1
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Rodrigo Albors A, Singer GA, Llorens-Bobadilla E, Frisén J, May AP, Ponting CP, Storey KG. An ependymal cell census identifies heterogeneous and ongoing cell maturation in the adult mouse spinal cord that changes dynamically on injury. Dev Cell 2023; 58:239-255.e10. [PMID: 36706756 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The adult spinal cord stem cell potential resides within the ependymal cell population and declines with age. Ependymal cells are, however, heterogeneous, and the biological diversity this represents and how it changes with age remain unknown. Here, we present a single-cell transcriptomic census of spinal cord ependymal cells from adult and aged mice, identifying not only all known ependymal cell subtypes but also immature as well as mature cell states. By comparing transcriptomes of spinal cord and brain ependymal cells, which lack stem cell abilities, we identify immature cells as potential spinal cord stem cells. Following spinal cord injury, these cells re-enter the cell cycle, which is accompanied by a short-lived reversal of ependymal cell maturation. We further analyze ependymal cells in the human spinal cord and identify widespread cell maturation and altered cell identities. This in-depth characterization of spinal cord ependymal cells provides insight into their biology and informs strategies for spinal cord repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Rodrigo Albors
- Division of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
| | - Gail A Singer
- Division of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | | | - Jonas Frisén
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrew P May
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Tornado Bio, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Chris P Ponting
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Kate G Storey
- Division of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
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2
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Tatomir A, Cuevas J, Badea TC, Muresanu DF, Rus V, Rus H. Role of RGC-32 in multiple sclerosis and neuroinflammation – few answers and many questions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:979414. [PMID: 36172382 PMCID: PMC9510783 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.979414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) have brought into the spotlight the major role played by reactive astrocytes in this condition. Response Gene to Complement (RGC)-32 is a gene induced by complement activation, growth factors, and cytokines, notably transforming growth factor β, that is involved in the modulation of processes such as angiogenesis, fibrosis, cell migration, and cell differentiation. Studies have uncovered the crucial role that RGC-32 plays in promoting the differentiation of Th17 cells, a subtype of CD4+ T lymphocytes with an important role in MS and its murine model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The latest data have also shown that RGC-32 is involved in regulating major transcriptomic changes in astrocytes and in favoring the synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix components, growth factors, axonal growth molecules, and pro-astrogliogenic molecules. These results suggest that RGC-32 plays a major role in driving reactive astrocytosis and the generation of astrocytes from radial glia precursors. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding how RGC-32 regulates the behavior of Th17 cells and astrocytes in neuroinflammation, providing insight into its role as a potential new biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Tatomir
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurosciences, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Jacob Cuevas
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Tudor C. Badea
- Research and Development Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Transylvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania
| | - Dafin F. Muresanu
- Department of Neurosciences, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Violeta Rus
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Horea Rus
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Neurology Service, Baltimore Veterans Administration Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Horea Rus,
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3
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Sartoretti MM, Campetella CA, Lanuza GM. Dbx1 controls the development of astrocytes of the intermediate spinal cord by modulating Notch signaling. Development 2022; 149:275961. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Significant progress has been made in elucidating the basic principles that govern neuronal specification in the developing central nervous system. In contrast, much less is known about the origin of astrocytic diversity. Here, we demonstrate that a restricted pool of progenitors in the mouse spinal cord, expressing the transcription factor Dbx1, produces a subset of astrocytes, in addition to interneurons. Ventral p0-derived astrocytes (vA0 cells) exclusively populate intermediate regions of spinal cord with extraordinary precision. The postnatal vA0 population comprises gray matter protoplasmic and white matter fibrous astrocytes and a group of cells with strict radial morphology contacting the pia. We identified that vA0 cells in the lateral funiculus are distinguished by the expression of reelin and Kcnmb4. We show that Dbx1 mutants have an increased number of vA0 cells at the expense of p0-derived interneurons. Manipulation of the Notch pathway, together with the alteration in their ligands seen in Dbx1 knockouts, suggest that Dbx1 controls neuron-glial balance by modulating Notch-dependent cell interactions. In summary, this study highlights that restricted progenitors in the dorsal-ventral neural tube produce region-specific astrocytic subgroups and that progenitor transcriptional programs highly influence glial fate and are instrumental in creating astrocyte diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Micaela Sartoretti
- Developmental Neurobiology Lab, Fundación Instituto Leloir and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IIBBA-CONICET) , Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires 1405 , Argentina
| | - Carla A. Campetella
- Developmental Neurobiology Lab, Fundación Instituto Leloir and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IIBBA-CONICET) , Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires 1405 , Argentina
| | - Guillermo M. Lanuza
- Developmental Neurobiology Lab, Fundación Instituto Leloir and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IIBBA-CONICET) , Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires 1405 , Argentina
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4
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Kuramoto Y, Takagi T, Takeda Y, Rajbhandari S, Yoshida Y, Nakagomi T, Yoshimura S. Identification of novel multipotent stem cells in mouse spinal cord following traumatic injury. Stem Cells Dev 2022; 31:555-568. [PMID: 35708107 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2021.0297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We showed that injury-induced multipotent stem cells (iSCs) emerge in the brain after stroke. These brain-derived iSCs (B-iSCs) can differentiate into various lineages, including neurons. This study aimed to determine whether similar stem cells can be induced even after non-ischemic injuries, such as trauma to the spinal cord. We characterized these cells, mainly focusing on their stemness, multipotency, and neuronal differentiation activities. Spinal cord injury was produced using forceps in adult mice. On day 3 after spinal cord injury, samples were obtained from the injured areas. Spinal cord sections were subjected to histological analyses. Cells were isolated and assessed for proliferative activities, immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, FACS, and microarray analysis. Although nerve cell morphology was disrupted within the injured spinal cord, our histological observations revealed the presence of cells expressing stem cells, such as nestin and Sox2 in these areas. In addition, cells extracted from injured areas exhibited high proliferative abilities. These cells also expressed markers of both neural stem cells (e.g., nestin, Sox2) and multipotent stem cells (e.g., Sox2, c-myc, Klf4). They differentiated into adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes, as well as neuronal cells. Microarray analysis further identified similar properties between spinal cord (SC)-derived iSCs and B-iSCs. However, SC-iSCs revealed specific genes related to the regulation of stemness and neurogenesis. We identified similar features related to multipotency in SC-iSCs compared to B-iSCs, including neuronal differentiation potential. Although the differences between SC-iSCs and B-iSCs remain largely undetermined, the present study shows that iSCs can develop even after non-ischemic injuries such as trauma. This phenomenon can occur outside the brain within the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoji Kuramoto
- Hyogo College of Medicine, 12818, Neurosurgery, 1-1, Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Japan, 663-8501;
| | - Toshinori Takagi
- Hyogo College of Medicine, 12818, Neurosurgery, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan;
| | - Yuki Takeda
- Hyogo College of Medicine, 12818, Neurosurgery, Nishinomiya, Japan;
| | | | - Yasunori Yoshida
- Hyogo College of Medicine, 12818, Neurosurgery, Nishinomiya, Japan;
| | - Takayuki Nakagomi
- Hyogo College of Medicine, 12818, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.,Hyogo College of Medicine, 12818, Therapeutic Progress in Brain Diseases, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan;
| | - Shinichi Yoshimura
- Hyogo College of Medicine, 12818, Neurosurgery, Nishinomiya, Japan.,Hyogo College of Medicine, 12818, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan;
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5
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Jurga AM, Paleczna M, Kadluczka J, Kuter KZ. Beyond the GFAP-Astrocyte Protein Markers in the Brain. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091361. [PMID: 34572572 PMCID: PMC8468264 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The idea of central nervous system as one-man band favoring neurons is long gone. Now we all are aware that neurons and neuroglia are team players and constant communication between those various cell types is essential to maintain functional efficiency and a quick response to danger. Here, we summarize and discuss known and new markers of astroglial multiple functions, their natural heterogeneity, cellular interactions, aging and disease-induced dysfunctions. This review is focused on newly reported facts regarding astrocytes, which are beyond the old stereotypes. We present an up-to-date list of marker proteins used to identify a broad spectrum of astroglial phenotypes related to the various physiological and pathological nervous system conditions. The aim of this review is to help choose markers that are well-tailored for specific needs of further experimental studies, precisely recognizing differential glial phenotypes, or for diagnostic purposes. We hope it will help to categorize the functional and structural diversity of the astroglial population and ease a clear readout of future experimental results.
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6
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Tatomir A, Beltrand A, Nguyen V, Courneya JP, Boodhoo D, Cudrici C, Muresanu DF, Rus V, Badea TC, Rus H. RGC-32 Acts as a Hub to Regulate the Transcriptomic Changes Associated With Astrocyte Development and Reactive Astrocytosis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:705308. [PMID: 34394104 PMCID: PMC8358671 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.705308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Response Gene to Complement 32 (RGC-32) is an important mediator of the TGF-β signaling pathway, and an increasing amount of evidence implicates this protein in regulating astrocyte biology. We showed recently that spinal cord astrocytes in mice lacking RGC-32 display an immature phenotype reminiscent of progenitors and radial glia, with an overall elongated morphology, increased proliferative capacity, and increased expression of progenitor markers when compared to their wild-type (WT) counterparts that make them incapable of undergoing reactive changes during the acute phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Here, in order to decipher the molecular networks underlying RGC-32's ability to regulate astrocytic maturation and reactivity, we performed next-generation sequencing of RNA from WT and RGC-32 knockout (KO) neonatal mouse brain astrocytes, either unstimulated or stimulated with the pleiotropic cytokine TGF-β. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that RGC-32 is critical for the TGF-β-induced up-regulation of transcripts encoding proteins involved in brain development and tissue remodeling, such as axonal guidance molecules, transcription factors, extracellular matrix (ECM)-related proteins, and proteoglycans. Our next-generation sequencing of RNA analysis also demonstrated that a lack of RGC-32 results in a significant induction of WD repeat and FYVE domain-containing protein 1 (Wdfy1) and stanniocalcin-1 (Stc1). Immunohistochemical analysis of spinal cords isolated from normal adult mice and mice with EAE at the peak of disease showed that RGC-32 is necessary for the in vivo expression of ephrin receptor type A7 in reactive astrocytes, and that the lack of RGC-32 results in a higher number of homeodomain-only protein homeobox (HOPX)+ and CD133+ radial glia cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that RGC-32 plays a major role in modulating the transcriptomic changes in astrocytes that ultimately lead to molecular programs involved in astrocytic differentiation and reactive changes during neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Tatomir
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurosciences, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Austin Beltrand
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Vinh Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jean-Paul Courneya
- Health Sciences and Human Services Library, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dallas Boodhoo
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Cornelia Cudrici
- Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dafin F. Muresanu
- Department of Neurosciences, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Violeta Rus
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Tudor C. Badea
- Retinal Circuit Development and Genetics Unit, N-NRL, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Research and Development Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Transylvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania
| | - Horea Rus
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Research Service, Veterans Administration Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, United States
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7
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Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals Nestin + active neural stem cells outside the central canal after spinal cord injury. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2021; 65:295-308. [PMID: 34061300 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1930-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) in the spinal cord hold great potential for repair after spinal cord injury (SCI). The ependyma in the central canal (CC) region has been considered as the NSCs source in the spinal cord. However, the ependyma function as NSCs after SCI is still under debate. We used Nestin as a marker to isolate potential NSCs and their immediate progeny, and characterized the cells before and after SCI by single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq). We identified two subgroups of NSCs: the subgroup located within the CC cannot prime to active NSCs after SCI, while the subgroup located outside the CC were activated and exhibited the active NSCs properties after SCI. We demonstrated the comprehensive dynamic transcriptome of NSCs from quiescent to active NSCs after SCI. This study reveals that Nestin+ cells outside CC were NSCs that activated upon SCI and may thus serve as endogenous NSCs for regenerative treatment of SCI in the future.
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8
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Tatomir A, Beltrand A, Nguyen V, Boodhoo D, Mekala A, Cudrici C, Badea TC, Muresanu DF, Rus V, Rus H. RGC-32 Regulates Generation of Reactive Astrocytes in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. Front Immunol 2021; 11:608294. [PMID: 33569054 PMCID: PMC7868332 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.608294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are increasingly recognized as critical contributors to multiple sclerosis pathogenesis. We have previously shown that lack of Response Gene to Complement 32 (RGC-32) alters astrocyte morphology in the spinal cord at the peak of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), suggesting a role for RGC-32 in astrocyte differentiation. In this study, we analyzed the expression and distribution of astrocytes and astrocyte progenitors by immunohistochemistry in spinal cords of wild-type (WT) and RGC-32-knockout (KO) mice with EAE and of normal adult mice. Our analysis showed that during acute EAE, WT astrocytes had a reactive morphology and increased GFAP expression, whereas RGC-32 KO astrocytes had a morphology similar to that of radial glia and an increased expression of progenitor markers such as vimentin and fatty acid binding protein 7 (FABP7). In control mice, GFAP expression and astrocyte density were also significantly higher in the WT group, whereas the number of vimentin and FABP7-positive radial glia was significantly higher in the RGC-32 KO group. In vitro studies on cultured neonatal astrocytes from WT and RGC-32 KO mice showed that RGC-32 regulates a complex array of molecular networks pertaining to signal transduction, growth factor expression and secretion, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Among the most differentially expressed factors were insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF); their expression was downregulated in RGC-32-depleted astrocytes. The nuclear translocation of STAT3, a transcription factor critical for astrogliogenesis and driving glial scar formation, was also impaired after RGC-32 silencing. Taken together, these data suggest that RGC-32 is an important regulator of astrocyte differentiation during EAE and that in the absence of RGC-32, astrocytes are unable to fully mature and become reactive astrocytes.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Astrocytes/metabolism
- Astrocytes/pathology
- Cell Differentiation
- Cell Movement
- Cell Proliferation
- Cells, Cultured
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/genetics
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology
- Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 7/metabolism
- Female
- Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Phenotype
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Signal Transduction
- Spinal Cord/metabolism
- Spinal Cord/pathology
- Vimentin/metabolism
- Mice
- Rats
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Tatomir
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurosciences, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Austin Beltrand
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Vinh Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dallas Boodhoo
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Armugam Mekala
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Cornelia Cudrici
- Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Tudor C. Badea
- Retinal Circuit Development and Genetics Unit, Neurobiology Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory (N-NRL), National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dafin F. Muresanu
- Department of Neurosciences, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Violeta Rus
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Horea Rus
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Research Service, Veterans Administration Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, United States
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9
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Potential of Adult Endogenous Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells in the Spinal Cord to Contribute to Remyelination in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. Cells 2019; 8:cells8091025. [PMID: 31484369 PMCID: PMC6769975 DOI: 10.3390/cells8091025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Demyelination and remyelination play pivotal roles in the pathological process of multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a well-established animal model of MS. Although increasing evidence shows that various stimuli can promote the activation/induction of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) in the central nervous system, the potential contributions of these cells to remyelination following inflammatory injury remain to be fully investigated. In the present study, using an adult mouse model of EAE induced by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide, we investigated whether adult NSPCs in the spinal cord can lead to remyelination under inflammatory conditions. Immunohistochemistry showed that cells expressing the NSPC marker Nestin appeared after MOG peptide administration, predominantly at the sites of demyelination where abundant inflammatory cells had accumulated, whereas Nestin+ cells were rarely present in the spinal cord of PBS-treated control mice. In vitro, Nestin+ NSPCs obtained from EAE mice spinal cords could differentiate into multiple neural lineages, including neurons, astrocytes, and myelin-producing oligodendrocytes. Using the Cre-LoxP system, we established a mouse strain expressing yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) under the control of the Nestin promoter and investigated the expression patterns of YFP-expressing cells in the spinal cord after EAE induction. At the chronic phase of the disease, immunohistochemistry showed that YFP+ cells in the injured regions expressed markers for various neural lineages, including myelin-forming oligodendrocytes. These results show that adult endogenous NSPCs in the spinal cord can be subject to remyelination under inflammatory conditions, such as after EAE, suggesting that endogenous NSPCs represent a therapeutic target for MS treatment.
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10
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Covacu R, Brundin L. Endogenous spinal cord stem cells in multiple sclerosis and its animal model. J Neuroimmunol 2019; 331:4-10. [PMID: 27884460 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2016.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The adult mammalian spinal cord (SC) harbors neural stem cells (NSCs). The SC-NSCs are mostly quiescent during physiological conditions but are quickly activated in traumatic injury models. The SC-NSCs generate mostly glia, but are able to differentiate into neurons when affected by favourable conditions. An example is the inflammatory milieu in the SC of rat EAE, where the SC-NSCs migrate into demyelinated lesions and give rise to both glia and neurons. In MS, cells with progenitor phenotypes accumulate in inflammatory lesions both in brain and SC, but the extent to which these cells contribute to repair remains to be revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruxandra Covacu
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Neurology R3:04, Center of Molecular Medicine, L8:04, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Lou Brundin
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Neurology R3:04, Center of Molecular Medicine, L8:04, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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11
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Liu S, Chen Z. Employing Endogenous NSCs to Promote Recovery of Spinal Cord Injury. Stem Cells Int 2019; 2019:1958631. [PMID: 31191666 PMCID: PMC6525819 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1958631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) exist in the central canal of mammalian spinal cords. Under normal conditions, these NSCs remain quiescent and express FoxJ1. After spinal cord injury (SCI), the endogenous NSCs of a heterogeneous nature are activated and proliferate and migrate towards the lesion site and mainly differentiate into astrocytes to repair the injured tissue. In vitro, spinal cord NSCs are multipotent and can differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The altered microenvironments after SCI play key roles on the fate determination of activated NSCs, especially on the neuronal specification potential. Studies show that the activated spinal cord NSCs can generate interneurons when transplanted into the adult hippocampus. In addition, the spinal cord NSCs exhibit low immunogenicity in a transplantation context, thus implicating a promising therapeutic potential on SCI recovery. Here, we summarize the characteristics of spinal cord NSCs, especially their properties after injury. With a better understanding of endogenous NSCs under normal and SCI conditions, we may be able to employ endogenous NSCs for SCI repair in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumei Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Zhiguo Chen
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing 100069, China
- Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing 100069, China
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12
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Nguyen T, Mao Y, Sutherland T, Gorrie CA. Neural progenitor cells but not astrocytes respond distally to thoracic spinal cord injury in rat models. Neural Regen Res 2017; 12:1885-1894. [PMID: 29239336 PMCID: PMC5745844 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.219051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a detrimental condition that causes loss of sensory and motor function in an individual. Many complex secondary injury cascades occur after SCI and they offer great potential for therapeutic targeting. In this study, we investigated the response of endogenous neural progenitor cells, astrocytes, and microglia to a localized thoracic SCI throughout the neuroaxis. Twenty-five adult female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent mild-contusion thoracic SCI (n = 9), sham surgery (n = 8), or no surgery (n = 8). Spinal cord and brain tissues were fixed and cut at six regions of the neuroaxis. Immunohistochemistry showed increased reactivity of neural progenitor cell marker nestin in the central canal at all levels of the spinal cord. Increased reactivity of astrocyte-specific marker glial fibrillary acidic protein was found only at the lesion epicenter. The number of activated microglia was significantly increased at the lesion site, and activated microglia extended to the lumbar enlargement. Phagocytic microglia and macrophages were significantly increased only at the lesion site. There were no changes in nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, microglia and macrophage response in the third ventricle of rats subjected to mild-contusion thoracic SCI compared to the sham surgery or no surgery. These findings indicate that neural progenitor cells, astrocytes and microglia respond differently to a localized SCI, presumably due to differences in inflammatory signaling. These different cellular responses may have implications in the way that neural progenitor cells can be manipulated for neuroregeneration after SCI. This needs to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Nguyen
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yilin Mao
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Theresa Sutherland
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Catherine Anne Gorrie
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Tazaki A, Tanaka EM, Fei JF. Salamander spinal cord regeneration: The ultimate positive control in vertebrate spinal cord regeneration. Dev Biol 2017; 432:63-71. [PMID: 29030146 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Repairing injured tissues / organs is one of the major challenges for the maintenance of proper organ function in adulthood. In mammals, the central nervous system including the spinal cord, once established during embryonic development, has very limited capacity to regenerate. In contrast, salamanders such as axolotls can fully regenerate the injured spinal cord, making this a very powerful vertebrate model system for studying this process. Here we discuss the cellular and molecular requirements for spinal cord regeneration in the axolotl. The recent development of tools to test molecular function, including CRISPR-mediated gene editing, has lead to the identification of key players involved in the cell response to injury that ultimately leads to outgrowth of neural stem cells that are competent to replay the process of spinal cord development to replace the damaged/missing tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Tazaki
- Research Institute for Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna Biocenter, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Elly M Tanaka
- Research Institute for Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna Biocenter, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ji-Feng Fei
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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14
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Inhibition of neurogenesis in a case of Marburg variant multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2017; 18:71-76. [PMID: 29141824 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2017.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neural stem cells (NSC) are located essentially in the subventricular zone (SVZ), subgranular zone (SGZ), and along the central canal of the spinal cord. These cells can proliferate in vitro and differentiate into neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astroglia, thus contributing to repair in multiple sclerosis (MS). We conducted a pathological study to analyse neurogenic response in a patient with Marburg variant MS. METHODS We present the case of a 27-year-old immunocompetent patient with Marburg variant MS, a fulminant form of the disease. The condition lasted 20 days. Diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms and MRI showed demyelinating lesions located in subependymal areas and histopathological findings. Neurogenic niches (SVZ and dentate gyrus) were analysed by confocal microscopy using markers of proliferation (Ki-67, PCNA), neuroblasts (PSA-NCAM, DCX, Tuj1), stem cells (Nestin, GFAPδ, SOX2, PAX6, Musashi), astrocytes (GFAP, AQ4), oligodendrocytes (NG2, Olig), microglia and cell infiltrates (IBA-1, CD68, MHCII), and cell death (TUNEL). RESULTS Expression of the markers GFAPδ, SOX2, and PAX6 in NSC was found to be very low. Likewise, markers of proliferation (Ki-67) and intermediate precursors (NG2) were also reduced. This lack of markers of the first stages of cell differentiation means that neurogenesis is inhibited even in very early stages of the disease. CONCLUSION Inhibition of neurogenesis in our patient, which cannot be explained by the fulminant nature of his symptoms, may be related to inflammation and immune response. This finding may further our knowledge of repair mechanisms in MS.
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Abstract
Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs/NPCs) are present in different locations in the central nervous system. In the subgranular zone (SGZ) there is a constant generation of new neurons under normal conditions. New neurons are also formed from the subventricular zone (SVZ) NSCs, and they migrate anteriorly as neuroblast to the olfactory bulb in rodents, whereas in humans migration is directed toward striatum. Most CNS injuries elicit proliferation and migration of the NSCs toward the injury site, indicating the activation of a regenerative response. However, regeneration from NSC is incomplete, and this could be due to detrimental cues encountered during inflammation. Different CNS diseases and trauma cause activation of the innate and adaptive immune responses that influence the NSCs. Furthermore, NSCs in the brain react differently to inflammatory cues than their counterparts in the spinal cord. In this review, we have summarized the effects of inflammation on NSCs in relation to their origin and briefly described the NSC activity during different neurological diseases or experimental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruxandra Covacu
- 1 Depatment of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lou Brundin
- 1 Depatment of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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16
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Safina D, Schlitt F, Romeo R, Pflanzner T, Pietrzik CU, Narayanaswami V, Edenhofer F, Faissner A. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 is a novel modulator of radial glia stem cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Glia 2016; 64:1363-80. [PMID: 27258849 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Revised: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The LDL family of receptors and its member low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) have classically been associated with a modulation of lipoprotein metabolism. Current studies, however, indicate diverse functions for this receptor in various aspects of cellular activities, including cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival. LRP1 is essential for normal neuronal function in the adult CNS, whereas the role of LRP1 in development remained unclear. Previously, we have observed an upregulation of LewisX (LeX) glycosylated LRP1 in the stem cells of the developing cortex and demonstrated its importance for oligodendrocyte differentiation. In the current study, we show that LeX-glycosylated LRP1 is also expressed in the stem cell compartment of the developing spinal cord and has broader functions in the developing CNS. We have investigated the basic properties of LRP1 conditional knockout on the neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) from the cortex and the spinal cord, created by means of Cre-loxp-mediated recombination in vitro. The functional status of LRP1-deficient cells has been studied using proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis assays. LRP1 deficient NSPCs from both CNS regions demonstrated altered differentiation profiles. Their differentiation capacity toward oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), mature oligodendrocytes and neurons was reduced. In contrast, astrocyte differentiation was promoted. Moreover, LRP1 deletion had a negative effect on NSPCs proliferation and survival. Our observations suggest that LRP1 facilitates NSPCs differentiation via interaction with apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Upon ApoE4 stimulation wild type NSPCs generated more oligodendrocytes, but LRP1 knockout cells showed no response. The effect of ApoE seems to be independent of cholesterol uptake, but is rather mediated by downstream MAPK and Akt activation. GLIA 2016 GLIA 2016;64:1363-1380.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Safina
- Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University, Bochum, D-44780, Germany.,International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, D-44780, Germany
| | - Frederik Schlitt
- Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University, Bochum, D-44780, Germany
| | - Ramona Romeo
- Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University, Bochum, D-44780, Germany
| | - Thorsten Pflanzner
- Institute for Pathobiochemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, D-55099, Germany
| | - Claus U Pietrzik
- Institute for Pathobiochemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, D-55099, Germany
| | - Vasanthy Narayanaswami
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, California, 90840
| | - Frank Edenhofer
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Wuerzburg, Koellikerstraße 6, Wuerzburg, D-97070, Germany
| | - Andreas Faissner
- Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University, Bochum, D-44780, Germany
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17
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Connexin 50 modulates Sox2 expression in spinal-cord-derived ependymal stem/progenitor cells. Cell Tissue Res 2016; 365:295-307. [PMID: 27221278 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-016-2421-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Ion channels included in the family of Connexins (Cx) have been reported to influence the secondary expansion of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and neuropathic pain following SCI. However, Cxs also contribute to spinal cord neurogenesis during the remyelinating process and functional recovery after SCI. Certain Cxs have been recently related to the control of cell proliferation and the differentiation of neuronal progenitors. Adult spinal-cord-derived ependymal stem progenitor cells (epSPC) show high expression levels of Cx50 in non-pathological conditions and lower expression when they actively proliferate after injury (epSPCi). We explore the role of Cx50 in the ependymal population in the modulation of Sox2, a crucial factor of neural progenitor self-renewal and a promising target for promoting neuronal-cell-fate induction for neuronal tissue repair. Short-interfering-RNA ablation or over-expression of Cx50 regulates the expression of Sox2 in both epSPC and epSPCi. Interestingly, Cx50 and Sox2 co-localize at the nucleus indicating a potential role for this ion channel beyond cell-to-cell communication in the spinal cord. In vivo and in vitro experiments with Clotrimazole, a specific pharmacological modulator of Cx50, show the convergent higher expression of Cx50 and Sox2 in the isolated epSPC/epSPCi and in spinal cord tissue. Therefore, the pharmacological modulation of Cx50 might constitute an interesting mechanism for Sox2 induction to modulate the endogenous regenerative potential of neuronal tissue with a potential application in regenerative therapies.
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18
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Marichal N, Fabbiani G, Trujillo-Cenóz O, Russo RE. Purinergic signalling in a latent stem cell niche of the rat spinal cord. Purinergic Signal 2016; 12:331-41. [PMID: 26988236 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-016-9507-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The ependyma of the spinal cord harbours stem cells which are activated by traumatic spinal cord injury. Progenitor-like cells in the central canal (CC) are organized in spatial domains. The cells lining the lateral aspects combine characteristics of ependymocytes and radial glia (RG) whereas in the dorsal and ventral poles, CC-contacting cells have the morphological phenotype of RG and display complex electrophysiological phenotypes. The signals that may affect these progenitors are little understood. Because ATP is massively released after spinal cord injury, we hypothesized that purinergic signalling plays a part in this spinal stem cell niche. We combined immunohistochemistry, in vitro patch-clamp whole-cell recordings and Ca(2+) imaging to explore the effects of purinergic agonists on ependymal progenitor-like cells in the neonatal (P1-P6) rat spinal cord. Prolonged focal application of a high concentration of ATP (1 mM) induced a slow inward current. Equimolar concentrations of BzATP generated larger currents that reversed close to 0 mV, had a linear current-voltage relationship and were blocked by Brilliant Blue G, suggesting the presence of functional P2X7 receptors. Immunohistochemistry showed that P2X7 receptors were expressed around the CC and the processes of RG. BzATP also generated Ca(2+) waves in RG that were triggered by Ca(2+) influx and propagated via Ca(2+) release from internal stores through activation of ryanodine receptors. We speculate that the intracellular Ca(2+) signalling triggered by P2X7 receptor activation may be an epigenetic mechanism to modulate the behaviour of progenitors in response to ATP released after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Marichal
- Neurofisiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Adult Neurogenesis and Cellular Reprogramming, Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Hanns-Dieter-Husch-Weg 19, Mainz, 55128, Germany
| | - Gabriela Fabbiani
- Neurofisiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Omar Trujillo-Cenóz
- Neurofisiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Raúl E Russo
- Neurofisiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Analysis of spatial-temporal gene expression patterns reveals dynamics and regionalization in developing mouse brain. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19274. [PMID: 26786896 PMCID: PMC4726224 DOI: 10.1038/srep19274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Allen Brain Atlas (ABA) provides a valuable resource of spatial/temporal gene expressions in mammalian brains. Despite rich information extracted from this database, current analyses suffer from several limitations. First, most studies are either gene-centric or region-centric, thus are inadequate to capture the superposition of multiple spatial-temporal patterns. Second, standard tools of expression analysis such as matrix factorization can capture those patterns but do not explicitly incorporate spatial dependency. To overcome those limitations, we proposed a computational method to detect recurrent patterns in the spatial-temporal gene expression data of developing mouse brains. We demonstrated that regional distinction in brain development could be revealed by localized gene expression patterns. The patterns expressed in the forebrain, medullary and pontomedullary, and basal ganglia are enriched with genes involved in forebrain development, locomotory behavior, and dopamine metabolism respectively. In addition, the timing of global gene expression patterns reflects the general trends of molecular events in mouse brain development. Furthermore, we validated functional implications of the inferred patterns by showing genes sharing similar spatial-temporal expression patterns with Lhx2 exhibited differential expression in the embryonic forebrains of Lhx2 mutant mice. These analysis outcomes confirm the utility of recurrent expression patterns in studying brain development.
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20
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Long-distance effects of inflammation on differentiation of adult spinal cord neural stem/progenitor cells. J Neuroimmunol 2015; 288:47-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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21
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Garcia-Ovejero D, Arevalo-Martin A, Paniagua-Torija B, Florensa-Vila J, Ferrer I, Grassner L, Molina-Holgado E. The ependymal region of the adult human spinal cord differs from other species and shows ependymoma-like features. Brain 2015; 138:1583-97. [PMID: 25882650 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awv089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Several laboratories have described the existence of undifferentiated precursor cells that may act like stem cells in the ependyma of the rodent spinal cord. However, there are reports showing that this region is occluded and disassembled in humans after the second decade of life, although this has been largely ignored or interpreted as a post-mortem artefact. To gain insight into the patency, actual structure, and molecular properties of the adult human spinal cord ependymal region, we followed three approaches: (i) with MRI, we estimated the central canal patency in 59 control subjects, 99 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury, and 26 patients with non-traumatic spinal cord injuries. We observed that the central canal is absent from the vast majority of individuals beyond the age of 18 years, gender-independently, throughout the entire length of the spinal cord, both in healthy controls and after injury; (ii) with histology and immunohistochemistry, we describe morphological properties of the non-lesioned ependymal region, which showed the presence of perivascular pseudorosettes, a common feature of ependymoma; and (iii) with laser capture microdissection, followed by TaqMan® low density arrays, we studied the gene expression profile of the ependymal region and found that it is mainly enriched in genes compatible with a low grade or quiescent ependymoma (53 genes); this region is enriched only in 14 genes related to neurogenic niches. In summary, we demonstrate here that the central canal is mainly absent in the adult human spinal cord and is replaced by a structure morphologically and molecularly different from that described for rodents and other primates. The presented data suggest that the ependymal region is more likely to be reminiscent of a low-grade ependymoma. Therefore, a direct translation to adult human patients of an eventual therapeutic potential of this region based on animal models should be approached with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Garcia-Ovejero
- 1 Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain
| | - Angel Arevalo-Martin
- 1 Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain
| | - Beatriz Paniagua-Torija
- 1 Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain
| | - José Florensa-Vila
- 2 Radiology Unit, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain
| | - Isidro Ferrer
- 3 Institut de Neuropatologia, Servei d'Anatomia Patolo`gica, IDIBELL-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Lukas Grassner
- 4 Center for Spinal Cord Injuries, Trauma Center Murnau, Germany 5 Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, SCI-TReCS (Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Eduardo Molina-Holgado
- 1 Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain
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22
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Change of fate commitment in adult neural progenitor cells subjected to chronic inflammation. J Neurosci 2014; 34:11571-82. [PMID: 25164655 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0231-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) have regenerative capabilities that are activated during inflammation. We aimed at elucidating how NPCs, with special focus on the spinal cord-derived NPCs (SC-NPCs), are affected by chronic inflammation modeled by experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). NPCs derived from the subventricular zone (SVZ-NPCs) were also included in the study as a reference from a distant inflammatory site. We also investigated the transcriptional and functional difference between the SC-NPCs and SVZ-NPCs during homeostatic conditions. NPCs were isolated and propagated from the SVZ and cervical, thoracic, and caudal regions of the SC from naive rats and rats subjected to EAE. Using Affymetrix microarray analyses, the global transcriptome was measured in the different NPC populations. These analyses were paralleled by NPC differentiation studies. Assessment of basal transcriptional and functional differences between NPC populations in naive rat revealed a higher neurogenic potential in SVZ-NPCs compared with SC-NPCs. Conversely, during EAE, the neurogenicity of the SC-NPCs was increased while their gliogenicity was decreased. We detected an overall increase of inflammation and neurodegeneration-related genes while the developmentally related profile was decreased. Among the decreased functions, we isolated a gliogenic signature that was confirmed by differentiation assays where the SC-NPCs from EAE generated fewer oligodendrocytes and astrocytes but more neurons than control cultures. In summary, NPCs displayed differences in fate-regulating genes and differentiation potential depending on their rostrocaudal origin. Inflammatory conditions downregulated gliogenicity in SC-NPCs, promoting neurogenicity. These findings give important insight into neuroinflammatory diseases and the mechanisms influencing NPC plasticity during these conditions.
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23
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Neural stem cells in the adult spinal cord. Exp Neurol 2014; 260:44-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2013.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Revised: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Salta E, Lau P, Sala Frigerio C, Coolen M, Bally-Cuif L, De Strooper B. A self-organizing miR-132/Ctbp2 circuit regulates bimodal notch signals and glial progenitor fate choice during spinal cord maturation. Dev Cell 2014; 30:423-36. [PMID: 25132384 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2014.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Radial glial progenitors play pivotal roles in the development and patterning of the spinal cord, and their fate is controlled by Notch signaling. How Notch is shaped to regulate their crucial transition from expansion toward differentiation remains, however, unknown. miR-132 in the developing zebrafish dampens Notch signaling via a cascade involving the transcriptional corepressor Ctbp2 and the Notch suppressor Sirt1. At early embryonic stages, high Ctbp2 levels sustain Notch signaling and radial glial expansion and concomitantly induce miR-132 expression via a double-negative feedback loop involving Rest inhibition. The changing balance in miR-132 and Ctbp2 interaction gradually drives the switch in Notch output and radial glial progenitor fate as part of the larger developmental program involved in the transition from embryonic to larval spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Salta
- VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Center for Human Genetics and Leuven Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pierre Lau
- VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Center for Human Genetics and Leuven Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carlo Sala Frigerio
- VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Center for Human Genetics and Leuven Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marion Coolen
- Zebrafish Neurogenetics Group, Laboratory of Neurobiology and Development, CNRS UPR 3294, Institute of Neurobiology Alfred Fessard, Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette Cédex, France
| | - Laure Bally-Cuif
- Zebrafish Neurogenetics Group, Laboratory of Neurobiology and Development, CNRS UPR 3294, Institute of Neurobiology Alfred Fessard, Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette Cédex, France
| | - Bart De Strooper
- VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Center for Human Genetics and Leuven Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, WC1N 3BG London, UK.
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25
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Nogueira AB, Sogayar MC, Colquhoun A, Siqueira SA, Nogueira AB, Marchiori PE, Teixeira MJ. Existence of a potential neurogenic system in the adult human brain. J Transl Med 2014; 12:75. [PMID: 24655332 PMCID: PMC3998109 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-12-75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Prevailingly, adult mammalian neurogenesis is thought to occur in discrete, separate locations known as neurogenic niches that are best characterized in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus and in the subventricular zone (SVZ). The existence of adult human neurogenic niches is controversial. Methods The existence of neurogenic niches was investigated with neurogenesis marker immunostaining in histologically normal human brains obtained from autopsies. Twenty-eight adult temporal lobes, specimens from limbic structures and the hypothalamus of one newborn and one adult were examined. Results The neural stem cell marker nestin stained circumventricular organ cells and the immature neuronal marker doublecortin (DCX) stained hypothalamic and limbic structures adjacent to circumventricular organs; both markers stained a continuous structure running from the hypothalamus to the hippocampus. The cell proliferation marker Ki-67 was detected predominately in structures that form the septo-hypothalamic continuum. Nestin-expressing cells were located in the fimbria-fornix at the insertion of the choroid plexus; ependymal cells in this structure expressed the putative neural stem cell marker CD133. From the choroidal fissure in the temporal lobe, a nestin-positive cell layer spread throughout the SVZ and subpial zone. In the subpial zone, a branch of this layer reached the hippocampal sulcus and ended in the SGZ (principally in the newborn) and in the subiculum (principally in the adults). Another branch of the nestin-positive cell layer in the subpial zone returned to the optic chiasm. DCX staining was detected in the periventricular and middle hypothalamus and more densely from the mammillary body to the subiculum through the fimbria-fornix, thus running through the principal neuronal pathway from the hippocampus to the hypothalamus. The column of the fornix forms part of this pathway and appears to coincide with the zone previously identified as the human rostral migratory stream. Partial co-labeling with DCX and the neuronal marker βIII-tubulin was also observed. Conclusions Collectively, these findings suggest the existence of an adult human neurogenic system that rises from the circumventricular organs and follows, at minimum, the circuitry of the hypothalamus and limbic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Barreto Nogueira
- Division of Neurosurgery Clinic, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Avenida Dr, Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar 255, 05403-900 São Paulo, Brazil.
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Goldshmit Y, Frisca F, Pinto AR, Pébay A, Tang JKKY, Siegel AL, Kaslin J, Currie PD. Fgf2 improves functional recovery-decreasing gliosis and increasing radial glia and neural progenitor cells after spinal cord injury. Brain Behav 2014; 4:187-200. [PMID: 24683512 PMCID: PMC3967535 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A major impediment for recovery after mammalian spinal cord injury (SCI) is the glial scar formed by proliferating reactive astrocytes. Finding factors that may reduce glial scarring, increase neuronal survival, and promote neurite outgrowth are of major importance for improving the outcome after SCI. Exogenous fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) has been shown to decrease injury volume and improve functional outcome; however, the mechanisms by which this is mediated are still largely unknown. METHODS In this study, Fgf2 was administered for 2 weeks in mice subcutaneously, starting 30 min after spinal cord hemisection. RESULTS Fgf2 treatment decreased the expression of TNF-a at the lesion site, decreased monocyte/macrophage infiltration, and decreased gliosis. Fgf2 induced astrocytes to adopt a polarized morphology and increased expression of radial markers such as Pax6 and nestin. In addition, the levels of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), expressed by glia, were markedly decreased. Furthermore, Fgf2 treatment promotes the formation of parallel glial processes, "bridges," at the lesion site that enable regenerating axons through the injury site. Additionally, Fgf2 treatment increased Sox2-expressing cells in the gray matter and neurogenesis around and at the lesion site. Importantly, these effects were correlated with enhanced functional recovery of the left paretic hind limb. CONCLUSIONS Thus, early pharmacological intervention with Fgf2 following SCI is neuroprotective and creates a proregenerative environment by the modulation of the glia response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yona Goldshmit
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute East Melbourne, VIC, Australia ; Centre for Eye Research Australia & Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Frisca Frisca
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Melbourne East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexander R Pinto
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alice Pébay
- Centre for Eye Research Australia & Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital East Melbourne, VIC, Australia ; Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Melbourne East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Ashley L Siegel
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jan Kaslin
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter D Currie
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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McDonough A, Hoang AN, Monterrubio A, Greenhalgh S, Martínez-Cerdeño V. Compression injury in the mouse spinal cord elicits a specific proliferative response and distinct cell fate acquisition along rostro-caudal and dorso-ventral axes. Neuroscience 2013; 254:1-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2013] [Revised: 09/01/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Abstract
Spinal cord injury results from an insult inflicted on the spinal cord that usually encompasses its 4 major functions (motor, sensory, autonomic, and reflex). The type of deficits resulting from spinal cord injury arise from primary insult, but their long-term severity is due to a multitude of pathophysiological processes during the secondary phase of injury. The failure of the mammalian spinal cord to regenerate and repair is often attributed to the very feature that makes the central nervous system special-it becomes so highly specialized to perform higher functions that it cannot effectively reactivate developmental programs to re-build novel circuitry to restore function after injury. Added to this is an extensive gliotic and immune response that is essential for clearance of cellular debris, but also lays down many obstacles that are detrimental to regeneration. Here, we discuss how the mature chromatin state of different central nervous system cells (neural, glial, and immune) may contribute to secondary pathophysiology, and how restoring silenced developmental gene expression by altering histone acetylation could stall secondary damage and contribute to novel approaches to stimulate endogenous repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa M. York
- Department of Zoology (Life Sciences Institute), Brain Research Institute and International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (iCORD), University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Blvd, V6T 1Z3 Vancouver, Canada
| | - Audrey Petit
- Department of Zoology (Life Sciences Institute), Brain Research Institute and International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (iCORD), University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Blvd, V6T 1Z3 Vancouver, Canada
| | - A. Jane Roskams
- Department of Zoology (Life Sciences Institute), Brain Research Institute and International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (iCORD), University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Blvd, V6T 1Z3 Vancouver, Canada
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29
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Hui SP, Monaghan JR, Voss SR, Ghosh S. Expression pattern of Nogo-A, MAG, and NgR in regenerating urodele spinal cord. Dev Dyn 2013; 242:847-60. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.23976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Revised: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Subhra Prakash Hui
- Department of Biophysics; Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics; University of Calcutta; Kolkata India
| | - James R. Monaghan
- Department of Biology; Northeastern University; Boston Massachusetts
| | - S. Randal Voss
- Department of Biology; University of Kentucky; Lexington Kentucky
| | - Sukla Ghosh
- Department of Biophysics; Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics; University of Calcutta; Kolkata India
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30
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Lloyd-Burton S, Roskams AJ. SPARC-like 1 (SC1) is a diversely expressed and developmentally regulated matricellular protein that does not compensate for the absence of SPARC in the CNS. J Comp Neurol 2013; 520:2575-90. [PMID: 22173850 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
SPARC-like 1 (SC1) is a member of the SPARC family of matricellular proteins that has been implicated in the regulation of processes such as cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Here we show that SC1 exhibits remarkably diverse and dynamic expression in the developing and adult nervous system. During development, SC1 localizes to radial glia and pial-derived structures, including the vasculature, choroid plexus, and pial membranes. SC1 is not downregulated in postnatal development, but its expression shifts to distinct time windows in subtypes of glia and neurons, including astrocytes, large projection neurons, Bergmann glia, Schwann cells, and ganglionic satellite cells. In addition, SC1 expression levels and patterns are not altered in the SPARC null mouse, suggesting that SC1 does not compensate for the absence of SPARC. We conclude that SC1 and SPARC may share significant homology, but are likely to have distinct but complementary roles in nervous system development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Lloyd-Burton
- Department of Zoology, Life Sciences Institute and Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
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31
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Marichal N, García G, Radmilovich M, Trujillo-Cenóz O, Russo RE. Spatial domains of progenitor-like cells and functional complexity of a stem cell niche in the neonatal rat spinal cord. Stem Cells 2013; 30:2020-31. [PMID: 22821702 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
During spinal cord development, progenitors in the neural tube are arranged within spatial domains that generate specific cell types. The ependyma of the postnatal spinal cord seems to retain cells with properties of the primitive neural stem cells, some of which are able to react to injury with active proliferation. However, the functional complexity and organization of this stem cell niche in mammals remains poorly understood. Here, we combined immunohistochemistry for cell-specific markers with patch-clamp recordings to test the hypothesis that the ependyma of the neonatal rat spinal cord contains progenitor-like cells functionally segregated within specific domains. Cells on the lateral aspects of the ependyma combined morphological and molecular traits of ependymocytes and radial glia (RG) expressing S100β and vimentin, displayed passive membrane properties and were electrically coupled via Cx43. Cells contacting the ventral and dorsal poles expressed the neural stem cell markers nestin and/or vimentin, had the typical morphology of RG, and appeared uncoupled displaying various combinations of K(+) and Ca(2+) voltage-gated currents. Although progenitor-like cells were mitotically active around the entire ependyma, the proliferative capacity seemed higher on lateral domains. Our findings represent the first evidence that the ependyma of the rat harbors progenitor-like cells with heterogeneous electrophysiological phenotypes organized in spatial domains. The manipulation of specific functional properties in the heterogeneous population of progenitor-like cells contacting the ependyma may in future help to regulate their behavior and lineage potential, providing the cell types required for the endogenous repair of the injured spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Marichal
- Neurofisiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, CP11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
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32
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Endogenous proliferation after spinal cord injury in animal models. Stem Cells Int 2012; 2012:387513. [PMID: 23316243 PMCID: PMC3539424 DOI: 10.1155/2012/387513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2012] [Revised: 10/06/2012] [Accepted: 10/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in motor and sensory deficits, the severity of which depends on the level and extent of the injury. Animal models for SCI research include transection, contusion, and compression mouse models. In this paper we will discuss the endogenous stem cell response to SCI in animal models. All SCI animal models experience a similar peak of cell proliferation three days after injury; however, each specific type of injury promotes a specific and distinct stem cell response. For example, the transection model results in a strong and localized initial increase of proliferation, while in contusion and compression models, the initial level of proliferation is lower but encompasses the entire rostrocaudal extent of the spinal cord. All injury types result in an increased ependymal proliferation, but only in contusion and compression models is there a significant level of proliferation in the lateral regions of the spinal cord. Finally, the fate of newly generated cells varies from a mainly oligodendrocyte fate in contusion and compression to a mostly astrocyte fate in the transection model. Here we will discuss the potential of endogenous stem/progenitor cell manipulation as a therapeutic tool to treat SCI.
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Garcia-Ovejero D, Arevalo-Martin A, Paniagua-Torija B, Sierra-Palomares Y, Molina-Holgado E. A cell population that strongly expresses the CB1 cannabinoid receptor in the ependyma of the rat spinal cord. J Comp Neurol 2012; 521:233-51. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.23184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Revised: 06/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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34
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Henry AM, Hohmann JG. High-resolution gene expression atlases for adult and developing mouse brain and spinal cord. Mamm Genome 2012; 23:539-49. [DOI: 10.1007/s00335-012-9406-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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35
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Decimo I, Bifari F, Rodriguez FJ, Malpeli G, Dolci S, Lavarini V, Pretto S, Vasquez S, Sciancalepore M, Montalbano A, Berton V, Krampera M, Fumagalli G. Nestin- and doublecortin-positive cells reside in adult spinal cord meninges and participate in injury-induced parenchymal reaction. Stem Cells 2012; 29:2062-76. [PMID: 22038821 PMCID: PMC3468739 DOI: 10.1002/stem.766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Adult spinal cord has little regenerative potential, thus limiting patient recovery following injury. In this study, we describe a new population of cells resident in the adult rat spinal cord meninges that express the neural stem/precursor markers nestin and doublecortin. Furthermore, from dissociated meningeal tissue a neural stem cell population was cultured in vitro and subsequently shown to differentiate into functional neurons or mature oligodendrocytes. Proliferation rate and number of nestin- and doublecortin-positive cells increased in vivo in meninges following spinal cord injury. By using a lentivirus-labeling approach, we show that meningeal cells, including nestin- and doublecortin-positive cells, migrate in the spinal cord parenchyma and contribute to the glial scar formation. Our data emphasize the multiple roles of meninges in the reaction of the parenchyma to trauma and indicate for the first time that spinal cord meninges are potential niches harboring stem/precursor cells that can be activated by injury. Meninges may be considered as a new source of adult stem/precursor cells to be further tested for use in regenerative medicine applied to neurological disorders, including repair from spinal cord injury. Stem Cells 2011;29:2062–2076.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Decimo
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
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