1
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Uribe RA. Genetic regulation of enteric nervous system development in zebrafish. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:177-190. [PMID: 38174765 PMCID: PMC10903509 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230343] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a complex series of interconnected neurons and glia that reside within and along the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract. ENS functions are vital to gut homeostasis and digestion, including local control of peristalsis, water balance, and intestinal cell barrier function. How the ENS develops during embryological development is a topic of great concern, as defects in ENS development can result in various diseases, the most common being Hirschsprung disease, in which variable regions of the infant gut lack ENS, with the distal colon most affected. Deciphering how the ENS forms from its progenitor cells, enteric neural crest cells, is an active area of research across various animal models. The vertebrate animal model, zebrafish, has been increasingly leveraged to understand early ENS formation, and over the past 20 years has contributed to our knowledge of the genetic regulation that underlies enteric development. In this review, I summarize our knowledge regarding the genetic regulation of zebrafish enteric neuronal development, and based on the most current literature, present a gene regulatory network inferred to underlie its construction. I also provide perspectives on areas for future zebrafish ENS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa A. Uribe
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, U.S.A
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2
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Zhou YW, Ren Y, Lu MM, Xu LL, Cheng WX, Zhang MM, Ding LP, Chen D, Gao JG, Du J, Jin CL, Chen CX, Li YF, Cheng T, Jiang PL, Yang YD, Qian PX, Xu PF, Jin X. Crohn's disease as the intestinal manifestation of pan-lymphatic dysfunction: An exploratory proposal based on basic and clinical data. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30:34-49. [PMID: 38293325 PMCID: PMC10823898 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i1.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Crohn's disease (CD) is caused by immune, environmental, and genetic factors. It can involve the entire gastrointestinal tract, and although its prevalence is rapidly increasing its etiology remains unclear. Emerging biological and small-molecule drugs have advanced the treatment of CD; however, a considerable proportion of patients are non-responsive to all known drugs. To achieve a breakthrough in this field, innovations that could guide the further development of effective therapies are of utmost urgency. In this review, we first propose the innovative concept of pan-lymphatic dysfunction for the general distribution of lymphatic dysfunction in various diseases, and suggest that CD is the intestinal manifestation of pan-lymphatic dysfunction based on basic and clinical preliminary data. The supporting evidence is fully summarized, including the existence of lymphatic system dysfunction, recognition of the inside-out model, disorders of immune cells, changes in cell plasticity, partial overlap of the underlying mechanisms, and common gut-derived fatty and bile acid metabolism. Another benefit of this novel concept is that it proposes adopting the zebrafish model for studying intestinal diseases, especially CD, as this model is good at presenting and mimicking lymphatic dysfunction. More importantly, the ensuing focus on improving lymphatic function may lead to novel and promising therapeutic strategies for CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Wei Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yue Ren
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Jiaxing, Jiaxing 314000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Miao-Miao Lu
- Endoscopy Center, Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ling-Ling Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second People’s Hospital of Yuhang District, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Wei-Xin Cheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Meng-Meng Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hangzhou Shangcheng District People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lin-Ping Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jian-Guo Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ci-Liang Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chun-Xiao Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yun-Fei Li
- Women’s Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Tao Cheng
- Women’s Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Peng-Lei Jiang
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi-Da Yang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Peng-Xu Qian
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Peng-Fei Xu
- Women’s Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xi Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
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3
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Weiner AMJ, Irijalba I, Gallego MP, Ibarburu I, Sainz L, Goñi-de-Cerio F, Quevedo C, Muriana A. Validation of a zebrafish developmental defects assay as a qualified alternative test for its regulatory use following the ICH S5(R3) guideline. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 123:108513. [PMID: 38016617 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish is a popular toxicology model and provides an ethically acceptable small-scale analysis system with the complexity of a complete organism. Our goal is to further validate this model for its regulatory use for reproductive and developmental defects by testing the compounds indicated in the "Guideline on detection of reproductive and developmental toxicity for human pharmaceuticals" (ICH S5(R3) guideline.) To determine the embryotoxic and developmental risk of the 32 reference compounds listed in the ICH S5(R3) guideline, the presence of morphological alterations in zebrafish embryos was analyzed at two different stages to calculateLC50 and EC50 values for each stage. Teratogenic Indexes were established as the ratio between LC50 and EC50 critical for the proper compound classification as teratogenic when it is ≥ 2. A total of three biological replicates have been conducted to study the reproducibility of the assay. The chemicals' concentration in the medium and internally in the zebrafish embryos was evaluated. In this study, the 3 negative compounds were properly categorized while 23 compounds out of the 29 reference ones (sensitivity of 79.31%) were classified as teratogenic in zebrafish. The 6 that had false-negative results were classified 4 as inconclusive, 1 as not toxic, and 1 compound resulted toxic for zebrafish embryos under testing conditions. After the bioavailability experiments, some of the obtained inconclusive results were refined. The developmental defects assay in zebrafish gives an accuracy of 89.66%, sensitivity of 88.46%, specificity and repeatability of 100% compared to mammals; therefore, this is a well-integrated strategy using New Alternative Methods, to minimize the use of animals in developmental toxicity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M J Weiner
- BBD BioPhenix SLU (BIOBIDE), San Sebastian, Spain.
| | - I Irijalba
- BBD BioPhenix SLU (BIOBIDE), San Sebastian, Spain
| | - M P Gallego
- BBD BioPhenix SLU (BIOBIDE), San Sebastian, Spain
| | - I Ibarburu
- BBD BioPhenix SLU (BIOBIDE), San Sebastian, Spain
| | - L Sainz
- GAIKER Technology Centre, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Zamudio, Spain
| | - F Goñi-de-Cerio
- GAIKER Technology Centre, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Zamudio, Spain
| | - C Quevedo
- BBD BioPhenix SLU (BIOBIDE), San Sebastian, Spain
| | - A Muriana
- BBD BioPhenix SLU (BIOBIDE), San Sebastian, Spain.
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4
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Moreno-Campos R, Singleton EW, Uribe RA. A targeted CRISPR-Cas9 mediated F0 screen identifies genes involved in establishment of the enteric nervous system. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.28.573581. [PMID: 38234831 PMCID: PMC10793464 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.28.573581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The vertebrate enteric nervous system (ENS) is a crucial network of enteric neurons and glia resident within the entire gastrointestinal tract (GI). Overseeing essential GI functions such as gut motility and water balance, the ENS serves as a pivotal bidirectional link in the gut-brain axis. During early development, the ENS is primarily derived from enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs). Disruptions to ENCC development, as seen in conditions like Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), lead to absence of ENS in the GI, particularly in the colon. In this study, using zebrafish, we devised an in vivo F0 CRISPR-based screen employing a robust, rapid pipeline integrating single-cell RNA sequencing, CRISPR reverse genetics, and high-content imaging. Our findings unveil various genes, including those encoding for opioid receptors, as possible regulators of ENS establishment. In addition, we present evidence that suggests opioid receptor involvement in neurochemical coding of the larval ENS. In summary, our work presents a novel, efficient CRISPR screen targeting ENS development, facilitating the discovery of previously unknown genes, and increasing knowledge of nervous system construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Moreno-Campos
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
| | - Eileen W. Singleton
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
| | - Rosa A. Uribe
- Biosciences Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
- Laboratory of Neural Crest and Enteric Nervous System Development, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77005, U.S.A
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5
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Kanai SM, Clouthier DE. Endothelin signaling in development. Development 2023; 150:dev201786. [PMID: 38078652 PMCID: PMC10753589 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201786] [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] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of endothelin 1 (EDN1) in 1988, the role of endothelin ligands and their receptors in the regulation of blood pressure in normal and disease states has been extensively studied. However, endothelin signaling also plays crucial roles in the development of neural crest cell-derived tissues. Mechanisms of endothelin action during neural crest cell maturation have been deciphered using a variety of in vivo and in vitro approaches, with these studies elucidating the basis of human syndromes involving developmental differences resulting from altered endothelin signaling. In this Review, we describe the endothelin pathway and its functions during the development of neural crest-derived tissues. We also summarize how dysregulated endothelin signaling causes developmental differences and how this knowledge may lead to potential treatments for individuals with gene variants in the endothelin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley M. Kanai
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - David E. Clouthier
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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6
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Nikaido M, Shirai A, Mizumaki Y, Shigenobu S, Ueno N, Hatta K. Intestinal expression patterns of transcription factors and markers for interstitial cells in the larval zebrafish. Dev Growth Differ 2023; 65:418-428. [PMID: 37452633 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12878] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
For the digestion of food, it is important for the gut to be differentiated regionally and to have proper motor control. However, the number of transcription factors that regulate its development is still limited. Meanwhile, the interstitial cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are necessary for intestinal motility in addition to the enteric nervous system. There are anoctamine1 (Ano1)-positive and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (Pdgfra)-positive interstitial cells in mammal, but Pdgfra-positive cells have not been reported in the zebrafish. To identify new transcription factors involved in GI tract development, we used RNA sequencing comparing between larval and adult gut. We isolated 40 transcription factors that were more highly expressed in the larval gut. We demonstrated expression patterns of the 13 genes, 7 of which were newly found to be expressed in the zebrafish larval gut. Six of the 13 genes encode nuclear receptors. The osr2 is expressed in the anterior part, while foxP4 in its distal part. Also, we reported the expression pattern of pdgfra for the first time in the larval zebrafish gut. Our data provide fundamental knowledge for studying vertebrate gut regionalization and motility by live imaging using zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ayaka Shirai
- School of Science, University of Hyogo, Ako-gun, Japan
| | | | - Shuji Shigenobu
- Trans-Scale Biology Center, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Naoto Ueno
- Trans-Scale Biology Center, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Unit of Quantitative and Imaging Biology, International Research Collaboration Center, National Institute of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Kohei Hatta
- Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Ako-gun, Japan
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Zhang SY, Gan X, Shen B, Jiang J, Shen H, Lei Y, Liang Q, Bai C, Huang C, Wu W, Guo Y, Song Y, Chen J. 6PPD and its metabolite 6PPDQ induce different developmental toxicities and phenotypes in embryonic zebrafish. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 455:131601. [PMID: 37182464 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The automobile tire antioxidant N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD) and its quinone metabolite 6PPDQ have recently received much attention for their acute aquatic toxicity. The present study investigated the mechanistic developmental toxicity of 6PPD and 6PPDQ in embryonic zebrafish. Neither compound induced significant mortality but significantly decreased spontaneous embryo movement and heart rate. Both compounds induced malformations with different phenotypes; the 6PPD-exposed larvae manifested a myopia-like phenotype with a convex eyeball and fusion vessels, while the 6PPDQ-exposed embryonic zebrafish manifested enlarged intestine and blood-coagulated gut, activated neutrophils, and overexpressed enteric neurons. mRNA-Seq and quantitative real-time PCR assays showed that 6PPD- and 6PPDQ-induced distinct differential gene expression aligned with their toxic phenotype. 6PPD activated the retinoic acid metabolic gene cyp26a, but 6PPDQ activated adaptive cellular response to xenobiotics gene cyp1a. 6PPD suppressed the gene expression of the eye involved in retinoic acid metabolism, phototransduction, photoreceptor function and visual perception. In contrast, 6PPDQ perturbed genes involved in inward rectifier K+ and voltage-gated ion channels activities, K+ import across the plasma membrane, iron ion binding, and intestinal immune network for IgA production. The current study advances the present understanding the reason of why many fish species are so adversely impacted by 6PPD and 6PPDQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yun Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, School of Public health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China; School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, 318000, PR China
| | - Xiufeng Gan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, School of Public health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Baoguo Shen
- The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, PR China
| | - Jian Jiang
- The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, PR China
| | - Huimin Shen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, PR China
| | - Yuhang Lei
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, School of Public health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Qiuju Liang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, School of Public health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Chenglian Bai
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, School of Public health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Changjiang Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, School of Public health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Wencan Wu
- The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, PR China
| | - Ying Guo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, PR China.
| | - Yang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China.
| | - Jiangfei Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, School of Public health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China.
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8
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Liu MK, Chen YJ, Chen F, Lin ZX, Zhu ZC, Lin Y, Fang YF, Wu DM. Intervention effects and related mechanisms of glycyrrhizic acid on zebrafish with Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis. World J Gastrointest Surg 2023; 15:1317-1330. [PMID: 37555121 PMCID: PMC10405109 DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v15.i7.1317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevention and treatment of Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is a serious challenge in pediatric surgery. Exploring the mechanism of HAEC is conducive to the prevention of this disease. AIM To explore the possible mechanism of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and its therapeutic effect on HAEC. METHODS We developed a model of enteritis induced by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in zebrafish, and treated it with different concentrations of GA. We analyzed the effect of GA on the phenotype and inflammation of zebrafish. RESULTS After treatment with TNBS, the area of the intestinal lumen in zebrafish was significantly increased, but the number of goblet cells in the intestinal lumen was significantly reduced, but these did not increase the mortality of zebrafish, indicating that the zebrafish enteritis model was successfully developed. Different concentrations of GA protected zebrafish with enteritis. In particular, high concentrations of GA were important for the prevention and control of HAEC because it significantly reduced the intestinal luminal area, increased the number of goblet cells in the intestinal lumen, and reduced the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8. CONCLUSION GA significantly reduced the intestinal luminal area, increased the number of intestinal goblet cells, and decreased IL-1β and IL-8 in zebrafish, and is important for prevention and control of HAEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Kun Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fujian Children’s Hospital (Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center), College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Ying-Jian Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fujian Children’s Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian Province, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fujian Children’s Hospital (Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center), College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Zhi-Xiong Lin
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fujian Children’s Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian Province, China
| | - Zi-Cheng Zhu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yu Lin
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fujian Children’s Hospital (Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center), College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yi-Fan Fang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fujian Children’s Hospital (Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center), College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Dian-Ming Wu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fujian Children’s Hospital (Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center), College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350000, Fujian Province, China
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9
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Kuil LE, Kakiailatu NJ, Windster JD, Bindels E, Zink JT, van der Zee G, Hofstra RM, Shepherd IT, Melotte V, Alves MM. Unbiased characterization of the larval zebrafish enteric nervous system at a single cell transcriptomic level. iScience 2023; 26:107070. [PMID: 37426341 PMCID: PMC10329177 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) regulates many gastrointestinal functions including peristalsis, immune regulation and uptake of nutrients. Defects in the ENS can lead to severe enteric neuropathies such as Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). Zebrafish have proven to be fruitful in the identification of genes involved in ENS development and HSCR pathogenesis. However, composition and specification of enteric neurons and glial subtypes at larval stages, remains mainly unexplored. Here, we performed single cell RNA sequencing of zebrafish ENS at 5 days post-fertilization. We identified vagal neural crest progenitors, Schwann cell precursors, and four clusters of differentiated neurons. In addition, a previously unrecognized elavl3+/phox2bb-population of neurons and cx43+/phox2bb-enteric glia was found. Pseudotime analysis supported binary neurogenic branching of ENS differentiation, driven by a notch-responsive state. Taken together, we provide new insights on ENS development and specification, proving that the zebrafish is a valuable model for the study of congenital enteric neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Kuil
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Naomi J.M. Kakiailatu
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jonathan D. Windster
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric Bindels
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joke T.M. Zink
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gaby van der Zee
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert M.W. Hofstra
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Veerle Melotte
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Maria M. Alves
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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10
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Skiba A, Pellegata D, Morozova V, Kozioł E, Budzyńska B, Lee SMY, Gertsch J, Skalicka-Woźniak K. Pharmacometabolic Effects of Pteryxin and Valproate on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizures in Zebrafish Reveal Vagus Nerve Stimulation. Cells 2023; 12:1540. [PMID: 37296660 PMCID: PMC10252891 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) assays provide a versatile pharmacological platform to test compounds on a wide range of behaviors in a whole organism. A major challenge lies in the lack of knowledge about the bioavailability and pharmacodynamic effects of bioactive compounds in this model organism. Here, we employed a combined methodology of LC-ESI-MS/MS analytics and targeted metabolomics with behavioral experiments to evaluate the anticonvulsant and potentially toxic effects of the angular dihydropyranocoumarin pteryxin (PTX) in comparison to the antiepileptic drug sodium valproate (VPN) in zebrafish larvae. PTX occurs in different Apiaceae plants traditionally used in Europe to treat epilepsy but has not been investigated so far. To compare potency and efficacy, the uptake of PTX and VPN into zebrafish larvae was quantified as larvae whole-body concentrations together with amino acids and neurotransmitters as proxy pharmacodynamic readout. The convulsant agent pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) acutely reduced the levels of most metabolites, including acetylcholine and serotonin. Conversely, PTX strongly reduced neutral essential amino acids in a LAT1 (SLCA5)-independent manner, but, similarly to VPN specifically increased the levels of serotonin, acetylcholine, and choline, but also ethanolamine. PTX dose and time-dependent manner inhibited PTZ-induced seizure-like movements resulting in a ~70% efficacy after 1 h at 20 µM (the equivalent of 4.28 ± 0.28 µg/g in larvae whole-body). VPN treated for 1 h with 5 mM (the equivalent of 18.17 ± 0.40 µg/g in larvae whole-body) showed a ~80% efficacy. Unexpectedly, PTX (1-20 µM) showed significantly higher bioavailability than VPN (0.1-5 mM) in immersed zebrafish larvae, possibly because VPN in the medium dissociated partially to the readily bioavailable valproic acid. The anticonvulsive effect of PTX was confirmed by local field potential (LFP) recordings. Noteworthy, both substances specifically increased and restored whole-body acetylcholine, choline, and serotonin levels in control and PTZ-treated zebrafish larvae, indicative of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), which is an adjunctive therapeutic strategy to treat refractory epilepsy in humans. Our study demonstrates the utility of targeted metabolomics in zebrafish assays and shows that VPN and PTX pharmacologically act on the autonomous nervous system by activating parasympathetic neurotransmitters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianna Skiba
- Department of Chemistry of Natural Products, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Daniele Pellegata
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland (V.M.)
| | - Veronika Morozova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland (V.M.)
| | - Ewelina Kozioł
- Department of Chemistry of Natural Products, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Barbara Budzyńska
- Independent Laboratory of Behavioral Studies, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Simon Ming-Yuen Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao 519020, China;
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland (V.M.)
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11
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Sree Kumar H, Wisner AS, Refsnider JM, Martyniuk CJ, Zubcevic J. Small fish, big discoveries: zebrafish shed light on microbial biomarkers for neuro-immune-cardiovascular health. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1186645. [PMID: 37324381 PMCID: PMC10267477 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1186645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as a powerful model to study the gut microbiome in the context of human conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and immune dysfunction. Here, we highlight zebrafish as a tool to bridge the gap in knowledge in linking the gut microbiome and physiological homeostasis of cardiovascular, neural, and immune systems, both independently and as an integrated axis. Drawing on zebrafish studies to date, we discuss challenges in microbiota transplant techniques and gnotobiotic husbandry practices. We present advantages and current limitations in zebrafish microbiome research and discuss the use of zebrafish in identification of microbial enterotypes in health and disease. We also highlight the versatility of zebrafish studies to further explore the function of human conditions relevant to gut dysbiosis and reveal novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemaa Sree Kumar
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurological Disorders, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Alexander S. Wisner
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
- Center for Drug Design and Development, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Jeanine M. Refsnider
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Christopher J. Martyniuk
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, OH, United States
| | - Jasenka Zubcevic
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
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12
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Ganz J, Ratcliffe EM. Who's talking to whom: microbiome-enteric nervous system interactions in early life. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2023; 324:G196-G206. [PMID: 36625480 PMCID: PMC9988524 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00166.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the intrinsic nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and regulates important GI functions, including motility, nutrient uptake, and immune response. The development of the ENS begins during early organogenesis and continues to develop once feeding begins, with ongoing plasticity into adulthood. There has been increasing recognition that the intestinal microbiota and ENS interact during critical periods, with implications for normal development and potential disease pathogenesis. In this review, we focus on insights from mouse and zebrafish model systems to compare and contrast how each model can serve in elucidating the bidirectional communication between the ENS and the microbiome. At the end of this review, we further outline implications for human disease and highlight research innovations that can lead the field forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Ganz
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
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13
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Harder A, Nagarajan B, Odermatt B, Kubitscheck U. Automatic detector synchronization for long-term imaging using confocal light-sheet microscopy. Microsc Res Tech 2023; 86:125-136. [PMID: 36054690 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) is an important tool in developmental biology. In this microscopy technique confocal line detection is often used to improve image contrast. To this end, the image of the illuminating scanned focused laser beam must be mapped onto a line detector. This is not trivial for long-term observations, since the spatial position of the laser beam and therefore its image on the detector may drift. The problem is aggravated in two-photon excitation LSFM, since pulsed laser light sources exhibit a lower laser beam pointing stability than continuous wave lasers. Here, we present a procedure for automatic synchronization between the excitation laser and detector, which does not require any additional hardware components and can therefore easily be integrated into existing systems. Since the recorded images are affected by noise, a specific, noise-tolerant focus metric was developed for calculating the relative displacement, which also allows for autofocusing in the detection direction. Furthermore, we developed an image analysis approach to determine a possible tilt of the excitation laser, which is executed in parallel to the autofocusing and enables the measurement of three solid angles. This allows to automatically correct for the tilting during a measurement. We demonstrated our approach by the observation of the migration of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in two-day-old fluorescent Tg(olig2:eGFP) reporter zebrafish larvae over a time span of more than 20 hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Harder
- Clausius Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Benjamin Odermatt
- Institute of Anatomy, University Clinics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kubitscheck
- Clausius Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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14
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Bandla A, Melancon E, Taylor CR, Davidson AE, Eisen JS, Ganz J. A New Transgenic Tool to Study the Ret Signaling Pathway in the Enteric Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415667. [PMID: 36555308 PMCID: PMC9779438 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase Ret plays a critical role in regulating enteric nervous system (ENS) development. Ret is important for proliferation, migration, and survival of enteric progenitor cells (EPCs). Ret also promotes neuronal fate, but its role during neuronal differentiation and in the adult ENS is less well understood. Inactivating RET mutations are associated with ENS diseases, e.g., Hirschsprung Disease, in which distal bowel lacks ENS cells. Zebrafish is an established model system for studying ENS development and modeling human ENS diseases. One advantage of the zebrafish model system is that their embryos are transparent, allowing visualization of developmental phenotypes in live animals. However, we lack tools to monitor Ret expression in live zebrafish. Here, we developed a new BAC transgenic line that expresses GFP under the ret promoter. We find that EPCs and the majority of ENS neurons express ret:GFP during ENS development. In the adult ENS, GFP+ neurons are equally present in females and males. In homozygous mutants of ret and sox10-another important ENS developmental regulator gene-GFP+ ENS cells are absent. In summary, we characterize a ret:GFP transgenic line as a new tool to visualize and study the Ret signaling pathway from early development through adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashoka Bandla
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Ellie Melancon
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Charlotte R. Taylor
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Ann E. Davidson
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Judith S. Eisen
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Julia Ganz
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Correspondence:
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15
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Zada A, Kuil LE, de Graaf BM, Kakiailatu N, Windster JD, Brooks AS, van Slegtenhorst M, de Koning B, Wijnen RMH, Melotte V, Hofstra RMW, Brosens E, Alves MM. TFAP2B Haploinsufficiency Impacts Gastrointestinal Function and Leads to Pediatric Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:901824. [PMID: 35874825 PMCID: PMC9304996 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.901824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pediatric Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction (PIPO) is a congenital enteric disorder characterized by severe gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility, without mechanical obstruction. Although several genes have been described to cause this disease, most patients do not receive a genetic diagnosis. Here, we aim to identify the genetic cause of PIPO in a patient diagnosed with severe intestinal dysmotility shortly after birth. Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed in the patient and unaffected parents, in a diagnostic setting. After identification of the potential disease-causing variant, its functional consequences were determined in vitro and in vivo. For this, expression constructs with and without the causing variant, were overexpressed in HEK293 cells. To investigate the role of the candidate gene in GI development and function, a zebrafish model was generated where its expression was disrupted using CRISPR/Cas9 editing. Results: WES analysis identified a de novo heterozygous deletion in TFAP2B (NM_003221.4:c.602-5_606delTCTAGTTCCA), classified as a variant of unknown significance. In vitro studies showed that this deletion affects RNA splicing and results in loss of exon 4, leading to the appearance of a premature stop codon and absence of TFAP2B protein. Disruption of tfap2b in zebrafish led to decreased enteric neuronal numbers and delayed transit time. However, no defects in neuronal differentiation were detected. tfap2b crispants also showed decreased levels of ednrbb mRNA, a downstream target of tfap2b. Conclusion: We showed that TFAP2B haploinsufficiency leads to reduced neuronal numbers and GI dysmotility, suggesting for the first time, that this gene is involved in PIPO pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almira Zada
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Almira Zada, ; Maria M. Alves,
| | - Laura E. Kuil
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bianca M. de Graaf
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Naomi Kakiailatu
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jonathan D. Windster
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alice S. Brooks
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marjon van Slegtenhorst
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Barbara de Koning
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Erasmus University Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - René M. H. Wijnen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Veerle Melotte
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Robert M. W. Hofstra
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Erwin Brosens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maria M. Alves
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Almira Zada, ; Maria M. Alves,
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16
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Boesmans W, Nash A, Tasnády KR, Yang W, Stamp LA, Hao MM. Development, Diversity, and Neurogenic Capacity of Enteric Glia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:775102. [PMID: 35111752 PMCID: PMC8801887 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.775102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteric glia are a fascinating population of cells. Initially identified in the gut wall as the "support" cells of the enteric nervous system, studies over the past 20 years have unveiled a vast array of functions carried out by enteric glia. They mediate enteric nervous system signalling and play a vital role in the local regulation of gut functions. Enteric glial cells interact with other gastrointestinal cell types such as those of the epithelium and immune system to preserve homeostasis, and are perceptive to luminal content. Their functional versatility and phenotypic heterogeneity are mirrored by an extensive level of plasticity, illustrated by their reactivity in conditions associated with enteric nervous system dysfunction and disease. As one of the hallmarks of their plasticity and extending their operative relationship with enteric neurons, enteric glia also display neurogenic potential. In this review, we focus on the development of enteric glial cells, and the mechanisms behind their heterogeneity in the adult gut. In addition, we discuss what is currently known about the role of enteric glia as neural precursors in the enteric nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werend Boesmans
- Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Amelia Nash
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kinga R. Tasnády
- Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Wendy Yang
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan, Taiwan
| | - Lincon A. Stamp
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marlene M. Hao
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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17
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Choe CP, Choi SY, Kee Y, Kim MJ, Kim SH, Lee Y, Park HC, Ro H. Transgenic fluorescent zebrafish lines that have revolutionized biomedical research. Lab Anim Res 2021; 37:26. [PMID: 34496973 PMCID: PMC8424172 DOI: 10.1186/s42826-021-00103-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its debut in the biomedical research fields in 1981, zebrafish have been used as a vertebrate model organism in more than 40,000 biomedical research studies. Especially useful are zebrafish lines expressing fluorescent proteins in a molecule, intracellular organelle, cell or tissue specific manner because they allow the visualization and tracking of molecules, intracellular organelles, cells or tissues of interest in real time and in vivo. In this review, we summarize representative transgenic fluorescent zebrafish lines that have revolutionized biomedical research on signal transduction, the craniofacial skeletal system, the hematopoietic system, the nervous system, the urogenital system, the digestive system and intracellular organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Pyo Choe
- Division of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.,Division of Applied Life Science, Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Yong Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, 58128, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Kee
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - Min Jung Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Hyung Kim
- Department of Marine Life Sciences and Fish Vaccine Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonsung Lee
- Center for Genomic Integrity, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Chul Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Ansan, 15355, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunju Ro
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
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18
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Abstract
Glia, the non-neuronal cells of the nervous system, were long considered secondary cells only necessary for supporting the functions of their more important neuronal neighbors. Work by many groups over the past two decades has completely overturned this notion, revealing the myriad and vital functions of glia in nervous system development, plasticity, and health. The largest population of glia outside the brain is in the enteric nervous system, a division of the autonomic nervous system that constitutes a key node of the gut-brain axis. Here, we review the latest in the understanding of these enteric glia in mammals with a focus on their putative roles in human health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry J. Rosenberg
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Meenakshi Rao
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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19
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Kuil LE, MacKenzie KC, Tang CS, Windster JD, Le TL, Karim A, de Graaf BM, van der Helm R, van Bever Y, Sloots CEJ, Meeussen C, Tibboel D, de Klein A, Wijnen RMH, Amiel J, Lyonnet S, Garcia-Barcelo MM, Tam PKH, Alves MM, Brooks AS, Hofstra RMW, Brosens E. Size matters: Large copy number losses in Hirschsprung disease patients reveal genes involved in enteric nervous system development. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009698. [PMID: 34358225 PMCID: PMC8372947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a complex genetic disease characterized by absence of ganglia in the intestine. HSCR etiology can be explained by a unique combination of genetic alterations: rare coding variants, predisposing haplotypes and Copy Number Variation (CNV). Approximately 18% of patients have additional anatomical malformations or neurological symptoms (HSCR-AAM). Pinpointing the responsible culprits within a CNV is challenging as often many genes are affected. Therefore, we selected candidate genes based on gene enrichment strategies using mouse enteric nervous system transcriptomes and constraint metrics. Next, we used a zebrafish model to investigate whether loss of these genes affects enteric neuron development in vivo. This study included three groups of patients, two groups without coding variants in disease associated genes: HSCR-AAM and HSCR patients without associated anomalies (HSCR-isolated). The third group consisted of all HSCR patients in which a confirmed pathogenic rare coding variant was identified. We compared these patient groups to unaffected controls. Predisposing haplotypes were determined, confirming that every HSCR subgroup had increased contributions of predisposing haplotypes, but their contribution was highest in isolated HSCR patients without RET coding variants. CNV profiling proved that specifically HSCR-AAM patients had larger Copy Number (CN) losses. Gene enrichment strategies using mouse enteric nervous system transcriptomes and constraint metrics were used to determine plausible candidate genes located within CN losses. Validation in zebrafish using CRISPR/Cas9 targeting confirmed the contribution of UFD1L, TBX2, SLC8A1, and MAPK8 to ENS development. In addition, we revealed epistasis between reduced Ret and Gnl1 expression and between reduced Ret and Tubb5 expression in vivo. Rare large CN losses—often de novo—contribute to HSCR in HSCR-AAM patients. We proved the involvement of six genes in enteric nervous system development and Hirschsprung disease. Hirschsprung disease is a congenital disorder characterized by the absence of intestinal neurons in the distal part of the intestine. It is a complex genetic disorder in which multiple variations in our genome combined, result in disease. One of these variations are Copy Number Variations (CNVs): large segments of our genome that are duplicated or deleted. Patients often have Hirschsprung disease without other symptoms. However, a proportion of patients has additional associated anatomical malformations and neurological symptoms. We found that CNVs, present in patients with associated anomalies, are more often larger compared to unaffected controls or Hirschsprung patients without other symptoms. Furthermore, Copy Number (CN) losses are enriched for constrained coding regions (CCR; genes usually not impacted by genomic alterations in unaffected controls) of which the expression is higher in the developing intestinal neurons compared to the intestine. We modelled loss of these candidate genes in zebrafish by disrupting the zebrafish orthologues by genome editing. For several genes this resulted in changes in intestinal neuron development, reminiscent of HSCR observed in patients. The results presented here highlight the importance of Copy Number profiling, zebrafish validation and evaluating all CCR expressed in developing intestinal neurons during diagnostic evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Kuil
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Katherine C. MacKenzie
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Clara S. Tang
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Li Dak-Sum Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong–Karolinska Institutet Collaboration in Regenerative Medicine, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jonathan D. Windster
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thuy Linh Le
- Laboratory of embryology and genetics of malformations, Institut Imagine Université de Paris INSERM UMR1163 Necker Enfants malades University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Anwarul Karim
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bianca M. de Graaf
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert van der Helm
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yolande van Bever
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelius E. J. Sloots
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Conny Meeussen
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dick Tibboel
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies de Klein
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René M. H. Wijnen
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanne Amiel
- Laboratory of embryology and genetics of malformations, Institut Imagine Université de Paris INSERM UMR1163 Necker Enfants malades University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Stanislas Lyonnet
- Laboratory of embryology and genetics of malformations, Institut Imagine Université de Paris INSERM UMR1163 Necker Enfants malades University Hospital, Paris, France
| | | | - Paul K. H. Tam
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Li Dak-Sum Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong–Karolinska Institutet Collaboration in Regenerative Medicine, Hong Kong, China
| | - Maria M. Alves
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alice S. Brooks
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert M. W. Hofstra
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Erwin Brosens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC–Sophia Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Graves CL, Chen A, Kwon V, Shiau CE. Zebrafish harbor diverse intestinal macrophage populations including a subset intimately associated with enteric neural processes. iScience 2021; 24:102496. [PMID: 34142024 PMCID: PMC8185245 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal macrophages are essential for gut health but remain understudied outside of human and mouse systems. Here, we establish zebrafish as a powerful model that provides superior imaging capabilities for whole-gut analysis along all dimensions (anterior-posterior and center-outer axes) for dissecting macrophage biology in gastrointestinal health and disease. We utilized high-resolution imaging to show that the zebrafish gut contains bona fide muscularis and mucosal macrophages, as well as surprisingly large subsets intimately associated with enteric neural processes. Interestingly, most muscularis macrophages span multiple gut layers in stark contrast to their mammalian counterparts typically restricted to a single layer. Using macrophage-deficient irf8 zebrafish, we found a depletion of muscularis but not mucosal macrophages, and that they may be dispensable for gross intestinal transit in adults but not during development. These characterizations provide first insights into intestinal macrophages and their association with the enteric nervous system from development to adulthood in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L. Graves
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Angela Chen
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Victoria Kwon
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Celia E. Shiau
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Lu YJ, Yu WW, Cui MM, Yu XX, Song HL, Bai MR, Wu WJ, Gu BL, Wang J, Cai W, Chu X. Association Analysis of Variants of DSCAM and BACE2 With Hirschsprung Disease Susceptibility in Han Chinese and Functional Evaluation in Zebrafish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:641152. [PMID: 34136475 PMCID: PMC8201997 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.641152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) has a higher incidence in children with Down syndrome (DS), which makes trisomy 21 a predisposing factor to HSCR. DSCAM and BACE2 are close together on the HSCR-associated critical region of chromosome 21. Common variants of DSCAM and rare variants of BACE2 were implicated to be associated with sporadic HSCR. However, the submucosal neuron defect of DS mouse model could not be rescued by normalization of Dscam. We aimed to explore the contribution of DSCAM and BACE2 to the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS) and HSCR susceptibility. We genotyped 133 tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DSCAM and BACE2 gene region in 420 HSCR patients and 1,665 controls of Han Chinese. Expression of DSCAM and BACE2 homologs was investigated in the developing gut of zebrafish. Overexpression and knockdown of the homologs were performed in zebrafish to investigate their roles in the development of ENS. Two DSCAM SNPs, rs430255 (PAddtive = 0.0052, OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.10–1.68) and rs2837756 (PAddtive = 0.0091, OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05–1.43), showed suggestive association with HSCR risk. Common variants in BACE2 were not associated with HSCR risk. We observed dscama, dscamb, and bace2 expression in the developing gut of zebrafish. Knockdown of dscama, dscamb, and bace2 caused a reduction of enteric neurons in the hindgut of zebrafish. Overexpression of DSCAM and bace2 had no effects on neuron number in the hindgut of zebrafish. Our results suggested that common variation of DSCAM contributed to HSCR risk in Han Chinese. The dysfunction of both dscams and bace2 caused defects in enteric neuron, indicating that DSCAM and BACE2 might play functional roles in the occurrence of HSCR. These novel findings might shed new light on the pathogenesis of HSCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Jiao Lu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Wen Yu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng-Meng Cui
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Xian-Xian Yu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan-Lei Song
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei-Rong Bai
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Jie Wu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Bei-Lin Gu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Cai
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Xun Chu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
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