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Durens M, Baljinnyam E, Grisanti L, Hu R, Marro SG. An induced pluripotent stem cell line carrying a silencing-resistant calcium reporter allele. Stem Cell Res 2024; 79:103455. [PMID: 38896969 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2024.103455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Calcium indicators are sensitive tools to image neural activity. However, their use in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived neurons is limited by silencing of the transgene. We generated the iPSC line MSE2336A carrying heterozygous insertion in the safe-harbor locus AAVS1 of the ultrasensitive protein calcium sensor (GCaMP6) under the control of CAG promoter and UCOE to maintain robust transgene expression in differentiated cells. The iPSC exhibited normal cell morphology, expression of pluripotency markers, genome integrity, and the ability to differentiate into the three primary germ layers. This line provides a powerful model to study activity in human neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madel Durens
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erdene Baljinnyam
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura Grisanti
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ruiqi Hu
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samuele G Marro
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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2
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Verstraelen P, Verschuuren M, De Vos WH. Integrated staging of morphofunctional connectivity in neuronal cultures. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:102957. [PMID: 38492228 PMCID: PMC10959717 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.102957] [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] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders are defined by synaptic dysfunction. We present a workflow to quantify morphological and functional aspects of synaptic connectivity in neuronal cultures and obtain an integrated readout. We describe steps for measuring synchronous calcium bursting in GCaMP6f-transduced neurons and labeling mature synapses using a proximity ligation assay. The integration of functional and morphological information from the same cultures provides a rich fingerprint of synaptic connectivity, deployable in different experimental conditions. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Verstraelen et al. and Verschuuren et al.1,2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Verstraelen
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Marlies Verschuuren
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Antwerp Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; μNeuro Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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3
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Verstraelen P, Van Remoortel S, De Loose N, Verboven R, Garcia-Diaz Barriga G, Christmann A, Gries M, Bessho S, Li J, Guerra C, Tükel Ç, Martinez SI, Schäfer KH, Timmermans JP, De Vos WH. Serum Amyloid A3 Fuels a Feed-Forward Inflammatory Response to the Bacterial Amyloid Curli in the Enteric Nervous System. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 18:89-104. [PMID: 38556049 PMCID: PMC11127031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Mounting evidence suggests the gastrointestinal microbiome is a determinant of peripheral immunity and central neurodegeneration, but the local disease mechanisms remain unknown. Given its potential relevance for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention, we set out to map the pathogenic changes induced by bacterial amyloids in the gastrointestinal tract and its enteric nervous system. METHODS To examine the early response, we challenged primary murine myenteric networks with curli, the prototypical bacterial amyloid, and performed shotgun RNA sequencing and multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Using enteric neurosphere-derived glial and neuronal cell cultures, as well as in vivo curli injections into the colon wall, we further scrutinized curli-induced pathogenic pathways. RESULTS Curli induced a proinflammatory response, with strong up-regulation of Saa3 and the secretion of several cytokines. This proinflammatory state was induced primarily in enteric glia, was accompanied by increased levels of DNA damage and replication, and triggered the influx of immune cells in vivo. The addition of recombinant Serum Amyloid A3 (SAA3) was sufficient to recapitulate this specific proinflammatory phenotype while Saa3 knock-out attenuated curli-induced DNA damage and replication. Similar to curli, recombinant SAA3 caused a strong up-regulation of Saa3 transcripts, illustrating its self-amplifying potential . Since colonization of curli-producing Salmonella and dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis triggered a significant increase in Saa3 transcripts as well, we assume SAA3plays a central role in enteric dysfunction. Inhibition of dual leucine zipper kinase, an upstream regulator of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway responsible for SAA3 production, attenuated curli- and recombinant SAA3-induced Saa3 up-regulation, DNA damage, and replication in enteric glia. CONCLUSIONS Our results position SAA3 as an important mediator of gastrointestinal vulnerability to bacterial-derived amyloids and demonstrate the potential of dual leucine zipper kinase inhibition to dampen enteric pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Verstraelen
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Samuel Van Remoortel
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Nouchin De Loose
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Rosanne Verboven
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Anne Christmann
- Working Group Enteric Nervous System, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Zweibrücken, Germany
| | - Manuela Gries
- Working Group Enteric Nervous System, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Zweibrücken, Germany
| | - Shingo Bessho
- Center for Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jing Li
- Experimental Oncology Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Guerra
- Experimental Oncology Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Çagla Tükel
- Center for Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sales Ibiza Martinez
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Karl-Herbert Schäfer
- Working Group Enteric Nervous System, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Zweibrücken, Germany
| | - Jean-Pierre Timmermans
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium; Antwerp Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; μNeuro Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium; Antwerp Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; μNeuro Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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4
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Asghari Adib E, Shadrach JL, Reilly-Jankowiak L, Dwivedi MK, Rogers AE, Shahzad S, Passino R, Giger RJ, Pierchala BA, Collins CA. DLK signaling in axotomized neurons triggers complement activation and loss of upstream synapses. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113801. [PMID: 38363678 PMCID: PMC11088462 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113801] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Axotomized spinal motoneurons (MNs) lose presynaptic inputs following peripheral nerve injury; however, the cellular mechanisms that lead to this form of synapse loss are currently unknown. Here, we delineate a critical role for neuronal kinase dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK)/MAP3K12, which becomes activated in axotomized neurons. Studies with conditional knockout mice indicate that DLK signaling activation in injured MNs triggers the induction of phagocytic microglia and synapse loss. Aspects of the DLK-regulated response include expression of C1q first from the axotomized MN and then later in surrounding microglia, which subsequently phagocytose presynaptic components of upstream synapses. Pharmacological ablation of microglia inhibits the loss of cholinergic C boutons from axotomized MNs. Together, the observations implicate a neuronal mechanism, governed by the DLK, in the induction of inflammation and the removal of synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Asghari Adib
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jennifer L Shadrach
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Manish K Dwivedi
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Abigail E Rogers
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shameena Shahzad
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ryan Passino
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Roman J Giger
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Brian A Pierchala
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Catherine A Collins
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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5
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Wæhler HA, Labba NA, Paulsen RE, Sandve GK, Eskeland R. ANDA: an open-source tool for automated image analysis of in vitro neuronal cells. BMC Neurosci 2023; 24:56. [PMID: 37875799 PMCID: PMC10594822 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-023-00826-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: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Imaging of in vitro neuronal differentiation and measurements of cell morphologies have led to novel insights into neuronal development. Live-cell imaging techniques and large datasets of images have increased the demand for automated pipelines for quantitative analysis of neuronal morphological metrics. RESULTS ANDA is an analysis workflow that quantifies various aspects of neuronal morphology from high-throughput live-cell imaging screens of in vitro neuronal cell types. This tool automates the analysis of neuronal cell numbers, neurite lengths and neurite attachment points. We used chicken, rat, mouse, and human in vitro models for neuronal differentiation and have demonstrated the accuracy, versatility, and efficiency of the tool. CONCLUSIONS ANDA is an open-source tool that is easy to use and capable of automated processing from time-course measurements of neuronal cells. The strength of this pipeline is the capability to analyse high-throughput imaging screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hallvard Austin Wæhler
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 1112, 0317, Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nils-Anders Labba
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 1112, 0317, Oslo, Norway
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Elisabeth Paulsen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Geir Kjetil Sandve
- Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Eskeland
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 1112, 0317, Oslo, Norway.
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway.
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0317, Oslo, Norway.
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Wæhler HA, Labba NA, Paulsen RE, Sandve GK, Eskeland R. ANDA: An open-source tool for automated image analysis of neuronal differentiation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.27.538564. [PMID: 37162841 PMCID: PMC10168306 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.27.538564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Imaging of in vitro neuronal differentiation and measurements of cell morphologies has led to novel insights into neuronal development. Live-cell imaging techniques and large datasets of images has increased the demand for automated pipelines for quantitative analysis of neuronal morphological metrics. Results We present ANDA, an analysis workflow for quantification of various aspects of neuronal morphology from high-throughput live-cell imaging screens. This tool automates the analysis of neuronal cell numbers, neurite lengths and neurite attachment points. We used rat, chicken and human in vitro models for neuronal differentiation and have demonstrated the accuracy, versatility, and efficiency of the tool. Conclusions ANDA is an open-source tool that is easy to use and capable of automated processing from time-course measurements of neuronal cells. The strength of this pipeline is the capability to analyse high-throughput imaging screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hallvard Austin Wæhler
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1112 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Nils-Anders Labba
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1112 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Elisabeth Paulsen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Geir Kjetil Sandve
- Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Eskeland
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1112 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
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Emerson J, Delgado T, Girardi P, Johnson GVW. Deletion of Transglutaminase 2 from Mouse Astrocytes Significantly Improves Their Ability to Promote Neurite Outgrowth on an Inhibitory Matrix. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:6058. [PMID: 37047031 PMCID: PMC10094709 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are the primary support cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that help maintain the energetic requirements and homeostatic environment of neurons. CNS injury causes astrocytes to take on reactive phenotypes with an altered overall function that can range from supportive to harmful for recovering neurons. The characterization of reactive astrocyte populations is a rapidly developing field, and the underlying factors and signaling pathways governing which type of reactive phenotype that astrocytes take on are poorly understood. Our previous studies suggest that transglutaminase 2 (TG2) has an important role in determining the astrocytic response to injury. Selectively deleting TG2 from astrocytes improves functional outcomes after CNS injury and causes widespread changes in gene regulation, which is associated with its nuclear localization. To begin to understand how TG2 impacts astrocytic function, we used a neuron-astrocyte co-culture paradigm to compare the effects of TG2-/- and wild-type (WT) mouse astrocytes on neurite outgrowth and synapse formation. Neurons were grown on a control substrate or an injury-simulating matrix comprised of inhibitory chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). Compared to WT astrocytes, TG2-/- astrocytes supported neurite outgrowth to a significantly greater extent only on the CSPG matrix, while synapse formation assays showed mixed results depending on the pre- and post-synaptic markers analyzed. We hypothesize that TG2 regulates the supportive functions of astrocytes in injury conditions by modulating gene expression through interactions with transcription factors and transcription complexes. Based on the results of a previous yeast two-hybrid screen for TG2 interactors, we further investigated the interaction of TG2 with Zbtb7a, a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor. Co-immunoprecipitation and colocalization analyses confirmed the interaction of TG2 and Zbtb7a in the nucleus of astrocytes. Overexpression or knockdown of Zbtb7a levels in WT and TG2-/- astrocytes revealed that Zbtb7a robustly influenced astrocytic morphology and the ability of astrocytes to support neuronal outgrowth, which was significantly modulated by the presence of TG2. These findings support our hypothesis that astrocytic TG2 acts as a transcriptional regulator to influence astrocytic function, with greater influence under injury conditions that increase its expression, and Zbtb7a likely contributes to the overall effects observed with astrocytic TG2 deletion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peter Girardi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave., Box 604, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Gail V. W. Johnson
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave., Box 604, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
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8
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Emerson J, Delgado T, Girardi P, Johnson GVW. Deletion of transglutaminase 2 from astrocytes significantly improves their ability to promote neurite outgrowth on an inhibitory matrix. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.06.527263. [PMID: 36798305 PMCID: PMC9934526 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.06.527263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are the primary support cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that help maintain the energetic requirements and homeostatic environment of neurons. CNS injury causes astrocytes to take on reactive phenotypes with altered overall function that can range from supportive to harmful for recovering neurons. The characterization of reactive astrocyte populations is a rapidly developing field, and the underlying factors and signaling pathways governing which type of reactive phenotype that astrocytes take on is poorly understood. Our previous studies suggest that transglutaminase 2 (TG2) has an important role in determining the astrocytic response to injury. TG2 is upregulated in astrocytes across multiple injury models, and selectively deleting TG2 from astrocytes improves functional outcomes after CNS injury and causes widespread changes in gene regulation, which is associated with its nuclear localization. The underlying molecular mechanisms by which TG2 causes these functional changes are unknown, and its interactions in the nucleus of astrocytes has not yet been described. To begin to understand how TG2 impacts astrocytic function, we used a neuron-astrocyte co-culture paradigm to compare the effects of TG2-/- and wild type (WT) astrocytes on neurite outgrowth and synapse formation. We assayed neurons on both a growth-supportive substrate and an injury-simulating matrix comprised of inhibitory chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). Compared to WT astrocytes, TG2-/- astrocytes supported neurite outgrowth to a significantly greater extent only on the CSPG matrix, while synapse formation assays showed mixed results depending on the pre- and post-synaptic markers analyzed. We hypothesize that TG2 regulates the supportive functions of astrocytes in injury conditions by modulating the expression of a wide range of genes through interactions with transcription factors and transcription complexes. Based on results of a previous yeast two-hybrid screen for TG2 interactors, we further investigated the interaction of TG2 with Zbtb7a, a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor. Coimmunoprecipitation and colocalization analyses confirmed the interaction of TG2 and Zbtb7a in the nucleus of astrocytes. Genetic overexpression or knockdown of Zbtb7a levels in TG2-/- and WT astrocytes revealed that Zbtb7a robustly influenced astrocytic morphology and the ability of astrocytes to support neuronal outgrowth, which was significantly modulated by the presence of TG2. These findings support our hypothesis that astrocytic TG2 acts as a transcriptional regulator to influence astrocytic function, with greater influence under injury conditions that increase its expression, and Zbtb7a likely contributes to the overall effects observed with astrocytic TG2 deletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacen Emerson
- 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 604, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Thomas Delgado
- 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 604, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Peter Girardi
- 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 604, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Gail VW Johnson
- 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 604, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA,Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-585-276-3740
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9
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van den Berg M, Adhikari MH, Verschuuren M, Pintelon I, Vasilkovska T, Van Audekerke J, Missault S, Heymans L, Ponsaerts P, De Vos WH, Van der Linden A, Keliris GA, Verhoye M. Altered basal forebrain function during whole-brain network activity at pre- and early-plaque stages of Alzheimer's disease in TgF344-AD rats. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:148. [PMID: 36217211 PMCID: PMC9549630 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01089-2] [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: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Imbalanced synaptic transmission appears to be an early driver in Alzheimer's disease (AD) leading to brain network alterations. Early detection of altered synaptic transmission and insight into mechanisms causing early synaptic alterations would be valuable treatment strategies. This study aimed to investigate how whole-brain networks are influenced at pre- and early-plague stages of AD and if these manifestations are associated with concomitant cellular and synaptic deficits. METHODS: To this end, we used an established AD rat model (TgF344-AD) and employed resting state functional MRI and quasi-periodic pattern (QPP) analysis, a method to detect recurrent spatiotemporal motifs of brain activity, in parallel with state-of-the-art immunohistochemistry in selected brain regions. RESULTS At the pre-plaque stage, QPPs in TgF344-AD rats showed decreased activity of the basal forebrain (BFB) and the default mode-like network. Histological analyses revealed increased astrocyte abundance restricted to the BFB, in the absence of amyloid plaques, tauopathy, and alterations in a number of cholinergic, gaba-ergic, and glutamatergic synapses. During the early-plaque stage, when mild amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation was observed in the cortex and hippocampus, QPPs in the TgF344-AD rats normalized suggesting the activation of compensatory mechanisms during this early disease progression period. Interestingly, astrogliosis observed in the BFB at the pre-plaque stage was absent at the early-plaque stage. Moreover, altered excitatory/inhibitory balance was observed in cortical regions belonging to the default mode-like network. In wild-type rats, at both time points, peak activity in the BFB preceded peak activity in other brain regions-indicating its modulatory role during QPPs. However, this pattern was eliminated in TgF344-AD suggesting that alterations in BFB-directed neuromodulation have a pronounced impact in network function in AD. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the value of rsfMRI and advanced network analysis methods to detect early alterations in BFB function in AD, which could aid early diagnosis and intervention in AD. Restoring the global synaptic transmission, possibly by modulating astrogliosis in the BFB, might be a promising therapeutic strategy to restore brain network function and delay the onset of symptoms in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica van den Berg
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mohit H. Adhikari
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marlies Verschuuren
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium ,Antwerp Centre for Advanced Microscopy, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Isabel Pintelon
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium ,Antwerp Centre for Advanced Microscopy, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tamara Vasilkovska
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan Van Audekerke
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stephan Missault
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Loran Heymans
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter Ponsaerts
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Winnok H. De Vos
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium ,Antwerp Centre for Advanced Microscopy, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Annemie Van der Linden
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Georgios A. Keliris
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.511960.aInstitute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research & Technology - Hellas, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Marleen Verhoye
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Sterin I, Santos AC, Park S. Neuronal Activity Reporters as Drug Screening Platforms. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1500. [PMID: 36144123 PMCID: PMC9504476 DOI: 10.3390/mi13091500] [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: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how neuronal activity changes and detecting such changes in both normal and disease conditions is of fundamental importance to the field of neuroscience. Neuronal activity plays important roles in the formation and function of both synapses and circuits, and dysregulation of these processes has been linked to a number of debilitating diseases such as autism, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. Despite advances in our understanding of synapse biology and in how it is altered in disease, the development of therapeutics for these diseases has not advanced apace. Many neuronal activity assays have been developed over the years using a variety of platforms and approaches, but major limitations persist. Current assays, such as fluorescence indicators are not designed to monitor neuronal activity over a long time, they are typically low-throughput or lack sensitivity. These are major barriers to the development of new therapies, as drug screening needs to be both high-throughput to screen through libraries of compounds, and longitudinal to detect any effects that may emerge after continued application of the drug. This review will cover existing assays for measuring neuronal activity and highlight a live-cell assay recently developed. This assay can be performed with easily accessible lab equipment, is both scalable and longitudinal, and can be combined with most other established methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igal Sterin
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ana C. Santos
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA
| | - Sungjin Park
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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11
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Van Dyck M, Mishra RK, Pestana F, Verstraelen P, Lavreysen H, Pita-Almenar JD, Kashikar ND, De Vos WH. High-throughput Analysis of Synaptic Activity in Electrically Stimulated Neuronal Cultures. Neuroinformatics 2021; 19:737-750. [PMID: 34374965 DOI: 10.1007/s12021-021-09536-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Synaptic dysfunction is a hallmark of various neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. To interrogate synapse function in a systematic manner, we have established an automated high-throughput imaging pipeline based on fluorescence microscopy acquisition and image analysis of electrically stimulated synaptic transmission in neuronal cultures. Identification and measurement of synaptic signal fluctuations is achieved by means of an image analysis algorithm based on singular value decomposition. By exploiting the synchronicity of the evoked responses, the algorithm allows disentangling distinct temporally correlated patterns of firing synapse populations or cell types that are present in the same recording. We demonstrate the performance of the analysis with a pilot compound screen and show that the multiparametric readout allows classifying treatments by their spatiotemporal fingerprint. The image analysis and visualization software has been made publicly available on Github ( https://www.github.com/S3Toolbox ). The streamlined automation of multi-well image acquisition, electrical stimulation, analysis, and meta-data warehousing facilitates large-scale synapse-oriented screens and, in doing so, it will accelerate the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel Van Dyck
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, CDE, Antwerp, Belgium.,Janssen Research and Development, Neuroscience Therapeutic Area, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Rajiv K Mishra
- iOligos Technologies Private Limited, 1703, CB2, Supertech Capetown, Sector-74, 201301, Noida, India
| | - Francisco Pestana
- Janssen Research and Development, Neuroscience Therapeutic Area, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Peter Verstraelen
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, CDE, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hilde Lavreysen
- Janssen Research and Development, Neuroscience Therapeutic Area, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Juan D Pita-Almenar
- Janssen Research and Development, Neuroscience Therapeutic Area, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Nachiket D Kashikar
- Resolve BioSciences GmbH, Creative Campus Monheim Gebäude A03, Alfred-Nobel-Strasse 10, 40789, Monheim am Rhein, Germany.
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, CDE, Antwerp, Belgium.
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12
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Sun Z, Südhof TC. A simple Ca 2+-imaging approach to neural network analyses in cultured neurons. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 349:109041. [PMID: 33340555 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.109041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ca2+-imaging is a powerful tool to measure neuronal dynamics and network activity. To monitor network-level changes in cultured neurons, neuronal activity is often evoked by electrical or optogenetic stimulation and assessed using multi-electrode arrays or sophisticated imaging. Although such approaches allow detailed network analyses, multi-electrode arrays lack single-cell precision, whereas optical physiology generally requires advanced instrumentation that may not be universally available. NEW METHOD Here we developed a simple, stimulation-free protocol with associated Matlab algorithms that enables scalable analyses of spontaneous network activity in cultured human and mouse neurons. The approach allows analysis of the overall network activity and of single-neuron dynamics, and is amenable to screening purposes. RESULTS We validated the new protocol by assessing human neurons with a heterozygous conditional deletion of Munc18-1, and mouse neurons with a homozygous conditional deletion of neurexins. The approach described enabled identification of differential changes in these mutant neurons, allowing quantifications of the synchronous firing rate at the network level and of the amplitude and frequency of Ca2+-spikes at the single-neuron level. These results demonstrate the utility of the approach. COMPARISION WITH EXISTING METHODS Compared with current imaging platforms, our method is simple, scalable, accessible, and easy to implement. It enables quantification of more detailed parameters than multi-electrode arrays, but does not have the resolution and depth of more sophisticated yet labour-intensive methods, such as patch-clamp electrophysiology. CONCLUSION The method reported here is scalable for a rapid direct assessment of neuronal function in culture, and can be applied to both human and mouse neurons. Thus, the method can serve as a basis for phenotypical analysis of mutations and for drug discovery efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Sun
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Thomas C Südhof
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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13
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Verstraelen P, Garcia-Diaz Barriga G, Verschuuren M, Asselbergh B, Nuydens R, Larsen PH, Timmermans JP, De Vos WH. Systematic Quantification of Synapses in Primary Neuronal Culture. iScience 2020; 23:101542. [PMID: 33083769 PMCID: PMC7516133 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Most neurological disorders display impaired synaptic connectivity. Hence, modulation of synapse formation may have therapeutic relevance. However, the high density and small size of synapses complicate their quantification. To improve synapse-oriented screens, we analyzed the labeling performance of synapse-targeting antibodies on neuronal cell cultures using segmentation-independent image analysis based on sliding window correlation. When assessing pairwise colocalization, a common readout for mature synapses, overlap was incomplete and confounded by spurious signals. To circumvent this, we implemented a proximity ligation-based approach that only leads to a signal when two markers are sufficiently close. We applied this approach to different marker combinations and demonstrate its utility for detecting synapse density changes in healthy and compromised cultures. Thus, segmentation-independent analysis and exploitation of resident protein proximity increases the sensitivity of synapse quantifications in neuronal cultures and represents a valuable extension to the analytical toolset for in vitro synapse screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Verstraelen
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
| | | | - Marlies Verschuuren
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
| | - Bob Asselbergh
- VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
| | - Rony Nuydens
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
- Janssen Research and Development, a Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Antwerp 2340, Belgium
| | - Peter H. Larsen
- Janssen Research and Development, a Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Antwerp 2340, Belgium
| | - Jean-Pierre Timmermans
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
| | - Winnok H. De Vos
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
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