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van der Vorm LN, Hendriks HA, Smits SM. Performance of the CellaVision DC-1 digital cell imaging analyser for differential counting and morphological classification of blood cells. J Clin Pathol 2023; 76:194-201. [PMID: 34620610 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2021-207863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Recently, a new automated digital cell imaging analyser (Sysmex CellaVision DC-1), intended for use in low-volume and small satellite laboratories, has become available. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of the DC-1 with the Sysmex DI-60 system and the gold standard, manual microscopy. METHODS White blood cell (WBC) differential counts in 100 normal and 100 abnormal peripheral blood smears were compared between the DC-1, the DI-60 and manual microscopy to establish accuracy, within-run imprecision, clinical sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, the agreement between precharacterisation and postcharacterisation of red blood cell (RBC) morphological abnormalities was determined for the DC-1. RESULTS WBC preclassification and postclassification results of the DC-1 showed good correlation compared with DI-60 results and manual microscopy. In addition, the within-run SD of the DC-1 was below 1 for all five major WBC classes, indicating good reproducibility. Clinical sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 96.7%/95.9% compared with the DI-60% and 96.6%/95.3% compared with manual microscopy. The overall agreement on RBC morphology between the precharacterisation and postcharacterisation results ranged from 49% (poikilocytosis) to 100% (hypochromasia, microcytosis and macrocytosis). CONCLUSIONS The DC-1 has proven to be an accurate digital cell imaging system for differential counting and morphological classification of WBCs and RBCs in peripheral blood smears. It is a compact and easily operated instrument that can offer low-volume and small satellite laboratories the possibilities of readily available blood cell analysis that can be stored and retrieved for consultation with remote locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa N van der Vorm
- Haematological Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, OLVG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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2
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van de Mheen L, Smits SM, Terpstra WE, Leyte A, Bekedam DJ, van den Akker ESA. Haemolytic anaemia after nitrofurantoin treatment in a pregnant woman with G6PD deficiency. BMJ Case Rep 2014; 2014:bcr-2013-010087. [PMID: 24789148 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2013-010087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a normotensive, pregnant woman with severe haemolytic anaemia in the third trimester of pregnancy. Owing to normal platelet count diagnoses other than HELLP syndrome were considered and investigated. The patient was treated with nitrofurantoin 3 weeks before presentation and she turned out to have a deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. After treatment with blood transfusion, vitamin B12 and folic acid the patient recovered completely. Caesarean delivery was performed because of maternal hypertension and fetal distress at 33 weeks' gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidewij van de Mheen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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3
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Smits SM, von Oerthel L, Hoekstra EJ, Burbach JPH, Smidt MP. Molecular marker differences relate to developmental position and subsets of mesodiencephalic dopaminergic neurons. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76037. [PMID: 24116087 PMCID: PMC3792114 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 08/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons located in the substantia nigra compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) follow a number of stages marked by distinct events. After preparation of the region by signals that provide induction and patterning, several transcription factors have been identified, which are involved in specifying the neuronal fate of these cells. The specific vulnerability of SNc neurons is thought to root in these specific developmental programs. The present study examines the positions of young postmitotic mdDA neurons to relate developmental position to mdDA subset specific markers. MdDA neurons were mapped relative to the neuromeric domains (prosomeres 1-3 (P1-3), midbrain, and hindbrain) as well as the longitudinal subdivisions (floor plate, basal plate, alar plate), as proposed by the prosomeric model. We found that postmitotic mdDA neurons are located mainly in the floorplate domain and very few in slightly more lateral domains. Moreover, mdDA neurons are present along a large proportion of the anterior/posterior axis extending from the midbrain to P3 in the diencephalon. The specific positions relate to some extent to the presence of specific subset markers as Ahd2. In the adult stage more of such subsets specific expressed genes are present and may represent a molecular map defining molecularly distinct groups of mdDA neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone M. Smits
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lars von Oerthel
- Molecular Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa J. Hoekstra
- Molecular Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J. Peter H Burbach
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marten P. Smidt
- Molecular Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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4
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Smits SM, Leyte A. Clinical performance evaluation of the CellaVision Image Capture System in the white blood cell differential on peripheral blood smears. J Clin Pathol 2013; 67:168-72. [DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2013-201737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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5
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Smits SM, Noorlander CW, Kas MJH, Ramakers GMJ, Smidt MP. Alterations in serotonin signalling are involved in the hyperactivity of Pitx3-deficient mice. Eur J Neurosci 2008; 27:388-95. [PMID: 18215235 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06032.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Pitx3 deficiency in mice causes a dramatic loss of dopaminergic neurones located in the substantia nigra pars compacta during development. This early disruption of the nigrostriatal pathway in Pitx3-deficient mice is characterized by increased spontaneous home-cage activity levels during the habitual sleep phase of these animals. These findings are reminiscent of the spontaneous hyperactivity in mice neonatally lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine, which is caused by an extensive serotonergic hyperinnervation of the striatum. The present study investigated whether an imbalance between dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) signalling is involved in the behavioural phenotype of Pitx3-deficient mice. Serotonergic hyperinnervation was demonstrated by increased [3H]-citalopram autoradiographic binding specifically in the dorsal striatum of adult Pitx3-deficient mice, indicating alterations in 5-HT transporter levels that correlated to DA dysfunction in Pitx3 deficiency. In addition, stimulus-induced release of DA and 5-HT indicated an altered balance between these neurotransmitters in the dorsal striatum of Pitx3-/- mice. To determine whether the increased 5-HT signalling was involved in the spontaneous hyperactivity during the light phase observed in Pitx3 deficiency, we treated Pitx3-deficient and control mice with the selective irreversible tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor p-chlorophenylalanine to decrease 5-HT levels. Reduction of 5-HT levels in Pitx3-deficient mice decreased their locomotor activity to normal levels, whereas the same treatment increased the locomotor activity levels of control mice. Taken together, our results indicate alterations in 5-HT signalling in Pitx3-deficient mice that underlie their spontaneous hyperactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone M Smits
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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6
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Jacobs FMJ, Smits SM, Noorlander CW, von Oerthel L, van der Linden AJA, Burbach JPH, Smidt MP. Retinoic acid counteracts developmental defects in the substantia nigra caused by Pitx3 deficiency. Development 2007; 134:2673-84. [PMID: 17592014 DOI: 10.1242/dev.02865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [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: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Selective neuronal loss in the substantia nigra (SNc), as described for Parkinson's disease (PD) in humans and for Pitx3 deficiency in mice, highlights the existence of neuronal subpopulations. As yet unknown subset-specific gene cascades might underlie the observed differences in neuronal vulnerability. We identified a developmental cascade in mice in which Ahd2 (Aldh1a1) is under the transcriptional control of Pitx3. Interestingly, Ahd2 distribution is restricted to a subpopulation of the meso-diencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons that is affected by Pitx3 deficiency. Ahd2 is involved in the synthesis of retinoic acid (RA), which has a crucial role in neuronal patterning, differentiation and survival in the brain. Most intriguingly, restoring RA signaling in the embryonic mdDA area counteracts the developmental defects caused by Pitx3 deficiency. The number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH+) neurons was significantly increased after RA treatment in the rostral mdDA region of Pitx3-/- embryos. This effect was specific for the rostral part of the developing mdDA area, and was observed exclusively in Pitx3-/- embryos. The effect of RA treatment during the critical phase was preserved until later in development, and our data suggest that RA is required for the establishment of proper mdDA neuronal identity. This positions Pitx3 centrally in a mdDA developmental cascade linked to RA signaling. Here, we propose a novel mechanism in which RA is involved in mdDA neuronal development and maintenance, providing new insights into subset-specific vulnerability in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank M J Jacobs
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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7
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Jacobs FMJ, Smits SM, Hornman KJM, Burbach JPH, Smidt MP. Strategies to unravel molecular codes essential for the development of meso-diencephalic dopaminergic neurons. J Physiol 2006; 575:397-402. [PMID: 16809365 PMCID: PMC1819470 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2006.113233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the development of neuronal systems has become an important asset in the attempt to solve complex questions about neuropathology as found in Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and other complex neuronal diseases. The development of anatomical and functional divergent structures in the brain is achieved by a combination of early anatomical patterning and highly coordinated neuronal migration and differentiation events. Fundamental to the existence of divergent structures in the brain is the early region-specific molecular programming. Neuronal progenitors located along the neural tube can still adapt many different identities. Their exact position in the developing brain, however, determines early molecular specification by region-specific signalling molecules. These signals determine time and region-specific expression of early regulatory genes, leading to neuronal differentiation. Here, we focus on a well-described neuronal group, the meso-diencephalic dopaminergic neurons, of which heterogeneity based on anatomical position could account for the difference in vulnerability of specific subgroups as observed in Parkinson's disease. The knowledge of their molecular coding helps us to understand how the meso-diencephalic dopaminergic system is built and could provide clues that unravel mechanisms associated with the neuropathology in complex diseases such as Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M J Jacobs
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Dopamine belongs to the most intensively studied neurotransmitters of the brain, because of its implications in psychiatric and neurological disorders. Although, clinical relevance of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons is well recognized and dopaminergic dysfunction may have a genetic component, the genetic cascades underlying developmental processes are still largely unknown. With the advances in molecular biology, mDA neurons and their involvement in psychiatric and neurological disorders are now subject of studies that aim to delineate the fundamental neurobiology of these neurons. These studies are concerned with developmental processes, cell-specific gene expression and regulation, molecular pharmacology, and genetic association of dopamine-related genes and mDA-associated disorders. Several transcription factors implicated in the post-mitotic mDA development, including Nurr1, Lmx1b, Pitx3, and En1/En2 have contributed to the understanding of how mDA neurons are generated in vivo. Furthermore, these studies provide insights into new strategies for future therapies of Parkinson's Disease (PD) using stem cells for engineering DA neurons in vitro. Here, we will discuss the role of Pitx3 in molecular mechanisms involved in the regional specification, neuronal specification and differentiation of mDA neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Smits
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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9
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Smits SM, Burbach JPH, Smidt MP. Developmental origin and fate of meso-diencephalic dopamine neurons. Prog Neurobiol 2006; 78:1-16. [PMID: 16414173 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2005.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2005] [Revised: 12/06/2005] [Accepted: 12/06/2005] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Specific vulnerability of substantia nigra compacta neurons as compared to ventral tegmental area neurons, as emphasized in Parkinson's disease, has been studied for many years and is still not well understood. The molecular codes and mechanisms that drive development of these structures have recently been studied through the use of elegant genetic ablation experiments. The data suggested that specific genes at specific anatomical positions in the ventricular zone are crucial to drive development of young neurons into the direction of the dopaminergic phenotype. In addition, it has become clear the these dopaminergic neurons are present in the diencephalon and in the mesencephalon and that they may contain a specific molecular signature that defines specific subsets in terms of position and function. The data indicate that these specific subsets may explain the specific response of these neurons to toxins and genetic ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone M Smits
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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10
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Smits SM, van der Nobelen S, Hornman KJM, von Oerthel L, Burbach JPH, Smidt MP. Signalling through phospholipase C beta 4 is not essential for midbrain dopaminergic neuron survival. Neuroscience 2005; 136:171-9. [PMID: 16198487 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2005.07.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2005] [Revised: 06/21/2005] [Accepted: 07/19/2005] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The most prominent progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder, Parkinson's disease, is attributed to selective loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, resulting in severe deficiency of dopamine. The homeo-domain gene, Pit x 3, is essential for proper development of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and might be involved in midbrain dopaminergic survival pathways. The mGluR1-signaling downstream-effector phospholipase C beta 4 was identified in a suppression subtractive hybridization screen comparing wild-type and Pit x 3-deficient Aphakia midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Expression pattern analysis revealed that phospholipase C beta 4 was expressed in midbrain dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta and part of the ventral tegmental area, whereas expression of mGluR1alpha was predominantly observed in the more vulnerable midbrain dopaminergic neurons in the lateral substantia nigra pars compacta. However, clear expression of phospholipase C beta 4 in spared midbrain dopaminergic neurons of Aphakia mice located in the ventral tegmental area, indicated that induction and maintenance of phospholipase C beta 4 expression is Pit x 3-independent in these neurons. Furthermore, we report here a normal distribution of midbrain dopaminergic cell bodies and axonal projection to the striatum in phospholipase C beta 4-/- mice, indicating that signaling of phospholipase C beta 4 is not essential for the survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Smits
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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11
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Smits SM, Mathon DS, Burbach JPH, Ramakers GMJ, Smidt MP. Molecular and cellular alterations in the Pitx3-deficient midbrain dopaminergic system. Mol Cell Neurosci 2005; 30:352-63. [PMID: 16140547 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2005.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2005] [Revised: 07/07/2005] [Accepted: 07/28/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons in the substantia nigra compacta (SNc). In order to provide insights into adaptive mechanisms of the mDA system in pathology, specific molecular and cellular parameters of the mDA system were studied in Pitx3-deficient Aphakia (ak) mice, which suffer from severe developmental failure of SNc mDA neurons. Here, we demonstrate differential changes in striatal gene expression, reflecting the specific neuronal loss in these mice. In addition, the neuronal activity of remaining mDA neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) was significantly increased in ak mice. In conclusion, ak mice display specific molecular and cellular alterations in the mDA system that provide new insights in compensatory mechanisms present in mDA-associated disorders such as PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone M Smits
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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12
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Thuret S, Alavian KN, Gassmann M, Lloyd CK, Smits SM, Smidt MP, Klein R, Dyck RH, Simon HH. The neuregulin receptor, ErbB4, is not required for normal development and adult maintenance of the substantia nigra pars compacta. J Neurochem 2005; 91:1302-11. [PMID: 15584907 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2004.02809.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [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: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra is associated with one of the most prominent human neurological disorders, Parkinson's disease. It is therefore of high interest to identify molecules with trophic effects on this neuronal population. We show here that the neuregulin receptor ErbB4 is differentially expressed in mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons, found in the substantia nigra and in a subregion of the ventral tegmentum but not in the retrorubral field. Early developmental onset and continued expression of ErbB4 into the adult and the presence of two high affinity ligands, neuregulin-1 and betacellulin, in the basal ganglia, suggested that these molecules might participate in the differentiation and/or maintenance of the nigrostriatal system. In order to address this hypothesis, we used a loxP flanked ErbB4 allele in combination with a nestin-Cre transgene and generated brain-specific ErbB4 null mice. These mutant animals survived into adulthood. The distribution of dopaminergic cell bodies in the midbrain, the expression of numerous genes specific to mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons, and the axonal projection to the basal ganglia all appeared normal. Finally, an assessment of their motor function revealed no behavioral deficits. The apparent lack of any mutant phenotype suggests the presence of a strong compensatory mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Thuret
- Interdisciplinary Center for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroanatomy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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13
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Smidt MP, Smits SM, Burbach JPH. Homeobox gene Pitx3 and its role in the development of dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra. Cell Tissue Res 2004; 318:35-43. [PMID: 15300495 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-004-0943-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2004] [Accepted: 06/21/2004] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The homeobox gene Pitx3 plays an important part in the development and function of vertebrate midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Re-localization of the genetic defect in the mouse mutant aphakia to the Pitx3 locus, together with the subsequent identification of two deletions causing the gene to be silent, has been the hallmark of several studies into the role of Pitx3. In this review, we summarize the data and reflect on the role of Pitx3 in the development of dopamine neurons in the midbrain. The data indicate that Pitx3 is essential for the survival of dopamine neurons located in the substantia nigra compacta during development. Molecular analysis of the underlying mechanisms might provide new insights for understanding the selective degeneration observed in Parkinson patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marten P Smidt
- Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Smits SM, Terwisscha van Scheltinga AF, van der Linden AJA, Burbach JPH, Smidt MP. Species differences in brain pre-pro-neurotensin/neuromedin N mRNA distribution: the expression pattern in mice resembles more closely that of primates than rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 125:22-8. [PMID: 15193419 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 03/01/2004] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We have used in situ hybridization to determine the distribution of pre-pro-neurotensin/neuromedin N (NT/N) mRNA in the brain of mice and rats. In rats and mice, expression was observed in the lateral septal nucleus, nucleus accumbens, medial preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, lateral hypothalamus, central amygdaloid nucleus and the subicilum. However, several differences in the NT/N mRNA distribution were observed between rats and mice in other brain areas. In mice, NT/N expression was detected in the subthalamic nucleus and geniculate nucleus, whereas expression was not observed in these brain areas in rats. Surprisingly, expression was not observed in mouse mesencephalic dopaminergic (mesDA) neurons and the CA1 area of the hippocampus, areas known to contain NT/N mRNA in the rat brain. Taken together, these results show that although the brain NT/N mRNA distribution largely overlaps in mice and rats, species differences exist in specific brain areas in rodents. Moreover, these data indicate that the distribution in mice resembles most that of primates than rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone M Smits
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
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15
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Smidt MP, Smits SM, Bouwmeester H, Hamers FPT, van der Linden AJA, Hellemons AJCGM, Graw J, Burbach JPH. Early developmental failure of substantia nigra dopamine neurons in mice lacking the homeodomain gene Pitx3. Development 2004; 131:1145-55. [PMID: 14973278 DOI: 10.1242/dev.01022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [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: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The mesencephalic dopamine (mesDA) system is involved in the control of movement and behavior. The expression of Pitx3 in the brain is restricted to the mesDA system and the gene is induced relatively late, at E11.5, a time when tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) gene expression is initiated. We show here that, in the Pitx3-deficient aphakia (ak) mouse mutant, the mesDA system is malformed. Owing to the developmental failure of mesDA neurons in the lateral field of the midbrain, mesDA neurons are not found in the SNc and the projections to the caudate putamen are selectively lost. However, Pitx3 is expressed in all mesDA neurons in control animals. Therefore, mesDA neurons react specifically to the loss of Pitx3. Defects of motor control where not seen in the ak mice, suggesting that other neuronal systems compensate for the absence of the nigrostriatal pathway. However, an overall lower activity was observed. The results suggest that Pitx3 is specifically required for the formation of the SNc subfield at the onset of dopaminergic neuron differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marten P Smidt
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, University Medical Center, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
The mesencephalic dopaminergic system is involved in the control of multiple brain functions including movement control and emotion and is of clinical importance because it is implicated in several psychiatric disorders, of which many are considered to have a neurodevelopmental origin. Studies into the developmental pathways of these neurons have led to the identification of the transcription factors En1, Pitx3, Nurr1 and Lmx1b, all shown to be important for the development of the mesencephalic dopaminergic system. In this paper, we discuss the consequences of genetic ablation of essential developmental genes. Furthermore, we discuss the consequences of changes in dopamine homeostasis for the function of the mesencephalic dopaminergic system. Finally, we analyse the potential of the mesencephalic dopaminergic system to adapt to gene dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marten P Smidt
- Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Smits SM, Ponnio T, Conneely OM, Burbach JPH, Smidt MP. Involvement of Nurr1 in specifying the neurotransmitter identity of ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Eur J Neurosci 2003; 18:1731-8. [PMID: 14622207 DOI: 10.1046/j.1460-9568.2003.02885.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [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: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The mesencephalic dopaminergic (mesDA) system is involved in many brain functions including motor control and motivated behaviour, and is of clinical importance because of its implication in psychiatric disorders and Parkinson's disease. Nurr1, a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of transcription factors, is essential for establishing the dopaminergic phenotype, because expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis, requires Nurr1. In addition, Nurr1 plays an important role in the maintenance of mesDA neurons. Neonatal Nurr1 knockout mice lack expression of the dopamine transporter (DAT), the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) and l-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) in addition to TH specifically in mesDA neurons. It is unclear whether the lack of expression of these dopaminergic markers is caused by a maintenance defect or whether the induction of these markers depends on Nurr1 expression. To address this problem, the expression of DAT, VMAT2 and AADC was analysed at embryonic day 12.5 and 14.5. Here we demonstrate that induction of VMAT2 and DAT specifically in mesDA neurons requires Nurr1 expression, whereas AADC expression in mesDA neurons is induced independently of Nurr1 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone M Smits
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Vogelaar CF, Smits SM, Brakkee JH, Gispen WH, Smidt MP, Schrama LH, Hoekman MFM, Burbach JPH. Homeobox gene repertoire in adult rat dorsal root ganglia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1002/nrc.10058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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