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Burkert N, Roy S, Häusler M, Wuttke D, Müller S, Wiemer J, Hollmann H, Oldrati M, Ramirez-Franco J, Benkert J, Fauler M, Duda J, Goaillard JM, Pötschke C, Münchmeyer M, Parlato R, Liss B. Deep learning-based image analysis identifies a DAT-negative subpopulation of dopaminergic neurons in the lateral Substantia nigra. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1146. [PMID: 37950046 PMCID: PMC10638391 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05441-6] [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: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we present a deep learning-based image analysis platform (DLAP), tailored to autonomously quantify cell numbers, and fluorescence signals within cellular compartments, derived from RNAscope or immunohistochemistry. We utilised DLAP to analyse subtypes of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive dopaminergic midbrain neurons in mouse and human brain-sections. These neurons modulate complex behaviour, and are differentially affected in Parkinson's and other diseases. DLAP allows the analysis of large cell numbers, and facilitates the identification of small cellular subpopulations. Using DLAP, we identified a small subpopulation of TH-positive neurons (~5%), mainly located in the very lateral Substantia nigra (SN), that was immunofluorescence-negative for the plasmalemmal dopamine transporter (DAT), with ~40% smaller cell bodies. These neurons were negative for aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1, with a lower co-expression rate for dopamine-D2-autoreceptors, but a ~7-fold higher likelihood of calbindin-d28k co-expression (~70%). These results have important implications, as DAT is crucial for dopamine signalling, and is commonly used as a marker for dopaminergic SN neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Burkert
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Shoumik Roy
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Max Häusler
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Sonja Müller
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Johanna Wiemer
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Helene Hollmann
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Marvin Oldrati
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jorge Ramirez-Franco
- UMR_S 1072, Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, Faculté de Médecine Secteur Nord, Marseille, France
- INT, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Campus Santé Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Julia Benkert
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Fauler
- Institute of General Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Johanna Duda
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jean-Marc Goaillard
- UMR_S 1072, Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, Faculté de Médecine Secteur Nord, Marseille, France
- INT, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Campus Santé Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Christina Pötschke
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Moritz Münchmeyer
- Wolution GmbH & Co. KG, 82152, Munich, Germany
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Rosanna Parlato
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim Center for Translational Neurosciences, Heidelberg University, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Birgit Liss
- Institute of Applied Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
- Linacre College & New College, Oxford University, OX1 2JD, Oxford, UK.
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Siller A, Hofer NT, Tomagra G, Burkert N, Hess S, Benkert J, Gaifullina A, Spaich D, Duda J, Poetschke C, Vilusic K, Fritz EM, Schneider T, Kloppenburg P, Liss B, Carabelli V, Carbone E, Ortner NJ, Striessnig J. β2-subunit alternative splicing stabilizes Cav2.3 Ca 2+ channel activity during continuous midbrain dopamine neuron-like activity. eLife 2022; 11:e67464. [PMID: 35792082 PMCID: PMC9307272 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In dopaminergic (DA) Substantia nigra (SN) neurons Cav2.3 R-type Ca2+-currents contribute to somatodendritic Ca2+-oscillations. This activity may contribute to the selective degeneration of these neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD) since Cav2.3-knockout is neuroprotective in a PD mouse model. Here, we show that in tsA-201-cells the membrane-anchored β2-splice variants β2a and β2e are required to stabilize Cav2.3 gating properties allowing sustained Cav2.3 availability during simulated pacemaking and enhanced Ca2+-currents during bursts. We confirmed the expression of β2a- and β2e-subunit transcripts in the mouse SN and in identified SN DA neurons. Patch-clamp recordings of mouse DA midbrain neurons in culture and SN DA neurons in brain slices revealed SNX-482-sensitive R-type Ca2+-currents with voltage-dependent gating properties that suggest modulation by β2a- and/or β2e-subunits. Thus, β-subunit alternative splicing may prevent a fraction of Cav2.3 channels from inactivation in continuously active, highly vulnerable SN DA neurons, thereby also supporting Ca2+ signals contributing to the (patho)physiological role of Cav2.3 channels in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Siller
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Nadja T Hofer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Giulia Tomagra
- Department of Drug Science, NIS Centre, University of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Nicole Burkert
- Institute of Applied Physiology, University of Ulm, Ulm, GermanyUlmGermany
| | - Simon Hess
- Institute for Zoology, Biocenter, University of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Julia Benkert
- Institute of Applied Physiology, University of Ulm, Ulm, GermanyUlmGermany
| | - Aisylu Gaifullina
- Institute of Applied Physiology, University of Ulm, Ulm, GermanyUlmGermany
| | - Desiree Spaich
- Institute of Applied Physiology, University of Ulm, Ulm, GermanyUlmGermany
| | - Johanna Duda
- Institute of Applied Physiology, University of Ulm, Ulm, GermanyUlmGermany
| | | | - Kristina Vilusic
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Eva Maria Fritz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Toni Schneider
- Institute of Neurophysiology, University of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Peter Kloppenburg
- Institute for Zoology, Biocenter, University of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Birgit Liss
- Institute of Applied Physiology, University of Ulm, Ulm, GermanyUlmGermany
- Linacre College & New College, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Emilio Carbone
- Department of Drug Science, NIS Centre, University of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Nadine Jasmin Ortner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Jörg Striessnig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
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