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Xiong Y, Pi W, Zhao W, Shi W, Yan W, Yang H, Zhou Y, Li Q, Yang L. Roles of cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons as potential neural stem cells in the repair and regeneration of spinal cord injuries. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1426395. [PMID: 38983786 PMCID: PMC11231923 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1426395] [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: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons (CSF-cNs) represent a distinct group of interneurons characterized by their prominent apical globular protrusions penetrating the spinal cord's central canal and their basal axons extending towards adjacent cells. Identified nearly a century back, the specific roles and attributes of CSF-cNs have just started to emerge due to the historical lack of definitive markers. Recent findings have confirmed that CSF-cNs expressing PKD2L1 possess attributes of neural stem cells, suggesting a critical function in the regeneration processes following spinal cord injuries. This review aims to elucidate the molecular markers of CSF-cNs as potential neural stem cells during spinal cord development and assess their roles post-spinal cord injury, with an emphasis on their potential therapeutic implications for spinal cord repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxiang Xiong
- Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Wenjun Pi
- Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Wang Zhao
- Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Weiwei Shi
- Department of Medical Examination Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Weihong Yan
- Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Hao Yang
- Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yuanrong Zhou
- Department of Health, The Qinglong County People’s Hospital, Qinglong, Guizhou, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Leiluo Yang
- Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
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England SJ, Campbell PC, Banerjee S, Bates RL, Grieb G, Fancher WF, Lewis KE. Transcriptional regulators with broad expression in the zebrafish spinal cord. Dev Dyn 2024. [PMID: 38850245 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The spinal cord is a crucial part of the vertebrate CNS, controlling movements and receiving and processing sensory information from the trunk and limbs. However, there is much we do not know about how this essential organ develops. Here, we describe expression of 21 transcription factors and one transcriptional regulator in zebrafish spinal cord. RESULTS We analyzed the expression of aurkb, foxb1a, foxb1b, her8a, homeza, ivns1abpb, mybl2b, myt1a, nr2f1b, onecut1, sall1a, sall3a, sall3b, sall4, sox2, sox19b, sp8b, tsc22d1, wdhd1, zfhx3b, znf804a, and znf1032 in wild-type and MIB E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 zebrafish embryos. While all of these genes are broadly expressed in spinal cord, they have distinct expression patterns from one another. Some are predominantly expressed in progenitor domains, and others in subsets of post-mitotic cells. Given the conservation of spinal cord development, and the transcription factors and transcriptional regulators that orchestrate it, we expect that these genes will have similar spinal cord expression patterns in other vertebrates, including mammals and humans. CONCLUSIONS Our data identify 22 different transcriptional regulators that are strong candidates for playing different roles in spinal cord development. For several of these genes, this is the first published description of their spinal cord expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul C Campbell
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Santanu Banerjee
- Biological Sciences Department, SUNY-Cortland, Cortland, New York, USA
| | - Richard L Bates
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Ginny Grieb
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
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England SJ, Campbell PC, Banerjee S, Bates RL, Grieb G, Fancher WF, Lewis KE. Transcriptional Regulators with Broad Expression in the Zebrafish Spinal Cord. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.14.580357. [PMID: 38405913 PMCID: PMC10888778 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.14.580357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Background The spinal cord is a crucial part of the vertebrate CNS, controlling movements and receiving and processing sensory information from the trunk and limbs. However, there is much we do not know about how this essential organ develops. Here, we describe expression of 21 transcription factors and one transcriptional regulator in zebrafish spinal cord. Results We analyzed the expression of aurkb, foxb1a, foxb1b, her8a, homeza, ivns1abpb, mybl2b, myt1a, nr2f1b, onecut1, sall1a, sall3a, sall3b, sall4, sox2, sox19b, sp8b, tsc22d1, wdhd1, zfhx3b, znf804a, and znf1032 in wild-type and MIB E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 zebrafish embryos. While all of these genes are broadly expressed in spinal cord, they have distinct expression patterns from one another. Some are predominantly expressed in progenitor domains, and others in subsets of post-mitotic cells. Given the conservation of spinal cord development, and the transcription factors and transcriptional regulators that orchestrate it, we expect that these genes will have similar spinal cord expression patterns in other vertebrates, including mammals and humans. Conclusions Our data identify 22 different transcriptional regulators that are strong candidates for playing different roles in spinal cord development. For several of these genes, this is the first published description of their spinal cord expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J. England
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Paul C. Campbell
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Santanu Banerjee
- Biological Sciences Department, SUNY-Cortland, Cortland, NY 13045, USA
| | - Richard L. Bates
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Ginny Grieb
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - William F. Fancher
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Katharine E. Lewis
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
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Cucun G, Köhler M, Pfitsch S, Rastegar S. Insights into the mechanisms of neuron generation and specification in the zebrafish ventral spinal cord. FEBS J 2024; 291:646-662. [PMID: 37498183 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16913] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
The vertebrate nervous system is composed of a wide range of neurons and complex synaptic connections, raising the intriguing question of how neuronal diversity is generated. The spinal cord provides an excellent model for exploring the mechanisms governing neuronal diversity due to its simple neural network and the conserved molecular processes involved in neuron formation and specification during evolution. This review specifically examines two distinct progenitor domains present in the zebrafish ventral spinal cord: the lateral floor plate (LFP) and the p2 progenitor domain. The LFP is responsible for the production of GABAergic Kolmer-Agduhr neurons (KA″), glutamatergic V3 neurons, and intraspinal serotonergic neurons, while the p2 domain generates V2 precursors that subsequently differentiate into three unique subpopulations of V2 neurons, namely glutamatergic V2a, GABAergic V2b, and glycinergic V2s. Based on recent findings, we will examine the fundamental signaling pathways and transcription factors that play a key role in the specification of these diverse neurons and neuronal subtypes derived from the LFP and p2 progenitor domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gokhan Cucun
- Institute for Biological and Chemical Systems - Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Melina Köhler
- Institute for Biological and Chemical Systems - Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Pfitsch
- Institute for Biological and Chemical Systems - Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Sepand Rastegar
- Institute for Biological and Chemical Systems - Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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England SJ, Rusnock AK, Mujcic A, Kowalchuk A, de Jager S, Hilinski WC, Juárez-Morales JL, Smith ME, Grieb G, Banerjee S, Lewis KE. Molecular analyses of zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons and identification of transcriptional regulators downstream of Evx1 and Evx2 in these cells. Neural Dev 2023; 18:8. [PMID: 38017520 PMCID: PMC10683209 DOI: 10.1186/s13064-023-00176-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND V0v spinal interneurons are highly conserved, glutamatergic, commissural neurons that function in locomotor circuits. We have previously shown that Evx1 and Evx2 are required to specify the neurotransmitter phenotype of these cells. However, we still know very little about the gene regulatory networks that act downstream of these transcription factors in V0v cells. METHODS To identify candidate members of V0v gene regulatory networks, we FAC-sorted wild-type and evx1;evx2 double mutant zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons and expression-profiled them using microarrays and single cell RNA-seq. We also used in situ hybridization to compare expression of a subset of candidate genes in evx1;evx2 double mutants and wild-type siblings. RESULTS Our data reveal two molecularly distinct subtypes of zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons at 48 h and suggest that, by this stage of development, evx1;evx2 double mutant cells transfate into either inhibitory spinal interneurons, or motoneurons. Our results also identify 25 transcriptional regulator genes that require Evx1/2 for their expression in V0v interneurons, plus a further 11 transcriptional regulator genes that are repressed in V0v interneurons by Evx1/2. Two of the latter genes are hmx2 and hmx3a. Intriguingly, we show that Hmx2/3a, repress dI2 interneuron expression of skor1a and nefma, two genes that require Evx1/2 for their expression in V0v interneurons. This suggests that Evx1/2 might regulate skor1a and nefma expression in V0v interneurons by repressing Hmx2/3a expression. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies two molecularly distinct subsets of zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons, as well as multiple transcriptional regulators that are strong candidates for acting downstream of Evx1/2 to specify the essential functional characteristics of these cells. Our data further suggest that in the absence of both Evx1 and Evx2, V0v spinal interneurons initially change their neurotransmitter phenotypes from excitatory to inhibitory and then, later, start to express markers of distinct types of inhibitory spinal interneurons, or motoneurons. Taken together, our findings significantly increase our knowledge of V0v and spinal development and move us closer towards the essential goal of identifying the complete gene regulatory networks that specify this crucial cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amra Mujcic
- Biology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | | | - Sarah de Jager
- Physiology, Development and Neuroscience Department, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - José L Juárez-Morales
- Biology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Programa de IxM-CONAHCYT, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | | | - Ginny Grieb
- Biology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Santanu Banerjee
- Biological Sciences Department, SUNY-Cortland, Cortland, NY, USA
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Shin M, Yin HM, Shih YH, Nozaki T, Portman D, Toles B, Kolb A, Luk K, Isogai S, Ishida K, Hanasaka T, Parsons MJ, Wolfe SA, Burns CE, Burns CG, Lawson ND. Generation and application of endogenously floxed alleles for cell-specific knockout in zebrafish. Dev Cell 2023; 58:2614-2626.e7. [PMID: 37633272 PMCID: PMC10840978 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.07.022] [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: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish is amenable to a variety of genetic approaches. However, lack of conditional deletion alleles limits stage- or cell-specific gene knockout. Here, we applied an existing protocol to establish a floxed allele for gata2a but failed to do so due to off-target integration and incomplete knockin. To address these problems, we applied simultaneous co-targeting with Cas12a to insert loxP sites in cis, together with transgenic counterscreening and comprehensive molecular analysis, to identify off-target insertions and confirm targeted knockins. We subsequently used our approach to establish endogenously floxed alleles of foxc1a, rasa1a, and ruvbl1, each in a single generation. We demonstrate the utility of these alleles by verifying Cre-dependent deletion, which yielded expected phenotypes in each case. Finally, we used the floxed gata2a allele to demonstrate an endothelial autonomous requirement in lymphatic valve development. Together, our results provide a framework for routine generation and application of endogenously floxed alleles in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Shin
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Hui-Min Yin
- Division of Basic and Translational Cardiovascular Research, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yu-Huan Shih
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Takayuki Nozaki
- Technical Support Center for Life Science Research, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa, Iwate 028-3694, Japan
| | - Daneal Portman
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Benjamin Toles
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Amy Kolb
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Kevin Luk
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Sumio Isogai
- Department of Medical Education, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa, Iwate 028-3694, Japan
| | - Kinji Ishida
- Technical Support Center for Life Science Research, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa, Iwate 028-3694, Japan
| | - Tomohito Hanasaka
- Technical Support Center for Life Science Research, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa, Iwate 028-3694, Japan
| | - Michael J Parsons
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Scot A Wolfe
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Caroline E Burns
- Division of Basic and Translational Cardiovascular Research, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - C Geoffrey Burns
- Division of Basic and Translational Cardiovascular Research, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nathan D Lawson
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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Wyart C, Carbo-Tano M, Cantaut-Belarif Y, Orts-Del'Immagine A, Böhm UL. Cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons: multimodal cells with diverse roles in the CNS. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:540-556. [PMID: 37558908 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00723-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a complex solution that circulates around the CNS, and whose composition changes as a function of an animal's physiological state. Ciliated neurons that are bathed in the CSF - and thus referred to as CSF-contacting neurons (CSF-cNs) - are unusual polymodal interoceptive neurons. As chemoreceptors, CSF-cNs respond to variations in pH and osmolarity and to bacterial metabolites in the CSF. Their activation during infections of the CNS results in secretion of compounds to enhance host survival. As mechanosensory neurons, CSF-cNs operate together with an extracellular proteinaceous polymer known as the Reissner fibre to detect compression during spinal curvature. Once activated, CSF-cNs inhibit motor neurons, premotor excitatory neurons and command neurons to enhance movement speed and stabilize posture. At longer timescales, CSF-cNs instruct morphogenesis throughout life via the release of neuropeptides that act over long distances on skeletal muscle. Finally, recent evidence suggests that mouse CSF-cNs may act as neural stem cells in the spinal cord, inspiring new paths of investigation for repair after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Wyart
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), INSERM U1127, UMR CNRS 7225 Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
| | - Martin Carbo-Tano
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), INSERM U1127, UMR CNRS 7225 Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Yasmine Cantaut-Belarif
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), INSERM U1127, UMR CNRS 7225 Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | | | - Urs L Böhm
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Song Y, Lee D, Choi J, Lee JW, Hong K. Genome-wide association and replication studies for handedness in a Korean community-based cohort. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3121. [PMID: 37337823 PMCID: PMC10498080 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Handedness is a conspicuous characteristic in human behavior, with a worldwide proportion of approximately 90% of people preferring to use the right hand for many tasks. In the Korean population, the proportion of left-handedness is relatively low at approximately 7%-10%, similar to that in other East-Asian cultures in which the use of the left hand for writing and other public activities has historically been oppressed. METHODS In this study, we conducted two genome-wide association studies (GWASs) between right-handedness and left-handedness, and between right-handedness and ambidexterity using logistic regression analyses using a Korean community-based cohort. We also performed association analyses with previously reported variants and our findings. RESULTS A total of 8806 participants were included for analysis, and the results identified 28 left-handedness-associated and 15 ambidexterity-associated loci; of these, two left-handedness loci (NEIL3 [rs11726465] and SVOPL [rs117495448]) and one ambidexterity locus (PDE8B/WDR41 [rs118077080]) showed near genome-wide significance. Association analyses with previously reported variants replicated ANKS1B (rs7132513) in left-handedness and ANKIB1 (rs2040498) in ambidexterity. CONCLUSION The variants and positional candidate genes identified and replicated in this study were largely associated with brain development, cerebral asymmetry, neurological processes, and neuropsychiatric diseases in line with previous findings. As the first East-Asian GWAS related to handedness, these results may provide an intriguing reference for further human neurologic research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youhyun Song
- Department of Family MedicineGangnam Severance HospitalYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Healthcare Research Team, Health Promotion CenterGangnam Severance HospitalYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Dasom Lee
- Theragen Bio Co. Ltd.Gyeonggi‐doSouth Korea
| | | | - Ji Won Lee
- Department of Family MedicineSeverance HospitalYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Institute for Innovation in Digital HealthcareYonsei UniversitySeoulSouth Korea
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England SJ, Woodard AK, Mujcic A, Kowalchuk A, de Jager S, Hilinski WC, Juárez-Morales JL, Smith ME, Grieb G, Banerjee S, Lewis KE. Molecular Analyses of V0v Spinal Interneurons and Identification of Transcriptional Regulators Downstream of Evx1 and Evx2 in these Cells. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3290462. [PMID: 37693471 PMCID: PMC10491344 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3290462/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Background V0v spinal interneurons are highly conserved, glutamatergic, commissural neurons that function in locomotor circuits. We have previously shown that Evx1 and Evx2 are required to specify the neurotransmitter phenotype of these cells. However, we still know very little about the gene regulatory networks that act downstream of these transcription factors in V0v cells. Methods To identify candidate members of V0v gene regulatory networks, we FAC-sorted WT and evx1;evx2 double mutant zebrafish V0v spinal interneurons and expression-profiled them using microarrays and single cell RNA-seq. We also used in situ hybridization to compare expression of a subset of candidate genes in evx1;evx2 double mutants and wild-type siblings. Results Our data reveal two molecularly distinct subtypes of V0v spinal interneurons at 48 h and suggest that, by this stage of development, evx1;evx2 double mutant cells transfate into either inhibitory spinal interneurons, or motoneurons. Our results also identify 25 transcriptional regulator genes that require Evx1/2 for their expression in V0v interneurons, plus a further 11 transcriptional regulator genes that are repressed in V0v interneurons by Evx1/2. Two of the latter genes are hmx2 and hmx3a. Intriguingly, we show that Hmx2/3a, repress dI2 interneuronal expression of skor1a and nefma, two genes that require Evx1/2 for their expression in V0v interneurons. This suggests that Evx1/2 might regulate skor1a and nefma expression in V0v interneurons by repressing Hmx2/3a expression. Conclusions This study identifies two molecularly distinct subsets of V0v spinal interneurons, as well as multiple transcriptional regulators that are strong candidates for acting downstream of Evx1/2 to specify the essential functional characteristics of these cells. Our data further suggest that in the absence of both Evx1 and Evx2, V0v spinal interneurons initially change their neurotransmitter phenotypes from excitatory to inhibitory and then, later, start to express markers of distinct types of inhibitory spinal interneurons, or motoneurons. Taken together, our findings significantly increase our knowledge of V0v and spinal development and move us closer towards the essential goal of identifying the complete gene regulatory networks that specify this crucial cell type.
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Chen F, Köhler M, Cucun G, Takamiya M, Kizil C, Cosacak MI, Rastegar S. sox1a:eGFP transgenic line and single-cell transcriptomics reveal the origin of zebrafish intraspinal serotonergic neurons. iScience 2023; 26:107342. [PMID: 37529101 PMCID: PMC10387610 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Sox transcription factors are crucial for vertebrate nervous system development. In zebrafish embryo, sox1 genes are expressed in neural progenitor cells and neurons of ventral spinal cord. Our recent study revealed that the loss of sox1a and sox1b function results in a significant decline of V2 subtype neurons (V2s). Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we analyzed the transcriptome of sox1a lineage progenitors and neurons in the zebrafish spinal cord at four time points during embryonic development, employing the Tg(sox1a:eGFP) line. In addition to previously characterized sox1a-expressing neurons, we discovered the expression of sox1a in late-developing intraspinal serotonergic neurons (ISNs). Developmental trajectory analysis suggests that ISNs arise from lateral floor plate (LFP) progenitor cells. Pharmacological inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway revealed its role in negatively regulating LFP progenitor cell differentiation into ISNs. Our findings highlight the zebrafish LFP as a progenitor domain for ISNs, alongside known Kolmer-Agduhr (KA) and V3 interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fushun Chen
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Melina Köhler
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Gokhan Cucun
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Masanari Takamiya
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Caghan Kizil
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Helmholtz Association, Tatzberg 41, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Neurology and the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Mehmet Ilyas Cosacak
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Helmholtz Association, Tatzberg 41, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sepand Rastegar
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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Prendergast AE, Jim KK, Marnas H, Desban L, Quan FB, Djenoune L, Laghi V, Hocquemiller A, Lunsford ET, Roussel J, Keiser L, Lejeune FX, Dhanasekar M, Bardet PL, Levraud JP, van de Beek D, Vandenbroucke-Grauls CMJE, Wyart C. CSF-contacting neurons respond to Streptococcus pneumoniae and promote host survival during central nervous system infection. Curr Biol 2023; 33:940-956.e10. [PMID: 36791723 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenic bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) can invade the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cause meningitis with devastating consequences. Whether and how sensory cells in the central nervous system (CNS) become activated during bacterial infection, as recently reported for the peripheral nervous system, is not known. We find that CSF infection by S. pneumoniae in larval zebrafish leads to changes in posture and behavior that are reminiscent of pneumococcal meningitis, including dorsal arching and epileptic-like seizures. We show that during infection, invasion of the CSF by S. pneumoniae massively activates in vivo sensory neurons contacting the CSF, referred to as "CSF-cNs" and previously shown to detect spinal curvature and to control posture, locomotion, and spine morphogenesis. We find that CSF-cNs express orphan bitter taste receptors and respond in vitro to bacterial supernatant and metabolites via massive calcium transients, similar to the ones observed in vivo during infection. Upon infection, CSF-cNs also upregulate the expression of numerous cytokines and complement components involved in innate immunity. Accordingly, we demonstrate, using cell-specific ablation and blockade of neurotransmission, that CSF-cN neurosecretion enhances survival of the host during S. pneumoniae infection. Finally, we show that CSF-cNs respond to various pathogenic bacteria causing meningitis in humans, as well as to the supernatant of cells infected by a neurotropic virus. Altogether, our work uncovers that central sensory neurons in the spinal cord, previously involved in postural control and morphogenesis, contribute as well to host survival by responding to the invasion of the CSF by pathogenic bacteria during meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Prendergast
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Kin Ki Jim
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hugo Marnas
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Laura Desban
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Feng B Quan
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Lydia Djenoune
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Valerio Laghi
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Macrophages et Développement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Cité, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Agnès Hocquemiller
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Elias T Lunsford
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Julian Roussel
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Keiser
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 18, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francois-Xavier Lejeune
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Mahalakshmi Dhanasekar
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Luc Bardet
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Levraud
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Macrophages et Développement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Cité, 75015 Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91400 Saclay, France
| | - Diederik van de Beek
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christina M J E Vandenbroucke-Grauls
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Claire Wyart
- Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France.
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12
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Wang R, Guo S, Yang L. Tal2 is required for generation of GABAergic neurons in the zebrafish midbrain. Dev Dyn 2023; 252:263-275. [PMID: 36063149 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the zebrafish midbrain, GABAergic neurons develop from precursors located in the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (nMLF). However, the precise mechanisms that underline generation of the nMLF GABAergic neuron are poorly understood. RESULTS GABAergic neurons in the nMLF co-express transcription factors tal2, gata2a, gata3, and nkx1.2lb. The Nodal-related gene and shh signaling are required for differentiation of nMLF GABAergic neuron precursors. Tal2 is important for nMLF GABAergic neurogenesis. Disruption of Tal2, embryos completely lack the GABA-synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 gene (gad67) expressing cells in the nMLF, and the whole nkx1.2lb expressing cells in the midbrain. Although almost all tal2-expressing cells in the diencephalon and/or nMLF are gata2a- and gata3-positive, simultaneous knockdown of gata2a and gata3 does not affect either tal2 or gad67 expression. CONCLUSIONS In the zebrafish midbrain, expression of tal2, gata2a, and/or gata3 is independent of each other. The function of gata2a and gata3 is dispensable for generation of GABAergic neuron in the nMLF. This suggests that the functional connections of the regulatory genes leading to generation of nMLF GABAergic neurons have diverged between mouse and zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shaojuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lixin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
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13
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Qian J, Shen CL, Fang C, Sun J. Oscillating field stimulation promotes neurogenesis of neural stem cells through miR-124/Tal1 axis to repair spinal cord injury in rats. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:895-900. [DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.353505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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14
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Barker CM, Miles KD, Doll CA. Fmrp regulates neuronal balance in embryonic motor circuit formation. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:962901. [PMID: 36408418 PMCID: PMC9669763 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.962901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor behavior requires the balanced production and integration of a variety of neural cell types. Motor neurons are positioned in discrete locations in the spinal cord, targeting specific muscles to drive locomotive contractions. Specialized spinal interneurons modulate and synchronize motor neuron activity to achieve coordinated motor output. Changes in the ratios and connectivity of spinal interneurons could drastically alter motor output by tipping the balance of inhibition and excitation onto target motor neurons. Importantly, individuals with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and associated autism spectrum disorders often have significant motor challenges, including repetitive behaviors and epilepsy. FXS stems from the transcriptional silencing of the gene Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1), which encodes an RNA binding protein that is implicated in a multitude of crucial neurodevelopmental processes, including cell specification. Our work shows that Fmrp regulates the formation of specific interneurons and motor neurons that comprise early embryonic motor circuits. We find that zebrafish fmr1 mutants generate surplus ventral lateral descending (VeLD) interneurons, an early-born cell derived from the motor neuron progenitor domain (pMN). As VeLD interneurons are hypothesized to act as central pattern generators driving the earliest spontaneous movements, this imbalance could influence the formation and long-term function of motor circuits driving locomotion. fmr1 embryos also show reduced expression of proteins associated with inhibitory synapses, including the presynaptic transporter vGAT and the postsynaptic scaffold Gephyrin. Taken together, we show changes in embryonic motor circuit formation in fmr1 mutants that could underlie persistent hyperexcitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chase M. Barker
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Kaleb D. Miles
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
- Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Graduate School, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Caleb A. Doll
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
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15
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Alper SR, Dorsky RI. Unique advantages of zebrafish larvae as a model for spinal cord regeneration. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:983336. [PMID: 36157068 PMCID: PMC9489991 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.983336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The regenerative capacity of the spinal cord in mammals ends at birth. In contrast, teleost fish and amphibians retain this capacity throughout life, leading to the use of the powerful zebrafish model system to identify novel mechanisms that promote spinal cord regeneration. While adult zebrafish offer an effective comparison with non-regenerating mammals, they lack the complete array of experimental approaches that have made this animal model so successful. In contrast, the optical transparency, simple anatomy and complex behavior of zebrafish larvae, combined with the known conservation of pro-regenerative signals and cell types between larval and adult stages, suggest that they may hold even more promise as a system for investigating spinal cord regeneration. In this review, we highlight characteristics and advantages of the larval model that underlie its potential to provide future therapeutic approaches for treating human spinal cord injury.
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16
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Xing L, Chai R, Wang J, Lin J, Li H, Wang Y, Lai B, Sun J, Chen G. Expression of myelin transcription factor 1 and lamin B receptor mediate neural progenitor fate transition in the zebrafish spinal cord pMN domain. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102452. [PMID: 36063998 PMCID: PMC9530849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The pMN domain is a restricted domain in the ventral spinal cord, defined by the expression of the olig2 gene. Though it is known that the pMN progenitor cells can sequentially generate motor neurons and oligodendrocytes, the lineages of these progenitors are controversial and how their progeny are generated is not well understood. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, here, we identified a previously unknown heterogeneity among pMN progenitors with distinct fates and molecular signatures in zebrafish. Notably, we characterized two distinct motor neuron lineages using bioinformatic analysis. We then went on to investigate specific molecular programs that regulate neural progenitor fate transition. We validated experimentally that expression of the transcription factor myt1 (myelin transcription factor 1) and inner nuclear membrane integral proteins lbr (lamin B receptor) were critical for the development of motor neurons and neural progenitor maintenance, respectively. We anticipate that the transcriptome features and molecular programs identified in zebrafish pMN progenitors will not only provide an in-depth understanding of previous findings regarding the lineage analysis of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and motor neurons but will also help in further understanding of the molecular programming involved in neural progenitor fate transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Xing
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong, China,For correspondence: Lingyan Xing; Gang Chen
| | - Rui Chai
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jiaqi Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Hanyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yueqi Wang
- School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Biqin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Junjie Sun
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong, China,Basic Medical Research Center, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China,For correspondence: Lingyan Xing; Gang Chen
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17
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Feng G, Sun Y. The Polycomb group gene rnf2 is essential for central and enteric neural system development in zebrafish. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:960149. [PMID: 36117635 PMCID: PMC9475114 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.960149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of central nervous system (CNS) and enteric nervous system (ENS) is under precise and strict control in vertebrates. Whether and how the Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) is involved in it remain unclear. To investigate the role of PRC1 in the nervous system development, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we have generated mutant zebrafish lines for the rnf2 gene which encodes Ring1b, the enzymatic component of the PRC1 complex. We show that rnf2 loss of function leads to abnormal migration and differentiation of neural crest and neural precursor cells. rnf2 mutant embryos exhibit aganglionosis, in which the hindgut is devoid of neurons. In particular, the formation of 5-HT serotonin neurons and myelinating glial cells is defective. Furthermore, ectopic expression of ENS marker genes is observed in forebrain of rnf2 mutant embryos. These findings suggest that the rnf2 gene plays an important role in the migration and differentiation of neural precursor cells, and its absence leads to abnormal development of ENS and CNS in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Feng
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Gang Feng,
| | - Yuhua Sun
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Yuhua Sun,
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18
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Bello-Rojas S, Bagnall MW. Clonally related, Notch-differentiated spinal neurons integrate into distinct circuits. eLife 2022; 11:83680. [PMID: 36580075 PMCID: PMC9799969 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Shared lineage has diverse effects on patterns of neuronal connectivity. In mammalian cortex, excitatory sister neurons assemble into shared microcircuits. In Drosophila, in contrast, sister neurons with different levels of Notch expression (NotchON/NotchOFF) develop distinct identities and diverge into separate circuits. Notch-differentiated sister neurons have been observed in vertebrate spinal cord and cerebellum, but whether they integrate into shared or distinct circuits remains unknown. Here, we evaluate how sister V2a (NotchOFF)/V2b (NotchON) neurons in the zebrafish integrate into spinal circuits. Using an in vivo labeling approach, we identified pairs of sister V2a/b neurons born from individual Vsx1+ progenitors and observed that they have somata in close proximity to each other and similar axonal trajectories. However, paired whole-cell electrophysiology and optogenetics revealed that sister V2a/b neurons receive input from distinct presynaptic sources, do not communicate with each other, and connect to largely distinct targets. These results resemble the divergent connectivity in Drosophila and represent the first evidence of Notch-differentiated circuit integration in a vertebrate system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saul Bello-Rojas
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Martha W Bagnall
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. LouisSt. LouisUnited States
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19
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Shin M, Lawson ND. Back and forth: History of and new insights on the vertebrate lymphatic valve. Dev Growth Differ 2021; 63:523-535. [PMID: 34716915 PMCID: PMC9299638 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Lymphatic valves develop from pre‐existing endothelial cells through a step‐wise process involving complex changes in cell shape and orientation, along with extracellular matrix interactions, to form two intraluminal leaflets. Once formed, valves prevent back‐flow within the lymphatic system to ensure drainage of interstitial fluid back into the circulatory system, thereby serving a critical role in maintaining fluid homeostasis. Despite the extensive anatomical characterization of lymphatic systems across numerous genus and species dating back several hundred years, valves were largely thought to be phylogenetically restricted to mammals. Accordingly, most insights into molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in lymphatic valve development have derived from mouse knockouts, as well as rare diseases in humans. However, we have recently used a combination of imaging and genetic analysis in the zebrafish to demonstrate that valves are a conserved feature of the teleost lymphatic system. Here, we provide a historical overview of comparative lymphatic valve anatomy together with recent efforts to define molecular pathways that contribute to lymphatic valve morphogenesis. Finally, we integrate our findings in zebrafish with previous work and highlight the benefits that this model provides for investigating lymphatic valve development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Shin
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nathan D Lawson
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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20
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Russ DE, Cross RBP, Li L, Koch SC, Matson KJE, Yadav A, Alkaslasi MR, Lee DI, Le Pichon CE, Menon V, Levine AJ. A harmonized atlas of mouse spinal cord cell types and their spatial organization. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5722. [PMID: 34588430 PMCID: PMC8481483 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25125-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing data can unveil the molecular diversity of cell types. Cell type atlases of the mouse spinal cord have been published in recent years but have not been integrated together. Here, we generate an atlas of spinal cell types based on single-cell transcriptomic data, unifying the available datasets into a common reference framework. We report a hierarchical structure of postnatal cell type relationships, with location providing the highest level of organization, then neurotransmitter status, family, and finally, dozens of refined populations. We validate a combinatorial marker code for each neuronal cell type and map their spatial distributions in the adult spinal cord. We also show complex lineage relationships among postnatal cell types. Additionally, we develop an open-source cell type classifier, SeqSeek, to facilitate the standardization of cell type identification. This work provides an integrated view of spinal cell types, their gene expression signatures, and their molecular organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Russ
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Data Science Research Group, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Ryan B Patterson Cross
- Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Li Li
- Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie C Koch
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kaya J E Matson
- Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Archana Yadav
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mor R Alkaslasi
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Dylan I Lee
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Claire E Le Pichon
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Vilas Menon
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ariel J Levine
- Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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21
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Kempf J, Knelles K, Hersbach BA, Petrik D, Riedemann T, Bednarova V, Janjic A, Simon-Ebert T, Enard W, Smialowski P, Götz M, Masserdotti G. Heterogeneity of neurons reprogrammed from spinal cord astrocytes by the proneural factors Ascl1 and Neurogenin2. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109409. [PMID: 34289357 PMCID: PMC8316252 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are a viable source for generating new neurons via direct conversion. However, little is known about the neurogenic cascades triggered in astrocytes from different regions of the CNS. Here, we examine the transcriptome induced by the proneural factors Ascl1 and Neurog2 in spinal cord-derived astrocytes in vitro. Each factor initially elicits different neurogenic programs that later converge to a V2 interneuron-like state. Intriguingly, patch sequencing (patch-seq) shows no overall correlation between functional properties and the transcriptome of the heterogenous induced neurons, except for K-channels. For example, some neurons with fully mature electrophysiological properties still express astrocyte genes, thus calling for careful molecular and functional analysis. Comparing the transcriptomes of spinal cord- and cerebral-cortex-derived astrocytes reveals profound differences, including developmental patterning cues maintained in vitro. These relate to the distinct neuronal identity elicited by Ascl1 and Neurog2 reflecting their developmental functions in subtype specification of the respective CNS region.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kempf
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - K Knelles
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - B A Hersbach
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany; Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - D Petrik
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany; School of Biosciences, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Cardiff University, CF10 3AX Cardiff, UK
| | - T Riedemann
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - V Bednarova
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - A Janjic
- Anthropology and Human Genomics, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - T Simon-Ebert
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - W Enard
- Biomedical Center Munich, Bioinformatic Core Facility, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - P Smialowski
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany; School of Biosciences, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Cardiff University, CF10 3AX Cardiff, UK
| | - M Götz
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany; Excellence Cluster of Systems Neurology (SYNERGY), Munich, Germany.
| | - G Masserdotti
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany.
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22
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Vasudevan D, Liu YC, Barrios JP, Wheeler MK, Douglass AD, Dorsky RI. Regenerated interneurons integrate into locomotor circuitry following spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2021; 342:113737. [PMID: 33957107 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Whereas humans and other adult mammals lack the ability to regain locomotor function after spinal cord injury, zebrafish are able to recover swimming behavior even after complete spinal cord transection. We have previously shown that zebrafish larvae regenerate lost spinal cord neurons within 9 days post-injury (dpi), but it is unknown whether these neurons are physiologically active or integrate into functional circuitry. Here we show that genetically defined premotor interneurons are regenerated in injured spinal cord segments as functional recovery begins. Further, we show that these newly-generated interneurons receive excitatory input and fire synchronously with motor output by 9 dpi. Taken together, our data indicate that regenerative neurogenesis in the zebrafish spinal cord produces interneurons with the ability to integrate into existing locomotor circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deeptha Vasudevan
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Yen-Chyi Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Joshua P Barrios
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Maya K Wheeler
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Adam D Douglass
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Richard I Dorsky
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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23
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Yang L, Wang F, Strähle U. The Genetic Programs Specifying Kolmer-Agduhr Interneurons. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:577879. [PMID: 33162880 PMCID: PMC7581942 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.577879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Kolmer-Agduhr (KA) cells are a subgroup of interneurons positioned adjacent to the neurocoele with cilia on the apical surface protruding into the central canal of the spinal cord. Although KA cells were identified almost a century ago, their development and functions are only beginning to be unfolded. Recent studies have revealed the characteristics of KA cells in greater detail, including their spatial distribution, the timing of their differentiation, and their specification via extrinsic signaling and a unique combination of transcription factors in zebrafish and mouse. Cell lineage-tracing experiments have demonstrated that two subsets of KA cells, named KA' and KA" cells, differentiate from motoneuronal progenitors and floor-plate precursors, respectively, in both zebrafish and mouse. Although KA' and KA" cells originate from different progenitors/precursors, they each share a common set of transcription factors. Intriguingly, the combination of transcription factors that promote the acquisition of KA' cell characteristics differs from those that promote a KA" cell identity. In addition, KA' and KA" cells exhibit separable neuronal targets and differential responses to bending of the spinal cord. In this review, we summarize what is currently known about the genetic programs defining the identities of KA' and KA" cell identities. We then discuss how these two subgroups of KA cells are genetically specified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China.,Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Uwe Strähle
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems - Biological Information Processing, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
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24
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Mizoguchi T, Fukada M, Iihama M, Song X, Fukagawa S, Kuwabara S, Omaru S, Higashijima SI, Itoh M. Transient activation of the Notch-her15.1 axis plays an important role in the maturation of V2b interneurons. Development 2020; 147:147/16/dev191312. [PMID: 32855202 DOI: 10.1242/dev.191312] [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: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the vertebrate ventral spinal cord, p2 progenitors give rise to two interneuron subtypes: excitatory V2a interneurons and inhibitory V2b interneurons. In the differentiation of V2a and V2b cells, Notch signaling promotes V2b fate at the expense of V2a fate. Later, V2b cells extend axons along the ipsilateral side of the spinal cord and express the inhibitory transmitter GABA. Notch signaling has been reported to inhibit the axonal outgrowth of mature neurons of the central nervous system; however, it remains unknown how Notch signaling modulates V2b neurite outgrowth and maturation into GABAergic neurons. Here, we have investigated neuron-specific Notch functions regarding V2b axon growth and maturation into zebrafish GABAergic neurons. We found that continuous neuron-specific Notch activation enhanced V2b fate determination but inhibited V2b axonal outgrowth and maturation into GABAergic neurons. These results suggest that Notch signaling activation is required for V2b fate determination, whereas its downregulation at a later stage is essential for V2b maturation. Accordingly, we found that a Notch signaling downstream gene, her15.1, showed biased expression in V2 linage cells and downregulated expression during the maturation of V2b cells, and continuous expression of her15.1 repressed V2b axogenesis. Our data suggest that spatiotemporal control of Notch signaling activity is required for V2b fate determination, maturation and axogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takamasa Mizoguchi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Michi Fukada
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Miku Iihama
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Xuehui Song
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Shun Fukagawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Shuhei Kuwabara
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Shuhei Omaru
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Higashijima
- National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan.,Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Itoh
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
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25
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mRNA Profiling for miR-124-mediated Repair in Spinal Cord Injury. Neuroscience 2020; 438:158-168. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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26
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Zygotic Vsx1 Plays a Key Role in Defining V2a Interneuron Sub-Lineage by Directly Repressing tal1 Transcription in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103600. [PMID: 32443726 PMCID: PMC7279403 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In the spinal cord, excitatory V2a and inhibitory V2b interneurons are produced together by the final division of common P2 progenitors. During V2a and V2b diversification, Tal1 is necessary and sufficient to promote V2b differentiation and Vsx2 suppresses the expression of motor neuron genes to consolidate V2a interneuron identity. The expression program of Tal1 is triggered by a Foxn4-driven regulatory network in the common P2 progenitors. Why the expression of Tal1 is inhibited in V2a interneurons at the onset of V2a and V2b sub-lineage diversification remains unclear. Since transcription repressor Vsx1 is expressed in the P2 progenitors and newborn V2a cells in zebrafish, we investigated the role of Vsx1 in V2a fate specification during V2a and V2b interneuron diversification in this species by loss and gain-of-function experiments. In vsx1 knockdown embryos or knockout Go chimeric embryos, tal1 was ectopically expressed in the presumptive V2a cells, while the generation of V2a interneurons was significantly suppressed. By contrast, in vsx1 overexpression embryos, normal expression of tal1 in the presumptive V2b cells was suppressed, while the generation of V2a interneuron was expanded. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assays in combination with core consensus sequence mutation analysis further revealed that Vsx1 can directly bind to tal1 promoter and repress tal1 transcription. These results indicate that Vsx1 can directly repress tal1 transcription and plays an essential role in defining V2a interneuron sub-lineage during V2a and V2b sub-lineage diversification in zebrafish.
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27
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Tonelli Gombalová Z, Košuth J, Alexovič Matiašová A, Zrubáková J, Žežula I, Giallongo T, Di Giulio AM, Carelli S, Tomašková L, Daxnerová Z, Ševc J. Majority of cerebrospinal fluid‐contacting neurons in the spinal cord of
C57Bl/6N
mice is present in ectopic position unlike in other studied experimental mice strains and mammalian species. J Comp Neurol 2020; 528:2523-2550. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.24909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Tonelli Gombalová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of ScienceP.J. Šafárik University in Košice Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Ján Košuth
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of ScienceP.J. Šafárik University in Košice Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Anna Alexovič Matiašová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of ScienceP.J. Šafárik University in Košice Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Jarmila Zrubáková
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of ScienceP.J. Šafárik University in Košice Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Ivan Žežula
- Institute of Mathematics, Faculty of ScienceP.J. Šafárik University in Košice Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Toniella Giallongo
- Laboratories of Pharmacology, Department of Health SciencesUniversity of Milan Milan Italy
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Fondazione Romeo e Enrica Invernizzi", L. Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical ScienceUniversity of Milan Milan Italy
| | - Anna Maria Di Giulio
- Laboratories of Pharmacology, Department of Health SciencesUniversity of Milan Milan Italy
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Fondazione Romeo e Enrica Invernizzi", L. Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical ScienceUniversity of Milan Milan Italy
| | - Stephana Carelli
- Laboratories of Pharmacology, Department of Health SciencesUniversity of Milan Milan Italy
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Fondazione Romeo e Enrica Invernizzi", L. Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical ScienceUniversity of Milan Milan Italy
| | - Lenka Tomašková
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of ScienceP.J. Šafárik University in Košice Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Zuzana Daxnerová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of ScienceP.J. Šafárik University in Košice Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Juraj Ševc
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of ScienceP.J. Šafárik University in Košice Košice Slovak Republic
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28
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Tambalo M, Mitter R, Wilkinson DG. A single cell transcriptome atlas of the developing zebrafish hindbrain. Development 2020; 147:dev184143. [PMID: 32094115 PMCID: PMC7097387 DOI: 10.1242/dev.184143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Segmentation of the vertebrate hindbrain leads to the formation of rhombomeres, each with a distinct anteroposterior identity. Specialised boundary cells form at segment borders that act as a source or regulator of neuronal differentiation. In zebrafish, there is spatial patterning of neurogenesis in which non-neurogenic zones form at boundaries and segment centres, in part mediated by Fgf20 signalling. To further understand the control of neurogenesis, we have carried out single cell RNA sequencing of the zebrafish hindbrain at three different stages of patterning. Analyses of the data reveal known and novel markers of distinct hindbrain segments, of cell types along the dorsoventral axis, and of the transition of progenitors to neuronal differentiation. We find major shifts in the transcriptome of progenitors and of differentiating cells between the different stages analysed. Supervised clustering with markers of boundary cells and segment centres, together with RNA-seq analysis of Fgf-regulated genes, has revealed new candidate regulators of cell differentiation in the hindbrain. These data provide a valuable resource for functional investigations of the patterning of neurogenesis and the transition of progenitors to neuronal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Tambalo
- Neural Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Richard Mitter
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - David G Wilkinson
- Neural Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
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29
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A GABAergic Maf-expressing interneuron subset regulates the speed of locomotion in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4796. [PMID: 31641138 PMCID: PMC6805931 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12693-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Interneurons (INs) coordinate motoneuron activity to generate appropriate patterns of muscle contractions, providing animals with the ability to adjust their body posture and to move over a range of speeds. In Drosophila larvae several IN subtypes have been morphologically described and their function well documented. However, the general lack of molecular characterization of those INs prevents the identification of evolutionary counterparts in other animals, limiting our understanding of the principles underlying neuronal circuit organization and function. Here we characterize a restricted subset of neurons in the nerve cord expressing the Maf transcription factor Traffic Jam (TJ). We found that TJ+ neurons are highly diverse and selective activation of these different subtypes disrupts larval body posture and induces specific locomotor behaviors. Finally, we show that a small subset of TJ+ GABAergic INs, singled out by the expression of a unique transcription factors code, controls larval crawling speed. Spinal interneurons (IN) coordinate motoneuron activity to modulate locomotion behavior. Here, the authors characterize a subset of IN subtypes expressing the Maf transcription factor Traffic Jam (TJ) and report the distinct effects of their activation on body posture and locomotion in Drosophila larvae.
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30
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Di Bella DJ, Carcagno AL, Bartolomeu ML, Pardi MB, Löhr H, Siegel N, Hammerschmidt M, Marín-Burgin A, Lanuza GM. Ascl1 Balances Neuronal versus Ependymal Fate in the Spinal Cord Central Canal. Cell Rep 2019; 28:2264-2274.e3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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31
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Callahan RA, Roberts R, Sengupta M, Kimura Y, Higashijima SI, Bagnall MW. Spinal V2b neurons reveal a role for ipsilateral inhibition in speed control. eLife 2019; 8:47837. [PMID: 31355747 PMCID: PMC6701946 DOI: 10.7554/elife.47837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The spinal cord contains a diverse array of interneurons that govern motor output. Traditionally, models of spinal circuits have emphasized the role of inhibition in enforcing reciprocal alternation between left and right sides or flexors and extensors. However, recent work has shown that inhibition also increases coincident with excitation during contraction. Here, using larval zebrafish, we investigate the V2b (Gata3+) class of neurons, which contribute to flexor-extensor alternation but are otherwise poorly understood. Using newly generated transgenic lines we define two stable subclasses with distinct neurotransmitter and morphological properties. These V2b subclasses synapse directly onto motor neurons with differential targeting to speed-specific circuits. In vivo, optogenetic manipulation of V2b activity modulates locomotor frequency: suppressing V2b neurons elicits faster locomotion, whereas activating V2b neurons slows locomotion. We conclude that V2b neurons serve as a brake on axial motor circuits. Together, these results indicate a role for ipsilateral inhibition in speed control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Callahan
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, United States
| | - Richard Roberts
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, United States
| | - Mohini Sengupta
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, United States
| | - Yukiko Kimura
- National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | | | - Martha W Bagnall
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, United States
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32
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Marass M, Beisaw A, Gerri C, Luzzani F, Fukuda N, Günther S, Kuenne C, Reischauer S, Stainier DYR. Genome-wide strategies reveal target genes of Npas4l associated with vascular development in zebrafish. Development 2019; 146:dev.173427. [PMID: 31097478 DOI: 10.1242/dev.173427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The development of a vascular network is essential to nourish tissues and sustain organ function throughout life. Endothelial cells (ECs) are the building blocks of blood vessels, yet our understanding of EC specification remains incomplete. Zebrafish cloche/npas4l mutants have been used broadly as an avascular model, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms of action of the Npas4l transcription factor. Here, to identify its direct and indirect target genes, we have combined complementary genome-wide approaches, including transcriptome analyses and chromatin immunoprecipitation. The cross-analysis of these datasets indicates that Npas4l functions as a master regulator by directly inducing a group of transcription factor genes that are crucial for hematoendothelial specification, such as etv2, tal1 and lmo2 We also identified new targets of Npas4l and investigated the function of a subset of them using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Phenotypic characterization of tspan18b mutants reveals a novel player in developmental angiogenesis, confirming the reliability of the datasets generated. Collectively, these data represent a useful resource for future studies aimed to better understand EC fate determination and vascular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Marass
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Arica Beisaw
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Claudia Gerri
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Francesca Luzzani
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Nana Fukuda
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- ECCPS Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Carsten Kuenne
- ECCPS Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Sven Reischauer
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Didier Y R Stainier
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
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33
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Gerber V, Yang L, Takamiya M, Ribes V, Gourain V, Peravali R, Stegmaier J, Mikut R, Reischl M, Ferg M, Rastegar S, Strähle U. The HMG box transcription factors Sox1a and b specify a new class of glycinergic interneurons in the spinal cord of zebrafish embryos. Development 2019; 146:dev.172510. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.172510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Specification of neurons in the spinal cord relies on extrinsic and intrinsic signals, which in turn are interpreted by expression of transcription factors. V2 interneurons develop from the ventral aspects of the spinal cord. We report here a novel neuronal V2 subtype, named V2s, in zebrafish embryos. Formation of these neurons depends on the transcription factors sox1a and sox1b. They develop from common gata2a/gata3 dependent precursors co-expressing markers of V2b and V2s interneurons. Chemical blockage of Notch signaling causes a decrease of V2s and an increase of V2b cells. Our results are consistent with the existence of at least two types of precursors arranged in a hierarchical manner in the V2 domain. V2s neurons grow long ipsilateral descending axonal projections with a short branch at the ventral midline. They acquire a glycinergic neurotransmitter type during the second day of development. Unilateral ablation of V2s interneurons causes a delay in touch-provoked escape behavior suggesting that V2s interneurons are involved in fast motor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Gerber
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Lixin Yang
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Masanari Takamiya
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Vanessa Ribes
- Institute Jacques Monod, CNRS UMR7592, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75205 Paris Cedex, France
| | - Victor Gourain
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ravindra Peravali
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Johannes Stegmaier
- Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Imaging & Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf Mikut
- Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Markus Reischl
- Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Marco Ferg
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Sepand Rastegar
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Uwe Strähle
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
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