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Rivera JF, Weng W, Huang H, Rao S, Herring BE, Arnold DB. ATLAS: A rationally designed anterograde transsynaptic tracer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.12.557425. [PMID: 37745471 PMCID: PMC10515852 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.12.557425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Neural circuits, which constitute the substrate for brain processing, can be traced in the retrograde direction, from postsynaptic to presynaptic cells, using methods based on introducing modified rabies virus into genetically marked cell types. These methods have revolutionized the field of neuroscience. However, similarly reliable, transsynaptic, and non-toxic methods to trace circuits in the anterograde direction are not available. Here, we describe such a method based on an antibody-like protein selected against the extracellular N-terminus of the AMPA receptor subunit GluA1 (AMPA.FingR). ATLAS (Anterograde Transsynaptic Label based on Antibody-like Sensors) is engineered to release the AMPA.FingR and its payload, which can include Cre recombinase, from presynaptic sites into the synaptic cleft, after which it binds to GluA1, enters postsynaptic cells through endocytosis and subsequently carries its payload to the nucleus. Testing in vivo and in dissociated cultures shows that ATLAS mediates monosynaptic tracing from genetically determined cells that is strictly anterograde, synaptic, and non-toxic. Moreover, ATLAS shows activity dependence, which may make tracing active circuits that underlie specific behaviors possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline F. Rivera
- Department of Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Weiguang Weng
- Department of Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Haoyang Huang
- Department of Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- These authors contributed equally
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Sadhna Rao
- Department of Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Bruce E. Herring
- Department of Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Don B. Arnold
- Department of Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
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Han Z, Luo N, Ma W, Liu X, Cai Y, Kou J, Wang J, Li L, Peng S, Xu Z, Zhang W, Qiu Y, Wu Y, Ye C, Lin K, Xu F. AAV11 enables efficient retrograde targeting of projection neurons and enhances astrocyte-directed transduction. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3792. [PMID: 37365155 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39554-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral tracers that enable efficient retrograde labeling of projection neurons are powerful vehicles for structural and functional dissections of the neural circuit and for the treatment of brain diseases. Currently, some recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) based on capsid engineering are widely used for retrograde tracing, but display undesirable brain area selectivity due to inefficient retrograde transduction in certain neural connections. Here we developed an easily editable toolkit to produce high titer AAV11 and demonstrated that it exhibits potent and stringent retrograde labeling of projection neurons in adult male wild-type or Cre transgenic mice. AAV11 can function as a powerful retrograde viral tracer complementary to AAV2-retro in multiple neural connections. In combination with fiber photometry, AAV11 can be used to monitor neuronal activities in the functional network by retrograde delivering calcium-sensitive indicator under the control of a neuron-specific promoter or the Cre-lox system. Furthermore, we showed that GfaABC1D promoter embedding AAV11 is superior to AAV8 and AAV5 in astrocytic tropism in vivo, combined with bidirectional multi-vector axoastrocytic labeling, AAV11 can be used to study neuron-astrocyte connection. Finally, we showed that AAV11 allows for analyzing circuit connectivity difference in the brains of the Alzheimer's disease and control mice. These properties make AAV11 a promising tool for mapping and manipulating neural circuits and for gene therapy of some neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengpeng Han
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Nengsong Luo
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Wenyu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Peter Hung Pain Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Yuxiang Cai
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Jiaxin Kou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Lei Li
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
| | - Siqi Peng
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, PR China
| | - Zihong Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, PR China
| | - Wen Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, PR China
| | - Yuxiang Qiu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Chaohui Ye
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China
| | - Kunzhang Lin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
- Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China.
- Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, PR China.
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China.
- Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, PR China.
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Liu Q, Wu Y, Wang H, Jia F, Xu F. Viral Tools for Neural Circuit Tracing. Neurosci Bull 2022; 38:1508-1518. [PMID: 36136267 PMCID: PMC9723069 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00949-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural circuits provide an anatomical basis for functional networks. Therefore, dissecting the structure of neural circuits is essential to understanding how the brain works. Recombinant neurotropic viruses are important tools for neural circuit tracing with many advantages over non-viral tracers: they allow for anterograde, retrograde, and trans-synaptic delivery of tracers in a cell type-specific, circuit-selective manner. In this review, we summarize the recent developments in the viral tools for neural circuit tracing, discuss the key principles of using viral tools in neuroscience research, and highlight innovations for developing and optimizing viral tools for neural circuit tracing across diverse animal species, including nonhuman primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Liu
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Huadong Wang
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fan Jia
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Kler S, Ma M, Narayan S, Ahrens MB, Pan YA. Cre-Dependent Anterograde Transsynaptic Labeling and Functional Imaging in Zebrafish Using VSV With Reduced Cytotoxicity. Front Neuroanat 2021; 15:758350. [PMID: 34720892 PMCID: PMC8549678 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.758350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The small size and translucency of larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) have made it a unique experimental system to investigate whole-brain neural circuit structure and function. Still, the connectivity patterns between most neuronal types remain mostly unknown. This gap in knowledge underscores the critical need for effective neural circuit mapping tools, especially ones that can integrate structural and functional analyses. To address this, we previously developed a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) based approach called Tracer with Restricted Anterograde Spread (TRAS). TRAS utilizes lentivirus to complement replication-incompetent VSV (VSVΔG) to allow restricted (monosynaptic) anterograde labeling from projection neurons to their target cells in the brain. Here, we report the second generation of TRAS (TRAS-M51R), which utilizes a mutant variant of VSVΔG [VSV(M51R)ΔG] with reduced cytotoxicity. Within the primary visual pathway, we found that TRAS-M51R significantly improved long-term viability of transsynaptic labeling (compared to TRAS) while maintaining anterograde spread activity. By using Cre-expressing VSV(M51R)ΔG, TRAS-M51R could selectively label excitatory (vglut2a positive) and inhibitory (gad1b positive) retinorecipient neurons. We further show that these labeled excitatory and inhibitory retinorecipient neurons retained neuronal excitability upon visual stimulation at 5-8 days post fertilization (2-5 days post-infection). Together, these findings show that TRAS-M51R is suitable for neural circuit studies that integrate structural connectivity, cell-type identity, and neurophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Kler
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Manxiu Ma
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Sujatha Narayan
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, United States
| | - Misha B. Ahrens
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, United States
| | - Y. Albert Pan
- Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
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Yang D, Lin T, Li C, Harrison AG, Geng T, Wang P. A critical role for MSR1 in vesicular stomatitis virus infection of the central nervous system. iScience 2021; 24:102678. [PMID: 34169243 PMCID: PMC8208900 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102678] [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: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophage scavenger receptor 1 (MSR1) plays an important role in host defense to bacterial infections, M2 macrophage polarization, and lipid homeostasis. However, its physiological function in viral pathogenesis remains poorly defined. Herein, we report that MSR1 facilitates vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection in the central nervous system. Msr1-deficient (Msr1−/−) mice presented reduced morbidity, mortality, and viral loads in the spinal cord following lethal VSV infection, along with normal viremia and innate immune responses, compared to Msr1+/− littermates and wild-type mice. Msr1 expression was most significantly upregulated in the spinal cord, the predominant target of VSV. Mechanistically, through its extracellular domains, MSR1 interacted with VSV surface glycoprotein and facilitated its cellular entry in a low-density lipoprotein receptor-dependent manner. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that MSR1 serves as a cofactor for VSV cellular entry and facilitates its infection preferentially in the spinal cord. MSR1 contributes to VSV pathogenesis in mice MSR1 is highly upregulated and facilitates VSV infection in the central nervous system MSR1 facilitates cellular entry of VSV in an LDLR family-dependent manner MSR1 interacts with VSV glycoprotein G via its extracellular domains
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Affiliation(s)
- Duomeng Yang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Tao Lin
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Cen Li
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Andrew G Harrison
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Tingting Geng
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Penghua Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
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Ito T, Ono M, Matsui R, Watanabe D, Ohmori H. Avian adeno-associated virus as an anterograde transsynaptic vector. J Neurosci Methods 2021; 359:109221. [PMID: 34004203 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retrograde and anterograde transsynaptic viral vectors are useful tools for studying the input and output organization of neuronal circuitry, respectively. While retrograde transsynaptic viral vectors are widely used, viral vectors that show anterograde transsynaptic transduction are not common. NEW METHOD We chose recombinant avian adeno-associated virus (A3V) carrying the mCherry gene and injected it into the eyeball, cochlear duct, and midbrain auditory center of chickens. We observed different survival times to examine the virus transcellular transport and the resulting mCherry expression. To confirm the transcellular transduction mode, we co-injected A3V and cholera toxin B subunit. RESULTS Injecting A3V into the eyeball and cochlea labeled neurons in the visual and auditory pathways, respectively. Second-, and third-order labeling occurred approximately two and seven days, respectively, after injection into the midbrain. The distribution of labeled neurons strongly suggests that A3V transport is preferentially anterograde and transduces postsynaptic neurons. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) A3V displays no extrasynaptic leakage and moderate speed of synapse passage, which is better than other viruses previously reported. Compared with AAV1&9, which have been shown to pass one synapse anterogradely, A3V passes several synapses in the anterograde direction. CONCLUSIONS A3V would be a good tool to study the topographic organization of projection axons and their target neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsufumi Ito
- Systems Function and Morphology Laboratory, Graduate School of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
| | - Munenori Ono
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Matsui
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Dai Watanabe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Harunori Ohmori
- Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Chadney OMT, Blankvoort S, Grimstvedt JS, Utz A, Kentros CG. Multiplexing viral approaches to the study of the neuronal circuits. J Neurosci Methods 2021; 357:109142. [PMID: 33753126 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neural circuits are composed of multitudes of elaborately interconnected cell types. Understanding neural circuit function requires not only cell-specific knowledge of connectivity, but the ability to record and manipulate distinct cell types independently. Recent advances in viral vectors promise the requisite specificity to perform true "circuit-breaking" experiments. However, such new avenues of multiplexed, cell-specific investigation raise new technical issues: one must ensure that both the viral vectors and their transgene payloads do not overlap with each other in both an anatomical and a functional sense. This review describes benefits and issues regarding the use of viral vectors to analyse the function of neural circuits and provides a resource for the design and implementation of such multiplexing experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar M T Chadney
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Stefan Blankvoort
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Joachim S Grimstvedt
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Annika Utz
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Clifford G Kentros
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway.
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Viruses in connectomics: Viral transneuronal tracers and genetically modified recombinants as neuroscience research tools. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 346:108917. [PMID: 32835704 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Connectomic studies have become 'viral', as viral pathogens have been turned into irreplaceable neuroscience research tools. Highly sensitive viral transneuronal tracing technologies are available, based on the use of alpha-herpesviruses and a rhabdovirus (rabies virus), which function as self-amplifying markers by replicating in recipient neurons. These viruses highly differ with regard to host range, cellular receptors, peripheral uptake, replication, transport direction and specificity. Their characteristics, that make them useful for different purposes, will be highlighted and contrasted. Only transneuronal tracing with rabies virus is entirely specific. The neuroscientist toolbox currently include wild-type alpha-herpesviruses and rabies virus strains enabling polysynaptic tracing of neuronal networks across multiple synapses, as well as genetically modified viral tracers for dual transneuronal tracing, and complementary viral tools including defective and chimeric recombinants that function as single step or monosynaptically restricted tracers, or serve for monitoring and manipulating neuronal activity and gene expression. Methodological issues that are crucial for appropriate use of these technologies will be summarized. Among wild-type and genetically engineered viral tools, rabies virus and chimeric recombinants based on rabies virus as virus backbone are the most powerful, because of the ability of rabies virus to propagate exclusively among connected neurons unidirectionally (retrogradely), without affecting neuronal function. Understanding in depth viral properties is essential for neuroscientists who intend to exploit alpha-herpesviruses, rhabdoviruses or derived recombinants as research tools. Key knowledge will be summarized regarding their cellular receptors, intracellular trafficking and strategies to contrast host defense that explain their different pathophysiology and properties as research tools.
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Li D, Yang H, Xiong F, Xu X, Zeng WB, Zhao F, Luo MH. Anterograde Neuronal Circuit Tracers Derived from Herpes Simplex Virus 1: Development, Application, and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5937. [PMID: 32824837 PMCID: PMC7460661 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has great potential to be applied as a viral tool for gene delivery or oncolysis. The broad infection tropism of HSV-1 makes it a suitable tool for targeting many different cell types, and its 150 kb double-stranded DNA genome provides great capacity for exogenous genes. Moreover, the features of neuron infection and neuron-to-neuron spread also offer special value to neuroscience. HSV-1 strain H129, with its predominant anterograde transneuronal transmission, represents one of the most promising anterograde neuronal circuit tracers to map output neuronal pathways. Decades of development have greatly expanded the H129-derived anterograde tracing toolbox, including polysynaptic and monosynaptic tracers with various fluorescent protein labeling. These tracers have been applied to neuroanatomical studies, and have contributed to revealing multiple important neuronal circuits. However, current H129-derived tracers retain intrinsic drawbacks that limit their broad application, such as yet-to-be improved labeling intensity, potential nonspecific retrograde labeling, and high toxicity. The biological complexity of HSV-1 and its insufficiently characterized virological properties have caused difficulties in its improvement and optimization as a viral tool. In this review, we focus on the current H129-derived viral tracers and highlight strategies in which future technological development can advance its use as a tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Feng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-1275, USA;
| | - Wen-Bo Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fei Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Min-Hua Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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