1
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Daw TB, El-Nahal HG, Basso MA, Jun EJ, Bautista AR, Samulski RJ, Sommer MA, Bohlen MO. Direct Comparison of Epifluorescence and Immunostaining for Assessing Viral Mediated Gene Expression in the Primate Brain. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:228-246. [PMID: 36719771 PMCID: PMC10031143 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral vector technologies are commonly used in neuroscience research to understand and manipulate neural circuits, but successful applications of these technologies in non-human primate models have been inconsistent. An essential component to improve these technologies is an impartial and accurate assessment of the effectiveness of different viral constructs in the primate brain. We tested a diverse array of viral vectors delivered to the brain and extraocular muscles of macaques and compared three methods for histological assessment of viral-mediated fluorescent transgene expression: epifluorescence (Epi), immunofluorescence (IF), and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Importantly, IF and IHC identified a greater number of transduced neurons compared to Epi. Furthermore, IF and IHC reliably provided enhanced visualization of transgene in most cellular compartments (i.e., dendritic, axonal, and terminal fields), whereas the degree of labeling provided by Epi was inconsistent and predominantly restricted to somas and apical dendrites. Because Epi signals are unamplified (in contrast to IF and IHC), Epi may provide a more veridical assessment for the amount of accumulated transgene and, thus, the potential to chemogenetically or optogenetically manipulate neuronal activity. The comparatively weak Epi signals suggest that the current generations of viral constructs, regardless of delivered transgene, are not optimized for primates. This reinforces an emerging viewpoint that viral vectors tailored for the primate brain are necessary for basic research and human gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tierney B. Daw
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hala G. El-Nahal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michele A. Basso
- Fuster Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biological Structure, Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Elizabeth J. Jun
- Fuster Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alex R. Bautista
- Fuster Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - R. Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), Research Triangle, North Carolina, USA
| | - Marc A. Sommer
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Martin O. Bohlen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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2
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Lehtinen K, Nokia MS, Takala H. Red Light Optogenetics in Neuroscience. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 15:778900. [PMID: 35046775 PMCID: PMC8761848 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.778900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics, a field concentrating on controlling cellular functions by means of light-activated proteins, has shown tremendous potential in neuroscience. It possesses superior spatiotemporal resolution compared to the surgical, electrical, and pharmacological methods traditionally used in studying brain function. A multitude of optogenetic tools for neuroscience have been created that, for example, enable the control of action potential generation via light-activated ion channels. Other optogenetic proteins have been used in the brain, for example, to control long-term potentiation or to ablate specific subtypes of neurons. In in vivo applications, however, the majority of optogenetic tools are operated with blue, green, or yellow light, which all have limited penetration in biological tissues compared to red light and especially infrared light. This difference is significant, especially considering the size of the rodent brain, a major research model in neuroscience. Our review will focus on the utilization of red light-operated optogenetic tools in neuroscience. We first outline the advantages of red light for in vivo studies. Then we provide a brief overview of the red light-activated optogenetic proteins and systems with a focus on new developments in the field. Finally, we will highlight different tools and applications, which further facilitate the use of red light optogenetics in neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimmo Lehtinen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Miriam S. Nokia
- Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Brain Research, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Heikki Takala
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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3
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Kudo M, Wupuer S, Fujiwara M, Saito Y, Kubota S, Inoue KI, Takada M, Seki K. Specific gene expression in unmyelinated dorsal root ganglion neurons in nonhuman primates by intra-nerve injection of AAV 6 vector. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 23:11-22. [PMID: 34552999 PMCID: PMC8426475 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus 6 (AAV6) has been proposed as a potential vector candidate for specific gene expression in pain-related dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, but this has not been confirmed in nonhuman primates. The aim of our study was to analyze the transduction efficiency and target specificity of this viral vector in the common marmoset by comparing it with those in the rat. When green fluorescent protein-expressing serotype-6 vector was injected into the sciatic nerve, the efficiency of gene expression in DRG neurons was comparable in both species. We found that the serotype-6 vector was largely specific to the pain-related ganglion neurons in the marmoset, as well as in the rat, whereas the serotype-9 vector resulted in contrasting effects in the two species. Neither AAV6 nor AAV9 resulted in DRG toxicity when administered via the sciatic nerve, suggesting this as a safer route of sensory nerve transduction than the currently used intrathecal or intravenous administrative routes. Furthermore, the AAV6 vector could be an optimal serotype for gene therapy for human chronic pain that has a minimal effect on other somatosensory functions of DRG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moeko Kudo
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sidikejiang Wupuer
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maki Fujiwara
- Systems Neuroscience Section, Department of Neuroscience, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yuko Saito
- Department of Neuropathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Kubota
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Inoue
- Systems Neuroscience Section, Department of Neuroscience, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan
| | - Masahiko Takada
- Systems Neuroscience Section, Department of Neuroscience, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Seki
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Xu F, Shen Y, Ding L, Yang CY, Tan H, Wang H, Zhu Q, Xu R, Wu F, Xiao Y, Xu C, Li Q, Su P, Zhang LI, Dong HW, Desimone R, Xu F, Hu X, Lau PM, Bi GQ. High-throughput mapping of a whole rhesus monkey brain at micrometer resolution. Nat Biotechnol 2021; 39:1521-1528. [PMID: 34312500 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-021-00986-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Whole-brain mesoscale mapping in primates has been hindered by large brain sizes and the relatively low throughput of available microscopy methods. Here, we present an approach that combines primate-optimized tissue sectioning and clearing with ultrahigh-speed fluorescence microscopy implementing improved volumetric imaging with synchronized on-the-fly-scan and readout technique, and is capable of completing whole-brain imaging of a rhesus monkey at 1 × 1 × 2.5 µm3 voxel resolution within 100 h. We also developed a highly efficient method for long-range tracing of sparse axonal fibers in datasets numbering hundreds of terabytes. This pipeline, which we call serial sectioning and clearing, three-dimensional microscopy with semiautomated reconstruction and tracing (SMART), enables effective connectome-scale mapping of large primate brains. With SMART, we were able to construct a cortical projection map of the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus and identify distinct turning and routing patterns of individual axons in the cortical folds while approaching their arborization destinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Xu
- Center for Integrative Imaging, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Interdisciplinary Center for Brain Information, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Shen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Lufeng Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chao-Yu Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Heng Tan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanism, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.,Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Center for Integrative Imaging, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China
| | - Qingyuan Zhu
- Center for Integrative Imaging, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Xu
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Fengyi Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Interdisciplinary Center for Brain Information, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanyang Xiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Interdisciplinary Center for Brain Information, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Cheng Xu
- Center for Integrative Imaging, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Qianwei Li
- Center for Integrative Imaging, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Peng Su
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Li I Zhang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Center for Neural Circuits & Sensory Processing Disorders, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hong-Wei Dong
- UCLA Brain Research & Artificial Intelligence Nexus, Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Robert Desimone
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Interdisciplinary Center for Brain Information, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China.,State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xintian Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanism, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Pak-Ming Lau
- Center for Integrative Imaging, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China. .,CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Interdisciplinary Center for Brain Information, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China. .,CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China. .,Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China.
| | - Guo-Qiang Bi
- Center for Integrative Imaging, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China. .,CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Interdisciplinary Center for Brain Information, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China. .,Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China. .,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China.
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5
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A novel missense variant in ACAA1 contributes to early-onset Alzheimer's disease, impairs lysosomal function, and facilitates amyloid-β pathology and cognitive decline. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:325. [PMID: 34465723 PMCID: PMC8408221 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00748-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive synaptic dysfunction, neuronal death, and brain atrophy, with amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposits and hyperphosphorylated tau neurofibrillary tangle accumulation in the brain tissue, which all lead to loss of cognitive function. Pathogenic mutations in the well-known AD causal genes including APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 impair a variety of pathways, including protein processing, axonal transport, and metabolic homeostasis. Here we identified a missense variant rs117916664 (c.896T>C, p.Asn299Ser [p.N299S]) of the acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 1 (ACAA1) gene in a Han Chinese AD family by whole-genome sequencing and validated its association with early-onset familial AD in an independent cohort. Further in vitro and in vivo evidence showed that ACAA1 p.N299S contributes to AD by disturbing its enzymatic activity, impairing lysosomal function, and aggravating the Aβ pathology and neuronal loss, which finally caused cognitive impairment in a murine model. Our findings reveal a fundamental role of peroxisome-mediated lysosomal dysfunction in AD pathogenesis.
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6
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Lin K, Zhong X, Li L, Ying M, Yang T, Zhang Z, He X, Xu F. AAV9-Retro mediates efficient transduction with axon terminal absorption and blood-brain barrier transportation. Mol Brain 2020; 13:138. [PMID: 33054827 PMCID: PMC7556953 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00679-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs), particularly those that permit efficient gene transfer to neurons from axonal terminals or across the blood-brain barrier, are useful vehicles for structural and functional studies of the neural circuit and for the treatment of many gene-deficient brain diseases that need to compensate for the correct genes in every cell in the whole brain. However, AAVs with these two advantages have not been reported. Here, we describe a new capsid engineering method, which exploits the combination of different capsids and aims to yield a capsid that can provide more alternative routes of administration that are more suitable for the wide-scale transduction of the central nervous system (CNS). A new AAV variant, AAV9-Retro, was developed by inserting the 10-mer peptide fragment from AAV2-Retro into the capsid of AAV9, and the biodistribution properties were evaluated in mice. By intracranial and intravenous injection in the mice, we found that AAV9-Retro can retrogradely infect projection neurons with an efficiency comparable to that of AAV2-Retro and retains the characteristic of AAV9, which can be transported across the nervous system. Our strategy provides a new tool for the manipulation of neural circuits and future preclinical and clinical treatment of some neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunzhang Lin
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Center for Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xin Zhong
- Center for Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Lei Li
- Center for Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Min Ying
- Center for Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Tian Yang
- Center for Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zhijian Zhang
- Center for Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xiaobin He
- Center for Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China.
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
- Center for Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China.
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen, Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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7
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Cushnie AK, El-Nahal HG, Bohlen MO, May PJ, Basso MA, Grimaldi P, Wang MZ, de Velasco Ezequiel MF, Sommer MA, Heilbronner SR. Using rAAV2-retro in rhesus macaques: Promise and caveats for circuit manipulation. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 345:108859. [PMID: 32668316 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent genetic technologies such as opto- and chemogenetics allow for the manipulation of brain circuits with unprecedented precision. Most studies employing these techniques have been undertaken in rodents, but a more human-homologous model for studying the brain is the nonhuman primate (NHP). Optimizing viral delivery of transgenes encoding actuator proteins could revolutionize the way we study neuronal circuits in NHPs. NEW METHOD: rAAV2-retro, a popular new capsid variant, produces robust retrograde labeling in rodents. Whether rAAV2-retro's highly efficient retrograde transport would translate to NHPs was unknown. Here, we characterized the anatomical distribution of labeling following injections of rAAV2-retro encoding opsins or DREADDs in the cortico-basal ganglia and oculomotor circuits of rhesus macaques. RESULTS rAAV2-retro injections in striatum, frontal eye field, and superior colliculus produced local labeling at injection sites and robust retrograde labeling in many afferent regions. In every case, however, a few brain regions with well-established projections to the injected structure lacked retrogradely labeled cells. We also observed robust terminal field labeling in downstream structures. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) Patterns of labeling were similar to those obtained with traditional tract-tracers, except for some afferent labeling that was noticeably absent. CONCLUSIONS rAAV2-retro promises to be useful for circuit manipulation via retrograde transduction in NHPs, but caveats were revealed by our findings. Some afferently connected regions lacked retrogradely labeled cells, showed robust axon terminal labeling, or both. This highlights the importance of anatomically characterizing rAAV2-retro's expression in target circuits in NHPs before moving to manipulation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana K Cushnie
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Hala G El-Nahal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, United States
| | - Martin O Bohlen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, United States
| | - Paul J May
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, 39216, United States
| | - Michele A Basso
- Fuster Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Neurobiology, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, Univ. of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Piercesare Grimaldi
- Fuster Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Neurobiology, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, Univ. of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Maya Zhe Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | | | - Marc A Sommer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, United States; Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27708, United States; Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, United States
| | - Sarah R Heilbronner
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States.
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8
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CRISPR, Prime Editing, Optogenetics, and DREADDs: New Therapeutic Approaches Provided by Emerging Technologies in the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:2085-2100. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01861-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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9
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Abstract
Previous studies have revealed faster detection of snake images in humans and non-human primates (NHPs), suggesting automatic detection of evolutionary fear-relevant stimuli. Furthermore, human studies have indicated that general fear-relevance rather than evolutionary relevance is more effective at capturing attention. However, the issue remains unclarified in NHPs. Thus, in the present study, we explored the attentional features of laboratory-reared monkeys to evolutionary and general fear-relevant stimuli (e.g., images of snakes, capturing gloves). Eye-tracking technology was utilized to assess attentional features as it can provide more accurate latency and variables of viewing duration and frequency compared with visual search task (VST) and response latency adopted in previous studies. In addition, those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show abnormal attention to threatening stimuli, including snake images. Rett syndrome (RTT) is considered a subcategory of ASD due to the display of autistic features. However, the attentional features of RTT patients or animal models to such stimuli remain unclear. Therefore, we also investigated the issue in MECP2 gene-edited RTT monkeys. The influence of different cognitive loads on attention was further explored by presenting one, two, or four images to increase stimulus complexity. The eye-tracking results revealed no significant differences between RTT and control monkeys, who all presented increased viewing (duration and frequency) of snake images but not of aversive stimuli compared with control images, thus suggesting attentional preference for evolutionary rather than general fear-relevant visual stimuli. Moreover, the preference was only revealed in visual tasks composed of two or four images, suggesting its cognitive-load dependency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541199, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China. E-mail:
| | - Zhi-Gang Zhou
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Yin Zhou
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Yong-Chang Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China. E-mail:
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10
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Lee C, Robinson M, Willerth SM. Direct Reprogramming of Glioblastoma Cells into Neurons Using Small Molecules. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:3175-3185. [PMID: 30091580 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme, a type of deadly brain cancer, originates most commonly from astrocytes found in the brain. Current multimodal treatments for glioblastoma minimally increase life expectancy, but significant advancements in prognosis have not been made in the past few decades. Here we investigate cellular reprogramming for inhibiting the aggressive proliferation of glioblastoma cells. Cellular reprogramming converts one differentiated cell type into another type based on the principles of regenerative medicine. In this study, we used cellular reprogramming to investigate whether small molecule mediated reprogramming could convert glioblastoma cells into neurons. We investigated a novel method for reprogramming U87MG human glioblastoma cells into terminally differentiated neurons using a small molecule cocktail consisting of forskolin, ISX9, CHIR99021 I-BET 151, and DAPT. Treating U87MG glioblastoma cells with this cocktail successfully reprogrammed the malignant cells into early neurons over 13 days. The reprogrammed cells displayed morphological and immunofluorescent characteristics associated with neuronal phenotypes. Genetic analysis revealed that the chemical cocktail upregulates the Ngn2, Ascl1, Brn2, and MAP2 genes, resulting in neuronal reprogramming. Furthermore, these cells displayed decreased viability and lacked the ability to form high numbers of tumor-like spheroids. Overall, this study validates the use of a novel small molecule cocktail for reprogramming glioblastoma into nonproliferating neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Lee
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Meghan Robinson
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Stephanie M. Willerth
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
- Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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11
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Colella P, Sellier P, Costa Verdera H, Puzzo F, van Wittenberghe L, Guerchet N, Daniele N, Gjata B, Marmier S, Charles S, Simon Sola M, Ragone I, Leborgne C, Collaud F, Mingozzi F. AAV Gene Transfer with Tandem Promoter Design Prevents Anti-transgene Immunity and Provides Persistent Efficacy in Neonate Pompe Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 12:85-101. [PMID: 30581888 PMCID: PMC6299151 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocyte-restricted, AAV-mediated gene transfer is being used to provide sustained, tolerogenic transgene expression in gene therapy. However, given the episomal status of the AAV genome, this approach cannot be applied to pediatric disorders when hepatocyte proliferation may result in significant loss of therapeutic efficacy over time. In addition, many multi-systemic diseases require widespread expression of the therapeutic transgene that, when provided with ubiquitous or tissue-specific non-hepatic promoters, often results in anti-transgene immunity. Here we have developed tandem promoter monocistronic expression cassettes that, packaged in a single AAV, provide combined hepatic and extra-hepatic tissue-specific transgene expression and prevent anti-transgene immunity. We validated our approach in infantile Pompe disease, a prototype disease caused by lack of the ubiquitous enzyme acid-alpha-glucosidase (GAA), presenting multi-systemic manifestations and detrimental anti-GAA immunity. We showed that the use of efficient tandem promoters prevents immune responses to GAA following systemic AAV gene transfer in immunocompetent Gaa−/− mice. Then we demonstrated that neonatal gene therapy with either AAV8 or AAV9 in Gaa−/− mice resulted in persistent therapeutic efficacy when using a tandem liver-muscle promoter (LiMP) that provided high and persistent transgene expression in non-dividing extra-hepatic tissues. In conclusion, the tandem promoter design overcomes important limitations of AAV-mediated gene transfer and can be beneficial when treating pediatric conditions requiring persistent multi-systemic transgene expression and prevention of anti-transgene immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasqualina Colella
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Pauline Sellier
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France.,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, 75651, Paris, France
| | - Helena Costa Verdera
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France.,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, 75651, Paris, France
| | - Francesco Puzzo
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | | | - Nicolas Guerchet
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Nathalie Daniele
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Bernard Gjata
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Solenne Marmier
- University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, 75651, Paris, France
| | - Severine Charles
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Marcelo Simon Sola
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Isabella Ragone
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Christian Leborgne
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Fanny Collaud
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France.,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, 75651, Paris, France.,Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
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