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Leal H, Carvalhas-Almeida C, Álvaro AR, Cavadas C. Modeling hypothalamic pathophysiology in vitro for metabolic, circadian, and sleep disorders. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2024; 35:505-517. [PMID: 38307813 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2024.01.001] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
The hypothalamus, a small and intricate brain structure, orchestrates numerous neuroendocrine functions through specialized neurons and nuclei. Disruption of this complex circuitry can result in various diseases, including metabolic, circadian, and sleep disorders. Advances in in vitro models and their integration with new technologies have significantly benefited research on hypothalamic function and pathophysiology. We explore existing in vitro hypothalamic models and address their challenges and limitations as well as translational findings. We also highlight how collaborative efforts among multidisciplinary teams are essential to develop relevant and translational experimental models capable of replicating intricate neural circuits and neuroendocrine pathways, thereby advancing our understanding of therapeutic targets and drug discovery in hypothalamus-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Leal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Catarina Carvalhas-Almeida
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Álvaro
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Cavadas
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Endogenous Neural Stem Cell Mediated Oligodendrogenesis in the Adult Mammalian Brain. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132101. [PMID: 35805185 PMCID: PMC9265817 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligodendrogenesis is essential for replacing worn-out oligodendrocytes, promoting myelin plasticity, and for myelin repair following a demyelinating injury in the adult mammalian brain. Neural stem cells are an important source of oligodendrocytes in the adult brain; however, there are considerable differences in oligodendrogenesis from neural stem cells residing in different areas of the adult brain. Amongst the distinct niches containing neural stem cells, the subventricular zone lining the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus are considered the principle areas of adult neurogenesis. In addition to these areas, radial glia-like cells, which are the precursors of neural stem cells, are found in the lining of the third ventricle, where they are called tanycytes, and in the cerebellum, where they are called Bergmann glia. In this review, we will describe the contribution and regulation of each of these niches in adult oligodendrogenesis.
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Ou Y, Che M, Peng J, Zhou M, Wu G, Gong H, Li K, Wang X, Niu P, Qi S, Feng Z. An Efficient Method for the Isolation and Cultivation of Hypothalamic Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells From Mouse Embryos. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:711138. [PMID: 35185481 PMCID: PMC8854184 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.711138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus is the key region that regulates the neuroendocrine system as well as instinct behaviors, and hypothalamic dysfunction causes refractory clinical problems. Recent studies have indicated that neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) in the hypothalamus play a crucial role in hypothalamic function. However, specific hypothalamic NSPC culture methods have not been established, especially not detailed or efficient surgical procedures. The present study presented a convenient, detailed and efficient method for the isolation and cultivation of hypothalamic NSPCs from embryonic day 12.5 mice. The procedure includes embryo acquisition, brain microdissection to quickly obtain hypothalamic tissue and hypothalamic NSPC culture. Hypothalamic NSPCs can be quickly harvested and grow well in both neurosphere and adherent cultures through this method. Additionally, we confirmed the cell origin and evaluated the proliferation and differentiation properties of cultured cells. In conclusion, we present a convenient and practical method for the isolation and cultivation of hypothalamic NSPCs that can be used in extensive hypothalamic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Ou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Laboratory for Precision Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengjie Che
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junjie Peng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingfeng Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guangsen Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haodong Gong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- First Medical Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingqin Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peirong Niu
- First Medical Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Songtao Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Laboratory for Precision Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Songtao Qi,
| | - Zhanpeng Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Laboratory for Precision Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Zhanpeng Feng,
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Nesan D, Feighan KM, Antle MC, Kurrasch DM. Gestational low-dose BPA exposure impacts suprachiasmatic nucleus neurogenesis and circadian activity with transgenerational effects. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/22/eabd1159. [PMID: 34049886 PMCID: PMC8163075 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd1159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Critical physiological processes such as sleep and stress that underscore health are regulated by an intimate interplay between the endocrine and nervous systems. Here, we asked how fetal exposure to the endocrine disruptor found in common plastics, bisphenol A (BPA), causes lasting effects on adult animal behaviors. Adult mice exposed to low-dose BPA during gestation displayed notable disruption in circadian activity, social interactions, and associated neural hyperactivity, with some phenotypes maintained transgenerationally. Gestational BPA exposure increased vasopressin+ neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the region that regulates circadian rhythms, of F1 and F3 generations. Mechanistically, BPA increased proliferation of hypothalamic neural progenitors ex vivo and caused precocious neurogenesis in vivo. Co-antagonism of both estrogen and androgen receptors was necessary to block BPA's effects on hypothalamic neural progenitors, illustrating a dual role for these endocrine targets. Together, gestational BPA exposure affects development of circadian centers, with lasting consequences across generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinushan Nesan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kira M Feighan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Michael C Antle
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Deborah M Kurrasch
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Rosin JM, Sinha S, Biernaskie J, Kurrasch DM. A subpopulation of embryonic microglia respond to maternal stress and influence nearby neural progenitors. Dev Cell 2021; 56:1326-1345.e6. [PMID: 33887203 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The interplay between hypothalamic neurons and microglia as they integrate stressors to regulate homeostasis is of growing interest. We asked if microglia in the embryonic hypothalamus were likewise stress responsive and, if so, whether their precocious activation perturbs nearby neural stem cell (NSC) programs. We performed single-cell transcriptomics to define embryonic hypothalamic microglia heterogeneity and identified four microglial subsets, including a subpopulation adjacent to NSCs that was responsive to gestational cold stress. Stress exposure elevated CCL3 and CCL4 secretion, but only in male brains, and ex vivo CCL4 treatment of hypothalamic NSCs altered proliferation and differentiation. Concomitantly, gestational stress decreased PVN oxytocin neurons only in male embryos, which was reversed by microglia depletion. Adult offspring exposed to gestational stress displayed altered social behaviors, which was likewise microglia dependent, but only in males. Collectively, immature hypothalamic microglia play an unappreciated role in translating maternal stressors to sexually dimorphic perturbation of neurodevelopmental programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Rosin
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Sarthak Sinha
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jeff Biernaskie
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Deborah M Kurrasch
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.
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Marsters CM, Nesan D, Far R, Klenin N, Pittman QJ, Kurrasch DM. Embryonic microglia influence developing hypothalamic glial populations. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:146. [PMID: 32375817 PMCID: PMC7201702 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01811-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although historically microglia were thought to be immature in the fetal brain, evidence of purposeful interactions between these immune cells and nearby neural progenitors is becoming established. Here, we examined the influence of embryonic microglia on gliogenesis within the developing tuberal hypothalamus, a region later important for energy balance, reproduction, and thermoregulation. Methods We used immunohistochemistry to quantify the location and numbers of glial cells in the embryonic brain (E13.5–E17.5), as well as a pharmacological approach (i.e., PLX5622) to knock down fetal microglia. We also conducted cytokine and chemokine analyses on embryonic brains in the presence or absence of microglia, and a neurosphere assay to test the effects of the altered cytokines on hypothalamic progenitor behaviors. Results We identified a subpopulation of activated microglia that congregated adjacent to the third ventricle alongside embryonic Olig2+ neural progenitor cells (NPCs) that are destined to give rise to oligodendrocyte and astrocyte populations. In the absence of microglia, we observed an increase in Olig2+ glial progenitor cells that remained at the ventricle by E17.5 and a concomitant decrease of these Olig2+ cells in the mantle zone, indicative of a delay in migration of these precursor cells. A further examination of maturing oligodendrocytes in the hypothalamic grey and white matter area in the absence of microglia revealed migrating oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) within the grey matter at E17.5, a time point when OPCs begin to slow their migration. Finally, quantification of cytokine and chemokine signaling in ex vivo E15.5 hypothalamic cultures +/− microglia revealed decreases in the protein levels of several cytokines in the absence of microglia. We assayed the influence of two downregulated cytokines (CCL2 and CXCL10) on neurosphere-forming capacity and lineage commitment of hypothalamic NPCs in culture and showed an increase in NPC proliferation as well as neuronal and oligodendrocyte differentiation. Conclusion These data demonstrate that microglia influence gliogenesis in the developing tuberal hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace M Marsters
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dinushan Nesan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rena Far
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Natalia Klenin
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Quentin J Pittman
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Deborah M Kurrasch
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. .,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. .,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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