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Yang Y, Chen BR, Ye XC, Ni LY, Zhang XY, Liu YZ, Lyu TJ, Tian Y, Fu YJ, Wang Y. The chromodomain protein CDYL confers forebrain identity to human cortical organoids by inhibiting neuronatin. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114814. [PMID: 39378153 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114814] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Fate determination of neural stem cells (NSCs) is crucial for cortex development and is closely linked to neurodevelopmental disorders when gene expression networks are disrupted. The transcriptional corepressor chromodomain Y-like (CDYL) is widely expressed across diverse cell populations within the human embryonic cortex. However, its precise role in cortical development remains unclear. Here, we show that CDYL is critical for human cortical neurogenesis and that its deficiency leads to a substantial increase in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons in cortical organoids. Subsequently, neuronatin (NNAT) is identified as a significant target of CDYL, and its abnormal expression obviously influences the fate commitment of cortical NSCs. Cross-species comparisons of CDYL targets unravel a distinct developmental trajectory between human cortical organoids and the mouse cortex at an analogous stage. Collectively, our data provide insight into the evolutionary roles of CDYL in human cortex development, emphasizing its critical function in maintaining the fate of human cortical NSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaming Yang
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Bai-Rong Chen
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xi-Chun Ye
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Liang-Yu Ni
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xi-Yin Zhang
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yun-Ze Liu
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Tian-Jie Lyu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yue Tian
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yun-Jie Fu
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Lavorando E, Owens MC, Liu KF. Comparing the roles of sex chromosome-encoded protein homologs in gene regulation. Genes Dev 2024; 38:585-596. [PMID: 39048311 PMCID: PMC11368246 DOI: 10.1101/gad.351890.124] [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: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The X and Y chromosomes play important roles outside of human reproduction; namely, their potential contribution to human sex biases in physiology and disease. While sex biases are often thought to be an effect of hormones and environmental exposures, genes encoded on the sex chromosomes also play a role. Seventeen homologous gene pairs exist on the X and Y chromosomes whose proteins have critical functions in biology, from direct regulation of transcription and translation to intercellular signaling and formation of extracellular structures. In this review, we cover the current understanding of several of these sex chromosome-encoded protein homologs that are involved in transcription and chromatin regulation: SRY/SOX3, ZFX/ZFY, KDM5C/KDM5D, UTX/UTY, and TBL1X/TBL1Y. Their mechanisms of gene regulation are discussed, including any redundancies or divergent roles of the X- and Y-chromosome homologs. Additionally, we discuss associated diseases related to these proteins and any sex biases that exist therein in an effort to drive further research into how these pairs contribute to sexually dimorphic gene regulation in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Lavorando
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Graduate Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Michael C Owens
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Graduate Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Kathy Fange Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA;
- Graduate Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Penn Center for Genome Integrity, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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Fuchs C, ‘t Hoen PAC, Müller AR, Ehrhart F, Van Karnebeek CDM. Drug repurposing in Rett and Rett-like syndromes: a promising yet underrated opportunity? Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1425038. [PMID: 39135718 PMCID: PMC11317438 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1425038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) and Rett-like syndromes [i.e., CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) and FOXG1-syndrome] represent rare yet profoundly impactful neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The severity and complexity of symptoms associated with these disorders, including cognitive impairment, motor dysfunction, seizures and other neurological features significantly affect the quality of life of patients and families. Despite ongoing research efforts to identify potential therapeutic targets and develop novel treatments, current therapeutic options remain limited. Here the potential of drug repurposing (DR) as a promising avenue for addressing the unmet medical needs of individuals with RTT and related disorders is explored. Leveraging existing drugs for new therapeutic purposes, DR presents an attractive strategy, particularly suited for neurological disorders given the complexities of the central nervous system (CNS) and the challenges in blood-brain barrier penetration. The current landscape of DR efforts in these syndromes is thoroughly examined, with partiuclar focus on shared molecular pathways and potential common drug targets across these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter A. C. ‘t Hoen
- Center for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Annelieke R. Müller
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Friederike Ehrhart
- Department of Bioinformatics – BiGCaT, Research Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Clara D. M. Van Karnebeek
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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4
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Taira R, Akamine S, Okuzono S, Fujii F, Hatai E, Yonemoto K, Takemoto R, Kato H, Masuda K, Kato TA, Kira R, Tsujimura K, Yamamura K, Ozaki N, Ohga S, Sakai Y. Gnao1 is a molecular switch that regulates the Rho signaling pathway in differentiating neurons. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17097. [PMID: 39048611 PMCID: PMC11269603 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68062-x] [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: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
GNAO1 encodes G protein subunit alpha O1 (Gαo). Pathogenic variations in GNAO1 cause developmental delay, intractable seizures, and progressive involuntary movements from early infancy. Because the functional role of GNAO1 in the developing brain remains unclear, therapeutic strategies are still unestablished for patients presenting with GNAO1-associated encephalopathy. We herein report that siRNA-mediated depletion of Gnao1 perturbs the expression of transcripts associated with Rho GTPase signaling in Neuro2a cells. Consistently, siRNA treatment hampered neurite outgrowth and extension. Growth cone formation was markedly disrupted in monolayer neurons differentiated from iPSCs from a patient with a pathogenic variant of Gαo (p.G203R). This variant disabled neuro-spherical assembly, acquisition of the organized structure, and polarized signals of phospho-MLC2 in cortical organoids from the patient's iPSCs. We confirmed that the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 restored these morphological phenotypes. Thus, Gαo determines the self-organizing process of the developing brain by regulating the Rho-associated pathway. These data suggest that Rho GTPase pathway might be an alternative target of therapy for patients with GNAO1-associated encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoji Taira
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Highashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Fukuoka Children's Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Akamine
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Highashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Sayaka Okuzono
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Highashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Fujii
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Highashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Eriko Hatai
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Highashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kousuke Yonemoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Highashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Takemoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Highashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kato
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Oral Anatomy, Graduate School of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keiji Masuda
- Section of Oral Medicine for Children, Division of Oral Health, Growth and Development, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takahiro A Kato
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryutaro Kira
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Fukuoka Children's Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keita Tsujimura
- Group of Brain Function and Development, Neuroscience Institute of the Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Aichi, Japan
- Research Unit for Developmental Disorders, Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Shionogi Pharma Co., Ltd., Settsu, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Yamamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Highashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Pathophysiology of Mental Disorders, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shouichi Ohga
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Highashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yasunari Sakai
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Highashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
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Aji A, Zhang C, Liu W, Chen T, Liu Z, Zuo J, Li H, Mi W, Mao-Ying QL, Wang Y, Zhao Q, Chu YX. Foxg1 Modulation of the Prkcd Gene in the Lateral Habenula Mediates Trigeminal Neuralgia-Associated Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:4335-4351. [PMID: 38085455 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03856-0] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a debilitating disorder frequently accompanied by mood complications such as depression and anxiety. The current study sought to elucidate the molecular underpinnings that contribute to the pathogenesis of TN and its associated anxiety. Employing a partial transection of the infraorbital nerve (pT-ION) in a murine model, we successfully induced sustained primary and secondary orofacial allodynia alongside anxiety-like behavioral manifestations. Transcriptome-wide gene microarray analyses revealed a marked upregulation of Foxg1 subsequent to pT-ION. Targeted knockdown of Foxg1, achieved through bilateral microinjection of adeno-associated virus harboring Foxg1-specific shRNA into the lateral habenula (LHb), resulted in a significant attenuation of both orofacial pain and anxiety-like behaviors. Subsequent RNA sequencing implicated Prkcd as a downstream effector gene modulated by Foxg1. Pharmacological inhibition of protein kinase C delta, encoded by Prkcd, within the LHb markedly ameliorated pT-ION-induced symptomatology. The dual luciferase assay revealed that Foxg1 substantially enhances the transcriptional activity of the Prkcd gene. Collectively, these findings indicate that trigeminal nerve injury leads to Foxg1 upregulation in the LHb, which in turn elevates the expression of Prkcd, culminating in the manifestation of orofacial pain and anxiety-like behaviors. This work offers promising therapeutic targets and a conceptual framework for the clinical management of TN and its psychological comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abudula Aji
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenbo Liu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Teng Chen
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhechen Liu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaxin Zuo
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haojun Li
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenli Mi
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi-Liang Mao-Ying
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanqing Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Zhao
- Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center, Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yu-Xia Chu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Institute of Acupuncture Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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6
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Zheng X, Wu B, Liu Y, Simmons SK, Kim K, Clarke GS, Ashiq A, Park J, Li J, Wang Z, Tong L, Wang Q, Rajamani KT, Muñoz-Castañeda R, Mu S, Qi T, Zhang Y, Ngiam ZC, Ohte N, Hanashima C, Wu Z, Xu X, Levin JZ, Jin X. Massively parallel in vivo Perturb-seq reveals cell-type-specific transcriptional networks in cortical development. Cell 2024; 187:3236-3248.e21. [PMID: 38772369 PMCID: PMC11193654 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.04.050] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Leveraging AAVs' versatile tropism and labeling capacity, we expanded the scale of in vivo CRISPR screening with single-cell transcriptomic phenotyping across embryonic to adult brains and peripheral nervous systems. Through extensive tests of 86 vectors across AAV serotypes combined with a transposon system, we substantially amplified labeling efficacy and accelerated in vivo gene delivery from weeks to days. Our proof-of-principle in utero screen identified the pleiotropic effects of Foxg1, highlighting its tight regulation of distinct networks essential for cell fate specification of Layer 6 corticothalamic neurons. Notably, our platform can label >6% of cerebral cells, surpassing the current state-of-the-art efficacy at <0.1% by lentivirus, to achieve analysis of over 30,000 cells in one experiment and enable massively parallel in vivo Perturb-seq. Compatible with various phenotypic measurements (single-cell or spatial multi-omics), it presents a flexible approach to interrogate gene function across cell types in vivo, translating gene variants to their causal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhe Zheng
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Boli Wu
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yuejia Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sean K Simmons
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kwanho Kim
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Grace S Clarke
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Abdullah Ashiq
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Joshua Park
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jiwen Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Zhilin Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Liqi Tong
- Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Qizhao Wang
- Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Keerthi T Rajamani
- Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Rodrigo Muñoz-Castañeda
- Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Shang Mu
- Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Tianbo Qi
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yunxiao Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Zi Chao Ngiam
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
| | - Naoto Ohte
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
| | - Carina Hanashima
- Center for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
| | - Zhuhao Wu
- Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Joshua Z Levin
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Xin Jin
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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7
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Umeda K, Tanaka K, Chowdhury G, Nasu K, Kuroyanagi Y, Yamasu K. Evolutionarily conserved roles of foxg1a in the developing subpallium of zebrafish embryos. Dev Growth Differ 2024; 66:219-234. [PMID: 38378191 PMCID: PMC11457518 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12917] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The vertebrate telencephalic lobes consist of the pallium (dorsal) and subpallium (ventral). The subpallium gives rise to the basal ganglia, encompassing the pallidum and striatum. The development of this region is believed to depend on Foxg1/Foxg1a functions in both mice and zebrafish. This study aims to elucidate the genetic regulatory network controlled by foxg1a in subpallium development using zebrafish as a model. The expression gradient of foxg1a within the developing telencephalon was examined semi-quantitatively in initial investigations. Utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 technique, we subsequently established a foxg1a mutant line and observed the resultant phenotypes. Morphological assessment revealed that foxg1a mutants exhibit a thin telencephalon together with a misshapen preoptic area (POA). Notably, accumulation of apoptotic cells was identified in this region. In mutants at 24 h postfertilization, the expression of pallium markers expanded ventrally, while that of subpallium markers was markedly suppressed. Concurrently, the expression of fgf8a, vax2, and six3b was shifted ventrally, causing anomalous expression in regions typical of POA formation in wild-type embryos. Consequently, the foxg1a mutation led to expansion of the pallium and disrupted the subpallium and POA. This highlights a pivotal role of foxg1a in directing the dorsoventral patterning of the telencephalon, particularly in subpallium differentiation, mirroring observations in mice. Additionally, reduced expression of neural progenitor maintenance genes was detected in mutants, suggesting the necessity of foxg1a in preserving neural progenitors. Collectively, these findings underscore evolutionarily conserved functions of foxg1 in the development of the subpallium in vertebrate embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koto Umeda
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and EngineeringSaitama UniversitySaitamaJapan
| | - Kaiho Tanaka
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and EngineeringSaitama UniversitySaitamaJapan
| | - Gazlima Chowdhury
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and EngineeringSaitama UniversitySaitamaJapan
- Department of Aquatic Environment and Resource ManagementSher‐e‐Bangla Agricultural UniversityDhakaBangladesh
| | - Kouhei Nasu
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and EngineeringSaitama UniversitySaitamaJapan
| | - Yuri Kuroyanagi
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and EngineeringSaitama UniversitySaitamaJapan
| | - Kyo Yamasu
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and EngineeringSaitama UniversitySaitamaJapan
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8
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Saloner R, Staffaroni A, Dammer E, Johnson ECB, Paolillo E, Wise A, Heuer H, Forsberg L, Lago AL, Webb J, Vogel J, Santillo A, Hansson O, Kramer J, Miller B, Li J, Loureiro J, Sivasankaran R, Worringer K, Seyfried N, Yokoyama J, Seeley W, Spina S, Grinberg L, VandeVrede L, Ljubenkov P, Bayram E, Bozoki A, Brushaber D, Considine C, Day G, Dickerson B, Domoto-Reilly K, Faber K, Galasko D, Geschwind D, Ghoshal N, Graff-Radford N, Hales C, Honig L, Hsiung GY, Huey E, Kornak J, Kremers W, Lapid M, Lee S, Litvan I, McMillan C, Mendez M, Miyagawa T, Pantelyat A, Pascual B, Paulson H, Petrucelli L, Pressman P, Ramos E, Rascovsky K, Roberson E, Savica R, Snyder A, Sullivan AC, Tartaglia C, Vandebergh M, Boeve B, Rosen H, Rojas J, Boxer A, Casaletto K. Large-scale network analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid proteome identifies molecular signatures of frontotemporal lobar degeneration. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4103685. [PMID: 38585969 PMCID: PMC10996789 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4103685/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The pathophysiological mechanisms driving disease progression of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and corresponding biomarkers are not fully understood. We leveraged aptamer-based proteomics (> 4,000 proteins) to identify dysregulated communities of co-expressed cerebrospinal fluid proteins in 116 adults carrying autosomal dominant FTLD mutations (C9orf72, GRN, MAPT) compared to 39 noncarrier controls. Network analysis identified 31 protein co-expression modules. Proteomic signatures of genetic FTLD clinical severity included increased abundance of RNA splicing (particularly in C9orf72 and GRN) and extracellular matrix (particularly in MAPT) modules, as well as decreased abundance of synaptic/neuronal and autophagy modules. The generalizability of genetic FTLD proteomic signatures was tested and confirmed in independent cohorts of 1) sporadic progressive supranuclear palsy-Richardson syndrome and 2) frontotemporal dementia spectrum syndromes. Network-based proteomics hold promise for identifying replicable molecular pathways in adults living with FTLD. 'Hub' proteins driving co-expression of affected modules warrant further attention as candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Amy Wise
- University of California, San Francisco
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jingyao Li
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Inc
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Suzee Lee
- University of California, San Francisco
| | | | - Corey McMillan
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Adam Boxer
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco
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9
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Alamin M, Humaira Sultana M, Babarinde IA, Azad AKM, Moni MA, Xu H. Single-cell RNA-seq data analysis reveals functionally relevant biomarkers of early brain development and their regulatory footprints in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Brief Bioinform 2024; 25:bbae230. [PMID: 38739758 PMCID: PMC11089419 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbae230] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The complicated process of neuronal development is initiated early in life, with the genetic mechanisms governing this process yet to be fully elucidated. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a potent instrument for pinpointing biomarkers that exhibit differential expression across various cell types and developmental stages. By employing scRNA-seq on human embryonic stem cells, we aim to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) crucial for early-stage neuronal development. Our focus extends beyond simply identifying DEGs. We strive to investigate the functional roles of these genes through enrichment analysis and construct gene regulatory networks to understand their interactions. Ultimately, this comprehensive approach aspires to illuminate the molecular mechanisms and transcriptional dynamics governing early human brain development. By uncovering potential links between these DEGs and intelligence, mental disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders, we hope to shed light on human neurological health and disease. In this study, we have used scRNA-seq to identify DEGs involved in early-stage neuronal development in hESCs. The scRNA-seq data, collected on days 26 (D26) and 54 (D54), of the in vitro differentiation of hESCs to neurons were analyzed. Our analysis identified 539 DEGs between D26 and D54. Functional enrichment of those DEG biomarkers indicated that the up-regulated DEGs participated in neurogenesis, while the down-regulated DEGs were linked to synapse regulation. The Reactome pathway analysis revealed that down-regulated DEGs were involved in the interactions between proteins located in synapse pathways. We also discovered interactions between DEGs and miRNA, transcriptional factors (TFs) and DEGs, and between TF and miRNA. Our study identified 20 significant transcription factors, shedding light on early brain development genetics. The identified DEGs and gene regulatory networks are valuable resources for future research into human brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Alamin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | | | - Isaac Adeyemi Babarinde
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - A K M Azad
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Science, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 11432, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Ali Moni
- Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Futures Institute, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia
| | - Haiming Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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10
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Karwacki-Neisius V, Jang A, Cukuroglu E, Tai A, Jiao A, Predes D, Yoon J, Brookes E, Chen J, Iberg A, Halbritter F, Õunap K, Gecz J, Schlaeger TM, Ho Sui S, Göke J, He X, Lehtinen MK, Pomeroy SL, Shi Y. WNT signalling control by KDM5C during development affects cognition. Nature 2024; 627:594-603. [PMID: 38383780 PMCID: PMC10954547 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07067-y] [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: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Although KDM5C is one of the most frequently mutated genes in X-linked intellectual disability1, the exact mechanisms that lead to cognitive impairment remain unknown. Here we use human patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells and Kdm5c knockout mice to conduct cellular, transcriptomic, chromatin and behavioural studies. KDM5C is identified as a safeguard to ensure that neurodevelopment occurs at an appropriate timescale, the disruption of which leads to intellectual disability. Specifically, there is a developmental window during which KDM5C directly controls WNT output to regulate the timely transition of primary to intermediate progenitor cells and consequently neurogenesis. Treatment with WNT signalling modulators at specific times reveal that only a transient alteration of the canonical WNT signalling pathway is sufficient to rescue the transcriptomic and chromatin landscapes in patient-derived cells and to induce these changes in wild-type cells. Notably, WNT inhibition during this developmental period also rescues behavioural changes of Kdm5c knockout mice. Conversely, a single injection of WNT3A into the brains of wild-type embryonic mice cause anxiety and memory alterations. Our work identifies KDM5C as a crucial sentinel for neurodevelopment and sheds new light on KDM5C mutation-associated intellectual disability. The results also increase our general understanding of memory and anxiety formation, with the identification of WNT functioning in a transient nature to affect long-lasting cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violetta Karwacki-Neisius
- Division of Newborn Medicine and Epigenetics Program, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ahram Jang
- Division of Newborn Medicine and Epigenetics Program, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Engin Cukuroglu
- Computational and Systems Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Albert Tai
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Data Intensive Studies Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Alan Jiao
- Division of Newborn Medicine and Epigenetics Program, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Danilo Predes
- Department of Neurology, F. M Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joon Yoon
- Department of Biostatistics, The Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Bioinformatics Core, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Emily Brookes
- Division of Newborn Medicine and Epigenetics Program, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jiekai Chen
- Division of Newborn Medicine and Epigenetics Program, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aimee Iberg
- Division of Newborn Medicine and Epigenetics Program, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Florian Halbritter
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katrin Õunap
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Genetic and Personalized Medicine Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jozef Gecz
- Adelaide Medical School and Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Thorsten M Schlaeger
- Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shannan Ho Sui
- Department of Biostatistics, The Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Bioinformatics Core, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan Göke
- Computational and Systems Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xi He
- Department of Neurology, F. M Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria K Lehtinen
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott L Pomeroy
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yang Shi
- Division of Newborn Medicine and Epigenetics Program, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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11
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Lim Y. Transcription factors in microcephaly. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1302033. [PMID: 38094004 PMCID: PMC10716367 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1302033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Higher cognition in humans, compared to other primates, is often attributed to an increased brain size, especially forebrain cortical surface area. Brain size is determined through highly orchestrated developmental processes, including neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, lamination, arborization, and apoptosis. Disruption in these processes often results in either a small (microcephaly) or large (megalencephaly) brain. One of the key mechanisms controlling these developmental processes is the spatial and temporal transcriptional regulation of critical genes. In humans, microcephaly is defined as a condition with a significantly smaller head circumference compared to the average head size of a given age and sex group. A growing number of genes are identified as associated with microcephaly, and among them are those involved in transcriptional regulation. In this review, a subset of genes encoding transcription factors (e.g., homeobox-, basic helix-loop-helix-, forkhead box-, high mobility group box-, and zinc finger domain-containing transcription factors), whose functions are important for cortical development and implicated in microcephaly, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngshin Lim
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Science Education, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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12
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Yavuz BR, Arici MK, Demirel HC, Tsai CJ, Jang H, Nussinov R, Tuncbag N. Neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer networks share pathways, but differ in mechanisms, signaling strength, and outcome. NPJ Genom Med 2023; 8:37. [PMID: 37925498 PMCID: PMC10625621 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-023-00377-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies suggest that individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are more prone to develop certain types of cancer. Notably, however, the case statistics can be impacted by late discovery of cancer in individuals afflicted with NDDs, such as intellectual disorders, autism, and schizophrenia, which may bias the numbers. As to NDD-associated mutations, in most cases, they are germline while cancer mutations are sporadic, emerging during life. However, somatic mosaicism can spur NDDs, and cancer-related mutations can be germline. NDDs and cancer share proteins, pathways, and mutations. Here we ask (i) exactly which features they share, and (ii) how, despite their commonalities, they differ in clinical outcomes. To tackle these questions, we employed a statistical framework followed by network analysis. Our thorough exploration of the mutations, reconstructed disease-specific networks, pathways, and transcriptome levels and profiles of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and cancers, point to signaling strength as the key factor: strong signaling promotes cell proliferation in cancer, and weaker (moderate) signaling impacts differentiation in ASD. Thus, we suggest that signaling strength, not activating mutations, can decide clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bengi Ruken Yavuz
- Graduate School of Informatics, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - M Kaan Arici
- Graduate School of Informatics, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey
| | - Habibe Cansu Demirel
- Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul, 34450, Turkey
| | - Chung-Jung Tsai
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Hyunbum Jang
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Ruth Nussinov
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
| | - Nurcan Tuncbag
- Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- School of Medicine, Koc University, Istanbul, 34450, Turkey.
- Koc University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Turkey.
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13
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Abstract
Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the methyl-CpG binding protein-2 (MeCP2) gene that is characterized by epilepsy, intellectual disability, autistic features, speech deficits, and sleep and breathing abnormalities. Neurologically, patients with all three disorders display microcephaly, aberrant dendritic morphology, reduced spine density, and an imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory signaling. Loss-of-function mutations in the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) and FOXG1 genes also cause similar behavioral and neurobiological defects and were referred to as congenital or variant Rett syndrome. The relatively recent realization that CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), FOXG1 syndrome, and Rett syndrome are distinct neurodevelopmental disorders with some distinctive features have resulted in separate focus being placed on each disorder with the assumption that distinct molecular mechanisms underlie their pathogenesis. However, given that many of the core symptoms and neurological features are shared, it is likely that the disorders share some critical molecular underpinnings. This review discusses the possibility that deregulation of common molecules in neurons and astrocytes plays a central role in key behavioral and neurological abnormalities in all three disorders. These include KCC2, a chloride transporter, vGlut1, a vesicular glutamate transporter, GluD1, an orphan-glutamate receptor subunit, and PSD-95, a postsynaptic scaffolding protein. We propose that reduced expression or activity of KCC2, vGlut1, PSD-95, and AKT, along with increased expression of GluD1, is involved in the excitatory/inhibitory that represents a key aspect in all three disorders. In addition, astrocyte-derived brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and inflammatory cytokines likely affect the expression and functioning of these molecules resulting in disease-associated abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh R D’Mello
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71104, USA
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14
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O'Brien BS, Mokry RL, Schumacher ML, Rosas-Rogers S, Terhune SS, Ebert AD. Neutralizing antibodies with neurotropic factor treatment maintain neurodevelopmental gene expression upon exposure to human cytomegalovirus. J Virol 2023; 97:e0069623. [PMID: 37796129 PMCID: PMC10653813 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00696-23] [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: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is the leading cause of non-heritable birth defects worldwide. HCMV readily infects the early progenitor cell population of the developing brain, and we have found that infection leads to significantly downregulated expression of key neurodevelopmental transcripts. Currently, there are no approved therapies to prevent or mitigate the effects of congenital HCMV infection. Therefore, we used human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids and neural progenitor cells to elucidate the glycoproteins and receptors used in the viral entry process and whether antibody neutralization was sufficient to block viral entry and prevent disruption of neurodevelopmental gene expression. We found that blocking viral entry alone was insufficient to maintain the expression of key neurodevelopmental genes, but neutralization combined with neurotrophic factor treatment provided robust protection. Together, these studies offer novel insight into mechanisms of HCMV infection in neural tissues, which may aid future therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S. O'Brien
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Rebekah L. Mokry
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Megan L. Schumacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Suzette Rosas-Rogers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Scott S. Terhune
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Allison D. Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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15
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Spildrejorde M, Samara A, Sharma A, Leithaug M, Falck M, Modafferi S, Sundaram AY, Acharya G, Nordeng H, Eskeland R, Gervin K, Lyle R. Multi-omics approach reveals dysregulated genes during hESCs neuronal differentiation exposure to paracetamol. iScience 2023; 26:107755. [PMID: 37731623 PMCID: PMC10507163 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal paracetamol exposure has been associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood. Pharmacoepigenetic studies show differences in cord blood DNA methylation between unexposed and paracetamol-exposed neonates, however, causality and impact of long-term prenatal paracetamol exposure on brain development remain unclear. Using a multi-omics approach, we investigated the effects of paracetamol on an in vitro model of early human neurodevelopment. We exposed human embryonic stem cells undergoing neuronal differentiation with paracetamol concentrations corresponding to maternal therapeutic doses. Single-cell RNA-seq and ATAC-seq integration identified paracetamol-induced chromatin opening changes linked to gene expression. Differentially methylated and/or expressed genes were involved in neurotransmission and cell fate determination trajectories. Some genes involved in neuronal injury and development-specific pathways, such as KCNE3, overlapped with differentially methylated genes previously identified in cord blood associated with prenatal paracetamol exposure. Our data suggest that paracetamol may play a causal role in impaired neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Spildrejorde
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Athina Samara
- Division of Clinical Paediatrics, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Astrid Lindgren Children′s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ankush Sharma
- Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Magnus Leithaug
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Martin Falck
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stefania Modafferi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arvind Y.M. Sundaram
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ganesh Acharya
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Alfred Nobels Allé 8, SE-14152 Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Fetal Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-14186 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hedvig Nordeng
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Eskeland
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristina Gervin
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Research and Innovation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Robert Lyle
- PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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16
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Durante M, Bender T, Schickel E, Mayer M, Debus J, Grosshans D, Schroeder I. Aberrant choroid plexus formation in human cerebral organoids exposed to radiation. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3445801. [PMID: 37886443 PMCID: PMC10602134 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3445801/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Brain tumor patients are commonly treated with radiotherapy, but the efficacy of the treatment is limited by its toxicity, particularly the risk of radionecrosis. We used human cerebral organoids to investigate the mechanisms and nature of postirradiation brain image changes commonly linked to necrosis. Irradiation of cerebral organoids lead to increased formation of ZO1+/AQP1+/CLN3+-choroid plexus (CP) structures. Increased CP formation was triggered by radiation via the NOTCH/WNT signaling pathways and associated with delayed growth and neural stem cell differentiation, but not necrosis. The effect was more pronounced in immature than in mature organoids, reflecting the clinically-observed increased radiosensitivity of the pediatric brain. Protons were more effective than X-rays at the same dose, as also observed in clinical treatments. We conclude that radiation-induced brain image-changes can be attributed to aberrant CP formation, providing a new cellular mechanism and strategy for possible countermeasures.
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17
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Razmi K, Mousavi SE, Patil JG. Paternal source of germ plasm determinants in the viviparous teleost, Gambusia holbrooki; dads do matter. Dev Biol 2023; 502:14-19. [PMID: 37385406 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
The identity of germ cells, the progenitors of life, is thought to be acquired by two modes; either by maternal signals (preformed) or induced de novo from pluripotent cells (epigenesis) in the developing embryos. However, paternal roles seem enshrouded or completely overlooked in this fundamental biological process. Hence, we investigated the presence of germplasm transcripts in the sperm of Gambusia holbrooki, a live-bearing fish, demonstrating their presence and suggesting paternal contributions. Interestingly, not all germplasm markers were present (nanos1 and tdrd6) in the sperm, but some were conspicuous (dazl, dnd-α, piwi II, and vasa), indicating that the latter is required for establishing germ cell identity in the progeny, with a possible parent-specific role. Furthermore, there were also spatial differences in the distribution of these determinants, suggesting additional roles in sperm physiology and/or fertility. Our results support the hypothesis that dads also play a vital role in establishing the germ cell identity, especially in G. holbrooki, which shares elements of both preformation and induction modes of germline determination. This, coupled with its life history traits, makes G. holbrooki an excellent system for dissecting evolutionary relationships between the two germline determination modes, their underpinning mechanisms and ultimately the perpetuity of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komeil Razmi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Taroona, TAS, 7053, Australia
| | - Seyed Ehsan Mousavi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Taroona, TAS, 7053, Australia
| | - Jawahar G Patil
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Taroona, TAS, 7053, Australia.
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18
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Zheng X, Wu B, Liu Y, Simmons SK, Kim K, Clarke GS, Ashiq A, Park J, Wang Z, Tong L, Wang Q, Xu X, Levin JZ, Jin X. Massively parallel in vivo Perturb-seq reveals cell type-specific transcriptional networks in cortical development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.18.558077. [PMID: 37790302 PMCID: PMC10542124 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.18.558077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Systematic analysis of gene function across diverse cell types in vivo is hindered by two challenges: obtaining sufficient cells from live tissues and accurately identifying each cell's perturbation in high-throughput single-cell assays. Leveraging AAV's versatile cell type tropism and high labeling capacity, we expanded the resolution and scale of in vivo CRISPR screens: allowing phenotypic analysis at single-cell resolution across a multitude of cell types in the embryonic brain, adult brain, and peripheral nervous system. We undertook extensive tests of 86 AAV serotypes, combined with a transposon system, to substantially amplify labeling and accelerate in vivo gene delivery from weeks to days. Using this platform, we performed an in utero genetic screen as proof-of-principle and identified pleiotropic regulatory networks of Foxg1 in cortical development, including Layer 6 corticothalamic neurons where it tightly controls distinct networks essential for cell fate specification. Notably, our platform can label >6% of cerebral cells, surpassing the current state-of-the-art efficacy at <0.1% (mediated by lentivirus), and achieve analysis of over 30,000 cells in one experiment, thus enabling massively parallel in vivo Perturb-seq. Compatible with various perturbation techniques (CRISPRa/i) and phenotypic measurements (single-cell or spatial multi-omics), our platform presents a flexible, modular approach to interrogate gene function across diverse cell types in vivo, connecting gene variants to their causal functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhe Zheng
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Boli Wu
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yuejia Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sean K. Simmons
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kwanho Kim
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Grace S. Clarke
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Abdullah Ashiq
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Joshua Park
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zhilin Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Liqi Tong
- Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Qizhao Wang
- Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Joshua Z. Levin
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xin Jin
- Department of Neuroscience, Dorris Neuroscience Center, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
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19
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Cao G, Sun C, Shen H, Qu D, Shen C, Lu H. Conditional Deletion of Foxg1 Delayed Myelination during Early Postnatal Brain Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13921. [PMID: 37762220 PMCID: PMC10530892 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
FOXG1 (forkhead box G1) syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by variants in the Foxg1 gene that affect brain structure and function. Individuals affected by FOXG1 syndrome frequently exhibit delayed myelination in neuroimaging studies, which may impair the rapid conduction of nerve impulses. To date, the specific effects of FOXG1 on oligodendrocyte lineage progression and myelination during early postnatal development remain unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of Foxg1 deficiency on myelin development in the mouse brain by conditional deletion of Foxg1 in neural progenitors using NestinCreER;Foxg1fl/fl mice and tamoxifen induction at postnatal day 0 (P0). We found that Foxg1 deficiency resulted in a transient delay in myelination, evidenced by decreased myelin formation within the first two weeks after birth, but ultimately recovered to the control levels by P30. We also found that Foxg1 deletion prevented the timely attenuation of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) signaling and reduced the cell cycle exit of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), leading to their excessive proliferation and delayed maturation. Additionally, Foxg1 deletion increased the expression of Hes5, a myelin formation inhibitor, as well as Olig2 and Sox10, two promoters of OPC differentiation. Our results reveal the important role of Foxg1 in myelin development and provide new clues for further exploring the pathological mechanisms of FOXG1 syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangliang Cao
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; (G.C.); (H.S.); (D.Q.)
| | - Congli Sun
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China;
| | - Hualin Shen
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; (G.C.); (H.S.); (D.Q.)
| | - Dewei Qu
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; (G.C.); (H.S.); (D.Q.)
| | - Chuanlu Shen
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China;
| | - Haiqin Lu
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; (G.C.); (H.S.); (D.Q.)
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20
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Taghehchian N, Lotfi M, Zangouei AS, Akhlaghipour I, Moghbeli M. MicroRNAs as the critical regulators of Forkhead box protein family during gynecological and breast tumor progression and metastasis. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:330. [PMID: 37689738 PMCID: PMC10492305 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01329-7] [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: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Gynecological and breast tumors are one of the main causes of cancer-related mortalities among women. Despite recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic methods, tumor relapse is observed in a high percentage of these patients due to the treatment failure. Late diagnosis in advanced tumor stages is one of the main reasons for the treatment failure and recurrence in these tumors. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the molecular mechanisms involved in progression of these tumors to introduce the efficient early diagnostic markers. Fokhead Box (FOX) is a family of transcription factors with a key role in regulation of a wide variety of cellular mechanisms. Deregulation of FOX proteins has been observed in different cancers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as a group of non-coding RNAs have important roles in post-transcriptional regulation of the genes involved in cellular mechanisms. They are also the non-invasive diagnostic markers due to their high stability in body fluids. Considering the importance of FOX proteins in the progression of breast and gynecological tumors, we investigated the role of miRNAs in regulation of the FOX proteins in these tumors. MicroRNAs were mainly involved in progression of these tumors through FOXM, FOXP, and FOXO. The present review paves the way to suggest a non-invasive diagnostic panel marker based on the miRNAs/FOX axis in breast and gynecological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negin Taghehchian
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Malihe Lotfi
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Sadra Zangouei
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Iman Akhlaghipour
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Meysam Moghbeli
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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21
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Assessment of Dynein-Mediated Nuclear Migration in the Developing Cortex by Live-Tissue Microscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2623:61-71. [PMID: 36602679 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2958-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
During development of the cerebral cortex, neuroepithelial and radial glial cells undergo an oscillatory nuclear movement throughout their cell cycle, termed interkinetic nuclear migration. The nucleus of postmitotic neurons derived from these neural stem cells also translocates in a saltatory manner to enable neuronal migration toward the cortical plate. In these processes, various molecular motors, including cytoplasmic dynein, myosin II, and kinesins, are the driving force for nuclear migration at different stages. Despite efforts made to understand the mechanism regulating cortical development over decades, novel gene mutations discovered in neurodevelopmental disorders indicate that missing pieces still remain. Gene manipulation by in utero electroporation combined with live microscopy of neural stem cells in brain slices provides a powerful method to capture their detailed behaviors during proliferation and migration. The procedures described in this chapter enable the monitoring of cell cycle progression, mitosis, morphological changes, and migratory patterns in situ. This approach facilitates the elucidation of gene functions in cortical development and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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22
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Differential vulnerability of adult neurogenic niches to dosage of the neurodevelopmental-disorder linked gene Foxg1. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:497-514. [PMID: 35318461 PMCID: PMC9812795 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01497-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor FOXG1 serves pleiotropic functions in brain development ranging from the regulation of precursor proliferation to the control of cortical circuit formation. Loss-of-function mutations and duplications of FOXG1 are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in humans illustrating the importance of FOXG1 dosage for brain development. Aberrant FOXG1 dosage has been found to disrupt the balanced activity of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We report that FOXG1 is expressed in the main adult neurogenic niches in mice, i.e. the hippocampal dentate gyrus and the subependymal zone/olfactory bulb system, where neurogenesis of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons persists into adulthood. These niches displayed differential vulnerability to increased FOXG1 dosage: high FOXG1 levels severely compromised survival and glutamatergic dentate granule neuron fate acquisition in the hippocampal neurogenic niche, but left neurogenesis of GABAergic neurons in the subependymal zone/olfactory bulb system unaffected. Comparative transcriptomic analyses revealed a significantly higher expression of the apoptosis-linked nuclear receptor Nr4a1 in FOXG1-overexpressing hippocampal neural precursors. Strikingly, pharmacological interference with NR4A1 function rescued FOXG1-dependent death of hippocampal progenitors. Our results reveal differential vulnerability of neuronal subtypes to increased FOXG1 dosage and suggest that activity of a FOXG1/NR4A1 axis contributes to such subtype-specific response.
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23
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Pânzaru MC, Popa S, Lupu A, Gavrilovici C, Lupu VV, Gorduza EV. Genetic heterogeneity in corpus callosum agenesis. Front Genet 2022; 13:958570. [PMID: 36246626 PMCID: PMC9562966 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.958570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The corpus callosum is the largest white matter structure connecting the two cerebral hemispheres. Agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC), complete or partial, is one of the most common cerebral malformations in humans with a reported incidence ranging between 1.8 per 10,000 livebirths to 230–600 per 10,000 in children and its presence is associated with neurodevelopmental disability. ACC may occur as an isolated anomaly or as a component of a complex disorder, caused by genetic changes, teratogenic exposures or vascular factors. Genetic causes are complex and include complete or partial chromosomal anomalies, autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive or X-linked monogenic disorders, which can be either de novo or inherited. The extreme genetic heterogeneity, illustrated by the large number of syndromes associated with ACC, highlight the underlying complexity of corpus callosum development. ACC is associated with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to neonatal death. The most common features are epilepsy, motor impairment and intellectual disability. The understanding of the genetic heterogeneity of ACC may be essential for the diagnosis, developing early intervention strategies, and informed family planning. This review summarizes our current understanding of the genetic heterogeneity in ACC and discusses latest discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica-Cristina Pânzaru
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Setalia Popa
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
- *Correspondence: Setalia Popa, ; Vasile Valeriu Lupu,
| | - Ancuta Lupu
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Cristina Gavrilovici
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Vasile Valeriu Lupu
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
- *Correspondence: Setalia Popa, ; Vasile Valeriu Lupu,
| | - Eusebiu Vlad Gorduza
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
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24
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Lottini G, Baggiani M, Chesi G, D'Orsi B, Quaranta P, Lai M, Pancrazi L, Onorati M, Pistello M, Freer G, Costa M. Zika virus induces FOXG1 nuclear displacement and downregulation in human neural progenitors. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1683-1698. [PMID: 35714598 PMCID: PMC9287670 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital alterations in the levels of the transcription factor Forkhead box g1 (FOXG1) coding gene trigger "FOXG1 syndrome," a spectrum that recapitulates birth defects found in the "congenital Zika syndrome," such as microcephaly and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Here, we report that Zika virus (ZIKV) infection alters FOXG1 nuclear localization and causes its downregulation, thus impairing expression of genes involved in cell replication and apoptosis in several cell models, including human neural progenitor cells. Growth factors, such as EGF and FGF2, and Thr271 residue located in FOXG1 AKT domain, take part in the nuclear displacement and apoptosis protection, respectively. Finally, by progressive deletion of FOXG1 sequence, we identify the C-terminus and the residues 428-481 as critical domains. Collectively, our data suggest a causal mechanism by which ZIKV affects FOXG1, its target genes, cell cycle progression, and survival of human neural progenitors, thus contributing to microcephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Lottini
- Centro Retrovirus, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Matteo Baggiani
- Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Giulia Chesi
- Centro Retrovirus, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Beatrice D'Orsi
- Institute of Neuroscience, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi, 1, Pisa 56124, Italy; Centro Pisano ricerca e implementazione clinica Flash Radiotherapy (CPFR@CISUP), Presidio S. Chiara, ed.18 via Roma, 67, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Paola Quaranta
- Centro Retrovirus, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Michele Lai
- Centro Retrovirus, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Laura Pancrazi
- Institute of Neuroscience, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi, 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Marco Onorati
- Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Centro Retrovirus, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Giulia Freer
- Centro Retrovirus, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Mario Costa
- Institute of Neuroscience, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi, 1, Pisa 56124, Italy; Centro Pisano ricerca e implementazione clinica Flash Radiotherapy (CPFR@CISUP), Presidio S. Chiara, ed.18 via Roma, 67, Pisa 56126, Italy; Laboratory of Biology "Bio@SNS", Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri, Pisa 56124, Italy.
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25
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Liu J, Yang M, Su M, Liu B, Zhou K, Sun C, Ba R, Yu B, Zhang B, Zhang Z, Fan W, Wang K, Zhong M, Han J, Zhao C. FOXG1 sequentially orchestrates subtype specification of postmitotic cortical projection neurons. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabh3568. [PMID: 35613274 PMCID: PMC9132448 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abh3568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian neocortex is a highly organized six-layered structure with four major cortical neuron subtypes: corticothalamic projection neurons (CThPNs), subcerebral projection neurons (SCPNs), deep callosal projection neurons (CPNs), and superficial CPNs. Here, careful examination of multiple conditional knockout model mouse lines showed that the transcription factor FOXG1 functions as a master regulator of postmitotic cortical neuron specification and found that mice lacking functional FOXG1 exhibited projection deficits. Before embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5), FOXG1 enforces deep CPN identity in postmitotic neurons by activating Satb2 but repressing Bcl11b and Tbr1. After E14.5, FOXG1 exerts specification functions in distinct layers via differential regulation of Bcl11b and Tbr1, including specification of superficial versus deep CPNs and enforcement of CThPN identity. FOXG1 controls CThPN versus SCPN fate by fine-tuning Fezf2 levels through diverse interactions with multiple SOX family proteins. Thus, our study supports a developmental model to explain the postmitotic specification of four cortical projection neuron subtypes and sheds light on neuropathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Mengjie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Mingzhao Su
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Kaixing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Congli Sun
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ru Ba
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Baocong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Baoshen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Wenxin Fan
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology,
Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Min Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Junhai Han
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology,
Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Chunjie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human
Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University,
Nanjing 210009, China
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26
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Slota JA, Medina SJ, Frost KL, Booth SA. Neurons and Astrocytes Elicit Brain Region Specific Transcriptional Responses to Prion Disease in the Murine CA1 and Thalamus. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:918811. [PMID: 35651626 PMCID: PMC9149297 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.918811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Progressive dysfunction and loss of neurons ultimately culminates in the symptoms and eventual fatality of prion disease, yet the pathways and mechanisms that lead to neuronal degeneration remain elusive. Here, we used RNAseq to profile transcriptional changes in microdissected CA1 and thalamus brain tissues from prion infected mice. Numerous transcripts were altered during clinical disease, whereas very few transcripts were reliably altered at pre-clinical time points. Prion altered transcripts were assigned to broadly defined brain cell types and we noted a strong transcriptional signature that was affiliated with reactive microglia and astrocytes. While very few neuronal transcripts were common between the CA1 and thalamus, we described transcriptional changes in both regions that were related to synaptic dysfunction. Using transcriptional profiling to compare how different neuronal populations respond during prion disease may help decipher mechanisms that lead to neuronal demise and should be investigated with greater detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessy A. Slota
- One Health Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Sarah J. Medina
- One Health Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Kathy L. Frost
- One Health Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Stephanie A. Booth
- One Health Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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27
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Soubannier V, Chaineau M, Gursu L, Haghi G, Franco Flores AK, Rouleau G, Durcan TM, Stifani S. Rapid Generation of Ventral Spinal Cord-like Astrocytes from Human iPSCs for Modeling Non-Cell Autonomous Mechanisms of Lower Motor Neuron Disease. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030399. [PMID: 35159209 PMCID: PMC8834281 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes play important roles in the function and survival of neuronal cells. Dysfunctions of astrocytes are associated with numerous disorders and diseases of the nervous system, including motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based approaches are becoming increasingly important for the study of the mechanisms underlying the involvement of astrocytes in non-cell autonomous processes of motor neuron degeneration in ALS. These studies must account for the molecular and functional diversity among astrocytes in different regions of the brain and spinal cord. It is essential that the most pathologically relevant astrocyte preparations are used when investigating non-cell autonomous mechanisms of either upper or lower motor neuron degeneration in ALS. Here, we describe the efficient and streamlined generation of human iPSC-derived astrocytes with molecular and biological properties similar to physiological astrocytes in the ventral spinal cord. These induced astrocytes exhibit spontaneous and ATP-induced calcium transients, and lack signs of overt activation. Human iPSC-derived astrocytes with ventral spinal cord features offer advantages over more generic astrocyte preparations for the study of both ventral spinal cord astrocyte biology and the involvement of astrocytes in mechanisms of lower motor neuron degeneration in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Soubannier
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (V.S.); (G.R.); (T.M.D.)
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (M.C.); (L.G.); (G.H.); (A.K.F.F.)
| | - Mathilde Chaineau
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (M.C.); (L.G.); (G.H.); (A.K.F.F.)
| | - Lale Gursu
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (M.C.); (L.G.); (G.H.); (A.K.F.F.)
| | - Ghazal Haghi
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (M.C.); (L.G.); (G.H.); (A.K.F.F.)
| | - Anna Kristyna Franco Flores
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (M.C.); (L.G.); (G.H.); (A.K.F.F.)
| | - Guy Rouleau
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (V.S.); (G.R.); (T.M.D.)
| | - Thomas M. Durcan
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (V.S.); (G.R.); (T.M.D.)
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (M.C.); (L.G.); (G.H.); (A.K.F.F.)
| | - Stefano Stifani
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (V.S.); (G.R.); (T.M.D.)
- Correspondence:
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28
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Akol I, Gather F, Vogel T. Paving Therapeutic Avenues for FOXG1 Syndrome: Untangling Genotypes and Phenotypes from a Molecular Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020954. [PMID: 35055139 PMCID: PMC8780739 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of the central nervous system (CNS) depends on accurate spatiotemporal control of signaling pathways and transcriptional programs. Forkhead Box G1 (FOXG1) is one of the master regulators that play fundamental roles in forebrain development; from the timing of neurogenesis, to the patterning of the cerebral cortex. Mutations in the FOXG1 gene cause a rare neurodevelopmental disorder called FOXG1 syndrome, also known as congenital form of Rett syndrome. Patients presenting with FOXG1 syndrome manifest a spectrum of phenotypes, ranging from severe cognitive dysfunction and microcephaly to social withdrawal and communication deficits, with varying severities. To develop and improve therapeutic interventions, there has been considerable progress towards unravelling the multi-faceted functions of FOXG1 in the neurodevelopment and pathogenesis of FOXG1 syndrome. Moreover, recent advances in genome editing and stem cell technologies, as well as the increased yield of information from high throughput omics, have opened promising and important new avenues in FOXG1 research. In this review, we provide a summary of the clinical features and emerging molecular mechanisms underlying FOXG1 syndrome, and explore disease-modelling approaches in animals and human-based systems, to highlight the prospects of research and possible clinical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ipek Akol
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (I.A.); (F.G.)
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModul Basics), Medical Faculty, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Gather
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (I.A.); (F.G.)
| | - Tanja Vogel
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (I.A.); (F.G.)
- Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModul Basics), Medical Faculty, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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29
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Zhang LB, Qiu TT, Yang WWJ. Bioinformatic Analysis Reveals the Distinct Role of 5'UTR-specific m6A RNA Modification in Mice Developing Cerebral Cortices. Dev Neurosci 2021; 44:67-79. [PMID: 34959237 DOI: 10.1159/000521620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) abundantly exists in the cerebral cortex, and is emerging as an essential factor in cortical development and function. As the m6A binding site appears to be dynamically methylated in different RNA regions at the temporal-specific developing stage, it is of value to distinguish the unique character of region- and temporal-specific m6A. Herein, we analyzed the status of temporal-specific m6A within RNA 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) using m6A-methylated sequencing data and transcriptomic sequencing data from 12.5-13-day embryonic cerebral cortices and 14-day postnatal ones. We identified sorts of RNAs that are uniquely m6A-methylated in the 5'UTR region and sorted them into specific neurological processes. Compared with 3'UTR-m6A-methylated RNAs, 5'UTR-m6A-methylated RNAs showed unique functions and mechanisms in regulating cortical development, especially through the pathway of mRNA transport and surveillance. Moreover, the 5'UTR-specific m6A was associated with neurological disorders as well. The FoxO signaling pathway was then focused by these pathogenic 5'UTR-m6A-methylated RNAs, and explored to be involved in the determination of neurological disorders. Additionally, the 5'UTR-m6A-modification patterns and transcriptional patterns play independent but cohesive roles in the developing cortices. Our study emphasizes the importance of 5'UTR-specific m6A in the developing cortex and provides an informative reference for future studies of 5'UTR-specific m6A in normal cortical development and neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Bin Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Enzyme Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fujian, China
| | - Ting-Ting Qiu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Enzyme Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fujian, China
| | - Wu-Wei-Jie Yang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Enzyme Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fujian, China
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30
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Jang HN, Kim T, Jung AY, Lee BH, Yum MS, Ko TS. Identification of FOXG1 mutations in infantile hypotonia and postnatal microcephaly. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27949. [PMID: 34964776 PMCID: PMC8615421 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT FOXG1, located at chromosome 14q12, is critical for brain development, and patients with FOXG1 mutation exhibit developmental encephalopathy with high phenotypic variability, known as FOXG1 syndrome. Here, we report 3 cases of FOXG1 syndrome that presented with infantile hypotonia and microcephaly.A total of 145 children with developmental delay and/or hypotonia were evaluated by whole-exome sequencing (WES) in the pediatric neurology clinic and medical genetics center at Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, from 2017 to 2019. Each FOXG1 mutation was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The clinical findings of each patient with FOXG1 mutation were reviewed.WES identified de-novo, pathogenic, and heterozygous FOXG1 mutations in 3 of 145 patients in our patient cohort with developmental delay and/or hypotonia. The characteristics of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were reported as callosal anomaly, decrease in frontal volume, fornix thickening, and hypoplastic olfactory bulbs. A phenotype-genotype correlation was demonstrated as a patient with a novel missense mutation, c.761A > C (p.Tyr254Ser), in the forkhead domain had better outcome and milder brain abnormalities than the other 2 patients with truncating mutation in the Groucho binding domain site, c.958delC (p.Arg320Alafs), or N-terminal domain, c.506dup (p.Lys170GlnfsThe). Importantly, all 3 patients had hypoplastic olfactory bulbs on their brain MRI, which is a distinct and previously unrecognized feature of FOXG1 syndrome.This is the first report of FOXG1 syndrome in a Korean population; this condition accounts for 2% (3 of 145 patients) of our patient cohort with developmental delays and/or hypotonia. Our report contributes to understanding this extremely rare genetic condition in the clinical and genetic perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Na Jang
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Taeho Kim
- Biomedical Research Center, ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ah Young Jung
- Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Beom Hee Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mi-Sun Yum
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae-Sung Ko
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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31
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Compagnucci C, Martinus K, Griffin J, Depew MJ. Programmed Cell Death Not as Sledgehammer but as Chisel: Apoptosis in Normal and Abnormal Craniofacial Patterning and Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:717404. [PMID: 34692678 PMCID: PMC8531503 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.717404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Coordination of craniofacial development involves an complex, intricate, genetically controlled and tightly regulated spatiotemporal series of reciprocal inductive and responsive interactions among the embryonic cephalic epithelia (both endodermal and ectodermal) and the cephalic mesenchyme — particularly the cranial neural crest (CNC). The coordinated regulation of these interactions is critical both ontogenetically and evolutionarily, and the clinical importance and mechanistic sensitivity to perturbation of this developmental system is reflected by the fact that one-third of all human congenital malformations affect the head and face. Here, we focus on one element of this elaborate process, apoptotic cell death, and its role in normal and abnormal craniofacial development. We highlight four themes in the temporospatial elaboration of craniofacial apoptosis during development, namely its occurrence at (1) positions of epithelial-epithelial apposition, (2) within intra-epithelial morphogenesis, (3) during epithelial compartmentalization, and (4) with CNC metameric organization. Using the genetic perturbation of Satb2, Pbx1/2, Fgf8, and Foxg1 as exemplars, we examine the role of apoptosis in the elaboration of jaw modules, the evolution and elaboration of the lambdoidal junction, the developmental integration at the mandibular arch hinge, and the control of upper jaw identity, patterning and development. Lastly, we posit that apoptosis uniquely acts during craniofacial development to control patterning cues emanating from core organizing centres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Compagnucci
- Institute for Cell and Neurobiology, Center for Anatomy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CCO, Berlin, Germany.,Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy.,Department of Craniofacial Development, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kira Martinus
- Institute for Cell and Neurobiology, Center for Anatomy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CCO, Berlin, Germany
| | - John Griffin
- Department of Craniofacial Development, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Depew
- Institute for Cell and Neurobiology, Center for Anatomy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CCO, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Craniofacial Development, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Santos-Terra J, Deckmann I, Fontes-Dutra M, Schwingel GB, Bambini-Junior V, Gottfried C. Transcription factors in neurodevelopmental and associated psychiatric disorders: A potential convergence for genetic and environmental risk factors. Int J Dev Neurosci 2021; 81:545-578. [PMID: 34240460 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a heterogeneous and highly prevalent group of psychiatric conditions marked by impairments in the nervous system. Their onset occurs during gestation, and the alterations are observed throughout the postnatal life. Although many genetic and environmental risk factors have been described in this context, the interactions between them challenge the understanding of the pathways associated with NDDs. Transcription factors (TFs)-a group of over 1,600 proteins that can interact with DNA, regulating gene expression through modulation of RNA synthesis-represent a point of convergence for different risk factors. In addition, TFs organize critical processes like angiogenesis, blood-brain barrier formation, myelination, neuronal migration, immune activation, and many others in a time and location-dependent way. In this review, we summarize important TF alterations in NDD and associated disorders, along with specific impairments observed in animal models, and, finally, establish hypotheses to explain how these proteins may be critical mediators in the context of genome-environment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlio Santos-Terra
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Preston, UK
| | - Iohanna Deckmann
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Preston, UK
| | - Mellanie Fontes-Dutra
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Preston, UK
| | - Gustavo Brum Schwingel
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Preston, UK
| | - Victorio Bambini-Junior
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Preston, UK.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Carmem Gottfried
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Preston, UK
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Gao Y, Duque-Wilckens N, Aljazi MB, Wu Y, Moeser AJ, Mias GI, Robison AJ, He J. Loss of histone methyltransferase ASH1L in the developing mouse brain causes autistic-like behaviors. Commun Biol 2021; 4:756. [PMID: 34145365 PMCID: PMC8213741 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02282-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease associated with various gene mutations. Recent genetic and clinical studies report that mutations of the epigenetic gene ASH1L are highly associated with human ASD and intellectual disability (ID). However, the causality and underlying molecular mechanisms linking ASH1L mutations to genesis of ASD/ID remain undetermined. Here we show loss of ASH1L in the developing mouse brain is sufficient to cause multiple developmental defects, core autistic-like behaviors, and impaired cognitive memory. Gene expression analyses uncover critical roles of ASH1L in regulating gene expression during neural cell development. Thus, our study establishes an ASD/ID mouse model revealing the critical function of an epigenetic factor ASH1L in normal brain development, a causality between Ash1L mutations and ASD/ID-like behaviors in mice, and potential molecular mechanisms linking Ash1L mutations to brain functional abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuen Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Natalia Duque-Wilckens
- Department of Physiology, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Mohammad B Aljazi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Adam J Moeser
- Department of Physiology, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Gastrointestinal Stress Biology Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - George I Mias
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Alfred J Robison
- Department of Physiology, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jin He
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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Mullegama SV, Klein SD, Williams SR, Innis JW, Probst FJ, Haldeman-Englert C, Martinez-Agosto JA, Yang Y, Tian Y, Elsea SH, Ezashi T. Transcriptome analysis of MBD5-associated neurodevelopmental disorder (MAND) neural progenitor cells reveals dysregulation of autism-associated genes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11295. [PMID: 34050248 PMCID: PMC8163803 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90798-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
MBD5-associated neurodevelopmental disorder (MAND) is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) characterized by intellectual disability, motor delay, speech impairment and behavioral problems; however, the biological role of methyl-CpG-binding domain 5, MBD5, in neurodevelopment and ASD remains largely undefined. Hence, we created neural progenitor cells (NPC) derived from individuals with chromosome 2q23.1 deletion and conducted RNA-seq to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the biological processes and pathways altered in MAND. Primary skin fibroblasts from three unrelated individuals with MAND and four unrelated controls were converted into induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, followed by directed differentiation of iPSC to NPC. Transcriptome analysis of MAND NPC revealed 468 DEGs (q < 0.05), including 20 ASD-associated genes. Comparison of DEGs in MAND with SFARI syndromic autism genes revealed a striking significant overlap in biological processes commonly altered in neurodevelopmental phenotypes, with TGFβ, Hippo signaling, DNA replication, and cell cycle among the top enriched pathways. Overall, these transcriptome deviations provide potential connections to the overlapping neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric phenotypes associated with key high-risk ASD genes, including chromatin modifiers and epigenetic modulators, that play significant roles in these disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sureni V Mullegama
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Sam Houston State University, Conroe, TX, 77304, USA
| | - Steven D Klein
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Medical Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey W Innis
- Departments of Human Genetics, Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Frank J Probst
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - Julian A Martinez-Agosto
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Yuchen Tian
- Division of Animal Sciences and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Sarah H Elsea
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Toshihiko Ezashi
- Division of Animal Sciences and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
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Pecora G, Sortino V, Brafa Musicoro V, Salomone G, Pizzo F, Costanza G, Falsaperla R, Zanghì A, Praticò AD. FOXG1 Gene and Its Related Phenotypes. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1727270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AbstractFOXG1 is an important transcriptional repressor found in cell precursor of the ventricular region and in neurons in the early stage of differentiation during the development of the nervous epithelium in the cerebrum and optical formation. Mutations involving FOXG1 gene have been described first in subjects with congenital Rett syndrome. They can cause seizure, delayed psychomotor development, language disorders, and autism. FOXG1 deletions or intragenic mutations also determinate reduction in head circumference, structural defects in the corpus callosum, abnormal movements, especially choreiform, and intellectual retardation with no speech. Patients with duplications of 14q12 present infantile spasms and have subsequent intellectual disability with autistic features, head circumference in the normal range, and regular aspect of corpus callosum. Clinical characteristics of patients with FOXG1 variants include growth deficit after birth associated with microcephaly, facial dysmorphisms, important delay with no language, deficit in social interaction like autism, sleep disorders, stereotypes, including dyskinesia, and seizures. In these patients, it is not characteristic a history of loss of acquired skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pecora
- Pediatric Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Sortino
- Pediatric Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Viviana Brafa Musicoro
- Pediatric Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giulia Salomone
- Pediatric Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Pizzo
- Pediatric Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Costanza
- Pediatric Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Raffaele Falsaperla
- Unit of Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency, University Hospital “Policlinico Rodolico-San Marco,” Catania, Italy
- Unit of Neonatal Intensive Care and Neonatology, University Hospital “Policlinico Rodolico-San Marco,” Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Zanghì
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technology “G.F. Ingrassia,” University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea D. Praticò
- Unit of Rare Diseases of the Nervous System in Childhood, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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36
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D'Mello SR. MECP2 and the Biology of MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. J Neurochem 2021; 159:29-60. [PMID: 33638179 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS), a rare X-linked genomic disorder affecting predominantly males, is caused by duplication of the chromosomal region containing the methyl CpG binding protein-2 (MECP2) gene, which encodes methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2), a multi-functional protein required for proper brain development and maintenance of brain function during adulthood. Disease symptoms include severe motor and cognitive impairment, delayed or absent speech development, autistic features, seizures, ataxia, recurrent respiratory infections and shortened lifespan. The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which a relatively modest increase in MECP2 protein causes such severe disease symptoms are poorly understood and consequently there are no treatments available for this fatal disorder. This review summarizes what is known to date about the structure and complex regulation of MECP2 and its many functions in the developing and adult brain. Additionally, recent experimental findings on the cellular and molecular underpinnings of MDS based on cell culture and mouse models of the disorder are reviewed. The emerging picture from these studies is that MDS is a neurodegenerative disorder in which neurons die in specific parts of the central nervous system, including the cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and spinal cord. Neuronal death likely results from astrocytic dysfunction, including a breakdown of glutamate homeostatic mechanisms. The role of elevations in the expression of glial acidic fibrillary protein (GFAP) in astrocytes and the microtubule-associated protein, Tau, in neurons to the pathogenesis of MDS is discussed. Lastly, potential therapeutic strategies to potentially treat MDS are discussed.
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Vaisfeld A, Spartano S, Gobbi G, Vezzani A, Neri G. Chromosome 14 deletions, rings, and epilepsy genes: A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Epilepsia 2020; 62:25-40. [PMID: 33205446 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The ring 14 syndrome is a rare condition caused by the rearrangement of one chromosome 14 into a ring-like structure. The formation of the ring requires two breakpoints and loss of material from the short and long arms of the chromosome. Like many other chromosome syndromes, it is characterized by multiple congenital anomalies and developmental delays. Typical of the condition are retinal anomalies and drug-resistant epilepsy. These latter manifestations are not found in individuals who are carriers of comparable 14q deletions without formation of a ring (linear deletions). To find an explanation for this apparent discrepancy and gain insight into the mechanisms leading to seizures, we reviewed and compared literature cases of both ring and linear deletion syndrome with respect to both their clinical manifestations and the role and function of potentially epileptogenic genes. Knowledge of the epilepsy-related genes in chromosome 14 is an important premise for the search of new and effective drugs to combat seizures. Current clinical and molecular evidence is not sufficient to explain the known discrepancies between ring and linear deletions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Vaisfeld
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Spartano
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gobbi
- Residential Center for Rehabilitation Luce Sul Mare, Rimini, Italy
| | - Annamaria Vezzani
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Neri
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.,J.C. Self Research Institute, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC, USA
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38
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Baldassari S, Musante I, Iacomino M, Zara F, Salpietro V, Scudieri P. Brain Organoids as Model Systems for Genetic Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:590119. [PMID: 33154971 PMCID: PMC7586734 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.590119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a group of disorders in which the development of the central nervous system (CNS) is disturbed, resulting in different neurological and neuropsychiatric features, such as impaired motor function, learning, language or non-verbal communication. Frequent comorbidities include epilepsy and movement disorders. Advances in DNA sequencing technologies revealed identifiable genetic causes in an increasingly large proportion of NDDs, highlighting the need of experimental approaches to investigate the defective genes and the molecular pathways implicated in abnormal brain development. However, targeted approaches to investigate specific molecular defects and their implications in human brain dysfunction are prevented by limited access to patient-derived brain tissues. In this context, advances of both stem cell technologies and genome editing strategies during the last decade led to the generation of three-dimensional (3D) in vitro-models of cerebral organoids, holding the potential to recapitulate precise stages of human brain development with the aim of personalized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Recent progresses allowed to generate 3D-structures of both neuronal and non-neuronal cell types and develop either whole-brain or region-specific cerebral organoids in order to investigate in vitro key brain developmental processes, such as neuronal cell morphogenesis, migration and connectivity. In this review, we summarized emerging methodological approaches in the field of brain organoid technologies and their application to dissect disease mechanisms underlying an array of pediatric brain developmental disorders, with a particular focus on autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and epileptic encephalopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Baldassari
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCSS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Musante
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCSS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCSS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCSS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCSS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Scudieri
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCSS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Fair SR, Julian D, Hartlaub AM, Pusuluri ST, Malik G, Summerfied TL, Zhao G, Hester AB, Ackerman WE, Hollingsworth EW, Ali M, McElroy CA, Buhimschi IA, Imitola J, Maitre NL, Bedrosian TA, Hester ME. Electrophysiological Maturation of Cerebral Organoids Correlates with Dynamic Morphological and Cellular Development. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 15:855-868. [PMID: 32976764 PMCID: PMC7562943 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral organoids (COs) are rapidly accelerating the rate of translational neuroscience based on their potential to model complex features of the developing human brain. Several studies have examined the electrophysiological and neural network features of COs; however, no study has comprehensively investigated the developmental trajectory of electrophysiological properties in whole-brain COs and correlated these properties with developmentally linked morphological and cellular features. Here, we profiled the neuroelectrical activities of COs over the span of 5 months with a multi-electrode array platform and observed the emergence and maturation of several electrophysiologic properties, including rapid firing rates and network bursting events. To complement these analyses, we characterized the complex molecular and cellular development that gives rise to these mature neuroelectrical properties with immunohistochemical and single-cell transcriptomic analyses. This integrated approach highlights the value of COs as an emerging model system of human brain development and neurological disease. CO electrophysiology can be quantified with a multi-electrode array method CO electrophysiological trajectories correlate with molecular and cellular development The neurotrophin/TRK signaling pathway is active in COs by 5 months in culture
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Affiliation(s)
- Summer R Fair
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 575 Children's Crossroad, Columbus, OH 43205-2716, USA
| | - Dominic Julian
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 575 Children's Crossroad, Columbus, OH 43205-2716, USA
| | - Annalisa M Hartlaub
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sai Teja Pusuluri
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Girik Malik
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Khoury College of Computer Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Taryn L Summerfied
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Guomao Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Arelis B Hester
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 575 Children's Crossroad, Columbus, OH 43205-2716, USA
| | - William E Ackerman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ethan W Hollingsworth
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 575 Children's Crossroad, Columbus, OH 43205-2716, USA
| | - Mehboob Ali
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Craig A McElroy
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Irina A Buhimschi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Jaime Imitola
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory for Neural Stem Cells and Functional Neurogenetics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Nathalie L Maitre
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tracy A Bedrosian
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 575 Children's Crossroad, Columbus, OH 43205-2716, USA
| | - Mark E Hester
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 575 Children's Crossroad, Columbus, OH 43205-2716, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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