Graded FGF activity patterns distinct cell types within the apical sensory organ of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis

Bilaterian animals have evolved complex sensory organs comprised of distinct cell types that function coordinately to sense the environment. Each sensory unit has a defined architecture built from component cell types, including sensory cells, non-sensory support cells, and dedicated sensory neurons. Whether this characteristic cellular composition is present in the sensory organs of non-bilaterian animals is unknown. Here, we interrogate the cell type composition and gene regulatory networks controlling development of the larval apical sensory organ in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. Using single cell RNA sequencing and imaging approaches, we reveal two unique cell types in the Nematostella apical sensory organ, GABAergic sensory cells and a putative non-sensory support cell population. Further, we identify the paired-like (PRD) homeodomain gene prd146 as a specific sensory cell marker and show that Prd146+ sensory cells become post-mitotic after gastrulation. Genetic loss of function approaches show that Prd146 is essential for apical sensory organ development. Using a candidate gene knockdown approach, we place prd146 downstream of FGF signaling in the apical sensory organ gene regulatory network. Further, we demonstrate that an aboral FGF activity gradient coordinately regulates the specification of both sensory and support cells. Collectively, these experiments define the genetic basis for apical sensory organ development in a non-bilaterian animal and reveal an unanticipated degree of complexity in a prototypic sensory structure.

Starvation-resistant cavefish reveal conserved mechanisms of starvation-induced hepatic lipotoxicity

Starvation causes the accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver, a somewhat counterintuitive phenomenon that is nevertheless conserved from flies to humans. Much like fatty liver resulting from overfeeding, hepatic lipid accumulation (steatosis) during undernourishment can lead to lipotoxicity and atrophy of the liver. Here, we found that although surface populations of Astyanax mexicanus undergo this evolutionarily conserved response to starvation, the starvation-resistant cavefish larvae of the same species do not display an accumulation of lipid droplets upon starvation. Moreover, cavefish are resistant to liver atrophy during starvation, providing a unique system to explore strategies for liver protection. Using comparative transcriptomics between zebrafish, surface fish, and cavefish, we identified the fatty acid transporter slc27a2a/fatp2 to be correlated with the development of fatty liver. Pharmacological inhibition of slc27a2a in zebrafish rescues steatosis and atrophy of the liver upon starvation. Furthermore, down-regulation of FATP2 in Drosophila larvae inhibits the development of starvation-induced steatosis, suggesting the evolutionarily conserved importance of the gene in regulating fatty liver upon nutrition deprivation. Overall, our study identifies a conserved, druggable target to protect the liver from atrophy during starvation.

Starvation resistant cavefish reveal conserved mechanisms of starvation-induced hepatic lipotoxicity

Starvation causes the accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver, a somewhat counterintuitive phenomenon that is nevertheless conserved from flies to humans. Much like fatty liver resulting from overfeeding, hepatic lipid accumulation (steatosis) during undernourishment can lead to lipotoxicity and atrophy of the liver. Here, we found that while surface populations of Astyanax mexicanus undergo this evolutionarily conserved response to starvation, the starvation-resistant cavefish larvae of the same species do not display an accumulation of lipid droplets upon starvation. Moreover, cavefish are resistant to liver atrophy during starvation, providing a unique system to explore strategies for liver protection. Using comparative transcriptomics between zebrafish, surface fish, and cavefish, we identified the fatty acid transporter slc27a2a/fatp2 to be correlated with the development of fatty liver. Pharmacological inhibition of slc27a2a in zebrafish rescues steatosis and atrophy of the liver upon starvation. Further, down-regulation of FATP2 in drosophila larvae inhibits the development of starvation-induced steatosis, suggesting the evolutionary conserved importance of the gene in regulating fatty liver upon nutrition deprivation. Overall, our study identifies a conserved, druggable target to protect the liver from atrophy during starvation.

Modelling Cell Invasion: A Review of What JD Murray and the Embryo Can Teach Us

Cell invasion and cell plasticity are critical to human development but are also striking features of cancer metastasis. By distributing a multipotent cell type from a place of birth to distal locations, the vertebrate embryo builds organs. In comparison, metastatic tumor cells often acquire a de-differentiated phenotype and migrate away from a primary site to inhabit new microenvironments, disrupting normal organ function. Countless observations of both embryonic cell migration and tumor metastasis have demonstrated complex cell signaling and interactive behaviors that have long confounded scientist and clinician alike. James D. Murray realized the important role of mathematics in biology and developed a unique strategy to address complex biological questions such as these. His work offers a practical template for constructing clear, logical, direct and verifiable models that help to explain complex cell behaviors and direct new experiments. His pioneering work at the interface of development and cancer made significant contributions to glioblastoma cancer and embryonic pattern formation using often simple models with tremendous predictive potential. Here, we provide a brief overview of advances in cell invasion and cell plasticity using the embryonic neural crest and its ancestral relationship to aggressive cancers that put into current context the timeless aspects of his work.

Resolving in vivo gene expression during collective cell migration using an integrated RNAscope, immunohistochemistry and tissue clearing method

During collective cell migration individual cells display diverse behaviors that complicate our understanding of group cell decisions of direction and cohesion. In vivo gene and protein expression analyses would shed light on the underlying molecular choreography. However, this information has been limited due to difficulties to integrate single cell detection methods and the simultaneous readout of multiple signals deep within the embryo. Here, we optimize and integrate multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization by RNAscope, immunohistochemistry, and tissue clearing to visualize transcript and protein localization within single cells deep within intact chick embryos. Using standard confocal microscopy, we visualize the mRNA expression of up to 3 genes simultaneously within protein labeled HNK1-positive migrating cranial neural crest cells within 2day old cleared chick embryos. Gene expression differences measured between adjacent cells or within subregions are quantified using spot counting and polyline kymograph methods, respectively. This optimization and integration of methods provide an improved 3D in vivo molecular interrogation of collective cell migration and foundation to broaden into a wider range of embryo and adult model systems.

Angiopoietin 2 signaling plays a critical role in neural crest cell migration

BACKGROUND

Collective neural crest cell migration is critical to the form and function of the vertebrate face and neck, distributing bone, cartilage, and nerve cells into peripheral targets that are intimately linked with head vasculature. The vasculature and neural crest structures are ultimately linked, but when and how these patterns develop in the early embryo are not well understood.

RESULTS

Using in vivo imaging and sophisticated cell behavior analyses, we show that quail cranial neural crest and endothelial cells share common migratory paths, sort out in a dynamic multistep process, and display multiple types of motion. To better understand the underlying molecular signals, we examined the role of angiopoietin 2 (Ang2), which we found expressed in migrating cranial neural crest cells. Overexpression of Ang2 causes neural crest cells to be more exploratory as displayed by invasion of off-target locations, the widening of migratory streams into prohibitive zones, and differences in cell motility type. The enhanced exploratory phenotype correlates with increased phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase activity in migrating neural crest cells. In contrast, loss of Ang2 function reduces neural crest cell exploration. In both gain and loss of function of Ang2, we found disruptions to the timing and interplay between cranial neural crest and endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, these data demonstrate a role for Ang2 in maintaining collective cranial neural crest cell migration and suggest interdependence with endothelial cell migration during vertebrate head patterning.

CycleTrak: a novel system for the semi-automated analysis of cell cycle dynamics

Cell proliferation is crucial to tissue growth and form during embryogenesis, yet dynamic tracking of cell cycle progression and cell position presents a challenging roadblock. We have developed a fluorescent cell cycle indicator and single cell analysis method, called CycleTrak, which allows for better spatiotemporal resolution and quantification of cell cycle phase and cell position than current methods. Our method was developed on the basis of the existing Fucci method. CycleTrak uses a single lentiviral vector that integrates mKO2-hCdt1 (30/120), and a nuclear-localized eGFP reporter. The single vector and nuclear localized fluorescence signals simplify delivery into cells and allow for rapid, automated cell tracking and cell cycle phase readout in single and subpopulations of cells. We validated CycleTrak performance in metastatic melanoma cells and identified novel cell cycle dynamics in vitro and in vivo after transplantation and 3D confocal time-lapse imaging in a living chick embryo.

In vivo calcium dynamics during neural crest cell migration and patterning using GCaMP3

Examining calcium dynamics within the neural crest (NC) has the potential to shed light on mechanisms that regulate complex cell migration and patterning events during embryogenesis. Unfortunately, typical calcium indicators are added to culture media or have low signal to noise after microinjection into tissue that severely limit analyses to cultured cells or superficial events. Here, we studied in vivo calcium dynamics during NC cell migration and patterning, using a genetically encoded calcium sensor, GCaMP3. We discovered that trunk NC cells displayed significantly more spontaneous calcium transients than cranial NC cells, and during cell aggregation versus cell migration events. Spontaneous calcium transients were more prevalent during NC cell aggregation into discrete sympathetic ganglia (SG). Blocking of N-cadherin activity in trunk NC cells near the presumptive SG led to a dramatic decrease in the frequency of spontaneous calcium transients. Detailed analysis and mathematical modeling of cell behaviors during SG formation showed NC cells aggregated into clusters after displaying a spontaneous calcium transient. This approach highlights the novel application of a genetically encoded calcium indicator to study subsets of cells during ventral events in embryogenesis.

Neural crest cell communication involves an exchange of cytoplasmic material through cellular bridges revealed by photoconversion of KikGR

Neural crest (NC) cells invade the vertebrate embryo in ordered migratory streams, yet it is unclear whether cells communicate to maintain spacing and direction. Here, we examined NC cell communication in detail, using optical highlighting and photobleaching to monitor cell contact dynamics. We observed cytoplasmic transfer between NC cell neighbors through thin cellular bridges. The transfer of molecules between NC cells was bi-directional, not at equal rates, and independent of bridge dynamics. The cytoplasmic transfer was prevalent in recently divided NC cells. Molecular simulations, based on Brownian motion and measured cell volumes, predicted that simple diffusion could not account for observed cytoplasmic transfer rates. Cell tracking revealed that exchange of cytoplasmic material preceded the re-orientation of cells to the direction of migration. Our data suggest a mechanism by which NC cells communicate position information through the formation of cellular bridges that allow exchange of cytoplasmic material through active transport.