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Choi JJ, Svaren J, Wang D. Single-cell multi-omics analysis reveals cooperative transcription factors for gene regulation in oligodendrocytes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.19.599799. [PMID: 38948852 PMCID: PMC11213031 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.19.599799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells within the central nervous system. Many oligodendrocyte genes have been associated with brain disorders. However, how transcription factors (TFs) cooperate for gene regulation in oligodendrocytes remains largely uncharacterized. To address this, we integrated scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq data to identify the cooperative TFs that co-regulate the target gene (TG) expression in oligodendrocytes. First, we identified co- binding TF pairs whose binding sites overlapped in oligodendrocyte-specific regulatory regions. Second, we trained a deep learning model to predict the expression level of each TG using the expression levels of co-binding TFs. Third, using the trained models, we computed the TF importance and TF-TF interaction scores for predicting TG expression by the Shapley interaction scores. We found that the co-binding TF pairs involving known important TF pairs for oligodendrocyte differentiation, such as SOX10-TCF12, SOX10-MYRF, and SOX10-OLIG2, exhibited significantly higher Shapley scores than others (t-test, p-value < 1e-4). Furthermore, we identified 153 oligodendrocyte-associated eQTLs that reside in oligodendrocyte-specific enhancers or promoters where their eGenes (TGs) are regulated by cooperative TFs, suggesting potential novel regulatory roles from genetic variants. We also experimentally validated some identified TF pairs such as SOX10-OLIG2 and SOX10-NKX2.2 by co-enrichment analysis, using ChIP-seq data from rat peripheral nerve.
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2
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Balboni N, Babini G, Poeta E, Protti M, Mercolini L, Magnifico MC, Barile SN, Massenzio F, Pignataro A, Giorgi FM, Lasorsa FM, Monti B. Transcriptional and metabolic effects of aspartate-glutamate carrier isoform 1 (AGC1) downregulation in mouse oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:44. [PMID: 38553684 PMCID: PMC10979587 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00563-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Aspartate-glutamate carrier isoform 1 (AGC1) is a carrier responsible for the export of mitochondrial aspartate in exchange for cytosolic glutamate and is part of the malate-aspartate shuttle, essential for the balance of reducing equivalents in the cells. In the brain, mutations in SLC25A12 gene, encoding for AGC1, cause an ultra-rare genetic disease, reported as a neurodevelopmental encephalopathy, whose symptoms include global hypomyelination, arrested psychomotor development, hypotonia and seizures. Among the biological components most affected by AGC1 deficiency are oligodendrocytes, glial cells responsible for myelination processes, and their precursors [oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs)]. The AGC1 silencing in an in vitro model of OPCs was documented to cause defects of proliferation and differentiation, mediated by alterations of histone acetylation/deacetylation. Disrupting AGC1 activity could possibly reduce the availability of acetyl groups, leading to perturbation of many biological pathways, such as histone modifications and fatty acids formation for myelin production. Here, we explore the transcriptome of mouse OPCs partially silenced for AGC1, reporting results of canonical analyses (differential expression) and pathway enrichment analyses, which highlight a disruption in fatty acids synthesis from both a regulatory and enzymatic stand. We further investigate the cellular effects of AGC1 deficiency through the identification of most affected transcriptional networks and altered alternative splicing. Transcriptional data were integrated with differential metabolite abundance analysis, showing downregulation of several amino acids, including glutamine and aspartate. Taken together, our results provide a molecular foundation for the effects of AGC1 deficiency in OPCs, highlighting the molecular mechanisms affected and providing a list of actionable targets to mitigate the effects of this pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Balboni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgia Babini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eleonora Poeta
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Protti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Mercolini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Magnifico
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Simona Nicole Barile
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Massenzio
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonella Pignataro
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Federico M Giorgi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | | | - Barbara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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3
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Ye F, Zhang S, Fu Y, Yang L, Zhang G, Wu Y, Pan J, Chen H, Wang X, Ma L, Niu H, Jiang M, Zhang T, Jia D, Wang J, Wang Y, Han X, Guo G. Fast and flexible profiling of chromatin accessibility and total RNA expression in single nuclei using Microwell-seq3. Cell Discov 2024; 10:33. [PMID: 38531851 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00642-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Single cell chromatin accessibility profiling and transcriptome sequencing are the most widely used technologies for single-cell genomics. Here, we present Microwell-seq3, a high-throughput and facile platform for high-sensitivity single-nucleus chromatin accessibility or full-length transcriptome profiling. The method combines a preindexing strategy and a penetrable chip-in-a-tube for single nucleus loading and DNA amplification and therefore does not require specialized equipment. We used Microwell-seq3 to profile chromatin accessibility in more than 200,000 single nuclei and the full-length transcriptome in ~50,000 nuclei from multiple adult mouse tissues. Compared with the existing polyadenylated transcript capture methods, integrative analysis of cell type-specific regulatory elements and total RNA expression uncovered comprehensive cell type heterogeneity in the brain. Gene regulatory networks based on chromatin accessibility profiling provided an improved cell type communication model. Finally, we demonstrated that Microwell-seq3 can identify malignant cells and their specific regulons in spontaneous lung tumors of aged mice. We envision a broad application of Microwell-seq3 in many areas of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Ye
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuting Fu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guodong Zhang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yijun Wu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun Pan
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haide Chen
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinru Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lifeng Ma
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haofu Niu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengmeng Jiang
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingyue Zhang
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Danmei Jia
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongcheng Wang
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoping Han
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guoji Guo
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Lu Z, Zhang M, Lee J, Sziraki A, Anderson S, Zhang Z, Xu Z, Jiang W, Ge S, Nelson PT, Zhou W, Cao J. Tracking cell-type-specific temporal dynamics in human and mouse brains. Cell 2023; 186:4345-4364.e24. [PMID: 37774676 PMCID: PMC10545416 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Progenitor cells are critical in preserving organismal homeostasis, yet their diversity and dynamics in the aged brain remain underexplored. We introduced TrackerSci, a single-cell genomic method that combines newborn cell labeling and combinatorial indexing to characterize the transcriptome and chromatin landscape of proliferating progenitor cells in vivo. Using TrackerSci, we investigated the dynamics of newborn cells in mouse brains across various ages and in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Our dataset revealed diverse progenitor cell types in the brain and their epigenetic signatures. We further quantified aging-associated shifts in cell-type-specific proliferation and differentiation and deciphered the associated molecular programs. Extending our study to the progenitor cells in the aged human brain, we identified conserved genetic signatures across species and pinpointed region-specific cellular dynamics, such as the reduced oligodendrogenesis in the cerebellum. We anticipate that TrackerSci will be broadly applicable to unveil cell-type-specific temporal dynamics in diverse systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Lu
- Laboratory of Single Cell Genomics and Population Dynamics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; The David Rockefeller Graduate Program in Bioscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Melissa Zhang
- Laboratory of Single Cell Genomics and Population Dynamics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jasper Lee
- Laboratory of Single Cell Genomics and Population Dynamics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andras Sziraki
- Laboratory of Single Cell Genomics and Population Dynamics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; The David Rockefeller Graduate Program in Bioscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sonya Anderson
- Department of Pathology and Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Zehao Zhang
- Laboratory of Single Cell Genomics and Population Dynamics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; The David Rockefeller Graduate Program in Bioscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zihan Xu
- Laboratory of Single Cell Genomics and Population Dynamics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA; The David Rockefeller Graduate Program in Bioscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Weirong Jiang
- Laboratory of Single Cell Genomics and Population Dynamics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shaoyu Ge
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, SUNY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Peter T Nelson
- Department of Pathology and Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Wei Zhou
- Laboratory of Single Cell Genomics and Population Dynamics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Junyue Cao
- Laboratory of Single Cell Genomics and Population Dynamics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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5
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Mapunda JA, Pareja J, Vladymyrov M, Bouillet E, Hélie P, Pleskač P, Barcos S, Andrae J, Vestweber D, McDonald DM, Betsholtz C, Deutsch U, Proulx ST, Engelhardt B. VE-cadherin in arachnoid and pia mater cells serves as a suitable landmark for in vivo imaging of CNS immune surveillance and inflammation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5837. [PMID: 37730744 PMCID: PMC10511632 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41580-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Meninges cover the surface of the brain and spinal cord and contribute to protection and immune surveillance of the central nervous system (CNS). How the meningeal layers establish CNS compartments with different accessibility to immune cells and immune mediators is, however, not well understood. Here, using 2-photon imaging in female transgenic reporter mice, we describe VE-cadherin at intercellular junctions of arachnoid and pia mater cells that form the leptomeninges and border the subarachnoid space (SAS) filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). VE-cadherin expression also marked a layer of Prox1+ cells located within the arachnoid beneath and separate from E-cadherin+ arachnoid barrier cells. In vivo imaging of the spinal cord and brain in female VE-cadherin-GFP reporter mice allowed for direct observation of accessibility of CSF derived tracers and T cells into the SAS bordered by the arachnoid and pia mater during health and neuroinflammation, and detection of volume changes of the SAS during CNS pathology. Together, the findings identified VE-cadherin as an informative landmark for in vivo imaging of the leptomeninges that can be used to visualize the borders of the SAS and thus potential barrier properties of the leptomeninges in controlling access of immune mediators and immune cells into the CNS during health and neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Javier Pareja
- Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Elisa Bouillet
- Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pauline Hélie
- Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Petr Pleskač
- Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sara Barcos
- Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Johanna Andrae
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Donald M McDonald
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christer Betsholtz
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medicine-Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Campus Flemingsberg, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Urban Deutsch
- Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Steven T Proulx
- Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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6
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Kiaie N, Gorabi AM, Loveless R, Teng Y, Jamialahmadi T, Sahebkar A. The regenerative potential of glial progenitor cells and reactive astrocytes in CNS injuries. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 140:104794. [PMID: 35902044 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104794] [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: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Cell therapeutic approaches focusing on the regeneration of damaged tissue have been a popular topic among researchers in recent years. In particular, self-repair scarring from the central nervous system (CNS) can significantly complicate the treatment of an injured patient. In CNS regeneration schemes, either glial progenitor cells or reactive glial cells have key roles to play. In this review, the contribution and underlying mechanisms of these progenitor/reactive glial cells during CNS regeneration are discussed, as well as their role in CNS-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Kiaie
- Research Center for Advanced Technologies in Cardiovascular Medicine, Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Armita Mahdavi Gorabi
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Science, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reid Loveless
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Yong Teng
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tannaz Jamialahmadi
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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7
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Coupe D, Bossing T. Insights into nervous system repair from the fruit fly. Neuronal Signal 2022; 6:NS20210051. [PMID: 35474685 PMCID: PMC9008705 DOI: 10.1042/ns20210051] [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: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Millions of people experience injury to the central nervous system (CNS) each year, many of whom are left permanently disabled, providing a challenging hurdle for the field of regenerative medicine. Repair of damage in the CNS occurs through a concerted effort of phagocytosis of debris, cell proliferation and differentiation to produce new neurons and glia, distal axon/dendrite degeneration, proximal axon/dendrite regeneration and axon re-enwrapment. In humans, regeneration is observed within the peripheral nervous system, while in the CNS injured axons exhibit limited ability to regenerate. This has also been described for the fruit fly Drosophila. Powerful genetic tools available in Drosophila have allowed the response to CNS insults to be probed and novel regulators with mammalian orthologs identified. The conservation of many regenerative pathways, despite considerable evolutionary separation, stresses that these signals are principal regulators and may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Here, we highlight the role of Drosophila CNS injury models in providing key insight into regenerative processes by exploring the underlying pathways that control glial and neuronal activation in response to insult, and their contribution to damage repair in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Coupe
- Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, John Bull Building, 16 Research Way, Plymouth PL6 8BU, U.K
| | - Torsten Bossing
- Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, John Bull Building, 16 Research Way, Plymouth PL6 8BU, U.K
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8
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Wang YJ, Downey MA, Choi S, Shoup TM, Elmaleh DR. Cromolyn platform suppresses fibrosis and inflammation, promotes microglial phagocytosis and neurite outgrowth. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22161. [PMID: 34772945 PMCID: PMC8589953 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00465-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by chronic neuroinflammation and may perpetuate ongoing fibrotic reactions within the central nervous system. Unfortunately, there is no therapeutic available that treats neurodegenerative inflammation and its sequelae. Here we utilize cromolyn, a mast cell inhibitor with anti-inflammatory capabilities, and its fluorinated analogue F-cromolyn to study fibrosis-related protein regulation and secretion downstream of neuroinflammation and their ability to promote microglial phagocytosis and neurite outgrowth. In this report, RNA-seq analysis shows that administration of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α to HMC3 human microglia results in a robust upregulation of fibrosis-associated genes. Subsequent treatment with cromolyn and F-cromolyn resulted in reduced secretion of collagen XVIII, fibronectin, and tenascin-c. Additionally, we show that cromolyn and F-cromolyn reduce pro-inflammatory proteins PLP1, PELP1, HSP90, IL-2, GRO-α, Eotaxin, and VEGF-Α, while promoting secretion of anti-inflammatory IL-4 in HMC3 microglia. Furthermore, cromolyn and F-cromolyn augment neurite outgrowth in PC12 neuronal cells in concert with nerve growth factor. Treatment also differentially altered secretion of neurogenesis-related proteins TTL, PROX1, Rab35, and CSDE1 in HMC3 microglia. Finally, iPSC-derived human microglia more readily phagocytose Aβ42 with cromolyn and F-cromolyn relative to controls. We propose the cromolyn platform targets multiple proteins upstream of PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, and GSK-3β signaling pathways to affect cytokine, chemokine, and fibrosis-related protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sungwoon Choi
- Department of New Drug Discovery, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Timothy M Shoup
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129-2060, USA
| | - David R Elmaleh
- AZTherapies, Inc., Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129-2060, USA.
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9
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Charlton-Perkins MA, Friedrich M, Cook TA. Semper's cells in the insect compound eye: Insights into ocular form and function. Dev Biol 2021; 479:126-138. [PMID: 34343526 PMCID: PMC8410683 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The arthropod compound eye represents one of two major eye types in the animal kingdom and has served as an essential experimental paradigm for defining fundamental mechanisms underlying sensory organ formation, function, and maintenance. One of the most distinguishing features of the compound eye is the highly regular array of lens facets that define individual eye (ommatidial) units. These lens facets are produced by a deeply conserved quartet of cuticle-secreting cells, called Semper cells (SCs). Also widely known as cone cells, SCs were originally identified for their secretion of the dioptric system, i.e. the corneal lens and underlying crystalline cones. Additionally, SCs are now known to execute a diversity of patterning and glial functions in compound eye development and maintenance. Here, we present an integrated account of our current knowledge of SC multifunctionality in the Drosophila compound eye, highlighting emerging gene regulatory modules that may drive the diverse roles for these cells. Drawing comparisons with other deeply conserved retinal glia in the vertebrate single lens eye, this discussion speaks to glial cell origins and opens new avenues for understanding sensory system support programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Charlton-Perkins
- Department of Paediatrics, Wellcome-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Friedrich
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, 5047 Gullen Mall, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA; Department of Ophthalmological, Visual, and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, 540 East Canfield Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Tiffany A Cook
- Department of Ophthalmological, Visual, and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, 540 East Canfield Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA; Center of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 East Canfield Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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10
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Losada-Pérez M, García-Guillén N, Casas-Tintó S. A novel injury paradigm in the central nervous system of adult Drosophila: molecular, cellular and functional aspects. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:268374. [PMID: 34061177 PMCID: PMC8214735 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.044669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian central nervous system (CNS) exhibits limited regenerative capacity and the mechanisms that mediate its regeneration are not fully understood. Here, we present a novel experimental design to damage the CNS by using a contusion injury paradigm. The design of this protocol allows the study of long-term and short-term cellular responses, including those of the CNS and the immune system, and of any implications regarding functional recovery. We demonstrate for the first time that adult Drosophilamelanogaster glial cells undergo spontaneous functional recovery following crush injury. This crush injury leads to an intermediate level of functional recovery after damage, which is ideal to screen for genes that facilitate or prevent the regeneration process. Here, we validate this model and analyse the immune responses of glial cells as a central regulator of functional regeneration. Additionally, we demonstrate that glial cells and macrophages contribute to functional regeneration through mechanisms involving the Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway and the Drosophila protein Draper (Drpr), characteristic of other neural injury paradigms. We show that macrophages are recruited to the injury site and are required for functional recovery. Further, we show that the proteins Grindelwald and Drpr in Drosophila glial cells mediate activation of JNK, and that expression of drpr is dependent on JNK activation. Finally, we link neuron-glial communication and the requirement of neuronal vesicular transport to regulation of the JNK pathway and functional recovery. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Central nervous system crush injury paradigm in adult Drosophilamelanogaster is a suitable model to study the cellular events, and genetic pathways behind injury responses and functional regeneration. We describe the immune responses of glial cells, neurons and macrophages following injury, and the functional relevance of each response.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Losada-Pérez
- Instituto Cajal-CSIC, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria García-Guillén
- Instituto Cajal-CSIC, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Casas-Tintó
- Instituto Cajal-CSIC, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, 28002 Madrid, Spain
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11
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Harrison NJ, Connolly E, Gascón Gubieda A, Yang Z, Altenhein B, Losada Perez M, Moreira M, Sun J, Hidalgo A. Regenerative neurogenic response from glia requires insulin-driven neuron-glia communication. eLife 2021; 10:58756. [PMID: 33527895 PMCID: PMC7880684 DOI: 10.7554/elife.58756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how injury to the central nervous system induces de novo neurogenesis in animals would help promote regeneration in humans. Regenerative neurogenesis could originate from glia and glial neuron-glia antigen-2 (NG2) may sense injury-induced neuronal signals, but these are unknown. Here, we used Drosophila to search for genes functionally related to the NG2 homologue kon-tiki (kon), and identified Islet Antigen-2 (Ia-2), required in neurons for insulin secretion. Both loss and over-expression of ia-2 induced neural stem cell gene expression, injury increased ia-2 expression and induced ectopic neural stem cells. Using genetic analysis and lineage tracing, we demonstrate that Ia-2 and Kon regulate Drosophila insulin-like peptide 6 (Dilp-6) to induce glial proliferation and neural stem cells from glia. Ectopic neural stem cells can divide, and limited de novo neurogenesis could be traced back to glial cells. Altogether, Ia-2 and Dilp-6 drive a neuron-glia relay that restores glia and reprogrammes glia into neural stem cells for regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neale J Harrison
- Structural Plasticity & Regeneration Group, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Connolly
- Structural Plasticity & Regeneration Group, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Alicia Gascón Gubieda
- Structural Plasticity & Regeneration Group, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Zidan Yang
- Structural Plasticity & Regeneration Group, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Maria Losada Perez
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Moreira
- Structural Plasticity & Regeneration Group, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jun Sun
- Structural Plasticity & Regeneration Group, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Alicia Hidalgo
- Structural Plasticity & Regeneration Group, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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12
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Deletion of the transcription factor Prox-1 specifically in the renal distal convoluted tubule causes hypomagnesemia via reduced expression of TRPM6 and NCC. Pflugers Arch 2020; 473:79-93. [PMID: 33200256 PMCID: PMC7782375 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-020-02491-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The renal distal convoluted tubule (DCT) is critical for the fine-tuning of urinary ion excretion and the control of blood pressure. Ion transport along the DCT is tightly controlled by posttranscriptional mechanisms including a complex interplay of kinases, phosphatases, and ubiquitin ligases. Previous work identified the transcription factor Prox-1 as a gene significantly enriched in the DCT of adult mice. To test if Prox-1 contributes to the transcriptional regulation of DCT function and structure, we developed a novel mouse model (NCCcre:Prox-1flox/flox) for an inducible deletion of Prox-1 specifically in the DCT. The deletion of Prox-1 had no obvious impact on DCT structure and growth independent whether the deletion was achieved in newborn or adult mice. Furthermore, DCT-specific Prox-1 deficiency did not alter DCT-proliferation in response to loop diuretic treatment. Likewise, the DCT-specific deletion of Prox-1 did not cause other gross phenotypic abnormalities. Body weight, urinary volume, Na+ and K+ excretion as well as plasma Na+, K+, and aldosterone levels were similar in Prox-1DCTKO and Prox-1DCTCtrl mice. However, Prox-1DCTKO mice exhibited a significant hypomagnesemia with a profound downregulation of the DCT-specific apical Mg2+ channel TRPM6 and the NaCl cotransporter (NCC) at both mRNA and protein levels. The expression of other proteins involved in distal tubule Mg2+ and Na+ handling was not affected. Thus, Prox-1 is a DCT-enriched transcription factor that does not control DCT growth but contributes to the molecular control of DCT-dependent Mg2+ homeostasis in the adult kidney.
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13
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Kato K, Orihara-Ono M, Awasaki T. Multiple lineages enable robust development of the neuropil-glia architecture in adult Drosophila. Development 2020; 147:dev184085. [PMID: 32051172 DOI: 10.1242/dev.184085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neural remodeling is essential for the development of a functional nervous system and has been extensively studied in the metamorphosis of Drosophila Despite the crucial roles of glial cells in brain functions, including learning and behavior, little is known of how adult glial cells develop in the context of neural remodeling. Here, we show that the architecture of neuropil-glia in the adult Drosophila brain, which is composed of astrocyte-like glia (ALG) and ensheathing glia (EG), robustly develops from two different populations in the larva: the larval EG and glial cell missing-positive (gcm+ ) cells. Whereas gcm+ cells proliferate and generate adult ALG and EG, larval EG dedifferentiate, proliferate and redifferentiate into the same glial subtypes. Each glial lineage occupies a certain brain area complementary to the other, and together they form the adult neuropil-glia architecture. Both lineages require the FGF receptor Heartless to proliferate, and the homeoprotein Prospero to differentiate into ALG. Lineage-specific inhibition of gliogenesis revealed that each lineage compensates for deficiency in the proliferation of the other. Together, the lineages ensure the robust development of adult neuropil-glia, thereby ensuring a functional brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Kato
- Department of Biology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka 181-8611, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minako Orihara-Ono
- Department of Biology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka 181-8611, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Awasaki
- Department of Biology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka 181-8611, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Chang W, Teng J. Prox1 is essential for oligodendrocyte survival and regulates oligodendrocyte apoptosis via the regulation of NOXA. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2018; 50:709-717. [PMID: 29931031 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmy061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, are known to result from acute or chronic injury to the myelin sheath and inadequate remyelination. Its underlying molecular mechanisms, however, remain unclear. The transcription factor prospero homeobox 1 (Prox1) plays an essential role during embryonic development of the central nervous system and cell differentiation. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of Prox1 in the survival and differentiation of oligodendrocytes. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was conducted to analyze cell apoptosis. Ectopic-Prox1 and shProx1 were used for the overexpression and knockdown respectively of Prox1 in FBD-102b cells. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to assess the alterations of signaling pathway-related mRNAs and proteins, respectively. Results showed that Prox1 was upregulated in differentiating oligodendrocytes, and Prox1 knockdown inhibited the differentiation of oligodendrocytes. In addition, overexpression of Prox1 promoted oligodendrocyte differentiation, as shown by the change in myelin basic protein expression. The overexpression of Prox1 had no effect on oligodendrocyte survival, while Prox1 knockdown impaired cell survival. Further study demonstrated that Prox1 knockdown promoted oligodendrocyte apoptosis and activated NOXA, a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 protein family. Knockdown of NOXA by siRNA abrogated Prox1 knockdown-induced apoptosis. Our findings indicated that Prox1 regulated the differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells via the regulation of NOXA. Therefore, Prox1 could be a potential modulator of demyelinating diseases in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenguang Chang
- Department of Neurology, the Center Hospital of Xinxiang, Xinxiang, China
| | - Junfang Teng
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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15
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Ren Q, Awasaki T, Wang YC, Huang YF, Lee T. Lineage-guided Notch-dependent gliogenesis by Drosophila multi-potent progenitors. Development 2018; 145:dev.160127. [PMID: 29764857 DOI: 10.1242/dev.160127] [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: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Macroglial cells in the central nervous system exhibit regional specialization and carry out region-specific functions. Diverse glial cells arise from specific progenitors in specific spatiotemporal patterns. This raises an interesting possibility that glial precursors with distinct developmental fates exist that govern region-specific gliogenesis. Here, we have mapped the glial progeny produced by the Drosophila type II neuroblasts, which, like vertebrate radial glia cells, yield both neurons and glia via intermediate neural progenitors (INPs). Distinct type II neuroblasts produce different characteristic sets of glia. A single INP can make both astrocyte-like and ensheathing glia, which co-occupy a relatively restrictive subdomain. Blocking apoptosis uncovers further lineage distinctions in the specification, proliferation and survival of glial precursors. Both the switch from neurogenesis to gliogenesis and the subsequent glial expansion depend on Notch signaling. Taken together, lineage origins preconfigure the development of individual glial precursors with involvement of serial Notch actions in promoting gliogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhong Ren
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Takeshi Awasaki
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Yu-Chun Wang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Yu-Fen Huang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Tzumin Lee
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
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16
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Dobbyn A, Huckins LM, Boocock J, Sloofman LG, Glicksberg BS, Giambartolomei C, Hoffman GE, Perumal TM, Girdhar K, Jiang Y, Raj T, Ruderfer DM, Kramer RS, Pinto D, Akbarian S, Roussos P, Domenici E, Devlin B, Sklar P, Stahl EA, Sieberts SK. Landscape of Conditional eQTL in Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex and Co-localization with Schizophrenia GWAS. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 102:1169-1184. [PMID: 29805045 PMCID: PMC5993513 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Causal genes and variants within genome-wide association study (GWAS) loci can be identified by integrating GWAS statistics with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and determining which variants underlie both GWAS and eQTL signals. Most analyses, however, consider only the marginal eQTL signal, rather than dissect this signal into multiple conditionally independent signals for each gene. Here we show that analyzing conditional eQTL signatures, which could be important under specific cellular or temporal contexts, leads to improved fine mapping of GWAS associations. Using genotypes and gene expression levels from post-mortem human brain samples (n = 467) reported by the CommonMind Consortium (CMC), we find that conditional eQTL are widespread; 63% of genes with primary eQTL also have conditional eQTL. In addition, genomic features associated with conditional eQTL are consistent with context-specific (e.g., tissue-, cell type-, or developmental time point-specific) regulation of gene expression. Integrating the 2014 Psychiatric Genomics Consortium schizophrenia (SCZ) GWAS and CMC primary and conditional eQTL data reveals 40 loci with strong evidence for co-localization (posterior probability > 0.8), including six loci with co-localization of conditional eQTL. Our co-localization analyses support previously reported genes, identify novel genes associated with schizophrenia risk, and provide specific hypotheses for their functional follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Dobbyn
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Laura M Huckins
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - James Boocock
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Laura G Sloofman
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Benjamin S Glicksberg
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Institute for Next Generation Healthcare, Mount Sinai Health System, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Claudia Giambartolomei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Gabriel E Hoffman
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Kiran Girdhar
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yan Jiang
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Towfique Raj
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Douglas M Ruderfer
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Robin S Kramer
- Human Brain Collection Core, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Dalila Pinto
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Panos Roussos
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Enrico Domenici
- Laboratory of Neurogenomic Biomarkers, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy; The Microsoft Research - University of Trento Centre for Computational and Systems Biology (COSBI), Rovereto (TN), Italy
| | - Bernie Devlin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Pamela Sklar
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Eli A Stahl
- Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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17
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Losada-Perez M. Glia: from 'just glue' to essential players in complex nervous systems: a comparative view from flies to mammals. J Neurogenet 2018; 32:78-91. [PMID: 29718753 DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2018.1464568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In the last years, glial cells have emerged as central players in the development and function of complex nervous systems. Therefore, the concept of glial cells has evolved from simple supporting cells to essential actors. The molecular mechanisms that govern glial functions are evolutionarily conserved from Drosophila to mammals, highlighting genetic similarities between these groups, as well as the great potential of Drosophila research for the understanding of human CNS. These similarities would imply a common phylogenetic origin of glia, even though there is a controversy at this point. This review addresses the existing literature on the evolutionary origin of glia and discusses whether or not insect and mammalian glia are homologous or analogous. Besides, this manuscript summarizes the main glial functions in the CNS and underscores the evolutionarily conserved molecular mechanisms between Drosophila and mammals. Finally, I also consider the current nomenclature and classification of glial cells to highlight the need for a consensus agreement and I propose an alternative nomenclature based on function that unifies Drosophila and mammalian glial types.
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18
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Kelenis DP, Hart E, Edwards-Fligner M, Johnson JE, Vue TY. ASCL1 regulates proliferation of NG2-glia in the embryonic and adult spinal cord. Glia 2018; 66:1862-1880. [PMID: 29683222 PMCID: PMC6185776 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
NG2‐glia are highly proliferative oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) that are widely distributed throughout the central nervous system (CNS). During development, NG2‐glia predominantly differentiate into oligodendrocytes (OLs) to myelinate axon fibers, but they can also remain as OPCs persisting into the mature CNS. Interestingly, NG2‐glia in the gray matter (GM) are intrinsically different from those in the white matter (WM) in terms of proliferation, differentiation, gene expression, and electrophysiological properties. Here we investigate the role of the transcriptional regulator, ASCL1, in controlling NG2‐glia distribution and development in the GM and WM. In the spinal cord, ASCL1 levels are higher in WM NG2‐glia than those in the GM. This differential level of ASCL1 in WM and GM NG2‐glia is maintained into adult stages. Long‐term clonal lineage analysis reveals that the progeny of single ASCL1+ oligodendrocyte progenitors (OLPs) and NG2‐glia are primarily restricted to the GM or WM, even though they undergo extensive proliferation to give rise to large clusters of OLs in the postnatal spinal cord. Conditional deletion of Ascl1 specifically in NG2‐glia in the embryonic or adult spinal cord resulted in a significant reduction in the proliferation but not differentiation of these cells. These findings illustrate that ASCL1 is an intrinsic regulator of the proliferative property of NG2‐glia in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetra P Kelenis
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Emma Hart
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | | | - Jane E Johnson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Tou Yia Vue
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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19
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Go and stop signals for glial regeneration. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2017; 47:182-187. [PMID: 29126016 PMCID: PMC6419527 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The regenerative response of ensheating glia to central nervous system (CNS) injury involves proliferation and differentiation, axonal re-enwrapment and some recovery of behaviour. Understanding this limited response could enable the enhancement of it. In Drosophila, the glial progenitor state is maintained by Notch, an activator of cell division and Prospero (Pros), a repressor. Injury provokes the activation of NFκB and up-regulation of Kon-tiki (Kon), driving cell proliferation. Homeostatic switch-off comes about as two negative feedback loops involving Pros terminate the response. Importantly, the functions of the kon and pros homologues NG2 and prox1, respectively, are conserved in mammalian NG2 glia. Controlling these genes is key for therapeutic manipulation of progenitors and stem cells to promote regeneration of the damaged CNS.
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20
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Kato K, Losada-Perez M, Hidalgo A. Gene network underlying the glial regenerative response to central nervous system injury. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:85-93. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Kato
- School of Medicine; Kyorin University; Tokyo Japan
| | | | - Alicia Hidalgo
- School of Biosciences; University of Birmingham; United Kingdom
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21
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Charlton-Perkins MA, Sendler ED, Buschbeck EK, Cook TA. Multifunctional glial support by Semper cells in the Drosophila retina. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006782. [PMID: 28562601 PMCID: PMC5470715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial cells play structural and functional roles central to the formation, activity and integrity of neurons throughout the nervous system. In the retina of vertebrates, the high energetic demand of photoreceptors is sustained in part by Müller glia, an intrinsic, atypical radial glia with features common to many glial subtypes. Accessory and support glial cells also exist in invertebrates, but which cells play this function in the insect retina is largely undefined. Using cell-restricted transcriptome analysis, here we show that the ommatidial cone cells (aka Semper cells) in the Drosophila compound eye are enriched for glial regulators and effectors, including signature characteristics of the vertebrate visual system. In addition, cone cell-targeted gene knockdowns demonstrate that such glia-associated factors are required to support the structural and functional integrity of neighboring photoreceptors. Specifically, we show that distinct support functions (neuronal activity, structural integrity and sustained neurotransmission) can be genetically separated in cone cells by down-regulating transcription factors associated with vertebrate gliogenesis (pros/Prox1, Pax2/5/8, and Oli/Olig1,2, respectively). Further, we find that specific factors critical for glial function in other species are also critical in cone cells to support Drosophila photoreceptor activity. These include ion-transport proteins (Na/K+-ATPase, Eaat1, and Kir4.1-related channels) and metabolic homeostatic factors (dLDH and Glut1). These data define genetically distinct glial signatures in cone/Semper cells that regulate their structural, functional and homeostatic interactions with photoreceptor neurons in the compound eye of Drosophila. In addition to providing a new high-throughput model to study neuron-glia interactions, the fly eye will further help elucidate glial conserved "support networks" between invertebrates and vertebrates. Glia are the caretakers of the nervous system. Like their neighboring neurons, different glial subtypes exist that share many overlapping functions. Despite our recognition of glia as a key component of the brain, the genetic networks that mediate their neuroprotective functions remain relatively poorly understood. Here, using the genetic model Drosophila melanogaster, we identify a new glial cell type in one of the most active tissues in the nervous system—the retina. These cells, called ommatidial cone cells (or Semper cells), were previously recognized for their role in lens formation. Using cell-specific molecular genetic approaches, we demonstrate that cone cells (CCs) also share molecular, functional, and genetic features with both vertebrate and invertebrate glia to prevent light-induced retinal degeneration and provide structural and physiological support for photoreceptors. Further, we demonstrate that three factors associated with gliogenesis in vertebrates—prospero/Prox1, Pax2, and Oli/Olig1,2—control genetically distinct aspects of these support functions. CCs also share molecular and functional features with the three main glial types in the mammalian visual system: Müller glia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Combined, these studies provide insight into potentially deeply conserved aspects of glial functions in the visual system and introduce a high-throughput system to genetically dissect essential neuroprotective mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Charlton-Perkins
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Edward D. Sendler
- Center of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Elke K. Buschbeck
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Tiffany A. Cook
- Center of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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22
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Losada-Perez M, Harrison N, Hidalgo A. Glial kon/NG2 gene network for central nervous system repair. Neural Regen Res 2017; 12:31-34. [PMID: 28250735 PMCID: PMC5319228 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.198969] [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: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The glial regenerative response to central nervous system (CNS) injury, although limited, can be harnessed to promote regeneration and repair. Injury provokes the proliferation of ensheathing glial cells, which can differentiate to remyelinate axons, and partially restore function. This response is evolutionarily conserved, strongly implying an underlying genetic mechanism. In mammals, it is elicited by NG2 glia, but most often newly generated cells fail to differentiate. Thus an important goal had been to find out how to promote glial differentiation following the proliferative response. A gene network involving Notch and prospero (pros) controls the balance between glial proliferation and differentiation in flies and mice, and promotes CNS repair at least in fruit-flies. A key missing link had been how to relate the function of NG2 to this gene network. Recent findings by Losada-Perez et al., published in JCB, demonstrated that the Drosophila NG2 homologue kon-tiki (kon) is functionally linked to Notch and pros in glia. By engaging in two feedback loops with Notch and Pros, in response to injury, Kon can regulate both glial cell number and glial shape homeostasis, essential for repair. Drosophila offers powerful genetics to unravel the control of stem and progenitor cells for regeneration and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Losada-Perez
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England, UK; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Neale Harrison
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England, UK
| | - Alicia Hidalgo
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England, UK
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Losada-Perez M, Harrison N, Hidalgo A. Molecular mechanism of central nervous system repair by the Drosophila NG2 homologue kon-tiki. J Cell Biol 2016; 214:587-601. [PMID: 27551055 PMCID: PMC5004445 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201603054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial cells help central nervous system injury repair, but this is limited by the failure of newly produced glial cells to differentiate. Here, Losada-Perez et al. identify the NG2-dependent mechanism modulating glial proliferation and differentiation after damage to promote repair, in the central nervous system of Drosophila. Neuron glia antigen 2 (NG2)–positive glia are repair cells that proliferate upon central nervous system (CNS) damage, promoting functional recovery. However, repair is limited because of the failure of the newly produced glial cells to differentiate. It is a key goal to discover how to regulate NG2 to enable glial proliferation and differentiation conducive to repair. Drosophila has an NG2 homologue called kon-tiki (kon), of unknown CNS function. We show that kon promotes repair and identify the underlying mechanism. Crush injury up-regulates kon expression downstream of Notch. Kon in turn induces glial proliferation and initiates glial differentiation by activating glial genes and prospero (pros). Two negative feedback loops with Notch and Pros allow Kon to drive the homeostatic regulation required for repair. By modulating Kon levels in glia, we could prevent or promote CNS repair. Thus, the functional links between Kon, Notch, and Pros are essential for, and can drive, repair. Analogous mechanisms could promote CNS repair in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Losada-Perez
- NeuroDevelopment Lab, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK
| | - Neale Harrison
- NeuroDevelopment Lab, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK
| | - Alicia Hidalgo
- NeuroDevelopment Lab, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK
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Kage-Nakadai E, Ohta A, Ujisawa T, Sun S, Nishikawa Y, Kuhara A, Mitani S. Caenorhabditis elegans homologue of Prox1/Prospero is expressed in the glia and is required for sensory behavior and cold tolerance. Genes Cells 2016; 21:936-48. [PMID: 27402188 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) amphid sensory organ contains only 4 glia-like cells and 24 sensory neurons, providing a simple model for analyzing glia or neuron-glia interactions. To better characterize glial development and function, we carried out RNA interference screening for transcription factors that regulate the expression of an amphid sheath glial cell marker and identified pros-1, which encodes a homeodomain transcription factor homologous to Drosophila prospero/mammalian Prox1, as a positive regulator. The functional PROS-1::EGFP fusion protein was localized in the nuclei of the glia and the excretory cell but not in the amphid sensory neurons. pros-1 deletion mutants exhibited larval lethality, and rescue experiments showed that pros-1 and human Prox1 transgenes were able to rescue the larval lethal phenotype, suggesting that pros-1 is a functional homologue of mammalian Prox1, at least partially. We further found that the structure and functions of sensory neurons, such as the morphology of sensory endings, sensory behavior and sensory-mediated cold tolerance, appeared to be affected by the pros-1 RNAi. Together, our results show that the C. elegans PROS-1 is a transcriptional regulator in the glia but is involved not only in sensory behavior but also in sensory-mediated physiological tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriko Kage-Nakadai
- Department of Physiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan.,The OCU Advanced Research Institute for Natural Science and Technology, Osaka City University, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan.,Graduate School of Human Life Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan
| | - Akane Ohta
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Institute for Integrative Neurobiology, Konan University, Kobe, 658-8501, Japan
| | - Tomoyo Ujisawa
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Institute for Integrative Neurobiology, Konan University, Kobe, 658-8501, Japan
| | - Simo Sun
- Graduate School of Human Life Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Nishikawa
- Graduate School of Human Life Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kuhara
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Institute for Integrative Neurobiology, Konan University, Kobe, 658-8501, Japan
| | - Shohei Mitani
- Department of Physiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan.
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