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de Vries LE, Huitinga I, Kessels HW, Swaab DF, Verhaagen J. The concept of resilience to Alzheimer's Disease: current definitions and cellular and molecular mechanisms. Mol Neurodegener 2024; 19:33. [PMID: 38589893 PMCID: PMC11003087 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-024-00719-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Some individuals are able to maintain their cognitive abilities despite the presence of significant Alzheimer's Disease (AD) neuropathological changes. This discrepancy between cognition and pathology has been labeled as resilience and has evolved into a widely debated concept. External factors such as cognitive stimulation are associated with resilience to AD, but the exact cellular and molecular underpinnings are not completely understood. In this review, we discuss the current definitions used in the field, highlight the translational approaches used to investigate resilience to AD and summarize the underlying cellular and molecular substrates of resilience that have been derived from human and animal studies, which have received more and more attention in the last few years. From these studies the picture emerges that resilient individuals are different from AD patients in terms of specific pathological species and their cellular reaction to AD pathology, which possibly helps to maintain cognition up to a certain tipping point. Studying these rare resilient individuals can be of great importance as it could pave the way to novel therapeutic avenues for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luuk E de Vries
- Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Inge Huitinga
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dick F Swaab
- Department of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University, Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Cabrera Y, Koymans KJ, Poe GR, Kessels HW, Van Someren EJW, Wassing R. Overnight neuronal plasticity and adaptation to emotional distress. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:253-271. [PMID: 38443627 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-024-00799-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Expressions such as 'sleep on it' refer to the resolution of distressing experiences across a night of sound sleep. Sleep is an active state during which the brain reorganizes the synaptic connections that form memories. This Perspective proposes a model of how sleep modifies emotional memory traces. Sleep-dependent reorganization occurs through neurophysiological events in neurochemical contexts that determine the fates of synapses to grow, to survive or to be pruned. We discuss how low levels of acetylcholine during non-rapid eye movement sleep and low levels of noradrenaline during rapid eye movement sleep provide a unique window of opportunity for plasticity in neuronal representations of emotional memories that resolves the associated distress. We integrate sleep-facilitated adaptation over three levels: experience and behaviour, neuronal circuits, and synaptic events. The model generates testable hypotheses for how failed sleep-dependent adaptation to emotional distress is key to mental disorders, notably disorders of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress with the common aetiology of insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesenia Cabrera
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Karin J Koymans
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gina R Poe
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Synaptic Plasticity and Behaviour, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Society for Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eus J W Van Someren
- Department of Sleep and Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Society for Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology and Psychiatry, VU University, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rick Wassing
- Sleep and Circadian Research, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Martins IM, Lima A, de Graaff W, Cristóvão JS, Brosens N, Aronica E, Kluskens LD, Gomes CM, Azeredo J, Kessels HW. M13 phage grafted with peptide motifs as a tool to detect amyloid-β oligomers in brain tissue. Commun Biol 2024; 7:134. [PMID: 38280942 PMCID: PMC10821927 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05806-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Oligomeric clusters of amyloid-β (Aβ) are one of the major biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, proficient methods to detect Aβ-oligomers in brain tissue are lacking. Here we show that synthetic M13 bacteriophages displaying Aβ-derived peptides on their surface preferentially interact with Aβ-oligomers. When exposed to brain tissue isolated from APP/PS1-transgenic mice, these bacteriophages detect small-sized Aβ-aggregates in hippocampus at an early age, prior to the occurrence of Aβ-plaques. Similarly, the bacteriophages reveal the presence of such small Aβ-aggregates in post-mortem hippocampus tissue of AD-patients. These results advocate bacteriophages displaying Aβ-peptides as a convenient and low-cost tool to identify Aβ-oligomers in post-mortem brain tissue of AD-model mice and AD-patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivone M Martins
- CEB- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Alexandre Lima
- CEB- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wim de Graaff
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joana S Cristóvão
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Niek Brosens
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Leon D Kluskens
- CEB- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Cláudio M Gomes
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana Azeredo
- CEB- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Brosens N, Simon C, Kessels HW, Lucassen PJ, Krugers HJ. Early life stress lastingly alters the function and AMPA-receptor composition of glutamatergic synapses in the hippocampus of male mice. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13346. [PMID: 37901923 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Early postnatal life is a sensitive period of development that shapes brain structure and function later in life. Exposure to stress during this critical time window can alter brain development and may enhance the susceptibility to psychopathology and neurodegenerative disorders later in life. The developmental effects of early life stress (ELS) on synaptic function are not fully understood, but could provide mechanistic insights into how ELS modifies later brain function and disease risk. We here assessed the effects of ELS on synaptic function and composition in the hippocampus of male mice. Mice were subjected to ELS by housing dams and pups with limited bedding and nesting material from postnatal days (P) 2-9. Synaptic strength was measured in terms of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus at three different developmental stages: the early postnatal phase (P9), preadolescence (P21, at weaning) and adulthood at 3 months of age (3MO). Hippocampal synaptosome fractions were isolated from P9 and 3MO tissue and analyzed for protein content to assess postsynaptic composition. Finally, dendritic spine density was assessed in the DG at 3MO. At P9, ELS increased mEPSC frequency and amplitude. In parallel, synaptic composition was altered as PSD-95, GluA3 and GluN2B content were significantly decreased. The increased mEPSC frequency was sustained up to 3MO, at which age, GluA3 content was significantly increased. No differences were found in dendritic spine density. These findings highlight how ELS affects the development of hippocampal synapses, which could provide valuable insight into mechanisms how ELS alters brain function later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niek Brosens
- SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carla Simon
- SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Paul J Lucassen
- SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harm J Krugers
- SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Zhang T, Musheshe N, van der Veen CHJTM, Kessels HW, Dolga A, De Deyn P, Eisel U, Schmidt M. The Expression of Epac2 and GluA3 in an Alzheimer's Disease Experimental Model and Postmortem Patient Samples. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2096. [PMID: 37626593 PMCID: PMC10452319 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by amyloid beta (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau accumulation in the brain. Recent studies indicated that memory retrieval, rather than memory formation, was impaired in the early stage of AD. Our previous study reported that pharmacological activation of hippocampal Epac2 promoted memory retrieval in C57BL/6J mice. A recent study suggested that pharmacological inhibition of Epac2 prevented synaptic potentiation mediated by GluA3-containing AMPARs. In this study, we aimed to investigate proteins associated with Epac2-mediated memory in hippocampal postmortem samples of AD patients and healthy controls compared with the experimental AD model J20 and wild-type mice. Epac2 and phospho-Akt were downregulated in AD patients and J20 mice, while Epac1 and phospho-ERK1/2 were not altered. GluA3 was reduced in J20 mice and tended to decrease in AD patients. PSD95 tended to decrease in AD patients and J20. Interestingly, AKAP5 was increased in AD patients but not in J20 mice, implicating its role in tau phosphorylation. Our study points to the downregulation of hippocampal expression of proteins associated with Epac2 in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Zhang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (T.Z.); (N.M.); (C.H.J.T.M.v.d.V.); (A.D.)
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Nshunge Musheshe
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (T.Z.); (N.M.); (C.H.J.T.M.v.d.V.); (A.D.)
| | - Christina H. J. T. M. van der Veen
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (T.Z.); (N.M.); (C.H.J.T.M.v.d.V.); (A.D.)
| | - Helmut W. Kessels
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Amalia Dolga
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (T.Z.); (N.M.); (C.H.J.T.M.v.d.V.); (A.D.)
- Institute for Asthma and COPD, GRIAC, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter De Deyn
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Research Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands;
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, Experimental Neurobiology Unit, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Ulrich Eisel
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Martina Schmidt
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (T.Z.); (N.M.); (C.H.J.T.M.v.d.V.); (A.D.)
- Institute for Asthma and COPD, GRIAC, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
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Lumeij LB, van Huijstee AN, Cappaert NLM, Kessels HW. Variance analysis as a method to predict the locus of plasticity at populations of non-uniform synapses. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1232541. [PMID: 37528963 PMCID: PMC10388551 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1232541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Our knowledge on synaptic transmission in the central nervous system has often been obtained by evoking synaptic responses to populations of synapses. Analysis of the variance in synaptic responses can be applied as a method to predict whether a change in synaptic responses is a consequence of altered presynaptic neurotransmitter release or postsynaptic receptors. However, variance analysis is based on binomial statistics, which assumes that synapses are uniform. In reality, synapses are far from uniform, which questions the reliability of variance analysis when applying this method to populations of synapses. To address this, we used an in silico model for evoked synaptic responses and compared variance analysis outcomes between populations of uniform versus non-uniform synapses. This simulation revealed that variance analysis produces similar results irrespectively of the grade of uniformity of synapses. We put this variance analysis to the test with an electrophysiology experiment using a model system for which the loci of plasticity are well established: the effect of amyloid-β on synapses. Variance analysis correctly predicted that postsynaptically produced amyloid-β triggered predominantly a loss of synapses and a minor reduction of postsynaptic currents in remaining synapses with little effect on presynaptic release probability. We propose that variance analysis can be reliably used to predict the locus of synaptic changes for populations of non-uniform synapses.
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de Vries LE, Rozemuller AJ, Huitinga I, Kessels HW, Swaab DF, Verhaagen J. Resilience in Alzheimer's disease: Gene expression patterns in individuals with a discrepancy between ante‐mortem cognition and post‐mortem pathology. Alzheimers Dement 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/alz.050310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luuk E de Vries
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences Amsterdam Netherlands
| | | | - Inge Huitinga
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences Amsterdam Netherlands
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences Amsterdam Neuroscience University of Amsterdam Amsterdam Netherlands
| | - Dick F Swaab
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences Amsterdam Netherlands
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences Amsterdam Netherlands
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Zimmer TS, David B, Broekaart DWM, Schidlowski M, Ruffolo G, Korotkov A, van der Wel NN, van Rijen PC, Mühlebner A, van Hecke W, Baayen JC, Idema S, François L, van Eyll J, Dedeurwaerdere S, Kessels HW, Surges R, Rüber T, Gorter JA, Mills JD, van Vliet EA, Aronica E. Seizure-mediated iron accumulation and dysregulated iron metabolism after status epilepticus and in temporal lobe epilepsy. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:729-759. [PMID: 34292399 PMCID: PMC8423709 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02348-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal dysfunction due to iron accumulation in conjunction with reactive oxygen species (ROS) could represent an important, yet underappreciated, component of the epileptogenic process. However, to date, alterations in iron metabolism in the epileptogenic brain have not been addressed in detail. Iron-related neuropathology and antioxidant metabolic processes were investigated in resected brain tissue from patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS), post-mortem brain tissue from patients who died after status epilepticus (SE) as well as brain tissue from the electrically induced SE rat model of TLE. Magnetic susceptibility of the presumed seizure-onset zone from three patients with focal epilepsy was compared during and after seizure activity. Finally, the cellular effects of iron overload were studied in vitro using an acute mouse hippocampal slice preparation and cultured human fetal astrocytes. While iron-accumulating neurons had a pyknotic morphology, astrocytes appeared to acquire iron-sequestrating capacity as indicated by prominent ferritin expression and iron retention in the hippocampus of patients with SE or TLE. Interictal to postictal comparison revealed increased magnetic susceptibility in the seizure-onset zone of epilepsy patients. Post-SE rats had consistently higher hippocampal iron levels during the acute and chronic phase (when spontaneous recurrent seizures are evident). In vitro, in acute slices that were exposed to iron, neurons readily took up iron, which was exacerbated by induced epileptiform activity. Human astrocyte cultures challenged with iron and ROS increased their antioxidant and iron-binding capacity, but simultaneously developed a pro-inflammatory phenotype upon chronic exposure. These data suggest that seizure-mediated, chronic neuronal iron uptake might play a role in neuronal dysfunction/loss in TLE-HS. On the other hand, astrocytes sequester iron, specifically in chronic epilepsy. This function might transform astrocytes into a highly resistant, pro-inflammatory phenotype potentially contributing to pro-epileptogenic inflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till S Zimmer
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bastian David
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Diede W M Broekaart
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Schidlowski
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Anatoly Korotkov
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole N van der Wel
- Department Cell Biology and Histology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department Electron Microscopy Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter C van Rijen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Centre, Rudolf Magnus Institute for Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Angelika Mühlebner
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wim van Hecke
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes C Baayen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Idema
- Department of Neurosurgery, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Liesbeth François
- Neurosciences Therapeutic Area, UCB Pharma, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | - Jonathan van Eyll
- Neurosciences Therapeutic Area, UCB Pharma, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | | | - Helmut W Kessels
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rainer Surges
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Theodor Rüber
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jan A Gorter
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - James D Mills
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL, London, UK
- Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, UK
| | - Erwin A van Vliet
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, The Netherlands.
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Grieco F, Bernstein BJ, Biemans B, Bikovski L, Burnett CJ, Cushman JD, van Dam EA, Fry SA, Richmond-Hacham B, Homberg JR, Kas MJH, Kessels HW, Koopmans B, Krashes MJ, Krishnan V, Logan S, Loos M, McCann KE, Parduzi Q, Pick CG, Prevot TD, Riedel G, Robinson L, Sadighi M, Smit AB, Sonntag W, Roelofs RF, Tegelenbosch RAJ, Noldus LPJJ. Measuring Behavior in the Home Cage: Study Design, Applications, Challenges, and Perspectives. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:735387. [PMID: 34630052 PMCID: PMC8498589 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.735387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The reproducibility crisis (or replication crisis) in biomedical research is a particularly existential and under-addressed issue in the field of behavioral neuroscience, where, in spite of efforts to standardize testing and assay protocols, several known and unknown sources of confounding environmental factors add to variance. Human interference is a major contributor to variability both within and across laboratories, as well as novelty-induced anxiety. Attempts to reduce human interference and to measure more "natural" behaviors in subjects has led to the development of automated home-cage monitoring systems. These systems enable prolonged and longitudinal recordings, and provide large continuous measures of spontaneous behavior that can be analyzed across multiple time scales. In this review, a diverse team of neuroscientists and product developers share their experiences using such an automated monitoring system that combines Noldus PhenoTyper® home-cages and the video-based tracking software, EthoVision® XT, to extract digital biomarkers of motor, emotional, social and cognitive behavior. After presenting our working definition of a "home-cage", we compare home-cage testing with more conventional out-of-cage tests (e.g., the open field) and outline the various advantages of the former, including opportunities for within-subject analyses and assessments of circadian and ultradian activity. Next, we address technical issues pertaining to the acquisition of behavioral data, such as the fine-tuning of the tracking software and the potential for integration with biotelemetry and optogenetics. Finally, we provide guidance on which behavioral measures to emphasize, how to filter, segment, and analyze behavior, and how to use analysis scripts. We summarize how the PhenoTyper has applications to study neuropharmacology as well as animal models of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric illness. Looking forward, we examine current challenges and the impact of new developments. Examples include the automated recognition of specific behaviors, unambiguous tracking of individuals in a social context, the development of more animal-centered measures of behavior and ways of dealing with large datasets. Together, we advocate that by embracing standardized home-cage monitoring platforms like the PhenoTyper, we are poised to directly assess issues pertaining to reproducibility, and more importantly, measure features of rodent behavior under more ethologically relevant scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Briana J Bernstein
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | | | - Lior Bikovski
- Myers Neuro-Behavioral Core Facility, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- School of Behavioral Sciences, Netanya Academic College, Netanya, Israel
| | - C Joseph Burnett
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jesse D Cushman
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | | | - Sydney A Fry
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Bar Richmond-Hacham
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Judith R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Martien J H Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Michael J Krashes
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Vaishnav Krishnan
- Laboratory of Epilepsy and Emotional Behavior, Baylor Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sreemathi Logan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Maarten Loos
- Sylics (Synaptologics BV), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Katharine E McCann
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | | | - Chaim G Pick
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Chair and Center for the Biology of Addictive Diseases, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Thomas D Prevot
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gernot Riedel
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Lianne Robinson
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Mina Sadighi
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - August B Smit
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - William Sonntag
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Center for Geroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | | | | | - Lucas P J J Noldus
- Noldus Information Technology BV, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Department of Biophysics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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10
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Dore K, Carrico Z, Alfonso S, Marino M, Koymans K, Kessels HW, Malinow R. PSD-95 protects synapses from β-amyloid. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109194. [PMID: 34077732 PMCID: PMC8237704 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Beta-amyloid (Aβ) depresses excitatory synapses by a poorly understood mechanism requiring NMDA receptor (NMDAR) function. Here, we show that increased PSD-95, a major synaptic scaffolding molecule, blocks the effects of Aβ on synapses. The protective effect persists in tissue lacking the AMPA receptor subunit GluA1, which prevents the confounding synaptic potentiation by increased PSD-95. Aβ modifies the conformation of the NMDAR C-terminal domain (CTD) and its interaction with protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), producing synaptic weakening. Higher endogenous levels or overexpression of PSD-95 block Aβ-induced effects on the NMDAR CTD conformation, its interaction with PP1, and synaptic weakening. Our results indicate that increased PSD-95 protects synapses from Aβ toxicity, suggesting that low levels of synaptic PSD-95 may be a molecular sign indicating synapse vulnerability to Aβ. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of its depalmitoylation increases PSD-95 at synapses and rescues deficits caused by Aβ, possibly opening a therapeutic avenue against Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Dore
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience and Section for Neurobiology, Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Zachary Carrico
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience and Section for Neurobiology, Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Stephanie Alfonso
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience and Section for Neurobiology, Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Marc Marino
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience and Section for Neurobiology, Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Karin Koymans
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience and Section for Neurobiology, Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Roberto Malinow
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neuroscience and Section for Neurobiology, Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
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11
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van Huijstee AN, Kessels HW. Variance analysis as a tool to predict the mechanism underlying synaptic plasticity. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 331:108526. [PMID: 31756397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The strength of synaptic transmission onto a neuron depends on the number of functional vesicle release sites (N), the probability of vesicle release (Pr), and the quantal size (Q). Statistical tools based on the quantal model of synaptic transmission can be used to acquire information on which of these parameters is the source of plasticity. However, quantal analysis depends on assumptions that may not be met at central synapses. NEW METHOD We examined the merit of quantal analysis to extract the mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity by applying binomial statistics on the variance in amplitude of postsynaptic currents evoked at Schaffer collateral-CA1 (Sc-CA1) synapses in mouse hippocampal slices. We extend this analysis by combining the conventional inverse square of the coefficient of variation (1/CV2) with the variance-to-mean ratio (VMR). RESULTS This method can be used to assess the relative, but not absolute, contribution of N, Pr and Q to synaptic plasticity. The changes in 1/CV2 and VMR values correctly reflect experimental modifications of N, Pr and Q at Sc-CA1 synapses. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS While the 1/CV2 depends on N and Pr, but is independent of Q, the VMR is dependent on Pr and Q, but not on N. Combining both allows for a rapid assessment of the mechanism underlying synaptic plasticity without the need for additional electrophysiological experiments. CONCLUSION Combining the 1/CV2 with the VMR allows for a reliable prediction of the relative contribution of changes in N, Pr and Q to synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aile N van Huijstee
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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12
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Uyaniker S, van der Spek SJF, Reinders NR, Xiong H, Li KW, Bossers K, Smit AB, Verhaagen J, Kessels HW. The Effects of Sindbis Viral Vectors on Neuronal Function. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:362. [PMID: 31440143 PMCID: PMC6694438 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral vectors are attractive tools to express genes in neurons. Transduction of neurons with a recombinant, replication-deficient Sindbis viral vector is a method of choice for studying the effects of short-term protein overexpression on neuronal function. However, to which extent Sindbis by itself may affect neurons is not fully understood. We assessed effects of neuronal transduction with a Sindbis viral vector on the transcriptome and proteome in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures, and analyzed the electrophysiological properties of individual CA1 neurons, at 24 h and 72 h after viral vector injection. Whereas Sindbis caused substantial gene expression alterations, changes at the protein level were less pronounced. Alterations in transcriptome and proteome were predominantly limited to proteins involved in mediating anti-viral innate immune responses. Sindbis transduction did not affect the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of individual neurons: the membrane potential and neuronal excitability were similar between transduced and non-transduced CA1 neurons up to 72 h after Sindbis injection. Synaptic currents also remained unchanged upon Sindbis transduction, unless slices were massively infected for 72 h. We conclude that Sindbis viral vectors at low transduction rates are suitable for studying short-term effects of a protein of interest on electrophysiological properties of neurons, but not for studies on the regulation of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seçil Uyaniker
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sophie J F van der Spek
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Niels R Reinders
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Cellular and Computational Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hui Xiong
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Cellular and Computational Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ka Wan Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Koen Bossers
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - August B Smit
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Cellular and Computational Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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13
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Lesuis SL, Hoeijmakers L, Korosi A, de Rooij SR, Swaab DF, Kessels HW, Lucassen PJ, Krugers HJ. Vulnerability and resilience to Alzheimer's disease: early life conditions modulate neuropathology and determine cognitive reserve. Alzheimers Res Ther 2018; 10:95. [PMID: 30227888 PMCID: PMC6145191 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-018-0422-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with a high prevalence among the elderly and a huge personal and societal impact. Recent epidemiological studies have indicated that the incidence and age of onset of sporadic AD can be modified by lifestyle factors such as education, exercise, and (early) stress exposure. Early life adversity is known to promote cognitive decline at a later age and to accelerate aging, which are both primary risk factors for AD. In rodent models, exposure to 'negative' or 'positive' early life experiences was recently found to modulate various measures of AD neuropathology, such as amyloid-beta levels and cognition at later ages. Although there is emerging interest in understanding whether experiences during early postnatal life also modulate AD risk in humans, the mechanisms and possible substrates underlying these long-lasting effects remain elusive. METHODS We review literature and discuss the role of early life experiences in determining later age and AD-related processes from a brain and cognitive 'reserve' perspective. We focus on rodent studies and the identification of possible early determinants of later AD vulnerability or resilience in relation to early life adversity/enrichment. RESULTS Potential substrates and mediators of early life experiences that may influence the development of AD pathology and cognitive decline are: programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, priming of the neuroinflammatory response, dendritic and synaptic complexity and function, overall brain plasticity, and proteins such as early growth response protein 1 (EGR1), activity regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc), and repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST). CONCLUSIONS We conclude from these rodent studies that the early postnatal period is an important and sensitive phase that influences the vulnerability to develop AD pathology. Yet translational studies are required to investigate whether early life experiences also modify AD development in human studies, and whether similar molecular mediators can be identified in the sensitivity to develop AD in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie L. Lesuis
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lianne Hoeijmakers
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aniko Korosi
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne R. de Rooij
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Bio informatics, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dick F. Swaab
- The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, KNAW, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Helmut W. Kessels
- The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, KNAW, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Cellular and Computational Neuroscience, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J. Lucassen
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harm J. Krugers
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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14
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Zhao J, Verwer RWH, Gao SF, Qi XR, Lucassen PJ, Kessels HW, Swaab DF. Prefrontal alterations in GABAergic and glutamatergic gene expression in relation to depression and suicide. J Psychiatr Res 2018; 102:261-274. [PMID: 29753198 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
People that committed suicide were reported to have enhanced levels of gene transcripts for synaptic proteins in their prefrontal cortex (PFC). Given the close association of suicide with major depressive disorder (MDD), we here assessed whether these changes are related to suicide or rather to depression per se. We used quantitative PCR to determine mRNA levels of 32 genes encoding for proteins directly involved in glutamatergic or GABAergic synaptic transmission in postmortem samples of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC). Seventy-two brain samples from 3 groups of subjects were derived from the Stanley Medical Research Institute (SMRI): i) patients with MDD who committed suicide (MDD-S), ii) MDD patients who died of non-suicidal causes (MDD-NS) and iii) age-matched, non-psychiatric control subjects. In the ACC, a significantly enhanced expression of genes related to glutamatergic or GABAergic synaptic transmission was found only in MDD-S patients, whereas in MDD-NS patients, decreased levels for these transcripts were found. Moreover, in the DLPFC, expression of these genes was decreased in MDD-S, relative to MDD-NS patients, whereas both groups showed increased expression compared to control subjects. In conclusion, our findings indicate that MDD is associated with increases in GABA and glutamate related genes in the DLPFC (irrespective of suicide), while in the ACC, the increase in GABA and glutamate related genes may relate to suicide, rather than to MDD per se.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zhao
- Neuropsychiatric Disorders Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R W H Verwer
- Neuropsychiatric Disorders Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S-F Gao
- Neuropsychiatric Disorders Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - X-R Qi
- Neuropsychiatric Disorders Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P J Lucassen
- Center for Neuroscience, SILS, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H W Kessels
- Synaptic Plasticity & Behavior Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - D F Swaab
- Neuropsychiatric Disorders Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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15
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Renner MC, Albers EH, Gutierrez-Castellanos N, Reinders NR, van Huijstee AN, Xiong H, Lodder TR, Kessels HW. Synaptic plasticity through activation of GluA3-containing AMPA-receptors. eLife 2017; 6:25462. [PMID: 28762944 PMCID: PMC5578739 DOI: 10.7554/elife.25462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Excitatory synaptic transmission is mediated by AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs). In CA1 pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus two types of AMPARs predominate: those that contain subunits GluA1 and GluA2 (GluA1/2), and those that contain GluA2 and GluA3 (GluA2/3). Whereas subunits GluA1 and GluA2 have been extensively studied, the contribution of GluA3 to synapse physiology has remained unclear. Here we show in mice that GluA2/3s are in a low-conductance state under basal conditions, and although present at synapses they contribute little to synaptic currents. When intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels rise, GluA2/3 channels shift to a high-conductance state, leading to synaptic potentiation. This cAMP-driven synaptic potentiation requires the activation of both protein kinase A (PKA) and the GTPase Ras, and is induced upon the activation of β-adrenergic receptors. Together, these experiments reveal a novel type of plasticity at CA1 hippocampal synapses that is expressed by the activation of GluA3-containing AMPARs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Renner
- Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eva Hh Albers
- Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolas Gutierrez-Castellanos
- Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Niels R Reinders
- Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aile N van Huijstee
- Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hui Xiong
- Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa R Lodder
- Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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16
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Gutierrez-Castellanos N, Da Silva-Matos CM, Zhou K, Canto CB, Renner MC, Koene LMC, Ozyildirim O, Sprengel R, Kessels HW, De Zeeuw CI. Motor Learning Requires Purkinje Cell Synaptic Potentiation through Activation of AMPA-Receptor Subunit GluA3. Neuron 2017; 93:409-424. [PMID: 28103481 PMCID: PMC5263704 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.11.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that cerebellar long-term potentiation (LTP) is necessary for procedural learning. However, little is known about its underlying molecular mechanisms. Whereas AMPA receptor (AMPAR) subunit rules for synaptic plasticity have been extensively studied in relation to declarative learning, it is unclear whether these rules apply to cerebellum-dependent motor learning. Here we show that LTP at the parallel-fiber-to-Purkinje-cell synapse and adaptation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex depend not on GluA1- but on GluA3-containing AMPARs. In contrast to the classic form of LTP implicated in declarative memory formation, this form of LTP does not require GluA1-AMPAR trafficking but rather requires changes in open-channel probability of GluA3-AMPARs mediated by cAMP signaling and activation of the protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac). We conclude that vestibulo-cerebellar motor learning is the first form of memory acquisition shown to depend on GluA3-dependent synaptic potentiation by increasing single-channel conductance. Cerebellar learning depends on expression of GluA3, but not GluA1, in Purkinje cells GluA3 is required to induce LTP, but not LTD, at PF-PC synapses GluA3-dependent potentiation involves a cAMP-driven change in channel conductance GluA3-mediated LTP and learning are induced via cAMP-mediated Epac activation
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Gutierrez-Castellanos
- Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cerebellar Coordination and Cognition Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3015 GE Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carla M Da Silva-Matos
- Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cerebellar Coordination and Cognition Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kuikui Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3015 GE Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Cathrin B Canto
- Cerebellar Coordination and Cognition Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maria C Renner
- Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Linda M C Koene
- Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ozgecan Ozyildirim
- Cerebellar Coordination and Cognition Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rolf Sprengel
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Chris I De Zeeuw
- Cerebellar Coordination and Cognition Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, 3015 GE Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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17
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Wiemhoefer A, Stargardt A, van der Linden WA, Renner MC, van Kesteren RE, Stap J, Raspe MA, Tomkinson B, Kessels HW, Ovaa H, Overkleeft HS, Florea B, Reits EA. Tripeptidyl Peptidase II Mediates Levels of Nuclear Phosphorylated ERK1 and ERK2. Mol Cell Proteomics 2015; 14:2177-93. [PMID: 26041847 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m114.043331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPP2) is a serine peptidase involved in various biological processes, including antigen processing, cell growth, DNA repair, and neuropeptide mediated signaling. The underlying mechanisms of how a peptidase can influence this multitude of processes still remain unknown. We identified rapid proteomic changes in neuroblastoma cells following selective TPP2 inhibition using the known reversible inhibitor butabindide, as well as a new, more potent, and irreversible peptide phosphonate inhibitor. Our data show that TPP2 inhibition indirectly but rapidly decreases the levels of active, di-phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 in the nucleus, thereby down-regulating signal transduction downstream of growth factors and mitogenic stimuli. We conclude that TPP2 mediates many important cellular functions by controlling ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation. For instance, we show that TPP2 inhibition of neurons in the hippocampus leads to an excessive strengthening of synapses, indicating that TPP2 activity is crucial for normal brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Wiemhoefer
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Centre- University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anita Stargardt
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Centre- University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter A van der Linden
- §Department of Pathology, Stanford School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5324
| | - Maria C Renner
- ¶Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald E van Kesteren
- ‖Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Stap
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Centre- University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel A Raspe
- **Division of Cell Biology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Birgitta Tomkinson
- ‡‡Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Uppsala, Husargatan 3, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- ¶Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Huib Ovaa
- **Division of Cell Biology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Herman S Overkleeft
- §§Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bogdan Florea
- §§Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eric A Reits
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Centre- University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
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18
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Alfonso S, Kessels HW, Banos CC, Chan TR, Lin ET, Kumaravel G, Scannevin RH, Rhodes KJ, Huganir R, Guckian KM, Dunah AW, Malinow R. Synapto-depressive effects of amyloid beta require PICK1. Eur J Neurosci 2014; 39:1225-33. [PMID: 24713001 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 12/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid beta (Aβ), a key component in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, is thought to target excitatory synapses early in the disease. However, the mechanism by which Aβ weakens synapses is not well understood. Here we showed that the PDZ domain protein, protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1), was required for Aβ to weaken synapses. In mice lacking PICK1, elevations of Aβ failed to depress synaptic transmission in cultured brain slices. In dissociated cultured neurons, Aβ failed to reduce surface α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor subunit 2, a subunit of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors that binds with PICK1 through a PDZ ligand-domain interaction. Lastly, a novel small molecule (BIO922) discovered through structure-based drug design that targets the specific interactions between GluA2 and PICK1 blocked the effects of Aβ on synapses and surface receptors. We concluded that GluA2-PICK1 interactions are a key component of the effects of Aβ on synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Alfonso
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Departments of Neuroscience and Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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19
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Wang F, Kessels HW, Hu H. The mouse that roared: neural mechanisms of social hierarchy. Trends Neurosci 2014; 37:674-82. [PMID: 25160682 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2014.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Revised: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Hierarchical social status greatly influences behavior and health. Human and animal studies have begun to identify the brain regions that are activated during the formation of social hierarchies. They point towards the prefrontal cortex (PFC) as a central regulator, with brain areas upstream of the PFC conveying information about social status, and downstream brain regions executing dominance behavior. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the neural circuits that control social status. We discuss how the neural mechanisms for various types of dominance behavior can be studied in laboratory rodents by selective manipulation of neuronal activity or synaptic plasticity. These studies may help in finding the cause of social stress-related mental and physical health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, The Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam 1019 RG, The Netherlands.
| | - Hailan Hu
- Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
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20
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Abstract
The brain is programmed to drive behaviour by precisely wiring the appropriate neuronal circuits. Wiring and rewiring of neuronal circuits largely depends on the orchestrated changes in the strengths of synaptic contacts. Here, we review how the rules of synaptic plasticity change during development of the brain, from birth to independence. We focus on the changes that occur at the postsynaptic side of excitatory glutamatergic synapses in the rodent hippocampus and neocortex. First we summarize the current data on the structure of synapses and the developmental expression patterns of the key molecular players of synaptic plasticity, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, as well as pivotal kinases (Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, protein kinase A, protein kinase C) and phosphatases (PP1, PP2A, PP2B). In the second part we relate these findings to important characteristics of the emerging network. We argue that the concerted and gradual shifts in the usage of plasticity molecules comply with the changing need for (re)wiring neuronal circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Lohmann
- C. Lohmann and H. W. Kessels: The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Emails: ,
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21
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Abstract
The mechanisms by which β-amyloid (Aβ), a peptide fragment believed to contribute to Alzheimer's disease, leads to synaptic deficits are not known. Here we find that elevated oligomeric Aβ requires ion flux-independent function of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) to produce synaptic depression. Aβ activates this metabotropic NMDAR function on GluN2B-containing NMDARs but not on those containing GluN2A. Furthermore, oligomeric Aβ leads to a selective loss of synaptic GluN2B responses, effecting a switch in subunit composition from GluN2B to GluN2A, a process normally observed during development. Our results suggest that conformational changes of the NMDAR, and not ion flow through its channel, are required for Aβ to produce synaptic depression and a switch in NMDAR composition. This Aβ-induced signaling mediated by alterations in GluN2B conformation may be a target for therapeutic intervention of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut W. Kessels
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Departments of Neuroscience and Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093; and
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sadegh Nabavi
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Departments of Neuroscience and Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093; and
| | - Roberto Malinow
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Departments of Neuroscience and Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093; and
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22
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Jitsuki S, Takemoto K, Kawasaki T, Tada H, Takahashi A, Becamel C, Sano A, Yuzaki M, Zukin RS, Ziff EB, Kessels HW, Takahashi T. Serotonin mediates cross-modal reorganization of cortical circuits. Neuron 2011; 69:780-92. [PMID: 21338886 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Loss of one type of sensory input can cause improved functionality of other sensory systems. Whereas this form of plasticity, cross-modal plasticity, is well established, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying it are still unclear. Here, we show that visual deprivation (VD) increases extracellular serotonin in the juvenile rat barrel cortex. This increase in serotonin levels facilitates synaptic strengthening at layer 4 to layer 2/3 synapses within the barrel cortex. Upon VD, whisker experience leads to trafficking of the AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) into these synapses through the activation of ERK and increased phosphorylation of AMPAR subunit GluR1 at the juvenile age when natural whisker experience no longer induces synaptic GluR1 delivery. VD thereby leads to sharpening of the functional whisker-barrel map at layer 2/3. Thus, sensory deprivation of one modality leads to serotonin release in remaining modalities, facilitates GluR1-dependent synaptic strengthening, and refines cortical organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Jitsuki
- Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
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23
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Kessels HW, Nguyen LN, Nabavi S, Malinow R. The prion protein as a receptor for amyloid-beta. Nature 2010; 466:E3-4; discussion E4-5. [PMID: 20703260 DOI: 10.1038/nature09217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2010] [Accepted: 04/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Increased levels of brain amyloid-beta, a secreted peptide cleavage product of amyloid precursor protein (APP), is believed to be critical in the aetiology of Alzheimer's disease. Increased amyloid-beta can cause synaptic depression, reduce the number of spine protrusions (that is, sites of synaptic contacts) and block long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP), a form of synaptic plasticity; however, the receptor through which amyloid-beta produces these synaptic perturbations has remained elusive. Laurén et al. suggested that binding between oligomeric amyloid-beta (a form of amyloid-beta thought to be most active) and the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) is necessary for synaptic perturbations. Here we show that PrP(C) is not required for amyloid-beta-induced synaptic depression, reduction in spine density, or blockade of LTP; our results indicate that amyloid-beta-mediated synaptic defects do not require PrP(c).
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut W Kessels
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, 9500 Gilman Drive 0634, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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24
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Bartok I, Holland SJ, Kessels HW, Silk JD, Alkhinji M, Dyson J. T cell receptor CDR3 loops influence alphabeta pairing. Mol Immunol 2010; 47:1613-8. [PMID: 20189651 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2010.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2009] [Revised: 01/15/2010] [Accepted: 01/17/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
T cell receptor transfer is an attractive strategy for the generation of antigen specific T cells to target infection and malignancy. Cross pairing of the transduced and endogenous TCR chains produces new and potentially auto-reactive specificities and dilutes the therapeutic TCR. This is further complicated as the efficiency of pairing for each alphabeta pair is unpredictable and the factors which influence it are not well characterized. Complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) loops are the main sources of TCR alpha and beta diversity due to nucleotide insertion and deletion at V(D)J junctions. Given the variability in composition and length of these non-germ line encoded structures, it is likely that structural strain may occur during formation of some TCR hetero-dimers contributing to the observed pairing restrictions. The beta chain of the HY specific T cell receptor C6 is such an example. Despite pairing efficiently with the C6 alpha chain, it pairs poorly with many other alpha chains. To investigate whether the long, C6 beta CDR3 region underlies this effect, it was replaced with a short, artificial CDR3 region that restored efficient pairing with the endogenous alpha chain repertoire. Molecular modelling is consistent with the beta chain CDR3 region causing steric incompatibility. Despite poor pairing and low surface expression, the WT C6 beta chain mediates positive selection in retrogenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Istvan Bartok
- Department of Immunology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
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25
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Abstract
The ability to change behavior likely depends on the selective strengthening and weakening of brain synapses. The cellular models of synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) of synaptic strength, can be expressed by the synaptic insertion or removal of AMPA receptors (AMPARs), respectively. We here present an overview of studies that have used animal models to show that such AMPAR trafficking underlies several experience-driven phenomena-from neuronal circuit formation to the modification of behavior. We argue that monitoring and manipulating synaptic AMPAR trafficking represents an attractive means to study cognitive function and dysfunction in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut W Kessels
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0634, USA.
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26
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de Visser KE, Cordaro TA, Kessels HW, Tirion FH, Schumacher TN, Kruisbeek AM. Low-avidity self-specific T cells display a pronounced expansion defect that can be overcome by altered peptide ligands. J Immunol 2001; 167:3818-28. [PMID: 11564799 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.167.7.3818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Thymic expression of self-Ags results in the deletion of high-avidity self-specific T cells, but, at least for certain Ags, a residual population of self-specific T cells with low-affinity TCRs remains after negative selection. Such self-specific T cells are thought to play a role in the induction of T cell-mediated autoimmunity, but may also be used for the induction of antitumor immunity against self-Ags. In this study, we examine the functional competence of a polyclonal population of self-specific CD8+ T cells. We show that low-affinity interactions between TCR and peptide are associated with selective loss of critical T cell functions. Triggering of low levels of IFN-gamma production and cytolytic activity through low-affinity TCRs readily occurs provided high Ag doses are used, but IL-2 production and clonal expansion are severely reduced at all Ag doses. Remarkably, a single peptide variant can form an improved ligand for the highly diverse population of low-avidity self-specific T cells and can improve their proliferative capacity. These data provide insight into the inherent limitations of self-specific T cell responses through low-avidity TCR signals and the effect of modified peptide ligands on self-specific T cell immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E de Visser
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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27
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Abstract
The antigen specificity of T lymphocytes is dictated solely by the T cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta chains. Consequently, genetic transfer of TCR chains may be an appealing strategy with which to impose a desirable virus- or tumor-antigen specificity onto cytotoxic or helper T cell populations. We describe here the genetic introduction of a virus-specific TCR into peripheral T cells in a mouse model system. These experiments showed that T cells redirected by TCR gene transfer expanded upon viral infection of mice and efficiently homed to effector sites. In this setting, TCR gene transfer was not associated with any significant autoimmune pathology. In addition, small numbers of TCR-transduced T cells promoted the rejection of antigen-expressing tumors in vivo. These data suggest that the redirection of T cells by TCR gene transfer is a viable strategy for the rapid induction of virus- or tumor-specific immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- H W Kessels
- Division of Immunology, Department of Experimental Animal Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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28
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Abstract
During past decades, many attempts have been made to induce or enhance tumour-specific T-cell immunity in cancer patients by vaccination. However, it has become apparent that in a large number of cases the naturally occurring tumour-specific T-cell repertoire is of low affinity and therefore inefficient in mediating tumour rejection. Because of the potential therapeutic value of high affinity TCRs with tumour/lineage specificities, we set out to develop a number of new technologies that can be used to create improved tumour-specific T-cell immunity. These strategies entail: (i) the efficient expansion of low affinity T cells specific for self antigens through the use of variant peptides with improved TCR-binding characteristics; (ii) a retroviral library-based technology to improve the affinity of (self-specific) T-cell receptors in vitro, and (iii) proof of principle for the feasibility of TCR gene transfer as a means to generate T-cell populations with a desired antigen-specificity in vivo. Collectively this toolbox should allow us to create improved T-cell receptors for human tumour antigens, which can subsequently be used to impose tumour-reactivity on to peripheral T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- H W Kessels
- Department of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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29
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Kessels HW, van Den Boom MD, Spits H, Hooijberg E, Schumacher TN. Changing T cell specificity by retroviral T cell receptor display. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2000; 97:14578-83. [PMID: 11121060 PMCID: PMC18961 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.97.26.14578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The diversity of the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire is limited, because of the processes of positive and negative T cell selection. To obtain T cells with specificities beyond the immune system's capacity, we have developed a strategy for retroviral TCR display. In this approach, a library of T cell variants is generated in vitro and introduced into a TCR-negative murine T cell line by retroviral transfer. We document the value of TCR display by the creation of a library of an influenza A-specific TCR and the subsequent in vitro selection of TCRs that either recognize the parental influenza epitope or that have acquired a specificity for a different influenza A strain. The resulting in vitro selected TCRs induce efficient T cell activation after ligand recognition and are of equal or higher potency than the in vivo generated parent receptor. TCR display should prove a useful strategy for the generation of high-affinity tumor-specific TCRs for gene transfer purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- H W Kessels
- Department of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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