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Evans AD, Pournoori N, Saksala E, Oommen OP. Glycosaminoglycans' for brain health: Harnessing glycosaminoglycan based biomaterials for treating central nervous system diseases and in-vitro modeling. Biomaterials 2024; 309:122629. [PMID: 38797120 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS) following traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries (SCI), or strokes remains challenging to address using existing medications and cell-based therapies. Although therapeutic cell administration, such as stem cells and neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs), have shown promise in regenerative properties, they have failed to provide substantial benefits. However, the development of living cortical tissue engineered grafts, created by encapsulating these cells within an extracellular matrix (ECM) mimetic hydrogel scaffold, presents a promising functional replacement for damaged cortex in cases of stroke, SCI, and TBI. These grafts facilitate neural network repair and regeneration following CNS injuries. Given that natural glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a major constituent of the CNS, GAG-based hydrogels hold potential for the next generation of CNS healing therapies and in vitro modeling of CNS diseases. Brain-specific GAGs not only offer structural and biochemical signaling support to encapsulated neural cells but also modulate the inflammatory response in lesioned brain tissue, facilitating host integration and regeneration. This review briefly discusses different roles of GAGs and their related proteoglycan counterparts in healthy and diseases brain and explores current trends and advancements in GAG-based biomaterials for treating CNS injuries and modeling diseases. Additionally, it examines injectable, 3D bioprintable, and conductive GAG-based scaffolds, highlighting their clinical potential for in vitro modeling of patient-specific neural dysfunction and their ability to enhance CNS regeneration and repair following CNS injury in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin D Evans
- Bioengineering and Nanomedicine Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technologies, Tampere University, 33720, Tampere, Finland
| | - Negin Pournoori
- Bioengineering and Nanomedicine Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technologies, Tampere University, 33720, Tampere, Finland
| | - Emmi Saksala
- Bioengineering and Nanomedicine Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technologies, Tampere University, 33720, Tampere, Finland
| | - Oommen P Oommen
- Bioengineering and Nanomedicine Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technologies, Tampere University, 33720, Tampere, Finland; School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK.
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2
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Lisboa JRF, Costa O, Pakes GH, Colodete DAE, Gomes FV. Perineuronal net density in schizophrenia: A systematic review of postmortem brain studies. Schizophr Res 2024; 271:100-109. [PMID: 39018984 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.07.023] [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] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The onset of schizophrenia is concurrent with multiple key processes of brain development, such as the maturation of inhibitory networks. Some of these processes are proposed to depend on the development of perineuronal nets (PNNs), a specialized extracellular matrix structure that surrounds preferentially parvalbumin-containing GABAergic interneurons (PVIs). PNNs are fundamental to the postnatal experience-dependent maturation of inhibitory brain circuits. PNN abnormalities have been proposed as a core pathophysiological finding in SCZ, being linked to widespread consequences on circuit disruptions underlying SCZ symptoms. OBJECTIVE Here, we systematically evaluate PNN density in postmortem brain studies of subjects with SCZ. METHODS A systematic search in 3 online databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus) and qualitative review analysis of case-control studies reporting on PNN density in the postmortem brain of subjects with SCZ were performed. RESULTS Results consisted of 7 studies that were included in the final analysis. The specific brain regions investigated in the studies varied, with most attention given to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC; 3 studies) and amygdala (2 studies). Findings were mostly positive for reduced PNN density in SCZ, with 6 of the 7 studies reporting significant reductions and one reporting a tendency towards reduced PNN density. Overall, tissue processing methodologies were heterogeneous. CONCLUSIONS Despite few studies, PNN density was consistently reduced in SCZ across different brain regions. These findings support evidence that implicates deficits in PNN density in the pathophysiology of SCZ. However, more studies, preferably using similar methodological approaches as well as replication of findings, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Roberto F Lisboa
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
| | - Olga Costa
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Henrique Pakes
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Debora Akemi E Colodete
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Ricard-Blum S, Vivès RR, Schaefer L, Götte M, Merline R, Passi A, Heldin P, Magalhães A, Reis CA, Skandalis SS, Karamanos NK, Perez S, Nikitovic D. A biological guide to glycosaminoglycans: current perspectives and pending questions. FEBS J 2024; 291:3331-3366. [PMID: 38500384 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17107] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), except hyaluronan (HA), are sulfated polysaccharides that are covalently attached to core proteins to form proteoglycans (PGs). This article summarizes key biological findings for the most widespread GAGs, namely HA, chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS), keratan sulfate (KS), and heparan sulfate (HS). It focuses on the major processes that remain to be deciphered to get a comprehensive view of the mechanisms mediating GAG biological functions. They include the regulation of GAG biosynthesis and postsynthetic modifications in heparin (HP) and HS, the composition, heterogeneity, and function of the tetrasaccharide linkage region and its role in disease, the functional characterization of the new PGs recently identified by glycoproteomics, the selectivity of interactions mediated by GAG chains, the display of GAG chains and PGs at the cell surface and their impact on the availability and activity of soluble ligands, and on their move through the glycocalyx layer to reach their receptors, the human GAG profile in health and disease, the roles of GAGs and particular PGs (syndecans, decorin, and biglycan) involved in cancer, inflammation, and fibrosis, the possible use of GAGs and PGs as disease biomarkers, and the design of inhibitors targeting GAG biosynthetic enzymes and GAG-protein interactions to develop novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Ricard-Blum
- Univ Lyon 1, ICBMS, UMR 5246 University Lyon 1 - CNRS, Villeurbanne cedex, France
| | | | - Liliana Schaefer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Martin Götte
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Münster University Hospital, Germany
| | - Rosetta Merline
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Paraskevi Heldin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Ana Magalhães
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Celso A Reis
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Spyros S Skandalis
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Res. Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece
| | - Nikos K Karamanos
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Res. Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Greece
| | - Serge Perez
- Centre de Recherche sur les Macromolécules Végétales, University of Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS, France
| | - Dragana Nikitovic
- Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
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Nourisanami F, Sobol M, Li Z, Horvath M, Kowalska K, Kumar A, Vlasak J, Koupilova N, Luginbuhl DJ, Luo L, Rozbesky D. Molecular mechanisms of proteoglycan-mediated semaphorin signaling in axon guidance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2402755121. [PMID: 39042673 PMCID: PMC11295036 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2402755121] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The precise assembly of a functional nervous system relies on axon guidance cues. Beyond engaging their cognate receptors and initiating signaling cascades that modulate cytoskeletal dynamics, guidance cues also bind components of the extracellular matrix, notably proteoglycans, yet the role and mechanisms of these interactions remain poorly understood. We found that Drosophila secreted semaphorins bind specifically to glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains of proteoglycans, showing a preference based on the degree of sulfation. Structural analysis of Sema2b unveiled multiple GAG-binding sites positioned outside canonical plexin-binding site, with the highest affinity binding site located at the C-terminal tail, characterized by a lysine-rich helical arrangement that appears to be conserved across secreted semaphorins. In vivo studies revealed a crucial role of the Sema2b C-terminal tail in specifying the trajectory of olfactory receptor neurons. We propose that secreted semaphorins tether to the cell surface through interactions with GAG chains of proteoglycans, facilitating their presentation to cognate receptors on passing axons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farahdokht Nourisanami
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 128 43, Czechia
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague142 20, Czechia
| | - Margarita Sobol
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 128 43, Czechia
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague142 20, Czechia
| | - Zhuoran Li
- HHMI, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Matej Horvath
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 128 43, Czechia
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague142 20, Czechia
| | - Karolina Kowalska
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 128 43, Czechia
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague142 20, Czechia
| | - Atul Kumar
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 128 43, Czechia
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague142 20, Czechia
| | - Jonas Vlasak
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 128 43, Czechia
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague142 20, Czechia
| | - Nicola Koupilova
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 128 43, Czechia
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague142 20, Czechia
| | | | - Liqun Luo
- HHMI, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Daniel Rozbesky
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 128 43, Czechia
- Laboratory of Structural Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague142 20, Czechia
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Talwalkar A, Haden G, Duncan KA. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans mRNA expression and degradation in the zebra finch following traumatic brain injury. J Chem Neuroanat 2024; 138:102418. [PMID: 38621597 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2024.102418] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of fatality and disability worldwide. From minutes to months following damage, injury can result in a complex pathophysiology that can lead to temporary or permanent deficits including an array of neurodegenerative symptoms. These changes can include behavioral dysregulation, memory dysfunctions, and mood changes including depression. The nature and severity of impairments resulting from TBIs vary widely given the range of injury type, location, and extent of brain tissue involved. In response to the injury, the brain induces structural and functional changes to promote repair and minimize injury size. Despite its high prevalence, effective treatment strategies for TBI are limited. PNNs are part of the neuronal extracellular matrix (ECM) that mediate synaptic stabilization in the adult brain and thus neuroplasticity. They are associated mostly with inhibitory GABAergic interneurons and are thought to be responsible for maintaining the excitatory/inhibitory balance of the brain. The major structural components of PNNs include multiple chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) as well as other structural proteins. Here we examine the effects of injury on CSPG expression, specifically around the changes in the side change moieties. To investigate CSPG expression following injury, adult male and female zebra finches received either a bilateral penetrating, or no injury and qPCR analysis and immunohistochemistry for components of the CSPGs were examined at 1- or 7-days post-injury. Next, to determine if CSPGs and thus PNNs should be a target for therapeutic intervention, CSPG side chains were degraded at the time of injury with chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) CSPGs moieties were examined. Additionally, GABA receptor mRNA and aromatase mRNA expression was quantified following CSPG degradation as they have been implicated in neuronal survival and neurogenesis. Our data indicate the CSPG moieties change following injury, potentially allowing for a brief period of synaptic reorganization, and that treatments that target CSPG side chains are successful in further targeting this brief critical period by decreasing GABA mRNA receptor expression, but also decreasing aromatase expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Talwalkar
- Program in Biochemistry, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604, USA
| | - Gage Haden
- Department of Biology, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604, USA
| | - Kelli A Duncan
- Department of Biology, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604, USA; Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604, USA.
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Ortega JA, Soares de Aguiar GP, Chandravanshi P, Levy N, Engel E, Álvarez Z. Exploring the properties and potential of the neural extracellular matrix for next-generation regenerative therapies. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 16:e1962. [PMID: 38723788 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic and complex network of proteins and molecules that surrounds cells and tissues in the nervous system and orchestrates a myriad of biological functions. This review carefully examines the diverse interactions between cells and the ECM, as well as the transformative chemical and physical changes that the ECM undergoes during neural development, aging, and disease. These transformations play a pivotal role in shaping tissue morphogenesis and neural activity, thereby influencing the functionality of the central nervous system (CNS). In our comprehensive review, we describe the diverse behaviors of the CNS ECM in different physiological and pathological scenarios and explore the unique properties that make ECM-based strategies attractive for CNS repair and regeneration. Addressing the challenges of scalability, variability, and integration with host tissues, we review how advanced natural, synthetic, and combinatorial matrix approaches enhance biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and functional recovery. Overall, this review highlights the potential of decellularized ECM as a powerful tool for CNS modeling and regenerative purposes and sets the stage for future research in this exciting field. This article is categorized under: Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Alberto Ortega
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Spain
| | - Gisele P Soares de Aguiar
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Spain
| | - Palash Chandravanshi
- Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natacha Levy
- Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Engel
- IMEM-BRT Group, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, EEBE, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
- Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, Madrid, Spain
| | - Zaida Álvarez
- Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, Madrid, Spain
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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7
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Hendrickson AS, Francis KL, Kumar A, Le JP, Scarlett JM, Keene CD, Tovar DA, Alonge KM. Assessing translational applicability of perineuronal net dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease across species. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1396101. [PMID: 38745932 PMCID: PMC11091253 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1396101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In the context of aging and age-associated neurodegenerative disorders, the brain's extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as a critical regulator for neuronal health and cognitive function. Within the extracellular space, proteoglycans and their glycosaminoglycan attachments play essential roles in forming, stabilizing, and protecting neural circuits throughout neurodevelopment and adulthood. Recent studies in rodents reveal that chondroitin sulfate-glycosaminoglycan (CS-GAG) containing perineuronal nets (PNNs) exhibit both structural and compositional differences throughout the brain. While animal studies are illuminating, additional research is required to translate these interregional PNN/CS-GAG variations to human brain tissue. In this perspective article, we first investigate the translational potential for interregional CS-GAG variances across species as novel targets for region-specific therapeutic development. We specifically focus on the observation that alterations in brain PNN-associated CS-GAGs have been linked with the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology in humans, but these changes have not been fully recapitulated in rodent models of this disease. A second highlight of this perspective article investigates whether AD-associated shifts in CS-GAGs in humans may be dependent on region-specific baseline differences in CS-GAG sulfation patterning. The current findings begin to disentangle the intricate relationships between the interregional differences in brain PNN/CS-GAG matrices across species, while emphasizing the need to better understand the close relationship between dementia and changes in brain CS-GAG sulfation patterns in patients with AD and related dementias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarun S. Hendrickson
- Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kendra L. Francis
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Asmit Kumar
- Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jaden P. Le
- Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jarrad M. Scarlett
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - C. Dirk Keene
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - David A. Tovar
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Kimberly M. Alonge
- Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
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8
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Schreurs BG, O'Dell DE, Wang D. The Role of Cerebellar Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability, Synaptic Plasticity, and Perineuronal Nets in Eyeblink Conditioning. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:200. [PMID: 38534469 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Evidence is strong that, in addition to fine motor control, there is an important role for the cerebellum in cognition and emotion. The deep nuclei of the mammalian cerebellum also contain the highest density of perineural nets-mesh-like structures that surround neurons-in the brain, and it appears there may be a connection between these nets and cognitive processes, particularly learning and memory. Here, we review how the cerebellum is involved in eyeblink conditioning-a particularly well-understood form of learning and memory-and focus on the role of perineuronal nets in intrinsic membrane excitability and synaptic plasticity that underlie eyeblink conditioning. We explore the development and role of perineuronal nets and the in vivo and in vitro evidence that manipulations of the perineuronal net in the deep cerebellar nuclei affect eyeblink conditioning. Together, these findings provide evidence of an important role for perineuronal net in learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard G Schreurs
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Deidre E O'Dell
- Department of Biology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Pennsylvania Western (PennWest) University, California, PA 15419, USA
| | - Desheng Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
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9
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Ryan F, Francos-Quijorna I, Hernández-Mir G, Aquino C, Schlapbach R, Bradbury EJ, David S. Tlr4 Deletion Modulates Cytokine and Extracellular Matrix Expression in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury, Leading to Improved Secondary Damage and Functional Recovery. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0778232023. [PMID: 38326029 PMCID: PMC10860514 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0778-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the innate immune response after CNS injury. Although TLR4 is one of the best characterized, its role in chronic stages after spinal cord injury (SCI) is not well understood. We examined the role of TLR4 signaling in injury-induced responses at 1 d, 7 d, and 8 weeks after spinal cord contusion injury in adult female TLR4 null and wild-type mice. Analyses include secondary damage, a range of transcriptome and protein analyses of inflammatory, cell death, and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, as well as immune cell infiltration and changes in axonal sprouting and locomotor recovery. Lack of TLR4 signaling results in reduced neuronal and myelin loss, reduced activation of NFκB, and decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines and necroptotic cell death pathway at a late time point (8 weeks) after injury. TLR4 null mice also showed reduction of scar-related ECM molecules at 8 weeks after SCI, accompanied by increase in ECM molecules associated with perineuronal nets, increased sprouting of serotonergic fibers, and improved locomotor recovery. These findings reveal novel effects of TLR4 signaling in chronic SCI. We show that TLR4 influences inflammation, cell death, and ECM deposition at late-stage post-injury when secondary injury processes are normally considered to be over. This highlights the potential for late-stage targeting of TLR4 as a potential therapy for chronic SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fari Ryan
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience and BRaIN Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Isaac Francos-Quijorna
- The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Gerard Hernández-Mir
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom
| | - Catharine Aquino
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Ralph Schlapbach
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Elizabeth J Bradbury
- The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel David
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience and BRaIN Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada
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10
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Farrugia BL, Melrose J. The Glycosaminoglycan Side Chains and Modular Core Proteins of Heparan Sulphate Proteoglycans and the Varied Ways They Provide Tissue Protection by Regulating Physiological Processes and Cellular Behaviour. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14101. [PMID: 37762403 PMCID: PMC10531531 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This review examines the roles of HS-proteoglycans (HS-PGs) in general, and, in particular, perlecan and syndecan as representative examples and their interactive ligands, which regulate physiological processes and cellular behavior in health and disease. HS-PGs are essential for the functional properties of tissues both in development and in the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling that occurs in response to trauma or disease. HS-PGs interact with a biodiverse range of chemokines, chemokine receptors, protease inhibitors, and growth factors in immune regulation, inflammation, ECM stabilization, and tissue protection. Some cell regulatory proteoglycan receptors are dually modified hybrid HS/CS proteoglycans (betaglycan, CD47). Neurexins provide synaptic stabilization, plasticity, and specificity of interaction, promoting neurotransduction, neurogenesis, and differentiation. Ternary complexes of glypican-1 and Robbo-Slit neuroregulatory proteins direct axonogenesis and neural network formation. Specific neurexin-neuroligin complexes stabilize synaptic interactions and neural activity. Disruption in these interactions leads to neurological deficits in disorders of functional cognitive decline. Interactions with HS-PGs also promote or inhibit tumor development. Thus, HS-PGs have complex and diverse regulatory roles in the physiological processes that regulate cellular behavior and the functional properties of normal and pathological tissues. Specialized HS-PGs, such as the neurexins, pikachurin, and Eyes-shut, provide synaptic stabilization and specificity of neural transduction and also stabilize the axenome primary cilium of phototoreceptors and ribbon synapse interactions with bipolar neurons of retinal neural networks, which are essential in ocular vision. Pikachurin and Eyes-Shut interactions with an α-dystroglycan stabilize the photoreceptor synapse. Novel regulatory roles for HS-PGs controlling cell behavior and tissue function are expected to continue to be uncovered in this fascinating class of proteoglycan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke L. Farrugia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - James Melrose
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Raymond Purves Laboratory of Bone and Joint Research, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
- Sydney Medical School (Northern), University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
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11
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Melrose J. Hyaluronan hydrates and compartmentalises the CNS/PNS extracellular matrix and provides niche environments conducive to the optimisation of neuronal activity. J Neurochem 2023; 166:637-653. [PMID: 37492973 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15915] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The central nervous system/peripheral nervous system (CNS/PNS) extracellular matrix is a dynamic and highly interactive space-filling, cell-supportive, matrix-stabilising, hydrating entity that creates and maintains tissue compartments to facilitate regional ionic micro-environments and micro-gradients that promote optimal neural cellular activity. The CNS/PNS does not contain large supportive collagenous and elastic fibrillar networks but is dominated by a high glycosaminoglycan content, predominantly hyaluronan (HA) and collagen is restricted to the brain microvasculature, blood-brain barrier, neuromuscular junction and meninges dura, arachnoid and pia mater. Chondroitin sulphate-rich proteoglycans (lecticans) interactive with HA have stabilising roles in perineuronal nets and contribute to neural plasticity, memory and cognitive processes. Hyaluronan also interacts with sialoproteoglycan associated with cones and rods (SPACRCAN) to stabilise the interphotoreceptor matrix and has protective properties that ensure photoreceptor viability and function is maintained. HA also regulates myelination/re-myelination in neural networks. HA fragmentation has been observed in white matter injury, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injury. HA fragments (2 × 105 Da) regulate oligodendrocyte precursor cell maturation, myelination/remyelination, and interact with TLR4 to initiate signalling cascades that mediate myelin basic protein transcription. HA and its fragments have regulatory roles over myelination which ensure high axonal neurotransduction rates are maintained in neural networks. Glioma is a particularly invasive brain tumour with extremely high mortality rates. HA, CD44 and RHAMM (receptor for HA-mediated motility) HA receptors are highly expressed in this tumour. Conventional anti-glioma drug treatments have been largely ineffective and surgical removal is normally not an option. CD44 and RHAMM glioma HA receptors can potentially be used to target gliomas with PEP-1, a cell-penetrating HA-binding peptide. PEP-1 can be conjugated to a therapeutic drug; such drug conjugates have successfully treated dense non-operative tumours in other tissues, therefore similar applications warrant exploration as potential anti-glioma treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Melrose
- Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Northern, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
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12
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Park JYC, King A, Björk V, English BW, Fedintsev A, Ewald CY. Strategic outline of interventions targeting extracellular matrix for promoting healthy longevity. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C90-C128. [PMID: 37154490 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00060.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM), composed of interlinked proteins outside of cells, is an important component of the human body that helps maintain tissue architecture and cellular homeostasis. As people age, the ECM undergoes changes that can lead to age-related morbidity and mortality. Despite its importance, ECM aging remains understudied in the field of geroscience. In this review, we discuss the core concepts of ECM integrity, outline the age-related challenges and subsequent pathologies and diseases, summarize diagnostic methods detecting a faulty ECM, and provide strategies targeting ECM homeostasis. To conceptualize this, we built a technology research tree to hierarchically visualize possible research sequences for studying ECM aging. This strategic framework will hopefully facilitate the development of future research on interventions to restore ECM integrity, which could potentially lead to the development of new drugs or therapeutic interventions promoting health during aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Young Cecilia Park
- Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Regeneration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Aaron King
- Foresight Institute, San Francisco, California, United States
| | | | - Bradley W English
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | | | - Collin Y Ewald
- Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Regeneration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
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13
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Valeri J, Gisabella B, Pantazopoulos H. Dynamic regulation of the extracellular matrix in reward memory processes: a question of time. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1208974. [PMID: 37396928 PMCID: PMC10311570 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1208974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorders are a global health problem with increasing prevalence resulting in significant socioeconomic burden and increased mortality. Converging lines of evidence point to a critical role of brain extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules in the pathophysiology of substance use disorders. An increasing number of preclinical studies highlight the ECM as a promising target for development of novel cessation pharmacotherapies. The brain ECM is dynamically regulated during learning and memory processes, thus the time course of ECM alterations in substance use disorders is a critical factor that may impact interpretation of the current studies and development of pharmacological therapies. This review highlights the evidence for the involvement of ECM molecules in reward learning, including drug reward and natural reward such as food, as well as evidence regarding the pathophysiological state of the brain's ECM in substance use disorders and metabolic disorders. We focus on the information regarding time-course and substance specific changes in ECM molecules and how this information can be leveraged for the development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Valeri
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Barbara Gisabella
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Harry Pantazopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
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14
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Validation of Recombinant Heparan Sulphate Reagents for CNS Repair. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12030407. [PMID: 36979099 PMCID: PMC10044841 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Therapies that target the multicellular pathology of central nervous system (CNS) disease/injury are urgently required. Modified non-anticoagulant heparins mimic the heparan sulphate (HS) glycan family and have been proposed as therapeutics for CNS repair since they are effective regulators of numerous cellular processes. Our in vitro studies have demonstrated that low-sulphated modified heparan sulphate mimetics (LS-mHeps) drive CNS repair. However, LS-mHeps are derived from pharmaceutical heparin purified from pig intestines, in a supply chain at risk of shortages and contamination. Alternatively, cellular synthesis of heparin and HS can be achieved using mammalian cell multiplex genome engineering, providing an alternative source of recombinant HS mimetics (rHS). TEGA Therapeutics (San Diego) have manufactured rHS reagents with varying degrees of sulphation and we have validated their ability to promote repair in vitro using models that mimic CNS injury, making comparisons to LS-mHep7, a previous lead compound. We have shown that like LS-mHep7, low-sulphated rHS compounds promote remyelination and reduce features of astrocytosis, and in contrast, highly sulphated rHS drive neurite outgrowth. Cellular production of heparin mimetics may, therefore, offer potential clinical benefits for CNS repair.
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15
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HS, an Ancient Molecular Recognition and Information Storage Glycosaminoglycan, Equips HS-Proteoglycans with Diverse Matrix and Cell-Interactive Properties Operative in Tissue Development and Tissue Function in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021148. [PMID: 36674659 PMCID: PMC9867265 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Heparan sulfate is a ubiquitous, variably sulfated interactive glycosaminoglycan that consists of repeating disaccharides of glucuronic acid and glucosamine that are subject to a number of modifications (acetylation, de-acetylation, epimerization, sulfation). Variable heparan sulfate chain lengths and sequences within the heparan sulfate chains provide structural diversity generating interactive oligosaccharide binding motifs with a diverse range of extracellular ligands and cellular receptors providing instructional cues over cellular behaviour and tissue homeostasis through the regulation of essential physiological processes in development, health, and disease. heparan sulfate and heparan sulfate-PGs are integral components of the specialized glycocalyx surrounding cells. Heparan sulfate is the most heterogeneous glycosaminoglycan, in terms of its sequence and biosynthetic modifications making it a difficult molecule to fully characterize, multiple ligands also make an elucidation of heparan sulfate functional properties complicated. Spatio-temporal presentation of heparan sulfate sulfate groups is an important functional determinant in tissue development and in cellular control of wound healing and extracellular remodelling in pathological tissues. The regulatory properties of heparan sulfate are mediated via interactions with chemokines, chemokine receptors, growth factors and morphogens in cell proliferation, differentiation, development, tissue remodelling, wound healing, immune regulation, inflammation, and tumour development. A greater understanding of these HS interactive processes will improve therapeutic procedures and prognoses. Advances in glycosaminoglycan synthesis and sequencing, computational analytical carbohydrate algorithms and advanced software for the evaluation of molecular docking of heparan sulfate with its molecular partners are now available. These advanced analytic techniques and artificial intelligence offer predictive capability in the elucidation of heparan sulfate conformational effects on heparan sulfate-ligand interactions significantly aiding heparan sulfate therapeutics development.
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Agadagba SK, Lim LW, Chan LLH. Advances in transcorneal electrical stimulation: From the eye to the brain. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1134857. [PMID: 36937185 PMCID: PMC10019785 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1134857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian brain is reported to contain about 106-109 neurons linked together to form complex networks. Physiologically, the neuronal networks interact in a rhythmic oscillatory pattern to coordinate the brain's functions. Neuromodulation covers a broad range of techniques that can alter neuronal network activity through the targeted delivery of electrical or chemical stimuli. Neuromodulation can be used to potentially treat medical conditions and can serve as a research tool for studying neural functions. Typically, the main method of neuromodulation is to electrically stimulate specific structures in both the central and peripheral nervous systems via surgically implanted electrodes. Therefore, it is imperative to explore novel and safer methods for altering neuronal network activity. Transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES) has rapidly emerged as a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique that can exert beneficial effects on the brain through the eyes. There is substantial evidence to show that TES can change the brain oscillations in rodents. Moreover, the molecular data clearly shows that TES can also activate non-visual brain regions. In this review, we first summarize the use of TES in the retina and then discuss its effects in the brain through the eye-brain connection. We then comprehensively review the substantial evidence from electrophysiological, behavioral, and molecular studies on the role of TES on modulating neurons in the brain. Lastly, we discuss the implications and possible future directions of the research on TES as a non-invasive tool for neuromodulation of the brain via directly stimulating the mammalian eye.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Leanne Lai Hang Chan
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Leanne Lai Hang Chan
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Ruzicka J, Dalecka M, Safrankova K, Peretti D, Jendelova P, Kwok JCF, Fawcett JW. Perineuronal nets affect memory and learning after synapse withdrawal. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:480. [PMID: 36379919 PMCID: PMC9666654 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02226-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Perineuronal nets (PNNs) enwrap mature neurons, playing a role in the control of plasticity and synapse dynamics. PNNs have been shown to have effects on memory formation, retention and extinction in a variety of animal models. It has been proposed that the cavities in PNNs, which contain synapses, can act as a memory store and that they remain stable after events that cause synaptic withdrawal such as anoxia or hibernation. We examine this idea by monitoring place memory before and after synaptic withdrawal caused by acute hibernation-like state (HLS). Animals lacking hippocampal PNNs due to enzymatic digestion by chondroitinase ABC or knockout of the PNN component aggrecan were compared with wild type controls. HLS-induced synapse withdrawal caused a memory deficit, but not to the level of untreated naïve animals and not worsened by PNN attenuation. After HLS, only animals lacking PNNs showed memory restoration or relearning. Absence of PNNs affected the restoration of excitatory synapses on PNN-bearing neurons. The results support a role for hippocampal PNNs in learning, but not in long-term memory storage for correction of deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Ruzicka
- grid.424967.a0000 0004 0404 6946Institute of Experimental Medicine, CAS, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Dalecka
- grid.418095.10000 0001 1015 3316Imaging Methods Core Facility, BIOCEV, CAS, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Kristyna Safrankova
- grid.424967.a0000 0004 0404 6946Institute of Experimental Medicine, CAS, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Diego Peretti
- grid.5335.00000000121885934UK Dementia Research Institute and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Pavla Jendelova
- grid.424967.a0000 0004 0404 6946Institute of Experimental Medicine, CAS, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jessica C. F. Kwok
- grid.424967.a0000 0004 0404 6946Institute of Experimental Medicine, CAS, Prague, Czech Republic ,grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - James W. Fawcett
- grid.424967.a0000 0004 0404 6946Institute of Experimental Medicine, CAS, Prague, Czech Republic ,grid.5335.00000000121885934John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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