1
|
Gallo MT, Dolci B, Fumagalli F, Brivio P, Calabrese F. Prenatal Fluoxetine Exposure Influences Glucocorticoid Receptor-Mediated Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex of Adolescent Rats Exposed to Acute Stress. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1560-1569. [PMID: 38507566 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00856] [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] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Any deviation from the programmed processes of brain development may modify its formation and functions, thereby precipitating pathological conditions, which often become manifest in adulthood. Exposure to a challenge during crucial periods of vulnerability, such as adolescence, may reveal molecular changes preceding behavioral outcomes. Based on a previous study showing that prenatal fluoxetine (FLX) leads to the development of an anhedonic-like behavior in adult rats, we aimed to assess whether the same treatment regimen (i.e., fluoxetine during gestation; 15 mg/kg/day) influences the ability to respond to acute restraint stress (ARS) during adolescence. We subjected the rats to a battery of behavioral tests evaluating the development of various phenotypes (cognitive deficit, anhedonia, and anxiety). Furthermore, we carried out molecular analyses in the plasma and prefrontal cortex, a brain region involved in stress response, and whose functions are commonly altered in neuropsychiatric conditions. Our findings confirm that prenatal manipulation did not affect behavior in adolescent rats but impaired the capability to respond properly to ARS. Indeed, we observed changes in several molecular key players of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, particularly influencing genomic effects mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor. This study highlights that prenatal FLX exposure influences the ability of adolescent male rats to respond to an acute challenge, thereby altering the functionality of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and indicates that the prenatal manipulation may prime the response to challenging events during this critical period of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Gallo
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Beatrice Dolci
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Paola Brivio
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Francesca Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sakurai K. Rethinking c-Fos for understanding drug action in the brain. J Biochem 2024; 175:377-381. [PMID: 38153290 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvad110] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of drug action in the brain, from the genetic to the neural circuit level, is crucial for the development of new agents that act upon the central nervous system. Determining the brain regions and neurons affected by a drug is essential for revealing its mechanism of action in the brain. c-Fos, a marker of neuronal activation, has been widely used to detect neurons activated by stimuli with high spatial resolution. In this review, the use of c-Fos for the visualization and manipulation of activated neurons is introduced. I also explain that a higher temporal resolution can be achieved by changing the staining method for visualization of c-Fos. Moreover, a new method that allows labeling and manipulating commonly activated neurons using two different stimuli is proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katsuyasu Sakurai
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Soumier A, Lio G, Demily C. Current and future applications of light-sheet imaging for identifying molecular and developmental processes in autism spectrum disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02487-8. [PMID: 38443634 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02487-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is identified by a set of neurodevelopmental divergences that typically affect the social communication domain. ASD is also characterized by heterogeneous cognitive impairments and is associated with cooccurring physical and medical conditions. As behaviors emerge as the brain matures, it is particularly essential to identify any gaps in neurodevelopmental trajectories during early perinatal life. Here, we introduce the potential of light-sheet imaging for studying developmental biology and cross-scale interactions among genetic, cellular, molecular and macroscale levels of circuitry and connectivity. We first report the core principles of light-sheet imaging and the recent progress in studying brain development in preclinical animal models and human organoids. We also present studies using light-sheet imaging to understand the development and function of other organs, such as the skin and gastrointestinal tract. We also provide information on the potential of light-sheet imaging in preclinical drug development. Finally, we speculate on the translational benefits of light-sheet imaging for studying individual brain-body interactions in advancing ASD research and creating personalized interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amelie Soumier
- Le Vinatier Hospital Center, 95 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France.
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, 95 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France.
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, UMR 5229, 67 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France.
- University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, 69622, Villeurbanne cedex, France.
| | - Guillaume Lio
- Le Vinatier Hospital Center, 95 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, 95 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, UMR 5229, 67 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France
| | - Caroline Demily
- Le Vinatier Hospital Center, 95 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France
- iMIND, Center of Excellence for Autism, 95 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, UMR 5229, 67 boulevard Pinel, 69675, Bron cedex, France
- University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, 69622, Villeurbanne cedex, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kim T, Choi DI, Choi JE, Lee H, Jung H, Kim J, Sung Y, Park H, Kim MJ, Han DH, Lee SH, Kaang BK. Activated somatostatin interneurons orchestrate memory microcircuits. Neuron 2024; 112:201-208.e4. [PMID: 37944516 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.10.013] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advancements in identifying engram cells, our understanding of their regulatory and functional mechanisms remains in its infancy. To provide mechanistic insight into engram cell functioning, we introduced a novel local microcircuit labeling technique that enables the labeling of intraregional synaptic connections. Utilizing this approach, we discovered a unique population of somatostatin (SOM) interneurons in the mouse basolateral amygdala (BLA). These neurons are activated during fear memory formation and exhibit a preference for forming synapses with excitatory engram neurons. Post-activation, these SOM neurons displayed varying excitability based on fear memory retrieval. Furthermore, when we modulated these SOM neurons chemogenetically, we observed changes in the expression of fear-related behaviors, both in a fear-associated context and in a novel setting. Our findings suggest that these activated SOM interneurons play a pivotal role in modulating engram cell activity. They influence the expression of fear-related behaviors through a mechanism that is dependent on memory cues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- TaeHyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Dong Il Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Ja Eun Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Hoonwon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea; Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Hyunsu Jung
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea; Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Jooyoung Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea; Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Yongmin Sung
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea; Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - HyoJin Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea; Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Min Jung Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Dae Hee Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea; Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Seung-Hee Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea; Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 34141, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wasilczuk AZ, Rinehart C, Aggarwal A, Stone ME, Mashour GA, Avidan MS, Kelz MB, Proekt A. Hormonal basis of sex differences in anesthetic sensitivity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2312913120. [PMID: 38190526 PMCID: PMC10801881 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312913120] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
General anesthesia-a pharmacologically induced reversible state of unconsciousness-enables millions of life-saving procedures. Anesthetics induce unconsciousness in part by impinging upon sexually dimorphic and hormonally sensitive hypothalamic circuits regulating sleep and wakefulness. Thus, we hypothesized that anesthetic sensitivity should be sex-dependent and modulated by sex hormones. Using distinct behavioral measures, we show that at identical brain anesthetic concentrations, female mice are more resistant to volatile anesthetics than males. Anesthetic sensitivity is bidirectionally modulated by testosterone. Castration increases anesthetic resistance. Conversely, testosterone administration acutely increases anesthetic sensitivity. Conversion of testosterone to estradiol by aromatase is partially responsible for this effect. In contrast, oophorectomy has no effect. To identify the neuronal circuits underlying sex differences, we performed whole brain c-Fos activity mapping under anesthesia in male and female mice. Consistent with a key role of the hypothalamus, we found fewer active neurons in the ventral hypothalamic sleep-promoting regions in females than in males. In humans, we demonstrate that females regain consciousness and recover cognition faster than males after identical anesthetic exposures. Remarkably, while behavioral and neurocognitive measures in mice and humans point to increased anesthetic resistance in females, cortical activity fails to show sex differences under anesthesia in either species. Cumulatively, we demonstrate that sex differences in anesthetic sensitivity are evolutionarily conserved and not reflected in conventional electroencephalographic-based measures of anesthetic depth. This covert resistance to anesthesia may explain the higher incidence of unintended awareness under general anesthesia in females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Z. Wasilczuk
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Neuroscience of Unconsciousness and Reanimation Research Alliance, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Cole Rinehart
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Neuroscience of Unconsciousness and Reanimation Research Alliance, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Adeeti Aggarwal
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Neuroscience of Unconsciousness and Reanimation Research Alliance, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Martha E. Stone
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Neuroscience of Unconsciousness and Reanimation Research Alliance, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - George A. Mashour
- Center for Consciousness Science, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI48105
| | - Michael S. Avidan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Max B. Kelz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Neuroscience of Unconsciousness and Reanimation Research Alliance, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Alex Proekt
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Neuroscience of Unconsciousness and Reanimation Research Alliance, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - ReCCognition Study Group
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Center for Consciousness Science, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI48105
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Türker F, Brennan A, Margolis SS. Neuronal membrane proteasome-derived peptides modulate NMDAR-dependent neuronal signaling to promote changes in gene expression. Mol Biol Cell 2024; 35:ar6. [PMID: 37910253 PMCID: PMC10881162 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-06-0218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuronal membrane proteasome (NMP) degrades intracellular proteins into peptides that are released directly into the extracellular space, whereby they stimulate neurons to promote signaling mechanisms that remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that neuronal stimulation promotes NMP activity and, subsequently, enhanced production of NMP peptides. We show that these neuronal activity-dependent NMP peptides can rapidly promote N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent calcium influx in neurons. This leads to sustained phosphorylation of the well-defined stimulus-induced transcription factor, cyclic AMP response element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB). Downstream of these events, we identified changes to neuronal target genes which included increased expression of immediate early genes (e.g., Fos, Npas4, Egr4) and other genes known to have critical neuroregulatory roles. Further observations led to the discovery that NMP peptide-induced changes in gene expression is dependent on NMDARs and independent of AMPA receptors or voltage-gated sodium channels. These data demonstrate that NMP peptides are endogenous and selective activators of NMDA receptors and act as sufficient and novel stimuli within the context of neuronal activity-dependent signaling. This novel pathway is parallel to classic neuronal activity-dependent programs and points to NMP and its resulting peptides as potential modulators of neuronal function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fulya Türker
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Anna Brennan
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Seth S. Margolis
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen T, Xu YP, Chen Y, Sun S, Yan ZZ, Wang YH. Arc regulates brain damage and neuroinflammation via Sirt1 signaling following subarachnoid hemorrhage. Brain Res Bull 2023; 203:110780. [PMID: 37820952 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110780] [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: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) accounts for only 5 % of all stroke cases, but carries a heavy burden of morbidity and mortality. Activity regulated cytoskeleton associated protein (Arc) is an immediate early gene (IEG)-coded postsynaptic protein that is involved in synaptic plasticity. Increasing evidence and our previous studies have shown that Arc might be involved in the pathological mechanism of various neurological diseases, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this study, we investigated the level of Arc in cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) of aSAH patients and its potential role in brain damage following experimental SAH model. We found that the levels of Arc in aSAH patients' CSF positively correlated with Hunt-Hess (H&H) grades. Knockdown of endogenous Arc expression by small interfere RNA (siRNA) significantly increased brain edema and oxidative stress following SAH. The results of immunostaining in brain sections showed that knockdown of Arc enhanced activation of microglia and astrocytes. In congruent, generation of inflammatory cytokines following SAH was increased by Si-Arc transfection. The results of western blot analysis showed that knockdown of Arc inhibited the expression of Sirt1 and Nrf2, which was accompanied by decreased enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px). In addition, activation of sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) via agonist SRT2104 markedly decreased the brain damage and neuroinflammation induced by Arc knockdown. In conclusion, knockdown of endogenous Arc could aggravate brain damage and neuroinflammation following experimental SAH, and Arc levels in aSAH patients' CSF might be a potential indicator of brain damage and prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi Taihu Hospital, Wuxi Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214044, China
| | - Ye-Ping Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi Taihu Hospital, Wuxi Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214044, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Neurology, Wuxi Taihu Hospital, Wuxi Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214044, China
| | - Shu Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Wuxi Taihu Hospital, Wuxi Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214044, China
| | - Zhi-Zhong Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi Taihu Hospital, Wuxi Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214044, China
| | - Yu-Hai Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuxi Taihu Hospital, Wuxi Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214044, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Costantini I, Morgan L, Yang J, Balbastre Y, Varadarajan D, Pesce L, Scardigli M, Mazzamuto G, Gavryusev V, Castelli FM, Roffilli M, Silvestri L, Laffey J, Raia S, Varghese M, Wicinski B, Chang S, Chen IA, Wang H, Cordero D, Vera M, Nolan J, Nestor K, Mora J, Iglesias JE, Garcia Pallares E, Evancic K, Augustinack JC, Fogarty M, Dalca AV, Frosch MP, Magnain C, Frost R, van der Kouwe A, Chen SC, Boas DA, Pavone FS, Fischl B, Hof PR. A cellular resolution atlas of Broca's area. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg3844. [PMID: 37824623 PMCID: PMC10569704 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg3844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Brain cells are arranged in laminar, nuclear, or columnar structures, spanning a range of scales. Here, we construct a reliable cell census in the frontal lobe of human cerebral cortex at micrometer resolution in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-referenced system using innovative imaging and analysis methodologies. MRI establishes a macroscopic reference coordinate system of laminar and cytoarchitectural boundaries. Cell counting is obtained with a digital stereological approach on the 3D reconstruction at cellular resolution from a custom-made inverted confocal light-sheet fluorescence microscope (LSFM). Mesoscale optical coherence tomography enables the registration of the distorted histological cell typing obtained with LSFM to the MRI-based atlas coordinate system. The outcome is an integrated high-resolution cellular census of Broca's area in a human postmortem specimen, within a whole-brain reference space atlas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Costantini
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- National Institute of Optics (INO), National Research Council (CNR), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Leah Morgan
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Jiarui Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yael Balbastre
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Divya Varadarajan
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Luca Pesce
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Marina Scardigli
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- Division of Physiology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giacomo Mazzamuto
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- National Institute of Optics (INO), National Research Council (CNR), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Vladislav Gavryusev
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Filippo Maria Castelli
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- Bioretics srl, Cesena, Italy
| | | | - Ludovico Silvestri
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- National Institute of Optics (INO), National Research Council (CNR), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Jessie Laffey
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sophia Raia
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Merina Varghese
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bridget Wicinski
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shuaibin Chang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Hui Wang
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Devani Cordero
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Matthew Vera
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Jackson Nolan
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly Nestor
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jocelyn Mora
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Juan Eugenio Iglesias
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Erendira Garcia Pallares
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Evancic
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jean C. Augustinack
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Morgan Fogarty
- Imaging Science Program, Washington University McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Adrian V. Dalca
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew P. Frosch
- C.S. Kubik Laboratory for Neuropathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline Magnain
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert Frost
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andre van der Kouwe
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shih-Chi Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - David A. Boas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesco Saverio Pavone
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- National Institute of Optics (INO), National Research Council (CNR), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Bruce Fischl
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- HST, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Patrick R. Hof
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Franceschini A, Mazzamuto G, Checcucci C, Chicchi L, Fanelli D, Costantini I, Passani MB, Silva BA, Pavone FS, Silvestri L. Brain-wide neuron quantification toolkit reveals strong sexual dimorphism in the evolution of fear memory. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112908. [PMID: 37516963 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112908] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fear responses are functionally adaptive behaviors that are strengthened as memories. Indeed, detailed knowledge of the neural circuitry modulating fear memory could be the turning point for the comprehension of this emotion and its pathological states. A comprehensive understanding of the circuits mediating memory encoding, consolidation, and retrieval presents the fundamental technological challenge of analyzing activity in the entire brain with single-neuron resolution. In this context, we develop the brain-wide neuron quantification toolkit (BRANT) for mapping whole-brain neuronal activation at micron-scale resolution, combining tissue clearing, high-resolution light-sheet microscopy, and automated image analysis. The robustness and scalability of this method allow us to quantify the evolution of activity patterns across multiple phases of memory in mice. This approach highlights a strong sexual dimorphism in recruited circuits, which has no counterpart in the behavior. The methodology presented here paves the way for a comprehensive characterization of the evolution of fear memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Franceschini
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
| | - Giacomo Mazzamuto
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; National Institute of Optics - National Research Council (CNR-INO), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Curzio Checcucci
- Department of Information Engineering (DINFO), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Chicchi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Duccio Fanelli
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Irene Costantini
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Bianca Ambrogina Silva
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy; IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Lab of Circuits Neuroscience, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Pavone
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; National Institute of Optics - National Research Council (CNR-INO), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Ludovico Silvestri
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; National Institute of Optics - National Research Council (CNR-INO), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yip KYT, Gräff J. Tissue clearing applications in memory engram research. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1181818. [PMID: 37700912 PMCID: PMC10493294 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1181818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A memory engram is thought to be the physical substrate of the memory trace within the brain, which is generally depicted as a neuronal ensemble activated by learning to fire together during encoding and retrieval. It has been postulated that engram cell ensembles are functionally interconnected across multiple brain regions to store a single memory as an "engram complex", but visualizing this engram complex across the whole brain has for long been hindered by technical limitations. With the recent development of tissue clearing techniques, advanced light-sheet microscopy, and automated 3D image analysis, it has now become possible to generate a brain-wide map of engram cells and thereby to visualize the "engram complex". In this review, we first provide a comprehensive summary of brain-wide engram mapping studies to date. We then compile a guide on implementing the optimal tissue clearing technique for engram tagging approaches, paying particular attention to visualize engram reactivation as a critical mnemonic property, for which whole-brain multiplexed immunostaining becomes a challenging prerequisite. Finally, we highlight the potential of tissue clearing to simultaneously shed light on both the circuit connectivity and molecular underpinnings of engram cells in a single snapshot. In doing so, novel brain regions and circuits can be identified for subsequent functional manipulation, thus providing an opportunity to robustly examine the "engram complex" underlying memory storage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Johannes Gräff
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gongwer MW, Klune CB, Couto J, Jin B, Enos AS, Chen R, Friedmann D, DeNardo LA. Brain-Wide Projections and Differential Encoding of Prefrontal Neuronal Classes Underlying Learned and Innate Threat Avoidance. J Neurosci 2023; 43:5810-5830. [PMID: 37491314 PMCID: PMC10423051 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0697-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand how the brain produces behavior, we must elucidate the relationships between neuronal connectivity and function. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is critical for complex functions including decision-making and mood. mPFC projection neurons collateralize extensively, but the relationships between mPFC neuronal activity and brain-wide connectivity are poorly understood. We performed whole-brain connectivity mapping and fiber photometry to better understand the mPFC circuits that control threat avoidance in male and female mice. Using tissue clearing and light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM), we mapped the brain-wide axon collaterals of populations of mPFC neurons that project to nucleus accumbens (NAc), ventral tegmental area (VTA), or contralateral mPFC (cmPFC). We present DeepTraCE (deep learning-based tracing with combined enhancement), for quantifying bulk-labeled axonal projections in images of cleared tissue, and DeepCOUNT (deep-learning based counting of objects via 3D U-net pixel tagging), for quantifying cell bodies. Anatomical maps produced with DeepTraCE aligned with known axonal projection patterns and revealed class-specific topographic projections within regions. Using TRAP2 mice and DeepCOUNT, we analyzed whole-brain functional connectivity underlying threat avoidance. PL was the most highly connected node with functional connections to subsets of PL-cPL, PL-NAc, and PL-VTA target sites. Using fiber photometry, we found that during threat avoidance, cmPFC and NAc-projectors encoded conditioned stimuli, but only when action was required to avoid threats. mPFC-VTA neurons encoded learned but not innate avoidance behaviors. Together our results present new and optimized approaches for quantitative whole-brain analysis and indicate that anatomically defined classes of mPFC neurons have specialized roles in threat avoidance.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Understanding how the brain produces complex behaviors requires detailed knowledge of the relationships between neuronal connectivity and function. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays a key role in learning, mood, and decision-making, including evaluating and responding to threats. mPFC dysfunction is strongly linked to fear, anxiety and mood disorders. Although mPFC circuits are clear therapeutic targets, gaps in our understanding of how they produce cognitive and emotional behaviors prevent us from designing effective interventions. To address this, we developed a high-throughput analysis pipeline for quantifying bulk-labeled fluorescent axons [DeepTraCE (deep learning-based tracing with combined enhancement)] or cell bodies [DeepCOUNT (deep-learning based counting of objects via 3D U-net pixel tagging)] in intact cleared brains. Using DeepTraCE, DeepCOUNT, and fiber photometry, we performed detailed anatomic and functional mapping of mPFC neuronal classes, identifying specialized roles in threat avoidance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Gongwer
- Department of Physiology
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program
- Medical Scientist Training Program
| | | | | | - Benita Jin
- Department of Physiology
- Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Laurino A, Franceschini A, Pesce L, Cinci L, Montalbano A, Mazzamuto G, Sancataldo G, Nesi G, Costantini I, Silvestri L, Pavone FS. A Guide to Perform 3D Histology of Biological Tissues with Fluorescence Microscopy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076747. [PMID: 37047724 PMCID: PMC10094801 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The analysis of histological alterations in all types of tissue is of primary importance in pathology for highly accurate and robust diagnosis. Recent advances in tissue clearing and fluorescence microscopy made the study of the anatomy of biological tissue possible in three dimensions. The combination of these techniques with classical hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining has led to the birth of three-dimensional (3D) histology. Here, we present an overview of the state-of-the-art methods, highlighting the optimal combinations of different clearing methods and advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques for the investigation of all types of biological tissues. We employed fluorescence nuclear and eosin Y staining that enabled us to obtain hematoxylin and eosin pseudo-coloring comparable with the gold standard H&E analysis. The computational reconstructions obtained with 3D optical imaging can be analyzed by a pathologist without any specific training in volumetric microscopy, paving the way for new biomedical applications in clinical pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annunziatina Laurino
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, LENS, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Franceschini
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, LENS, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Luca Pesce
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, LENS, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Cinci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Radiodiagnostic Unit n. 2, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Alberto Montalbano
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, LENS, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Neurofarba Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Giacomo Mazzamuto
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, LENS, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, 50019 Florence, Italy
- National Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sancataldo
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, LENS, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriella Nesi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Costantini
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, LENS, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- National Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Ludovico Silvestri
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, LENS, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, 50019 Florence, Italy
- National Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Pavone
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, LENS, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, 50019 Florence, Italy
- National Research Council—National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), 50125 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Arthurs JW, Pauli JL, Palmiter RD. Activation of Parabrachial Tachykinin 1 Neurons Counteracts Some Behaviors Mediated by Parabrachial Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide Neurons. Neuroscience 2023; 517:105-116. [PMID: 36898496 PMCID: PMC10103625 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.03.003] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Many threats activate parabrachial neurons expressing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRPPBN) which transmit alarm signals to forebrain regions. Most CGRPPBN neurons also express tachykinin 1 (Tac1), but there are also Tac1-expressing neurons in the PBN that do not express CGRP (Tac1+;CGRP- neurons). Chemogenetic or optogenetic activation of all Tac1PBN neurons in mice elicited many physiological/behavioral responses resembling the activation of CGRPPBN neurons, e.g., anorexia, jumping on a hot plate, avoidance of photostimulation; however, two key responses opposed activation of CGRPPBN neurons. Activating Tac1PBN neurons did not produce conditioned taste aversion and it elicited dynamic escape behaviors rather than freezing. Activating Tac1+;CGRP- neurons, using an intersectional genetic targeting approach, resembles activating all Tac1PBN neurons. These results reveal that activation of Tac1+;CGRP- neurons can suppress some functions attributed to the CGRPPBN neurons, which provides a mechanism to bias behavioral responses to threats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joe W Arthurs
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, United States; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, United States
| | - Jordan L Pauli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, United States; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, United States
| | - Richard D Palmiter
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, United States; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Brown A, Villaruel FR, Chaudhri N. Neural correlates of recall and extinction in a rat model of appetitive Pavlovian conditioning. Behav Brain Res 2023; 440:114248. [PMID: 36496079 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114248] [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: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Extinction is a fundamental form of inhibitory learning that is important for adapting to changing environmental contingencies. While numerous studies have investigated the neural correlates of extinction using Pavlovian fear conditioning and appetitive operant reward-seeking procedures, less is known about the neural circuitry mediating the extinction of appetitive Pavlovian responding. Here, we aimed to generate an extensive brain activation map of extinction learning in a rat model of appetitive Pavlovian conditioning. Male Long-Evans rats were trained to associate a conditioned stimulus (CS; 20 s white noise) with the delivery of a 10% sucrose unconditioned stimulus (US; 0.3 ml/CS) to a fluid port. Control groups also received CS presentations, but sucrose was delivered either during the inter-trial interval or in the home-cage. After conditioning, 1 or 6 extinction sessions were conducted in which the CS was presented but sucrose was withheld. We performed Fos immunohistochemistry and network connectivity analyses on a set of cortical, striatal, thalamic, and amygdalar brain regions. Neural activity in the prelimbic cortex, ventral orbitofrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens core, and paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus was greater during recall relative to extinction. Conversely, prolonged extinction following 6 sessions induced increased neural activity in the infralimbic cortex, medial orbitofrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens shell compared to home-cage controls. All these structures were similarly recruited during recall on the first extinction session. These findings provide novel evidence for the contribution of brain areas and neural networks that are differentially involved in the recall versus extinction of appetitive Pavlovian conditioned responding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Brown
- Center for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Franz R Villaruel
- Center for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nadia Chaudhri
- Center for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Miranda L, Bordes J, Gasperoni S, Lopez JP. Increasing resolution in stress neurobiology: from single cells to complex group behaviors. Stress 2023; 26:2186141. [PMID: 36855966 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2186141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress can have severe psychological and physiological consequences. Thus, inappropriate regulation of the stress response is linked to the etiology of mood and anxiety disorders. The generation and implementation of preclinical animal models represent valuable tools to explore and characterize the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of stress-related psychiatric disorders and the development of novel pharmacological strategies. In this commentary, we discuss the strengths and limitations of state-of-the-art molecular and computational advances employed in stress neurobiology research, with a focus on the ever-increasing spatiotemporal resolution in cell biology and behavioral science. Finally, we share our perspective on future directions in the fields of preclinical and human stress research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Miranda
- Department of Statistical Genetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
| | - Joeri Bordes
- Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Serena Gasperoni
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Juan Pablo Lopez
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gilissen SRJ, Hennes M, Arckens L. Analysis of Immediate Early Gene Expression Levels to Interrogate Changes in Cortical Neuronal Activity Patterns upon Vision Loss. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2636:55-70. [PMID: 36881295 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3012-9_4] [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] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Mapping immediate early gene (IEG) expression levels to characterize changes in neuronal activity patterns has become a golden standard in neuroscience research. Due to straightforward detection methods such as in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, changes in IEG expression can be easily visualized across brain regions and in response to physiological and pathological stimulation. Based on in-house experience and existing literature, zif268 represents itself as the IEG of choice to investigate the neuronal activity dynamics induced by sensory deprivation. In the monocular enucleation mouse model of partial vision loss, zif268 in situ hybridization can be implemented to study cross-modal plasticity by charting the initial decline and subsequent rise in neuronal activity in visual cortical territory deprived of direct retinal visual input. Here, we describe a protocol for high-throughput radioactive zif268 in situ hybridization as a readout for cortical neuronal activity dynamics in response to partial vision loss in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara R J Gilissen
- Department of Biology & Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maroussia Hennes
- Department of Biology & Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Department of Biology & Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Polese D, Riccio ML, Fagioli M, Mazzetta A, Fagioli F, Parisi P, Fagioli M. The Newborn's Reaction to Light as the Determinant of the Brain's Activation at Human Birth. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:933426. [PMID: 36118115 PMCID: PMC9478760 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.933426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental neuroscience research has not yet fully unveiled the dynamics involved in human birth. The trigger of the first breath, often assumed to be the marker of human life, has not been characterized nor has the process entailing brain modification and activation at birth been clarified yet. To date, few researchers only have investigated the impact of the extrauterine environment, with its strong stimuli, on birth. This ‘hypothesis and theory' article assumes the role of a specific stimulus activating the central nervous system (CNS) at human birth. This stimulus must have specific features though, such as novelty, efficacy, ubiquity, and immediacy. We propose light as a robust candidate for the CNS activation via the retina. Available data on fetal and neonatal neurodevelopment, in particular with reference to retinal light-responsive pathways, will be examined together with the GABA functional switch, and the subplate disappearance, which, at an experimental level, differentiate the neonatal brain from the fetal brain. In this study, we assume how a very rapid activation of retinal photoreceptors at birth initiates a sudden brain shift from the prenatal pattern of functions to the neonatal setup. Our assumption implies the presence of a photoreceptor capable of capturing and transducing light/photon stimulus, transforming it into an effective signal for the activation of new brain functions at birth. Opsin photoreception or, more specifically, melanopsin-dependent photoreception, which is provided by intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), is considered as a valid candidate. Although what is assumed herein cannot be verified in humans based on knowledge available so far, proposing an important and novel function can trigger a broad range of diversified research in different domains, from neurophysiology to neurology and psychiatry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Polese
- PhD Program on Sensorineural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs NESMOS, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Daniela Polese
| | | | - Marcella Fagioli
- Department of Mental Health, National Health System ASL Rome 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mazzetta
- PhD Program on Neuroscience, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Fagioli
- Department of Mental Health, National Health System ASL Rome 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Parisi
- Chair of Pediatrics, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs NESMOS, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Emiliani V, Entcheva E, Hedrich R, Hegemann P, Konrad KR, Lüscher C, Mahn M, Pan ZH, Sims RR, Vierock J, Yizhar O. Optogenetics for light control of biological systems. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:55. [PMID: 37933248 PMCID: PMC10627578 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00136-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetic techniques have been developed to allow control over the activity of selected cells within a highly heterogeneous tissue, using a combination of genetic engineering and light. Optogenetics employs natural and engineered photoreceptors, mostly of microbial origin, to be genetically introduced into the cells of interest. As a result, cells that are naturally light-insensitive can be made photosensitive and addressable by illumination and precisely controllable in time and space. The selectivity of expression and subcellular targeting in the host is enabled by applying control elements such as promoters, enhancers and specific targeting sequences to the employed photoreceptor-encoding DNA. This powerful approach allows precise characterization and manipulation of cellular functions and has motivated the development of advanced optical methods for patterned photostimulation. Optogenetics has revolutionized neuroscience during the past 15 years and is primed to have a similar impact in other fields, including cardiology, cell biology and plant sciences. In this Primer, we describe the principles of optogenetics, review the most commonly used optogenetic tools, illumination approaches and scientific applications and discuss the possibilities and limitations associated with optogenetic manipulations across a wide variety of optical techniques, cells, circuits and organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Emiliani
- Wavefront Engineering Microscopy Group, Photonics Department, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rainer Hedrich
- Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Hegemann
- Institute for Biology, Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai R. Konrad
- Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Lüscher
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Clinic of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Mahn
- Department of Neurobiology, Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Zhuo-Hua Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ruth R. Sims
- Wavefront Engineering Microscopy Group, Photonics Department, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Johannes Vierock
- Institute for Biology, Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité – Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ofer Yizhar
- Departments of Brain Sciences and Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Probing the Skin–Brain Axis: New Vistas Using Mouse Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137484. [PMID: 35806489 PMCID: PMC9267936 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory diseases of the skin, including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, have gained increasing attention with rising incidences in developed countries over the past decades. While bodily properties, such as immunological responses of the skin, have been described in some detail, interactions with the brain via different routes are less well studied. The suggested routes of the skin–brain axis comprise the immune system, HPA axis, and the peripheral and central nervous system, including microglia responses and structural changes. They provide starting points to investigate the molecular mechanisms of neuropsychiatric comorbidities in AD and psoriasis. To this end, mouse models exist for AD and psoriasis that could be tested for relevant behavioral entities. In this review, we provide an overview of the current mouse models and assays. By combining an extensive behavioral characterization and state-of-the-art genetic interventions with the investigation of underlying molecular pathways, insights into the mechanisms of the skin–brain axis in inflammatory cutaneous diseases are examined, which will spark further research in humans and drive the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
|
20
|
Jin M, Nguyen JD, Weber SJ, Mejias-Aponte CA, Madangopal R, Golden SA. SMART: An Open-Source Extension of WholeBrain for Intact Mouse Brain Registration and Segmentation. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0482-21.2022. [PMID: 35396258 PMCID: PMC9070730 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0482-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Mapping immediate early gene (IEG) expression across intact mouse brains allows for unbiased identification of brain-wide activity patterns underlying complex behaviors. Accurate registration of sample brains to a common anatomic reference is critical for precise assignment of IEG-positive ("active") neurons to known brain regions of interest (ROIs). While existing automated voxel-based registration methods provide a high-throughput solution, they require substantial computing power, can be difficult to implement and fail when brains are damaged or only partially imaged. Additionally, it is challenging to cross-validate these approaches or compare them to any preexisting literature based on serial coronal sectioning. Here, we present the open-source R package SMART (Semi-Manual Alignment to Reference Templates) that extends the WholeBrain R package framework to automated segmentation and semi-automated registration of intact mouse brain light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) datasets. The SMART package was created for novice programmers and introduces a streamlined pipeline for aligning, registering, and segmenting LSFM volumetric datasets across the anterior-posterior (AP) axis, using a simple "choice game" and interactive menus. SMART provides the flexibility to register whole brains, partial brains or discrete user-chosen images, and is fully compatible with traditional sectioned coronal slice-based analyses. We demonstrate SMART's core functions using example datasets and provide step-by-step video tutorials for installation and implementation of the package. We also present a modified iDISCO+ tissue clearing procedure for uniform immunohistochemical labeling of the activity marker Fos across intact mouse brains. The SMART pipeline, in conjunction with the modified iDISCO+ Fos procedure, is ideally suited for examination and orthogonal cross-validation of brain-wide neuronal activation datasets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Jin
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore 21224, MD
| | - Joseph D Nguyen
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore 21224, MD
| | - Sophia J Weber
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore 21224, MD
| | - Carlos A Mejias-Aponte
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore 21224, MD
| | - Rajtarun Madangopal
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore 21224, MD
| | - Sam A Golden
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, WA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Linking Brain Structure, Activity, and Cognitive Function through Computation. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0316-21.2022. [PMID: 35217544 PMCID: PMC8925650 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0316-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the human brain is a “Grand Challenge” for 21st century research. Computational approaches enable large and complex datasets to be addressed efficiently, supported by artificial neural networks, modeling and simulation. Dynamic generative multiscale models, which enable the investigation of causation across scales and are guided by principles and theories of brain function, are instrumental for linking brain structure and function. An example of a resource enabling such an integrated approach to neuroscientific discovery is the BigBrain, which spatially anchors tissue models and data across different scales and ensures that multiscale models are supported by the data, making the bridge to both basic neuroscience and medicine. Research at the intersection of neuroscience, computing and robotics has the potential to advance neuro-inspired technologies by taking advantage of a growing body of insights into perception, plasticity and learning. To render data, tools and methods, theories, basic principles and concepts interoperable, the Human Brain Project (HBP) has launched EBRAINS, a digital neuroscience research infrastructure, which brings together a transdisciplinary community of researchers united by the quest to understand the brain, with fascinating insights and perspectives for societal benefits.
Collapse
|
22
|
Li D, Wang G, Werner R, Xie H, Guan JS, Hilgetag CC. Single Image-Based Vignetting Correction for Improving the Consistency of Neural Activity Analysis in 2-Photon Functional Microscopy. Front Neuroinform 2022; 15:674439. [PMID: 35069164 PMCID: PMC8766855 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2021.674439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
High-resolution functional 2-photon microscopy of neural activity is a cornerstone technique in current neuroscience, enabling, for instance, the image-based analysis of relations of the organization of local neuron populations and their temporal neural activity patterns. Interpreting local image intensity as a direct quantitative measure of neural activity presumes, however, a consistent within- and across-image relationship between the image intensity and neural activity, which may be subject to interference by illumination artifacts. In particular, the so-called vignetting artifact—the decrease of image intensity toward the edges of an image—is, at the moment, widely neglected in the context of functional microscopy analyses of neural activity, but potentially introduces a substantial center-periphery bias of derived functional measures. In the present report, we propose a straightforward protocol for single image-based vignetting correction. Using immediate-early gene-based 2-photon microscopic neural image data of the mouse brain, we show the necessity of correcting both image brightness and contrast to improve within- and across-image intensity consistency and demonstrate the plausibility of the resulting functional data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Li
- Institute of Computational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Dong Li,
| | - Guangyu Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - René Werner
- Institute of Computational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Biomedical Artificial Intelligence (bAIome), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hong Xie
- Institute of Photonic Chips, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Ji-Song Guan
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Claus C. Hilgetag
- Institute of Computational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Biomedical Artificial Intelligence (bAIome), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Scardigli M, Pesce L, Brady N, Mazzamuto G, Gavryusev V, Silvestri L, Hof PR, Destrieux C, Costantini I, Pavone FS. Comparison of Different Tissue Clearing Methods for Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Human Brain Cellular Anatomy Using Advanced Imaging Techniques. Front Neuroanat 2021; 15:752234. [PMID: 34867215 PMCID: PMC8632656 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.752234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The combination of tissue clearing techniques with advanced optical microscopy facilitates the achievement of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of macroscopic specimens at high resolution. Whole mouse organs or even bodies have been analyzed, while the reconstruction of the human nervous system remains a challenge. Although several tissue protocols have been proposed, the high autofluorescence and variable post-mortem conditions of human specimens negatively affect the quality of the images in terms of achievable transparency and staining contrast. Moreover, homogeneous staining of high-density epitopes, such as neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN), creates an additional challenge. Here, we evaluated different tissue transformation approaches to find the best solution to uniformly clear and label all neurons in the human cerebral cortex using anti-NeuN antibodies in combination with confocal and light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM). Finally, we performed mesoscopic high-resolution 3D reconstruction of the successfully clarified and stained samples with LSFM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Scardigli
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Luca Pesce
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Niamh Brady
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giacomo Mazzamuto
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Vladislav Gavryusev
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ludovico Silvestri
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrick R. Hof
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Irene Costantini
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco S. Pavone
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ren M, Tian J, Sun Q, Chen S, Luo T, Jia X, Jiang T, Luo Q, Gong H, Li X. Plastic embedding for precise imaging of large-scale biological tissues labeled with multiple fluorescent dyes and proteins. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2021; 12:6730-6745. [PMID: 34858677 PMCID: PMC8606158 DOI: 10.1364/boe.435120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Resin embedding of multi-color labeled whole organs is the primary step to preserve structural information for visualization of fine structures in three dimensions. It is essential to study the morphological characteristics, spatial and positional relationships of the millions of neurons, and the intricate network of blood vessels with fluorescent labels in the brain. However, the current resin embedding method is inadequate because of incompatibilities with fluorescent dyes, making it difficult to reconstruct a variety of structures for the interpretation of their complex spatial relationships. We modified the resin embedding method for large biological tissues labeled with multiple fluorescent dyes and proteins through different labeling strategies. With TrueBlack as the background fluorescence inhibitor in the glycol methacrylate (GMA) embedding, we referred to the method as GMA-T (Glycol methacrylate with TB). In the GMA-T embedded mouse brains, structures labeled with fluorescent proteins and dyes were visualized in millimeter-scale networks with sub-cellular resolution, allowing quantitative analysis of different anatomical structures in the same brain, including neurons and blood vessels. In combination with high-resolution whole-brain imaging, it is possible to obtain a variety of fluorescence labeled structures in just a few days. We quantified the distribution and morphology of the tdTomato-labeled vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) neurons and the BSA-FITC labeled blood vessels in the same brain. These results demonstrated that VIP neurons and blood vessels have their own unique distribution patterns and morphological characteristics among cortical regions and different layers in cerebral cortex, and there was no significant correlation between VIP neurons and vessels. This approach provides a novel approach to study the interaction among different anatomical structures within large-volume biological samples labeled with multiple fluorescent dyes and proteins, which helps elucidating the complex anatomical characteristics of biological organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miao Ren
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Hainan Province, School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- These authors contributed equally to this paper
| | - Jiaojiao Tian
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
- These authors contributed equally to this paper
| | - Qingtao Sun
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Siqi Chen
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Ting Luo
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xueyan Jia
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215125, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215125, China
| | - Qingming Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Hainan Province, School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Hui Gong
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215125, China
| | - Xiangning Li
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
- HUST-Suzhou Institute for Brainsmatics, JITRI, Suzhou 215125, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Different Peas in the Same Pod: The Histaminergic Neuronal Heterogeneity. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2021; 59:303-327. [PMID: 34455575 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2021_241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The histaminergic neuronal system is recently receiving increasing attention, as much has been learned over the past 25 years about histamine role as a neurotransmitter. Indeed, this amine is crucial in maintaining arousal and provides important contributions to regulate circadian rhythms, energy, endocrine homeostasis, motor behavior, and cognition. The extent to which these distinct physiological functions are operated by independent histamine neuronal subpopulation is unclear. In the rat brain histamine neuronal cell bodies are grouped within the tuberomamillary nucleus of the posterior hypothalamus in five clusters, E1-E5, each sending overlapping axons throughout the entire central nervous system with no strict topographical pattern. These features lead to the concept that histamine regulation of a wide range of functions in the central nervous system is achieved by the histaminergic neuronal system as a whole. However, increasing experimental evidence suggesting that the histaminergic system is organized into distinct pathways modulated by selective mechanisms challenges this view. In this review, we summarized experimental evidence supporting the heterogeneity of histamine neurons, and their organization in functionally distinct circuits impinging on separate brain regions and displaying selective control mechanisms. This implies independent functions of subsets of histaminergic neurons according to their respective origin and terminal projections with relevant consequences for the development of specific compounds that affect only subsets of histamine neurons, thus increasing the target specificity.
Collapse
|
26
|
Borodinova AA, Balaban PM, Bezprozvanny IB, Salmina AB, Vlasova OL. Genetic Constructs for the Control of Astrocytes' Activity. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071600. [PMID: 34202359 PMCID: PMC8306323 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current review, we aim to discuss the principles and the perspectives of using the genetic constructs based on AAV vectors to regulate astrocytes’ activity. Practical applications of optogenetic approaches utilizing different genetically encoded opsins to control astroglia activity were evaluated. The diversity of astrocytic cell-types complicates the rational design of an ideal viral vector for particular experimental goals. Therefore, efficient and sufficient targeting of astrocytes is a multiparametric process that requires a combination of specific AAV serotypes naturally predisposed to transduce astroglia with astrocyte-specific promoters in the AAV cassette. Inadequate combinations may result in off-target neuronal transduction to different degrees. Potentially, these constraints may be bypassed with the latest strategies of generating novel synthetic AAV serotypes with specified properties by rational engineering of AAV capsids or using directed evolution approach by searching within a more specific promoter or its replacement with the unique enhancer sequences characterized using modern molecular techniques (ChIP-seq, scATAC-seq, snATAC-seq) to drive the selective transgene expression in the target population of cells or desired brain regions. Realizing these strategies to restrict expression and to efficiently target astrocytic populations in specific brain regions or across the brain has great potential to enable future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia A. Borodinova
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology of Learning, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117485 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Pavel M. Balaban
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology of Learning, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117485 Moscow, Russia;
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia; (I.B.B.); (A.B.S.); (O.L.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ilya B. Bezprozvanny
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia; (I.B.B.); (A.B.S.); (O.L.V.)
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Alla B. Salmina
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia; (I.B.B.); (A.B.S.); (O.L.V.)
- Research Institute of Molecular Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- Research Center of Neurology, 125367 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga L. Vlasova
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia; (I.B.B.); (A.B.S.); (O.L.V.)
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Costantini I, Baria E, Sorelli M, Matuschke F, Giardini F, Menzel M, Mazzamuto G, Silvestri L, Cicchi R, Amunts K, Axer M, Pavone FS. Autofluorescence enhancement for label-free imaging of myelinated fibers in mammalian brains. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8038. [PMID: 33850168 PMCID: PMC8044204 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86092-7] [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: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Analyzing the structure of neuronal fibers with single axon resolution in large volumes is a challenge in connectomics. Different technologies try to address this goal; however, they are limited either by the ineffective labeling of the fibers or in the achievable resolution. The possibility of discriminating between different adjacent myelinated axons gives the opportunity of providing more information about the fiber composition and architecture within a specific area. Here, we propose MAGIC (Myelin Autofluorescence imaging by Glycerol Induced Contrast enhancement), a tissue preparation method to perform label-free fluorescence imaging of myelinated fibers that is user friendly and easy to handle. We exploit the high axial and radial resolution of two-photon fluorescence microscopy (TPFM) optical sectioning to decipher the mixture of various fiber orientations within the sample of interest. We demonstrate its broad applicability by performing mesoscopic reconstruction at a sub-micron resolution of mouse, rat, monkey, and human brain samples and by quantifying the different fiber organization in control and Reeler mouse's hippocampal sections. Our study provides a novel method for 3D label-free imaging of nerve fibers in fixed samples at high resolution, below micrometer level, that overcomes the limitation related to the myelinated axons exogenous labeling, improving the possibility of analyzing brain connectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Costantini
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
- National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, Rome, Italy.
| | - Enrico Baria
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Michele Sorelli
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Felix Matuschke
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Francesco Giardini
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Miriam Menzel
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Giacomo Mazzamuto
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovico Silvestri
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cicchi
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Katrin Amunts
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- C. and O. Vogt Institute for Brain Research, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Markus Axer
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Francesco Saverio Pavone
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Reitz SL, Kelz MB. Preoptic Area Modulation of Arousal in Natural and Drug Induced Unconscious States. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:644330. [PMID: 33642991 PMCID: PMC7907457 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.644330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the hypothalamic preoptic area (POA) in arousal state regulation has been studied since Constantin von Economo first recognized its importance in the early twentieth century. Over the intervening decades, the POA has been shown to modulate arousal in both natural (sleep and wake) as well as drug-induced (anesthetic-induced unconsciousness) states. While the POA is well known for its role in sleep promotion, populations of wake-promoting neurons within the region have also been identified. However, the complexity and molecular heterogeneity of the POA has made distinguishing these two populations difficult. Though multiple lines of evidence demonstrate that general anesthetics modulate the activity of the POA, the region's heterogeneity has also made it challenging to determine whether the same neurons involved in sleep/wake regulation also modulate arousal in response to general anesthetics. While a number of studies show that sleep-promoting POA neurons are activated by various anesthetics, recent work suggests this is not universal to all arousal-regulating POA neurons. Technical innovations are making it increasingly possible to classify and distinguish the molecular identities of neurons involved in sleep/wake regulation as well as anesthetic-induced unconsciousness. Here, we review the current understanding of the POA's role in arousal state regulation of both natural and drug-induced forms of unconsciousness, including its molecular organization and connectivity to other known sleep and wake promoting regions. Further insights into the molecular identities and connectivity of arousal-regulating POA neurons will be critical in fully understanding how this complex region regulates arousal states.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Reitz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Circadian and Sleep Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Max B. Kelz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Circadian and Sleep Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|