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Lalonde RL, Wells HH, Kemmler CL, Nieuwenhuize S, Lerma R, Burger A, Mosimann C. pIGLET: Safe harbor landing sites for reproducible and efficient transgenesis in zebrafish. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn6603. [PMID: 38838146 PMCID: PMC11152119 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn6603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Standard zebrafish transgenesis involves random transgene integration with resource-intensive screening. While phiC31 integrase-based attP/attB recombination has streamlined transgenesis in mice and Drosophila, validated attP-based landing sites for universal applications are lacking in zebrafish. Here, we developed phiC31 Integrase Genomic Loci Engineered for Transgenesis (pIGLET) as transgenesis approach, with two attP landing sites pIGLET14a and pIGLET24b from well-validated Tol2 transgenes. Both sites facilitate diverse transgenesis applications including reporters and Cre/loxP transgenes. The pIGLET14a and pIGLET24b landing sites consistently yield 25 to 50% germline transmission, substantially reducing the resources needed for transgenic line generation. Transgenesis into these sites enables reproducible expression patterns in F0 zebrafish embryos for enhancer discovery and testing of gene regulatory variants. Together, our new landing sites streamline targeted, reproducible zebrafish transgenesis as a robust platform for various applications while minimizing the workload for generating transgenic lines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cassie L. Kemmler
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Susan Nieuwenhuize
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Raymundo Lerma
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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2
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Chen H, Xie Y, Zhang M, Huang J, Jiang W, Zhang R, Li C, Du X, Chen H, Nie Q, Liang S, Tan Q, Yang J, Jin M, Huang S, Kuang L, Su N, Qi H, Luo X, Xu X, Deng C, Chen L, Luo F. An Hsp70 promoter-based mouse for heat shock-induced gene modulation. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:693-707. [PMID: 38492027 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02433-9] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Physical therapy is extensively employed in clinical settings. Nevertheless, the absence of suitable animal models has resulted in an incomplete understanding of the in vivo mechanisms and cellular distribution that respond to physical stimuli. The objective of this research was to create a mouse model capable of indicating the cells affected by physical stimuli. In this study, we successfully established a mouse line based on the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) promoter, wherein the expression of CreERT2 can be induced by physical stimuli. Following stimulation of the mouse tail, ear, or cultured calvarias with heat shock (generated by heating, ultrasound, or laser), a distinct Cre-mediated excision was observed in cells stimulated by these physical factors with minimal occurrence of leaky reporter expression. The application of heat shock to Hsp70-CreERT2; FGFR2-P253R double transgenic mice or Hsp70-CreERT2 mice infected with AAV-BMP4 at calvarias induced the activation of Cre-dependent mutant FGFR2-P253R or BMP4 respectively, thereby facilitating the premature closure of cranial sutures or the repair of calvarial defects. This novel mouse line holds significant potential for investigating the underlying mechanisms of physical therapy, tissue repair and regeneration, lineage tracing, and targeted modulation of gene expression of cells in local tissue stimulated by physical factor at the interested time points. KEY MESSAGES: In the study, an Hsp70-CreERT2 transgenic mouse was generated for heat shock-induced gene modulation. Heat shock, ultrasound, and laser stimulation effectively activated Cre expression in Hsp70-CreERT2; reporter mice, which leads to deletion of floxed DNA sequence in the tail, ear, and cultured calvaria tissues of mice. Local laser stimuli on cultured calvarias effectively induce Fgfr2-P253R expression in Hsp70-mTmG-Fgfr2-P253R mice and result in accelerated premature closure of cranial suture. Heat shock activated AAV9-FLEX-BMP4 expression and subsequently promoted the repair of calvarial defect of Hsp70-CreERT2; Rosa26-mTmG mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangang Chen
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Yangli Xie
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Junlan Huang
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Wanling Jiang
- Department of Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital), Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Ruobin Zhang
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Can Li
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Xiaolan Du
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Qiang Nie
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Sen Liang
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Qiaoyan Tan
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Min Jin
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Shuo Huang
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Liang Kuang
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Nan Su
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Huabing Qi
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiaoqing Luo
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Xiaoling Xu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Chuxia Deng
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Fengtao Luo
- Laboratory of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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3
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Cudak N, López-Delgado AC, Rost F, Kurth T, Lesche M, Reinhardt S, Dahl A, Rulands S, Knopf F. Compartmentalization and synergy of osteoblasts drive bone formation in the regenerating fin. iScience 2024; 27:108841. [PMID: 38318374 PMCID: PMC10838958 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108841] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish regenerate their fins which involves a component of cell plasticity. It is currently unclear how regenerate cells divide labor to allow for appropriate growth and patterning. Here, we studied lineage relationships of fluorescence-activated cell sorting-enriched epidermal, bone-forming (osteoblast), and (non-osteoblast) blastemal fin regenerate cells by single-cell RNA sequencing, lineage tracing, targeted osteoblast ablation, and electron microscopy. Most osteoblasts in the outgrowing regenerate derive from osterix+ osteoblasts, while mmp9+ cells reside at segment joints. Distal blastema cells contribute to distal osteoblast progenitors, suggesting compartmentalization of the regenerating appendage. Ablation of osterix+ osteoblasts impairs segment joint and bone matrix formation and decreases regenerate length which is partially compensated for by distal regenerate cells. Our study characterizes expression patterns and lineage relationships of rare fin regenerate cell populations, indicates inherent detection and compensation of impaired regeneration, suggests variable dependence on growth factor signaling, and demonstrates zonation of the elongating fin regenerate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Cudak
- CRTD - Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alejandra Cristina López-Delgado
- CRTD - Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Fabian Rost
- DRESDEN-concept Genome Center, DFG NGS Competence Center, c/o Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Kurth
- Core Facility Electron Microscopy and Histology, Technology Platform, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mathias Lesche
- DRESDEN-concept Genome Center, DFG NGS Competence Center, c/o Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susanne Reinhardt
- DRESDEN-concept Genome Center, DFG NGS Competence Center, c/o Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Dahl
- DRESDEN-concept Genome Center, DFG NGS Competence Center, c/o Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Steffen Rulands
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Arnold-Sommerfeld-Center for Theoretical Physics, München, Germany
| | - Franziska Knopf
- CRTD - Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Kayo D, Kimura S, Yamazaki T, Naruse K, Takeuchi H, Ansai S. Spatio-temporal control of targeted gene expression in combination with CRISPR/Cas and Tet-On systems in Medaka. Genesis 2024; 62:e23519. [PMID: 37226848 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23519] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Spatial and temporal control of transgene expression is a powerful approach to understand gene functions in specific cells and tissues. The Tet-On system is a robust tool for controlling transgene expression spatially and temporally; however, few studies have examined whether this system can be applied to postembryonic stages of Medaka (Oryzias latipes) or other fishes. Here, we first improved a basal promoter sequence on the donor vector for a nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ)-based knock-in (KI) system. Next, using transgenic Medaka for establishing the Tet-On system by KI, we demonstrated that doxycycline administration for four or more days by feeding can be a stable and efficient method to achieve expression of the transduced reporter gene in adult fish. From these analyses, we propose an optimized approach for a spatio-temporal gene-expression system in the adult stage of Medaka and other small fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daichi Kayo
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Sayaka Kimura
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Touko Yamazaki
- Laboratory of Bioresources, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Naruse
- Laboratory of Bioresources, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hideaki Takeuchi
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ansai
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
- Laboratory of Bioresources, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
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5
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Lalonde RL, Wells HH, Kemmler CL, Nieuwenhuize S, Lerma R, Burger A, Mosimann C. pIGLET: Safe harbor landing sites for reproducible and efficient transgenesis in zebrafish. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.08.570868. [PMID: 38106217 PMCID: PMC10723424 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.08.570868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Standard methods for transgenesis in zebrafish depend on random transgene integration into the genome followed by resource-intensive screening and validation. Targeted vector integration into validated genomic loci using phiC31 integrase-based attP/attB recombination has transformed mouse and Drosophila transgenesis. However, while the phiC31 system functions in zebrafish, validated loci carrying attP-based landing or safe harbor sites suitable for universal transgenesis applications in zebrafish have not been established. Here, using CRISPR-Cas9, we converted two well-validated single insertion Tol2-based zebrafish transgenes with long-standing genetic stability into two attP landing sites, called phiC31 Integrase Genomic Loci Engineered for Transgenesis (pIGLET). Generating fluorescent reporters, loxP-based Switch lines, CreERT2 drivers, and gene-regulatory variant reporters in the pIGLET14a and pIGLET24b landing site alleles, we document their suitability for transgenesis applications across cell types and developmental stages. For both landing sites, we routinely achieve 25-50% germline transmission of targeted transgene integrations, drastically reducing the number of required animals and necessary resources to generate individual transgenic lines. We document that phiC31 integrase-based transgenesis into pIGLET14a and pIGLET24b reproducibly results in representative reporter expression patterns in injected F0 zebrafish embryos suitable for enhancer discovery and qualitative and quantitative comparison of gene-regulatory element variants. Taken together, our new phiC31 integrase-based transgene landing sites establish reproducible, targeted zebrafish transgenesis for numerous applications while greatly reducing the workload of generating new transgenic zebrafish lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L. Lalonde
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Harrison H. Wells
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Cassie L. Kemmler
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Susan Nieuwenhuize
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Raymundo Lerma
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Alexa Burger
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Christian Mosimann
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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6
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Brown W, Wesalo J, Tsang M, Deiters A. Engineering Small Molecule Switches of Protein Function in Zebrafish Embryos. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:2395-2403. [PMID: 36662675 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c11366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Precise temporally regulated protein function directs the highly complex processes that make up embryo development. The zebrafish embryo is an excellent model organism to study development, and conditional control over enzymatic activity is desirable to target chemical intervention to specific developmental events and to investigate biological mechanisms. Surprisingly few, generally applicable small molecule switches of protein function exist in zebrafish. Genetic code expansion allows for site-specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins that contain caging groups that are removed through addition of small molecule triggers such as phosphines or tetrazines. This broadly applicable control of protein function was applied to activate several enzymes, including a GTPase and a protease, with temporal precision in zebrafish embryos. Simple addition of the small molecule to the media produces robust and tunable protein activation, which was used to gain insight into the development of a congenital heart defect from a RASopathy mutant of NRAS and to control DNA and protein cleavage events catalyzed by a viral recombinase and a viral protease, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wes Brown
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Joshua Wesalo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Michael Tsang
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Alexander Deiters
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
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7
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Lalonde RL, Kemmler CL, Riemslagh FW, Aman AJ, Kresoja-Rakic J, Moran HR, Nieuwenhuize S, Parichy DM, Burger A, Mosimann C. Heterogeneity and genomic loci of ubiquitous transgenic Cre reporter lines in zebrafish. Dev Dyn 2022; 251:1754-1773. [PMID: 35582941 PMCID: PMC10069295 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.499] [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: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most-common strategy for zebrafish Cre/lox-mediated lineage labeling experiments combines ubiquitously expressed, lox-based Switch reporter transgenes with tissue-specific Cre or 4-OH-Tamoxifen-inducible CreERT2 driver lines. Although numerous Cre driver lines have been produced, only a few broadly expressed Switch reporters exist in zebrafish and their generation by random transgene integration has been challenging due to position-effect sensitivity of the lox-flanked recombination cassettes. Here, we compare commonly used Switch reporter lines for their recombination efficiency and reporter expression pattern during zebrafish development. RESULTS Using different experimental setups, we show that ubi:Switch and hsp70l:Switch outperform current generations of the two additional Switch reporters actb2:BFP-DsRed and actb2:Stop-DsRed. Our comparisons also document preferential Cre-dependent recombination of ubi:Switch and hsp70l:Switch in distinct zebrafish tissues at early developmental stages. To investigate what genomic features may influence Cre accessibility and lox recombination efficiency in highly functional Switch lines, we mapped these transgenes and charted chromatin dynamics at their integration sites. CONCLUSIONS Our data documents the heterogeneity among lox-based Switch transgenes toward informing suitable transgene selection for lineage labeling experiments. Our work further proposes that ubi:Switch and hsp70l:Switch define genomic integration sites suitable for universal transgene or switch reporter knock-in in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Lalonde
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Cassie L Kemmler
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Fréderike W Riemslagh
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Andrew J Aman
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Department of Biology and Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Jelena Kresoja-Rakic
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Hannah R Moran
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Susan Nieuwenhuize
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - David M Parichy
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Department of Biology and Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Alexa Burger
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Christian Mosimann
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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8
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Mattonet K, Riemslagh FW, Guenther S, Prummel KD, Kesavan G, Hans S, Ebersberger I, Brand M, Burger A, Reischauer S, Mosimann C, Stainier DYR. Endothelial versus pronephron fate decision is modulated by the transcription factors Cloche/Npas4l, Tal1, and Lmo2. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn2082. [PMID: 36044573 PMCID: PMC9432843 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn2082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial specification is a key event during embryogenesis; however, when, and how, endothelial cells separate from other lineages is poorly understood. In zebrafish, Npas4l is indispensable for endothelial specification by inducing the expression of the transcription factor genes etsrp, tal1, and lmo2. We generated a knock-in reporter in zebrafish npas4l to visualize endothelial progenitors and their derivatives in wild-type and mutant embryos. Unexpectedly, we find that in npas4l mutants, npas4l reporter-expressing cells contribute to the pronephron tubules. Single-cell transcriptomics and live imaging of the early lateral plate mesoderm in wild-type embryos indeed reveals coexpression of endothelial and pronephron markers, a finding confirmed by creERT2-based lineage tracing. Increased contribution of npas4l reporter-expressing cells to pronephron tubules is also observed in tal1 and lmo2 mutants and is reversed in npas4l mutants injected with tal1 mRNA. Together, these data reveal that Npas4l/Tal1/Lmo2 regulate the fate decision between the endothelial and pronephron lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenny Mattonet
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, 61231, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site, 43, D-61231 Bad Nauheim
- CPI (Cardio Pulmonary Institute), partner site, 43, D-61231 Bad Nauheim
- DZL (German Center for Lung Research), partner site, 43, D-61231 Bad Nauheim
| | - Fréderike W. Riemslagh
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Stefan Guenther
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site, 43, D-61231 Bad Nauheim
- CPI (Cardio Pulmonary Institute), partner site, 43, D-61231 Bad Nauheim
- Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Karin D. Prummel
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Gokul Kesavan
- Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden (CRTD); Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Hans
- Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden (CRTD); Dresden, Germany
| | - Ingo Ebersberger
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Frankfurt 60438, Germany
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center (S-BIKF), Frankfurt 60325, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG), Frankfurt 60325, Germany
| | - Michael Brand
- Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden (CRTD); Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexa Burger
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Sven Reischauer
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, 61231, Germany
- CPI (Cardio Pulmonary Institute), partner site, 43, D-61231 Bad Nauheim
| | - Christian Mosimann
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Didier Y. R. Stainier
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, 61231, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site, 43, D-61231 Bad Nauheim
- CPI (Cardio Pulmonary Institute), partner site, 43, D-61231 Bad Nauheim
- DZL (German Center for Lung Research), partner site, 43, D-61231 Bad Nauheim
- Corresponding author.
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9
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Kalvaitytė M, Balciunas D. Conditional mutagenesis strategies in zebrafish. Trends Genet 2022; 38:856-868. [PMID: 35662532 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Gene disruption or knockout is an essential tool for elucidating gene function. Conditional knockout methodology was developed to further advance these studies by enabling gene disruption at a predefined time and/or in discrete cells. While the conditional knockout method is widely used in the mouse, technical limitations have stifled direct adoption of this methodology in other animal models including the zebrafish. Recent advances in genome editing have enabled engineering of distinct classes of conditional mutants in zebrafish. To further accelerate the development and application of conditional mutants, we will review diverse methods of conditional knockout engineering and discuss the advantages of different conditional alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Darius Balciunas
- Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania; Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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10
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Lin TY, Taniguchi-Sugiura Y, Murawala P, Hermann S, Tanaka EM. Inducible and tissue-specific cell labeling in Cre-ER T2 transgenic Xenopus lines. Dev Growth Differ 2022; 64:243-253. [PMID: 35581155 PMCID: PMC9328194 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Investigating cell lineage requires genetic tools that label cells in a temporal and tissue‐specific manner. The bacteriophage‐derived Cre‐ERT2/loxP system has been developed as a genetic tool for lineage tracing in many organisms. We recently reported a stable transgenic Xenopus line with a Cre‐ERT2/loxP system driven by the mouse Prrx1 (mPrrx1) enhancer to trace limb fibroblasts during the regeneration process (Prrx1:CreER line). Here we describe the detailed technological development and characterization of such line. Transgenic lines carrying a CAG promoter‐driven Cre‐ERT2/loxP system showed conditional labeling of muscle, epidermal, and interstitial cells in both the tadpole tail and the froglet leg upon 4‐hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT) treatment. We further improved the labeling efficiency in the Prrx1:CreER lines from 12.0% to 32.9% using the optimized 4OHT treatment regime. Careful histological examination showed that Prrx1:CreER lines also sparsely labeled cells in the brain, spinal cord, head dermis, and fibroblasts in the tail. This work provides the first demonstration of conditional, tissue‐specific cell labeling with the Cre‐ERT2/loxP system in stable transgenic Xenopus lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzi-Yang Lin
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.,Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yuka Taniguchi-Sugiura
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Prayag Murawala
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.,MDI Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, USA.,Clinic for Kidney and Hypertension Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sarah Hermann
- DFG Research Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elly M Tanaka
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
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11
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Tilley L, Papadopoulos SC, Pende M, Fei JF, Murawala P. The use of transgenics in the laboratory axolotl. Dev Dyn 2022; 251:942-956. [PMID: 33949035 PMCID: PMC8568732 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to generate transgenic animals sparked a wave of research committed to implementing such technology in a wide variety of model organisms. Building a solid base of ubiquitous and tissue-specific reporter lines has set the stage for later interrogations of individual cells or genetic elements. Compared to other widely used model organisms such as mice, zebrafish and fruit flies, there are only a few transgenic lines available in the laboratory axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), although their number is steadily expanding. In this review, we discuss a brief history of the transgenic methodologies in axolotl and their advantages and disadvantages. Next, we discuss available transgenic lines and insights we have been able to glean from them. Finally, we list challenges when developing transgenic axolotl, and where further work is needed in order to improve their standing as both a developmental and regenerative model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Tilley
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL), Salisbury Cove, Maine
| | - Sofia-Christina Papadopoulos
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL), Salisbury Cove, Maine
- Clinic for Kidney and Hypertension Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marko Pende
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL), Salisbury Cove, Maine
| | - Ji-Feng Fei
- Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Prayag Murawala
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL), Salisbury Cove, Maine
- Clinic for Kidney and Hypertension Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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12
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Geurtzen K, López-Delgado AC, Duseja A, Kurzyukova A, Knopf F. Laser-mediated osteoblast ablation triggers a pro-osteogenic inflammatory response regulated by reactive oxygen species and glucocorticoid signaling in zebrafish. Development 2022; 149:275194. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.199803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
In zebrafish, transgenic labeling approaches, robust regenerative responses and excellent in vivo imaging conditions enable precise characterization of immune cell behavior in response to injury. Here, we monitored osteoblast-immune cell interactions in bone, a tissue which is particularly difficult to in vivo image in tetrapod species. Ablation of individual osteoblasts leads to recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages in varying numbers, depending on the extent of the initial insult, and initiates generation of cathepsin K+ osteoclasts from macrophages. Osteoblast ablation triggers the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species, which are needed for successful macrophage recruitment. Excess glucocorticoid signaling as it occurs during the stress response inhibits macrophage recruitment, maximum speed and changes the macrophage phenotype. Although osteoblast loss is compensated for within a day by contribution of committed osteoblasts, macrophages continue to populate the region. Their presence is required for osteoblasts to fill the lesion site. Our model enables visualization of bone repair after microlesions at single-cell resolution and demonstrates a pro-osteogenic function of tissue-resident macrophages in non-mammalian vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Geurtzen
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alejandra Cristina López-Delgado
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ankita Duseja
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Metabolic Bone Centre, Sorby Wing, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield S5 7AU, UK
| | - Anastasia Kurzyukova
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Franziska Knopf
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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13
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Marques IJ, Ernst A, Arora P, Vianin A, Hetke T, Sanz-Morejón A, Naumann U, Odriozola A, Langa X, Andrés-Delgado L, Zuber B, Torroja C, Osterwalder M, Simões FC, Englert C, Mercader N. Wt1 transcription factor impairs cardiomyocyte specification and drives a phenotypic switch from myocardium to epicardium. Development 2022; 149:274789. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
During development, the heart grows by addition of progenitor cells to the poles of the primordial heart tube. In the zebrafish, Wilms tumor 1 transcription factor a (wt1a) and b (wt1b) genes are expressed in the pericardium, at the venous pole of the heart. From this pericardial layer, the proepicardium emerges. Proepicardial cells are subsequently transferred to the myocardial surface and form the epicardium, covering the myocardium. We found that while wt1a and wt1b expression is maintained in proepicardial cells, it is downregulated in pericardial cells that contribute cardiomyocytes to the developing heart. Sustained wt1b expression in cardiomyocytes reduced chromatin accessibility of specific genomic loci. Strikingly, a subset of wt1a- and wt1b-expressing cardiomyocytes changed their cell-adhesion properties, delaminated from the myocardium and upregulated epicardial gene expression. Thus, wt1a and wt1b act as a break for cardiomyocyte differentiation, and ectopic wt1a and wt1b expression in cardiomyocytes can lead to their transdifferentiation into epicardial-like cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines J. Marques
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Ernst
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
| | - Prateek Arora
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
| | - Andrej Vianin
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Hetke
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Andrés Sanz-Morejón
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares CNIC, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Uta Naumann
- Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena 07745, Germany
| | - Adolfo Odriozola
- Department of Microscopic Anatomy and Structural Biology, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Xavier Langa
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | | | - Benoît Zuber
- Department of Microscopic Anatomy and Structural Biology, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Carlos Torroja
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares CNIC, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Marco Osterwalder
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Filipa C. Simões
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Christoph Englert
- Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena 07745, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena 07745, Germany
| | - Nadia Mercader
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern 3008, Switzerland
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares CNIC, Madrid 28029, Spain
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14
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zMADM (zebrafish mosaic analysis with double markers) for single-cell gene knockout and dual-lineage tracing. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2122529119. [PMID: 35197298 PMCID: PMC8892518 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122529119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The transparent body of the larval zebrafish makes it an excellent vertebrate model for studying both developmental and disease processes in real time. However, the difficulty of genetic manipulation of zebrafish has greatly hindered its full power in biological studies. To overcome these hurdles, we establish a genetic system called zebrafish mosaic analysis with double markers (zMADM). zMADM has three unique advantages: First, it can achieve conditional knockout of genes residing on the zMADM-bearing chromosome without the need to generate floxed alleles, which is highly challenging and time consuming in the zebrafish; second, it allows the fate mapping of two sibling lineages; and third, it enables cell autonomous phenotypic analysis at single-cell resolution with sibling wild-type cells as internal control. As a vertebrate model organism, zebrafish has many unique advantages in developmental studies, regenerative biology, and disease modeling. However, tissue-specific gene knockout in zebrafish is challenging due to technical difficulties in making floxed alleles. Even when successful, tissue-level knockout can affect too many cells, making it difficult to distinguish cell autonomous from noncell autonomous gene function. Here, we present a genetic system termed zebrafish mosaic analysis with double markers (zMADM). Through Cre/loxP-mediated interchromosomal mitotic recombination of two reciprocally chimeric fluorescent genes, zMADM generates sporadic (<0.5%), GFP+ mutant cells along with RFP+ sibling wild-type cells, enabling phenotypic analysis at single-cell resolution. Using wild-type zMADM, we traced two sibling cells (GFP+ and RFP+) in real time during a dynamic developmental process. Using nf1 mutant zMADM, we demonstrated an overproliferation phenotype of nf1 mutant cells in comparison to wild-type sibling cells in the same zebrafish. The readiness of zMADM to produce sporadic mutant cells without the need to generate floxed alleles should fundamentally improve the throughput of genetic analysis in zebrafish; the lineage-tracing capability combined with phenotypic analysis at the single-cell level should lead to deep insights into developmental and disease mechanisms. Therefore, we are confident that zMADM will enable groundbreaking discoveries once broadly distributed in the field.
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15
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Chowdhury K, Lin S, Lai SL. Comparative Study in Zebrafish and Medaka Unravels the Mechanisms of Tissue Regeneration. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.783818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue regeneration has been in the spotlight of research for its fascinating nature and potential applications in human diseases. The trait of regenerative capacity occurs diversely across species and tissue contexts, while it seems to decline over evolution. Organisms with variable regenerative capacity are usually distinct in phylogeny, anatomy, and physiology. This phenomenon hinders the feasibility of studying tissue regeneration by directly comparing regenerative with non-regenerative animals, such as zebrafish (Danio rerio) and mice (Mus musculus). Medaka (Oryzias latipes) is a fish model with a complete reference genome and shares a common ancestor with zebrafish approximately 110–200 million years ago (compared to 650 million years with mice). Medaka shares similar features with zebrafish, including size, diet, organ system, gross anatomy, and living environment. However, while zebrafish regenerate almost every organ upon experimental injury, medaka shows uneven regenerative capacity. Their common and distinct biological features make them a unique platform for reciprocal analyses to understand the mechanisms of tissue regeneration. Here we summarize current knowledge about tissue regeneration in these fish models in terms of injured tissues, repairing mechanisms, available materials, and established technologies. We further highlight the concept of inter-species and inter-organ comparisons, which may reveal mechanistic insights and hint at therapeutic strategies for human diseases.
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16
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Carril Pardo CA, Massoz L, Dupont MA, Bergemann D, Bourdouxhe J, Lavergne A, Tarifeño-Saldivia E, Helker CSM, Stainier DYR, Peers B, Voz MM, Manfroid I. A δ-cell subpopulation with a pro-β-cell identity contributes to efficient age-independent recovery in a zebrafish model of diabetes. eLife 2022; 11:e67576. [PMID: 35060900 PMCID: PMC8820734 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Restoring damaged β-cells in diabetic patients by harnessing the plasticity of other pancreatic cells raises the questions of the efficiency of the process and of the functionality of the new Insulin-expressing cells. To overcome the weak regenerative capacity of mammals, we used regeneration-prone zebrafish to study β-cells arising following destruction. We show that most new insulin cells differ from the original β-cells as they coexpress Somatostatin and Insulin. These bihormonal cells are abundant, functional and able to normalize glycemia. Their formation in response to β-cell destruction is fast, efficient, and age-independent. Bihormonal cells are transcriptionally close to a subset of δ-cells that we identified in control islets and that are characterized by the expression of somatostatin 1.1 (sst1.1) and by genes essential for glucose-induced Insulin secretion in β-cells such as pdx1, slc2a2 and gck. We observed in vivo the conversion of monohormonal sst1.1-expressing cells to sst1.1+ ins + bihormonal cells following β-cell destruction. Our findings support the conclusion that sst1.1 δ-cells possess a pro-β identity enabling them to contribute to the neogenesis of Insulin-producing cells during regeneration. This work unveils that abundant and functional bihormonal cells benefit to diabetes recovery in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Massoz
- Zebrafish Development and Disease Models laboratory, GIGA-Stem Cells, University of LiègeLiègeBelgium
| | - Marie A Dupont
- Zebrafish Development and Disease Models laboratory, GIGA-Stem Cells, University of LiègeLiègeBelgium
| | - David Bergemann
- Zebrafish Development and Disease Models laboratory, GIGA-Stem Cells, University of LiègeLiègeBelgium
| | - Jordane Bourdouxhe
- Zebrafish Development and Disease Models laboratory, GIGA-Stem Cells, University of LiègeLiègeBelgium
| | - Arnaud Lavergne
- Zebrafish Development and Disease Models laboratory, GIGA-Stem Cells, University of LiègeLiègeBelgium
- GIGA-Genomics core facility, University of LiègeLiègeBelgium
| | - Estefania Tarifeño-Saldivia
- Zebrafish Development and Disease Models laboratory, GIGA-Stem Cells, University of LiègeLiègeBelgium
- Gene Expression and Regulation Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of ConcepciónConcepciónChile
| | - Christian SM Helker
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung ResearchBad NauheimGermany
| | - Didier YR Stainier
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung ResearchBad NauheimGermany
| | - Bernard Peers
- Zebrafish Development and Disease Models laboratory, GIGA-Stem Cells, University of LiègeLiègeBelgium
| | - Marianne M Voz
- Zebrafish Development and Disease Models laboratory, GIGA-Stem Cells, University of LiègeLiègeBelgium
| | - Isabelle Manfroid
- Zebrafish Development and Disease Models laboratory, GIGA-Stem Cells, University of LiègeLiègeBelgium
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17
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Vandestadt C, Vanwalleghem GC, Khabooshan MA, Douek AM, Castillo HA, Li M, Schulze K, Don E, Stamatis SA, Ratnadiwakara M, Änkö ML, Scott EK, Kaslin J. RNA-induced inflammation and migration of precursor neurons initiates neuronal circuit regeneration in zebrafish. Dev Cell 2021; 56:2364-2380.e8. [PMID: 34428400 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Tissue regeneration and functional restoration after injury are considered as stem- and progenitor-cell-driven processes. In the central nervous system, stem cell-driven repair is slow and problematic because function needs to be restored rapidly for vital tasks. In highly regenerative vertebrates, such as zebrafish, functional recovery is rapid, suggesting a capability for fast cell production and functional integration. Surprisingly, we found that migration of dormant "precursor neurons" to the injury site pioneers functional circuit regeneration after spinal cord injury and controls the subsequent stem-cell-driven repair response. Thus, the precursor neurons make do before the stem cells make new. Furthermore, RNA released from the dying or damaged cells at the site of injury acts as a signal to attract precursor neurons for repair. Taken together, our data demonstrate an unanticipated role of neuronal migration and RNA as drivers of neural repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Vandestadt
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Gilles C Vanwalleghem
- The Queensland Brain Institute, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Mitra Amiri Khabooshan
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Alon M Douek
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Hozana Andrade Castillo
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton VIC, 3800, Australia; Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Centre for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas CEP 13083-100, Brazil
| | - Mei Li
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Keith Schulze
- Monash Micro Imaging, Monash University, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Emily Don
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW 2109, Australia
| | | | - Madara Ratnadiwakara
- Centre for Reproductive Health and Center for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Minna-Liisa Änkö
- Centre for Reproductive Health and Center for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Ethan K Scott
- The Queensland Brain Institute, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Jan Kaslin
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton VIC, 3800, Australia.
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18
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Giong HK, Subramanian M, Yu K, Lee JS. Non-Rodent Genetic Animal Models for Studying Tauopathy: Review of Drosophila, Zebrafish, and C. elegans Models. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8465. [PMID: 34445171 PMCID: PMC8395099 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathy refers to a group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal lobar degeneration and Alzheimer's disease, which correlate with the malfunction of microtubule-associated protein Tau (MAPT) due to abnormal hyperphosphorylation, leading to the formation of intracellular aggregates in the brain. Despite extensive efforts to understand tauopathy and develop an efficient therapy, our knowledge is still far from complete. To find a solution for this group of devastating diseases, several animal models that mimic diverse disease phenotypes of tauopathy have been developed. Rodents are the dominating tauopathy models because of their similarity to humans and established disease lines, as well as experimental approaches. However, powerful genetic animal models using Drosophila, zebrafish, and C. elegans have also been developed for modeling tauopathy and have contributed to understanding the pathophysiology of tauopathy. The success of these models stems from the short lifespans, versatile genetic tools, real-time in-vivo imaging, low maintenance costs, and the capability for high-throughput screening. In this review, we summarize the main findings on mechanisms of tauopathy and discuss the current tauopathy models of these non-rodent genetic animals, highlighting their key advantages and limitations in tauopathy research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi-Khoanh Giong
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, KRIBB, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea; (H.-K.G.); (M.S.)
- KRIBB School, University of Science and Technology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Dementia DTC R&D Convergence Program, KIST, Hwarang-ro 14 gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Manivannan Subramanian
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, KRIBB, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea; (H.-K.G.); (M.S.)
- Dementia DTC R&D Convergence Program, KIST, Hwarang-ro 14 gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Kweon Yu
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, KRIBB, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea; (H.-K.G.); (M.S.)
- KRIBB School, University of Science and Technology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Dementia DTC R&D Convergence Program, KIST, Hwarang-ro 14 gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Jeong-Soo Lee
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, KRIBB, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea; (H.-K.G.); (M.S.)
- KRIBB School, University of Science and Technology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Dementia DTC R&D Convergence Program, KIST, Hwarang-ro 14 gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Korea
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19
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Nishizaki SS, McDonald TL, Farnum GA, Holmes MJ, Drexel ML, Switzenberg JA, Boyle AP. The Inducible lac Operator-Repressor System Is Functional in Zebrafish Cells. Front Genet 2021; 12:683394. [PMID: 34220959 PMCID: PMC8249864 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.683394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Zebrafish are a foundational model organism for studying the spatio-temporal activity of genes and their regulatory sequences. A variety of approaches are currently available for editing genes and modifying gene expression in zebrafish, including RNAi, Cre/lox, and CRISPR-Cas9. However, the lac operator-repressor system, an E. coli lac operon component which has been adapted for use in many other species and is a valuable, flexible tool for inducible modulation of gene expression studies, has not been previously tested in zebrafish. Results Here we demonstrate that the lac operator-repressor system robustly decreases expression of firefly luciferase in cultured zebrafish fibroblast cells. Our work establishes the lac operator-repressor system as a promising tool for the manipulation of gene expression in whole zebrafish. Conclusion Our results lay the groundwork for the development of lac-based reporter assays in zebrafish, and adds to the tools available for investigating dynamic gene expression in embryogenesis. We believe this work will catalyze the development of new reporter assay systems to investigate uncharacterized regulatory elements and their cell-type specific activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra S Nishizaki
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Torrin L McDonald
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Gregory A Farnum
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Monica J Holmes
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Melissa L Drexel
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jessica A Switzenberg
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Alan P Boyle
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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20
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Miyake M, Sekine M, Suzuki T, Yokoi H. Visualization of Sox10-positive chromatoblasts by GFP fluorescence in flounder larvae and juveniles using electroporation. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2021; 336:393-403. [PMID: 33900043 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Japanese flounder are left-right asymmetrical, with features, such as dark, ocular-side specific pigmentation. This pigmentation arises during metamorphic stages, along with the asymmetric differentiation of adult-type chromatophores. Additionally, among juveniles, tank-reared specimens commonly show ectopic pigmentation on their blind sides. In both cases, neural crest-derived Sox10-positive progenitor cells at the dorsal fin base are hypothesized to contribute to chromatophore development. Here, we developed a method to visualize Sox10-positive cells via green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorescence to directly monitor their migration and differentiation into chromatophores in vivo. Electroporation was applied to introduce GFP reporter vectors into the dorsal fin base of larvae and juveniles. Cre-loxP system vectors were also tested to enable cell labeling even after a decrease in sox10 expression levels. In larvae, undifferentiated Sox10-positive progenitor cells were labeled in the dorsal fin base, whereas newly differentiated adult-type chromatophores were seen dispersed on the ocular side. In juveniles, Sox10-positive cells were identified in the connective tissue of the dorsal fin base and observed prominently in areas of ectopic pigmentation, including several labeled melanophores. Thus, it was suggested that during metamorphic stages, Sox10-positive cells at the dorsal fin base contribute to adult-type chromatophore development, whereas in juveniles, they persist as precursors in the connective tissue, which in response to stimuli migrate to generate ectopic pigmentation. These findings contribute to elucidating pigmentation mechanisms, as well as abnormalities seen in hatchery-reared flounders. The electroporation method may be adapted to diverse animals as an accessible gene transfer method in various research fields, including developmental and biomedical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minato Miyake
- Laboratory of Marine Life Science and Genetics, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Michiharu Sekine
- Laboratory of Marine Life Science and Genetics, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tohru Suzuki
- Laboratory of Marine Life Science and Genetics, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hayato Yokoi
- Laboratory of Marine Life Science and Genetics, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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21
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Wang Y, Hsu AY, Walton EM, Park SJ, Syahirah R, Wang T, Zhou W, Ding C, Lemke AP, Zhang G, Tobin DM, Deng Q. A robust and flexible CRISPR/Cas9-based system for neutrophil-specific gene inactivation in zebrafish. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:237799. [PMID: 33722979 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9-based tissue-specific knockout techniques are essential for probing the functions of genes in embryonic development and disease using zebrafish. However, the lack of capacity to perform gene-specific rescue or live imaging in the tissue-specific knockout background has limited the utility of this approach. Here, we report a robust and flexible gateway system for tissue-specific gene inactivation in neutrophils. Using a transgenic fish line with neutrophil-restricted expression of Cas9 and ubiquitous expression of single guide (sg)RNAs targeting rac2, specific disruption of the rac2 gene in neutrophils is achieved. Transient expression of sgRNAs targeting rac2 or cdk2 in the neutrophil-restricted Cas9 line also results in significantly decreased cell motility. Re-expressing sgRNA-resistant rac2 or cdk2 genes restores neutrophil motility in the corresponding knockout background. Moreover, active Rac and force-bearing F-actins localize to both the cell front and the contracting tail during neutrophil interstitial migration in an oscillating fashion that is disrupted when rac2 is knocked out. Together, our work provides a potent tool that can be used to advance the utility of zebrafish in identifying and characterizing gene functions in a tissue-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyang Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Alan Y Hsu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Eric M Walton
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, and Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sung Jun Park
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Ramizah Syahirah
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Tianqi Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Wenqing Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Chang Ding
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Abby Pei Lemke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - GuangJun Zhang
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.,Purdue Institute for Inflammation, Immunology, & Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.,Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.,Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - David M Tobin
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, and Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Qing Deng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.,Purdue Institute for Inflammation, Immunology, & Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.,Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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22
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Persistent Ventricle Partitioning in the Adult Zebrafish Heart. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:jcdd8040041. [PMID: 33918756 PMCID: PMC8070482 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8040041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate heart integrates cells from the early-differentiating first heart field (FHF) and the later-differentiating second heart field (SHF), both emerging from the lateral plate mesoderm. In mammals, this process forms the basis for the development of the left and right ventricle chambers and subsequent chamber septation. The single ventricle-forming zebrafish heart also integrates FHF and SHF lineages during embryogenesis, yet the contributions of these two myocardial lineages to the adult zebrafish heart remain incompletely understood. Here, we characterize the myocardial labeling of FHF descendants in both the developing and adult zebrafish ventricle. Expanding previous findings, late gastrulation-stage labeling using drl-driven CreERT2 recombinase with a myocardium-specific, myl7-controlled, loxP reporter results in the predominant labeling of FHF-derived outer curvature and the right side of the embryonic ventricle. Raised to adulthood, such lineage-labeled hearts retain broad areas of FHF cardiomyocytes in a region of the ventricle that is positioned at the opposite side to the atrium and encompasses the apex. Our data add to the increasing evidence for a persisting cell-based compartmentalization of the adult zebrafish ventricle even in the absence of any physical boundary.
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23
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Kemmler CL, Riemslagh FW, Moran HR, Mosimann C. From Stripes to a Beating Heart: Early Cardiac Development in Zebrafish. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:17. [PMID: 33578943 PMCID: PMC7916704 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8020017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The heart is the first functional organ to form during vertebrate development. Congenital heart defects are the most common type of human birth defect, many originating as anomalies in early heart development. The zebrafish model provides an accessible vertebrate system to study early heart morphogenesis and to gain new insights into the mechanisms of congenital disease. Although composed of only two chambers compared with the four-chambered mammalian heart, the zebrafish heart integrates the core processes and cellular lineages central to cardiac development across vertebrates. The rapid, translucent development of zebrafish is amenable to in vivo imaging and genetic lineage tracing techniques, providing versatile tools to study heart field migration and myocardial progenitor addition and differentiation. Combining transgenic reporters with rapid genome engineering via CRISPR-Cas9 allows for functional testing of candidate genes associated with congenital heart defects and the discovery of molecular causes leading to observed phenotypes. Here, we summarize key insights gained through zebrafish studies into the early patterning of uncommitted lateral plate mesoderm into cardiac progenitors and their regulation. We review the central genetic mechanisms, available tools, and approaches for modeling congenital heart anomalies in the zebrafish as a representative vertebrate model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Christian Mosimann
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (C.L.K.); (F.W.R.); (H.R.M.)
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24
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Almeida MP, Welker JM, Siddiqui S, Luiken J, Ekker SC, Clark KJ, Essner JJ, McGrail M. Endogenous zebrafish proneural Cre drivers generated by CRISPR/Cas9 short homology directed targeted integration. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1732. [PMID: 33462297 PMCID: PMC7813866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81239-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously reported efficient precision targeted integration of reporter DNA in zebrafish and human cells using CRISPR/Cas9 and short regions of homology. Here, we apply this strategy to isolate zebrafish Cre recombinase drivers whose spatial and temporal restricted expression mimics endogenous genes. A 2A-Cre recombinase transgene with 48 bp homology arms was targeted into proneural genes ascl1b, olig2 and neurod1. We observed high rates of germline transmission ranging from 10 to 100% (2/20 olig2; 1/5 neurod1; 3/3 ascl1b). The transgenic lines Tg(ascl1b-2A-Cre)is75, Tg(olig2-2A-Cre)is76, and Tg(neurod1-2A-Cre)is77 expressed functional Cre recombinase in the expected proneural cell populations. Somatic targeting of 2A-CreERT2 into neurod1 resulted in tamoxifen responsive recombination in the nervous system. The results demonstrate Cre recombinase expression is driven by the native promoter and regulatory elements of the targeted genes. This approach provides a straightforward, efficient, and cost-effective method to generate cell type specific zebrafish Cre and CreERT2 drivers, overcoming challenges associated with promoter-BAC and transposon mediated transgenics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maira P Almeida
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.,Genetics and Genomics Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Jordan M Welker
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.,Genetics and Genomics Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.,Department III - Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Sahiba Siddiqui
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.,Genetics and Genomics Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Jon Luiken
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Stephen C Ekker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Karl J Clark
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Essner
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.,Genetics and Genomics Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Maura McGrail
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA. .,Genetics and Genomics Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
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25
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Tsata V, Möllmert S, Schweitzer C, Kolb J, Möckel C, Böhm B, Rosso G, Lange C, Lesche M, Hammer J, Kesavan G, Beis D, Guck J, Brand M, Wehner D. A switch in pdgfrb + cell-derived ECM composition prevents inhibitory scarring and promotes axon regeneration in the zebrafish spinal cord. Dev Cell 2021; 56:509-524.e9. [PMID: 33412105 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, perivascular cell-derived scarring after spinal cord injury impedes axonal regrowth. In contrast, the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the spinal lesion site of zebrafish is permissive and required for axon regeneration. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying this interspecies difference have not been investigated. Here, we show that an injury to the zebrafish spinal cord triggers recruitment of pdgfrb+ myoseptal and perivascular cells in a PDGFR signaling-dependent manner. Interference with pdgfrb+ cell recruitment or depletion of pdgfrb+ cells inhibits axonal regrowth and recovery of locomotor function. Transcriptional profiling and functional experiments reveal that pdgfrb+ cells upregulate expression of axon growth-promoting ECM genes (cthrc1a and col12a1a/b) and concomitantly reduce synthesis of matrix molecules that are detrimental to regeneration (lum and mfap2). Our data demonstrate that a switch in ECM composition is critical for axon regeneration after spinal cord injury and identify the cellular source and components of the growth-promoting lesion ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Tsata
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Developmental Biology, Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Stephanie Möllmert
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christine Schweitzer
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julia Kolb
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Conrad Möckel
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Böhm
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gonzalo Rosso
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Lange
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Mathias Lesche
- DRESDEN-concept Genome Center c/o Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Juliane Hammer
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Gokul Kesavan
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dimitris Beis
- Developmental Biology, Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Jochen Guck
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Brand
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Daniel Wehner
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
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26
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Mokhtar DM. Patterns of Organization of Cerebellum and Spinal Cord of the Red-Tail Shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor): Histological, Morphometrical, and Immunohistochemical Studies. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2020; 26:1255-1263. [PMID: 33050970 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927620024563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Teleosts exhibit enormous heterogeneity in brain morphology, especially in the patterns of the organization of cerebellum. The cerebellum of a red-tail shark that we analyzed was well-developed and included three main divisions: the valvula cerebelli, the corpus cerebelli, and the vestibulolateral lobe. Characteristically, the cerebellar cortex contained three well-distinct layers: an outer molecular, intermediate ganglionic, and inner granular layer. The ganglionic layer possessed irregularly arranged Purkinje cells and eurydendroid cells that extended their processes into the molecular layer. Both Purkinje cells and eurydendroid cells showed immunoreactivity for iNOS2. Moreover, astrocytes in the cerebellum showed the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein. The most striking observation in the cerebellum of shark was the lack of deep cerebellar nuclei and a well-identified white matter. On the other hand, the gray substance in the spinal cord displays a characteristic pattern in its organization, in which the dorsal horns lie quite close together, giving the gray substance the shape of an inverted Y and possessing large neurons. Notably, the white matter possessed myelinated nerve fibers. The current study provides the first report on the organization of layers and neurons in the cerebellum and spinal cord of red-tail shark. This research will contribute to the neuroanatomy and evolutionary studies of the brain of Cyprinidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doaa M Mokhtar
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut71526, Egypt
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27
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DeSimone AM, Cohen J, Lek M, Lek A. Cellular and animal models for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm046904. [PMID: 33174531 PMCID: PMC7648604 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.046904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy and presents with weakness of the facial, scapular and humeral muscles, which frequently progresses to the lower limbs and truncal areas, causing profound disability. Myopathy results from epigenetic de-repression of the D4Z4 microsatellite repeat array on chromosome 4, which allows misexpression of the developmentally regulated DUX4 gene. DUX4 is toxic when misexpressed in skeletal muscle and disrupts several cellular pathways, including myogenic differentiation and fusion, which likely underpins pathology. DUX4 and the D4Z4 array are strongly conserved only in primates, making FSHD modeling in non-primate animals difficult. Additionally, its cytotoxicity and unusual mosaic expression pattern further complicate the generation of in vitro and in vivo models of FSHD. However, the pressing need to develop systems to test therapeutic approaches has led to the creation of multiple engineered FSHD models. Owing to the complex genetic, epigenetic and molecular factors underlying FSHD, it is difficult to engineer a system that accurately recapitulates every aspect of the human disease. Nevertheless, the past several years have seen the development of many new disease models, each with their own associated strengths that emphasize different aspects of the disease. Here, we review the wide range of FSHD models, including several in vitro cellular models, and an array of transgenic and xenograft in vivo models, with particular attention to newly developed systems and how they are being used to deepen our understanding of FSHD pathology and to test the efficacy of drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec M DeSimone
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Justin Cohen
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Monkol Lek
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Angela Lek
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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28
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Xing Y, Steele HR, Hilley HB, Zhu Y, Lawson K, Niehoff T, Han L. Visualizing the Itch-Sensing Skin Arbors. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 141:1308-1316. [PMID: 33091423 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Diverse sensory neurons exhibit distinct neuronal morphologies with a variety of axon terminal arborizations subserving their functions. Because of its clinical significance, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of itch are being intensely studied. However, a complete analysis of itch-sensing terminal arborization is missing. Using an MrgprC11CreERT2 transgenic mouse line, we labeled a small subset of itch-sensing neurons that express multiple itch-related molecules including MrgprA3, MrgprC11, histamine receptor H1, IL-31 receptor, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1F, natriuretic precursor peptide B, and neuromedin B. By combining sparse genetic labeling and whole-mount placental alkaline phosphatase histochemistry, we found that itch-sensing skin arbors exhibit free endings with extensive axonal branching in the superficial epidermis and large receptive fields. These results revealed the unique morphological characteristics of itch-sensing neurons and provide intriguing insights into the basic mechanisms of itch transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Xing
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Haley R Steele
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Henry B Hilley
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yuyan Zhu
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Katy Lawson
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Taylor Niehoff
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Liang Han
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
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29
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Cadiz L, Jonz MG. A comparative perspective on lung and gill regeneration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 223:223/19/jeb226076. [PMID: 33037099 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.226076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The ability to continuously grow and regenerate the gills throughout life is a remarkable property of fish and amphibians. Considering that gill regeneration was first described over one century ago, it is surprising that the underlying mechanisms of cell and tissue replacement in the gills remain poorly understood. By contrast, the mammalian lung is a largely quiescent organ in adults but is capable of facultative regeneration following injury. In the course of the past decade, it has been recognized that lungs contain a population of stem or progenitor cells with an extensive ability to restore tissue; however, despite recent advances in regenerative biology of the lung, the signaling pathways that underlie regeneration are poorly understood. In this Review, we discuss the common evolutionary and embryological origins shared by gills and mammalian lungs. These are evident in homologies in tissue structure, cell populations, cellular function and genetic pathways. An integration of the literature on gill and lung regeneration in vertebrates is presented using a comparative approach in order to outline the challenges that remain in these areas, and to highlight the importance of using aquatic vertebrates as model organisms. The study of gill regeneration in fish and amphibians, which have a high regenerative potential and for which genetic tools are widely available, represents a unique opportunity to uncover common signaling mechanisms that may be important for regeneration of respiratory organs in all vertebrates. This may lead to new advances in tissue repair following lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cadiz
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie Pvt., Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1N 6N5
| | - Michael G Jonz
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie Pvt., Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1N 6N5
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30
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Ding Y, Lei L, Lai C, Tang Z. Tau Protein and Zebrafish Models for Tau-Induced Neurodegeneration. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 69:339-353. [PMID: 31006683 DOI: 10.3233/jad-180917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Tauopathies are a specific type of slow and progressive neurodegeneration, which involves intracellular deposition of fibrillar material composed of abnormal hyperphosphorylation of the microtubule associated protein (MAP) tau. Despite many years of intensive research, our understanding of the molecular events that lead to neurodegeneration is far from complete. No effective therapeutic treatments have been defined, and questions surround the validity and utility of existing animal models. It is an urgent need to develop a novel animal model to study the underlying neurodegenerative mechanisms of tauopathies. Zebrafish models of tauopathies could complement existing models by providing an in vivo platform for genetic and chemical screens in order to identify new therapeutic targets and compounds, meanwhile zebrafish models have permitted discovery of unique characteristics of these genes that could have been difficultly observed in other models. Novel transgenic zebrafish models expressing wild-type or mutant forms of human 4R-tau in neurons have recently been reported. These studies show disease-relevant changes including tau hyperphosphorylation, aggregation and somato-dendritic relocalization. This review highlights the availability of transgenic tau zebrafish models that allow more detailed biochemical studies of tau in the zebrafish CNS to characterize solubility, fibril morphology and further clarify phosphorylation proceedings. Furthermore, a deeper knowledge of the zebrafish brain and a better characterization of tau caused by alterations in neurodegenerative disorders are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanting Ding
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Lijuan Lei
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Chencen Lai
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Zhi Tang
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
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31
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Schwarzer S, Asokan N, Bludau O, Chae J, Kuscha V, Kaslin J, Hans S. Neurogenesis in the inner ear: the zebrafish statoacoustic ganglion provides new neurons from a Neurod/Nestin-positive progenitor pool well into adulthood. Development 2020; 147:dev.176750. [PMID: 32165493 DOI: 10.1242/dev.176750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The vertebrate inner ear employs sensory hair cells and neurons to mediate hearing and balance. In mammals, damaged hair cells and neurons are not regenerated. In contrast, hair cells in the inner ear of zebrafish are produced throughout life and regenerate after trauma. However, it is unknown whether new sensory neurons are also formed in the adult zebrafish statoacoustic ganglion (SAG), the sensory ganglion connecting the inner ear to the brain. Using transgenic lines and marker analysis, we identify distinct cell populations and anatomical landmarks in the juvenile and adult SAG. In particular, we analyze a Neurod/Nestin-positive progenitor pool that produces large amounts of new neurons at juvenile stages, which transitions to a quiescent state in the adult SAG. Moreover, BrdU pulse chase experiments reveal the existence of a proliferative but otherwise marker-negative cell population that replenishes the Neurod/Nestin-positive progenitor pool at adult stages. Taken together, our study represents the first comprehensive characterization of the adult zebrafish SAG showing that zebrafish, in sharp contrast to mammals, display continued neurogenesis in the SAG well beyond embryonic and larval stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Schwarzer
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Cluster of Excellence, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nandini Asokan
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Cluster of Excellence, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Oliver Bludau
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Cluster of Excellence, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jeongeun Chae
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Cluster of Excellence, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Veronika Kuscha
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Cluster of Excellence, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan Kaslin
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Cluster of Excellence, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Hans
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Cluster of Excellence, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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32
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Nakayama J, Lu JW, Makinoshima H, Gong Z. A Novel Zebrafish Model of Metastasis Identifies the HSD11β1 Inhibitor Adrenosterone as a Suppressor of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Metastatic Dissemination. Mol Cancer Res 2019; 18:477-487. [PMID: 31748280 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-0759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis of cancer cells is multi-step process and dissemination is an initial step. Here we report a tamoxifen-controllable Twist1a-ERT2 transgenic zebrafish line as a new animal model for metastasis research, and demonstrate that this model can serve as a novel platform for discovery of antimetastasis drugs targeting metastatic dissemination of cancer cells. By crossing Twist1a-ERT2 with xmrk (a homolog of hyperactive form of EGFR) transgenic zebrafish, which develops hepatocellular carcinoma, approximately 80% of the double transgenic zebrafish showed spontaneous cell dissemination of mCherry-labeled hepatocytes from the liver to the entire abdomen region and the tail region. The dissemination is accomplished in 5 days through induction of an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Using this model, we conducted in vivo drug screening and identified three hit drugs. One of them, adrenosterone, an inhibitor for hydroxysteroid (11-beta) dehydrogenase 1 (HSD11β1), has a suppressor effect on cell dissemination in this model. Pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of HSD11β1 suppressed metastatic dissemination of highly metastatic human cell lines in a zebrafish xenotransplantation model. Through downregulation of Snail and Slug, adrenosterone-treated cells recovered expression of E-cadherin and other epithelial markers and lost partial expression of mesenchymal markers compared with vehicle-treated cells. Taken together, our model offers a useful platform for the discovery of antimetastasis drugs targeting metastatic dissemination of cancer cells. IMPLICATIONS: This study describes a transgenic zebrafish model for liver tumor metastasis and it has been successfully used for identification of some drugs to inhibit metastatic dissemination of human cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joji Nakayama
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Japan
- Shonai Regional Industry Promotion Center, Tsuruoka, Japan
| | - Jeng-Wei Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hideki Makinoshima
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Japan
- Division of Translational Research, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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33
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Li Y, Agrawal I, Gong Z. Reversion of tumor hepatocytes to normal hepatocytes during liver tumor regression in an oncogene-expressing transgenic zebrafish model. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm039578. [PMID: 31515263 PMCID: PMC6826027 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.039578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors are frequently dependent on primary oncogenes to maintain their malignant properties (known as 'oncogene addiction'). We have previously established several inducible hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) models in zebrafish by transgenic expression of an oncogene. These tumor models are strongly oncogene addicted, as the induced and histologically proven liver tumors regress after suppression of oncogene expression by removal of a chemical inducer. However, the question of whether the liver tumor cells are eliminated or revert to normal cells remains unanswered. In the present study, we generated a novel Cre/loxP transgenic zebrafish line, Tg(fabp10: loxP-EGFP-stop-loxP-DsRed; TRE: CreERT2) (abbreviated to CreER), in order to trace tumor cell lineage during tumor regression after crossing with the xmrk (activated EGFR homolog) oncogene transgenic line, Tg(fabp10: rtTA; TRE: xmrk; krt4: EGFP) We found that, during HCC regression, restored normal liver contained both reverted tumor hepatocytes (RFP+) and newly differentiated hepatocytes (GFP+). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses of the RFP+ and GFP+ hepatocyte populations after tumor regression confirmed the conversion of tumor cells to normal hepatocytes, as most of the genes and pathways that were deregulated in the tumor stages were found to have normal regulation in the tumor-reverted hepatocytes. Thus, our lineage-tracing studies demonstrated the potential for transformed tumor cells to revert to normal cells after suppression of expression of a primary oncogene. This observation may provide a basis for the development of a therapeutic approach targeting addicted oncogenes or oncogenic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Ira Agrawal
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
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34
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Marques IJ, Lupi E, Mercader N. Model systems for regeneration: zebrafish. Development 2019; 146:146/18/dev167692. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.167692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Tissue damage can resolve completely through healing and regeneration, or can produce permanent scarring and loss of function. The response to tissue damage varies across tissues and between species. Determining the natural mechanisms behind regeneration in model organisms that regenerate well can help us develop strategies for tissue recovery in species with poor regenerative capacity (such as humans). The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is one of the most accessible vertebrate models to study regeneration. In this Primer, we highlight the tools available to study regeneration in the zebrafish, provide an overview of the mechanisms underlying regeneration in this system and discuss future perspectives for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines J. Marques
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Eleonora Lupi
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
- Acquifer, Ditabis, Digital Biomedical Imaging Systems, Pforzheim, Germany
| | - Nadia Mercader
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares CNIC, Madrid 2029, Spain
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35
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Pakula A, Lek A, Widrick J, Mitsuhashi H, Bugda Gwilt KM, Gupta VA, Rahimov F, Criscione J, Zhang Y, Gibbs D, Murphy Q, Manglik A, Mead L, Kunkel L. Transgenic zebrafish model of DUX4 misexpression reveals a developmental role in FSHD pathogenesis. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:320-331. [PMID: 30307508 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy type 1 (FSHD-1) is the most common autosomal dominant form of muscular dystrophy with a prevalence of ∼1 in 8000 individuals. It is considered a late-onset form of muscular dystrophy and leads to asymmetric muscle weakness in the facial, scapular, trunk and lower extremities. The prevalent hypothesis on disease pathogenesis is explained by misexpression of a germ line, primate-specific transcription factor DUX4-fl (double homeobox 4, full-length isoform) linked to the chromosome 4q35. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that very low levels of DUX4-fl expression are sufficient to induce an apoptotic and/or lethal phenotype, and therefore modeling of the disease has proved challenging. In this study, we expand upon our previously established injection model of DUX4 misexpression in zebrafish and describe a DUX4-inducible transgenic zebrafish model that better recapitulates the expression pattern and late onset phenotype characteristic of FSHD patients. We show that an induced burst of DUX4 expression during early development results in the onset of FSHD-like phenotypes in adulthood, even when DUX4 is no longer detectable. We also utilize our injection model to study long-term consequences of DUX4 expression in those that fail to show a developmental phenotype. Herein, we introduce a hypothesis that DUX4 expression during developmental stages is sufficient to induce FSHD-like phenotypes in later adulthood. Our findings point to a developmental role of DUX4 misexpression in the pathogenesis of FSHD and should be factored into the design of future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pakula
- Division of Genetics and Genomics,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Angela Lek
- Division of Genetics and Genomics,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Vic, Australia
| | - Jeffrey Widrick
- Division of Genetics and Genomics,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hiroaki Mitsuhashi
- Division of Genetics and Genomics,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katlynn M Bugda Gwilt
- Division of Genetics and Genomics,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vandana A Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fedik Rahimov
- Division of Genetics and Genomics,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - June Criscione
- Division of Genetics and Genomics,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuanfan Zhang
- Division of Genetics and Genomics,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Devin Gibbs
- Division of Genetics and Genomics,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Quinn Murphy
- Division of Genetics and Genomics,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anusha Manglik
- Division of Genetics and Genomics,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lillian Mead
- Division of Genetics and Genomics,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Louis Kunkel
- Division of Genetics and Genomics,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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36
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Pitchai A, Rajaretinam RK, Freeman JL. Zebrafish as an Emerging Model for Bioassay-Guided Natural Product Drug Discovery for Neurological Disorders. MEDICINES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 6:E61. [PMID: 31151179 PMCID: PMC6631710 DOI: 10.3390/medicines6020061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Most neurodegenerative diseases are currently incurable, with large social and economic impacts. Recently, there has been renewed interest in investigating natural products in the modern drug discovery paradigm as novel, bioactive small molecules. Moreover, the discovery of potential therapies for neurological disorders is challenging and involves developing optimized animal models for drug screening. In contemporary biomedicine, the growing need to develop experimental models to obtain a detailed understanding of malady conditions and to portray pioneering treatments has resulted in the application of zebrafish to close the gap between in vitro and in vivo assays. Zebrafish in pharmacogenetics and neuropharmacology are rapidly becoming a widely used organism. Brain function, dysfunction, genetic, and pharmacological modulation considerations are enhanced by both larval and adult zebrafish. Bioassay-guided identification of natural products using zebrafish presents as an attractive strategy for generating new lead compounds. Here, we see evidence that the zebrafish's central nervous system is suitable for modeling human neurological disease and we review and evaluate natural product research using zebrafish as a vertebrate model platform to systematically identify bioactive natural products. Finally, we review recently developed zebrafish models of neurological disorders that have the potential to be applied in this field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Pitchai
- Molecular and Nanomedicine Research Unit (MNRU), Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CNSNT), Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai 600119, Tamil Nadu, India.
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Rajesh Kannan Rajaretinam
- Molecular and Nanomedicine Research Unit (MNRU), Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CNSNT), Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai 600119, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Jennifer L Freeman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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37
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Brown W, Deiters A. Light-activation of Cre recombinase in zebrafish embryos through genetic code expansion. Methods Enzymol 2019; 624:265-281. [PMID: 31370934 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cre recombinase-mediated DNA recombination is an established method for conditional control of gene expression in animal models. Regulation of its activity has been accomplished to impart spatial and/or temporal control over recombination of the target gene. In this chapter, optical control of Cre recombinase in developing zebrafish embryos through genetic code expansion is discussed. This method takes advantage of an evolved aminoacyl tRNA synthetase and tRNA pair that can incorporate an unnatural amino acid (UAA) into proteins in response to an amber stop codon (TAG). Genetic code expansion is used to replace a lysine residue critical to Cre recombinase function with a photocaged analogue of lysine, successfully blocking DNA recombination until irradiation with 405nm light. Use of optically controlled Cre recombinase for cell-lineage tracing experiments in zebrafish embryos is highlighted, demonstrating the ability to target small populations of cells at different developmental time points for recombination. Optically controlled Cre recombinase showed no background activity and precise activation upon irradiation, making it a useful new tool for studying development and disease in the zebrafish embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wes Brown
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Alexander Deiters
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
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38
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Vaz R, Hofmeister W, Lindstrand A. Zebrafish Models of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Limitations and Benefits of Current Tools and Techniques. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061296. [PMID: 30875831 PMCID: PMC6471844 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For the past few years there has been an exponential increase in the use of animal models to confirm the pathogenicity of candidate disease-causing genetic variants found in patients. One such animal model is the zebrafish. Despite being a non-mammalian animal, the zebrafish model has proven its potential in recapitulating the phenotypes of many different human genetic disorders. This review will focus on recent advances in the modeling of neurodevelopmental disorders in zebrafish, covering aspects from early brain development to techniques used for modulating gene expression, as well as how to best characterize the resulting phenotypes. We also review other existing models of neurodevelopmental disorders, and the current efforts in developing and testing compounds with potential therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Vaz
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Wolfgang Hofmeister
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark and the Novo Nordisk Foundation for Stem cell Biology (Danstem), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Anna Lindstrand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Center for Molecular Medicine and Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Laboratory, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
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39
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Kirchgeorg L, Felker A, van Oostrom M, Chiavacci E, Mosimann C. Cre/lox-controlled spatiotemporal perturbation of FGF signaling in zebrafish. Dev Dyn 2018; 247:1146-1159. [PMID: 30194800 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spatiotemporal perturbation of signaling pathways in vivo remains challenging and requires precise transgenic control of signaling effectors. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling guides multiple developmental processes, including body axis formation and cell fate patterning. In zebrafish, mutants and chemical perturbations affecting FGF signaling have uncovered key developmental processes; however, these approaches cause embryo-wide perturbations, rendering assessment of cell-autonomous vs. non-autonomous requirements for FGF signaling in individual processes difficult. RESULTS Here, we created the novel transgenic line fgfr1-dn-cargo, encoding dominant-negative Fgfr1a with fluorescent tag under combined Cre/lox and heatshock control to perturb FGF signaling spatiotemporally. Validating efficient perturbation of FGF signaling by fgfr1-dn-cargo primed with ubiquitous CreERT2, we established that primed, heatshock-induced fgfr1-dn-cargo behaves similarly to pulsed treatment with the FGFR inhibitor SU5402. Priming fgfr1-dn-cargo with CreERT2 in the lateral plate mesoderm triggered selective cardiac and pectoral fin phenotypes without drastic impact on overall embryo patterning. Harnessing lateral plate mesoderm-specific FGF inhibition, we recapitulated the cell-autonomous and temporal requirement for FGF signaling in pectoral fin outgrowth, as previously inferred from pan-embryonic FGF inhibition. CONCLUSIONS As a paradigm for rapid Cre/lox-mediated signaling perturbations, our results establish fgfr1-dn-cargo as a genetic tool to define the spatiotemporal requirements for FGF signaling in zebrafish. Developmental Dynamics 247:1146-1159, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Kirchgeorg
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Felker
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marek van Oostrom
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Chiavacci
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Mosimann
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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40
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Mukherjee K, Liao EC. Generation and characterization of a zebrafish muscle specific inducible Cre line. Transgenic Res 2018; 27:559-569. [PMID: 30353407 PMCID: PMC6364321 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-018-0098-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish transgenic lines provide valuable insights into gene functions, cell lineages and cell behaviors during development. Spatiotemporal control over transgene expression is a critical need in many experimental approaches, with applications in loss- and gain-of-function expression, ectopic expression and lineage tracing experiments. The Cre/loxP recombination system is a powerful tool to provide this control and the demand for validated Cre and loxP zebrafish transgenics is high. One of the major challenges to widespread application of Cre/loxP technology in zebrafish is comparatively small numbers of established tissue-specific Cre or CreERT2 lines. We used Tol2-mediated transgenesis to generate Tg(CrymCherry;-1.9mylz2:CreERT2) which provides an inducible CreERT2 source driven by muscle-specific mylz2 promoter. The transgenic specifically labels the trunk and tail skeletal muscles. We assessed the temporal responsiveness of the transgenic by screening with a validated loxP reporter transgenic ubi:Switch. Further, we evaluated the recombination efficiency in the transgenic with varying concentrations of 4-OHT, for different induction time periods and at different stages of embryogenesis and observed that higher recombination efficiency is achieved when embryos are induced with 10 μM 4-OHT from 10-somites or 24 hpf till 48 or 72 hpf. The transgenic is an addition to currently available zebrafish transgenesis toolbox and a significant tool to advance muscle biology studies in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kusumika Mukherjee
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Eric C Liao
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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41
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Callahan SJ, Tepan S, Zhang YM, Lindsay H, Burger A, Campbell NR, Kim IS, Hollmann TJ, Studer L, Mosimann C, White RM. Cancer modeling by Transgene Electroporation in Adult Zebrafish (TEAZ). Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm.034561. [PMID: 30061297 PMCID: PMC6177007 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.034561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenic animals are invaluable for modeling cancer genomics, but often require complex crosses of multiple germline alleles to obtain the desired combinations. Zebrafish models have advantages in that transgenes can be rapidly tested by mosaic expression, but typically lack spatial and temporal control of tumor onset, which limits their utility for the study of tumor progression and metastasis. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a method referred to as Transgene Electroporation in Adult Zebrafish (TEAZ). TEAZ can deliver DNA constructs with promoter elements of interest to drive fluorophores, oncogenes or CRISPR-Cas9-based mutagenic cassettes in specific cell types. Using TEAZ, we created a highly aggressive melanoma model via Cas9-mediated inactivation of Rb1 in the context of BRAFV600E in spatially constrained melanocytes. Unlike prior models that take ∼4 months to develop, we found that TEAZ leads to tumor onset in ∼7 weeks, and these tumors develop in fully immunocompetent animals. As the resulting tumors initiated at highly defined locations, we could track their progression via fluorescence, and documented deep invasion into tissues and metastatic deposits. TEAZ can be deployed to other tissues and cell types, such as the heart, with the use of suitable transgenic promoters. The versatility of TEAZ makes it widely accessible for rapid modeling of somatic gene alterations and cancer progression at a scale not achievable in other in vivo systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott J Callahan
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cancer Biology and Genetics and Department of Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Developmental Biology, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Gerstner Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Stephanie Tepan
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2017 Summer Clinical Oncology Research Experience (SCORE) Program, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Hunter College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yan M Zhang
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cancer Biology and Genetics and Department of Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Helen Lindsay
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland.,SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Alexa Burger
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Nathaniel R Campbell
- Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Isabella S Kim
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cancer Biology and Genetics and Department of Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Travis J Hollmann
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Pathology, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lorenz Studer
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Christian Mosimann
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Richard M White
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cancer Biology and Genetics and Department of Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA .,Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
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42
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Grajevskaja V, Camerota D, Bellipanni G, Balciuniene J, Balciunas D. Analysis of a conditional gene trap reveals that tbx5a is required for heart regeneration in zebrafish. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197293. [PMID: 29933372 PMCID: PMC6014646 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to conditionally inactivate genes is instrumental for fine genetic analysis of all biological processes, but is especially important for studies of biological events, such as regeneration, which occur late in ontogenesis or in adult life. We have constructed and tested a fully conditional gene trap vector, and used it to inactivate tbx5a in the cardiomyocytes of larval and adult zebrafish. We observe that loss of tbx5a function significantly impairs the ability of zebrafish hearts to regenerate after ventricular resection, indicating that Tbx5a plays an essential role in the transcriptional program of heart regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktorija Grajevskaja
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Diana Camerota
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Gianfranco Bellipanni
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Jorune Balciuniene
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Darius Balciunas
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
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43
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Brown W, Liu J, Tsang M, Deiters A. Cell-Lineage Tracing in Zebrafish Embryos with an Expanded Genetic Code. Chembiochem 2018; 19:1244-1249. [PMID: 29701891 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cell-lineage tracing is used to study embryo development and stem-cell differentiation as well as to document tumor cell heterogeneity. Cre recombinase-mediated cell labeling is the preferred approach; however, its utility is restricted by when and where DNA recombination takes place. We generated a photoactivatable Cre recombinase by replacing a critical residue in its active site with a photocaged lysine derivative through genetic code expansion in zebrafish embryos. This allows high spatiotemporal control of DNA recombination by using 405 nm irradiation. Importantly, no background activity is seen before irradiation, and, after light-triggered removal of the caging group, Cre recombinase activity is restored. We demonstrate the utility of this tool as a cell-lineage tracer through its activation in different regions and at different time points in the early embryo. Direct control of Cre recombinase by light will allow more precise DNA recombination, thereby enabling more nuanced studies of metazoan development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wes Brown
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, 219 Parkman Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Jihe Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, 219 Parkman Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Michael Tsang
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Alexander Deiters
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, 219 Parkman Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
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44
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Kesavan G, Hammer J, Hans S, Brand M. Targeted knock-in of CreER T2 in zebrafish using CRISPR/Cas9. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 372:41-50. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2798-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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45
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Carney TJ, Mosimann C. Switch and Trace: Recombinase Genetics in Zebrafish. Trends Genet 2018; 34:362-378. [PMID: 29429760 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic approaches are instrumental for labeling and manipulating cells and cellular machineries in vivo. Transgenes have traditionally been static entities that remained unaltered following genome integration, limiting their versatility. The development of DNA recombinase-based methods to modify, excise, or rearrange transgene cassettes has introduced versatile control of transgene activity and function. In particular, recombinase-controlled transgenes enable regulation of exogenous gene expression, conditional mutagenesis, and genetic lineage tracing. In zebrafish, transgenesis-based recombinase genetics using Cre/lox, Flp/FRT, and ΦC31 are increasingly applied to study development and homeostasis, and to generate disease models. Intersected with the versatile imaging capacity of the zebrafish model and recent breakthroughs in genome editing, we review and discuss past, current, and potential future approaches and resources for recombinase-based techniques in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom J Carney
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore.
| | - Christian Mosimann
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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46
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Perner B, Bates TJD, Naumann U, Englert C. Function and Regulation of the Wilms' Tumor Suppressor 1 (WT1) Gene in Fish. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2018; 1467:119-28. [PMID: 27417964 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-4023-3_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Wilms' tumor suppressor gene Wt1 is highly conserved among vertebrates. In contrast to mammals, most fish species possess two wt1 paralogs that have been named wt1a and wt1b. Concerning wt1 in fish, most work so far has been done using zebrafish, focusing on the embryonic kidney, the pronephros. In this chapter we will describe the structure and development of the pronephros as well as the role that the wt1 genes play in the embryonic zebrafish kidney. We also discuss Wt1 target genes and describe the potential function of the Wt1 proteins in the adult kidney. Finally we will summarize data on the role of Wt1 outside of the kidney.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Perner
- Leibniz Institute for Age-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas J D Bates
- Leibniz Institute for Age-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Uta Naumann
- Leibniz Institute for Age-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Christoph Englert
- Leibniz Institute for Age-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745, Jena, Germany. .,Friedrich Schiller University, Fürstengraben 1, 07743, Jena, Germany.
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47
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Mann ZF, Gálvez H, Pedreno D, Chen Z, Chrysostomou E, Żak M, Kang M, Canden E, Daudet N. Shaping of inner ear sensory organs through antagonistic interactions between Notch signalling and Lmx1a. eLife 2017; 6:e33323. [PMID: 29199954 PMCID: PMC5724992 DOI: 10.7554/elife.33323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms of formation of the distinct sensory organs of the inner ear and the non-sensory domains that separate them are still unclear. Here, we show that several sensory patches arise by progressive segregation from a common prosensory domain in the embryonic chicken and mouse otocyst. This process is regulated by mutually antagonistic signals: Notch signalling and Lmx1a. Notch-mediated lateral induction promotes prosensory fate. Some of the early Notch-active cells, however, are normally diverted from this fate and increasing lateral induction produces misshapen or fused sensory organs in the chick. Conversely Lmx1a (or cLmx1b in the chick) allows sensory organ segregation by antagonizing lateral induction and promoting commitment to the non-sensory fate. Our findings highlight the dynamic nature of sensory patch formation and the labile character of the sensory-competent progenitors, which could have facilitated the emergence of new inner ear organs and their functional diversification in the course of evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe F Mann
- The Ear InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Héctor Gálvez
- The Ear InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - David Pedreno
- The Ear InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Ziqi Chen
- The Ear InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Magdalena Żak
- The Ear InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Miso Kang
- The Ear InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Nicolas Daudet
- The Ear InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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48
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Cosacak MI, Bhattarai P, Bocova L, Dzewas T, Mashkaryan V, Papadimitriou C, Brandt K, Hollak H, Antos CL, Kizil C. Human TAU P301L overexpression results in TAU hyperphosphorylation without neurofibrillary tangles in adult zebrafish brain. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12959. [PMID: 29021554 PMCID: PMC5636889 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13311-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule-associated TAU protein is a pathological hallmark in Alzheimer's disease (AD), where hyperphosphorylation of TAU generates neurofibrillary tangles. To investigate the effects of TAU in a regenerative adult vertebrate brain system, we generated a cre/lox-based transgenic model of zebrafish that chronically expresses human TAUP301L, which is a variant of human TAU protein that forms neurofibrillary tangles in mouse models and humans. Interestingly, we found that although chronic and abundant expression of TAUP301L starting from early embryonic development led to hyperphosphorylation, TAUP301L did not form oligomers and neurofibrillary tangles, and did not cause elevated apoptosis and microglial activation, which are classical symptoms of tauopathies in mammals. Additionally, TAUP301L neither increased neural stem cell proliferation nor activated the expression of regenerative factor Interleukin-4, indicating that TAUP301L toxicity is prevented in the adult zebrafish brain. By combining TAUP301L expression with our established Aβ42 toxicity model, we found that Aβ42 ceases to initiate neurofibrillary tangle formation by TAUP301L, and TAUP301L does not exacerbate the toxicity of Aβ42. Therefore, our results propose a cellular mechanism that protects the adult zebrafish brain against tauopathies, and our model can be used to understand how TAU toxicity can be prevented in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet I Cosacak
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Arnoldstrasse 18, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Prabesh Bhattarai
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Arnoldstrasse 18, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ledio Bocova
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Arnoldstrasse 18, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tim Dzewas
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Arnoldstrasse 18, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Violeta Mashkaryan
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Arnoldstrasse 18, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christos Papadimitriou
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Arnoldstrasse 18, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kerstin Brandt
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Arnoldstrasse 18, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Heike Hollak
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Arnoldstrasse 18, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christopher L Antos
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 100 Haike Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Caghan Kizil
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Arnoldstrasse 18, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
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49
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Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) possesses a vertebrate-type retina that is extraordinarily conserved in evolution. This well-organized and anatomically easily accessible part of the central nervous system has been widely investigated in zebrafish, promoting general understanding of retinal development, morphology, function and associated diseases. Over the recent years, genome and protein engineering as well as imaging techniques have experienced revolutionary advances and innovations, creating new possibilities and methods to study zebrafish development and function. In this review, we focus on some of these emerging technologies and how they may impact retinal research in the future. We place an emphasis on genetic techniques, such as transgenic approaches and the revolutionizing new possibilities in genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Niklaus
- a Institute of Molecular Life Sciences , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,b Life Science Zurich Graduate Program - Neuroscience , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Stephan C F Neuhauss
- a Institute of Molecular Life Sciences , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
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50
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Kaslin J, Kroehne V, Ganz J, Hans S, Brand M. Distinct roles of neuroepithelial-like and radial glia-like progenitor cells in cerebellar regeneration. Development 2017; 144:1462-1471. [PMID: 28289134 DOI: 10.1242/dev.144907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish can regenerate after brain injury, and the regenerative process is driven by resident stem cells. Stem cells are heterogeneous in the vertebrate brain, but the significance of having heterogeneous stem cells in regeneration is not understood. Limited availability of specific stem cells might impair the regeneration of particular cell lineages. We studied regeneration of the adult zebrafish cerebellum, which contains two major stem and progenitor cell types: ventricular zone and neuroepithelial cells. Using conditional lineage tracing we demonstrate that cerebellar regeneration depends on the availability of specific stem cells. Radial glia-like cells are thought to be the predominant stem cell type in homeostasis and after injury. However, we find that radial glia-like cells play a minor role in adult cerebellar neurogenesis and in recovery after injury. Instead, we find that neuroepithelial cells are the predominant stem cell type supporting cerebellar regeneration after injury. Zebrafish are able to regenerate many, but not all, cell types in the cerebellum, which emphasizes the need to understand the contribution of different adult neural stem and progenitor cell subtypes in the vertebrate central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kaslin
- Biotechnology Center and Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Tatzberg 47 01307, Germany .,Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Innovation Walk 15, Lvl1, 3800, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Volker Kroehne
- Biotechnology Center and Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Tatzberg 47 01307, Germany
| | - Julia Ganz
- Biotechnology Center and Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Tatzberg 47 01307, Germany
| | - Stefan Hans
- Biotechnology Center and Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Tatzberg 47 01307, Germany
| | - Michael Brand
- Biotechnology Center and Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, Tatzberg 47 01307, Germany
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