1
|
Boonsawat P, Asadollahi R, Niedrist D, Steindl K, Begemann A, Joset P, Bhoj EJ, Li D, Zackai E, Vetro A, Barba C, Guerrini R, Whalen S, Keren B, Khan A, Jing D, Palomares Bralo M, Rikeros Orozco E, Hao Q, Schlott Kristiansen B, Zheng B, Donnelly D, Clowes V, Zweier M, Papik M, Siegel G, Sabatino V, Mocera M, Horn AHC, Sticht H, Rauch A. Deleterious ZNRF3 germline variants cause neurodevelopmental disorders with mirror brain phenotypes via domain-specific effects on Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:1994-2011. [PMID: 39168120 PMCID: PMC11393693 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Zinc and RING finger 3 (ZNRF3) is a negative-feedback regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which plays an important role in human brain development. Although somatically frequently mutated in cancer, germline variants in ZNRF3 have not been established as causative for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). We identified 12 individuals with ZNRF3 variants and various phenotypes via GeneMatcher/Decipher and evaluated genotype-phenotype correlation. We performed structural modeling and representative deleterious and control variants were assessed using in vitro transcriptional reporter assays with and without Wnt-ligand Wnt3a and/or Wnt-potentiator R-spondin (RSPO). Eight individuals harbored de novo missense variants and presented with NDD. We found missense variants associated with macrocephalic NDD to cluster in the RING ligase domain. Structural modeling predicted disruption of the ubiquitin ligase function likely compromising Wnt receptor turnover. Accordingly, the functional assays showed enhanced Wnt/β-catenin signaling for these variants in a dominant negative manner. Contrarily, an individual with microcephalic NDD harbored a missense variant in the RSPO-binding domain predicted to disrupt binding affinity to RSPO and showed attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the same assays. Additionally, four individuals harbored de novo truncating or de novo or inherited large in-frame deletion variants with non-NDD phenotypes, including heart, adrenal, or nephrotic problems. In contrast to NDD-associated missense variants, the effects on Wnt/β-catenin signaling were comparable between the truncating variant and the empty vector and between benign variants and the wild type. In summary, we provide evidence for mirror brain size phenotypes caused by distinct pathomechanisms in Wnt/β-catenin signaling through protein domain-specific deleterious ZNRF3 germline missense variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Reza Asadollahi
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich London, Medway Campus, Chatham Maritime ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Dunja Niedrist
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Steindl
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anaïs Begemann
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Joset
- Medical Genetics, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elizabeth J Bhoj
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dong Li
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elaine Zackai
- Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Annalisa Vetro
- Neuroscience Department, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Carmen Barba
- Neuroscience Department, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy; University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Neuroscience Department, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandra Whalen
- Unité Fonctionnelle de Génétique Odellin, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Paris, France
| | - Boris Keren
- Département de Génétique, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Amjad Khan
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Science (Zoology), University of Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 28420, Pakistan
| | - Duan Jing
- Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - María Palomares Bralo
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM), Unidad de Trastornos Del Neurodesarrollo, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emi Rikeros Orozco
- Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM), Unidad de Trastornos Del Neurodesarrollo, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Qin Hao
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Bixia Zheng
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Deirdre Donnelly
- Northern Ireland Regional Genetics Centre, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Virginia Clowes
- Thames Regional Genetics Service, North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Markus Zweier
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Papik
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gabriele Siegel
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Valeria Sabatino
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martina Mocera
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anselm H C Horn
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Heinrich Sticht
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anita Rauch
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Pediatric University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Thor S. Indirect neurogenesis in space and time. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:519-534. [PMID: 38951687 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-024-00833-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
During central nervous system (CNS) development, neural progenitor cells (NPCs) generate neurons and glia in two different ways. In direct neurogenesis, daughter cells differentiate directly into neurons or glia, whereas in indirect neurogenesis, neurons or glia are generated after one or more daughter cell divisions. Intriguingly, indirect neurogenesis is not stochastically deployed and plays instructive roles during CNS development: increased generation of cells from specific lineages; increased generation of early or late-born cell types within a lineage; and increased cell diversification. Increased indirect neurogenesis might contribute to the anterior CNS expansion evident throughout the Bilateria and help to modify brain-region size without requiring increased NPC numbers or extended neurogenesis. Increased indirect neurogenesis could be an evolutionary driver of the gyrencephalic (that is, folded) cortex that emerged during mammalian evolution and might even have increased during hominid evolution. Thus, selection of indirect versus direct neurogenesis provides a powerful developmental and evolutionary instrument that drives not only the evolution of CNS complexity but also brain expansion and modulation of brain-region size, and thereby the evolution of increasingly advanced cognitive abilities. This Review describes indirect neurogenesis in several model species and humans, and highlights some of the molecular genetic mechanisms that control this important process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Thor
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dehay C, Huttner WB. Development and evolution of the primate neocortex from a progenitor cell perspective. Development 2024; 151:dev199797. [PMID: 38369736 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199797] [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] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The generation of neurons in the developing neocortex is a major determinant of neocortex size. Crucially, the increase in cortical neuron numbers in the primate lineage, notably in the upper-layer neurons, contributes to increased cognitive abilities. Here, we review major evolutionary changes affecting the apical progenitors in the ventricular zone and focus on the key germinal zone constituting the foundation of neocortical neurogenesis in primates, the outer subventricular zone (OSVZ). We summarize characteristic features of the OSVZ and its key stem cell type, the basal (or outer) radial glia. Next, we concentrate on primate-specific and human-specific genes, expressed in OSVZ-progenitors, the ability of which to amplify these progenitors by targeting the regulation of the cell cycle ultimately underlies the evolutionary increase in upper-layer neurons. Finally, we address likely differences in neocortical development between present-day humans and Neanderthals that are based on human-specific amino acid substitutions in proteins operating in cortical progenitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colette Dehay
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, F-69500 Bron, France
| | - Wieland B Huttner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Barresi M, Hickmott RA, Bosakhar A, Quezada S, Quigley A, Kawasaki H, Walker D, Tolcos M. Toward a better understanding of how a gyrified brain develops. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae055. [PMID: 38425213 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae055] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The size and shape of the cerebral cortex have changed dramatically across evolution. For some species, the cortex remains smooth (lissencephalic) throughout their lifetime, while for other species, including humans and other primates, the cortex increases substantially in size and becomes folded (gyrencephalic). A folded cortex boasts substantially increased surface area, cortical thickness, and neuronal density, and it is therefore associated with higher-order cognitive abilities. The mechanisms that drive gyrification in some species, while others remain lissencephalic despite many shared neurodevelopmental features, have been a topic of investigation for many decades, giving rise to multiple perspectives of how the gyrified cerebral cortex acquires its unique shape. Recently, a structurally unique germinal layer, known as the outer subventricular zone, and the specialized cell type that populates it, called basal radial glial cells, were identified, and these have been shown to be indispensable for cortical expansion and folding. Transcriptional analyses and gene manipulation models have provided an invaluable insight into many of the key cellular and genetic drivers of gyrification. However, the degree to which certain biomechanical, genetic, and cellular processes drive gyrification remains under investigation. This review considers the key aspects of cerebral expansion and folding that have been identified to date and how theories of gyrification have evolved to incorporate this new knowledge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikaela Barresi
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Plenty Road, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
- ACMD, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Regent Street, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Ryan Alexander Hickmott
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Plenty Road, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
- ACMD, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Regent Street, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Abdulhameed Bosakhar
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Plenty Road, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Sebastian Quezada
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Plenty Road, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Anita Quigley
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Plenty Road, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
- ACMD, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Regent Street, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital, Regent Street, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Hiroshi Kawasaki
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Takara-machi 13-1, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - David Walker
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Plenty Road, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Mary Tolcos
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Plenty Road, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Heide M, Huttner WB. Causes of microcephaly in human-theoretical considerations. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1306166. [PMID: 38075281 PMCID: PMC10701273 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1306166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
As is evident from the theme of the Research Topic “Small Size, Big Problem: Understanding the Molecular Orchestra of Brain Development from Microcephaly,” the pathomechanisms leading to mirocephaly in human are at best partially understood. As molecular cell biologists and developmental neurobiologists, we present here a treatise with theoretical considerations that systematically dissect possible causes of microcephaly, which we believe is timely. Our considerations address the cell types affected in microcephaly, that is, the cortical stem and progenitor cells as well as the neurons and macroglial cell generated therefrom. We discuss issues such as progenitor cell types, cell lineages, modes of cell division, cell proliferation and cell survival. We support our theoretical considerations by discussing selected examples of factual cases of microcephaly, in order to point out that there is a much larger range of possible pathomechanisms leading to microcephaly in human than currently known.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Heide
- German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wieland B. Huttner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rao SB, Brundu F, Chen Y, Sun Y, Zhu H, Shprintzen RJ, Tomer R, Rabadan R, Leong KW, Markx S, Xu B, Gogos JA. Aberrant pace of cortical neuron development in brain organoids from patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and schizophrenia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.04.557612. [PMID: 37873382 PMCID: PMC10592956 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.04.557612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Adults and children afflicted with the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) exhibit cognitive, social, and emotional impairments, and are at significantly heightened risk for schizophrenia (SCZ). The impact of this deletion on early human brain development, however, has remained unclear. Here we harness organoid models of the developing human cerebral cortex, cultivated from subjects with 22q11.2DS and SCZ, as well as unaffected control samples, to identify cell-type-specific developmental abnormalities arising from this genomic lesion. Leveraging single-cell RNA-sequencing in conjunction with experimental validation, we find that the loss of genes within the 22q11.2 locus leads to a delayed development of cortical neurons. This compromised development was reflected in an elevated proportion of actively proliferating neural progenitor cells, coupled with a decreased fraction of more mature neurons. Furthermore, we identify perturbed molecular imprints linked to neuronal maturation, observe the presence of sparser neurites, and note a blunted amplitude in glutamate-induced Ca2+ transients. The aberrant transcription program underlying impaired development contains molecular signatures significantly enriched in neuropsychiatric genetic liability. MicroRNA profiling and target gene investigation suggest that microRNA dysregulation may drive perturbations of genes governing the pace at which maturation unfolds. Using protein-protein interaction network analysis we define complementary effects stemming from additional genes residing within the deleted locus. Our study uncovers reproducible neurodevelopmental and molecular alterations due to 22q11.2 deletions. These findings have the potential to facilitate disease modeling and promote the pursuit of therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
|
7
|
Polenghi M, Taverna E. Intracellular traffic and polarity in brain development. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1172016. [PMID: 37859764 PMCID: PMC10583573 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1172016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons forming the human brain are generated during embryonic development by neural stem and progenitor cells via a process called neurogenesis. A crucial feature contributing to neural stem cell morphological and functional heterogeneity is cell polarity, defined as asymmetric distribution of cellular components. Cell polarity is built and maintained thanks to the interplay between polarity proteins and polarity-generating organelles, such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi apparatus (GA). ER and GA affect the distribution of membrane components and work as a hub where glycans are added to nascent proteins and lipids. In the last decades our knowledge on the role of polarity in neural stem and progenitor cells have increased tremendously. However, the role of traffic and associated glycosylation in neural stem and progenitor cells is still relatively underexplored. In this review, we discuss the link between cell polarity, architecture, identity and intracellular traffic, and highlight how studies on neurons have shaped our knowledge and conceptual framework on traffic and polarity. We will then conclude by discussing how a group of rare diseases, called congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) offers the unique opportunity to study the contribution of traffic and glycosylation in the context of neurodevelopment.
Collapse
|
8
|
Wu X, Li Z, Wang ZQ, Xu X. The neurological and non-neurological roles of the primary microcephaly-associated protein ASPM. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1242448. [PMID: 37599996 PMCID: PMC10436222 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1242448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary microcephaly (MCPH), is a neurological disorder characterized by small brain size that results in numerous developmental problems, including intellectual disability, motor and speech delays, and seizures. Hitherto, over 30 MCPH causing genes (MCPHs) have been identified. Among these MCPHs, MCPH5, which encodes abnormal spindle-like microcephaly-associated protein (ASPM), is the most frequently mutated gene. ASPM regulates mitotic events, cell proliferation, replication stress response, DNA repair, and tumorigenesis. Moreover, using a data mining approach, we have confirmed that high levels of expression of ASPM correlate with poor prognosis in several types of tumors. Here, we summarize the neurological and non-neurological functions of ASPM and provide insight into its implications for the diagnosis and treatment of MCPH and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingxuan Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen University-Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena Joint PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Zheng Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhao-Qi Wang
- Shenzhen University-Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena Joint PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Xingzhi Xu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen University-Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena Joint PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zarzor MS, Blumcke I, Budday S. Exploring the role of the outer subventricular zone during cortical folding through a physics-based model. eLife 2023; 12:82925. [PMID: 37043266 PMCID: PMC10097417 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain has a highly complex structure both on the microscopic and on the macroscopic scales. Increasing evidence has suggested the role of mechanical forces for cortical folding – a classical hallmark of the human brain. However, the link between cellular processes at the microscale and mechanical forces at the macroscale remains insufficiently understood. Recent findings suggest that an additional proliferating zone, the outer subventricular zone (OSVZ), is decisive for the particular size and complexity of the human cortex. To better understand how the OSVZ affects cortical folding, we establish a multifield computational model that couples cell proliferation in different zones and migration at the cell scale with growth and cortical folding at the organ scale by combining an advection-diffusion model with the theory of finite growth. We validate our model based on data from histologically stained sections of the human fetal brain and predict 3D pattern formation. Finally, we address open questions regarding the role of the OSVZ for the formation of cortical folds. The presented framework not only improves our understanding of human brain development, but could eventually help diagnose and treat neuronal disorders arising from disruptions in cellular development and associated malformations of cortical development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ingmar Blumcke
- University Hospitals Erlangen, Institute of Neuropathology
| | - Silvia Budday
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute of Applied Mechanics
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Napoli FR, Daly CM, Neal S, McCulloch KJ, Zaloga AR, Liu A, Koenig KM. Cephalopod retinal development shows vertebrate-like mechanisms of neurogenesis. Curr Biol 2022; 32:5045-5056.e3. [PMID: 36356573 PMCID: PMC9729453 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Coleoid cephalopods, including squid, cuttlefish, and octopus, have large and complex nervous systems and high-acuity, camera-type eyes. These traits are comparable only to features that are independently evolved in the vertebrate lineage. The size of animal nervous systems and the diversity of their constituent cell types is a result of the tight regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation in development. Changes in the process of development during evolution that result in a diversity of neural cell types and variable nervous system size are not well understood. Here, we have pioneered live-imaging techniques and performed functional interrogation to show that the squid Doryteuthis pealeii utilizes mechanisms during retinal neurogenesis that are hallmarks of vertebrate processes. We find that retinal progenitor cells in the squid undergo nuclear migration until they exit the cell cycle. We identify retinal organization corresponding to progenitor, post-mitotic, and differentiated cells. Finally, we find that Notch signaling may regulate both retinal cell cycle and cell fate. Given the convergent evolution of elaborate visual systems in cephalopods and vertebrates, these results reveal common mechanisms that underlie the growth of highly proliferative neurogenic primordia. This work highlights mechanisms that may alter ontogenetic allometry and contribute to the evolution of complexity and growth in animal nervous systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca R Napoli
- John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellowship Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Christina M Daly
- John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellowship Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Stephanie Neal
- John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellowship Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Kyle J McCulloch
- John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellowship Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Alexandra R Zaloga
- John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellowship Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Alicia Liu
- John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellowship Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Kristen M Koenig
- John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellowship Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Chen J, Ying L, Zeng L, Li C, Jia Y, Yang H, Yang G. The novel compound heterozygous rare variants may impact positively selected regions of TUBGCP6, a microcephaly associated gene. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1059477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe microcephaly is a rare and severe disease probably under purifying selection due to the reduction of human brain-size. In contrast, the brain-size enlargement is most probably driven by positive selection, in light of this critical phenotypical innovation during primates and human evolution. Thus, microcephaly-related genes were extensively studied for signals of positive selection. However, whether the pathogenic variants of microcephaly-related genes could affect the regions of positive selection is still unclear.MethodsHere, we conducted whole genome sequencing (WGS) and positive selection analysis.ResultsWe identified novel compound heterozygous variants, p.Y613* and p.E1368K in TUBGCP6, related to microcephaly in a Chinese family. The genotyping and the sanger sequencing revealed the maternal and the paternal origin for the first and second variant, respectively. The p.Y613* occurred before the second and third domain of TUBGCP6 protein, while p.E1368K located within the linker region of the second and third domain. Interestingly, using multiple positive selection analyses, we revealed the potential impacts of these variants on the regions of positive selection of TUBGCP6. The truncating variant p.Y613* could lead to the deletions of two positively selected domains DUF5401 and Spc97_Spc98, while p.E1368K could impose a rare mutation burden on the linker region between these two domains.DiscussionOur investigation expands the list of candidate pathogenic variants of TUBGCP6 that may cause microcephaly. Moreover, the study provides insights into the potential pathogenic effects of variants that truncate or distribute within the positively selected regions.
Collapse
|
12
|
Fischer J, Fernández Ortuño E, Marsoner F, Artioli A, Peters J, Namba T, Eugster Oegema C, Huttner WB, Ladewig J, Heide M. Human-specific ARHGAP11B ensures human-like basal progenitor levels in hominid cerebral organoids. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e54728. [PMID: 36098218 PMCID: PMC9646322 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202254728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The human-specific gene ARHGAP11B has been implicated in human neocortex expansion. However, the extent of ARHGAP11B's contribution to this expansion during hominid evolution is unknown. Here we address this issue by genetic manipulation of ARHGAP11B levels and function in chimpanzee and human cerebral organoids. ARHGAP11B expression in chimpanzee cerebral organoids doubles basal progenitor levels, the class of cortical progenitors with a key role in neocortex expansion. Conversely, interference with ARHGAP11B's function in human cerebral organoids decreases basal progenitors down to the chimpanzee level. Moreover, ARHGAP11A or ARHGAP11B rescue experiments in ARHGAP11A plus ARHGAP11B double-knockout human forebrain organoids indicate that lack of ARHGAP11B, but not of ARHGAP11A, decreases the abundance of basal radial glia-the basal progenitor type thought to be of particular relevance for neocortex expansion. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that ARHGAP11B is necessary and sufficient to ensure the elevated basal progenitor levels that characterize the fetal human neocortex, suggesting that this human-specific gene was a major contributor to neocortex expansion during human evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Fischer
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsPfotenhauerstrasse 108DresdenGermany
- Present address:
Institute for Clinical GeneticsUniversity Hospital Carl Gustav CarusDresdenGermany
| | | | - Fabio Marsoner
- Central Institute of Mental HealthUniversity of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty MannheimMannheimGermany
- Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research (HITBR gGmbH)MannheimGermany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Annasara Artioli
- Central Institute of Mental HealthUniversity of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty MannheimMannheimGermany
- Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research (HITBR gGmbH)MannheimGermany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Jula Peters
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsPfotenhauerstrasse 108DresdenGermany
| | - Takashi Namba
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsPfotenhauerstrasse 108DresdenGermany
- Present address:
Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE ‐ Helsinki Institute of Life ScienceUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | | | - Wieland B. Huttner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsPfotenhauerstrasse 108DresdenGermany
| | - Julia Ladewig
- Central Institute of Mental HealthUniversity of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty MannheimMannheimGermany
- Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research (HITBR gGmbH)MannheimGermany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Michael Heide
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsPfotenhauerstrasse 108DresdenGermany
- German Primate CenterLeibniz Institute for Primate ResearchGöttingenGermany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Fischer J, Fernández Ortuño E, Marsoner F, Artioli A, Peters J, Namba T, Eugster Oegema C, Huttner WB, Ladewig J, Heide M. Human-specific ARHGAP11B ensures human-like basal progenitor levels in hominid cerebral organoids. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e54728. [PMID: 36381990 PMCID: PMC9646322 DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.01.322792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The human-specific gene ARHGAP11B has been implicated in human neocortex expansion. However, the extent of ARHGAP11B's contribution to this expansion during hominid evolution is unknown. Here we address this issue by genetic manipulation of ARHGAP11B levels and function in chimpanzee and human cerebral organoids. ARHGAP11B expression in chimpanzee cerebral organoids doubles basal progenitor levels, the class of cortical progenitors with a key role in neocortex expansion. Conversely, interference with ARHGAP11B's function in human cerebral organoids decreases basal progenitors down to the chimpanzee level. Moreover, ARHGAP11A or ARHGAP11B rescue experiments in ARHGAP11A plus ARHGAP11B double-knockout human forebrain organoids indicate that lack of ARHGAP11B, but not of ARHGAP11A, decreases the abundance of basal radial glia - the basal progenitor type thought to be of particular relevance for neocortex expansion. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that ARHGAP11B is necessary and sufficient to ensure the elevated basal progenitor levels that characterize the fetal human neocortex, suggesting that this human-specific gene was a major contributor to neocortex expansion during human evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Fischer
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsPfotenhauerstrasse 108DresdenGermany
- Present address:
Institute for Clinical GeneticsUniversity Hospital Carl Gustav CarusDresdenGermany
| | | | - Fabio Marsoner
- Central Institute of Mental HealthUniversity of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty MannheimMannheimGermany
- Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research (HITBR gGmbH)MannheimGermany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Annasara Artioli
- Central Institute of Mental HealthUniversity of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty MannheimMannheimGermany
- Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research (HITBR gGmbH)MannheimGermany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Jula Peters
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsPfotenhauerstrasse 108DresdenGermany
| | - Takashi Namba
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsPfotenhauerstrasse 108DresdenGermany
- Present address:
Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE ‐ Helsinki Institute of Life ScienceUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | | | - Wieland B. Huttner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsPfotenhauerstrasse 108DresdenGermany
| | - Julia Ladewig
- Central Institute of Mental HealthUniversity of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty MannheimMannheimGermany
- Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research (HITBR gGmbH)MannheimGermany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Michael Heide
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsPfotenhauerstrasse 108DresdenGermany
- German Primate CenterLeibniz Institute for Primate ResearchGöttingenGermany
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bartoszewski S, Dawidziuk M, Kasica N, Durak R, Jurek M, Podwysocka A, Guilbride DL, Podlasz P, Winata CL, Gawlinski P. A Zebrafish/Drosophila Dual System Model for Investigating Human Microcephaly. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172727. [PMID: 36078134 PMCID: PMC9455030 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Microcephaly presents in neurodevelopmental disorders with multiple aetiologies, including bi-allelic mutation in TUBGCP2, a component of the biologically fundamental and conserved microtubule-nucleation complex, γ-TuRC. Elucidating underlying principles driving microcephaly requires clear phenotype recapitulation and assay reproducibility, areas where go-to experimental models fall short. We present an alternative simple vertebrate/invertebrate dual system to investigate fundamental TUBGCP2-related processes driving human microcephaly and associated developmental traits. We show that antisense morpholino knockdown (KD) of the Danio rerio homolog, tubgcp2, recapitulates human TUBGCP2-associated microcephaly. Co-injection of wild type mRNA pre-empts microcephaly in 55% of KD zebrafish larvae, confirming causality. Body shortening observed in morphants is also rescued. Mitotic marker (pH3) staining further reveals aberrantly accumulated dividing brain cells in microcephalic tubgcp2 KD morphants, indicating that tubgcp2 depletion disrupts normal mitosis and/or proliferation in zebrafish neural progenitor brain cells. Drosophila melanogaster double knockouts (KO) for TUBGCP2 homologs Grip84/cg7716 also develop microcephalic brains with general microsomia. Exacerbated Grip84/cg7716-linked developmental aberration versus single mutations strongly suggests interactive or coinciding gene functions. We infer that tubgcp2 and Grip84/cg7716 affect brain size similarly to TUBGCP2 and recapitulate both microcephaly and microcephaly-associated developmental impact, validating the zebrafish/fly research model for human microcephaly. Given the conserved cross-phyla homolog function, the data also strongly support mitotic and/or proliferative disruption linked to aberrant microtubule nucleation in progenitor brain cells as key mechanistic defects for human microcephaly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Slawomir Bartoszewski
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rzeszów, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Mateusz Dawidziuk
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Natalia Kasica
- Department of Animal Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Roma Durak
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rzeszów, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Marta Jurek
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Podwysocka
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Piotr Podlasz
- Department of Pathophysiology, Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Administration, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Cecilia Lanny Winata
- Laboratory of Zebrafish Developmental Genomics, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Pawel Gawlinski
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
González-Martínez J, Cwetsch AW, Gilabert-Juan J, Gómez J, Garaulet G, Schneider P, de Cárcer G, Mulero F, Caleiras E, Megías D, Porlan E, Malumbres M. Genetic interaction between PLK1 and downstream MCPH proteins in the control of centrosome asymmetry and cell fate during neural progenitor division. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:1474-1485. [PMID: 35058575 PMCID: PMC9345906 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-00937-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alteration of centrosome function and dynamics results in major defects during chromosome segregation and is associated with primary autosomal microcephaly (MCPH). Despite the knowledge accumulated in the last few years, why some centrosomal defects specifically affect neural progenitors is not clear. We describe here that the centrosomal kinase PLK1 controls centrosome asymmetry and cell fate in neural progenitors during development. Gain- or loss-of-function mutations in Plk1, as well as deficiencies in the MCPH genes Cdk5rap2 (MCPH3) and Cep135 (MCPH8), lead to abnormal asymmetry in the centrosomes carrying the mother and daughter centriole in neural progenitors. However, whereas loss of MCPH proteins leads to increased centrosome asymmetry and microcephaly, deficient PLK1 activity results in reduced asymmetry and increased expansion of neural progenitors and cortical growth during mid-gestation. The combination of PLK1 and MCPH mutations results in increased microcephaly accompanied by more aggressive centrosomal and mitotic abnormalities. In addition to highlighting the delicate balance in the level and activity of centrosomal regulators, these data suggest that human PLK1, which maps to 16p12.1, may contribute to the neurodevelopmental defects associated with 16p11.2-p12.2 microdeletions and microduplications in children with developmental delay and dysmorphic features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José González-Martínez
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrzej W Cwetsch
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Imagine Institute of Genetic Diseases, University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Javier Gilabert-Juan
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Gómez
- Confocal Microscopy Core Unit, CNIO, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Paulina Schneider
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo de Cárcer
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIB-CSIC), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Diego Megías
- Confocal Microscopy Core Unit, CNIO, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Porlan
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, UAM, Spain, Instituto de Investigación Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcos Malumbres
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gattoni G, Andrews TGR, Benito-Gutiérrez È. Restricted Proliferation During Neurogenesis Contributes to Regionalisation of the Amphioxus Nervous System. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:812223. [PMID: 35401089 PMCID: PMC8987370 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.812223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system of the cephalochordate amphioxus consists of a dorsal neural tube with an anterior brain. Two decades of gene expression analyses in developing amphioxus embryos have shown that, despite apparent morphological simplicity, the amphioxus neural tube is highly regionalised at the molecular level. However, little is known about the morphogenetic mechanisms regulating the spatiotemporal emergence of cell types at distinct sites of the neural axis and how their arrangements contribute to the overall neural architecture. In vertebrates, proliferation is key to provide appropriate cell numbers of specific types to particular areas of the nervous system as development proceeds, but in amphioxus proliferation has never been studied at this level of detail, nor in the specific context of neurogenesis. Here, we describe the dynamics of cell division during the formation of the central nervous system in amphioxus embryos, and identify specific regions of the nervous system that depend on proliferation of neuronal precursors at precise time-points for their maturation. By labelling proliferating cells in vivo at specific time points in development, and inhibiting cell division during neurulation, we demonstrate that localised proliferation in the anterior cerebral vesicle is required to establish the full cell type repertoire of the frontal eye complex and the putative hypothalamic region of the amphioxus brain, while posterior proliferating progenitors, which were found here to derive from the dorsal lip of the blastopore, contribute to elongation of the caudal floor plate. Between these proliferative domains, we find that trunk nervous system differentiation is independent from cell division, in which proliferation decreases during neurulation and resumes at the early larval stage. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of proliferation as a tightly controlled mechanism for shaping and regionalising the amphioxus neural axis during development, by addition of new cells fated to particular types, or by influencing tissue geometry.
Collapse
|
17
|
del Águila Á, Adam M, Ullom K, Shaw N, Qin S, Ehrman J, Nardini D, Salomone J, Gebelein B, Lu QR, Potter SS, Waclaw R, Campbell K, Nakafuku M. Olig2 defines a subset of neural stem cells that produce specific olfactory bulb interneuron subtypes in the subventricular zone of adult mice. Development 2022; 149:274286. [PMID: 35132995 PMCID: PMC8959153 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Distinct neural stem cells (NSCs) reside in different regions of the subventricular zone (SVZ) and generate multiple olfactory bulb (OB) interneuron subtypes in the adult brain. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying such NSC heterogeneity remain largely unknown. Here, we show that the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Olig2 defines a subset of NSCs in the early postnatal and adult SVZ. Olig2-expressing NSCs exist broadly but are most enriched in the ventral SVZ along the dorsoventral axis complementary to dorsally enriched Gsx2-expressing NSCs. Comparisons of Olig2-expressing NSCs from early embryonic to adult stages using single cell transcriptomics reveal stepwise developmental changes in their cell cycle and metabolic properties. Genetic studies further show that cross-repression contributes to the mutually exclusive expression of Olig2 and Gsx2 in NSCs/progenitors during embryogenesis, but that their expression is regulated independently from each other in adult NSCs. Finally, lineage-tracing and conditional inactivation studies demonstrate that Olig2 plays an important role in the specification of OB interneuron subtypes. Altogether, our study demonstrates that Olig2 defines a unique subset of adult NSCs enriched in the ventral aspect of the adult SVZ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ángela del Águila
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
| | - Mike Adam
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
| | - Kristy Ullom
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
| | - Nicholas Shaw
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA,Department of Medical Science, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3125 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - Shenyue Qin
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
| | - Jacqueline Ehrman
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
| | - Diana Nardini
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
| | - Joseph Salomone
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
| | - Brian Gebelein
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
| | - Q. Richard Lu
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3125 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - Steven S. Potter
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3125 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - Ronald Waclaw
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA,Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3125 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - Kenneth Campbell
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3125 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA,Division of Neurosurgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA
| | - Masato Nakafuku
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3125 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3125 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA,Author for correspondence ()
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Seeker LA, Williams A. Oligodendroglia heterogeneity in the human central nervous system. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 143:143-157. [PMID: 34860266 PMCID: PMC8742806 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02390-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
It is the centenary of the discovery of oligodendrocytes and we are increasingly aware of their importance in the functioning of the brain in development, adult learning, normal ageing and in disease across the life course, even in those diseases classically thought of as neuronal. This has sparked more interest in oligodendroglia for potential therapeutics for many neurodegenerative/neurodevelopmental diseases due to their more tractable nature as a renewable cell in the central nervous system. However, oligodendroglia are not all the same. Even from the first description, differences in morphology were described between the cells. With advancing techniques to describe these differences in human tissue, the complexity of oligodendroglia is being discovered, indicating apparent functional differences which may be of critical importance in determining vulnerability and response to disease, and targeting of potential therapeutics. It is timely to review the progress we have made in discovering and understanding oligodendroglial heterogeneity in health and neuropathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luise A Seeker
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Anna Williams
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
How neural stem cells contribute to neocortex development. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1997-2006. [PMID: 34397081 PMCID: PMC8589419 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian neocortex is the seat of higher cognitive functions, such as thinking and language in human. A hallmark of the neocortex are the cortical neurons, which are generated from divisions of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) during development, and which constitute a key feature of the well-organized layered structure of the neocortex. Proper formation of neocortex structure requires an orchestrated cellular behavior of different cortical NPCs during development, especially during the process of cortical neurogenesis. Here, we review the great diversity of NPCs and their contribution to the development of the neocortex. First, we review the categorization of NPCs into different classes and types based on their cell biological features, and discuss recent advances in characterizing marker expression and cell polarity features in the different types of NPCs. Second, we review the different modes of cell divisions that NPCs undergo and discuss the importance of the balance between proliferation and differentiation of NPCs in neocortical development. Third, we review the different proliferative capacities among different NPC types and among the same type of NPC in different mammalian species. Dissecting the differences between NPC types and differences among mammalian species is beneficial to further understand the development and the evolutionary expansion of the neocortex and may open up new therapeutic avenues for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
|
20
|
Velasco S, Paulsen B, Arlotta P. 3D Brain Organoids: Studying Brain Development and Disease Outside the Embryo. Annu Rev Neurosci 2021; 43:375-389. [PMID: 32640930 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-070918-050154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Scientists have been fascinated by the human brain for centuries, yet knowledge of the cellular and molecular events that build the human brain during embryogenesis and of how abnormalities in this process lead to neurological disease remains very superficial. In particular, the lack of experimental models for a process that largely occurs during human in utero development, and is therefore poorly accessible for study, has hindered progress in mechanistic understanding. Advances in stem cell-derived models of human organogenesis, in the form of three-dimensional organoid cultures, and transformative new analytic technologies have opened new experimental pathways for investigation of aspects of development, evolution, and pathology of the human brain. Here, we consider the biology of brain organoids, compared and contrasted with the endogenous human brain, and highlight experimental strategies to use organoids to pioneer new understanding of human brain pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Velasco
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA; .,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Bruna Paulsen
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA; .,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Paola Arlotta
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA; .,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Nguyen P, Pease NA, Kueh HY. Scalable control of developmental timetables by epigenetic switching networks. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210109. [PMID: 34283940 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During development, progenitor cells follow timetables for differentiation that span many cell generations. These developmental timetables are robustly encoded by the embryo, yet scalably adjustable by evolution, facilitating variation in organism size and form. Epigenetic switches, involving rate-limiting activation steps at regulatory gene loci, control gene activation timing in diverse contexts, and could profoundly impact the dynamics of gene regulatory networks controlling developmental lineage specification. Here, we develop a mathematical framework to model regulatory networks with genes controlled by epigenetic switches. Using this framework, we show that such epigenetic switching networks uphold developmental timetables that robustly span many cell generations, and enable the generation of differentiated cells in precisely defined numbers and fractions. Changes to epigenetic switching networks can readily alter the timing of developmental events within a timetable, or alter the overall speed at which timetables unfold, enabling scalable control over differentiated population sizes. With their robust, yet flexibly adjustable nature, epigenetic switching networks could represent central targets on which evolution acts to manufacture diversity in organism size and form.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phuc Nguyen
- Molecular Engineering and Sciences Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nicholas A Pease
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hao Yuan Kueh
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Associations between long-term psychosis risk, probabilistic category learning, and attenuated psychotic symptoms with cortical surface morphometry. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 16:91-106. [PMID: 34218406 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00479-8] [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: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies have consistently found structural cortical abnormalities in individuals with schizophrenia, especially in structural hubs. However, it is unclear what abnormalities predate psychosis onset and whether abnormalities are related to behavioral performance and symptoms associated with psychosis risk. Using surface-based morphometry, we examined cortical volume, gyrification, and thickness in a psychosis risk group at long-term risk for developing a psychotic disorder (n = 18; i.e., extreme positive schizotypy plus interview-rated attenuated psychotic symptoms [APS]) and control group (n = 19). Overall, the psychosis risk group exhibited cortical abnormalities in multiple structural hub regions, with abnormalities associated with poorer probabilistic category learning, a behavioral measure strongly associated with psychosis risk. For instance, the psychosis risk group had hypogyria in a right posterior midcingulate cortical hub and left superior parietal cortical hub, as well as decreased volume in a right pericalcarine hub. Morphometric measures in all of these regions were also associated with poorer probabilistic category learning. In addition to decreased right pericalcarine volume, the psychosis risk group exhibited a number of other structural abnormalities in visual network structural hub regions, consistent with previous evidence of visual perception deficits in psychosis risk. Further, severity of APS hallucinations, delusional ideation, and suspiciousness/persecutory ideas were associated with gyrification abnormalities, with all domains associated with hypogyria of the right lateral orbitofrontal cortex. Thus, current results suggest that structural abnormalities, especially in structural hubs, are present in psychosis risk and are associated both with poor learning on a psychosis risk-related task and with APS severity.
Collapse
|
23
|
Johnson MH, Charman T, Pickles A, Jones EJH. Annual Research Review: Anterior Modifiers in the Emergence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (AMEND)-a systems neuroscience approach to common developmental disorders. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2021; 62:610-630. [PMID: 33432656 PMCID: PMC8609429 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We present the Anterior Modifiers in the Emergence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (AMEND) framework, designed to reframe the field of prospective studies of neurodevelopmental disorders. In AMEND we propose conceptual, statistical and methodological approaches to separating markers of early-stage perturbations from later developmental modifiers. We describe the evidence for, and features of, these interacting components before outlining analytical approaches to studying how different profiles of early perturbations and later modifiers interact to produce phenotypic outcomes. We suggest this approach could both advance our theoretical understanding and clinical approach to the emergence of developmental psychopathology in early childhood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark H. Johnson
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive DevelopmentDepartment of Psychological SciencesBirkbeck, University of LondonLondonUK
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Tony Charman
- Department of PsychologyInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Andrew Pickles
- Department of Biostatistics and Health InformaticsInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Emily J. H. Jones
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive DevelopmentDepartment of Psychological SciencesBirkbeck, University of LondonLondonUK
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
García-Moreno F, Molnár Z. Variations of telencephalic development that paved the way for neocortical evolution. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 194:101865. [PMID: 32526253 PMCID: PMC7656292 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Charles Darwin stated, "community in embryonic structure reveals community of descent". Thus, to understand how the neocortex emerged during mammalian evolution we need to understand the evolution of the development of the pallium, the source of the neocortex. In this article, we review the variations in the development of the pallium that enabled the production of the six-layered neocortex. We propose that an accumulation of subtle modifications from very early brain development accounted for the diversification of vertebrate pallia and the origin of the neocortex. Initially, faint differences of expression of secretable morphogens promote a wide variety in the proportions and organization of sectors of the early pallium in different vertebrates. It prompted different sectors to host varied progenitors and distinct germinative zones. These cells and germinative compartments generate diverse neuronal populations that migrate and mix with each other through radial and tangential migrations in a taxon-specific fashion. Together, these early variations had a profound influence on neurogenetic gradients, lamination, positioning, and connectivity. Gene expression, hodology, and physiological properties of pallial neurons are important features to suggest homologies, but the origin of cells and their developmental trajectory are fundamental to understand evolutionary changes. Our review compares the development of the homologous pallial sectors in sauropsids and mammals, with a particular focus on cell lineage, in search of the key changes that led to the appearance of the mammalian neocortex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando García-Moreno
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Scientific Park of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940, Leioa, Spain; IKERBASQUE Foundation, María Díaz de Haro 3, 6th Floor, 48013, Bilbao, Spain; Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.
| | - Zoltán Molnár
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Sherrington Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Feng G, Jensen FE, Greely HT, Okano H, Treue S, Roberts AC, Fox JG, Caddick S, Poo MM, Newsome WT, Morrison JH. Opportunities and limitations of genetically modified nonhuman primate models for neuroscience research. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:24022-24031. [PMID: 32817435 PMCID: PMC7533691 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2006515117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The recently developed new genome-editing technologies, such as the CRISPR/Cas system, have opened the door for generating genetically modified nonhuman primate (NHP) models for basic neuroscience and brain disorders research. The complex circuit formation and experience-dependent refinement of the human brain are very difficult to model in vitro, and thus require use of in vivo whole-animal models. For many neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, abnormal circuit formation and refinement might be at the center of their pathophysiology. Importantly, many of the critical circuits and regional cell populations implicated in higher human cognitive function and in many psychiatric disorders are not present in lower mammalian brains, while these analogous areas are replicated in NHP brains. Indeed, neuropsychiatric disorders represent a tremendous health and economic burden globally. The emerging field of genetically modified NHP models has the potential to transform our study of higher brain function and dramatically facilitate the development of effective treatment for human brain disorders. In this paper, we discuss the importance of developing such models, the infrastructure and training needed to maximize the impact of such models, and ethical standards required for using these models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guoping Feng
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139;
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Frances E Jensen
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104;
| | - Henry T Greely
- Center for Law and the Biosciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjukuku, 160-8592 Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory for Marmoset Neural Architecture, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 351-0106 Saitama, Wakoshi, Japan
| | - Stefan Treue
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Psychology, University of Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Angela C Roberts
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, CB2 3DY Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - James G Fox
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Sarah Caddick
- The Gatsby Charitable Foundation, SW1V 1AP London, United Kingdom
| | - Mu-Ming Poo
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200031 Shanghai, China
| | - William T Newsome
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305;
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - John H Morrison
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616;
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Huang W, Bhaduri A, Velmeshev D, Wang S, Wang L, Rottkamp CA, Alvarez-Buylla A, Rowitch DH, Kriegstein AR. Origins and Proliferative States of Human Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells. Cell 2020; 182:594-608.e11. [PMID: 32679030 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Human cerebral cortex size and complexity has increased greatly during evolution. While increased progenitor diversity and enhanced proliferative potential play important roles in human neurogenesis and gray matter expansion, the mechanisms of human oligodendrogenesis and white matter expansion remain largely unknown. Here, we identify EGFR-expressing "Pre-OPCs" that originate from outer radial glial cells (oRGs) and undergo mitotic somal translocation (MST) during division. oRG-derived Pre-OPCs provide an additional source of human cortical oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and define a lineage trajectory. We further show that human OPCs undergo consecutive symmetric divisions to exponentially increase the progenitor pool size. Additionally, we find that the OPC-enriched gene, PCDH15, mediates daughter cell repulsion and facilitates proliferation. These findings indicate properties of OPC derivation, proliferation, and dispersion important for human white matter expansion and myelination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Aparna Bhaduri
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Dmitry Velmeshev
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Shaohui Wang
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Li Wang
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Catherine A Rottkamp
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Arturo Alvarez-Buylla
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - David H Rowitch
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Arnold R Kriegstein
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Vaid S, Huttner WB. Transcriptional Regulators and Human-Specific/Primate-Specific Genes in Neocortical Neurogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21134614. [PMID: 32610533 PMCID: PMC7369782 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
During development, starting from a pool of pluripotent stem cells, tissue-specific genetic programs help to shape and develop functional organs. To understand the development of an organ and its disorders, it is important to understand the spatio-temporal dynamics of the gene expression profiles that occur during its development. Modifications in existing genes, the de-novo appearance of new genes, or, occasionally, even the loss of genes, can greatly affect the gene expression profile of any given tissue and contribute to the evolution of organs or of parts of organs. The neocortex is evolutionarily the most recent part of the brain, it is unique to mammals, and is the seat of our higher cognitive abilities. Progenitors that give rise to this tissue undergo sequential waves of differentiation to produce the complete sets of neurons and glial cells that make up a functional neocortex. We will review herein our understanding of the transcriptional regulators that control the neural precursor cells (NPCs) during the generation of the most abundant class of neocortical neurons, the glutametergic neurons. In addition, we will discuss the roles of recently-identified human- and primate-specific genes in promoting neurogenesis, leading to neocortical expansion.
Collapse
|
28
|
Roychoudhury K, Salomone J, Qin S, Cain B, Adam M, Potter SS, Nakafuku M, Gebelein B, Campbell K. Physical interactions between Gsx2 and Ascl1 balance progenitor expansion versus neurogenesis in the mouse lateral ganglionic eminence. Development 2020; 147:dev.185348. [PMID: 32122989 DOI: 10.1242/dev.185348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The Gsx2 homeodomain transcription factor promotes neural progenitor identity in the lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE), despite upregulating the neurogenic factor Ascl1. How this balance in maturation is maintained is unclear. Here, we show that Gsx2 and Ascl1 are co-expressed in subapical progenitors that have unique transcriptional signatures in LGE ventricular zone (VZ) cells. Moreover, whereas Ascl1 misexpression promotes neurogenesis in dorsal telencephalic progenitors, the co-expression of Gsx2 with Ascl1 inhibits neurogenesis. Using luciferase assays, we found that Gsx2 reduces the ability of Ascl1 to activate gene expression in a dose-dependent and DNA binding-independent manner. Furthermore, Gsx2 physically interacts with the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domain of Ascl1, and DNA-binding assays demonstrated that this interaction interferes with the ability of Ascl1 to bind DNA. Finally, we modified a proximity ligation assay for tissue sections and found that Ascl1-Gsx2 interactions are enriched within LGE VZ progenitors, whereas Ascl1-Tcf3 (E-protein) interactions predominate in the subventricular zone. Thus, Gsx2 contributes to the balance between progenitor maintenance and neurogenesis by physically interacting with Ascl1, interfering with its DNA binding and limiting neurogenesis within LGE progenitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaushik Roychoudhury
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Joseph Salomone
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Medical-Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Shenyue Qin
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Brittany Cain
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Mike Adam
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - S Steven Potter
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Masato Nakafuku
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Brian Gebelein
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Kenneth Campbell
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Güven A, Kalebic N, Long KR, Florio M, Vaid S, Brandl H, Stenzel D, Huttner WB. Extracellular matrix-inducing Sox9 promotes both basal progenitor proliferation and gliogenesis in developing neocortex. eLife 2020; 9:49808. [PMID: 32191207 PMCID: PMC7105383 DOI: 10.7554/elife.49808] [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: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neocortex expansion is largely based on the proliferative capacity of basal progenitors (BPs), which is increased by extracellular matrix (ECM) components via integrin signaling. Here we show that the transcription factor Sox9 drives expression of ECM components and that laminin 211 increases BP proliferation in embryonic mouse neocortex. We show that Sox9 is expressed in human and ferret BPs and is required for BP proliferation in embryonic ferret neocortex. Conditional Sox9 expression in the mouse BP lineage, where it normally is not expressed, increases BP proliferation, reduces Tbr2 levels and induces Olig2 expression, indicative of premature gliogenesis. Conditional Sox9 expression also results in cell-non-autonomous stimulation of BP proliferation followed by increased upper-layer neuron production. Our findings demonstrate that Sox9 exerts concerted effects on transcription, BP proliferation, neuron production, and neurogenic vs. gliogenic BP cell fate, suggesting that Sox9 may have contributed to promote neocortical expansion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Güven
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nereo Kalebic
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.,Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
| | - Katherine R Long
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marta Florio
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Samir Vaid
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Holger Brandl
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Denise Stenzel
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Wieland B Huttner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Charvet CJ, Das A, Song JW, Tindal-Burgess DJ, Kabaria P, Dai G, Kane T, Takahashi E. High Angular Resolution Diffusion MRI Reveals Conserved and Deviant Programs in the Paths that Guide Human Cortical Circuitry. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:1447-1464. [PMID: 31667494 PMCID: PMC7132938 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffusion magnetic resonance (MR) tractography represents a novel opportunity to investigate conserved and deviant developmental programs between humans and other species such as mice. To that end, we acquired high angular resolution diffusion MR scans of mice [embryonic day (E) 10.5 to postnatal week 4] and human brains [gestational week (GW) 17-30] at successive stages of fetal development to investigate potential evolutionary changes in radial organization and emerging pathways between humans and mice. We compare radial glial development as well as commissural development (e.g., corpus callosum), primarily because our findings can be integrated with previous work. We also compare corpus callosal growth trajectories across primates (i.e., humans and rhesus macaques) and rodents (i.e., mice). One major finding is that the developing cortex of humans is predominated by pathways likely associated with a radial glial organization at GW 17-20, which is not as evident in age-matched mice (E 16.5, 17.5). Another finding is that, early in development, the corpus callosum follows a similar developmental timetable in primates (i.e., macaques and humans) as in mice. However, the corpus callosum grows for an extended period of time in primates compared with rodents. Taken together, these findings highlight deviant developmental programs underlying the emergence of cortical pathways in the human brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Avilash Das
- Medical Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Fetal-Neonatal Brain Imaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jae W Song
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Priya Kabaria
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Guangping Dai
- Science Center, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA
| | - Tara Kane
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Emi Takahashi
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Fetal-Neonatal Brain Imaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Mostajo-Radji MA, Schmitz MT, Montoya ST, Pollen AA. Reverse engineering human brain evolution using organoid models. Brain Res 2020; 1729:146582. [PMID: 31809699 PMCID: PMC7058376 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Primate brains vary dramatically in size and organization, but the genetic and developmental basis for these differences has been difficult to study due to lack of experimental models. Pluripotent stem cells and brain organoids provide a potential opportunity for comparative and functional studies of evolutionary differences, particularly during the early stages of neurogenesis. However, many challenges remain, including isolating stem cell lines from additional great ape individuals and species to capture the breadth of ape genetic diversity, improving the reproducibility of organoid models to study evolved differences in cell composition and combining multiple brain regions to capture connectivity relationships. Here, we describe strategies for identifying evolved developmental differences between humans and non-human primates and for isolating the underlying cellular and genetic mechanisms using comparative analyses, chimeric organoid culture, and genome engineering. In particular, we focus on how organoid models could ultimately be applied beyond studies of progenitor cell evolution to decode the origin of recent changes in cellular organization, connectivity patterns, myelination, synaptic development, and physiology that have been implicated in human cognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Mostajo-Radji
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Matthew T Schmitz
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Sebastian Torres Montoya
- Health Co-creation Laboratory, Medellin General Hospital, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia; Baskin School of Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Alex A Pollen
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Garcia KE, Stewart WG, Espinosa MG, Gleghorn JP, Taber LA. Molecular and mechanical signals determine morphogenesis of the cerebral hemispheres in the chicken embryo. Development 2019; 146:146/20/dev174318. [PMID: 31604710 DOI: 10.1242/dev.174318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
During embryonic development, the telecephalon undergoes extensive growth and cleaves into right and left cerebral hemispheres. Although molecular signals have been implicated in this process and linked to congenital abnormalities, few studies have examined the role of mechanical forces. In this study, we quantified morphology, cell proliferation and tissue growth in the forebrain of chicken embryos during Hamburger-Hamilton stages 17-21. By altering embryonic cerebrospinal fluid pressure during development, we found that neuroepithelial growth depends on not only chemical morphogen gradients but also mechanical feedback. Using these data, as well as published information on morphogen activity, we developed a chemomechanical growth law to mathematically describe growth of the neuroepithelium. Finally, we constructed a three-dimensional computational model based on these laws, with all parameters based on experimental data. The resulting model predicts forebrain shapes consistent with observations in normal embryos, as well as observations under chemical or mechanical perturbation. These results suggest that molecular and mechanical signals play important roles in early forebrain morphogenesis and may contribute to the development of congenital malformations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kara E Garcia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Wade G Stewart
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - M Gabriela Espinosa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Jason P Gleghorn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Larry A Taber
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Fritsche E, Barenys M, Klose J, Masjosthusmann S, Nimtz L, Schmuck M, Wuttke S, Tigges J. Development of the Concept for Stem Cell-Based Developmental Neurotoxicity Evaluation. Toxicol Sci 2019; 165:14-20. [PMID: 29982725 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human brain development consists of a series of complex spatiotemporal processes that if disturbed by chemical exposure causes irreversible impairments of the nervous system. To evaluate a chemical disturbance in an alternative assay, the concept evolved that the complex procedure of brain development can be disassembled into several neurodevelopmental endpoints which can be represented by a combination of different alternative assays. In this review article, we provide a scientific rationale for the neurodevelopmental endpoints that are currently chosen to establish assays with human stem/and progenitor cells. Assays covering these major neurodevelopmental endpoints are thought to assemble as building blocks of a DNT testing battery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Fritsche
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.,Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Jördis Klose
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefan Masjosthusmann
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Laura Nimtz
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Martin Schmuck
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Saskia Wuttke
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Tigges
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Aboitiz F, Montiel JF. Morphological evolution of the vertebrate forebrain: From mechanical to cellular processes. Evol Dev 2019; 21:330-341. [DOI: 10.1111/ede.12308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Aboitiz
- Departamento de Psiquiatría, Escuela de MedicinaPontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
- Centro Interdisciplinario de NeurocienciasPontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Juan F. Montiel
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad Diego Portales Santiago Chile
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Kameneva P, Adameyko I. Recent advances in our understanding of central and peripheral nervous system progenitors. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2019; 61:24-30. [PMID: 31369951 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Several decades of intense research provided us with a grand framework describing the emergence of neurons in central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous systems. However, the specifics of molecular events and lineage control leading to a plethora of neuronal subtypes stayed largely unclear. Today, the advances in single cell omics, sample clearing and 3D-microscopy techniques, brain organoids, and synaptic connectivity tracing enabled systematic and unbiased understanding of neuronal diversity, development, circuitry and cell identity control. Novel technological advancements stimulated the transition from conceptual scheme of neuronal differentiation into precise maps of molecular events leading to the diversity of specific neuronal subtypes in relation to their locations and microenvironment. These high-resolution data opened a set of new questions including how transcriptional and epigenetics states control the proportionality of neuronal subpopulations or what are the evolutionary mechanisms of origin of different neuronal subtypes. In this review, we outline the most recent advancements in our understanding of how the neuronal diversity is generated in CNS and PNS and briefly address the challenges and questions arising in the field of neurogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Polina Kameneva
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Igor Adameyko
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Bridi JC, Ludlow ZN, Hirth F. Lineage-specific determination of ring neuron circuitry in the central complex of Drosophila. Biol Open 2019; 8:bio.045062. [PMID: 31285267 PMCID: PMC6679397 DOI: 10.1242/bio.045062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The ellipsoid body (EB) of the Drosophila central complex mediates sensorimotor integration and action selection for adaptive behaviours. Insights into its physiological function are steadily accumulating, however the developmental origin and genetic specification have remained largely elusive. Here we identify two stem cells in the embryonic neuroectoderm as precursor cells of neuronal progeny that establish EB circuits in the adult brain. Genetic tracing of embryonic neuroblasts ppd5 and mosaic analysis with a repressible cell marker identified lineage-related progeny as Pox neuro (Poxn)-expressing EB ring neurons, R1-R4. During embryonic brain development, engrailed function is required for the initial formation of Poxn-expressing ppd5-derived progeny. Postembryonic determination of R1-R4 identity depends on lineage-specific Poxn function that separates neuronal subtypes of ppd5-derived progeny into hemi-lineages with projections either terminating in the EB ring neuropil or the superior protocerebrum (SP). Poxn knockdown in ppd5-derived progeny results in identity transformation of engrailed-expressing hemi-lineages from SP to EB-specific circuits. In contrast, lineage-specific knockdown of engrailed leads to reduced numbers of Poxn-expressing ring neurons. These findings establish neuroblasts ppd5-derived ring neurons as lineage-related sister cells that require engrailed and Poxn function for the proper formation of EB circuitry in the adult central complex of Drosophila.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessika C Bridi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9RX, United Kingdom
| | - Zoe N Ludlow
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9RX, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Hirth
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9RX, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Singh SV, Staes N, Guevara EE, Schapiro SJ, Ely JJ, Hopkins WD, Sherwood CC, Bradley BJ. Evolution of ASPM coding variation in apes and associations with brain structure in chimpanzees. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 18:e12582. [PMID: 31119860 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Studying genetic mechanisms underlying primate brain morphology can provide insight into the evolution of human brain structure and cognition. In humans, loss-of-function mutations in the gene coding for ASPM (Abnormal Spindle Microtubule Assembly) have been associated with primary microcephaly, which is defined by a significantly reduced brain volume, intellectual disability and delayed development. However, less is known about the effects of common ASPM variation in humans and other primates. In this study, we characterized the degree of coding variation at ASPM in a large sample of chimpanzees (N = 241), and examined potential associations between genotype and various measures of brain morphology. We identified and genotyped five non-synonymous polymorphisms in exons 3 (V588G), 18 (Q2772K, K2796E, C2811Y) and 27 (I3427V). Using T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of brains, we measured total brain volume, cerebral gray and white matter volume, cerebral ventricular volume, and cortical surface area in the same chimpanzees. We found a potential association between ASPM V588G genotype and cerebral ventricular volume but not with the other measures. Additionally, we found that chimpanzee, bonobo, and human lineages each independently show a signature of accelerated ASPM protein evolution. Overall, our results suggest the potential effects of ASPM variation on cerebral cortical development, and emphasize the need for further functional studies. These results are the first evidence suggesting ASPM variation might play a role in shaping natural variation in brain structure in nonhuman primates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheel V Singh
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Nicky Staes
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia.,Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Elaine E Guevara
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Steven J Schapiro
- Michael E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas
| | | | - William D Hopkins
- Michael E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas
| | - Chet C Sherwood
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Brenda J Bradley
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Perez Y, Bar-Yaacov R, Kadir R, Wormser O, Shelef I, Birk OS, Flusser H, Birnbaum RY. Mutations in the microtubule-associated protein MAP11 (C7orf43) cause microcephaly in humans and zebrafish. Brain 2019; 142:574-585. [PMID: 30715179 PMCID: PMC6391606 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubule associated protein 11 (MAP11, previously termed C7orf43) encodes a highly conserved protein whose function is unknown. Through genome-wide linkage analysis combined with whole exome sequencing, we demonstrate that human autosomal recessive primary microcephaly is caused by a truncating mutation in MAP11. Moreover, homozygous MAP11-orthologue CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out zebrafish presented with microcephaly and decreased neuronal proliferation, recapitulating the human phenotype. We demonstrate that MAP11 is ubiquitously transcribed with high levels in brain and cerebellum. Immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation studies in SH-SY5Y cells showed that MAP11 associates with mitotic spindles, co-localizing and physically associating with α-tubulin during mitosis. MAP11 expression precedes α-tubulin in gap formation of cell abscission at the midbody and is co-localized with PLK1, a key regulator of cytokinesis, at the edges of microtubule extensions of daughter cells post cytokinesis abscission, implicating a role in mitotic spindle dynamics and in regulation of cell abscission during cytokinesis. Finally, lentiviral-mediated silencing of MAP11 diminished SH-SY5Y cell viability, reducing proliferation rather than affecting apoptosis. Thus, MAP11 encodes a microtubule-associated protein that plays a role in spindle dynamics and cell division, in which mutations cause microcephaly in humans and zebrafish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yonatan Perez
- The Morris Kahn Laboratory of Human Genetics, National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Reut Bar-Yaacov
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Center of Evolutionary Genomics and Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
| | - Rotem Kadir
- The Morris Kahn Laboratory of Human Genetics, National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ohad Wormser
- The Morris Kahn Laboratory of Human Genetics, National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ilan Shelef
- Department of Radiology, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ohad S Birk
- The Morris Kahn Laboratory of Human Genetics, National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Genetics Institute, Soroka Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Hagit Flusser
- Zusman Child Development Center, Pediatric Division, Soroka Medical Center and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ramon Y Birnbaum
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Center of Evolutionary Genomics and Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Pollen AA, Bhaduri A, Andrews MG, Nowakowski TJ, Meyerson OS, Mostajo-Radji MA, Di Lullo E, Alvarado B, Bedolli M, Dougherty ML, Fiddes IT, Kronenberg ZN, Shuga J, Leyrat AA, West JA, Bershteyn M, Lowe CB, Pavlovic BJ, Salama SR, Haussler D, Eichler EE, Kriegstein AR. Establishing Cerebral Organoids as Models of Human-Specific Brain Evolution. Cell 2019; 176:743-756.e17. [PMID: 30735633 PMCID: PMC6544371 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 351] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Direct comparisons of human and non-human primate brains can reveal molecular pathways underlying remarkable specializations of the human brain. However, chimpanzee tissue is inaccessible during neocortical neurogenesis when differences in brain size first appear. To identify human-specific features of cortical development, we leveraged recent innovations that permit generating pluripotent stem cell-derived cerebral organoids from chimpanzee. Despite metabolic differences, organoid models preserve gene regulatory networks related to primary cell types and developmental processes. We further identified 261 differentially expressed genes in human compared to both chimpanzee organoids and macaque cortex, enriched for recent gene duplications, and including multiple regulators of PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling. We observed increased activation of this pathway in human radial glia, dependent on two receptors upregulated specifically in human: INSR and ITGB8. Our findings establish a platform for systematic analysis of molecular changes contributing to human brain development and evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex A Pollen
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Aparna Bhaduri
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Madeline G Andrews
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tomasz J Nowakowski
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Anatomy, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Olivia S Meyerson
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mohammed A Mostajo-Radji
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Di Lullo
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Beatriz Alvarado
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Melanie Bedolli
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Max L Dougherty
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ian T Fiddes
- Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Zev N Kronenberg
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Joe Shuga
- New Technologies, Fluidigm, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anne A Leyrat
- New Technologies, Fluidigm, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jay A West
- New Technologies, Fluidigm, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marina Bershteyn
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Craig B Lowe
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Bryan J Pavlovic
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sofie R Salama
- Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - David Haussler
- Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Evan E Eichler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Arnold R Kriegstein
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Buchsbaum IY, Cappello S. Neuronal migration in the CNS during development and disease: insights from in vivo and in vitro models. Development 2019; 146:146/1/dev163766. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.163766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Neuronal migration is a fundamental process that governs embryonic brain development. As such, mutations that affect essential neuronal migration processes lead to severe brain malformations, which can cause complex and heterogeneous developmental and neuronal migration disorders. Our fragmented knowledge about the aetiology of these disorders raises numerous issues. However, many of these can now be addressed through studies of in vivo and in vitro models that attempt to recapitulate human-specific mechanisms of cortical development. In this Review, we discuss the advantages and limitations of these model systems and suggest that a complementary approach, using combinations of in vivo and in vitro models, will broaden our knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie defective neuronal positioning in the human cerebral cortex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Yasmin Buchsbaum
- Developmental Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 82152 Planegg, Germany
| | - Silvia Cappello
- Developmental Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Courchesne E, Pramparo T, Gazestani VH, Lombardo MV, Pierce K, Lewis NE. The ASD Living Biology: from cell proliferation to clinical phenotype. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:88-107. [PMID: 29934544 PMCID: PMC6309606 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0056-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has captured the attention of scientists, clinicians and the lay public because of its uncertain origins and striking and unexplained clinical heterogeneity. Here we review genetic, genomic, cellular, postmortem, animal model, and cell model evidence that shows ASD begins in the womb. This evidence leads to a new theory that ASD is a multistage, progressive disorder of brain development, spanning nearly all of prenatal life. ASD can begin as early as the 1st and 2nd trimester with disruption of cell proliferation and differentiation. It continues with disruption of neural migration, laminar disorganization, altered neuron maturation and neurite outgrowth, disruption of synaptogenesis and reduced neural network functioning. Among the most commonly reported high-confidence ASD (hcASD) genes, 94% express during prenatal life and affect these fetal processes in neocortex, amygdala, hippocampus, striatum and cerebellum. A majority of hcASD genes are pleiotropic, and affect proliferation/differentiation and/or synapse development. Proliferation and subsequent fetal stages can also be disrupted by maternal immune activation in the 1st trimester. Commonly implicated pathways, PI3K/AKT and RAS/ERK, are also pleiotropic and affect multiple fetal processes from proliferation through synapse and neural functional development. In different ASD individuals, variation in how and when these pleiotropic pathways are dysregulated, will lead to different, even opposing effects, producing prenatal as well as later neural and clinical heterogeneity. Thus, the pathogenesis of ASD is not set at one point in time and does not reside in one process, but rather is a cascade of prenatal pathogenic processes in the vast majority of ASD toddlers. Despite this new knowledge and theory that ASD biology begins in the womb, current research methods have not provided individualized information: What are the fetal processes and early-age molecular and cellular differences that underlie ASD in each individual child? Without such individualized knowledge, rapid advances in biological-based diagnostic, prognostic, and precision medicine treatments cannot occur. Missing, therefore, is what we call ASD Living Biology. This is a conceptual and paradigm shift towards a focus on the abnormal prenatal processes underlying ASD within each living individual. The concept emphasizes the specific need for foundational knowledge of a living child's development from abnormal prenatal beginnings to early clinical stages. The ASD Living Biology paradigm seeks this knowledge by linking genetic and in vitro prenatal molecular, cellular and neural measurements with in vivo post-natal molecular, neural and clinical presentation and progression in each ASD child. We review the first such study, which confirms the multistage fetal nature of ASD and provides the first in vitro fetal-stage explanation for in vivo early brain overgrowth. Within-child ASD Living Biology is a novel research concept we coin here that advocates the integration of in vitro prenatal and in vivo early post-natal information to generate individualized and group-level explanations, clinically useful prognoses, and precision medicine approaches that are truly beneficial for the individual infant and toddler with ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Courchesne
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Drive, Suite 201, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| | - Tiziano Pramparo
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Drive, Suite 201, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Vahid H Gazestani
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Drive, Suite 201, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Michael V Lombardo
- Department of Psychology, Center for Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Karen Pierce
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, 8110 La Jolla Shores Drive, Suite 201, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Nathan E Lewis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability at University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Zhu Y, Sousa AMM, Gao T, Skarica M, Li M, Santpere G, Esteller-Cucala P, Juan D, Ferrández-Peral L, Gulden FO, Yang M, Miller DJ, Marques-Bonet T, Imamura Kawasawa Y, Zhao H, Sestan N. Spatiotemporal transcriptomic divergence across human and macaque brain development. Science 2018; 362:eaat8077. [PMID: 30545855 PMCID: PMC6900982 DOI: 10.1126/science.aat8077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human nervous system development is an intricate and protracted process that requires precise spatiotemporal transcriptional regulation. We generated tissue-level and single-cell transcriptomic data from up to 16 brain regions covering prenatal and postnatal rhesus macaque development. Integrative analysis with complementary human data revealed that global intraspecies (ontogenetic) and interspecies (phylogenetic) regional transcriptomic differences exhibit concerted cup-shaped patterns, with a late fetal-to-infancy (perinatal) convergence. Prenatal neocortical transcriptomic patterns revealed transient topographic gradients, whereas postnatal patterns largely reflected functional hierarchy. Genes exhibiting heterotopic and heterochronic divergence included those transiently enriched in the prenatal prefrontal cortex or linked to autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Our findings shed light on transcriptomic programs underlying the evolution of human brain development and the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhu
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - André M M Sousa
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tianliuyun Gao
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mario Skarica
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mingfeng Li
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gabriel Santpere
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - David Juan
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), PRBB, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Forrest O Gulden
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mo Yang
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Daniel J Miller
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tomas Marques-Bonet
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), PRBB, Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yuka Imamura Kawasawa
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Personalized Medicine, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Hongyu Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nenad Sestan
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Departments of Genetics, Psychiatry, and Comparative Medicine, Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, and Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Zhao X, Bhattacharyya A. Human Models Are Needed for Studying Human Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 103:829-857. [PMID: 30526865 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of animal models of neurological disease has been instrumental in furthering our understanding of neurodevelopment and brain diseases. However, animal models are limited in revealing some of the most fundamental aspects of development, genetics, pathology, and disease mechanisms that are unique to humans. These shortcomings are exaggerated in disorders that affect the brain, where the most significant differences between humans and animal models exist, and could underscore failures in targeted therapeutic interventions in affected individuals. Human pluripotent stem cells have emerged as a much-needed model system for investigating human-specific biology and disease mechanisms. However, questions remain regarding whether these cell-culture-based models are sufficient or even necessary. In this review, we summarize human-specific features of neurodevelopment and the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, present discrepancies between animal models and human diseases, demonstrate how human stem cell models can provide meaningful information, and discuss the challenges that exist in our pursuit to understand distinctively human aspects of neurodevelopment and brain disease. This information argues for a more thoughtful approach to disease modeling through consideration of the valuable features and limitations of each model system, be they human or animal, to mimic disease characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhao
- Waisman Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53705, USA.
| | - Anita Bhattacharyya
- Waisman Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53705, USA; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53705, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Martínez-Cerdeño V, Noctor SC. Neural Progenitor Cell Terminology. Front Neuroanat 2018; 12:104. [PMID: 30574073 PMCID: PMC6291443 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2018.00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Since descriptions of neural precursor cells (NPCs) were published in the late 19th century, neuroanatomists have used a variety of terms to describe these cells, each term reflecting contemporary understanding of cellular characteristics and function. As the field gained knowledge through a combination of technical advance and individual insight, the terminology describing NPCs changed to incorporate new information. While there is a trend toward consensus and streamlining of terminology over time, to this day scientists use different terms for NPCs that reflect their field and perspective, i.e., terms arising from molecular, cellular, or anatomical sciences. Here we review past and current terminology used to refer to NPCs, including embryonic and adult precursor cells of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States.,UC Davis Medical Center, MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Stephen C Noctor
- UC Davis Medical Center, MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Deryckere A, Seuntjens E. The Cephalopod Large Brain Enigma: Are Conserved Mechanisms of Stem Cell Expansion the Key? Front Physiol 2018; 9:1160. [PMID: 30246785 PMCID: PMC6110919 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the clade of mollusks, cephalopods have developed an unusually large and complex nervous system. The increased complexity of the cephalopod centralized "brain" parallels an amazing amount of complex behaviors that culminate in one order, the octopods. The mechanisms that enable evolution of expanded brains in invertebrates remain enigmatic. While expression mapping of known molecular pathways demonstrated the conservation of major neurogenesis pathways and revealed neurogenic territories, it did not explain why cephalopods could massively increase their brain size compared to other mollusks. Such an increase is reminiscent of the expansion of the cerebral cortex in mammalians, which have enlarged their number and variety of neurogenic stem cells. We hypothesize that similar mechanisms might be at play in cephalopods and that focusing on the stem cell biology of cephalopod neurogenesis and genetic innovations might be smarter strategies to uncover the mechanism that has driven cephalopod brain expansion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eve Seuntjens
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
A non-cell-autonomous actin redistribution enables isotropic retinal growth. PLoS Biol 2018. [PMID: 30096143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2006018.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue shape is often established early in development and needs to be scaled isotropically during growth. However, the cellular contributors and ways by which cells interact tissue-wide to enable coordinated isotropic tissue scaling are not yet understood. Here, we follow cell and tissue shape changes in the zebrafish retinal neuroepithelium, which forms a cup with a smooth surface early in development and maintains this architecture as it grows. By combining 3D analysis and theory, we show how a global increase in cell height can maintain tissue shape during growth. Timely cell height increase occurs concurrently with a non-cell-autonomous actin redistribution. Blocking actin redistribution and cell height increase perturbs isotropic scaling and leads to disturbed, folded tissue shape. Taken together, our data show how global changes in cell shape enable isotropic growth of the developing retinal neuroepithelium, a concept that could also apply to other systems.
Collapse
|
47
|
Matejčić M, Salbreux G, Norden C. A non-cell-autonomous actin redistribution enables isotropic retinal growth. PLoS Biol 2018; 16:e2006018. [PMID: 30096143 PMCID: PMC6117063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2006018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue shape is often established early in development and needs to be scaled isotropically during growth. However, the cellular contributors and ways by which cells interact tissue-wide to enable coordinated isotropic tissue scaling are not yet understood. Here, we follow cell and tissue shape changes in the zebrafish retinal neuroepithelium, which forms a cup with a smooth surface early in development and maintains this architecture as it grows. By combining 3D analysis and theory, we show how a global increase in cell height can maintain tissue shape during growth. Timely cell height increase occurs concurrently with a non-cell-autonomous actin redistribution. Blocking actin redistribution and cell height increase perturbs isotropic scaling and leads to disturbed, folded tissue shape. Taken together, our data show how global changes in cell shape enable isotropic growth of the developing retinal neuroepithelium, a concept that could also apply to other systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marija Matejčić
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Caren Norden
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Cárdenas A, Villalba A, de Juan Romero C, Picó E, Kyrousi C, Tzika AC, Tessier-Lavigne M, Ma L, Drukker M, Cappello S, Borrell V. Evolution of Cortical Neurogenesis in Amniotes Controlled by Robo Signaling Levels. Cell 2018; 174:590-606.e21. [PMID: 29961574 PMCID: PMC6063992 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral cortex size differs dramatically between reptiles, birds, and mammals, owing to developmental differences in neuron production. In mammals, signaling pathways regulating neurogenesis have been identified, but genetic differences behind their evolution across amniotes remain unknown. We show that direct neurogenesis from radial glia cells, with limited neuron production, dominates the avian, reptilian, and mammalian paleocortex, whereas in the evolutionarily recent mammalian neocortex, most neurogenesis is indirect via basal progenitors. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments in mouse, chick, and snake embryos and in human cerebral organoids demonstrate that high Slit/Robo and low Dll1 signaling, via Jag1 and Jag2, are necessary and sufficient to drive direct neurogenesis. Attenuating Robo signaling and enhancing Dll1 in snakes and birds recapitulates the formation of basal progenitors and promotes indirect neurogenesis. Our study identifies modulation in activity levels of conserved signaling pathways as a primary mechanism driving the expansion and increased complexity of the mammalian neocortex during amniote evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Cárdenas
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas & Universidad Miguel Hernández, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alacant, Spain
| | - Ana Villalba
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas & Universidad Miguel Hernández, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alacant, Spain
| | - Camino de Juan Romero
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas & Universidad Miguel Hernández, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alacant, Spain
| | - Esther Picó
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas & Universidad Miguel Hernández, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alacant, Spain
| | - Christina Kyrousi
- Developmental Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Athanasia C Tzika
- Department Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland; SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Le Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sydney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Micha Drukker
- Institute of Stem Cell Research and the Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Core Facility, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Silvia Cappello
- Developmental Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Víctor Borrell
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas & Universidad Miguel Hernández, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alacant, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Hiscock TW, Miesfeld JB, Mosaliganti KR, Link BA, Megason SG. Feedback between tissue packing and neurogenesis in the zebrafish neural tube. Development 2018; 145:dev.157040. [PMID: 29678815 DOI: 10.1242/dev.157040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Balancing the rate of differentiation and proliferation in developing tissues is essential to produce organs of robust size and composition. Although many molecular regulators have been established, how these connect to physical and geometrical aspects of tissue architecture is poorly understood. Here, using high-resolution timelapse imaging, we find that changes to cell geometry associated with dense tissue packing play a significant role in regulating differentiation rate in the zebrafish neural tube. Specifically, progenitors that are displaced away from the apical surface due to crowding, tend to differentiate in a Notch-dependent manner. Using simulations we show that interplay between progenitor density, cell shape and changes in differentiation rate could naturally result in negative-feedback control on progenitor cell number. Given these results, we suggest a model whereby differentiation rate is regulated by density dependent effects on cell geometry to: (1) correct variability in cell number; and (2) balance the rates of proliferation and differentiation over development to 'fill' the available space.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tom W Hiscock
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joel B Miesfeld
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | | | - Brian A Link
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Sean G Megason
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Römer S, Bender H, Knabe W, Zimmermann E, Rübsamen R, Seeger J, Fietz SA. Neural Progenitors in the Developing Neocortex of the Northern Tree Shrew ( Tupaia belangeri) Show a Closer Relationship to Gyrencephalic Primates Than to Lissencephalic Rodents. Front Neuroanat 2018; 12:29. [PMID: 29725291 PMCID: PMC5917011 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2018.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The neocortex is the most complex part of the mammalian brain and as such it has undergone tremendous expansion during evolution, especially in primates. The majority of neocortical neurons originate from distinct neural stem and progenitor cells (NPCs) located in the ventricular and subventricular zone (SVZ). Previous studies revealed that the SVZ thickness as well as the abundance and distribution of NPCs, especially that of basal radial glia (bRG), differ markedly between the lissencephalic rodent and gyrencephalic primate neocortex. The northern tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) is a rat-sized mammal with a high brain to body mass ratio, which stands phylogenetically mid-way between rodents and primates. Our study provides – for the first time – detailed data on the presence, abundance and distribution of bRG and other distinct NPCs in the developing neocortex of the northern tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri). We show that the developing tree shrew neocortex is characterized by an expanded SVZ, a high abundance of Pax6+ NPCs in the SVZ, and a relatively high percentage of bRG at peak of upper-layer neurogenesis. We further demonstrate that key features of tree shrew neocortex development, e.g., the presence, abundance and distribution of distinct NPCs, are closer related to those of gyrencephalic primates than to those of ferret and lissencephalic rodents. Together, our study provides novel insight into the evolution of bRG and other distinct NPCs in the neocortex development of Euarchontoglires and introduces the tree shrew as a potential novel model organism in the area of human brain development and developmental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Römer
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hannah Bender
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Knabe
- Prosektur Anatomie, Medizinische Fakultät, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Elke Zimmermann
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Rudolf Rübsamen
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johannes Seeger
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone A Fietz
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|