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Le N, Vu TD, Palazzo I, Pulya R, Kim Y, Blackshaw S, Hoang T. Robust reprogramming of glia into neurons by inhibition of Notch signaling and nuclear factor I (NFI) factors in adult mammalian retina. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn2091. [PMID: 38996013 PMCID: PMC11244444 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn2091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Generation of neurons through direct reprogramming has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we present an efficient method for reprogramming retinal glial cells into neurons. By suppressing Notch signaling by disrupting either Rbpj or Notch1/2, we induced mature Müller glial cells to reprogram into bipolar- and amacrine-like neurons. We demonstrate that Rbpj directly activates both Notch effector genes and genes specific to mature Müller glia while indirectly repressing expression of neurogenic basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) factors. Combined loss of function of Rbpj and Nfia/b/x resulted in conversion of nearly all Müller glia to neurons. Last, inducing Müller glial proliferation by overexpression of dominant-active Yap promotes neurogenesis in both Rbpj- and Nfia/b/x/Rbpj-deficient Müller glia. These findings demonstrate that Notch signaling and NFI factors act in parallel to inhibit neurogenic competence in mammalian Müller glia and help clarify potential strategies for regenerative therapies aimed at treating retinal dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyet Le
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Trieu-Duc Vu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Isabella Palazzo
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ritvik Pulya
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yehna Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Thanh Hoang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
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Le N, Vu TD, Palazzo I, Pulya R, Kim Y, Blackshaw S, Hoang T. Robust reprogramming of glia into neurons by inhibition of Notch signaling and NFI factors in adult mammalian retina. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.29.560483. [PMID: 37961663 PMCID: PMC10634926 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.29.560483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Generation of neurons through direct reprogramming has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases. Despite successful applications in vitro , in vivo implementation has been hampered by low efficiency. In this study, we present a highly efficient strategy for reprogramming retinal glial cells into neurons by simultaneously inhibiting key negative regulators. By suppressing Notch signaling through the removal of its central mediator Rbpj, we induced mature Müller glial cells to reprogram into bipolar and amacrine neurons in uninjured adult mouse retinas, and observed that this effect was further enhanced by retinal injury. We found that specific loss of function of Notch1 and Notch2 receptors in Müller glia mimicked the effect of Rbpj deletion on Müller glia-derived neurogenesis. Integrated analysis of multiome (scRNA- and scATAC-seq) and CUT&Tag data revealed that Rbpj directly activates Notch effector genes and genes specific to mature Müller glia while also indirectly represses the expression of neurogenic bHLH factors. Furthermore, we found that combined loss of function of Rbpj and Nfia/b/x resulted in a robust conversion of nearly all Müller glia to neurons. Finally, we demonstrated that inducing Müller glial proliferation by AAV (adeno-associated virus)-mediated overexpression of dominant- active Yap supports efficient levels of Müller glia-derived neurogenesis in both Rbpj - and Nfia/b/x/Rbpj - deficient Müller glia. These findings demonstrate that, much like in zebrafish, Notch signaling actively represses neurogenic competence in mammalian Müller glia, and suggest that inhibition of Notch signaling and Nfia/b/x in combination with overexpression of activated Yap could serve as an effective component of regenerative therapies for degenerative retinal diseases.
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Zhang X, Leavey P, Appel H, Makrides N, Blackshaw S. Molecular mechanisms controlling vertebrate retinal patterning, neurogenesis, and cell fate specification. Trends Genet 2023; 39:736-757. [PMID: 37423870 PMCID: PMC10529299 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
This review covers recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling neurogenesis and specification of the developing retina, with a focus on insights obtained from comparative single cell multiomic analysis. We discuss recent advances in understanding the mechanisms by which extrinsic factors trigger transcriptional changes that spatially pattern the optic cup (OC) and control the initiation and progression of retinal neurogenesis. We also discuss progress in unraveling the core evolutionarily conserved gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that specify early- and late-state retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) and neurogenic progenitors and that control the final steps in determining cell identity. Finally, we discuss findings that provide insight into regulation of species-specific aspects of retinal patterning and neurogenesis, including consideration of key outstanding questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Patrick Leavey
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Haley Appel
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Neoklis Makrides
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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4
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Bosze B, Suarez-Navarro J, Cajias I, Brzezinski IV JA, Brown NL. Notch pathway mutants do not equivalently perturb mouse embryonic retinal development. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010928. [PMID: 37751417 PMCID: PMC10522021 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In the vertebrate eye, Notch ligands, receptors, and ternary complex components determine the destiny of retinal progenitor cells in part by regulating Hes effector gene activity. There are multiple paralogues for nearly every node in this pathway, which results in numerous instances of redundancy and compensation during development. To dissect such complexity at the earliest stages of eye development, we used seven germline or conditional mutant mice and two spatiotemporally distinct Cre drivers. We perturbed the Notch ternary complex and multiple Hes genes to understand if Notch regulates optic stalk/nerve head development; and to test intracellular pathway components for their Notch-dependent versus -independent roles during retinal ganglion cell and cone photoreceptor competence and fate acquisition. We confirmed that disrupting Notch signaling universally blocks progenitor cell growth, but delineated specific pathway components that can act independently, such as sustained Hes1 expression in the optic stalk/nerve head. In retinal progenitor cells, we found that among the genes tested, they do not uniformly suppress retinal ganglion cell or cone differentiation; which is not due differences in developmental timing. We discovered that shifts in the earliest cell fates correlate with expression changes for the early photoreceptor factor Otx2, but not with Atoh7, a factor required for retinal ganglion cell formation. During photoreceptor genesis we also better defined multiple and simultaneous activities for Rbpj and Hes1 and identify redundant activities that occur downstream of Notch. Given its unique roles at the retina-optic stalk boundary and cone photoreceptor genesis, our data suggest Hes1 as a hub where Notch-dependent and -independent inputs converge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadett Bosze
- Department of Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Julissa Suarez-Navarro
- Department of Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Illiana Cajias
- Department of Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Joseph A. Brzezinski IV
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Nadean L. Brown
- Department of Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
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Kuzelova A, Dupacova N, Antosova B, Sunny SS, Kozmik Z, Paces J, Skoultchi AI, Stopka T, Kozmik Z. Chromatin Remodeling Enzyme Snf2h Is Essential for Retinal Cell Proliferation and Photoreceptor Maintenance. Cells 2023; 12:1035. [PMID: 37048108 PMCID: PMC10093269 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin remodeling complexes are required for many distinct nuclear processes such as transcription, DNA replication, and DNA repair. However, the contribution of these complexes to the development of complex tissues within an organism is poorly characterized. Imitation switch (ISWI) proteins are among the most evolutionarily conserved ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factors and are represented by yeast Isw1/Isw2, and their vertebrate counterparts Snf2h (Smarca5) and Snf2l (Smarca1). In this study, we focused on the role of the Snf2h gene during the development of the mammalian retina. We show that Snf2h is expressed in both retinal progenitors and post-mitotic retinal cells. Using Snf2h conditional knockout mice (Snf2h cKO), we found that when Snf2h is deleted, the laminar structure of the adult retina is not retained, the overall thickness of the retina is significantly reduced compared with controls, and the outer nuclear layer (ONL) is completely missing. The depletion of Snf2h did not influence the ability of retinal progenitors to generate all the differentiated retinal cell types. Instead, the Snf2h function is critical for the proliferation of retinal progenitor cells. Cells lacking Snf2h have a defective S-phase, leading to the entire cell division process impairments. Although all retinal cell types appear to be specified in the absence of the Snf2h function, cell-cycle defects and concomitantly increased apoptosis in Snf2h cKO result in abnormal retina lamination, complete destruction of the photoreceptor layer, and consequently, a physiologically non-functional retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Kuzelova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Naoko Dupacova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Antosova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sweetu Susan Sunny
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Paces
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Arthur I. Skoultchi
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Tomas Stopka
- Biocev, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, 128 08 Prague, Czech Republic
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6
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Kuzelova A, Dupacova N, Antosova B, Sunny SS, Kozmik Z, Paces J, Skoultchi AI, Stopka T, Kozmik Z. Chromatin remodeling enzyme Snf2h is essential for retinal cell proliferation and photoreceptor maintenance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.13.528323. [PMID: 36824843 PMCID: PMC9948993 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.13.528323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin remodeling complexes are required for many distinct nuclear processes such as transcription, DNA replication and DNA repair. However, how these complexes contribute to the development of complex tissues within an organism is poorly characterized. Imitation switch (ISWI) proteins are among the most evolutionarily conserved ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factors and are represented by yeast Isw1/Isw2, and their vertebrate counterparts Snf2h (Smarca5) and Snf2l (Smarca1). In this study, we focused on the role of the Snf2h gene during development of the mammalian retina. We show that Snf2h is expressed in both retinal progenitors and post-mitotic retinal cells. Using Snf2h conditional knockout mice ( Snf2h cKO), we found that when Snf2h is deleted the laminar structure of the adult retina is not retained, the overall thickness of the retina is significantly reduced compared with controls, and the outer nuclear layer (ONL) is completely missing. Depletion of Snf2h did not influence the ability of retinal progenitors to generate all of the differentiated retinal cell types. Instead, Snf2h function is critical for proliferation of retinal progenitor cells. Cells lacking Snf2h have a defective S-phase, leading to the entire cell division process impairments. Although, all retinal cell types appear to be specified in the absence of Snf2h function, cell cycle defects and concomitantly increased apoptosis in Snf2h cKO result in abnormal retina lamination, complete destruction of the photoreceptor layer and, consequently, in a physiologically non-functional retina.
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7
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Bunker J, Bashir M, Bailey S, Boodram P, Perry A, Delaney R, Tsachaki M, Sprecher SG, Nelson E, Call GB, Rister J. Blimp-1/PRDM1 and Hr3/RORβ specify the blue-sensitive photoreceptor subtype in Drosophila by repressing the hippo pathway. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1058961. [PMID: 36960411 PMCID: PMC10027706 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1058961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
During terminal differentiation of the mammalian retina, transcription factors control binary cell fate decisions that generate functionally distinct subtypes of photoreceptor neurons. For instance, Otx2 and RORβ activate the expression of the transcriptional repressor Blimp-1/PRDM1 that represses bipolar interneuron fate and promotes rod photoreceptor fate. Moreover, Otx2 and Crx promote expression of the nuclear receptor Nrl that promotes rod photoreceptor fate and represses cone photoreceptor fate. Mutations in these four transcription factors cause severe eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa. Here, we show that a post-mitotic binary fate decision in Drosophila color photoreceptor subtype specification requires ecdysone signaling and involves orthologs of these transcription factors: Drosophila Blimp-1/PRDM1 and Hr3/RORβ promote blue-sensitive (Rh5) photoreceptor fate and repress green-sensitive (Rh6) photoreceptor fate through the transcriptional repression of warts/LATS, the nexus of the phylogenetically conserved Hippo tumor suppressor pathway. Moreover, we identify a novel interaction between Blimp-1 and warts, whereby Blimp-1 represses a warts intronic enhancer in blue-sensitive photoreceptors and thereby gives rise to specific expression of warts in green-sensitive photoreceptors. Together, these results reveal that conserved transcriptional regulators play key roles in terminal cell fate decisions in both the Drosophila and the mammalian retina, and the mechanistic insights further deepen our understanding of how Hippo pathway signaling is repurposed to control photoreceptor fates for Drosophila color vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Bunker
- Department of Biology, Integrated Sciences Complex, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mhamed Bashir
- Department of Biology, Integrated Sciences Complex, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sydney Bailey
- Department of Biology, Integrated Sciences Complex, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Pamela Boodram
- Department of Biology, Integrated Sciences Complex, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
- NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alexis Perry
- Department of Biology, Integrated Sciences Complex, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rory Delaney
- Department of Biology, Integrated Sciences Complex, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maria Tsachaki
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Simon G. Sprecher
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Erik Nelson
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, United States
| | - Gerald B. Call
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, United States
| | - Jens Rister
- Department of Biology, Integrated Sciences Complex, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Jens Rister,
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8
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Petridou E, Godinho L. Cellular and Molecular Determinants of Retinal Cell Fate. Annu Rev Vis Sci 2022; 8:79-99. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-vision-100820-103154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate retina is regarded as a simple part of the central nervous system (CNS) and thus amenable to investigations of the determinants of cell fate. Its five neuronal cell classes and one glial cell class all derive from a common pool of progenitors. Here we review how each cell class is generated. Retinal progenitors progress through different competence states, in each of which they generate only a small repertoire of cell classes. The intrinsic state of the progenitor is determined by the complement of transcription factors it expresses. Thus, although progenitors are multipotent, there is a bias in the types of fates they generate during any particular time window. Overlying these competence states are stochastic mechanisms that influence fate decisions. These mechanisms are determined by a weighted set of probabilities based on the abundance of a cell class in the retina. Deterministic mechanisms also operate, especially late in development, when preprogrammed progenitors solely generate specific fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Petridou
- Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany;,
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Leanne Godinho
- Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany;,
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9
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Leung HW, Foo G, VanDongen A. Arc Regulates Transcription of Genes for Plasticity, Excitability and Alzheimer’s Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081946. [PMID: 36009494 PMCID: PMC9405677 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The immediate early gene Arc is a master regulator of synaptic function and a critical determinant of memory consolidation. Here, we show that Arc interacts with dynamic chromatin and closely associates with histone markers for active enhancers and transcription in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Both these histone modifications, H3K27Ac and H3K9Ac, have recently been shown to be upregulated in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). When Arc induction by pharmacological network activation was prevented using a short hairpin RNA, the expression profile was altered for over 1900 genes, which included genes associated with synaptic function, neuronal plasticity, intrinsic excitability, and signalling pathways. Interestingly, about 100 Arc-dependent genes are associated with the pathophysiology of AD. When endogenous Arc expression was induced in HEK293T cells, the transcription of many neuronal genes was increased, suggesting that Arc can control expression in the absence of activated signalling pathways. Taken together, these data establish Arc as a master regulator of neuronal activity-dependent gene expression and suggest that it plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriel Foo
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Antonius VanDongen
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Correspondence:
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10
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Bian F, Daghsni M, Lu F, Liu S, Gross JM, Aldiri I. Functional analysis of the Vsx2 super-enhancer uncovers distinct cis-regulatory circuits controlling Vsx2 expression during retinogenesis. Development 2022; 149:dev200642. [PMID: 35831950 PMCID: PMC9440754 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Vsx2 is a transcription factor essential for retinal proliferation and bipolar cell differentiation, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its developmental roles are unclear. Here, we have profiled VSX2 genomic occupancy during mouse retinogenesis, revealing extensive retinal genetic programs associated with VSX2 during development. VSX2 binds and transactivates its enhancer in association with the transcription factor PAX6. Mice harboring deletions in the Vsx2 regulatory landscape exhibit specific abnormalities in retinal proliferation and in bipolar cell differentiation. In one of those deletions, a complete loss of bipolar cells is associated with a bias towards photoreceptor production. VSX2 occupies cis-regulatory elements nearby genes associated with photoreceptor differentiation and homeostasis in the adult mouse and human retina, including a conserved region nearby Prdm1, a factor implicated in the specification of rod photoreceptors and suppression of bipolar cell fate. VSX2 interacts with the transcription factor OTX2 and can act to suppress OTX2-dependent enhancer transactivation of the Prdm1 enhancer. Taken together, our analyses indicate that Vsx2 expression can be temporally and spatially uncoupled at the enhancer level, and they illuminate important mechanistic insights into how VSX2 is engaged with gene regulatory networks that are essential for retinal proliferation and cell fate acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuyun Bian
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Marwa Daghsni
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Fangfang Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Silvia Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Gross
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Issam Aldiri
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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11
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Hussey KA, Hadyniak SE, Johnston RJ. Patterning and Development of Photoreceptors in the Human Retina. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:878350. [PMID: 35493094 PMCID: PMC9049932 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.878350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans rely on visual cues to navigate the world around them. Vision begins with the detection of light by photoreceptor cells in the retina, a light-sensitive tissue located at the back of the eye. Photoreceptor types are defined by morphology, gene expression, light sensitivity, and function. Rod photoreceptors function in low-light vision and motion detection, and cone photoreceptors are responsible for high-acuity daytime and trichromatic color vision. In this review, we discuss the generation, development, and patterning of photoreceptors in the human retina. We describe our current understanding of how photoreceptors are patterned in concentric regions. We conclude with insights into mechanisms of photoreceptor differentiation drawn from studies of model organisms and human retinal organoids.
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12
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Dezfuly AR, Safaee A, Amirpour N, Kazemi M, Ramezani A, Jafarinia M, Dehghani A, Salehi H. Therapeutic effects of human adipose mesenchymal stem cells and their paracrine agents on sodium iodate induced retinal degeneration in rats. Life Sci 2022; 300:120570. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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13
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Shiau F, Ruzycki PA, Clark BS. A single-cell guide to retinal development: Cell fate decisions of multipotent retinal progenitors in scRNA-seq. Dev Biol 2021; 478:41-58. [PMID: 34146533 PMCID: PMC8386138 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in high throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology have enabled the simultaneous transcriptomic profiling of thousands of individual cells in a single experiment. To investigate the intrinsic process of retinal development, researchers have leveraged this technology to quantify gene expression in retinal cells across development, in multiple species, and from numerous important models of human disease. In this review, we summarize recent applications of scRNA-seq and discuss how these datasets have complemented and advanced our understanding of retinal progenitor cell competence, cell fate specification, and differentiation. Finally, we also highlight the outstanding questions in the field that advances in single-cell data generation and analysis will soon be able to answer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fion Shiau
- John F Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Philip A Ruzycki
- John F Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Brian S Clark
- John F Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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14
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West ER, Cepko CL. Development and diversification of bipolar interneurons in the mammalian retina. Dev Biol 2021; 481:30-42. [PMID: 34534525 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The bipolar interneurons of the mammalian retina have evolved as a diverse set of cells with distinct subtype characteristics, which reflect specialized contributions to visual circuitry. Fifteen subtypes of bipolar interneurons have been identified in the mouse retina, each with characteristic gene expression, morphology, and light responses. This review provides an overview of the developmental events that underlie the generation of the diverse bipolar cell class, summarizing the current knowledge of genetic programs that establish and maintain bipolar subtype fates, as well as the events that shape the final distribution of bipolar subtypes. With much left to be discovered, bipolar interneurons present an ideal model system for studying the interplay between cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms that influence neuronal subtype development within the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R West
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Constance L Cepko
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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15
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Shams Najafabadi H, Sadeghi M, Zibaii MI, Soheili ZS, Samiee S, Ghasemi P, Hosseini M, Gholami Pourbadie H, Ahmadieh H, Taghizadeh S, Ranaei Pirmardan E. Optogenetic control of neural differentiation in Opto-mGluR6 engineered retinal pigment epithelial cell line and mesenchymal stem cells. J Cell Biochem 2021; 122:851-869. [PMID: 33847009 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In retinal degenerative disorders, when neural retinal cells are damaged, cell transplantation is one of the most promising therapeutic approaches. Optogenetic technology plays an essential role in the neural differentiation of stem cells via membrane depolarization. This study explored the efficacy of blue light stimulation in neuroretinal differentiation of Opto-mGluR6-engineered mouse retinal pigment epithelium (mRPE) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). mRPE and BMSCs were selected for optogenetic study due to their capability to differentiate into retinal-specific neurons. BMSCs were isolated and phenotypically characterized by the expression of mesenchymal stem cell-specific markers, CD44 (99%) and CD105 (98.8%). mRPE culture identity was confirmed by expression of RPE-specific marker, RPE65, and epithelial cell marker, ZO-1. mRPE cells and BMSCs were transduced with AAV-MCS-IRES-EGFP-Opto-mGluR6 viral vector and stimulated for 5 days with blue light (470 nm). RNA and protein expression of Opto-mGluR6 were verified. Optogenetic stimulation-induced elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels in mRPE- and BMS-treated cells. Significant increase in cell growth rate and G1/S phase transition were detected in mRPE- and BMSCs-treated cultures. Pou4f1, Dlx2, Eomes, Barlh2, Neurod2, Neurod6, Rorb, Rxrg, Nr2f2, Ascl1, Hes5, and Sox8 were overexpressed in treated BMSCs and Barlh2, Rorb, and Sox8 were overexpressed in treated mRPE cells. Expression of Rho, Thy1, OPN1MW, Recoverin, and CRABP, as retinal-specific neuron markers, in mRPE and BMS cell cultures were demonstrated. Differentiation of ganglion, amacrine, photoreceptor cells, and bipolar and Muller precursors were determined in BMSCs-treated culture and were compared with mRPE. mRPE cells represented more abundant terminal Muller glial differentiation compared with BMSCs. Our results also demonstrated that optical stimulation increased the intracellular Ca2+ level and proliferation and differentiation of Opto-mGluR6-engineered BMSCs. It seems that optogenetic stimulation of mRPE- and BMSCs-engineered cells would be a potential therapeutic approach for retinal degenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Shams Najafabadi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sadeghi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad I Zibaii
- Laser & Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra-Soheila Soheili
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahram Samiee
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pouria Ghasemi
- Laser & Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hosseini
- Laser & Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Hamid Ahmadieh
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Taghizadeh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ranaei Pirmardan
- Molecular Biomarkers Nano-imaging Laboratory, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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16
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Yamamoto H, Kon T, Omori Y, Furukawa T. Functional and Evolutionary Diversification of Otx2 and Crx in Vertebrate Retinal Photoreceptor and Bipolar Cell Development. Cell Rep 2021; 30:658-671.e5. [PMID: 31968244 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.12.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Otx family homeoproteins Otx2 and Crx are expressed in photoreceptor precursor cells and bind to the common DNA-binding consensus sequence, but these two proteins have distinct functions in retinal development. To examine the functional substitutability of Otx2 and Crx, we generate knockin mouse lines in which Crx is replaced by Otx2 and vice versa. We find that Otx2 and Crx cannot be substituted in photoreceptor development. Subsequently, we investigate the function of Otx2 in photoreceptor and bipolar cell development. High Otx2 levels induce photoreceptor cell fate but not bipolar cell fate, whereas reduced Otx2 expression impairs bipolar cell maturation and survival. Furthermore, we identify Otx2 and Crx in the lamprey genome by using synteny analysis, suggesting that the last common ancestor of vertebrates possesses both Otx2 and Crx. We find that the retinal Otx2 expression pattern is different between lampreys and mice, suggesting that neofunctionalization of Otx2 occurred in the jawed vertebrate lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruka Yamamoto
- Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Kon
- Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Omori
- Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takahisa Furukawa
- Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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17
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Single-Cell Transcriptomic Comparison of Human Fetal Retina, hPSC-Derived Retinal Organoids, and Long-Term Retinal Cultures. Cell Rep 2021; 30:1644-1659.e4. [PMID: 32023475 PMCID: PMC7901645 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To study the development of the human retina, we use single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) at key fetal stages and follow the development of the major cell types as well as populations of transitional cells. We also analyze stem cell (hPSC)-derived retinal organoids; although organoids have a very similar cellular composition at equivalent ages as the fetal retina, there are some differences in gene expression of particular cell types. Moreover, the inner retinal lamination is disrupted at more advanced stages of organoids compared with fetal retina. To determine whether the disorganization in the inner retina is due to the culture conditions, we analyze retinal development in fetal retina maintained under similar conditions. These retinospheres develop for at least 6 months, displaying better inner retinal lamination than retinal organoids. Our single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) comparisons of fetal retina, retinal organoids, and retinospheres provide a resource for developing better in vitro models for retinal disease.
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18
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McNerney C, Johnston RJ. Thyroid hormone signaling specifies cone photoreceptor subtypes during eye development: Insights from model organisms and human stem cell-derived retinal organoids. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2021; 116:51-90. [PMID: 33752828 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Cones are the color-detecting photoreceptors of the vertebrate eye. Cones are specialized into subtypes whose functions are determined by the expression of color-sensitive opsin proteins. Organisms differ greatly in the number and patterning of cone subtypes. Despite these differences, thyroid hormone is an important regulator of opsin expression in most vertebrates. In this chapter, we outline how the timing of thyroid hormone signaling controls cone subtype fates during retinal development. We first examine our current understanding of cone subtype specification in model organisms and then describe advances in human stem cell-derived organoid technology that identified mechanisms controlling development of the human retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina McNerney
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robert J Johnston
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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19
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Functional analysis of Samd11, a retinal photoreceptor PRC1 component, in establishing rod photoreceptor identity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4180. [PMID: 33603070 PMCID: PMC7892874 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83781-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Establishing correct neuronal cell identity is essential to build intricate neural tissue architecture and acquire precise neural function during vertebrate development. While it is known that transcription factors play important roles in retinal cell differentiation, the contribution of epigenetic factors to establishing cell identity during retinal development remains unclear. We previously reported that Samd7, a rod photoreceptor cell-specific sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain protein, functions as a Polycomb repressive complex 1 component (PRC1) that is essential for establishing rod identity. In the current study, we analyzed a functional role of Samd11, another photoreceptor-enriched SAM-domain protein, in photoreceptor differentiation and maturation. We observed that Samd11 interacts with Phc2 and Samd7, suggesting that Samd11 is a component of PRC1 in photoreceptor cells. We generated Samd11-null allele and established Samd7/11 double knock-out (DKO) mouse. The Samd7/11 DKO retina exhibits shortened photoreceptor outer segments by electron microscopy analysis. Microarray analysis revealed that Samd7/11 DKO up-regulated more retinal genes than Samd7-/- alone, partial functional redundancy of Samd7 and Samd11. Taken together, the current results suggest that Samd7 and Samd11 are PRC1 components and that Samd7 is the major regulator while Samd11 is an accessory factor used for the establishment of precise rod photoreceptor identity.
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20
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Veerappa AM. Cascade of interactions between candidate genes reveals convergent mechanisms in keratoconus disease pathogenesis. Ophthalmic Genet 2021; 42:114-131. [PMID: 33554698 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2020.1868013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Keratoconus is a progressive thinning, steepening and distortion of the cornea which can lead to loss of vision if left untreated. Keratoconus has a complex multifactorial etiology, with genetic and environmental components contributing to the disease pathophysiology. Studies have observed high concordance between monozygotic twins, discordance between dizygotic twins, and high familial segregation indicating the presence of a very strong genetic component in the pathogenesis of keratoconus. The use of genome-wide linkage studies on families and twins, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on case-controls, next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based genomic screens on both familial and non-familial cohorts have led to the identification of keratoconus candidate genes with much greater success and increased resproducibility of genetic findings. This review focuses on candidate genes identified till date and attempts to understand their role in biological processes underlying keratoconus pathogenesis. In addition, using these genes I propose molecular pathways that could contribute to keratoconus pathogenesis. The pathways identified the presence of direct cross-talk between known candidate genes of keratoconus and remarkably, 28 known candidate genes have a direct relationship among themselves that involves direct protein-protein binding, regulatory activities such as activation and inhibition, chaperone, transcriptional activation/co-activation, and enzyme catalysis. This review attempts to describe these relationships and cross-talks in the context of keratoconus pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash M Veerappa
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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21
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Lahne M, Brecker M, Jones SE, Hyde DR. The Regenerating Adult Zebrafish Retina Recapitulates Developmental Fate Specification Programs. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:617923. [PMID: 33598455 PMCID: PMC7882614 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.617923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult zebrafish possess the remarkable capacity to regenerate neurons. In the damaged zebrafish retina, Müller glia reprogram and divide to produce neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) that proliferate and differentiate into both lost neuronal cell types and those unaffected by the damage stimulus, which suggests that developmental specification/differentiation programs might be recapitulated during regeneration. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that developmental competence factors are expressed following photoreceptor damage induced by intense light or in a genetic rod photoreceptor cell ablation model. In both light- and N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)-damaged adult zebrafish retinas, NPCs, but not proliferating Müller glia, expressed fluorescent reporters controlled by promoters of ganglion (atoh7), amacrine (ptf1a), bipolar (vsx1), or red cone photoreceptor cell competence factors (thrb) in a temporal expression sequence. In both damage paradigms, atoh7:GFP was expressed first, followed by ptf1a:EGFP and lastly, vsx1:GFP, whereas thrb:Tomato was observed in NPCs at the same time as ptf1a:GFP following light damage but shifted alongside vsx1:GFP in the NMDA-damaged retina. Moreover, HuC/D, indicative of ganglion and amacrine cell differentiation, colocalized with atoh7:GFP prior to ptf1a:GFP expression in the ganglion cell layer, which was followed by Zpr-1 expression (red/green cone photoreceptors) in thrb:Tomato-positive cells in the outer nuclear layer in both damage paradigms, mimicking the developmental differentiation sequence. However, comparing NMDA- to light-damaged retinas, the fraction of PCNA-positive cells expressing atoh7:GFP increased, that of thrb:Tomato and vsx1:GFP decreased, and that of ptf1a:GFP remained similar. To summarize, developmental cell specification programs were recapitulated during retinal regeneration, which adapted to account for the cell type lost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Lahne
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States.,Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - Margaret Brecker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States.,Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - Stuart E Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - David R Hyde
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States.,Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
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22
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Yamagata M, Yan W, Sanes JR. A cell atlas of the chick retina based on single-cell transcriptomics. eLife 2021; 10:e63907. [PMID: 33393903 PMCID: PMC7837701 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal structure and function have been studied in many vertebrate orders, but molecular characterization has been largely confined to mammals. We used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to generate a cell atlas of the chick retina. We identified 136 cell types plus 14 positional or developmental intermediates distributed among the six classes conserved across vertebrates - photoreceptor, horizontal, bipolar, amacrine, retinal ganglion, and glial cells. To assess morphology of molecularly defined types, we adapted a method for CRISPR-based integration of reporters into selectively expressed genes. For Müller glia, we found that transcriptionally distinct cells were regionally localized along the anterior-posterior, dorsal-ventral, and central-peripheral retinal axes. We also identified immature photoreceptor, horizontal cell, and oligodendrocyte types that persist into late embryonic stages. Finally, we analyzed relationships among chick, mouse, and primate retinal cell classes and types. Our results provide a foundation for anatomical, physiological, evolutionary, and developmental studies of the avian visual system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Yamagata
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Wenjun Yan
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Joshua R Sanes
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
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23
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Emerging Roles of PRDM Factors in Stem Cells and Neuronal System: Cofactor Dependent Regulation of PRDM3/16 and FOG1/2 (Novel PRDM Factors). Cells 2020; 9:cells9122603. [PMID: 33291744 PMCID: PMC7761934 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PRDI-BF1 (positive regulatory domain I-binding factor 1) and RIZ1 (retinoblastoma protein-interacting zinc finger gene 1) (PR) homologous domain containing (PRDM) transcription factors are expressed in neuronal and stem cell systems, and they exert multiple functions in a spatiotemporal manner. Therefore, it is believed that PRDM factors cooperate with a number of protein partners to regulate a critical set of genes required for maintenance of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation through genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. In this review, we summarize recent findings about the expression of PRDM factors and function in stem cell and neuronal systems with a focus on cofactor-dependent regulation of PRDM3/16 and FOG1/2. We put special attention on summarizing the effects of the PRDM proteins interaction with chromatin modulators (NuRD complex and CtBPs) on the stem cell characteristic and neuronal differentiation. Although PRDM factors are known to possess intrinsic enzyme activity, our literature analysis suggests that cofactor-dependent regulation of PRDM3/16 and FOG1/2 is also one of the important mechanisms to orchestrate bidirectional target gene regulation. Therefore, determining stem cell and neuronal-specific cofactors will help better understanding of PRDM3/16 and FOG1/2-controlled stem cell maintenance and neuronal differentiation. Finally, we discuss the clinical aspect of these PRDM factors in different diseases including cancer. Overall, this review will help further sharpen our knowledge of the function of the PRDM3/16 and FOG1/2 with hopes to open new research fields related to these factors in stem cell biology and neuroscience.
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24
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Bell CM, Zack DJ, Berlinicke CA. Human Organoids for the Study of Retinal Development and Disease. Annu Rev Vis Sci 2020; 6:91-114. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-vision-121219-081855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in stem cell engineering have led to an explosion in the use of organoids as model systems for studies in multiple biological disciplines. Together with breakthroughs in genome engineering and the various omics, organoid technology is making possible studies of human biology that were not previously feasible. For vision science, retinal organoids derived from human stem cells allow differentiating and mature human retinal cells to be studied in unprecedented detail. In this review, we examine the technologies employed to generate retinal organoids and how organoids are revolutionizing the fields of developmental and cellular biology as they pertain to the retina. Furthermore, we explore retinal organoids from a clinical standpoint, offering a new platform with which to study retinal diseases and degeneration, test prospective drugs and therapeutic strategies, and promote personalized medicine. Finally, we discuss the range of possibilities that organoids may bring to future retinal research and consider their ethical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M. Bell
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA;,
| | - Donald J. Zack
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA;,
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA
| | - Cynthia A. Berlinicke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA
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25
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Iwanaga R, Truong BT, Hsu JY, Lambert KA, Vyas R, Orlicky D, Shellman YG, Tan AC, Ceol C, Artinger KB. Loss of prdm1a accelerates melanoma onset and progression. Mol Carcinog 2020; 59:1052-1063. [PMID: 32562448 PMCID: PMC7864383 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive, deadly skin cancer derived from melanocytes, a neural crest cell derivative. Melanoma cells mirror the developmental program of neural crest cells in that they exhibit the same gene expression patterns and utilize similar cellular mechanisms, including increased cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and migration. Here we studied the role of neural crest regulator PRDM1 in melanoma onset and progression. In development, Prdm1a functions to promote neural crest progenitor fate, and in melanoma, we found that PRDM1 has reduced copy number and is recurrently deleted in both zebrafish and humans. When examining expression of neural crest and melanocyte development genes, we show that sox10 progenitor expression is high in prdm1a-/- mutants, while more differentiated melanocyte markers are reduced, suggesting that normally Prdm1a is required for differentiation. Data mining of human melanoma datasets indicates that high PRDM1 expression in human melanoma is correlated with better patient survival and decreased PRDM1 expression is common in metastatic tumors. When one copy of prdm1a is lost in the zebrafish melanoma model Tg(mitfa:BRAFV600E );p53-/- ;prdm1a+/- , melanoma onset occurs more quickly, and the tumors that form have a larger area with increased expression of sox10. These data demonstrate a novel role for PRDM1 as a tumor suppressor in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritsuko Iwanaga
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Brittany T. Truong
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Human Medical Genetics & Genomics Graduate Program, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jessica Y. Hsu
- Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Karoline A. Lambert
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Rajesh Vyas
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - David Orlicky
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Yiqun G. Shellman
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Aik-Choon Tan
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Craig Ceol
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Kristin Bruk Artinger
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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26
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Goodson NB, Kaufman MA, Park KU, Brzezinski JA. Simultaneous deletion of Prdm1 and Vsx2 enhancers in the retina alters photoreceptor and bipolar cell fate specification, yet differs from deleting both genes. Development 2020; 147:dev190272. [PMID: 32541005 PMCID: PMC10666920 DOI: 10.1242/dev.190272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor OTX2 is required for photoreceptor and bipolar cell formation in the retina. It directly activates the transcription factors Prdm1 and Vsx2 through cell type-specific enhancers. PRDM1 and VSX2 work in opposition, such that PRDM1 promotes photoreceptor fate and VSX2 bipolar cell fate. To determine how OTX2+ cell fates are regulated in mice, we deleted Prdm1 and Vsx2 or their cell type-specific enhancers simultaneously using a CRISPR/Cas9 in vivo retina electroporation strategy. Double gene or enhancer targeting effectively removed PRDM1 and VSX2 protein expression. However, double enhancer targeting favored bipolar fate outcomes, whereas double gene targeting favored photoreceptor fate. Both conditions generated excess amacrine cells. Combined, these fate changes suggest that photoreceptors are a default fate outcome in OTX2+ cells and that VSX2 must be present in a narrow temporal window to drive bipolar cell formation. Prdm1 and Vsx2 also appear to redundantly restrict the competence of OTX2+ cells, preventing amacrine cell formation. By taking a combinatorial deletion approach of both coding sequences and enhancers, our work provides new insights into the complex regulatory mechanisms that control cell fate choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah B Goodson
- Sue Anschutz Rodgers Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Michael A Kaufman
- Sue Anschutz Rodgers Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Cell Biology, Stem Cells, and Development Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Ko U Park
- Sue Anschutz Rodgers Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Joseph A Brzezinski
- Sue Anschutz Rodgers Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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27
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Prdm1 overexpression causes a photoreceptor fate-shift in nascent, but not mature, bipolar cells. Dev Biol 2020; 464:111-123. [PMID: 32562755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factors Prdm1 (Blimp1) and Vsx2 (Chx10) work downstream of Otx2 to regulate photoreceptor and bipolar cell fates in the developing retina. Mice that lack Vsx2 fail to form bipolar cells while Prdm1 mutants form excess bipolars at the direct expense of photoreceptors. Excess bipolars in Prdm1 mutants appear to derive from rods, suggesting that photoreceptor fate remains mutable for some time after cells become specified. Here we tested whether bipolar cell fate is also plastic during development. To do this, we created a system to conditionally misexpress Prdm1 at different stages of bipolar cell development. We found that Prdm1 blocks bipolar cell formation if expressed before the fate choice decision occurred. When we misexpressed Prdm1 just after the decision to become a bipolar cell was made, some cells were reprogrammed into photoreceptors. In contrast, Prdm1 misexpression in mature bipolar cells did not affect cell fate. We also provide evidence that sustained misexpression of Prdm1 was selectively toxic to photoreceptors. Our data show that bipolar fate is malleable, but only for a short temporal window following fate specification. Prdm1 and Vsx2 act by stabilizing photoreceptor and bipolar fates in developing OTX2+ cells of the retina.
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Shimizu J, Suzuki T, Hirotsu C, Ueno H, Takada E, Arimitsu N, Ueda Y, Wakisaka S, Suzuki N. Interaction between SDF1 and CXCR4 Promotes Photoreceptor Differentiation via Upregulation of NFκB Pathway Signaling Activity in Pax6 Gene-Transfected Photoreceptor Precursors. Ophthalmic Res 2020; 63:392-403. [PMID: 31935734 DOI: 10.1159/000503929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CCL2 (also known as monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) and CX3CR1 (also known as Fractalkine receptor)-deficient mice have damaged photoreceptors. OBJECTIVES We examined the interaction of SDF1 and CXCR4 on the differentiation of retinal progenitors into rhodopsin-positive photoreceptors. METHODS Cloned retinal progenitors were obtained by Pax6 gene transfection of mouse iPS cells followed by serial dilution. Clones were selected by expression of nestin, Musashi1, Six3, and Chx10 mRNA. Cell surface protein expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of mRNA and intracellular protein were examined by real-time PCR and immunochemistry, respectively. Transient transfection experiments of retinal progenitors were conducted using a human rhodopsin promoter luciferase plasmid. RESULTS We selected 10 clones that expressed Six3, Chx10, Crx, Rx1, Nrl, CD73, and rhodopsin mRNA, which, except for rhodopsin, are photoreceptor precursor markers. Clones expressed both CD73 and CXCR4 on the cell surface and differentiated into rhodopsin-positive photoreceptors, which was reinforced by the addition of exogenous SDF1. A CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 blocked SDF1-mediated differentiation of progenitors into photoreceptors. SDF1 enhanced human rhodopsin promoter transcription activity, possibly via the NFκB pathway. Addition of SDF1 to the cell culture induced nuclear translocation of NFκB on retinal progenitor cell clones. Neonatal and newborn mouse retinas expressed SDF1 and CXCR4. Cells in the outer nuclear layer where photoreceptors are located expressed CXCR4 at P14 and P56. Cells in the inner nuclear layer expressed SDF1. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that retinal progenitor cell differentiation was at least partly regulated by SDF1 and CXCR4 via upregulation of NFκB activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Shimizu
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Tomoko Suzuki
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Chieko Hirotsu
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroki Ueno
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Erika Takada
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Nagisa Arimitsu
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yuji Ueda
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Sueshige Wakisaka
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Noboru Suzuki
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan, .,Department of Regenerative Medicine, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan,
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Singh RK, Occelli LM, Binette F, Petersen-Jones SM, Nasonkin IO. Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Tissue in the Subretinal Space of the Cat Eye. Stem Cells Dev 2019; 28:1151-1166. [PMID: 31210100 PMCID: PMC6708274 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2019.0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
To develop biological approaches to restore vision, we developed a method of transplanting stem cell-derived retinal tissue into the subretinal space of a large-eye animal model (cat). Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) were differentiated to retinal organoids in a dish. hESC-derived retinal tissue was introduced into the subretinal space of wild-type cats following a pars plana vitrectomy. The cats were systemically immunosuppressed with either prednisolone or prednisolone plus cyclosporine A. The eyes were examined by fundoscopy and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography imaging for adverse effects due to the presence of the subretinal grafts. Immunohistochemistry was done with antibodies to retinal and human markers to delineate graft survival, differentiation, and integration into cat retina. We successfully delivered hESC-derived retinal tissue into the subretinal space of the cat eye. We observed strong infiltration of immune cells in the graft and surrounding tissue in the cats treated with prednisolone. In contrast, we showed better survival and low immune response to the graft in cats treated with prednisolone plus cyclosporine A. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies (STEM121, CALB2, DCX, and SMI-312) revealed large number of graft-derived fibers connecting the graft and the host. We also show presence of human-specific synaptophysin puncta in the cat retina. This work demonstrates feasibility of engrafting hESC-derived retinal tissue into the subretinal space of large-eye animal models. Transplanting retinal tissue in degenerating cat retina will enable rapid development of preclinical in vivo work focused on vision restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratnesh K Singh
- Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly BioTime Inc.), Carlsbad, California
| | - Laurence M Occelli
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lasing, Michigan
| | - Francois Binette
- Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly BioTime Inc.), Carlsbad, California
| | - Simon M Petersen-Jones
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lasing, Michigan
| | - Igor O Nasonkin
- Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly BioTime Inc.), Carlsbad, California
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30
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Photoreceptor cell replacement in macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa: A pluripotent stem cell-based approach. Prog Retin Eye Res 2019; 71:1-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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31
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Clark BS, Stein-O'Brien GL, Shiau F, Cannon GH, Davis-Marcisak E, Sherman T, Santiago CP, Hoang TV, Rajaii F, James-Esposito RE, Gronostajski RM, Fertig EJ, Goff LA, Blackshaw S. Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis of Retinal Development Identifies NFI Factors as Regulating Mitotic Exit and Late-Born Cell Specification. Neuron 2019; 102:1111-1126.e5. [PMID: 31128945 PMCID: PMC6768831 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 266] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Precise temporal control of gene expression in neuronal progenitors is necessary for correct regulation of neurogenesis and cell fate specification. However, the cellular heterogeneity of the developing CNS has posed a major obstacle to identifying the gene regulatory networks that control these processes. To address this, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to profile ten developmental stages encompassing the full course of retinal neurogenesis. This allowed us to comprehensively characterize changes in gene expression that occur during initiation of neurogenesis, changes in developmental competence, and specification and differentiation of each major retinal cell type. We identify the NFI transcription factors (Nfia, Nfib, and Nfix) as selectively expressed in late retinal progenitor cells and show that they control bipolar interneuron and Müller glia cell fate specification and promote proliferative quiescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian S Clark
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Genevieve L Stein-O'Brien
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; McKusick-Nathans Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Institute for Data Intensive Engineering and Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Fion Shiau
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Gabrielle H Cannon
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; McKusick-Nathans Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Emily Davis-Marcisak
- Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; McKusick-Nathans Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Thomas Sherman
- Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Clayton P Santiago
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Thanh V Hoang
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Fatemeh Rajaii
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Rebecca E James-Esposito
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Richard M Gronostajski
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Graduate Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Institute for Data Intensive Engineering and Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Institute for Computational Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Mathematical Institute for Data Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Loyal A Goff
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; McKusick-Nathans Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Center for Human Systems Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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32
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Kaufman ML, Park KU, Goodson NB, Chew S, Bersie S, Jones KL, Lamba DA, Brzezinski JA. Transcriptional profiling of murine retinas undergoing semi-synchronous cone photoreceptor differentiation. Dev Biol 2019; 453:155-167. [PMID: 31163126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Uncovering the gene regulatory networks that control cone photoreceptor formation has been hindered because cones only make up a few percent of the retina and form asynchronously during development. To overcome these limitations, we used a γ-secretase inhibitor, DAPT, to disrupt Notch signaling and force proliferating retinal progenitor cells to rapidly adopt neuronal identity. We treated mouse retinal explants at the peak of cone genesis with DAPT and examined tissues at several time-points by histology and bulk RNA-sequencing. We found that this treatment caused supernumerary cone formation in an overwhelmingly synchronized fashion. This analysis revealed several categorical patterns of gene expression changes over time relative to DMSO treated control explants. These were placed in the temporal context of the activation of Otx2, a transcription factor that is expressed at the onset of photoreceptor development and that is required for both rod and cone formation. One group of interest had genes, such as Mybl1, Ascl1, Neurog2, and Olig2, that became upregulated by DAPT treatment before Otx2. Two other groups showed upregulated gene expression shortly after Otx2, either transiently or permanently. This included genes such as Mybl1, Meis2, and Podxl. Our data provide a developmental timeline of the gene expression events that underlie the initial steps of cone genesis and maturation. Applying this strategy to human retinal organoid cultures was also sufficient to induce a massive increase in cone genesis. Taken together, our results provide a temporal framework that can be used to elucidate the gene regulatory logic controlling cone photoreceptor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Kaufman
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ko Uoon Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Noah B Goodson
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Shereen Chew
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie Bersie
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kenneth L Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Deepak A Lamba
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joseph A Brzezinski
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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33
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Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the early developmental origins of six ocular tissues: the cornea, lens, ciliary body, iris, neural retina, and retina pigment epithelium. Many of these tissue types are concurrently specified and undergo a complex set of morphogenetic movements that facilitate their structural interconnection. Within the context of vertebrate eye organogenesis, we also discuss the genetic hierarchies of transcription factors and signaling pathways that regulate growth, patterning, cell type specification and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel B Miesfeld
- Department of Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Nadean L Brown
- Department of Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.
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34
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Kowalchuk AM, Maurer KA, Shoja-Taheri F, Brown NL. Requirements for Neurogenin2 during mouse postnatal retinal neurogenesis. Dev Biol 2018; 442:220-235. [PMID: 30048641 PMCID: PMC6143394 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 07/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
During embryonic retinal development, the bHLH factor Neurog2 regulates the temporal progression of neurogenesis, but no role has been assigned for this gene in the postnatal retina. Using Neurog2 conditional mutants, we found that Neurog2 is necessary for the development of an early, embryonic cohort of rod photoreceptors, but also required by both a subset of cone bipolar subtypes, and rod bipolars. Using transcriptomics, we identified a subset of downregulated genes in P2 Neurog2 mutants, which act during rod differentiation, outer segment morphogenesis or visual processing. We also uncovered defects in neuronal cell culling, which suggests that the rod and bipolar cell phenotypes may arise via more complex mechanisms rather than a simple cell fate shift. However, given an overall phenotypic resemblance between Neurog2 and Blimp1 mutants, we explored the relationship between these two factors. We found that Blimp1 is downregulated between E12-birth in Neurog2 mutants, which probably reflects a dependence on Neurog2 in embryonic progenitor cells. Overall, we conclude that the Neurog2 gene is expressed and active prior to birth, but also exerts an influence on postnatal retinal neuron differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica M Kowalchuk
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kate A Maurer
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Farnaz Shoja-Taheri
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Nadean L Brown
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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35
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Abdolvand N, Tostoes R, Raimes W, Kumar V, Szita N, Veraitch F. Long-Term Retinal Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in a Continuously Perfused Microfluidic Culture Device. Biotechnol J 2018; 14:e1800323. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201800323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nima Abdolvand
- Department of Biochemical Engineering; University College London; Bernard Katz building London WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Rui Tostoes
- Department of Biochemical Engineering; University College London; Bernard Katz building London WC1E 6BT UK
| | - William Raimes
- Department of Biochemical Engineering; University College London; Bernard Katz building London WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Department of Biochemical Engineering; University College London; Bernard Katz building London WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Nicolas Szita
- Department of Biochemical Engineering; University College London; Bernard Katz building London WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Farlan Veraitch
- Department of Biochemical Engineering; University College London; Bernard Katz building London WC1E 6BT UK
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36
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Sarin S, Zuniga-Sanchez E, Kurmangaliyev YZ, Cousins H, Patel M, Hernandez J, Zhang KX, Samuel MA, Morey M, Sanes JR, Zipursky SL. Role for Wnt Signaling in Retinal Neuropil Development: Analysis via RNA-Seq and In Vivo Somatic CRISPR Mutagenesis. Neuron 2018; 98:109-126.e8. [PMID: 29576390 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Screens for genes that orchestrate neural circuit formation in mammals have been hindered by practical constraints of germline mutagenesis. To overcome these limitations, we combined RNA-seq with somatic CRISPR mutagenesis to study synapse development in the mouse retina. Here synapses occur between cellular layers, forming two multilayered neuropils. The outer neuropil, the outer plexiform layer (OPL), contains synapses made by rod and cone photoreceptor axons on rod and cone bipolar dendrites, respectively. We used RNA-seq to identify selectively expressed genes encoding cell surface and secreted proteins and CRISPR-Cas9 electroporation with cell-specific promoters to assess their roles in OPL development. Among the genes identified in this way are Wnt5a and Wnt5b. They are produced by rod bipolars and activate a non-canonical signaling pathway in rods to regulate early OPL patterning. The approach we use here can be applied to other parts of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumeet Sarin
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02130, USA
| | - Elizabeth Zuniga-Sanchez
- Department of Biological Chemistry, HHMI, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yerbol Z Kurmangaliyev
- Department of Biological Chemistry, HHMI, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Henry Cousins
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02130, USA
| | - Mili Patel
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02130, USA
| | - Jeanette Hernandez
- Department of Biological Chemistry, HHMI, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kelvin X Zhang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, HHMI, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Melanie A Samuel
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02130, USA
| | - Marta Morey
- Department of Biological Chemistry, HHMI, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Joshua R Sanes
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02130, USA.
| | - S Lawrence Zipursky
- Department of Biological Chemistry, HHMI, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Mitani T, Yabuta Y, Ohta H, Nakamura T, Yamashiro C, Yamamoto T, Saitou M, Kurimoto K. Principles for the regulation of multiple developmental pathways by a versatile transcriptional factor, BLIMP1. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:12152-12169. [PMID: 28981894 PMCID: PMC5716175 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Single transcription factors (TFs) regulate multiple developmental pathways, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we quantitatively characterized the genome-wide occupancy profiles of BLIMP1, a key transcriptional regulator for diverse developmental processes, during the development of three germ-layer derivatives (photoreceptor precursors, embryonic intestinal epithelium and plasmablasts) and the germ cell lineage (primordial germ cells). We identified BLIMP1-binding sites shared among multiple developmental processes, and such sites were highly occupied by BLIMP1 with a stringent recognition motif and were located predominantly in promoter proximities. A subset of bindings common to all the lineages exhibited a new, strong recognition sequence, a GGGAAA repeat. Paradoxically, however, the shared/common bindings had only a slight impact on the associated gene expression. In contrast, BLIMP1 occupied more distal sites in a cell type-specific manner; despite lower occupancy and flexible sequence recognitions, such bindings contributed effectively to the repression of the associated genes. Recognition motifs of other key TFs in BLIMP1-binding sites had little impact on the expression-level changes. These findings suggest that the shared/common sites might serve as potential reservoirs of BLIMP1 that functions at the specific sites, providing the foundation for a unified understanding of the genome regulation by BLIMP1, and, possibly, TFs in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadahiro Mitani
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Yabuta
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ohta
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tomonori Nakamura
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Chika Yamashiro
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.,AMED-CREST, AMED 1-7-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.,Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kurimoto
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,JST, ERATO, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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38
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Shi F, Yang Y, Kouadir M, Xu W, Hu S, Wang T. Inflammasome-independent role of NLRP12 in suppressing colonic inflammation regulated by Blimp-1. Oncotarget 2017; 7:30575-84. [PMID: 27105524 PMCID: PMC5058702 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
NLRP12 is a member of the Nod-like receptor (NLR). Previous studies have reported enhanced colitis-associated inflammatory responses in NLRP12-deficient mice. In this study, we sought to investigate the role of NLRP12 in DSS-stimulated proinflammatory response in dendritic cells and mice colitis, and the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of the inflammation. Our results showed that down-regulation of NLRP12 is required for DSS-induced release of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α; that PR domain zinc finger protein 1 (also known as Blimp-1) induces NLRP12 down-regulation during DSS-induced proinflammatory response and colitis; and that TLR4 is implicated in the up-regulation of Blimp-1 that led to the down-regulation of NLRP12 expression in DSS-induced colitis. Taken together, the results suggest that the TLR4-Blimp-1 axis promotes DSS induced experimental colitis through the down-regulation of NLRP12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fushan Shi
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yang Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin'an 311300, China
| | | | - Wei Xu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Songhua Hu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Tiancheng Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Sreekanth S, Rasheed VA, Soundararajan L, Antony J, Saikia M, Sivakumar KC, Das AV. miR Cluster 143/145 Directly Targets Nrl and Regulates Rod Photoreceptor Development. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 54:8033-8049. [PMID: 27878762 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0237-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Retinal histogenesis requires coordinated and temporal functioning of factors by which different cell types are generated from multipotent progenitors. Development of rod photoreceptors is regulated by multiple transcription factors, and Nrl is one of the major factors involved in their fate specification. Presence or absence of Nrl at the postnatal stages decides the generation of cone photoreceptors or other later retinal cells. This suggests the need for regulated expression of Nrl in order to accelerate the generation of other cell types during retinal development. We found that miR cluster 143/145, comprising miR-143 and miR-145, targets and imparts a posttranscriptional inhibition of Nrl. Expression of both miRNAs was differentially regulated during retinal development and showed least expression at PN1 stage in which most of the rod photoreceptors are generated. Downregulation of rod photoreceptor regulators and markers upon miR cluster 143/145 overexpression demonstrated that this cluster indeed negatively regulates rod photoreceptors. Further, we prove that Nrl positively regulates miR cluster 143/145, thus establishing a feedback loop regulatory mechanism. This may be one possible mechanism by which Nrl is posttranscriptionally regulated to facilitate the generation of other cell types in retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekumaran Sreekanth
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Vazhanthodi A Rasheed
- Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Lalitha Soundararajan
- Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Jayesh Antony
- Cancer Research Program-2, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Minakshi Saikia
- Cancer Research Program-2, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India
| | | | - Ani V Das
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India.
- Cancer Research Program-9, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India.
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Kim JW, Yang HJ, Brooks MJ, Zelinger L, Karakülah G, Gotoh N, Boleda A, Gieser L, Giuste F, Whitaker DT, Walton A, Villasmil R, Barb JJ, Munson PJ, Kaya KD, Chaitankar V, Cogliati T, Swaroop A. NRL-Regulated Transcriptome Dynamics of Developing Rod Photoreceptors. Cell Rep 2017; 17:2460-2473. [PMID: 27880916 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.10.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) guiding differentiation of cell types and cell assemblies in the nervous system are poorly understood because of inherent complexities and interdependence of signaling pathways. Here, we report transcriptome dynamics of differentiating rod photoreceptors in the mammalian retina. Given that the transcription factor NRL determines rod cell fate, we performed expression profiling of developing NRL-positive (rods) and NRL-negative (S-cone-like) mouse photoreceptors. We identified a large-scale, sharp transition in the transcriptome landscape between postnatal days 6 and 10 concordant with rod morphogenesis. Rod-specific temporal DNA methylation corroborated gene expression patterns. De novo assembly and alternative splicing analyses revealed previously unannotated rod-enriched transcripts and the role of NRL in transcript maturation. Furthermore, we defined the relationship of NRL with other transcriptional regulators and downstream cognate effectors. Our studies provide the framework for comprehensive system-level analysis of the GRN underlying the development of a single sensory neuron, the rod photoreceptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Woong Kim
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Jin Yang
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Matthew John Brooks
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lina Zelinger
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gökhan Karakülah
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Norimoto Gotoh
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Center for Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Alexis Boleda
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Linn Gieser
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Felipe Giuste
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Dustin Thad Whitaker
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Ashley Walton
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Rafael Villasmil
- Flow Cytometry Core, NEI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jennifer Joanna Barb
- Mathematical and Statistical Computing Laboratory, Center for Information Technology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Peter Jonathan Munson
- Mathematical and Statistical Computing Laboratory, Center for Information Technology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Koray Dogan Kaya
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Vijender Chaitankar
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tiziana Cogliati
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Groman-Lupa S, Adewumi J, Park KU, Brzezinski JA. The Transcription Factor Prdm16 Marks a Single Retinal Ganglion Cell Subtype in the Mouse Retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 58:5421-5433. [PMID: 29053761 PMCID: PMC5656415 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-22442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinal ganglion cells (RGC) can be categorized into roughly 30 distinct subtypes. How these subtypes develop is poorly understood, in part because few unique subtype markers have been characterized. We tested whether the Prdm16 transcription factor is expressed by RGCs as a class or within particular ganglion cell subtypes. Methods Embryonic and mature retinal sections and flatmount preparations were examined by immunohistochemistry for Prdm16 and several other cell type-specific markers. To visualize the morphology of Prdm16+ cells, we utilized Thy1-YFP-H transgenic mice, where a small random population of RGCs expresses yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) throughout the cytoplasm. Results Prdm16 was expressed in the retina starting late in embryogenesis. Prdm16+ cells coexpressed the RGC marker Brn3a. These cells were arranged in an evenly spaced pattern and accounted for 2% of all ganglion cells. Prdm16+ cells coexpressed parvalbumin, but not calretinin, melanopsin, Smi32, or CART. This combination of marker expression and morphology data from Thy1-YFP-H mice suggested that the Prdm16+ cells represented a single ganglion cell subtype. Prdm16 also marked vascular endothelial cells and mural cells of retinal arterioles. Conclusions A single subtype of ganglion cell appears to be uniquely marked by Prdm16 expression. While the precise identity of these ganglion cells is unclear, they most resemble the G9 subtype described by Völgyi and colleagues in 2009. Future studies are needed to determine the function of these ganglion cells and whether Prdm16 regulates their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Groman-Lupa
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Joseph Adewumi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Ko Uoon Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Joseph A. Brzezinski
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, United States
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Samd7 is a cell type-specific PRC1 component essential for establishing retinal rod photoreceptor identity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E8264-E8273. [PMID: 28900001 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1707021114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise transcriptional regulation controlled by a transcription factor network is known to be crucial for establishing correct neuronal cell identities and functions in the CNS. In the retina, the expression of various cone and rod photoreceptor cell genes is regulated by multiple transcription factors; however, the role of epigenetic regulation in photoreceptor cell gene expression has been poorly understood. Here, we found that Samd7, a rod-enriched sterile alpha domain (SAM) domain protein, is essential for silencing nonrod gene expression through H3K27me3 regulation in rod photoreceptor cells. Samd7-null mutant mice showed ectopic expression of nonrod genes including S-opsin in rod photoreceptor cells and rod photoreceptor cell dysfunction. Samd7 physically interacts with Polyhomeotic homologs (Phc proteins), components of the Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), and colocalizes with Phc2 and Ring1B in Polycomb bodies. ChIP assays showed a significant decrease of H3K27me3 in the genes up-regulated in the Samd7-deficient retina, showing that Samd7 deficiency causes the derepression of nonrod gene expression in rod photoreceptor cells. The current study suggests that Samd7 is a cell type-specific PRC1 component epigenetically defining rod photoreceptor cell identity.
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Bessodes N, Parain K, Bronchain O, Bellefroid EJ, Perron M. Prdm13 forms a feedback loop with Ptf1a and is required for glycinergic amacrine cell genesis in the Xenopus Retina. Neural Dev 2017; 12:16. [PMID: 28863786 PMCID: PMC5580440 DOI: 10.1186/s13064-017-0093-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amacrine interneurons that modulate synaptic plasticity between bipolar and ganglion cells constitute the most diverse cell type in the retina. Most are inhibitory neurons using either GABA or glycine as neurotransmitters. Although several transcription factors involved in amacrine cell fate determination have been identified, mechanisms underlying amacrine cell subtype specification remain to be further understood. The Prdm13 histone methyltransferase encoding gene is a target of the transcription factor Ptf1a, an essential regulator of inhibitory neuron cell fate in the retina. Here, we have deepened our knowledge on its interaction with Ptf1a and investigated its role in amacrine cell subtype determination in the developing Xenopus retina. Methods We performed prdm13 gain and loss of function in Xenopus and assessed the impact on retinal cell fate determination using RT-qPCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Results We found that prdm13 in the amphibian Xenopus is expressed in few retinal progenitors and in about 40% of mature amacrine cells, predominantly in glycinergic ones. Clonal analysis in the retina reveals that prdm13 overexpression favours amacrine cell fate determination, with a bias towards glycinergic cells. Conversely, knockdown of prdm13 specifically inhibits glycinergic amacrine cell genesis. We also showed that, as in the neural tube, prdm13 is subjected to a negative autoregulation in the retina. Our data suggest that this is likely due to its ability to repress the expression of its inducer, ptf1a. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that Prdm13, downstream of Ptf1a, acts as an important regulator of glycinergic amacrine subtype specification in the Xenopus retina. We also reveal that Prdm13 regulates ptf1a expression through a negative feedback loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Bessodes
- ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium.,Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197- Neuro-PSI, Bat. 445, 91405, ORSAY Cedex, France
| | - Karine Parain
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197- Neuro-PSI, Bat. 445, 91405, ORSAY Cedex, France
| | - Odile Bronchain
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197- Neuro-PSI, Bat. 445, 91405, ORSAY Cedex, France
| | - Eric J Bellefroid
- ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium.
| | - Muriel Perron
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197- Neuro-PSI, Bat. 445, 91405, ORSAY Cedex, France. .,Centre d'Etude et de Recherche Thérapeutique en Ophtalmologie, Retina France, Orsay, France.
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Combinatorial regulation of a Blimp1 (Prdm1) enhancer in the mouse retina. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176905. [PMID: 28829770 PMCID: PMC5568747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The mouse retina comprises seven major cell types that exist in differing proportions. They are generated from multipotent progenitors in a stochastic manner, such that the relative frequency of any given type generated changes over time. The mechanisms determining the proportions of each cell type are only partially understood. Photoreceptors and bipolar interneurons are derived from cells that express Otx2. Within this population, Blimp1 (Prdm1) helps set the balance between photoreceptors and bipolar cells by suppressing bipolar identity in most of the cells. How only a subset of these Otx2+ cells decides to upregulate Blimp1 and adopt photoreceptor fate is unknown. To understand this, we investigated how Blimp1 transcription is regulated. We identified several potential Blimp1 retinal enhancer elements using DNase hypersensitivity sequencing. Only one of the elements recapitulated Blimp1 spatial and temporal expression in cultured explant assays and within the retinas of transgenic mice. Mutagenesis of this retinal Blimp1 enhancer element revealed four discrete sequences that were each required for its activity. These included highly conserved Otx2 and ROR (retinoic acid receptor related orphan receptor) binding sites. The other required sequences do not appear to be controlled by Otx2 or ROR factors, increasing the complexity of the Blimp1 gene regulatory network. Our results show that the intersection of three or more transcription factors is required to correctly regulate the spatial and temporal features of Blimp1 enhancer expression. This explains how Blimp1 expression can diverge from Otx2 and set the balance between photoreceptor and bipolar fates.
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Li P, Wang B, Cao D, Liu Y, Zhang Q, Wang X. Characterization and functional analysis of the Paralichthys olivaceus prdm1 gene promoter. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 212:32-40. [PMID: 28669662 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PR domain containing protein 1 (Prdm1) is a transcriptional repressor identified in various species and plays multiple important roles in immune response and embryonic development. However, little is known about the transcriptional regulation of the prdm1 gene. This study aims to characterize the promoter of Paralichthys olivaceus prdm1 (Po-prdm1) gene and determine the regulatory mechanism of Po-prdm1 expression. A 2000bp-long 5'-flanking region (translation initiation site designated as +1) of the Po-prdm1 gene was isolated and characterized. The regulatory elements in this fragment were then investigated and many putative transcription factor (TF) binding sites involved in immunity and multiple tissue development were identified. A 5'-deletion analysis was then conducted, and the ability of the deletion mutants to promote luciferase and green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in a flounder gill cell line was examined. The results revealed that the minimal promoter is located in the region between -446 and -13bp, and the region between -1415 and -13bp enhanced the promoter activity. Site-directed mutation analysis was subsequently performed on the putative regulatory elements sites, and the results indicated that FOXP1, MSX and BCL6 binding sites play negative functional roles in the regulation of the Po-prdm1 expression in FG cells. In vivo analysis demonstrated that a GFP reporter gene containing 1.4kb-long promoter fragment (-1415/-13) was expressed in the head and trunk muscle fibres of transient transgenic zebrafish embryos. Our study provided the basic information for the exploration of Po-prdm1 regulation and expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peizhen Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Ministry of Education, Qingdao, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Ministry of Education, Qingdao, China
| | - Dandan Cao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Ministry of Education, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuezhong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Ministry of Education, Qingdao, China
| | - Quanqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Ministry of Education, Qingdao, China.
| | - Xubo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Ministry of Education, Qingdao, China.
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Park KU, Randazzo G, Jones KL, Brzezinski JA. Gsg1, Trnp1, and Tmem215 Mark Subpopulations of Bipolar Interneurons in the Mouse Retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 58:1137-1150. [PMID: 28199486 PMCID: PMC5317276 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.16-19767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose How retinal bipolar cell interneurons are specified and assigned to specialized subtypes is only partially understood. In part, this is due to a lack of early pan- and subtype-specific bipolar cell markers. To discover these factors, we identified genes that were upregulated in Blimp1 (Prdm1) mutant retinas, which exhibit precocious bipolar cell development. Methods Postnatal day (P)2 retinas from Blimp1 conditional knock-out (CKO) mice and controls were processed for RNA sequencing. Genes that increased at least 45% and were statistically different between conditions were considered candidate bipolar-specific factors. Candidates were further evaluated by RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Knock-in Tmem215-LacZ mice were used to better trace retinal expression. Results A comparison between Blimp1 CKO and control RNA-seq datasets revealed approximately 40 significantly upregulated genes. We characterized the expression of three genes that have no known function in the retina, Gsg1 (germ cell associated gene), Trnp1 (TMF-regulated nuclear protein), and Tmem215 (a predicted transmembrane protein). Germ cell associated gene appeared restricted to a small subset of cone bipolars while Trnp1 was seen in all ON type bipolar cells. Using Tmem215-LacZ heterozygous knock-in mice, we observed that β-galactosidase expression started early in bipolar cell development. In adults, Tmem215 was expressed by a subset of ON and OFF cone bipolar cells. Conclusions We have identified Gsg1, Tmem215, and Trnp1 as novel bipolar subtype-specific genes. The spatial and temporal pattern of their expression is consistent with a role in controlling bipolar subtype fate choice, differentiation, or physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ko Uoon Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Grace Randazzo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Kenneth L Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Section Hematology/Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Joseph A Brzezinski
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, United States
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Abstract
Photoreceptors are highly specialized primary sensory neurons that sense light and initiate vision. This critical role is well demonstrated by the fact that visual impairment accompanies photoreceptor loss or dysfunction in many human diseases. With the remarkable advances in stem cell research, one therapeutic approach is to use stem cells to generate photoreceptors and then engraft them into diseased eyes. Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that control photoreceptor genesis during normal development can greatly aid in the production of photoreceptor cells for this approach. This article will discuss advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate photoreceptor fate determination during development. Recent lineage studies have shown that there are distinct retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) that produce specific combinations of daughter cell types, including photoreceptors and other types of retinal cells. Gene regulatory networks, in which transcription factors interact via cis-regulatory DNA elements, have been discovered that operate within distinct RPCs, and/or newly postmitotic cells, to direct the choice of photoreceptor fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sui Wang
- Department of Genetics and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 2Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Constance L Cepko
- Department of Genetics and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 2Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Temporal profiling of photoreceptor lineage gene expression during murine retinal development. Gene Expr Patterns 2017; 23-24:32-44. [PMID: 28288836 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Rod and cone photoreceptors are photosensitive cells in the retina that convert light to electrical signals that are transmitted to visual processing centres in the brain. During development, cones and rods are generated from a common pool of multipotent retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) that also give rise to other retinal cell types. Cones and rods differentiate in two distinct waves, peaking in mid-embryogenesis and the early postnatal period, respectively. As RPCs transition from making cones to generating rods, there are changes in the expression profiles of genes involved in photoreceptor cell fate specification and differentiation. To better understand the temporal transition from cone to rod genesis, we assessed the timing of onset and offset of expression of a panel of 11 transcription factors and 7 non-transcription factors known to function in photoreceptor development, examining their expression between embryonic day (E) 12.5 and postnatal day (P) 60. Transcription factor expression in the photoreceptor layer was observed as early as E12.5, beginning with Crx, Otx2, Rorb, Neurod1 and Prdm1 expression, followed at E15.5 with the expression of Thrb, Neurog1, Sall3 and Rxrg expression, and at P0 by Nrl and Nr2e3 expression. Of the non-transcription factors, peanut agglutinin lectin staining and cone arrestin protein were observed as early as E15.5 in the developing outer nuclear layer, while transcripts for the cone opsins Opn1mw and Opn1sw and Recoverin protein were detected in photoreceptors by P0. In contrast, Opn1mw and Opn1sw protein were not observed in cones until P7, when rod-specific Gnat1 transcripts and rhodopsin protein were also detected. We have thus identified four transitory stages during murine retina photoreceptor differentiation marked by the period of onset of expression of new photoreceptor lineage genes. By characterizing these stages, we have clarified the dynamic nature of gene expression during the period when photoreceptor identities are progressively acquired during development.
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Liu H, Aramaki M, Fu Y, Forrest D. Retinoid-Related Orphan Receptor β and Transcriptional Control of Neuronal Differentiation. Curr Top Dev Biol 2016; 125:227-255. [PMID: 28527573 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2016.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The ability to generate neuronal diversity is central to the function of the nervous system. Here we discuss the key neurodevelopmental roles of retinoid-related orphan receptor β (RORβ) encoded by the Rorb (Nr1f2) gene. Recent studies have reported loss of function of the human RORB gene in cases of familial epilepsy and intellectual disability. Principal sites of expression of the Rorb gene in model species include sensory organs, the spinal cord, and brain regions that process sensory and circadian information. Genetic analyses in mice have indicated functions in circadian behavior, vision, and, at the cellular level, the differentiation of specific neuronal cell types. Studies in the retina and sensory areas of the cerebral cortex suggest that this orphan nuclear receptor acts at decisive steps in transcriptional hierarchies that determine neuronal diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Liu
- Laboratory of Endocrinology and Receptor Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Michihiko Aramaki
- Laboratory of Endocrinology and Receptor Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yulong Fu
- Laboratory of Endocrinology and Receptor Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Douglas Forrest
- Laboratory of Endocrinology and Receptor Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
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50
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Rodgers HM, Belcastro M, Sokolov M, Mathers PH. Embryonic markers of cone differentiation. Mol Vis 2016; 22:1455-1467. [PMID: 28031694 PMCID: PMC5178185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Photoreceptor cells are born in two distinct phases of vertebrate retinogenesis. In the mouse retina, cones are born primarily during embryogenesis, while rod formation occurs later in embryogenesis and early postnatal ages. Despite this dichotomy in photoreceptor birthdates, the visual pigments and phototransduction machinery are not reactive to visual stimulus in either type of photoreceptor cell until the second postnatal week. Several markers of early cone formation have been identified, including Otx2, Crx, Blimp1, NeuroD, Trβ2, Rorβ, and Rxrγ, and all are thought to be involved in cellular determination. However, little is known about the expression of proteins involved in cone visual transduction during early retinogenesis. Therefore, we sought to characterize visual transduction proteins that are expressed specifically in photoreceptors during mouse embryogenesis. METHODS Eye tissue was collected from control and phosducin-null mice at embryonic and early postnatal ages. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qPCR) were used to measure the spatial and temporal expression patterns of phosducin (Pdc) and cone transducin γ (Gngt2) proteins and transcripts in the embryonic and early postnatal mouse retina. RESULTS We identified the embryonic expression of phosducin (Pdc) and cone transducin γ (Gngt2) that coincides temporally and spatially with the earliest stages of cone histogenesis. Using immunohistochemistry, the phosducin protein was first detected in the retina at embryonic day (E)12.5, and cone transducin γ was observed at E13.5. The phosducin and cone transducin γ proteins were seen only in the outer neuroblastic layer, consistent with their expression in photoreceptors. At the embryonic ages, phosducin was coexpressed with Rxrγ, a known cone marker, and with Otx2, a marker of photoreceptors. Pdc and Gngt2 mRNAs were detected as early as E10.5 with qPCR, although at low levels. CONCLUSIONS Visual transduction proteins are expressed at the earliest stages in developing cones, well before the onset of opsin gene expression. Given the delay in opsin expression in rods and cones, we speculate on the embryonic function of these G-protein signaling components beyond their roles in the visual transduction cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M. Rodgers
- Sensory Neuroscience Research Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV,Neuroscience Graduate Program, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV,Department of Otolaryngology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Marycharmain Belcastro
- Sensory Neuroscience Research Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV,Department of Ophthalmology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Maxim Sokolov
- Sensory Neuroscience Research Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV,Department of Ophthalmology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV,Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Peter H. Mathers
- Sensory Neuroscience Research Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV,Department of Otolaryngology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV,Department of Ophthalmology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV,Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
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