1
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Li M, Nyayapathi N, Kilian HI, Xia J, Lovell JF, Yao J. Sound Out the Deep Colors: Photoacoustic Molecular Imaging at New Depths. Mol Imaging 2020; 19:1536012120981518. [PMID: 33336621 PMCID: PMC7750763 DOI: 10.1177/1536012120981518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) has become increasingly popular for molecular imaging due to its unique optical absorption contrast, high spatial resolution, deep imaging depth, and high imaging speed. Yet, the strong optical attenuation of biological tissues has traditionally prevented PAT from penetrating more than a few centimeters and limited its application for studying deeply seated targets. A variety of PAT technologies have been developed to extend the imaging depth, including employing deep-penetrating microwaves and X-ray photons as excitation sources, delivering the light to the inside of the organ, reshaping the light wavefront to better focus into scattering medium, as well as improving the sensitivity of ultrasonic transducers. At the same time, novel optical fluence mapping algorithms and image reconstruction methods have been developed to improve the quantitative accuracy of PAT, which is crucial to recover weak molecular signals at larger depths. The development of highly-absorbing near-infrared PA molecular probes has also flourished to provide high sensitivity and specificity in studying cellular processes. This review aims to introduce the recent developments in deep PA molecular imaging, including novel imaging systems, image processing methods and molecular probes, as well as their representative biomedical applications. Existing challenges and future directions are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mucong Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 3065Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nikhila Nyayapathi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 12292University of Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Hailey I Kilian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 12292University of Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jun Xia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 12292University of Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan F Lovell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 12292University of Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Junjie Yao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 3065Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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2
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Tissue-Specific Ferritin- and GFP-Based Genetic Vectors Visualize Neurons by MRI in the Intact and Post-Ischemic Rat Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238951. [PMID: 33255702 PMCID: PMC7728074 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Neurogenesis is considered to be a potential brain repair mechanism and is enhanced in stroke. It is difficult to reconstruct the neurogenesis process only from the histological sections taken from different animals at different stages of brain damage and restoration. Study of neurogenesis would greatly benefit from development of tissue-specific visualization probes. (2) Purpose: The study aimed to explore if overexpression of ferritin, a nontoxic iron-binding protein, under a doublecortin promoter can be used for non-invasive visualization of neurogenesis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). (3) Methods: Ferritin heavy chain (FerrH) was expressed in the adeno-associated viral backbone (AAV) under the doublecortin promoter (pDCX), specific for young neurons, in the viral construct AAV-pDCX-FerrH. Expression of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was used as an expression control (AAV-pDCX-eGFP). The viral vectors or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were injected intracerebrally into 18 adult male Sprague–Dawley rats. Three days before injection, rats underwent transient middle-cerebral-artery occlusion or sham operation. Animals were subjected to In vivo MRI study before surgery and on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after injection using a Bruker BioSpec 11.7 T scanner. Brain sections obtained on day 28 after injection were immunostained for ferritin, young (DCX) and mature (NeuN) neurons, and activated microglia/macrophages (CD68). Additionally, RT-PCR was performed to confirm ferritin expression. (4) Results: T2* images in post-ischemic brains of animals injected with AAV-pDCX-FerrH showed two distinct zones of MRI signal hypointensity in the ipsilesioned hemisphere starting from 14 days after viral injection—in the ischemic lesion and near the lateral ventricle and subventricular zone (SVZ). In sham-operated animals, only one zone of hypointensity near the lateral ventricle and SVZ was revealed. Immunochemistry showed that ferritin-expressing cells in ischemic lesions were macrophages (88.1%), while ferritin-expressing cells near the lateral ventricle in animals both after ischemia and sham operation were mostly mature (55.7% and 61.8%, respectively) and young (30.6% and 7.1%, respectively) neurons. RT-PCR confirmed upregulated expression of ferritin in the caudoputamen and corpus callosum. Surprisingly, in animals injected with AAV-pDCX-eGFP we similarly observed two zones of hypointensity on T2* images. Cellular studies also showed the presence of mature (81.5%) and young neurons (6.1%) near the lateral ventricle in both postischemic and sham-operated animals, while macrophages in ischemic lesions were ferritin-positive (98.2%). (5) Conclusion: Ferritin overexpression induced by injection of AAV-pDCX-FerrH was detected by MRI using T2*-weighted images, which was confirmed by immunochemistry showing ferritin in young and mature neurons. Expression of eGFP also caused a comparable reduced MR signal intensity in T2*-weighted images. Additional studies are needed to investigate the potential and tissue-specific features of the use of eGFP and ferritin expression in MRI studies.
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3
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Madsen SD, Giler MK, Bunnell BA, O'Connor KC. Illuminating the Regenerative Properties of Stem Cells In Vivo with Bioluminescence Imaging. Biotechnol J 2020; 16:e2000248. [PMID: 33089922 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical animal studies are essential to the development of safe and effective stem cell therapies. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a powerful tool in animal studies that enables the real-time longitudinal monitoring of stem cells in vivo to elucidate their regenerative properties. This review describes the application of BLI in preclinical stem cell research to address critical challenges in producing successful stem cell therapeutics. These challenges include stem cell survival, proliferation, homing, stress response, and differentiation. The applications presented here utilize bioluminescence to investigate a variety of stem and progenitor cells in several different in vivo models of disease and implantation. An overview of luciferase reporters is provided, along with the advantages and disadvantages of BLI. Additionally, BLI is compared to other preclinical imaging modalities and potential future applications of this technology are discussed in emerging areas of stem cell research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean D Madsen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA.,Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Margaret K Giler
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA.,Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Bruce A Bunnell
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Kim C O'Connor
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA.,Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
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4
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Cao J, Hu Y, Shazeeb MS, Pedraza CE, Pande N, Weinstock D, Polites GH, Zhang W, Chandross KJ, Ying X. In Vivo Optical Imaging of Myelination Events in a Myelin Basic Protein Promoter-Driven Luciferase Transgenic Mouse Model. ASN Neuro 2019; 10:1759091418777329. [PMID: 29806482 PMCID: PMC5987236 DOI: 10.1177/1759091418777329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The compact myelin sheath is important for axonal function, and its loss
can lead to neuronal cell death and irreversible functional deficits.
Myelin is vulnerable to a variety of metabolic, toxic, and autoimmune
insults. In diseases like multiple sclerosis, there is currently no
therapy to stop myelin loss, underscoring the need for neuroprotective
and remyelinating therapies. Noninvasive, robust techniques are also
needed to confirm the effect of such therapies in animal models. This
article describes the generation, characterization, and potential uses
for a myelin basic protein-luciferase (MBP-luci) transgenic mouse
model, in which the firefly luciferase reporter gene is selectively
controlled by the MBP promoter. In vivo
bioluminescence imaging can be used to visualize and quantify
demyelination and remyelination at the transcriptional level,
noninvasively, and in real time. Transgenic mice were assessed in the
cuprizone-induced model of demyelination, and luciferase activity
highly correlated with demyelination and remyelination events as
confirmed by both magnetic resonance imaging and postmortem
histological analysis. Furthermore, MBP-luci mice demonstrated
enhanced luciferase signal and remyelination in the cuprizone model
after treatment with a peroxisome proliferator activated
receptor-delta selective agonist and quetiapine. Imaging sensitivity
was further enhanced by using CycLuc 1, a luciferase substrate, which
has greater blood–brain barrier penetration. We demonstrated the
utility of MBP-luci model in tracking myelin changes in real time and
supporting target and therapeutic validation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Cao
- 1 Translational In Vivo Model, Global Research Platform, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Yanping Hu
- 2 Multiple Sclerosis Cluster, Neuroscience Research, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, USA
| | | | - Carlos E Pedraza
- 2 Multiple Sclerosis Cluster, Neuroscience Research, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Nilesh Pande
- 2 Multiple Sclerosis Cluster, Neuroscience Research, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Wenfei Zhang
- 5 Biostatistics and Programming, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, USA
| | | | - Xiaoyou Ying
- 1 Translational In Vivo Model, Global Research Platform, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, USA
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5
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Metzdorf J, Hobloss Z, Schlevogt S, Ayzenberg I, Stahlke S, Pedreiturria X, Haupeltshofer S, Gold R, Tönges L, Kleiter I. Fingolimod for Irradiation-Induced Neurodegeneration. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:699. [PMID: 31354410 PMCID: PMC6633210 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cranial irradiation is a common therapy for the treatment of brain tumors, but unfortunately patients suffer from side effects, particularly cognitive impairment, caused by neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory mechanisms. Finding a therapeutic agent protecting hippocampal neurons would be beneficial. Fingolimod (FTY720), a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator approved for multiple sclerosis, is an immunosuppressant and known to enhance proliferation and differentiation of neuronal precursor cells (NPCs). Objectives To investigate whether pre-treatment with FTY720 protects NPCs in vitro and in vivo from irradiation-induced damage. Methods Neuronal precursor cells were isolated from E13 C57BL/6 wildtype mice, treated at day 0 of differentiation with FTY720 and irradiated on day 6 with 1 Gy. NPCs were analyzed for markers of cell death (PI, caspase-3), proliferation (Ki67), and differentiation (DCX, βIII-tubulin). Adult C57BL/6 wildtype mice were treated with FTY720 (1 mg/kg) and received a single dose of 6 Gy cranial irradiation at day 7. Using immunohistochemistry, we analyzed DCX and BrdU as markers of neurogenesis and Iba1, GFAP, and CD3 to visualize inflammation in the dentate gyrus (DG) and the subventricular zone (SVZ). B6(Cg)-Tyrc-2J/J DCX-luc reporter mice were used for bioluminescence imaging to evaluate the effect of FTY720 on neurogenesis in the DG and the spinal cord of naïve mice. Results FTY720 protected NPCs against irradiation induced cell death in vitro. Treatment with FTY720 dose-dependently reduced the number of PI+ cells 24 and 96 h after irradiation without effecting proliferation or neuronal differentiation. In vivo treatment resulted in a significant survival of DCX+ neurons in the DG and the SVZ 4 weeks after irradiation as well as a slight increase of proliferating cells. FTY720 inhibited microglia activation 24 h after X-ray exposure in the DG, while astrocyte activation was unaffected and no lymphocyte infiltrations were found. In naïve mice, FTY720 treatment for 4 weeks had no effect on neurogenesis. Conclusion FTY720 treatment of NPCs prior to X-ray exposure and of mice prior to cranial irradiation is neuroprotective. No effects on neurogenesis were found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Metzdorf
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Zaynab Hobloss
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sibylle Schlevogt
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ilya Ayzenberg
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.,Department of Neurology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sarah Stahlke
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | | | | | - Ralf Gold
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Lars Tönges
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ingo Kleiter
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.,Marianne-Strauß-Klinik, Behandlungszentrum Kempfenhausen für Multiple Sklerose Kranke, Berg, Germany
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6
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Kandasamy M, Yesudhas A, Poornimai Abirami GP, Radhakrishnan RK, Roshan SA, Johnson E, Ravichandran VR, Biswas A, Shanmugaapriya S, Anusuyadevi M, Aigner L. Genetic reprogramming of somatic cells into neuroblasts through a co-induction of the doublecortin gene along the Yamanaka factors: A promising approach to model neuroregenerative disorders. Med Hypotheses 2019; 127:105-111. [PMID: 31088631 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Neural stem cell (NSC) mediated adult neurogenesis represents the regenerative plasticity of the brain. The functionality of the neurogenic process appears to be operated by neuroblasts, the multipotent immature neuronal population of the adult brain. While neuroblasts have been realized to play a major role in synaptic remodeling and immunogenicity, neurodegenerative disorders have been characterized by failure in the terminal differentiation, maturation, integration and survival of newborn neuroblasts. Advancement in understanding the impaired neuroregenerative process along the neuropathological conditions has currently been limited by lack of an appropriate experimental model of neuroblasts. The genetic reprogramming of somatic cells into pluripotent state offers a potential strategy for the experimental modeling of brain disorders. Thus, the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) based direct reprogramming of somatic cells into neuroblasts would represent a potential tool to understand the regenerative biology of the adult brain. Therefore, this concise article discusses the significance of iPSCs, the functional roles of neuroblasts in the adult brain and provides a research hypothesis for the direct reprogramming of somatic cells into neuroblasts through the co-induction of a potential proneurogenic marker, the doublecortin (DCX) gene along with the Yamanaka factors. The proposed cellular model of adult neurogenesis may provide us with further insights into neuropathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders and will provide a potential experimental platform for diagnostic, drug discovery and regenerative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahesh Kandasamy
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India; School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India; UGC-Faculty Recharge Programme (UGC-FRP), University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India.
| | - Ajisha Yesudhas
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - G P Poornimai Abirami
- School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Risna Kanjirassery Radhakrishnan
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Syed Aasish Roshan
- Molecular Gerontology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Esther Johnson
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vijaya Roobini Ravichandran
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Abir Biswas
- Molecular Gerontology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Muthuswamy Anusuyadevi
- School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India; Molecular Gerontology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ludwig Aigner
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center, Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
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7
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Rogall R, Rabenstein M, Vay S, Bach A, Pikhovych A, Baermann J, Hoehn M, Couillard-Despres S, Fink GR, Schroeter M, Rueger MA. Bioluminescence imaging visualizes osteopontin-induced neurogenesis and neuroblast migration in the mouse brain after stroke. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:182. [PMID: 29973246 PMCID: PMC6032781 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-0927-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Osteopontin (OPN), an acidic phosphoglycoprotein, is upregulated in the brain after cerebral ischemia. We previously reported that OPN supports migration, survival, and proliferation of neural stem cells (NSC) in primary cell culture, as well as their differentiation into neurons. We here analyzed the effects of OPN on neuroblasts in vivo in the context of cerebral ischemia. Methods Transgenic mice expressing luciferase under the control of the neuroblast-specific doublecortin (DCX)-promoter, allowing visualization of neuroblasts in vivo using bioluminescence imaging (BLI), were injected with OPN intracerebroventricularly while control mice were injected with vehicle buffer. To assess the effects of OPN after ischemia, additional mice were subjected to photothrombosis and injected with either OPN or vehicle. Results OPN enhanced the migration of neuroblasts both in the healthy brain and after ischemia, as quantified by BLI in vivo. Moreover, the number of neural progenitors was increased following OPN treatment, with the maximum effect on the second day after OPN injection into the healthy brain, and 14 days after OPN injection following ischemia. After ischemia, OPN quantitatively promoted the endogenous, ischemia-induced neuroblast expansion, and additionally recruited progenitors from the contralateral hemisphere. Conclusions Our results strongly suggest that OPN constitutes a promising substance for the targeted activation of neurogenesis in ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Rogall
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50924, Cologne, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Monika Rabenstein
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50924, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sabine Vay
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50924, Cologne, Germany
| | - Annika Bach
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50924, Cologne, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anton Pikhovych
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50924, Cologne, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Johannes Baermann
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50924, Cologne, Germany
| | - Mathias Hoehn
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sébastien Couillard-Despres
- Institute of Experimental Neuroregeneration, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Gereon Rudolf Fink
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50924, Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience Section, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Centre Juelich, Juelich, Germany
| | - Michael Schroeter
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50924, Cologne, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience Section, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Centre Juelich, Juelich, Germany
| | - Maria Adele Rueger
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50924, Cologne, Germany. .,Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany. .,Cognitive Neuroscience Section, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Centre Juelich, Juelich, Germany.
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8
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Mulder IA, Khmelinskii A, Dzyubachyk O, de Jong S, Wermer MJH, Hoehn M, Lelieveldt BPF, van den Maagdenberg AMJM. MRI Mouse Brain Data of Ischemic Lesion after Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion. Front Neuroinform 2017; 11:51. [PMID: 28932191 PMCID: PMC5592227 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2017.00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Inge A Mulder
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands
| | - Artem Khmelinskii
- Division of Image Processing (LKEB), Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands.,Percuros B.V., Department of Developmental Bio-Engineering, University of TwenteEnschede, Netherlands.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Netherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Oleh Dzyubachyk
- Division of Image Processing (LKEB), Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan de Jong
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands
| | - Marieke J H Wermer
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands
| | - Mathias Hoehn
- Division of Image Processing (LKEB), Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands.,Percuros B.V., Department of Developmental Bio-Engineering, University of TwenteEnschede, Netherlands.,In-Vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism ResearchCologne, Germany
| | - Boudewijn P F Lelieveldt
- Division of Image Processing (LKEB), Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands.,Intelligent Systems Group, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Delft University of TechnologyDelft, Netherlands
| | - Arn M J M van den Maagdenberg
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands
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9
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Mulder IA, Khmelinskii A, Dzyubachyk O, de Jong S, Rieff N, Wermer MJH, Hoehn M, Lelieveldt BPF, van den Maagdenberg AMJM. Automated Ischemic Lesion Segmentation in MRI Mouse Brain Data after Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion. Front Neuroinform 2017; 11:3. [PMID: 28197090 PMCID: PMC5281583 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2017.00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become increasingly important in ischemic stroke experiments in mice, especially because it enables longitudinal studies. Still, quantitative analysis of MRI data remains challenging mainly because segmentation of mouse brain lesions in MRI data heavily relies on time-consuming manual tracing and thresholding techniques. Therefore, in the present study, a fully automated approach was developed to analyze longitudinal MRI data for quantification of ischemic lesion volume progression in the mouse brain. We present a level-set-based lesion segmentation algorithm that is built using a minimal set of assumptions and requires only one MRI sequence (T2) as input. To validate our algorithm we used a heterogeneous data set consisting of 121 mouse brain scans of various age groups and time points after infarct induction and obtained using different MRI hardware and acquisition parameters. We evaluated the volumetric accuracy and regional overlap of ischemic lesions segmented by our automated method against the ground truth obtained in a semi-automated fashion that includes a highly time-consuming manual correction step. Our method shows good agreement with human observations and is accurate on heterogeneous data, whilst requiring much shorter average execution time. The algorithm developed here was compiled into a toolbox and made publically available, as well as all the data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge A Mulder
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Artem Khmelinskii
- Division of Image Processing (LKEB), Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands; Percuros B.V.Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Oleh Dzyubachyk
- Division of Image Processing (LKEB), Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan de Jong
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Nathalie Rieff
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marieke J H Wermer
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Mathias Hoehn
- Division of Image Processing (LKEB), Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands; Percuros B.V.Enschede, Netherlands; In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism ResearchCologne, Germany
| | - Boudewijn P F Lelieveldt
- Division of Image Processing (LKEB), Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands; Intelligent Systems Group, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Delft University of TechnologyDelft, Netherlands
| | - Arn M J M van den Maagdenberg
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands
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10
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Adamczak J, Aswendt M, Kreutzer C, Rotheneichner P, Riou A, Selt M, Beyrau A, Uhlenküken U, Diedenhofen M, Nelles M, Aigner L, Couillard-Despres S, Hoehn M. Neurogenesis upregulation on the healthy hemisphere after stroke enhances compensation for age-dependent decrease of basal neurogenesis. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 99:47-57. [PMID: 28007584 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide with no treatment for the chronic phase available. Interestingly, an endogenous repair program comprising inflammation and neurogenesis is known to modulate stroke outcome. Several studies have shown that neurogenesis decreases with age but the therapeutic importance of endogenous neurogenesis for recovery from cerebral diseases has been indicated as its ablation leads to stroke aggravation and worsened outcome. A detailed characterization of the neurogenic response after stroke related to ageing would help to develop novel and targeted therapies. In an innovative approach, we used the DCX-Luc mouse, a transgenic model expressing luciferase in doublecortin-positive neuroblasts, to monitor the neurogenic response following middle cerebral artery occlusion over three weeks in three age groups (2, 6, 12months) by optical imaging while the stroke lesion was monitored by quantitative MRI. The individual longitudinal and noninvasive time profiles provided exclusive insight into age-dependent decrease in basal neurogenesis and neurogenic upregulation in response to stroke which are not accessible by conventional BrdU-based measures of cell proliferation. For cortico-striatal strokes the maximal upregulation occurred at 4days post stroke followed by a continuous decrease to basal levels by three weeks post stroke. Older animals effectively compensated for reduced basal neurogenesis by an enhanced sensitivity to the cerebral lesion, resulting in upregulated neurogenesis levels approaching those measured in young mice. In middle aged and older mice, but not in the youngest ones, additional upregulation of neurogenesis was observed in the contralateral healthy hemisphere. This further substantiates the increased propensity of older brains to respond to lesion situation. Our results clearly support the therapeutic relevance of endogenous neurogenesis for stroke recovery and particularly in older brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Adamczak
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleuelerstrasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Percuros B.V., Drienerlolaan 5-Zuidhorst, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Markus Aswendt
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleuelerstrasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Christina Kreutzer
- Institute of Experimental Neuroregeneration, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Austria
| | - Peter Rotheneichner
- Institute of Experimental Neuroregeneration, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Austria
| | - Adrien Riou
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleuelerstrasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Marion Selt
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleuelerstrasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Andreas Beyrau
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleuelerstrasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ulla Uhlenküken
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleuelerstrasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Diedenhofen
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleuelerstrasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Melanie Nelles
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleuelerstrasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ludwig Aigner
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Austria
| | - Sebastien Couillard-Despres
- Institute of Experimental Neuroregeneration, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Austria
| | - Mathias Hoehn
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleuelerstrasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Percuros B.V., Drienerlolaan 5-Zuidhorst, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands.
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11
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Smith LK, He Y, Park JS, Bieri G, Snethlage CE, Lin K, Gontier G, Wabl R, Plambeck KE, Udeochu J, Wheatley EG, Bouchard J, Eggel A, Narasimha R, Grant JL, Luo J, Wyss-Coray T, Villeda SA. β2-microglobulin is a systemic pro-aging factor that impairs cognitive function and neurogenesis. Nat Med 2015; 21:932-7. [PMID: 26147761 PMCID: PMC4529371 DOI: 10.1038/nm.3898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 349] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Aging drives cognitive and regenerative impairments in the adult brain, increasing susceptibility to neurodegenerative disorders in healthy individuals. Experiments using heterochronic parabiosis, in which the circulatory systems of young and old animals are joined, indicate that circulating pro-aging factors in old blood drive aging phenotypes in the brain. Here we identify β2-microglobulin (B2M), a component of major histocompatibility complex class 1 (MHC I) molecules, as a circulating factor that negatively regulates cognitive and regenerative function in the adult hippocampus in an age-dependent manner. B2M is elevated in the blood of aging humans and mice, and it is increased within the hippocampus of aged mice and young heterochronic parabionts. Exogenous B2M injected systemically, or locally in the hippocampus, impairs hippocampal-dependent cognitive function and neurogenesis in young mice. The negative effects of B2M and heterochronic parabiosis are, in part, mitigated in the hippocampus of young transporter associated with antigen processing 1 (Tap1)-deficient mice with reduced cell surface expression of MHC I. The absence of endogenous B2M expression abrogates age-related cognitive decline and enhances neurogenesis in aged mice. Our data indicate that systemic B2M accumulation in aging blood promotes age-related cognitive dysfunction and impairs neurogenesis, in part via MHC I, suggesting that B2M may be targeted therapeutically in old age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas K Smith
- 1] Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, California, USA. [3] Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yingbo He
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jeong-Soo Park
- 1] Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. [2] Department of Biochemistry, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Gregor Bieri
- 1] Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, California, USA. [3] Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. [4] Neuroscience Graduate Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Cedric E Snethlage
- 1] Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Karin Lin
- 1] Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, California, USA. [3] Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Geraldine Gontier
- 1] Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Rafael Wabl
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kristopher E Plambeck
- 1] Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Joe Udeochu
- 1] Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, California, USA. [3] Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth G Wheatley
- 1] Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, California, USA. [3] Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jill Bouchard
- 1] Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Alexander Eggel
- Department of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergology, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ramya Narasimha
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jacqueline L Grant
- 1] Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. [2] Neuroscience Graduate Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jian Luo
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Tony Wyss-Coray
- 1] Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. [2] Neuroscience Graduate Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. [3] Center for Tissue Regeneration, Repair and Restoration, Veterans' Affairs (VA) Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Saul A Villeda
- 1] Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, San Francisco, California, USA. [3] Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [4] Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [5] Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [6] California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), San Francisco, California, USA
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12
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Sun X, Voloboueva LA, Stary CM, Giffard RG. Physiologically normal 5% O2 supports neuronal differentiation and resistance to inflammatory injury in neural stem cell cultures. J Neurosci Res 2015; 93:1703-12. [PMID: 26147710 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Revised: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that neural stem cell (NSC) culture at physiologically normoxic conditions (2-5% O2) is advantageous in terms of neuronal differentiation and survival. Neuronal differentiation is accompanied by a remarkable shift to mitochondrial oxidative metabolism compared with preferentially glycolytic metabolism of proliferating cells. However, metabolic changes induced by growth in a normoxic (5%) O2 culture environment in NSCs have been minimally explored. This study demonstrates that culturing under 5% O2 conditions results in higher levels of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, decreased glycolysis, and reduced levels of reactive oxygen species in NSC cultures. Inflammation is one of the major environmental factors limiting postinjury NSC neuronal differentiation and survival. Our results show that NSCs differentiated under 5% O2 conditions possess better resistance to in vitro inflammatory injury compared with those exposed to 20% O2. The present work demonstrates that lower, more physiologically normal O2 levels support metabolic changes induced during NSC neuronal differentiation and provide increased resistance to inflammatory injury, thus highlighting O2 tension as an important determinant of cell fate and survival in various stem cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Ludmila A Voloboueva
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Creed M Stary
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Rona G Giffard
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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13
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Ayzenberg I, Schlevogt S, Metzdorf J, Stahlke S, Pedreitturia X, Hunfeld A, Couillard-Despres S, Kleiter I. Analysis of neurogenesis during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis reveals pitfalls of bioluminescence imaging. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118550. [PMID: 25780928 PMCID: PMC4363373 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging is a sensitive approach for longitudinal neuroimaging. Transgenic mice expressing luciferase under the promoter of doublecortin (DCX-luc), a specific marker of neuronal progenitor cells (NPC), allow monitoring of neurogenesis in living mice. Since the extent and time course of neurogenesis during autoimmune brain inflammation are controversial, we investigated neurogenesis in MOG-peptide induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) using DCX-luc reporter mice. We observed a marked, 2- to 4-fold increase of the bioluminescence signal intensity 10 days after EAE induction and a gradual decline 1–2 weeks thereafter. In contrast, immunostaining for DCX revealed no differences between EAE and control mice 2 and 4 weeks after immunization in zones of adult murine neurogenesis such as the dentate gyrus. Ex vivo bioluminescence imaging showed similar luciferase expression in brain homogenates of EAE and control animals. Apart from complete immunization including MOG-peptide also incomplete immunization with complete Freund´s adjuvant and pertussis toxin resulted in a rapid increase of the in vivo bioluminescence signal. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage was demonstrated 10 days after both complete and incomplete immunization and might explain the increased bioluminescence signal in vivo. We conclude, that acute autoimmune inflammation in EAE does not alter neurogenesis, at least at the stage of DCX-expressing NPC. Effects of immunization on the BBB integrity must be considered when luciferase is used as a reporter within the CNS during the active stage of EAE. Models with stable CNS-restricted luciferase expression could serve as technically convenient way to evaluate BBB integrity in a longitudinal manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya Ayzenberg
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sibylle Schlevogt
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Judith Metzdorf
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sarah Stahlke
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Anika Hunfeld
- Department of Animal Physiology, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sebastien Couillard-Despres
- Institute of Experimental Neuroregeneration, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ingo Kleiter
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany
- * E-mail:
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14
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Tennstaedt A, Aswendt M, Adamczak J, Collienne U, Selt M, Schneider G, Henn N, Schaefer C, Lagouge M, Wiedermann D, Kloppenburg P, Hoehn M. Human neural stem cell intracerebral grafts show spontaneous early neuronal differentiation after several weeks. Biomaterials 2015; 44:143-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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15
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Time course of spinal doublecortin expression in developing rat and porcine spinal cord: implication in in vivo neural precursor grafting studies. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2014; 35:57-70. [PMID: 25487013 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-014-0145-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Expression of doublecortin (DCX), a 43-53 kDa microtubule binding protein, is frequently used as (i) an early neuronal marker to identify the stage of neuronal maturation of in vivo grafted neuronal precursors (NSCs), and (ii) a neuronal fate marker transiently expressed by immature neurons during development. Reliable identification of the origin of DCX-immunoreactive cells (i.e., host vs. graft) requires detailed spatial and temporal mapping of endogenous DCX expression at graft-targeted brain or spinal cord regions. Accordingly, in the present study, we analyzed (i) the time course of DCX expression in pre- and postnatal rat and porcine spinal cord, and (ii) the DCX expression in spinally grafted porcine-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS)-derived NSCs and human embryonic stem cell (ES)-derived NSCs. In addition, complementary temporospatial GFAP expression study in porcine spinal cord was also performed. In 21-day-old rat fetuses, an intense DCX immunoreactivity distributed between the dorsal horn (DH) and ventral horn was seen and was still present in the DH neurons on postnatal day 20. In animals older than 8 weeks, no DCX immunoreactivity was seen at any spinal cord laminae. In contrast to rat, in porcine spinal cord (gestational period 113-114 days), DCX was only expressed during the pre-natal period (up to 100 days) but was no longer present in newborn piglets or in adult animals. Immunohistochemical analysis was confirmed with a comparable expression profile by western blot analysis. Contrary, the expression of porcine GFAP started within 70-80 days of the pre-natal period. Spinally grafted porcine iPS-NSCs and human ES-NSCs showed clear DCX expression at 3-4 weeks postgrafting. These data indicate that in spinal grafting studies which employ postnatal or adult porcine models, the expression of DCX can be used as a reliable marker of grafted neurons. In contrast, if grafted neurons are to be analyzed during the first 4 postnatal weeks in the rat spinal cord, additional markers or grafted cell-specific labeling techniques need to be employed to reliably identify grafted early postmitotic neurons and to differentiate the DCX expression from the neurons of the host.
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16
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Trost A, Schroedl F, Marschallinger J, Rivera FJ, Bogner B, Runge C, Couillard-Despres S, Aigner L, Reitsamer HA. Characterization of dsRed2-positive cells in the doublecortin-dsRed2 transgenic adult rat retina. Histochem Cell Biol 2014; 142:601-17. [PMID: 25138677 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-014-1259-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Doublecortin (DCX) is predominantly expressed in neuronal precursor cells and young immature neurons of the developing and adult brain, where it is involved in neuronal differentiation, migration and plasticity. Moreover, its expression pattern reflects neurogenesis, and transgenic DCX promoter-driven reporter models have been previously used to investigate adult neurogenesis. In this study, we characterize dsRed2 reporter protein-expressing cells in the adult retina of the transgenic DCX promoter-dsRed2 rat model, with the aim to identify cells with putative neurogenic activity. Additionally, we confirmed the expression of the dsRed2 protein in DCX-expressing cells in the adult hippocampal dentate gyrus. Adult DCX-dsRed2 rat retinas were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for expression of DCX, NF200, Brn3a, Sox2, NeuN, calbindin, calretinin, PKC-a, Otx2, ChAT, PSA-NCAM and the glial markers GFAP and CRALBP, followed by confocal laser-scanning microscopy. In addition, brain sections of transgenic rats were analyzed for dsRed2 expression and co-localization with DCX, NeuN, GFAP and Sox2 in the cortex and dentate gyrus. Endogenous DCX expression in the adult retina was confined to horizontal cells, and these cells co-expressed the DCX promoter-driven dsRed2 reporter protein. In addition, we encountered dsRed2 expression in various other cell types in the retina: retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), a subpopulation of amacrine cells, a minority of bipolar cells and in perivascular cells. Since also RGCs expressed dsRed2, the DCX-dsRed2 rat model might offer a useful tool to study RGCs in vivo under various conditions. Müller glial cells, which have previously been identified as cells with stem cell features and with neurogenic potential, did express neither endogenous DCX nor the dsRed2 reporter. However, and surprisingly, we identified a perivascular glial cell type expressing the dsRed2 reporter, enmeshed with the glia/stem cell marker GFAP and colocalizing with the neural stem cell marker Sox2. These findings suggest the so far undiscovered existence of perivascular associated cell with neural stem cell-like properties in the adult retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Trost
- Ophthalmology/Optometry, Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria,
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17
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Vande Velde G, Himmelreich U, Neeman M. Reporter gene approaches for mapping cell fate decisions by MRI: promises and pitfalls. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2014; 8:424-31. [PMID: 24375898 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The central dogma of molecular biology, namely the process by which information encoded in the DNA serves as the template for transcriptional activation of specific mRNA resulting in temporal and spatial control of the translation of specific proteins, stands at the basis of normal and pathological cellular processes. Serving as the primary mechanism linking genotype to phenotype, it is clearly of significant interest for in vivo imaging. While classically, imaging revolutionized the ability to phenotype the anatomical and physiological impact of induction of changes in gene expression, the preceding molecular events remained invisible. Reporter gene-based imaging techniques provide a window for in vivo visualization of such transcriptional activation events. In addition to the widespread use of fluorescent and bioluminescent reporter genes and development of a number of reporter genes for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, there has been significant progress in the development of reporter genes for MRI. With the development of strategies for cellular based therapies, such imaging tools could become central components for personalized patient monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greetje Vande Velde
- Biomedical MRI, KU Leuven, O&N I Herestraat 49 - box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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18
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Aswendt M, Adamczak J, Tennstaedt A. A review of novel optical imaging strategies of the stroke pathology and stem cell therapy in stroke. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:226. [PMID: 25177269 PMCID: PMC4132298 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transplanted stem cells can induce and enhance functional recovery in experimental stroke. Invasive analysis has been extensively used to provide detailed cellular and molecular characterization of the stroke pathology and engrafted stem cells. But post mortem analysis is not appropriate to reveal the time scale of the dynamic interplay between the cell graft, the ischemic lesion and the endogenous repair mechanisms. This review describes non-invasive imaging techniques which have been developed to provide complementary in vivo information. Recent advances were made in analyzing simultaneously different aspects of the cell graft (e.g., number of cells, viability state, and cell fate), the ischemic lesion (e.g., blood-brain-barrier consistency, hypoxic, and necrotic areas) and the neuronal and vascular network. We focus on optical methods, which permit simple animal preparation, repetitive experimental conditions, relatively medium-cost instrumentation and are performed under mild anesthesia, thus nearly under physiological conditions. A selection of recent examples of optical intrinsic imaging, fluorescence imaging and bioluminescence imaging to characterize the stroke pathology and engrafted stem cells are discussed. Special attention is paid to novel optimal reporter genes/probes for genetic labeling and tracking of stem cells and appropriate transgenic animal models. Requirements, advantages and limitations of these imaging platforms are critically discussed and placed into the context of other non-invasive techniques, e.g., magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography, which can be joined with optical imaging in multimodal approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Annette Tennstaedt
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research, KölnGermany
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19
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Vandeputte C, Reumers V, Aelvoet SA, Thiry I, De Swaef S, Van den Haute C, Pascual-Brazo J, Farr TD, Vande Velde G, Hoehn M, Himmelreich U, Van Laere K, Debyser Z, Gijsbers R, Baekelandt V. Bioluminescence imaging of stroke-induced endogenous neural stem cell response. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 69:144-55. [PMID: 24878507 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Revised: 03/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain injury following stroke affects neurogenesis in the adult mammalian brain. However, a complete understanding of the origin and fate of the endogenous neural stem cells (eNSCs) in vivo is missing. Tools and technology that allow non-invasive imaging and tracking of eNSCs in living animals will help to overcome this hurdle. In this study, we aimed to monitor eNSCs in a photothrombotic (PT) stroke model using in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI). In a first strategy, inducible transgenic mice expressing firefly luciferase (Fluc) in the eNSCs were generated. In animals that received stroke, an increased BLI signal originating from the infarct region was observed. However, due to histological limitations, the identity and exact origin of cells contributing to the increased BLI signal could not be revealed. To overcome this limitation, we developed an alternative strategy employing stereotactic injection of conditional lentiviral vectors (Cre-Flex LVs) encoding Fluc and eGFP in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of Nestin-Cre transgenic mice, thereby specifically labeling the eNSCs. Upon induction of stroke, increased eNSC proliferation resulted in a significant increase in BLI signal between 2days and 2weeks after stroke, decreasing after 3months. Additionally, the BLI signal relocalized from the SVZ towards the infarct region during the 2weeks following stroke. Histological analysis at 90days post stroke showed that in the peri-infarct area, 36% of labeled eNSC progeny differentiated into astrocytes, while 21% differentiated into mature neurons. In conclusion, we developed and validated a novel imaging technique that unequivocally demonstrates that nestin(+) eNSCs originating from the SVZ respond to stroke injury by increased proliferation, migration towards the infarct region and differentiation into both astrocytes and neurons. In addition, this new approach allows non-invasive and specific monitoring of eNSCs over time, opening perspectives for preclinical evaluation of candidate stroke therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Vandeputte
- KU Leuven, Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, Department of Neurosciences, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium; KU Leuven, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, MOSAIC, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium; Division of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital and KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Veerle Reumers
- KU Leuven, Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, Department of Neurosciences, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Sarah-Ann Aelvoet
- KU Leuven, Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, Department of Neurosciences, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Irina Thiry
- KU Leuven, Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Sylvie De Swaef
- KU Leuven, Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, Department of Neurosciences, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Chris Van den Haute
- KU Leuven, Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, Department of Neurosciences, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium; KU Leuven, Leuven Viral Vector Core, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Jesus Pascual-Brazo
- KU Leuven, Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, Department of Neurosciences, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Tracy D Farr
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- KU Leuven, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, MOSAIC, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium; KU Leuven, Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Mathias Hoehn
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- KU Leuven, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, MOSAIC, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium; KU Leuven, Biomedical MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Koen Van Laere
- KU Leuven, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, MOSAIC, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium; Division of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital and KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Zeger Debyser
- KU Leuven, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, MOSAIC, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium; KU Leuven, Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Rik Gijsbers
- KU Leuven, Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium; KU Leuven, Leuven Viral Vector Core, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium.
| | - Veerle Baekelandt
- KU Leuven, Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, Department of Neurosciences, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium; KU Leuven, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, MOSAIC, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium.
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Rotheneichner P, Marschallinger J, Couillard-Despres S, Aigner L. Neurogenesis and neuronal regeneration in status epilepticus. Epilepsia 2013; 54 Suppl 6:40-2. [PMID: 24001070 DOI: 10.1111/epi.12274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Neurogenesis in the adult central nervous system has been well documented in several mammals including humans. By now, a plethora of data has been generated with the aim of understanding the molecular and cellular events governing neurogenesis. This growing comprehension will provide the basis for modulation of neurogenesis for therapeutic purposes, in particular in neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we review the current knowledge on neurogenesis, in particular in the frame of epilepsy, since seizures have massive effects on neurogenesis. Conversely, some studies have suggested that aberrant neurogenesis might contribute to the development or manifestation of epilepsy and, moreover, chronic inhibition of neurogenesis in epilepsy might contribute to comorbidities of epilepsy such as cognitive deficits. Therefore, a better understanding of neurogenesis in the context of epilepsy is still required for future therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Rotheneichner
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 21, Salzburg, Austria
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21
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Multimodality molecular imaging of stem cells therapy for stroke. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:849819. [PMID: 24222920 PMCID: PMC3816035 DOI: 10.1155/2013/849819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Stem cells have been proposed as a promising therapy for treating stroke. While several studies have demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of stem cells, the exact mechanism remains elusive. Molecular imaging provides the possibility of the visual representation of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. In order to facilitate research efforts to understand the stem cells therapeutic mechanisms, we need to further develop means of monitoring these cells noninvasively, longitudinally and repeatedly. Because of tissue depth and the blood-brain barrier (BBB), in vivo imaging of stem cells therapy for stroke has unique challenges. In this review, we describe existing methods of tracking transplanted stem cells in vivo, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine imaging, and optical imaging (OI). Each of the imaging techniques has advantages and drawbacks. Finally, we describe multimodality imaging strategies as a more comprehensive and potential method to monitor transplanted stem cells for stroke.
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22
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Goffart N, Kroonen J, Rogister B. Glioblastoma-initiating cells: relationship with neural stem cells and the micro-environment. Cancers (Basel) 2013; 5:1049-71. [PMID: 24202333 PMCID: PMC3795378 DOI: 10.3390/cancers5031049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Revised: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM, WHO grade IV) is the most common and lethal subtype of primary brain tumor with a median overall survival of 15 months from the time of diagnosis. The presence in GBM of a cancer population displaying neural stem cell (NSC) properties as well as tumor-initiating abilities and resistance to current therapies suggests that these glioblastoma-initiating cells (GICs) play a central role in tumor development and are closely related to NSCs. However, it is nowadays still unclear whether GICs derive from NSCs, neural progenitor cells or differentiated cells such as astrocytes or oligodendrocytes. On the other hand, NSCs are located in specific regions of the adult brain called neurogenic niches that have been shown to control critical stem cell properties, to nourish NSCs and to support their self-renewal. This “seed-and-soil” relationship has also been adapted to cancer stem cell research as GICs also require a specific micro-environment to maintain their “stem cell” properties. In this review, we will discuss the controversies surrounding the origin and the identification of GBM stem cells and highlight the micro-environment impact on their biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Goffart
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, GIGA-Neurosciences Research Center, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium; E-Mail:
| | - Jérôme Kroonen
- Human Genetics, CHU and University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium; E-Mail:
- The T&P Bohnenn Laboratory for Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht 3556, The Netherlands; E-Mail:
| | - Bernard Rogister
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, GIGA-Neurosciences Research Center, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium; E-Mail:
- Department of Neurology, CHU and University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium
- GIGA-Development, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +32-4-366-5950; Fax: +32-4-366-5912
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Berglund K, Birkner E, Augustine GJ, Hochgeschwender U. Light-emitting channelrhodopsins for combined optogenetic and chemical-genetic control of neurons. PLoS One 2013; 8:e59759. [PMID: 23544095 PMCID: PMC3609769 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 02/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Manipulation of neuronal activity through genetically targeted actuator molecules is a powerful approach for studying information flow in the brain. In these approaches the genetically targeted component, a receptor or a channel, is activated either by a small molecule (chemical genetics) or by light from a physical source (optogenetics). We developed a hybrid technology that allows control of the same neurons by both optogenetic and chemical genetic means. The approach is based on engineered chimeric fusions of a light-generating protein (luciferase) to a light-activated ion channel (channelrhodopsin). Ionic currents then can be activated by bioluminescence upon activation of luciferase by its substrate, coelenterazine (CTZ), as well as by external light. In cell lines, expression of the fusion of Gaussia luciferase to Channelrhodopsin-2 yielded photocurrents in response to CTZ. Larger photocurrents were produced by fusing the luciferase to Volvox Channelrhodopsin-1. This version allowed chemical modulation of neuronal activity when expressed in cultured neurons: CTZ treatment shifted neuronal responses to injected currents and sensitized neurons to fire action potentials in response to subthreshold synaptic inputs. These luminescent channelrhodopsins--or luminopsins--preserve the advantages of light-activated ion channels, while extending their capabilities. Our proof-of-principle results suggest that this novel class of tools can be improved and extended in numerous ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Berglund
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Elisabeth Birkner
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- NeuroTransgenic Laboratory, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - George J. Augustine
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ute Hochgeschwender
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- NeuroTransgenic Laboratory, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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Aswendt M, Adamczak J, Couillard-Despres S, Hoehn M. Boosting bioluminescence neuroimaging: an optimized protocol for brain studies. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55662. [PMID: 23405190 PMCID: PMC3566035 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging is widely used for optical cell tracking approaches. However, reliable and quantitative bioluminescence of transplanted cells in the brain is highly challenging. In this study we established a new bioluminescence imaging protocol dedicated for neuroimaging, which increases sensitivity especially for noninvasive tracking of brain cell grafts. Different D-Luciferin concentrations (15, 150, 300 and 750 mg/kg), injection routes (iv, ip, sc), types of anesthesia (Isoflurane, Ketamine/Xylazine, Pentobarbital) and timing of injection were compared using DCX-Luc transgenic mice for brain specific bioluminescence. Luciferase kinetics was quantitatively evaluated for maximal photon emission, total photon emission and time-to-peak. Photon emission followed a D-Luciferin dose-dependent relation without saturation, but with delay in time-to-peak increasing for increasing concentrations. The comparison of intravenous, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal substrate injection reflects expected pharmacokinetics with fastest and highest photon emission for intravenous administration. Ketamine/Xylazine and Pentobarbital anesthesia showed no significant beneficial effect on maximal photon emission. However, a strong difference in outcome was observed by injecting the substrate pre Isoflurane anesthesia. This protocol optimization for brain specific bioluminescence imaging comprises injection of 300 mg/kg D-Luciferin pre Isoflurane anesthesia as an efficient and stable method with a signal gain of approx. 200% (compared to 150 mg/kg post Isoflurane). Gain in sensitivity by the novel imaging protocol was quantitatively assessed by signal-to-noise calculations of luciferase-expressing neural stem cells grafted into mouse brains (transplantation of 3,000–300,000 cells). The optimized imaging protocol lowered the detection limit from 6,000 to 3,000 cells by a gain in signal-to-noise ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Aswendt
- In-Vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max-Planck-Institute for Neurological Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Joanna Adamczak
- In-Vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max-Planck-Institute for Neurological Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sebastien Couillard-Despres
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Salzburg, Austria
| | - Mathias Hoehn
- In-Vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max-Planck-Institute for Neurological Research, Cologne, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) takes advantage of the light-emitting properties of luciferase enzymes, which produce light upon oxidizing a substrate (i.e., D-luciferin) in the presence of molecular oxygen and energy. Photons emitted from living tissues can be detected and quantified by a highly sensitive charge-coupled device camera, enabling the investigator to noninvasively analyze the dynamics of biomolecular reactions in a variety of living model organisms such as transgenic mice. BLI has been used extensively in cancer research, cell transplantation, and for monitoring of infectious diseases, but only recently experimental models have been designed to study processes and pathways in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this review, we highlight recent applications of BLI in neuroscience, including transgene expression in the brain, longitudinal studies of neuroinflammatory responses to neurodegeneration and injury, and in vivo imaging studies of neurogenesis and mitochondrial toxicity. Finally, we highlight some new developments of BLI compounds and luciferase substrates with promising potential for in vivo studies of neurological dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Hochgräfe
- DZNE (German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175 Bonn, Germany
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26
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Vande Velde G, Couillard-Després S, Aigner L, Himmelreich U, van der Linden A. In situ labeling and imaging of endogenous neural stem cell proliferation and migration. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2012; 4:663-79. [PMID: 22933366 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous neural stem cells (eNSCs) reside in defined regions of the adult brain and have the potential to generate new brain cells, including neurons. Stimulation of adult neurogenesis presents an enormous potential for regenerative therapies in the central nervous system. However, the methods used to monitor the proliferation, migration, differentiation, and functional integration of eNSCs and their progeny are often invasive and limited in studying dynamic processes. To overcome this limitation, novel techniques and contrast mechanisms for in vivo imaging of neurogenesis have recently been developed and successfully applied. In vivo labeling of endogenous neuronal progenitor cells in situ with contrast agents or tracers enables longitudinal visualization of their proliferation and/or migration. Labeling of these cells with magnetic nanoparticles has proven to be very useful for tracking neuroblast migration with MRI. Alternatively, genetic labeling using reporter gene technology has been demonstrated for optical and MR imaging, leading to the development of powerful tools for in vivo optical imaging of neurogenesis. More recently, the iron storage protein ferritin has been used as an endogenously produced MRI contrast agent to monitor neuroblast migration. The use of specific promoters for neuronal progenitor cell imaging increases the specificity for visualizing neurogenesis. Further improvements of detection sensitivity and neurogenesis-specific contrast are nevertheless required for each of these imaging techniques to further improve the already high utility of this toolbox for preclinical neurogenesis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greetje Vande Velde
- Biomedical MRI Unit/Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
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27
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James ML, Gambhir SS. A molecular imaging primer: modalities, imaging agents, and applications. Physiol Rev 2012; 92:897-965. [PMID: 22535898 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00049.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 702] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging is revolutionizing the way we study the inner workings of the human body, diagnose diseases, approach drug design, and assess therapies. The field as a whole is making possible the visualization of complex biochemical processes involved in normal physiology and disease states, in real time, in living cells, tissues, and intact subjects. In this review, we focus specifically on molecular imaging of intact living subjects. We provide a basic primer for those who are new to molecular imaging, and a resource for those involved in the field. We begin by describing classical molecular imaging techniques together with their key strengths and limitations, after which we introduce some of the latest emerging imaging modalities. We provide an overview of the main classes of molecular imaging agents (i.e., small molecules, peptides, aptamers, engineered proteins, and nanoparticles) and cite examples of how molecular imaging is being applied in oncology, neuroscience, cardiology, gene therapy, cell tracking, and theranostics (therapy combined with diagnostics). A step-by-step guide to answering biological and/or clinical questions using the tools of molecular imaging is also provided. We conclude by discussing the grand challenges of the field, its future directions, and enormous potential for further impacting how we approach research and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L James
- Molecular Imaging Program, Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
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28
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Hoehn M, Aswendt M. Structure-function relationship of cerebral networks in experimental neuroscience: contribution of magnetic resonance imaging. Exp Neurol 2012; 242:65-73. [PMID: 22572591 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Revised: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The analysis of neuronal networks, their interactions in resting condition as well as during brain activation have become of great interest for a better understanding of the signal processing of the brain during sensory stimulus or cognitive tasks. Parallel to the study of the functional networks and their dynamics, the underlying network structure is highly important as it provides the basis of the functional interaction. Moreover, under pathological conditions, some nodes in such a net may be impaired and the function of the whole network affected. Mechanisms such as functional deficit and improvement, and plastic reorganization are increasingly discussed in the context of existing structural and functional networks. While many of these aspects have been followed in human and clinical studies, the experimental range is limited for obvious reasons. Here, animal experimental studies are needed as they permit longer scan times and, moreover, comparison with invasive histology. Experimental non-invasive imaging modalities are now able to perform impressive contributions. In this review we try to highlight most recent new cutting-edge developments and applications in experimental neuroscience of functional and structural networks of the brain, relying on non-invasive imaging. We focus primarily on the potential of experimental Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), but also touch upon micro positron emission tomography (μPET) and optical imaging developments where they are applicable to the topic of the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Hoehn
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research, Cologne, Germany.
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29
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Keyaerts M, Caveliers V, Lahoutte T. Bioluminescence imaging: looking beyond the light. Trends Mol Med 2012; 18:164-72. [PMID: 22321645 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2012.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Revised: 01/04/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) enables in vivo imaging of molecular and cellular processes. It has gained in popularity over the past decade because of its easy translation from in vitro to in vivo experiments, its sensitivity, and its ease of use. However, experience in applying BLI in living subjects is still limited, and many researchers have encountered unexpected or biased BLI readout and reported important influencing factors. In this review, we summarize both the biological and physical effects that occur at the enzyme level or during light propagation towards the camera. The knowledge and detection of such factors, together with the development of new strategies and better BLI compounds, will improve the accuracy of the technique in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen Keyaerts
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI) Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
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Abstract
Neuroimaging allows researchers and clinicians to noninvasively assess structure and function of the brain. With the advances of imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance, nuclear, and optical imaging; the design of target-specific probes; and/or the introduction of reporter gene assays, these technologies are now capable of visualizing cellular and molecular processes in vivo. Undoubtedly, the system biological character of molecular neuroimaging, which allows for the study of molecular events in the intact organism, will enhance our understanding of physiology and pathophysiology of the brain and improve our ability to diagnose and treat diseases more specifically. Technical/scientific challenges to be faced are the development of highly sensitive imaging modalities, the design of specific imaging probe molecules capable of penetrating the CNS and reporting on endogenous cellular and molecular processes, and the development of tools for extracting quantitative, biologically relevant information from imaging data. Today, molecular neuroimaging is still an experimental approach with limited clinical impact; this is expected to change within the next decade. This article provides an overview of molecular neuroimaging approaches with a focus on rodent studies documenting the exploratory state of the field. Concepts are illustrated by discussing applications related to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Klohs
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH & University of Zürich, Switzerland
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31
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Hwang DW, Lee DS. Optical imaging for stem cell differentiation to neuronal lineage. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2012; 46:1-9. [PMID: 24900026 DOI: 10.1007/s13139-011-0122-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Revised: 11/22/2011] [Accepted: 11/24/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In regenerative medicine, the prospect of stem cell therapy holds great promise for the recovery of injured tissues and effective treatment of intractable diseases. Tracking stem cell fate provides critical information to understand and evaluate the success of stem cell therapy. The recent emergence of in vivo noninvasive molecular imaging has enabled assessment of the behavior of grafted stem cells in living subjects. In this review, we provide an overview of current optical imaging strategies based on cell- or tissue-specific reporter gene expression and of in vivo methods to monitor stem cell differentiation into neuronal lineages. These methods use optical reporters either regulated by neuron-specific promoters or containing neuron-specific microRNA binding sites. Both systems revealed dramatic changes in optical reporter imaging signals in cells differentiating into a neuronal lineage. The detection limit of weak promoters or reporter genes can be greatly enhanced by adopting a yeast GAL4 amplification system or an engineering-enhanced luciferase reporter gene. Furthermore, we propose an advanced imaging system to monitor neuronal differentiation during neurogenesis that uses in vivo multiplexed imaging techniques capable of detecting several targets simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do Won Hwang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, 28 Yongon-Dong, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 110-744 Korea ; Institute of Radiation Medicine, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong Soo Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, 28 Yongon-Dong, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 110-744 Korea ; WCU, Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Science, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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Adamczak J, Hoehn M. In vivo imaging of cell transplants in experimental ischemia. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2012. [PMID: 23186710 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-59544-7.00004-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of stem cells for regeneration after cerebral lesion has become of great interest. This is particularly so for neurodegenerative diseases as well as for stroke. Contrary to more conventional, cerebroprotective treatment approaches, the focus of regeneration lies in a longer time window during the chronic phase of the lesion evolution. Thus, in order to assess the true potential of a treatment strategy and to investigate the underlying mechanisms, observation of the temporal profile of both the cell dynamics as well as the organ response to the treatment is of paramount importance. This need for intraindividual longitudinal studies can be optimally met by the application of noninvasive imaging modalities. This chapter presents in breadth the potential of noninvasive imaging modalities for cell tracking with application focus to experimental stroke. While the lion's share of discussed studies is based on MRI, we have also included the contributions of positron emission tomography and of the increasingly important optical imaging modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Adamczak
- Max-Planck-Institute for Neurological Research, In vivo NMR, Cologne, Germany
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Gravel M, Weng YC, Kriz J. Model System for Live Imaging of Neuronal Responses to Injury and Repair. Mol Imaging 2011. [DOI: 10.2310/7290.2011.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although it has been well established that induction of growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) during development coincides with axonal outgrowth and early synapse formation, the existence of neuronal plasticity and neurite outgrowth in the adult central nervous system after injuries is more controversial. To visualize the processes of neuronal injury and repair in living animals, we generated reporter mice for bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging bearing the luc (luciferase) and gfp (green fluorescent protein) reporter genes under the control of the murine GAP-43 promoter. Reporter functionality was first observed during the development of transgenic embryos. Using in vivo bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging, we visualized induction of the GAP-43 signals from live embryos starting at E10.5, as well as neuronal responses to brain and peripheral nerve injuries (the signals peaked at 14 days postinjury). Moreover, three-dimensional analysis of the GAP-43 bioluminescent signal confirmed that it originated from brain structures affected by ischemic injury. The analysis of fluorescence signal at cellular level revealed colocalization between endogenous protein and the GAP-43-driven gfp transgene. Taken together, our results suggest that the GAP-43-luc/gfp reporter mouse represents a valid model system for real-time analysis of neurite outgrowth and the capacity of the adult nervous system to regenerate after injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Gravel
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, Québec, QC
| | - Yuan-Cheng Weng
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, Québec, QC
| | - Jasna Kriz
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, Québec, QC
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34
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MRI stem cell tracking for therapy in experimental cerebral ischemia. Transl Stroke Res 2011; 3:22-35. [PMID: 24323753 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-011-0111-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2011] [Revised: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 09/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance has an established role in investigations on the evolution of stroke and the assessment of therapeutic strategies in experimental animals. Here we show that the technique has also an important place for the study of stem cell-mediated regenerative therapies after stroke. We review the literature by bridging from the methodological aspects of stem cell labeling via grafting and monitoring of cell dynamics after implantation into the brain all the way to MRI's role in analyzing the stem cell-mediated functional improvement. Thus, we have aimed at a view combining the focus on the monitoring of the cell activities with the aspect of lesion evolution while including also the essence of a potential functional improvement by the implantation of stem cells following stroke.
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Villeda SA, Luo J, Mosher KI, Zou B, Britschgi M, Bieri G, Stan TM, Fainberg N, Ding Z, Eggel A, Lucin KM, Czirr E, Park JS, Couillard-Després S, Aigner L, Li G, Peskind ER, Kaye JA, Quinn JF, Galasko DR, Xie XS, Rando TA, Wyss-Coray T. The ageing systemic milieu negatively regulates neurogenesis and cognitive function. Nature 2011; 477:90-4. [PMID: 21886162 PMCID: PMC3170097 DOI: 10.1038/nature10357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1280] [Impact Index Per Article: 98.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2009] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In the central nervous system (CNS), aging results in a precipitous decline in adult neural stem/progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurogenesis, with concomitant impairments in cognitive functions1. Interestingly, such impairments can be ameliorated through systemic perturbations such as exercise1. Here, using heterochronic parabiosis we show that blood-borne factors present in the systemic milieu can inhibit or promote adult neurogenesis in an age dependent fashion in mice. Accordingly, exposing a young animal to an old systemic environment, or to plasma from old mice, decreased synaptic plasticity and impaired contextual fear conditioning and spatial learning and memory. We identify chemokines - including CCL11/Eotaxin – whose plasma levels correlate with reduced neurogenesis in heterochronic parabionts and aged mice, and whose levels are increased in plasma and cerebral spinal fluid of healthy aging humans. Finally, increasing peripheral CCL11 chemokine levels in vivo in young mice decreased adult neurogenesis and impaired learning and memory. Together our data indicate that the decline in neurogenesis, and cognitive impairments, observed during aging can be in part attributed to changes in blood-borne factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saul A Villeda
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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Hoehn M. How do we assess regenerative success after stem cell implantation? An experimental approach. Regen Med 2011; 6:417-9. [PMID: 21749198 DOI: 10.2217/rme.11.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Abstract
The generation and cell death of newly generated cells have critical roles in brain development and maintenance in the embryonic and adult brain. Alterations in these processes are also seen in neurodegenerative diseases. Genes that are key players in neurodegenerative diseases (α-synuclein, presenilin-1, tau, huntingtin) are also physiologically involved in modulating brain plasticity. Interestingly, in some neurodegenerative diseases, the specific alterations in neurogenic areas such as the dentate gyrus and subventricular zone/olfactory bulb system parallel the early or premotor symptoms that are seen in the early stages of these diseases, such as depression, anxiety or olfactory dysfunction. We will review the modulation of neurogenesis in animal models and human brains of Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Winner
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Dhaliwal J, Lagace DC. Visualization and genetic manipulation of adult neurogenesis using transgenic mice. Eur J Neurosci 2011; 33:1025-36. [PMID: 21395845 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2011.07600.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Many laboratories have focused efforts on the creation of transgenic mouse models to study adult neurogenesis. In the last decade several constitutive reporter, as well as inducible transgenic lines have been published that allowed for visualization, tracking and alteration of specific neurogenic cell populations in the adult brain. Given the popularity of this approach, multiple mouse lines are available, and this review summarizes the differences in the basic techniques that have been used to create these mice, highlighting the different constructs and reporter proteins used, as well as the strengths and limitations of each of these models. Representative examples from the literature demonstrate some of the diverse and seminal findings that have come to fruition through the laborious, yet highly rewarding work of creating transgenic mouse lines for adult neurogenesis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagroop Dhaliwal
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Abstract
As our understanding of adult neurogenesis increases, hopes rise that neurological disorders and neuronal losses might be addressed one day by neural stem cell-based regenerative therapies. However, evaluating the efficacy and safety of any neurogenesis-based intervention requires a means to monitor neurogenesis in vivo and, so far, no such imaging techniques are available for human studies. Nevertheless, using imaging techniques presently available to clinicians, i.e. magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and optical imaging, significant progress has been made in this direction over the last decade. This review describes the current state-of-the-art for each imaging technique, and shows that detection of neurogenesis could theoretically be achieved using current imaging devices. Indeed, in vivo imaging of neurogenesis has already been achieved in mice using transgenic model systems. However, the imaging of human neurogenesis still requires the development of methods to reliably target the neural stem cells and the neuronal precursors in vivo.
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40
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Zhang J, Giesert F, Kloos K, Vogt Weisenhorn DM, Aigner L, Wurst W, Couillard-Despres S. A powerful transgenic tool for fate mapping and functional analysis of newly generated neurons. BMC Neurosci 2010; 11:158. [PMID: 21194452 PMCID: PMC3019205 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-11-158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Accepted: 12/31/2010] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lack of appropriate tools and techniques to study fate and functional integration of newly generated neurons has so far hindered understanding of neurogenesis' relevance under physiological and pathological conditions. Current analyses are either dependent on mitotic labeling, for example BrdU-incorporation or retroviral infection, or on the detection of transient immature neuronal markers. Here, we report a transgenic mouse model (DCX-CreERT2) for time-resolved fate analysis of newly generated neurons. This model is based on the expression of a tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase under the control of a doublecortin (DCX) promoter, which is specific for immature neuronal cells in the CNS. RESULTS In the DCX-CreERT2 transgenic mice, expression of CreERT2 was restricted to DCX+ cells. In the CNS of transgenic embryos and adult DCX-CreERT2 mice, tamoxifen administration caused the transient translocation of CreERT2 to the nucleus, allowing for the recombination of loxP-flanked sequences. In our system, tamoxifen administration at E14.5 resulted in reporter gene activation throughout the developing CNS of transgenic embryos. In the adult CNS, neurogenic regions were the primary sites of tamoxifen-induced reporter gene activation. In addition, reporter expression could also be detected outside of neurogenic regions in cells physiologically expressing DCX (e.g. piriform cortex, corpus callosum, hypothalamus). Four weeks after recombination, the vast majority of reporter-expressing cells were found to co-express NeuN, revealing the neuronal fate of DCX+ cells upon maturation. CONCLUSIONS This first validation demonstrates that our new DCX-CreERT2 transgenic mouse model constitutes a powerful tool to investigate neurogenesis, migration and their long-term fate of neuronal precursors. Moreover, it allows for a targeted activation or deletion of specific genes in neuronal precursors and will thereby contribute to unravel the molecular mechanisms controlling neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhong Zhang
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
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41
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Comparative neuroscience of stimulant-induced memory dysfunction: role for neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus. Behav Pharmacol 2010; 21:379-93. [PMID: 20700045 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0b013e32833e16b6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The discovery that the addictive drugs impair neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus has prompted the elaboration of new biological hypotheses to explain addiction and drug-induced cognitive dysfunction. Considerable evidence now implicates the process of adult neurogenesis in at least some critical components of hippocampal-dependent memory function. In experimental models, psychomotor stimulant drugs produce alterations in the rate of birth, survival, maturation and functional integration of adult-born hippocampal neurons. Thus some of the deleterious consequences of drug abuse on memory could result from the neurotoxic actions of drugs on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. In this review, we will first summarize preclinical and clinical literature on the disruptive effects of drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy in the areas of learning, memory and attention. We will also summarize data that document the widespread effects of stimulant drugs on progenitor activity and precursor incorporation in the adult dentate gyrus. Finally, we will examine evidence that supports the involvement of hippocampal neurogenesis in specific aspects of learning and memory function and we will consider critically the hypothesis that some of the negative consequences of drug abuse on cognition might be ascribed to deficits in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Evidence suggests that stimulant abuse impacts negatively on at least four areas of memory/cognitive function that may be influenced by adult hippocampal neurogenesis: contextual memory, spatial memory, working memory and cognitive flexibility.
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Kroonen J, Nassen J, Boulanger YG, Provenzano F, Capraro V, Bours V, Martin D, Deprez M, Robe P, Rogister B. Human glioblastoma-initiating cells invade specifically the subventricular zones and olfactory bulbs of mice after striatal injection. Int J Cancer 2010; 129:574-85. [PMID: 20886597 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2010] [Accepted: 09/10/2010] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
In patients with glioblastoma multiforme, recurrence is the rule despite continuous advances in surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Within these malignant gliomas, glioblastoma stem cells or initiating cells have been recently described, and they were shown to be specifically involved in experimental tumorigenesis. In this study, we show that some human glioblastoma cells injected into the striatum of immunodeficient nude mice exhibit a tropism for the subventricular zones. There and similarily to neurogenic stem cells, these subventricular glioblastoma cells were then able to migrate toward the olfactory bulbs. Finally, the glioblastoma cells isolated from the adult mouse subventricular zones and olfactory bulbs display high tumorigenicity when secondary injected in a new mouse brain. Together, these data suggest that neurogenic zones could be a reservoir for particular cancer-initiating cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Kroonen
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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Aschner M. Chapter 8 - Nanoparticles: Transport across the olfactory epithelium and application to the assessment of brain function in health and disease. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2010; 180:141-52. [PMID: 20302833 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6123(08)80008-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
The exciting advances within nanotechnology are beginning to be harnessed by the medical field. Nanoparticles have been used for drug delivery into the brain and have been explored for imaging, sensing, and analytical purposes. The science of nanoparticles encompasses a vast array of biological, chemical, physical, and engineering research, different aspects of which are specifically addressed in each of the chapters of this volume. Nanomaterials such as nanospheres, nanotubes, nanowires, fullerene derivatives (buckyballs), and quantum dots (Qdots) are at the forefront of scientific attention, as they provide new consumer products and advance the scientific development of novel analytical tools in medicine and in the physical sciences. This chapter will briefly survey some aspects of nanoparticle biology focusing on the following: (1) the role of olfactory nanoparticle transport into the central nervous system (CNS), both as a potential route for effective drug delivery and as a route for the passage of noxious substances into the brain proper; (2) nanoparticles as sensors of cell function and toxicity; and (3) some adverse effects of nanoparticles on the dysregulation of brain redox status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Aschner
- Department of Pediatrics, Pharmacology and The Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Couillard-Despres S, Wuertinger C, Kandasamy M, Caioni M, Stadler K, Aigner R, Bogdahn U, Aigner L. Ageing abolishes the effects of fluoxetine on neurogenesis. Mol Psychiatry 2009; 14:856-864. [PMID: 19139747 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2008.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2008] [Revised: 11/26/2008] [Accepted: 12/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Ramm P, Couillard-Despres S, Plötz S, Rivera FJ, Krampert M, Lehner B, Kremer W, Bogdahn U, Kalbitzer HR, Aigner L. A nuclear magnetic resonance biomarker for neural progenitor cells: is it all neurogenesis? Stem Cells 2009; 27:420-3. [PMID: 18988707 DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2008-0816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In vivo visualization of endogenous neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is crucial to advance stem cell research and will be essential to ensure the safety and efficacy of neurogenesis-based therapies. Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (i.e., spatially resolved spectroscopy in vivo) is a highly promising technique by which to investigate endogenous neurogenesis noninvasively. A distinct feature in nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (i.e., a lipid signal at 1.28 ppm) was recently attributed specifically to NPCs in vitro and to neurogenic regions in vivo. Here, we demonstrate that although this 1.28-ppm biomarker is present in NPC cultures, it is not specific for the latter. The 1.28-ppm marker was also evident in mesenchymal stem cells and in non-stem cell lines. Moreover, it was absent in freshly isolated NPCs but appeared under conditions favoring growth arrest or apoptosis; it is initiated by induction of apoptosis and correlates with the appearance of mobile lipid droplets. Thus, although the 1.28-ppm signal cannot be considered as a specific biomarker for NPCs, it might still serve as a sensor for processes that are tightly associated with neurogenesis and NPCs in vivo, such as apoptosis or stem cell quiescence. However, this requires further experimental evidence. The present work clearly urges the identification of additional biomarkers for NPCs and for neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Ramm
- Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Transplantation of cells is an urgent clinical need that is increasingly providing an alternative to solid-organ transplants. This review discusses the state-of-the-art in-vivo imaging of cell transplantation with a special focus on recent developments. RECENT FINDINGS Noninvasive imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear (positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography), acoustical, and optical imaging can investigate the biodistribution, fate, and functional integration of grafted cells. Especially, multimodal imaging is emerging as an important development to provide complimentary and confirmatory information. SUMMARY The development of noninvasive imaging of transplanted cells has progressed rapidly over the last few years. Translating these techniques into clinical protocols remains the focus of ongoing investigations.
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