1
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Chin EW, Ma Q, Ruan H, Chin C, Somasundaram A, Zhang C, Liu C, Lewis MD, White M, Smith TL, Battersby M, Yao WD, Lu XY, Arap W, Licinio J, Wong ML. The epigenetic reader PHF21B modulates murine social memory and synaptic plasticity-related genes. JCI Insight 2022; 7:158081. [PMID: 35866480 PMCID: PMC9431697 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.158081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic dysfunction is a manifestation of several neurobehavioral and neurological disorders. A major therapeutic challenge lies in uncovering the upstream regulatory factors controlling synaptic processes. Plant homeodomain (PHD) finger proteins are epigenetic readers whose dysfunctions are implicated in neurological disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms linking PHD protein deficits to disease remain unclear. Here, we generated a PHD finger protein 21B-depleted (Phf21b-depleted) mutant CRISPR mouse model (hereafter called Phf21bΔ4/Δ4) to examine Phf21b's roles in the brain. Phf21bΔ4/Δ4 animals exhibited impaired social memory. In addition, reduced expression of synaptic proteins and impaired long-term potentiation were observed in the Phf21bΔ4/Δ4 hippocampi. Transcriptome profiling revealed differential expression of genes involved in synaptic plasticity processes. Furthermore, we characterized a potentially novel interaction of PHF21B with histone H3 trimethylated lysine 36 (H3K36me3), a histone modification associated with transcriptional activation, and the transcriptional factor CREB. These results establish PHF21B as an important upstream regulator of synaptic plasticity-related genes and a candidate therapeutic target for neurobehavioral dysfunction in mice, with potential applications in human neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qi Ma
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Hongyu Ruan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | | | | | - Chunling Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, Norton College of Medicine, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.,Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, Norton College of Medicine, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Martin D Lewis
- Neuropsychiatric Laboratory, Lifelong Health Research Unit, and
| | - Melissa White
- Gene Editing Research Unit, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,SA Genome Editing Facility, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Tracey L Smith
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA.,Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Malcolm Battersby
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Wei-Dong Yao
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.,Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, Norton College of Medicine, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Xin-Yun Lu
- Department of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Wadih Arap
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Julio Licinio
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.,Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, Norton College of Medicine, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.,College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ma-Li Wong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.,Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, Norton College of Medicine, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.,College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
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2
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Lim WM, Chin EWM, Tang BL, Chen T, Goh ELK. WNK3 Maintains the GABAergic Inhibitory Tone, Synaptic Excitation and Neuronal Excitability via Regulation of KCC2 Cotransporter in Mature Neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:762142. [PMID: 34858138 PMCID: PMC8631424 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.762142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation of chloride (Cl−)permeable gamma (γ)-aminobutyric acid type A(GABAA) receptors induces synaptic inhibition in mature and excitation in immature neurons. This developmental “switch” in GABA function controlled by its polarity depends on the postnatal decrease in intraneuronal Cl− concentration mediated by KCC2, a member of cation-chloride cotransporters (CCCs). The serine-threonine kinase WNK3 (With No Lysine [K]), is a potent regulator of all CCCs and is expressed in neurons. Here, we characterized the functions of WNK3 and its role in GABAergic signaling in cultured embryonic day 18 (E18) hippocampal neurons. We observed a decrease in WNK3 expression as neurons mature. Knocking down of WNK3 significantly hyperpolarized EGABA in mature neurons (DIV13–15) but had no effect on immature neurons (DIV6–8). This hyperpolarized EGABA in WNK3-deficient neurons was not due to the total expression of NKCC1 and KCC2, that remained unchanged. However, there was a reduction in phosphorylated KCC2 at the membrane, suggesting an increase in KCC2 chloride export activity. Furthermore, hyperpolarized EGABA observed in WNK3-deficient neurons can be reversed by the KCC2 inhibitor, VU024055, thus indicating that WNK3 acts through KCC2 to influence EGABA. Notably, WNK3 knockdown resulted in morphological changes in mature but not immature neurons. Electrophysiological characterization of WNK3-deficient mature neurons revealed reduced capacitances but increased intrinsic excitability and synaptic excitation. Hence, our study demonstrates that WNK3 maintains the “adult” GABAergic inhibitory tone in neurons and plays a role in the morphological development of neurons and excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wee Meng Lim
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eunice W M Chin
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, Singapore, Singapore.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Faculty, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bor Luen Tang
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tingting Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Eyleen L K Goh
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Faculty, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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3
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Passaro AP, Stice SL. Electrophysiological Analysis of Brain Organoids: Current Approaches and Advancements. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:622137. [PMID: 33510616 PMCID: PMC7835643 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.622137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain organoids, or cerebral organoids, have become widely used to study the human brain in vitro. As pluripotent stem cell-derived structures capable of self-organization and recapitulation of physiological cell types and architecture, brain organoids bridge the gap between relatively simple two-dimensional human cell cultures and non-human animal models. This allows for high complexity and physiological relevance in a controlled in vitro setting, opening the door for a variety of applications including development and disease modeling and high-throughput screening. While technologies such as single cell sequencing have led to significant advances in brain organoid characterization and understanding, improved functional analysis (especially electrophysiology) is needed to realize the full potential of brain organoids. In this review, we highlight key technologies for brain organoid development and characterization, then discuss current electrophysiological methods for brain organoid analysis. While electrophysiological approaches have improved rapidly for two-dimensional cultures, only in the past several years have advances been made to overcome limitations posed by the three-dimensionality of brain organoids. Here, we review major advances in electrophysiological technologies and analytical methods with a focus on advances with applicability for brain organoid analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin P. Passaro
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Division of Neuroscience, Biomedical & Health Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Steven L. Stice
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Division of Neuroscience, Biomedical & Health Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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4
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Tan CW, Huan Hor CH, Kwek SS, Tee HK, Sam IC, Goh ELK, Ooi EE, Chan YF, Wang LF. Cell surface α2,3-linked sialic acid facilitates Zika virus internalization. Emerg Microbes Infect 2019; 8:426-437. [PMID: 30898036 PMCID: PMC6455136 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2019.1590130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of neurotropic Zika virus (ZIKV) raised a public health emergency of global concern. ZIKV can cross the placental barrier and infect foetal brains, resulting in microcephaly, but the pathogenesis of ZIKV is poorly understood. With recent findings reporting AXL as a type I interferon antagonist rather than an entry receptor, the exact entry mechanism remains unresolved. Here we report that cell surface sialic acid plays an important role in ZIKV infection. Removal of cell surface sialic acid by neuraminidase significantly abolished ZIKV infection in Vero cells and human induced-pluripotent stem cells-derived neural progenitor cells. Furthermore, knockout of the sialic acid biosynthesis gene encoding UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase resulted in significantly less ZIKV infection of both African and Asian lineages. Huh7 cells deficient in α2,3-linked sialic acid through knockout of ST3 β-galactoside-α2,3-sialyltransferase 4 had significantly reduced ZIKV infection. Removal of membrane-bound, un-internalized virus with pronase treatment revealed the role of sialic acid in ZIKV internalization but not attachment. Sialyllactose inhibition studies showed that there is no direct interaction between sialic acid and ZIKV, implying that sialic acid could be mediating ZIKV-receptor complex internalization. Identification of α2,3-linked sialic acid as an important host factor for ZIKV internalization provides new insight into ZIKV infection and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee Wah Tan
- a Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases , Duke-NUS Medical School , Singapore , Singapore
| | - Catherine Hong Huan Hor
- b Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme , Duke-NUS Medical School , Singapore , Singapore
| | - Swee Sen Kwek
- a Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases , Duke-NUS Medical School , Singapore , Singapore
| | - Han Kang Tee
- c Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - I-Ching Sam
- c Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - Eyleen L K Goh
- b Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme , Duke-NUS Medical School , Singapore , Singapore
| | - Eng Eong Ooi
- a Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases , Duke-NUS Medical School , Singapore , Singapore
| | - Yoke Fun Chan
- c Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - Lin-Fa Wang
- a Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases , Duke-NUS Medical School , Singapore , Singapore
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5
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Hor CHH, Goh ELK. Rab23 Regulates Radial Migration of Projection Neurons via N-cadherin. Cereb Cortex 2019; 28:1516-1531. [PMID: 29420702 PMCID: PMC6093454 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Radial migration of cortical projection neurons is a prerequisite for shaping a distinct multilayered cerebral cortex during mammalian corticogenesis. Members of Rab GTPases family were reported to regulate radial migration. Here, in vivo conditional knockout or in utero knockdown (KD) of Rab23 in mice neocortex causes aberrant polarity and halted migration of cortical projection neurons. Further investigation of the underlying mechanism reveals down-regulation of N-cadherin in the Rab23-deficient neurons, which is a cell adhesion protein previously known to modulate radial migration. (Shikanai M, Nakajima K, Kawauchi T. 2011. N-cadherin regulates radial glial fiber-dependent migration of cortical locomoting neurons. Commun Integr Biol. 4:326–330.) Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) also decreases the expression of N-cadherin, implicating an upstream effect of ERK1/2 on N-cadherin and also suggesting a link between Rab23 and ERK1/2. Further biochemical studies show that silencing of Rab23 impedes activation of ERK1/2 via perturbed platelet-derived growth factor-alpha (PDGFRα) signaling. Restoration of the expression of Rab23 or N-cadherin in Rab23-KD neurons could reverse neuron migration defects, indicating that Rab23 modulates migration through N-cadherin. These studies suggest that cortical neuron migration is mediated by a molecular hierarchy downstream of Rab23 via N-cadherin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine H H Hor
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore 308433, Singapore
| | - Eyleen L K Goh
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore 308433, Singapore.,Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore.,KK Research Center, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
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6
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Chin EWM, Lim WM, Ma D, Rosales FJ, Goh ELK. Choline Rescues Behavioural Deficits in a Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome by Modulating Neuronal Plasticity. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:3882-3896. [PMID: 30220058 PMCID: PMC6505515 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1345-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a postnatal neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects girls, with 95% of RTT cases resulting from mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. Choline, a dietary micronutrient found in most foods, has been shown to be important for brain development and function. However, the exact effects and mechanisms are still unknown. We found that 13 mg/day (1.7 × required daily intake) of postnatal choline treatment to Mecp2-conditional knockout mice rescued not only deficits in motor coordination, but also their anxiety-like behaviour and reduced social preference. Cortical neurons in the brains of Mecp2-conditional knockout mice supplemented with choline showed enhanced neuronal morphology and increased density of dendritic spines. Modelling RTT in vitro by knocking down the expression of the MeCP2 protein with shRNA, we found that choline supplementation to MeCP2-knockdown neurons increased their soma sizes and the complexity of their dendritic arbors. Rescue of the morphological defects could lead to enhanced neurotransmission, as suggested by an observed trend of increased expression of synaptic proteins and restored miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency in choline-supplemented MeCP2-knockdown neurons. Through the use of specific inhibitors targeting each of the known physiological pathways of choline, synthesis of phosphatidylcholine from choline was found to be essential in bringing about the changes seen in the choline-supplemented MeCP2-knockdown neurons. Taken together, these data reveal a role of choline in modulating neuronal plasticity, possibly leading to behavioural changes, and hence, a potential for using choline to treat RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice W M Chin
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, 20 College Road, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
- Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore
| | - Wee Meng Lim
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, 20 College Road, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
- Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore
| | - Dongliang Ma
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, 20 College Road, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
- Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
| | | | - Eyleen L K Goh
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, 20 College Road, Singapore, 169856, Singapore.
- Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, 308433, Singapore.
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
- KK Research Center, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, 229899, Singapore.
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7
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Sathe S, Chan XQ, Jin J, Bernitt E, Döbereiner HG, Yim EKF. Correlation and Comparison of Cortical and Hippocampal Neural Progenitor Morphology and Differentiation through the Use of Micro- and Nano-Topographies. J Funct Biomater 2017; 8:jfb8030035. [PMID: 28805664 PMCID: PMC5618286 DOI: 10.3390/jfb8030035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal morphology and differentiation have been extensively studied on topography. The differentiation potential of neural progenitors has been shown to be influenced by brain region, developmental stage, and time in culture. However, the neurogenecity and morphology of different neural progenitors in response to topography have not been quantitatively compared. In this study, the correlation between the morphology and differentiation of hippocampal and cortical neural progenitor cells was explored. The morphology of differentiated neural progenitors was quantified on an array of topographies. In spite of topographical contact guidance, cell morphology was observed to be under the influence of regional priming, even after differentiation. This influence of regional priming was further reflected in the correlations between the morphological properties and the differentiation efficiency of the cells. For example, neuronal differentiation efficiency of cortical neural progenitors showed a negative correlation with the number of neurites per neuron, but hippocampal neural progenitors showed a positive correlation. Correlations of morphological parameters and differentiation were further enhanced on gratings, which are known to promote neuronal differentiation. Thus, the neurogenecity and morphology of neural progenitors is highly responsive to certain topographies and is committed early on in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharvari Sathe
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab, #05-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411.
| | - Xiang Quan Chan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Engineering Block 4, #04-08, Singapore 117583.
| | - Jing Jin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Engineering Block 4, #04-08, Singapore 117583.
| | - Erik Bernitt
- Institut für Biophysik, Universität Bremen, Otto-Hahn-Allee 1, Bremen 28359, Germany.
| | - Hans-Günther Döbereiner
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab, #05-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411.
- Institut für Biophysik, Universität Bremen, Otto-Hahn-Allee 1, Bremen 28359, Germany.
| | - Evelyn K F Yim
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab, #05-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Engineering Block 4, #04-08, Singapore 117583.
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, Level 8, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
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8
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Functional Maturation of Human Stem Cell-Derived Neurons in Long-Term Cultures. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169506. [PMID: 28052116 PMCID: PMC5215418 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiated neurons can be rapidly acquired, within days, by inducing stem cells to express neurogenic transcription factors. We developed a protocol to maintain long-term cultures of human neurons, called iNGNs, which are obtained by inducing Neurogenin-1 and Neurogenin-2 expression in induced pluripotent stem cells. We followed the functional development of iNGNs over months and they showed many hallmark properties for neuronal maturation, including robust electrical and synaptic activity. Using iNGNs expressing a variant of channelrhodopsin-2, called CatCh, we could control iNGN activity with blue light stimulation. In combination with optogenetic tools, iNGNs offer opportunities for studies that require precise spatial and temporal resolution. iNGNs developed spontaneous network activity, and these networks had excitatory glutamatergic synapses, which we characterized with single-cell synaptic recordings. AMPA glutamatergic receptor activity was especially dominant in postsynaptic recordings, whereas NMDA glutamatergic receptor activity was absent from postsynaptic recordings but present in extrasynaptic recordings. Our results on long-term cultures of iNGNs could help in future studies elucidating mechanisms of human synaptogenesis and neurotransmission, along with the ability to scale-up the size of the cultures.
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9
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Ng T, Hor CHH, Chew B, Zhao J, Zhong Z, Ryu JR, Goh ELK. Neuropilin 2 Signaling Is Involved in Cell Positioning of Adult-born Neurons through Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β (GSK3β). J Biol Chem 2016; 291:25088-25095. [PMID: 27687730 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.755215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper positioning of neurons is fundamental for brain functions. However, little is known on how adult-born neurons generated in the hilar side of hippocampal dentate gyrus migrate into the granular cell layer. Because class 3 Semaphorins (Sema3) are involved in dendritic growth of these newborn neurons, we examined whether they are essential for cell positioning. We disrupted Sema3 signaling by silencing neuropilin 1 (NRP1) or 2 (NRP2), the main receptors for Sema3A and Sema3F, in neural progenitors of adult mouse dentate gyrus. Silencing of NRP2, but not NRP1, affected cell positioning of adult newborn neurons. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) knockdown phenocopied this NRP2 silencing-mediated cell positioning defect, but did not affect dendritic growth. Furthermore, GSK3β is activated upon stimulation with Sema3F, and GSK3β overexpression rescued the cell positioning phenotypes seen in NRP2-deficient neurons. These results point to a new role for NRP2 in the positioning of neurons during adult hippocampal neurogenesis, acting via the GSK3β signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teclise Ng
- From the Programme in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorder and
| | - Catherine H H Hor
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,the Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore 308433, Singapore
| | - Benjamin Chew
- From the Programme in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorder and
| | - Jing Zhao
- GlaxoSmithKline (China) R&D Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhong Zhong
- GlaxoSmithKline (China) R&D Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jae Ryun Ryu
- From the Programme in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorder and
| | - Eyleen L K Goh
- From the Programme in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorder and .,Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.,the Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore 308433, Singapore.,the Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore, and.,the KK Research Center, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore
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10
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Choline Ameliorates Disease Phenotypes in Human iPSC Models of Rett Syndrome. Neuromolecular Med 2016; 18:364-77. [PMID: 27379379 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-016-8421-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a postnatal neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects girls. Mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene account for approximately 95 % of all RTT cases. To model RTT in vitro, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from fibroblasts of two RTT patients with different mutations (MECP2 (R306C) and MECP2 (1155Δ32)) in their MECP2 gene. We found that these iPSCs were capable of differentiating into functional neurons. Compared to control neurons, the RTT iPSC-derived cells had reduced soma size and a decreased amount of synaptic input, evident both as fewer Synapsin 1-positive puncta and a lower frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents. Supplementation of the culture media with choline rescued all of these defects. Choline supplementation may act through changes in the expression of choline acetyltransferase, an important enzyme in cholinergic signaling, and also through alterations in the lipid metabolite profiles of the RTT neurons. Our study elucidates the possible mechanistic pathways for the effect of choline on human RTT cell models, thereby illustrating the potential for using choline as a nutraceutical to treat RTT.
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11
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Chin EWM, Goh ELK. Studying neurological disorders using induced pluripotent stem cells and optogenetics. Neural Regen Res 2016; 10:1720-2. [PMID: 26807089 PMCID: PMC4705766 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.169607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eunice W M Chin
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore; NUS Graduate School for Integrative Singapore, Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eyleen L K Goh
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore; Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; KK Research Center, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
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12
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Chew B, Ryu JR, Ng T, Ma D, Dasgupta A, Neo SH, Zhao J, Zhong Z, Bichler Z, Sajikumar S, Goh ELK. Lentiviral silencing of GSK-3β in adult dentate gyrus impairs contextual fear memory and synaptic plasticity. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:158. [PMID: 26157370 PMCID: PMC4477161 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Attempts have been made to use glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β) inhibitors for prophylactic treatment of neurocognitive conditions. However the use of lithium, a non-specific inhibitor of GSK3β results in mild cognitive impairment in humans. The effects of global GSK3β inhibition or knockout on learning and memory in healthy adult mice are also inconclusive. Our study aims to better understand the role of GSK3β in learning and memory through a more regionally, targeted approach, specifically performing lentiviral-mediated knockdown of GSK3β within the dentate gyrus (DG). DG-GSK3β-silenced mice showed impaired contextual fear memory retrieval. However, cue fear memory, spatial memory, locomotor activity and anxiety levels were similar to control. These GSK3β-silenced mice also showed increased induction and maintenance of DG long-term potentiation (DG-LTP) compared to control animals. Thus, this region-specific, targeted knockdown of GSK3β in the DG provides better understanding on the role of GSK3β in learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Chew
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jae Ryun Ryu
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore
| | - Teclise Ng
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dongliang Ma
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ananya Dasgupta
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sin Hui Neo
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jing Zhao
- Regenerative Medicine DPU, GlaxoSmithKline (China) R&D Co., Ltd. Shanghai, China
| | - Zhong Zhong
- Regenerative Medicine DPU, GlaxoSmithKline (China) R&D Co., Ltd. Shanghai, China
| | - Zoë Bichler
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore ; Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, National Neuroscience Institute Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sreedharan Sajikumar
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eyleen L K Goh
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore ; Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore Singapore, Singapore ; KK Research Center, KK Women's and Children's Hospital Singapore, Singapore
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Chinchalongporn V, Koppensteiner P, Prè D, Thangnipon W, Bilo L, Arancio O. Connectivity and circuitry in a dish versus in a brain. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2015; 7:44. [PMID: 26045718 PMCID: PMC4456047 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-015-0129-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In order to understand and find therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders, disease models that recapitulate the connectivity and circuitry of patients’ brain are needed. Owing to many limitations of animal disease models, in vitro neuronal models using patient-derived stem cells are currently being developed. However, prior to employing neurons as a model in a dish, they need to be evaluated for their electrophysiological properties, including both passive and active membrane properties, dynamics of neurotransmitter release, and capacity to undergo synaptic plasticity. In this review, we survey recent attempts to study these issues in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. Although progress has been made, there are still many hurdles to overcome before human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons can fully recapitulate all of the above physiological properties of adult mature neurons. Moreover, proper integration of neurons into pre-existing circuitry still needs to be achieved. Nevertheless, in vitro neuronal stem cell-derived models hold great promise for clinical application in neurological diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vorapin Chinchalongporn
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA ; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain P&S Bldg, Room 12-420D, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA ; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, CUMC, New York, NY 10032 USA ; Research Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhonpathom 73170 Thailand
| | - Peter Koppensteiner
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA ; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain P&S Bldg, Room 12-420D, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA ; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, CUMC, New York, NY 10032 USA ; Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Deborah Prè
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA ; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain P&S Bldg, Room 12-420D, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA ; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, CUMC, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Wipawan Thangnipon
- Research Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhonpathom 73170 Thailand
| | - Leonilda Bilo
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA ; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain P&S Bldg, Room 12-420D, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA ; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, CUMC, New York, NY 10032 USA ; Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA ; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain P&S Bldg, Room 12-420D, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA ; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, CUMC, New York, NY 10032 USA
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