1
|
Puri D, Barry BJ, Engle EC. TUBB3 and KIF21A in neurodevelopment and disease. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1226181. [PMID: 37600020 PMCID: PMC10436312 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1226181] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal migration and axon growth and guidance require precise control of microtubule dynamics and microtubule-based cargo transport. TUBB3 encodes the neuronal-specific β-tubulin isotype III, TUBB3, a component of neuronal microtubules expressed throughout the life of central and peripheral neurons. Human pathogenic TUBB3 missense variants result in altered TUBB3 function and cause errors either in the growth and guidance of cranial and, to a lesser extent, central axons, or in cortical neuronal migration and organization, and rarely in both. Moreover, human pathogenic missense variants in KIF21A, which encodes an anterograde kinesin motor protein that interacts directly with microtubules, alter KIF21A function and cause errors in cranial axon growth and guidance that can phenocopy TUBB3 variants. Here, we review reported TUBB3 and KIF21A variants, resulting phenotypes, and corresponding functional studies of both wildtype and mutant proteins. We summarize the evidence that, in vitro and in mouse models, loss-of-function and missense variants can alter microtubule dynamics and microtubule-kinesin interactions. Lastly, we highlight additional studies that might contribute to our understanding of the relationship between specific tubulin isotypes and specific kinesin motor proteins in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dharmendra Puri
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
| | - Brenda J. Barry
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
| | - Elizabeth C. Engle
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Siwczak F, Hiller C, Pfannkuche H, Schneider MR. Culture of vibrating microtome tissue slices as a 3D model in biomedical research. J Biol Eng 2023; 17:36. [PMID: 37264444 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-023-00357-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The basic idea behind the use of 3-dimensional (3D) tools in biomedical research is the assumption that the structures under study will perform at the best in vitro if cultivated in an environment that is as similar as possible to their natural in vivo embedding. Tissue slicing fulfills this premise optimally: it is an accessible, unexpensive, imaging-friendly, and technically rather simple procedure which largely preserves the extracellular matrix and includes all or at least most supportive cell types in the correct tissue architecture with little cellular damage. Vibrating microtomes (vibratomes) can further improve the quality of the generated slices because of the lateral, saw-like movement of the blade, which significantly reduces tissue pulling or tearing compared to a straight cut. In spite of its obvious advantages, vibrating microtome slices are rather underrepresented in the current discussion on 3D tools, which is dominated by methods as organoids, organ-on-chip and bioprinting. Here, we review the development of vibrating microtome tissue slices, the major technical features underlying its application, as well as its current use and potential advances, such as a combination with novel microfluidic culture chambers. Once fully integrated into the 3D toolbox, tissue slices may significantly contribute to decrease the use of laboratory animals and is likely to have a strong impact on basic and translational research as well as drug screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatina Siwczak
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 7, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Charlotte Hiller
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 7, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Helga Pfannkuche
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 7, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marlon R Schneider
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 7, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Whitman MC, Miyake N, Nguyen EH, Bell JL, Matos Ruiz PM, Chan WM, Di Gioia SA, Mukherjee N, Barry BJ, Bosley TM, Khan AO, Engle EC. Decreased ACKR3 (CXCR7) function causes oculomotor synkinesis in mice and humans. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:3113-3125. [PMID: 31211835 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Oculomotor synkinesis is the involuntary movement of the eyes or eyelids with a voluntary attempt at a different movement. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand CXCL12 regulate oculomotor nerve development; mice with loss of either molecule have oculomotor synkinesis. In a consanguineous family with congenital ptosis and elevation of the ptotic eyelid with ipsilateral abduction, we identified a co-segregating homozygous missense variant (c.772G>A) in ACKR3, which encodes an atypical chemokine receptor that binds CXCL12 and functions as a scavenger receptor, regulating levels of CXCL12 available for CXCR4 signaling. The mutant protein (p.V258M) is expressed and traffics to the cell surface but has a lower binding affinity for CXCL12. Mice with loss of Ackr3 have variable phenotypes that include misrouting of the oculomotor and abducens nerves. All embryos show oculomotor nerve misrouting, ranging from complete misprojection in the midbrain, to aberrant peripheral branching, to a thin nerve, which aberrantly innervates the lateral rectus (as seen in Duane syndrome). The abducens nerve phenotype ranges from complete absence, to aberrant projections within the orbit, to a normal trajectory. Loss of ACKR3 in the midbrain leads to downregulation of CXCR4 protein, consistent with reports that excess CXCL12 causes ligand-induced degradation of CXCR4. Correspondingly, excess CXCL12 applied to ex vivo oculomotor slices causes axon misrouting, similar to inhibition of CXCR4. Thus, ACKR3, through its regulation of CXCL12 levels, is an important regulator of axon guidance in the oculomotor system; complete loss causes oculomotor synkinesis in mice, while reduced function causes oculomotor synkinesis in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary C Whitman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Noriko Miyake
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elaine H Nguyen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica L Bell
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paola M Matos Ruiz
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wai-Man Chan
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Silvio Alessandro Di Gioia
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nisha Mukherjee
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brenda J Barry
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - T M Bosley
- Department of Ophthalmology, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arif O Khan
- Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elizabeth C Engle
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fujiki R, Lee JY, Jurgens JA, Whitman MC, Engle EC. Isolation and Culture of Oculomotor, Trochlear, and Spinal Motor Neurons from Prenatal Islmn:GFP Transgenic Mice. J Vis Exp 2019:10.3791/60440. [PMID: 31789317 PMCID: PMC7036286 DOI: 10.3791/60440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Oculomotor neurons (CN3s) and trochlear neurons (CN4s) exhibit remarkable resistance to degenerative motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) when compared to spinal motor neurons (SMNs). The ability to isolate and culture primary mouse CN3s, CN4s, and SMNs would provide an approach to study mechanisms underlying this selective vulnerability. To date, most protocols use heterogeneous cell cultures, which can confound the interpretation of experimental outcomes. To minimize the problems associated with mixed-cell populations, pure cultures are indispensable. Here, the first protocol describes in detail how to efficiently purify and cultivate CN3s/CN4s alongside SMNs counterparts from the same embryos using embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) IslMN:GFP transgenic mouse embryos. The protocol provides details on the tissue dissection and dissociation, FACS-based cell isolation, and in vitro cultivation of cells from CN3/CN4 and SMN nuclei. This protocol adds a novel in vitro CN3/CN4 culture system to existing protocols and simultaneously provides a pure species- and age-matched SMN culture for comparison. Analyses focusing on the morphological, cellular, molecular, and electrophysiological characteristics of motor neurons are feasible in this culture system. This protocol will enable research into the mechanisms that define motor neuron development, selective vulnerability, and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Fujiki
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital; FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Medical Genetics Training Program, Harvard Medical School; Department of Neurology, Kokura Memorial Hospital
| | - Joun Y Lee
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital; FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital; Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
| | - Julie A Jurgens
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital; FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Broad Institute of M.I.T. and Harvard
| | - Mary C Whitman
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital; Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School
| | - Elizabeth C Engle
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital; FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Medical Genetics Training Program, Harvard Medical School; Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Broad Institute of M.I.T. and Harvard; Howard Hughes Medical Institute;
| |
Collapse
|