusive. Astrocytes are structurally and functionally integrated within synaptic and vascular circuitry and use calcium-based physiology to modulate basal synaptic transmission, vascular dynamics, and neurovascular coupling, which are central to AD pathogenesis. We used high-resolution multiphoton imaging to quantify all endogenous calcium signaling arising spontaneously throughout astrocytic somata, primary processes, fine processes, and capillary endfeet in the brain of awake APP/PS1 transgenic mice (11 male and 6 female mice). Endogenous calcium signaling within capillary endfeet, while surprisingly as active as astrocytic fine processes, was reduced ∼50% in the brain of awake APP/PS1 mice. Cortical astrocytes, in the presence of amyloid plaques in awake APP/PS1 mice, had a cell-wide increase in intracellular calcium associated with an increased frequency, amplitude, and duration of spontaneous calcium signaling. The cell-wide astrocytic calcium dysregulation was not directly related to distance to amyloid plaques. We could re-create the cell-wide intracellular calcium dysregulation in the absence of amyloid plaques following acute exposure to neuronally derived soluble Abeta from Tg2576 transgenic mice, in the living brain of male C57/Bl6 mice. Our findings highlight a role for astrocytic calcium pathophysiology in soluble-Abeta mediated neurodegenerative processes in AD. Additionally, therapeutic strategies aiming to protect astrocytic calcium physiology from soluble Abeta-mediated toxicity may need to pharmacologically enhance calcium signaling within the hypoactive capillary endfeet while reducing the hyperactivity of spontaneous calcium signaling throughout the rest of the astrocyte.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Astrocytic calcium signaling is functionally involved in central pathologic processes of Alzheimer's disease. We quantified endogenous calcium signaling arising spontaneously in the brain of awake APP/PS1 mice, as general anesthesia suppressed astrocytic calcium signaling. Cell-wide astrocytic calcium dysregulation was not related to distance to amyloid plaques but mediated in part by neuronally derived soluble Abeta, supporting a role for astrocytes in soluble-Abeta mediated neurodegeneration. Spontaneous calcium signaling is largely compartmentalized and capillary endfeet were as active as fine processes but hypoactive in the presence of amyloid plaques, while the rest of the astrocyte became hyperactive. The cell-wide calcium pathophysiology in astrocytes may require a combination therapeutic strategy for hypoactive endfeet and astrocytic hyperactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Kelly
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Maria V Sanchez-Mico
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Steven S Hou
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Sara Whiteman
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Alyssa Russ
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Eloise Hudry
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Michal Arbel-Ornath
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Steven M Greenberg
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Brian J Bacskai
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
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13
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Watanabe A, Guo C, Sjöström PJ. The developmental profile of visual cortex astrocytes. iScience 2023; 26:106828. [PMID: 37250801 PMCID: PMC10212985 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106828] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated how astrocytes in layer 5 mouse visual cortex mature over postnatal days (P) 3-50. Across this age range, resting membrane potential increased, input resistance decreased, and membrane responses became more passive with age. Two-photon (2p) and confocal imaging of dye-loaded cells revealed that gap-junction coupling increased starting ∼P7. Morphological reconstructions revealed increased branch density but shorter branches after P20, suggesting that astrocyte branches may get pruned as tiling is established. Finally, we visualized spontaneous Ca2+ transients with 2p microscopy and found that Ca2+ events decorrelated, became more frequent and briefer with age. As astrocytes mature, spontaneous Ca2+ activity thus changes from relatively cell-wide, synchronous waves to local transients. Several astrocyte properties were stably mature from ∼P15, coinciding with eye opening, although morphology continued to develop. Our findings provide a descriptive foundation of astrocyte maturation, useful for the study of astrocytic impact on visual cortex critical period plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Airi Watanabe
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Department of Medicine, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, Irving Ludmer Building, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Connie Guo
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Department of Medicine, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, McGill University, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Per Jesper Sjöström
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Department of Medicine, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
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14
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Purushotham SS, Buskila Y. Astrocytic modulation of neuronal signalling. FRONTIERS IN NETWORK PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 3:1205544. [PMID: 37332623 PMCID: PMC10269688 DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2023.1205544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal signalling is a key element in neuronal communication and is essential for the proper functioning of the CNS. Astrocytes, the most prominent glia in the brain play a key role in modulating neuronal signalling at the molecular, synaptic, cellular, and network levels. Over the past few decades, our knowledge about astrocytes and their functioning has evolved from considering them as merely a brain glue that provides structural support to neurons, to key communication elements. Astrocytes can regulate the activity of neurons by controlling the concentrations of ions and neurotransmitters in the extracellular milieu, as well as releasing chemicals and gliotransmitters that modulate neuronal activity. The aim of this review is to summarise the main processes through which astrocytes are modulating brain function. We will systematically distinguish between direct and indirect pathways in which astrocytes affect neuronal signalling at all levels. Lastly, we will summarize pathological conditions that arise once these signalling pathways are impaired focusing on neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yossi Buskila
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
- The MARCS Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
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15
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Westi EW, Andersen JV, Aldana BI. Using stable isotope tracing to unravel the metabolic components of neurodegeneration: Focus on neuron-glia metabolic interactions. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 182:106145. [PMID: 37150307 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106145] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Disrupted brain metabolism is a critical component of several neurodegenerative diseases. Energy metabolism of both neurons and astrocytes is closely connected to neurotransmitter recycling via the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle. Neurons and astrocytes hereby work in close metabolic collaboration which is essential to sustain neurotransmission. Elucidating the mechanistic involvement of altered brain metabolism in disease progression has been aided by the advance of techniques to monitor cellular metabolism, in particular by mapping metabolism of substrates containing stable isotopes, a technique known as isotope tracing. Here we review key aspects of isotope tracing including advantages, drawbacks and applications to different cerebral preparations. In addition, we narrate how isotope tracing has facilitated the discovery of central metabolic features in neurodegeneration with a focus on the metabolic cooperation between neurons and astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil W Westi
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens V Andersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Blanca I Aldana
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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16
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Lee YF, Russ AN, Zhao Q, Maci M, Miller MR, Hou SS, Algamal M, Zhao Z, Li H, Gelwan N, Gomperts SN, Araque A, Galea E, Bacskai BJ, Kastanenka KV. Optogenetic Targeting of Astrocytes Restores Slow Brain Rhythm Function and Slows Alzheimer's Disease Pathology. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2813056. [PMID: 37163040 PMCID: PMC10168443 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2813056/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep disturbances in addition to memory deficits. Disruption of NREM slow waves occurs early in the disease progression and is recapitulated in transgenic mouse models of beta-amyloidosis. However, the mechanisms underlying slow-wave disruptions remain unknown. Because astrocytes contribute to slow-wave activity, we used multiphoton microscopy and optogenetics to investigate whether they contribute to slow-wave disruptions in APP mice. The power but not the frequency of astrocytic calcium transients was reduced in APP mice compared to nontransgenic controls. Optogenetic activation of astrocytes at the endogenous frequency of slow waves restored slow-wave power, reduced amyloid deposition, prevented neuronal calcium elevations, and improved memory performance. Our findings revealed malfunction of the astrocytic network driving slow-wave disruptions. Thus, targeting astrocytes to restore circuit activity underlying sleep and memory disruptions in AD could ameliorate disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alyssa N Russ
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Qiuchen Zhao
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Megi Maci
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | | | - Steven S Hou
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | | | - Zhuoyang Zhao
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Hanyan Li
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Noah Gelwan
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | | | | | - Elena Galea
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
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17
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Dzyubenko E, Hermann DM. Role of glia and extracellular matrix in controlling neuroplasticity in the central nervous system. Semin Immunopathol 2023:10.1007/s00281-023-00989-1. [PMID: 37052711 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-023-00989-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal plasticity is critical for the maintenance and modulation of brain activity. Emerging evidence indicates that glial cells actively shape neuroplasticity, allowing for highly flexible regulation of synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and network synchronization. Astrocytes regulate synaptogenesis, stabilize synaptic connectivity, and preserve the balance between excitation and inhibition in neuronal networks. Microglia, the brain-resident immune cells, continuously monitor and sculpt synapses, allowing for the remodeling of brain circuits. Glia-mediated neuroplasticity is driven by neuronal activity, controlled by a plethora of feedback signaling mechanisms and crucially involves extracellular matrix remodeling in the central nervous system. This review summarizes the key findings considering neurotransmission regulation and metabolic support by astrocyte-neuronal networks, and synaptic remodeling mediated by microglia. Novel data indicate that astrocytes and microglia are pivotal for controlling brain function, indicating the necessity to rethink neurocentric neuroplasticity views.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egor Dzyubenko
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.
| | - Dirk M Hermann
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.
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18
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Purnell BS, Alves M, Boison D. Astrocyte-neuron circuits in epilepsy. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 179:106058. [PMID: 36868484 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106058] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The epilepsies are a diverse spectrum of disease states characterized by spontaneous seizures and associated comorbidities. Neuron-focused perspectives have yielded an array of widely used anti-seizure medications and are able to explain some, but not all, of the imbalance of excitation and inhibition which manifests itself as spontaneous seizures. Furthermore, the rate of pharmacoresistant epilepsy remains high despite the regular approval of novel anti-seizure medications. Gaining a more complete understanding of the processes that turn a healthy brain into an epileptic brain (epileptogenesis) as well as the processes which generate individual seizures (ictogenesis) may necessitate broadening our focus to other cell types. As will be detailed in this review, astrocytes augment neuronal activity at the level of individual neurons in the form of gliotransmission and the tripartite synapse. Under normal conditions, astrocytes are essential to the maintenance of blood-brain barrier integrity and remediation of inflammation and oxidative stress, but in epilepsy these functions are impaired. Epilepsy results in disruptions in the way astrocytes relate to each other by gap junctions which has important implications for ion and water homeostasis. In their activated state, astrocytes contribute to imbalances in neuronal excitability due to their decreased capacity to take up and metabolize glutamate and an increased capacity to metabolize adenosine. Furthermore, due to their increased adenosine metabolism, activated astrocytes may contribute to DNA hypermethylation and other epigenetic changes that underly epileptogenesis. Lastly, we will explore the potential explanatory power of these changes in astrocyte function in detail in the specific context of the comorbid occurrence of epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease and the disruption in sleep-wake regulation associated with both conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benton S Purnell
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Mariana Alves
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America; Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Detlev Boison
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America; Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America.
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19
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Lv C, Li Y, Zhang M, Cheng Y, Han D, Tan W. Sequential Control of Cellular Interactions Using Dynamic DNA Displacement. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:1167-1174. [PMID: 36748991 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c03899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Intercellular interactions play a significant role in various complex biological processes, and their dysregulation promotes disease progression. To reveal the mechanisms of intercellular interactions without destroying basic life processes, it is necessary to mimic multicellular behaviors in vitro. However, the precise control of multicellular systems remains technically challenging owing to dynamic interactions. Here, we used DNA as a molecular lock and key to sequentially assemble and disassemble different cell clusters in a programmed way, regulating intercellular interactions. Tagging the surface of live cells with cholesterol-modified DNA enabled dynamical intercellular assemblies. By consecutively adding corresponding metaphorical locks (attaching DNA strands) and keys (detaching DNA strands), clusters of different cells could be sequentially formed. This strategy improved the capability of natural killer NK-92 cells to target tumor cells, improving the antitumor therapy efficacy. Our suggested approach allows dynamic regulation of intercellular interactions in complex cell systems and increases understanding of intercellular communication networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Lv
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Mingzhi Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yu Cheng
- Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Da Han
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Weihong Tan
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
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20
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Zhang T, Zhang M, Cui S, Liang W, Jia Z, Guo F, Ou W, Wu Y, Zhang S. The core of maintaining neuropathic pain: Crosstalk between glial cells and neurons (neural cell crosstalk at spinal cord). Brain Behav 2023; 13:e2868. [PMID: 36602945 PMCID: PMC9927860 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropathic pain (NP) caused by the injury or dysfunction of the nervous system is a chronic pain state accompanied by hyperalgesia, and the available clinical treatment is relatively scarce. Hyperalgesia mediated by pro-inflammatory factors and chemokines plays an important role in the occurrence and maintenance of NP. DATA TREATMENT Therefore, we conducted a systematic literature review of experimental NP (PubMed Medline), in order to find the mechanism of inducing central sensitization and explore the intervention methods of hyperalgesia caused by real or simulated injury. RESULT In this review, we sorted out the activation pathways of microglia, astrocytes and neurons, and the process of crosstalk among them. It was found that in NP, the microglia P2X4 receptor is the key target, which can activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway inward and then activate astrocytes and outwardly activate neuronal tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor to activate neurons. At the same time, activated neurons continue to maintain the activation of astrocytes and microglia through chemokines on CXCL13/CXCR5 and CX3CL1/CX3CR1. This crosstalk process is the key to maintaining NP. CONCLUSION We summarize the further research on crosstalk among neurons, microglia, and astrocytes in the central nervous system, elaborate the ways and connections of relevant crosstalk, and find potential crosstalk targets, which provides a reference for drug development and preclinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianrui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Mingqian Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Cui
- Department of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wulin Liang
- Department of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhanhong Jia
- Department of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fanfan Guo
- Department of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjing Ou
- Department of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yonghong Wu
- Department of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shuofeng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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21
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Age-Related Changes in Neurons and Satellite Glial Cells in Mouse Dorsal Root Ganglia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032677. [PMID: 36769006 PMCID: PMC9916822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of aging on the nervous system are well documented. However, most previous studies on this topic were performed on the central nervous system. The present study was carried out on the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of mice, and focused on age-related changes in DRG neurons and satellite glial cells (SGCs). Intracellular electrodes were used for dye injection to examine the gap junction-mediated coupling between neurons and SGCs, and for intracellular electrical recordings from the neurons. Tactile sensitivity was assessed with von Frey hairs. We found that 3-23% of DRG neurons were dye-coupled to SGCs surrounding neighboring neurons in 8-24-month (Mo)-old mice, whereas in young adult (3 Mo) mice, the figure was 0%. The threshold current for firing an action potential in sensory neurons was significantly lower in DRGs from 12 Mo mice compared with those from 3 Mo mice. The percentage of neurons with spontaneous subthreshold membrane potential oscillation was greater by two-fold in 12 Mo mice. The withdrawal threshold was lower by 22% in 12 Mo mice compared with 3 Mo ones. These results show that in the aged mice, a proportion of DRG neurons is coupled to SGCs, and that the membrane excitability of the DRG neurons increases with age. We propose that augmented neuron-SGC communications via gap junctions are caused by low-grade inflammation associated with aging, and this may contribute to pain behavior.
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22
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Cuellar-Santoyo AO, Ruiz-Rodríguez VM, Mares-Barbosa TB, Patrón-Soberano A, Howe AG, Portales-Pérez DP, Miquelajáuregui Graf A, Estrada-Sánchez AM. Revealing the contribution of astrocytes to glutamatergic neuronal transmission. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 16:1037641. [PMID: 36744061 PMCID: PMC9893894 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1037641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on glutamatergic neurotransmission has focused mainly on the function of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons, leaving astrocytes with a secondary role only to ensure successful neurotransmission. However, recent evidence indicates that astrocytes contribute actively and even regulate neuronal transmission at different levels. This review establishes a framework by comparing glutamatergic components between neurons and astrocytes to examine how astrocytes modulate or otherwise influence neuronal transmission. We have included the most recent findings about the role of astrocytes in neurotransmission, allowing us to understand the complex network of neuron-astrocyte interactions. However, despite the knowledge of synaptic modulation by astrocytes, their contribution to specific physiological and pathological conditions remains to be elucidated. A full understanding of the astrocyte's role in neuronal processing could open fruitful new frontiers in the development of therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ares Orlando Cuellar-Santoyo
- División de Biología Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (IPICYT), San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Victor Manuel Ruiz-Rodríguez
- División de Biología Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (IPICYT), San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Teresa Belem Mares-Barbosa
- División de Biología Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (IPICYT), San Luis Potosí, Mexico
- Translational and Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Research Center for Health Sciences and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Araceli Patrón-Soberano
- División de Biología Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (IPICYT), San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Andrew G. Howe
- Intelligent Systems Laboratory, HRL Laboratories, LLC, Malibu, CA, United States
| | - Diana Patricia Portales-Pérez
- Translational and Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Research Center for Health Sciences and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | | | - Ana María Estrada-Sánchez
- División de Biología Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (IPICYT), San Luis Potosí, Mexico
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23
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Millet LJ, Jain A, Gillette MU. Less Is More: Oligomer Extraction and Hydrothermal Annealing Increase PDMS Adhesion Forces for Materials Studies and for Biology-Focused Microfluidic Applications. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:214. [PMID: 36677275 PMCID: PMC9866318 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cues in the micro-environment are key determinants in the emergence of complex cellular morphologies and functions. Primary among these is the presence of neighboring cells that form networks. For high-resolution analysis, it is crucial to develop micro-environments that permit exquisite control of network formation. This is especially true in cell science, tissue engineering, and clinical biology. We introduce a new approach for assembling polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic environments that enhances cell network formation and analyses. We report that the combined processes of PDMS solvent-extraction and hydrothermal annealing create unique conditions that produce high-strength bonds between solvent-extracted PDMS (E-PDMS) and glass-properties not associated with conventional PDMS. Extraction followed by hydrothermal annealing removes unbound oligomers, promotes polymer cross-linking, facilitates covalent bond formation with glass, and retains the highest biocompatibility. Herein, our extraction protocol accelerates oligomer removal from 5 to 2 days. Resulting microfluidic platforms are uniquely suited for cell-network studies owing to high adhesion forces, effectively corralling cellular extensions and eliminating harmful oligomers. We demonstrate the simple, simultaneous actuation of multiple microfluidic domains for invoking ATP- and glutamate-induced Ca2+ signaling in glial-cell networks. These E-PDMS modifications and flow manipulations further enable microfluidic technologies for cell-signaling and network studies as well as novel applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry J. Millet
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- The Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Anika Jain
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- The Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Martha U. Gillette
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- The Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Nanotopography and Microconfinement Impact on Primary Hippocampal Astrocyte Morphology, Cytoskeleton and Spontaneous Calcium Wave Signalling. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020293. [PMID: 36672231 PMCID: PMC9856934 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes' organisation affects the functioning and the fine morphology of the brain, both in physiological and pathological contexts. Although many aspects of their role have been characterised, their complex functions remain, to a certain extent, unclear with respect to their contribution to brain cell communication. Here, we studied the effects of nanotopography and microconfinement on primary hippocampal rat astrocytes. For this purpose, we fabricated nanostructured zirconia surfaces as homogenous substrates and as micrometric patterns, the latter produced by a combination of an additive nanofabrication and micropatterning technique. These engineered substrates reproduce both nanotopographical features and microscale geometries that astrocytes encounter in their natural environment, such as basement membrane topography, as well as blood vessels and axonal fibre topology. The impact of restrictive adhesion manifests in the modulation of several cellular properties of single cells (morphological and actin cytoskeletal changes) and the network organisation and functioning. Calcium wave signalling was observed only in astrocytes grown in confined geometries, with an activity enhancement in cells forming elongated agglomerates with dimensions typical of blood vessels or axon fibres. Our results suggest that calcium oscillation and wave propagation are closely related to astrocytic morphology and actin cytoskeleton organisation.
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25
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Marchese NA, Ríos MN, Guido ME. Müller glial cell photosensitivity: a novel function bringing higher complexity to vertebrate retinal physiology. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpap.2023.100162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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26
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Vezzani A, Ravizza T, Bedner P, Aronica E, Steinhäuser C, Boison D. Astrocytes in the initiation and progression of epilepsy. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:707-722. [PMID: 36280704 PMCID: PMC10368155 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00727-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy affects ~65 million people worldwide. First-line treatment options include >20 antiseizure medications, but seizure control is not achieved in approximately one-third of patients. Antiseizure medications act primarily on neurons and can provide symptomatic control of seizures, but do not alter the onset and progression of epilepsy and can cause serious adverse effects. Therefore, medications with new cellular and molecular targets and mechanisms of action are needed. Accumulating evidence indicates that astrocytes are crucial to the pathophysiological mechanisms of epilepsy, raising the possibility that these cells could be novel therapeutic targets. In this Review, we discuss how dysregulation of key astrocyte functions - gliotransmission, cell metabolism and immune function - contribute to the development and progression of hyperexcitability in epilepsy. We consider strategies to mitigate astrocyte dysfunction in each of these areas, and provide an overview of how astrocyte activation states can be monitored in vivo not only to assess their contribution to disease but also to identify markers of disease processes and treatment effects. Improved understanding of the roles of astrocytes in epilepsy has the potential to lead to novel therapies to prevent the initiation and progression of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Vezzani
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy.
| | - Teresa Ravizza
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Peter Bedner
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, Netherlands
| | - Christian Steinhäuser
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Detlev Boison
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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27
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Starobova H, Alshammari A, Winkler IG, Vetter I. The role of the neuronal microenvironment in sensory function and pain pathophysiology. J Neurochem 2022. [PMID: 36394416 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The high prevalence of pain and the at times low efficacy of current treatments represent a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Effective treatment strategies require consideration of the diverse pathophysiologies that underlie various pain conditions. Indeed, our understanding of the mechanisms contributing to aberrant sensory neuron function has advanced considerably. However, sensory neurons operate in a complex dynamic microenvironment that is controlled by multidirectional interactions of neurons with non-neuronal cells, including immune cells, neuronal accessory cells, fibroblasts, adipocytes, and keratinocytes. Each of these cells constitute and control the microenvironment in which neurons operate, inevitably influencing sensory function and the pathology of pain. This review highlights the importance of the neuronal microenvironment for sensory function and pain, focusing on cellular interactions in the skin, nerves, dorsal root ganglia, and spinal cord. We discuss the current understanding of the mechanisms by which neurons and non-neuronal cells communicate to promote or resolve pain, and how this knowledge could be used for the development of mechanism-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Starobova
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ammar Alshammari
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ingrid G Winkler
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- The School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
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28
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Zhang NN, Zhang Y, Wang ZZ, Chen NH. Connexin 43: insights into candidate pathological mechanisms of depression and its implications in antidepressant therapy. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:2448-2461. [PMID: 35145238 PMCID: PMC9525669 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-00861-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD), a chronic and recurrent disease characterized by anhedonia, pessimism or even suicidal thought, remains a major chronic mental concern worldwide. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the most abundant connexin expressed in astrocytes and forms the gap junction channels (GJCs) between astrocytes, the most abundant and functional glial cells in the brain. Astrocytes regulate neurons' synaptic strength and function by expressing receptors and regulating various neurotransmitters. Astrocyte dysfunction causes synaptic abnormalities, which are related to various mood disorders, e.g., depression. Increasing evidence suggests a crucial role of Cx43 in the pathogenesis of depression. Depression down-regulates Cx43 expression in humans and rats, and dysfunction of Cx43 also induces depressive behaviors in rats and mice. Recently Cx43 has received considerable critical attention and is highly implicated in the onset of depression. However, the pathological mechanisms of depression-like behavior associated with Cx43 still remain ambiguous. In this review we summarize the recent progress regarding the underlying mechanisms of Cx43 in the etiology of depression-like behaviors including gliotransmission, metabolic disorders, and neuroinflammation. We also discuss the effects of antidepressants (monoamine antidepressants and ketamine) on Cx43. The clarity of the candidate pathological mechanisms of depression-like behaviors associated with Cx43 and its potential pharmacological roles for antidepressants will benefit the exploration of a novel antidepressant target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning-Ning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Nai-Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica & Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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29
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Glutamate Signaling and Filopodiagenesis of Astrocytoma Cells in Brain Cancers: Survey and Questions. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172657. [PMID: 36078065 PMCID: PMC9454653 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are non-excitable cells in the CNS that can cause life-threatening astrocytoma tumors when they transform to cancerous cells. Perturbed homeostasis of the neurotransmitter glutamate is associated with astrocytoma tumor onset and progression, but the factors that govern this phenomenon are less known. Herein, we review possible mechanisms by which glutamate may act in facilitating the growth of projections in astrocytic cells. This review discusses the similarities and differences between the morphology of astrocytes and astrocytoma cells, and the role that dysregulation in glutamate and calcium signaling plays in the aberrant morphology of astrocytoma cells. Converging reports suggest that ionotropic glutamate receptors and voltage-gated calcium channels expressed in astrocytes may be responsible for the abnormal filopodiagenesis or process extension leading to astrocytoma cells’ infiltration throughout the brain.
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30
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Nakajima N, Ohnishi Y, Yamamoto M, Setoyama D, Imai H, Takenaka T, Matsumoto M, Hosomi K, Saitoh Y, Furue H, Kishima H. Excess intracellular ATP causes neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:483. [PMID: 35972649 PMCID: PMC11072579 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04510-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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Intractable neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (NP-SCI) reduces a patient's quality of life. Excessive release of ATP into the extracellular space evokes neuroinflammation via purinergic receptor. Neuroinflammation plays an important role in the initiation and maintenance of NP. However, little is known about whether or not extracellular ATP cause NP-SCI. We found in the present study that excess of intracellular ATP at the lesion site evokes at-level NP-SCI. No significant differences in the body weight, locomotor function, or motor behaviors were found in groups that were negative and positive for at-level allodynia. The intracellular ATP level at the lesion site was significantly higher in the allodynia-positive mice than in the allodynia-negative mice. A metabolome analysis revealed that there were no significant differences in the ATP production or degradation between allodynia-negative and allodynia-positive mice. Dorsal horn neurons in allodynia mice were found to be inactivated in the resting state, suggesting that decreased ATP consumption due to neural inactivity leads to a build-up of intracellular ATP. In contrast to the findings in the resting state, mechanical stimulation increased the neural activity of dorsal horn and extracellular ATP release at lesion site. The forced production of intracellular ATP at the lesion site in non-allodynia mice induced allodynia. The inhibition of P2X4 receptors in allodynia mice reduced allodynia. These results suggest that an excess buildup of intracellular ATP in the resting state causes at-level NP-SCI as a result of the extracellular release of ATP with mechanical stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiko Nakajima
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Ohnishi
- Department of Research Promotion and Management, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka Gyoumeikan Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Masamichi Yamamoto
- Department of Research Promotion and Management, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan.
| | - Daiki Setoyama
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hirohiko Imai
- Department of Systems Science, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomofumi Takenaka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mari Matsumoto
- Department of Research Promotion and Management, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan
| | - Koichi Hosomi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Neuromodulation and Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoichi Saitoh
- Department of Neuromodulation and Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidemasa Furue
- Department of Neurophysiology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Kishima
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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31
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McDouall A, Zhou KQ, Bennet L, Green CR, Gunn AJ, Davidson JO. Connexins, Pannexins and Gap Junctions in Perinatal Brain Injury. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1445. [PMID: 35740466 PMCID: PMC9220888 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Perinatal brain injury secondary to hypoxia-ischemia and/or infection/inflammation remains a major cause of disability. Therapeutic hypothermia significantly improves outcomes, but in randomized controlled trials nearly half of infants still died or survived with disability, showing that additional interventions are needed. There is growing evidence that brain injury spreads over time from injured to previously uninjured regions of the brain. At least in part, this spread is related to opening of connexin hemichannels and pannexin channels, both of which are large conductance membrane channels found in many brain cells. Opening of these membrane channels releases adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and other neuroactive molecules, into the extracellular space. ATP has an important role in normal signaling, but pathologically can trigger the assembly of the multi-protein inflammasome complex. The inflammasome complex promotes activation of inflammatory caspases, and release of inflammatory cytokines. Overall, the connexin hemichannel appears to play a primary role in propagation of injury and chronic disease, and connexin hemichannel blockade has been shown to be neuroprotective in multiple animal models. Thus, there is potential for some blockers of connexin or pannexin channels to be developed into targeted interventions that could be used in conjunction with or separate to therapeutic hypothermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice McDouall
- U1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; (A.M.); (K.Q.Z.); (L.B.); (A.J.G.)
| | - Kelly Q. Zhou
- U1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; (A.M.); (K.Q.Z.); (L.B.); (A.J.G.)
| | - Laura Bennet
- U1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; (A.M.); (K.Q.Z.); (L.B.); (A.J.G.)
| | - Colin R. Green
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand;
| | - Alistair J. Gunn
- U1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; (A.M.); (K.Q.Z.); (L.B.); (A.J.G.)
| | - Joanne O. Davidson
- U1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; (A.M.); (K.Q.Z.); (L.B.); (A.J.G.)
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32
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Allen M, Huang BS, Notaras MJ, Lodhi A, Barrio-Alonso E, Lituma PJ, Wolujewicz P, Witztum J, Longo F, Chen M, Greening DW, Klann E, Ross ME, Liston C, Colak D. Astrocytes derived from ASD individuals alter behavior and destabilize neuronal activity through aberrant Ca 2+ signaling. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2470-2484. [PMID: 35365802 PMCID: PMC9135629 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01486-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The cellular mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are poorly understood. Cumulative evidence suggests that abnormal synapse function underlies many features of this disease. Astrocytes regulate several key neuronal processes, including the formation of synapses and the modulation of synaptic plasticity. Astrocyte abnormalities have also been identified in the postmortem brain tissue of ASD individuals. However, it remains unclear whether astrocyte pathology plays a mechanistic role in ASD, as opposed to a compensatory response. To address this, we combined stem cell culturing with transplantation techniques to determine disease-specific properties inherent to ASD astrocytes. We demonstrate that ASD astrocytes induce repetitive behavior as well as impair memory and long-term potentiation when transplanted into the healthy mouse brain. These in vivo phenotypes were accompanied by reduced neuronal network activity and spine density caused by ASD astrocytes in hippocampal neurons in vitro. Transplanted ASD astrocytes also exhibit exaggerated Ca2+ fluctuations in chimeric brains. Genetic modulation of evoked Ca2+ responses in ASD astrocytes modulates behavior and neuronal activity deficits. Thus, this study determines that astrocytes derived from ASD iPSCs are sufficient to induce repetitive behavior as well as cognitive deficit, suggesting a previously unrecognized primary role for astrocytes in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Allen
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ben S Huang
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael J Notaras
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aiman Lodhi
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Estibaliz Barrio-Alonso
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pablo J Lituma
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul Wolujewicz
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Witztum
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Francesco Longo
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maoshan Chen
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David W Greening
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric Klann
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Ross
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Conor Liston
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dilek Colak
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA. .,Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
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33
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Krawczyk MC, Haney JR, Pan L, Caneda C, Khankan RR, Reyes SD, Chang JW, Morselli M, Vinters HV, Wang AC, Cobos I, Gandal MJ, Bergsneider M, Kim W, Liau LM, Yong W, Jalali A, Deneen B, Grant GA, Mathern GW, Fallah A, Zhang Y. Human Astrocytes Exhibit Tumor Microenvironment-, Age-, and Sex-Related Transcriptomic Signatures. J Neurosci 2022; 42:1587-1603. [PMID: 34987109 PMCID: PMC8883850 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0407-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are critical for the development and function of synapses. There are notable species differences between human astrocytes and commonly used animal models. Yet, it is unclear whether astrocytic genes involved in synaptic function are stable or exhibit dynamic changes associated with disease states and age in humans, which is a barrier in understanding human astrocyte biology and its potential involvement in neurologic diseases. To better understand the properties of human astrocytes, we acutely purified astrocytes from the cerebral cortices of over 40 humans across various ages, sexes, and disease states. We performed RNA sequencing to generate transcriptomic profiles of these astrocytes and identified genes associated with these biological variables. We found that human astrocytes in tumor-surrounding regions downregulate genes involved in synaptic function and sensing of signals in the microenvironment, suggesting involvement of peritumor astrocytes in tumor-associated neural circuit dysfunction. In aging, we also found downregulation of synaptic regulators and upregulation of markers of cytokine signaling, while in maturation we identified changes in ionic transport with implications for calcium signaling. In addition, we identified subtle sexual dimorphism in human cortical astrocytes, which has implications for observed sex differences across many neurologic disorders. Overall, genes involved in synaptic function exhibit dynamic changes in the peritumor microenvironment and aging. These data provide powerful new insights into human astrocyte biology in several biologically relevant states that will aid in generating novel testable hypotheses about homeostatic and reactive astrocytes in humans.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Astrocytes are an abundant class of cells playing integral roles at synapses. Astrocyte dysfunction is implicated in a variety of human neurologic diseases. Yet our knowledge of astrocytes is largely based on mouse studies. Direct knowledge of human astrocyte biology remains limited. Here, we present transcriptomic profiles of human cortical astrocytes, and we identified molecular differences associated with age, sex, and disease state. We found that peritumor and aging astrocytes downregulate genes involved in astrocyte-synapse interactions. These data provide necessary insight into human astrocyte biology that will improve our understanding of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell C Krawczyk
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Jillian R Haney
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Lin Pan
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Christine Caneda
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Rana R Khankan
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Samuel D Reyes
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Julia W Chang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Marco Morselli
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences - The Collaboratory at University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Harry V Vinters
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine (Neuropathology) and Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
- Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Anthony C Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Inma Cobos
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305
| | - Michael J Gandal
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
- Program in Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Marvin Bergsneider
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Won Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Linda M Liau
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - William Yong
- Department of Pathology, University of California, Irvine, California, 90095
| | - Ali Jalali
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Benjamin Deneen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Gerald A Grant
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 94305
| | - Gary W Mathern
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Aria Fallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90024
- Brain Research Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, 90095
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, 90095
- Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, 90095
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34
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Wan J, Zhou S, Mea HJ, Guo Y, Ku H, Urbina BM. Emerging Roles of Microfluidics in Brain Research: From Cerebral Fluids Manipulation to Brain-on-a-Chip and Neuroelectronic Devices Engineering. Chem Rev 2022; 122:7142-7181. [PMID: 35080375 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Remarkable progress made in the past few decades in brain research enables the manipulation of neuronal activity in single neurons and neural circuits and thus allows the decipherment of relations between nervous systems and behavior. The discovery of glymphatic and lymphatic systems in the brain and the recently unveiled tight relations between the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the central nervous system (CNS) further revolutionize our understanding of brain structures and functions. Fundamental questions about how neurons conduct two-way communications with the gut to establish the gut-brain axis (GBA) and interact with essential brain components such as glial cells and blood vessels to regulate cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in health and disease, however, remain. Microfluidics with unparalleled advantages in the control of fluids at microscale has emerged recently as an effective approach to address these critical questions in brain research. The dynamics of cerebral fluids (i.e., blood and CSF) and novel in vitro brain-on-a-chip models and microfluidic-integrated multifunctional neuroelectronic devices, for example, have been investigated. This review starts with a critical discussion of the current understanding of several key topics in brain research such as neurovascular coupling (NVC), glymphatic pathway, and GBA and then interrogates a wide range of microfluidic-based approaches that have been developed or can be improved to advance our fundamental understanding of brain functions. Last, emerging technologies for structuring microfluidic devices and their implications and future directions in brain research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiandi Wan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Sitong Zhou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Hing Jii Mea
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Yaojun Guo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Hansol Ku
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Brianna M Urbina
- Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
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35
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Francelle L, Mazzulli JR. Neuroinflammation in aucher disease, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, and commonalities with Parkinson’s disease. Brain Res 2022; 1780:147798. [PMID: 35063468 PMCID: PMC9126024 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.147798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are rare genetic disorders caused by a disruption in cellular clearance, resulting in pathological storage of undegraded lysosomal substrates. Recent clinical and genetic studies have uncovered links between multiple LSDs and common neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we review recent literature describing the role of glia cells and neuroinflammation in PD and LSDs, including Gaucher disease (GD) and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), and highlight converging inflammation pathways that lead to neuron loss. Recent data indicates that lysosomal dysfunction and accumulation of storage materials can initiate the activation of glial cells, through interaction with cell surface or cytosolic pattern recognition receptors that detect pathogenic aggregates of cellular debris. Activated glia cells could act to protect neurons through the elimination of toxic protein or lipid aggregates early in the disease process. However prolonged glial activation that occurs over several decades in chronic-age related neurodegeneration could induce the inappropriate elimination of synapses, leading to neuron loss. These studies provide mechanistic insight into the relationship between lysosomal dysfunction and glial activation, and offer novel therapeutic pathways for the treatment of PD and LSDs focused on reducing neuroinflammation and mitigating cell loss.
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Aleksejenko N, Heller J. Super-resolution imaging to reveal the nanostructure of tripartite synapses. Neuronal Signal 2021; 5:NS20210003. [PMID: 34737894 PMCID: PMC8536832 DOI: 10.1042/ns20210003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though neurons are the main drivers of information processing in the brain and spinal cord, other cell types are important to mediate adequate flow of information. These include electrically passive glial cells such as microglia and astrocytes, which recently emerged as active partners facilitating proper signal transduction. In disease, these cells undergo pathophysiological changes that propel disease progression and change synaptic connections and signal transmission. In the healthy brain, astrocytic processes contact pre- and postsynaptic structures. These processes can be nanoscopic, and therefore only electron microscopy has been able to reveal their structure and morphology. However, electron microscopy is not suitable in revealing dynamic changes, and it is labour- and time-intensive. The dawn of super-resolution microscopy, techniques that 'break' the diffraction limit of conventional light microscopy, over the last decades has enabled researchers to reveal the nanoscopic synaptic environment. In this review, we highlight and discuss recent advances in our understanding of the nano-world of the so-called tripartite synapses, the relationship between pre- and postsynapse as well as astrocytic processes. Overall, novel super-resolution microscopy methods are needed to fully illuminate the intimate relationship between glia and neuronal cells that underlies signal transduction in the brain and that might be affected in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalija Aleksejenko
- School of Biotechnology and National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology (NICB), Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Ireland
| | - Janosch P. Heller
- School of Biotechnology and National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology (NICB), Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Ireland
- Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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37
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Lalo U, Koh W, Lee CJ, Pankratov Y. The tripartite glutamatergic synapse. Neuropharmacology 2021; 199:108758. [PMID: 34433089 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Astroglial cells were long considered as structural and metabolic supporting cells are which do not directly participate in information processing in the brain. Discoveries of responsiveness of astrocytes to synaptically-released glutamate and their capability to release agonists of glutamate receptors awakened extensive studies of glia-neuron communications and led to the revolutionary changes in our understanding of brain cellular networks. Nowadays, astrocytes are widely acknowledged as inseparable element of glutamatergic synapses and role for glutamatergic astrocyte-neuron interactions in the brain computation is emerging. Astroglial glutamate receptors, in particular of NMDA, mGluR3 and mGluR5 types, can activate a variety of molecular cascades leading astroglial-driven modulation of extracellular levels of glutamate and activity of neuronal glutamate receptors. Their preferential location to the astroglial perisynaptic processes facilitates interaction of astrocytes with individual excitatory synapses. Bi-directional glutamatergic communication between astrocytes and neurons underpins a complex, spatially-distributed modulation of synaptic signalling thus contributing to the enrichment of information processing by the neuronal networks. Still, further research is needed to bridge the substantial gaps in our understanding of mechanisms and physiological relevance of astrocyte-neuron glutamatergic interactions, in particular ability of astrocytes directly activate neuronal glutamate receptors by releasing glutamate and, arguably, d-Serine. An emerging roles for aberrant changes in glutamatergic astroglial signalling, both neuroprotective and pathogenic, in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases also require further investigation. This article is part of the special Issue on 'Glutamate Receptors - The Glutamatergic Synapse'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulyana Lalo
- School of Life Sciences, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - Wuhyun Koh
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34126, South Korea
| | - C Justin Lee
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34126, South Korea
| | - Yuriy Pankratov
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
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38
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Mielnicka A, Michaluk P. Exocytosis in Astrocytes. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1367. [PMID: 34572580 PMCID: PMC8471187 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Until recently, astrocytes were thought to be a part of a simple "brain glue" providing only a supporting role for neurons. However, the discoveries of the last two decades have proven astrocytes to be dynamic partners participating in brain metabolism and actively influencing communication between neurons. The means of astrocyte-neuron communication are diverse, although regulated exocytosis has received the most attention but also caused the most debate. Similar to most of eukaryotic cells, astrocytes have a complex range of vesicular organelles which can undergo exocytosis as well as intricate molecular mechanisms that regulate this process. In this review, we focus on the components needed for regulated exocytosis to occur and summarise the knowledge about experimental evidence showing its presence in astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Piotr Michaluk
- BRAINCITY, Laboratory of Neurobiology, The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland;
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Prieto-Villalobos J, Alvear TF, Liberona A, Lucero CM, Martínez-Araya CJ, Balmazabal J, Inostroza CA, Ramírez G, Gómez GI, Orellana JA. Astroglial Hemichannels and Pannexons: The Hidden Link between Maternal Inflammation and Neurological Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179503. [PMID: 34502412 PMCID: PMC8430734 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal inflammation during pregnancy causes later-in-life alterations of the offspring’s brain structure and function. These abnormalities increase the risk of developing several psychiatric and neurological disorders, including schizophrenia, intellectual disability, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, microcephaly, and cerebral palsy. Here, we discuss how astrocytes might contribute to postnatal brain dysfunction following maternal inflammation, focusing on the signaling mediated by two families of plasma membrane channels: hemi-channels and pannexons. [Ca2+]i imbalance linked to the opening of astrocytic hemichannels and pannexons could disturb essential functions that sustain astrocytic survival and astrocyte-to-neuron support, including energy and redox homeostasis, uptake of K+ and glutamate, and the delivery of neurotrophic factors and energy-rich metabolites. Both phenomena could make neurons more susceptible to the harmful effect of prenatal inflammation and the experience of a second immune challenge during adulthood. On the other hand, maternal inflammation could cause excitotoxicity by producing the release of high amounts of gliotransmitters via astrocytic hemichannels/pannexons, eliciting further neuronal damage. Understanding how hemichannels and pannexons participate in maternal inflammation-induced brain abnormalities could be critical for developing pharmacological therapies against neurological disorders observed in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Prieto-Villalobos
- Departamento de Neurología, Escuela de Medicina and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; (J.P.-V.); (T.F.A.); (A.L.); (C.J.M.-A.); (J.B.); (C.A.I.); (G.R.)
| | - Tanhia F. Alvear
- Departamento de Neurología, Escuela de Medicina and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; (J.P.-V.); (T.F.A.); (A.L.); (C.J.M.-A.); (J.B.); (C.A.I.); (G.R.)
| | - Andrés Liberona
- Departamento de Neurología, Escuela de Medicina and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; (J.P.-V.); (T.F.A.); (A.L.); (C.J.M.-A.); (J.B.); (C.A.I.); (G.R.)
| | - Claudia M. Lucero
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 8910060, Chile; (C.M.L.); (G.I.G.)
| | - Claudio J. Martínez-Araya
- Departamento de Neurología, Escuela de Medicina and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; (J.P.-V.); (T.F.A.); (A.L.); (C.J.M.-A.); (J.B.); (C.A.I.); (G.R.)
| | - Javiera Balmazabal
- Departamento de Neurología, Escuela de Medicina and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; (J.P.-V.); (T.F.A.); (A.L.); (C.J.M.-A.); (J.B.); (C.A.I.); (G.R.)
| | - Carla A. Inostroza
- Departamento de Neurología, Escuela de Medicina and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; (J.P.-V.); (T.F.A.); (A.L.); (C.J.M.-A.); (J.B.); (C.A.I.); (G.R.)
| | - Gigliola Ramírez
- Departamento de Neurología, Escuela de Medicina and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; (J.P.-V.); (T.F.A.); (A.L.); (C.J.M.-A.); (J.B.); (C.A.I.); (G.R.)
| | - Gonzalo I. Gómez
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 8910060, Chile; (C.M.L.); (G.I.G.)
| | - Juan A. Orellana
- Departamento de Neurología, Escuela de Medicina and Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; (J.P.-V.); (T.F.A.); (A.L.); (C.J.M.-A.); (J.B.); (C.A.I.); (G.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-23548105
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Kellner V, Kersbergen CJ, Li S, Babola TA, Saher G, Bergles DE. Dual metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling enables coordination of astrocyte and neuron activity in developing sensory domains. Neuron 2021; 109:2545-2555.e7. [PMID: 34245686 PMCID: PMC9083901 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes play an essential role in the development of neural circuits by positioning transporters and receptors near synapses and secreting factors that promote synaptic maturation. However, the mechanisms that coordinate astrocyte and neural maturation remain poorly understood. Using in vivo imaging in unanesthetized neonatal mice, we show that bursts of neuronal activity passing through nascent sound processing networks reliably induce calcium transients in astrocytes. Astrocyte transients were dependent on intense neuronal activity and constrained to regions near active synapses, ensuring close spatial and temporal coordination of neuron and astrocyte activity. Astrocyte responses were restricted to the pre-hearing period and induced by synergistic activation of two metabotropic glutamate receptors, mGluR5 and mGluR3, which promoted IP3R2-dependent calcium release from intracellular stores. The widespread expression of these receptors by astrocytes during development and the prominence of neuronal burst firing in emerging neural networks may help coordinate the maturation of excitatory synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vered Kellner
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Calvin J Kersbergen
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sally Li
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Travis A Babola
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Gesine Saher
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen 37075, Germany
| | - Dwight E Bergles
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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41
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Hou J, Zhu S, Zhao Z, Shen J, Chao J, Shi J, Li J, Wang L, Ge Z, Li Q. Programming cell communications with pH-responsive DNA nanodevices. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:4536-4539. [PMID: 33956003 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc00875g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
DNA nanoswitches on cell surfaces could respond to changes of pH under physiological conditions by switching from a three-chain structure to a double-chain structure, thus connecting another set of cells modified with complementary single-stranded DNA. This pH-triggered cell communication offers a promising approach for cell-based therapy under a tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjun Hou
- Division of Physical Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shitai Zhu
- Division of Physical Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ziwei Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics & Information Displays (KLOEID), Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM) and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianlei Shen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China. ,
| | - Jie Chao
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics & Information Displays (KLOEID), Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM) and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiye Shi
- Division of Physical Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Jiang Li
- The Interdisciplinary Research Center, Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Division of Physical Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China and The Interdisciplinary Research Center, Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhilei Ge
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China. ,
| | - Qian Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China. ,
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Serotonin Heteroreceptor Complexes and Their Integration of Signals in Neurons and Astroglia-Relevance for Mental Diseases. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081902. [PMID: 34440670 PMCID: PMC8392445 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The heteroreceptor complexes present a novel biological principle for signal integration. These complexes and their allosteric receptor-receptor interactions are bidirectional and novel targets for treatment of CNS diseases including mental diseases. The existence of D2R-5-HT2AR heterocomplexes can help explain the anti-schizophrenic effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs not only based on blockade of 5-HT2AR and of D2R in higher doses but also based on blocking the allosteric enhancement of D2R protomer signaling by 5-HT2AR protomer activation. This research opens a new understanding of the integration of DA and 5-HT signals released from DA and 5-HT nerve terminal networks. The biological principle of forming 5-HT and other heteroreceptor complexes in the brain also help understand the mechanism of action for especially the 5-HT hallucinogens, including putative positive effects of e.g., psilocybin and the indicated prosocial and anti-stress actions of MDMA (ecstasy). The GalR1-GalR2 heterodimer and the putative GalR1-GalR2-5-HT1 heteroreceptor complexes are targets for Galanin N-terminal fragment Gal (1-15), a major modulator of emotional networks in models of mental disease. GPCR-receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) heteroreceptor complexes can operate through transactivation of FGFR1 via allosteric mechanisms and indirect interactions over GPCR intracellular pathways involving protein kinase Src which produces tyrosine phosphorylation of the RTK. The exciting discovery was made that several antidepressant drugs such as TCAs and SSRIs as well as the fast-acting antidepressant drug ketamine can directly bind to the TrkB receptor and provide a novel mechanism for their antidepressant actions. Understanding the role of astrocytes and their allosteric receptor-receptor interactions in modulating forebrain glutamate synapses with impact on dorsal raphe-forebrain serotonin neurons is also of high relevance for research on major depressive disorder.
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43
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Heuser K, Enger R. Astrocytic Ca 2+ Signaling in Epilepsy. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:695380. [PMID: 34335188 PMCID: PMC8320018 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.695380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders – estimated to affect at least 65 million worldwide. Most of the epilepsy research has so far focused on how to dampen neuronal discharges and to explain how changes in intrinsic neuronal activity or network function cause seizures. As a result, pharmacological therapy has largely been limited to symptomatic treatment targeted at neurons. Given the expanding spectrum of functions ascribed to the non-neuronal constituents of the brain, in both physiological brain function and in brain disorders, it is natural to closely consider the roles of astrocytes in epilepsy. It is now widely accepted that astrocytes are key controllers of the composition of the extracellular fluids, and may directly interact with neurons by releasing gliotransmitters. A central tenet is that astrocytic intracellular Ca2+ signals promote release of such signaling substances, either through synaptic or non-synaptic mechanisms. Accruing evidence suggests that astrocytic Ca2+ signals play important roles in both seizures and epilepsy, and this review aims to highlight the current knowledge of the roles of this central astrocytic signaling mechanism in ictogenesis and epileptogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kjell Heuser
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rune Enger
- Letten Centre and GliaLab, Division of Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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44
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Li J, Pan L, Pembroke WG, Rexach JE, Godoy MI, Condro MC, Alvarado AG, Harteni M, Chen YW, Stiles L, Chen AY, Wanner IB, Yang X, Goldman SA, Geschwind DH, Kornblum HI, Zhang Y. Conservation and divergence of vulnerability and responses to stressors between human and mouse astrocytes. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3958. [PMID: 34172753 PMCID: PMC8233314 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24232-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes play important roles in neurological disorders such as stroke, injury, and neurodegeneration. Most knowledge on astrocyte biology is based on studies of mouse models and the similarities and differences between human and mouse astrocytes are insufficiently characterized, presenting a barrier in translational research. Based on analyses of acutely purified astrocytes, serum-free cultures of primary astrocytes, and xenografted chimeric mice, we find extensive conservation in astrocytic gene expression between human and mouse samples. However, the genes involved in defense response and metabolism show species-specific differences. Human astrocytes exhibit greater susceptibility to oxidative stress than mouse astrocytes, due to differences in mitochondrial physiology and detoxification pathways. In addition, we find that mouse but not human astrocytes activate a molecular program for neural repair under hypoxia, whereas human but not mouse astrocytes activate the antigen presentation pathway under inflammatory conditions. Here, we show species-dependent properties of astrocytes, which can be informative for improving translation from mouse models to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwen Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lin Pan
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - William G Pembroke
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessica E Rexach
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marlesa I Godoy
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael C Condro
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alvaro G Alvarado
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mineli Harteni
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yen-Wei Chen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Linsey Stiles
- Department of Endocrinology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Angela Y Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ina B Wanner
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xia Yang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Brain Research Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steven A Goldman
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine and Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Harley I Kornblum
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Brain Research Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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45
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Ren Y, Liu Y, Luo M. Gap Junctions Between Striatal D1 Neurons and Cholinergic Interneurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:674399. [PMID: 34168539 PMCID: PMC8217616 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.674399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The striatum participates in numerous important behaviors. Its principal projection neurons use GABA and peptides as neurotransmitters and interact extensively with interneurons, including cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) that are tonically active. Dissecting the interactions between projection neurons and ChIs is important for uncovering the role and mechanisms of the striatal microcircuits. Here, by combining several optogenetic tools with cell type-specific electrophysiological recordings, we uncovered direct electrical coupling between D1-type projection neurons and ChIs, in addition to the chemical transmission between these two major cell types. Optogenetic stimulation or inhibition led to bilateral current exchanges between D1 neurons and ChIs, which can be abolished by gap junction blockers. We further confirmed the presence of gap junctions through paired electrophysiological recordings and dye microinjections. Finally, we found that activating D1 neurons promotes basal activity of ChIs via gap junctions. Collectively, these results reveal the coexistence of the chemical synapse and gap junctions between D1 neurons and ChIs, which contributes to maintaining the tonically active firing patterns of ChIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Ren
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Peking University-Tsinghua University-NIBS Joint Graduate Program, Beijing, China.,National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Minmin Luo
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China.,Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China.,Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Beijing, China
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46
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Synaptic Reshaping and Neuronal Outcomes in the Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083860. [PMID: 33917911 PMCID: PMC8068229 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most common types of focal epilepsy, characterized by recurrent spontaneous seizures originating in the temporal lobe(s), with mesial TLE (mTLE) as the worst form of TLE, often associated with hippocampal sclerosis. Abnormal epileptiform discharges are the result, among others, of altered cell-to-cell communication in both chemical and electrical transmissions. Current knowledge about the neurobiology of TLE in human patients emerges from pathological studies of biopsy specimens isolated from the epileptogenic zone or, in a few more recent investigations, from living subjects using positron emission tomography (PET). To overcome limitations related to the use of human tissue, animal models are of great help as they allow the selection of homogeneous samples still presenting a more various scenario of the epileptic syndrome, the presence of a comparable control group, and the availability of a greater amount of tissue for in vitro/ex vivo investigations. This review provides an overview of the structural and functional alterations of synaptic connections in the brain of TLE/mTLE patients and animal models.
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47
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Wang X, Pei Z, Hossain A, Bai Y, Chen G. Transcription factor-based gene therapy to treat glioblastoma through direct neuronal conversion. Cancer Biol Med 2021; 18:j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0499. [PMID: 33755378 PMCID: PMC8330525 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent and aggressive adult primary cancer in the central nervous system. Therapeutic approaches for GBM treatment are under intense investigation, including the use of emerging immunotherapies. Here, we propose an alternative approach to treat GBM through reprogramming proliferative GBM cells into non-proliferative neurons. METHODS Retroviruses were used to target highly proliferative human GBM cells through overexpression of neural transcription factors. Immunostaining, electrophysiological recording, and bulk RNA-seq were performed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the neuronal conversion of human GBM cells. An in vivo intracranial xenograft mouse model was used to examine the neuronal conversion of human GBM cells. RESULTS We report efficient neuronal conversion from human GBM cells by overexpressing single neural transcription factor Neurogenic differentiation 1 (NeuroD1), Neurogenin-2 (Neurog2), or Achaete-scute homolog 1 (Ascl1). Subtype characterization showed that the majority of Neurog2- and NeuroD1-converted neurons were glutamatergic, while Ascl1 favored GABAergic neuron generation. The GBM cell-converted neurons not only showed pan-neuronal markers but also exhibited neuron-specific electrophysiological activities. Transcriptome analyses revealed that neuronal genes were activated in glioma cells after overexpression of neural transcription factors, and different signaling pathways were activated by different neural transcription factors. Importantly, the neuronal conversion of GBM cells was accompanied by significant inhibition of GBM cell proliferation in both in vitro and in vivo models. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that GBM cells can be reprogrammed into different subtypes of neurons, leading to a potential alternative approach to treat brain tumors using in vivo cell conversion technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Biology, Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Zifei Pei
- Department of Biology, Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Aasma Hossain
- Department of Biology, Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Yuting Bai
- Department of Biology, Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Gong Chen
- Department of Biology, Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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48
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Verisokin AY, Verveyko DV, Postnov DE, Brazhe AR. Modeling of Astrocyte Networks: Toward Realistic Topology and Dynamics. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:645068. [PMID: 33746715 PMCID: PMC7973220 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.645068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal firing and neuron-to-neuron synaptic wiring are currently widely described as orchestrated by astrocytes—elaborately ramified glial cells tiling the cortical and hippocampal space into non-overlapping domains, each covering hundreds of individual dendrites and hundreds thousands synapses. A key component to astrocytic signaling is the dynamics of cytosolic Ca2+ which displays multiscale spatiotemporal patterns from short confined elemental Ca2+ events (puffs) to Ca2+ waves expanding through many cells. Here, we synthesize the current understanding of astrocyte morphology, coupling local synaptic activity to astrocytic Ca2+ in perisynaptic astrocytic processes and morphology-defined mechanisms of Ca2+ regulation in a distributed model. To this end, we build simplified realistic data-driven spatial network templates and compile model equations as defined by local cell morphology. The input to the model is spatially uncorrelated stochastic synaptic activity. The proposed modeling approach is validated by statistics of simulated Ca2+ transients at a single cell level. In multicellular templates we observe regular sequences of cell entrainment in Ca2+ waves, as a result of interplay between stochastic input and morphology variability between individual astrocytes. Our approach adds spatial dimension to the existing astrocyte models by employment of realistic morphology while retaining enough flexibility and scalability to be embedded in multiscale heterocellular models of neural tissue. We conclude that the proposed approach provides a useful description of neuron-driven Ca2+-activity in the astrocyte syncytium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Darya V Verveyko
- Department of Theoretical Physics, Kursk State University, Kursk, Russia
| | - Dmitry E Postnov
- Department of Optics and Biophotonics, Saratov State University, Saratov, Russia
| | - Alexey R Brazhe
- Department of Biophysics, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
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Petzold GC, Dreier JP. Spreading depolarization evoked by endothelin-1 is inhibited by octanol but not by carbenoxolone. BRAIN HEMORRHAGES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hest.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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50
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Semyanov A, Henneberger C, Agarwal A. Making sense of astrocytic calcium signals — from acquisition to interpretation. Nat Rev Neurosci 2020; 21:551-564. [DOI: 10.1038/s41583-020-0361-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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