scholarly journals Neuronal constituents and putative interactions within the Drosophila ellipsoid body neuropil

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaison Jiro Omoto ◽  
Bao-Chau Minh Nguyen ◽  
Pratyush Kandimalla ◽  
Jennifer Kelly Lovick ◽  
Jeffrey Michael Donlea ◽  
...  

AbstractThe central complex (CX) is a midline-situated collection of neuropil compartments in the arthropod central brain, implicated in higher-order processes such as goal-directed navigation. Here, we provide a systematic genetic-neuroanatomical analysis of the ellipsoid body (EB), a compartment which represents a major afferent portal of the Drosophila CX. The neuropil volume of the EB, along with its prominent input compartment, called the bulb, is subdivided into precisely tessellated domains, distinguishable based on intensity of the global marker DN-cadherin. EB tangential elements (so-called ring neurons), most of which are derived from the DALv2 neuroblast lineage, interconnect the bulb and EB domains in a topographically-organized fashion. Using the DN-cadherin domains as a framework, we first characterized the bulb-EB connectivity by Gal4 driver lines expressed in different DALv2 ring neuron (R-neuron) subclasses. We identified 11 subclasses, 6 of which correspond to previously described projection patterns, and 5 novel patterns. These subclasses both spatially (based on EB innervation pattern) and numerically (cell counts) summate to the total EB volume and R-neuron cell number, suggesting that our compilation of R-neuron subclasses approaches completion. EB columnar elements, as well as non-DALv2 derived extrinsic ring neurons (ExR-neurons), were also incorporated into this anatomical framework. Finally, we addressed the connectivity between R-neurons and their targets, using the anterograde trans-synaptic labeling method, trans-Tango. This study demonstrates putative interactions of R-neuron subclasses and reveals general principles of information flow within the EB network. Our work will facilitate the generation and testing of hypotheses regarding circuit interactions within the EB and the rest of the CX.

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kitzmann ◽  
Matthias Weibkopf ◽  
Magdalena Ines Schacht ◽  
Gregor Bucher

AbstractAnterior patterning of animals is based on a set of highly conserved transcription factors but the interactions within the protostome anterior gene regulatory network (aGRN) remain enigmatic. Here, we identify the foxQ2 ortholog of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum as novel upstream component of the insect aGRN. It is required for the development of the labrum and higher order brain structures, namely the central complex and the mushroom bodies. We reveal Tc-foxQ2 interactions by RNAi and heat shock-mediated misexpression. Surprisingly, Tc-foxQ2 and Tc-six3 mutually activate each other forming a novel regulatory module at the top of the insect aGRN. Comparisons of our results with those of sea urchins and cnidarians suggest that foxQ2 has acquired functions in head and brain patterning during protostome evolution. Our findings expand the knowledge on foxQ2 gene function to include essential roles in epidermal development and central brain patterning.Author summaryThe development of the anterior most part of any animal embryo – for instance the brain of vertebrates and the head of insects – depends on a very similar set of genes present in all animals. This is true for the two major lineages of bilaterian animals, the deuterostomes (including sea urchin and humans) and protostomes (including annelids and insects) and the cnidarians (e.g. the sea anemone), which are representatives of more ancient animals. However, the interaction of these genes has been studied in deuterostomes and cnidarians but not in protostomes. Here, we present the first study the function of the gene foxQ2 in protostomes. We found that the gene acts at the top level of the genetic network and when its function is knocked down, the labrum (a part of the head) and higher order brain centers do not develop. This is in contrast to the other animal groups where foxQ2 appears to play a less central role. We conclude that foxQ2 has acquired additional functions in the course of evolution of protostomes.


2001 ◽  
Vol 204 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Nighorn ◽  
P.J. Simpson ◽  
D.B. Morton

Guanylyl cyclases are usually characterized as being either soluble (sGCs) or receptor (rGCs). We have recently cloned a novel guanylyl cyclase, MsGC-I, from the developing nervous system of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta that cannot be classified as either an sGC or an rGC. MsGC-I shows highest sequence identity with receptor guanylyl cyclases throughout its catalytic and dimerization domains, but does not contain the ligand-binding, transmembrane or kinase-like domains characteristic of receptor guanylyl cyclases. In addition, MsGC-I contains a C-terminal extension of 149 amino acid residues. In this paper, we report the expression of MsGC-I in the adult. Northern blots show that it is expressed preferentially in the nervous system, with high levels in the pharate adult brain and antennae. In the antennae, immunohistochemical analyses show that it is expressed in the cell bodies and dendrites, but not axons, of olfactory receptor neurons. In the brain, it is expressed in a variety of sensory neuropils including the antennal and optic lobes. It is also expressed in structures involved in higher-order processing including the mushroom bodies and central complex. This complicated expression pattern suggests that this novel guanylyl cyclase plays an important role in mediating cyclic GMP levels in the nervous system of Manduca sexta.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Chen Bao ◽  
Quan Shen ◽  
Yi-Qun Fang ◽  
Jian-guo Wu

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore whether a single deep helium-oxygen (heliox) dive affects physiological function.Methods: A total of 40 male divers performed an open-water heliox dive to 80 m of seawater (msw). The total diving time was 280 min, and the breathing helium-oxygen time was 20 min. Before and after the dive, blood and saliva samples were collected, and blood cell counts, cardiac damage, oxidative stress, vascular endothelial activation, and hormonal biomarkers were assayed.Results: An 80 msw heliox dive induced a significant increase in the percentage of granulocytes (GR %), whereas the percentage of lymphocytes (LYM %), percentage of intermediate cells (MID %), red blood cell number (RBC), hematocrit (hCT), and platelets (PLT) decreased. During the dive, concentrations of creatine kinase (CK), a myocardial-specific isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) in serum and amylase alpha 1 (AMY1), and testosterone levels in saliva increased, in contrast, IgA levels in saliva decreased. Diving caused a significant increase in serum glutathione (GSH) levels and reduced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels but had no effect on malondialdehyde (MDA) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels.Conclusion: A single 80 msw heliox dive activates the endothelium, causes skeletal-muscle damage, and induces oxidative stress and physiological stress responses, as reflected in changes in biomarker concentrations.


2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (2) ◽  
pp. G335-G342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kshama Jaiswal ◽  
Christie Lopez-Guzman ◽  
Rhonda F. Souza ◽  
Stuart J. Spechler ◽  
George A. Sarosi

Bile reflux has been implicated in the neoplastic progression of Barrett’s esophagus (BE). Bile salts increase proliferation in a Barrett’s-associated adenocarcinoma cell line (SEG-1 cells) by activating ERK and p38 MAPK pathways. However, it is not clear that these findings in cancer cells are applicable to non-neoplastic cells of benign BE. We examined the effect of bile salts on three human cell lines: normal esophageal squamous (NES) cells, non-neoplastic Barrett’s cells (BAR cells), and SEG-1 cells. We hypothesized that bile salt exposure activates proproliferative and antiapoptotic pathways to promote increased growth in BE. NES, BAR, and SEG-1 cells were exposed to glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDA) at a neutral pH for 5 min. Proliferation was measured by Coulter counter cell counts and a 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay. GCDA-induced MAPK activation was examined by Western blot analysis for phosphorylated ERK and p38. Apoptosis was measured by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling and annexin V staining after GCDA and UV-B exposure. Statistical significance was determined by ANOVA. NES cells exposed to 5 min of GCDA did not increase cell number. In BAR cells, GCDA exposure increased cell number by 31%, increased phosphorylated p38 and ERK levels by two- to three-fold, increased BrdU incorporation by 30%, and decreased UV-induced apoptosis by 15–20%. In conclusion, in a non-neoplastic Barrett’s cell line, GCDA exposure induces proliferation by activation of both ERK and p38 MAPK pathways. These findings suggest a potential mechanism whereby bile reflux may facilitate the neoplastic progression of BE.


Development ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 819-833
Author(s):  
M. C. Prestige ◽  
Margaret A. Wilson

1. The development of the ventral root (VR) in Xenopus has been studied by electron microscopy. Total fibre counts, and counts of classes of fibres were made from large photomontages of the whole of VR 9 at × 15000. 2. The total number of fibres in the root shows the same pattern of initial rise, peak, and subsequent decline that previous ventral horn (VH) cell counts had shown, The two curves overlay each other initially, but after the decline, there were apparently more cells than fibres. 3. Promyelin and myelin formation was seen at the time of the decline. There was no evidence that dying axons had started to myelinate. 4. In some animals the limb-bud was removed at the time of its first penetration by nerve fibres. The ventral roots developed normally for a week, but thereafter fibre loss was accentuated, advanced and more profound, so that after another week, no fibres were left. In these roots, no promyelin or myelin was formed. 5. In other animals, it was shown that there is no evidence for collateral sprouting in the ventral roots during normal development. 6. It is argued that the axons which die in normal development have already reached the limb-bud. 7. The correspondence between axon and cell number is discussed.


1988 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 445-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Turner ◽  
J. Kolbe ◽  
E. W. Spannhake

In preliminary studies of antigen-induced airway inflammation, we noted an apparent increase in peribronchiolar mast cell number. Experiments were thus undertaken to investigate the nature of this migration of mast cells into the central and peripheral airway epithelium and to determine its time course. The tracheae and small airways of 10 anesthetized mongrel dogs were exposed via a bronchoscope to Ascaris suum antigen (Ag), fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLP), ovalbumin (OVA), and isotonic saline (SAL). In the central airways, all stimuli provoked a significant increase (P less than 0.05) in mast cell numbers at the base of the airway epithelium within 3 h. In the peripheral airways, only Ag aerosol stimulated a significant mast cell increase compared with unexposed tissue. In a second series of experiments, the trachea of seven dogs were exposed to 0.026, 0.26, and 2.6 micrograms of Ag. The tissue was collected at 1, 3, 6, and 10 h after exposure. In these experiments, there was a significant mast cell increase seen within 1 h but it was not dose dependent. By 6-10 h after exposure, mast cell counts were not significantly different from the unexposed condition, which is consistent with the idea that some of the cells either degranulated or migrated into the airway lumen. We conclude that mast cell migration is an acute response that can be demonstrated within 1 h of stimulation with Ag. The observation that nonimmunological stimuli may, in some cases, also stimulate mast cell movement affords the possibility that this process represents a generalized response to airway irritation.


Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 1563-1568 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Frasca ◽  
G Leter ◽  
G Doria

Abstract Injection of murine recombinant interleukin-3 (IL-3) into (C57BL/10 x DBA/2)F1 mice, sublethally irradiated with 300 cGy and killed 14 days later, induced in the thymus recovery of the cell number and mitotic responsiveness to concanavalin A (Con A), as well as an increase in number of double-negative CD4-CD8-, double-positive CD4+ CD8+, and single-positive CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8+ cells. Also in the spleen, the cell count and mitotic responsiveness to Con A and lipopolysaccharide were increased to normal levels by IL-3 treatment. If the assays were performed 21 or 28 days after irradiation, IL-3 treatment was able to restore thymus and spleen cell counts as well as T- and B-cell mitotic responsiveness, even when mice were exposed to 400 or 500 cGy, respectively. These results altogether indicate that IL-3 induces differentiation and growth of thymocytes and recovery of T- and B-cell functions in mice exposed to sublethal irradiation.


2005 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 972-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Rangel ◽  
Roberta Monterazzo Cysneiros ◽  
Ricardo Mario Arida ◽  
Marly de Albuquerque ◽  
Diego Basile Colugnati ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: To further characterize the capacity of lovastatin to prevent hippocampal neuronal loss after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) METHOD: Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (A) control rats, received neither pilocarpine nor lovastatin (n=5); (B) control rats, received just lovastatin (n=5); (C) rats that received just pilocarpine (n=5); (D) rats that received pilocarpine and lovastatin (n=5). After pilocarpine injection (350mg/kg, i.p.), only rats that displayed continuous, convulsive seizure activity were included in our study. Seizure activity was monitored behaviorally and terminated with an injection of diazepam (10 mg/kg, i.p.) after 4 h of convulsive SE. The rats treated with lovastatin received two doses of 20mg/kg via an oesophagic probe immediately and 24 hours after SE induction. Seven days after pilocarpine-induced SE, all the animals were perfused and their brains were processed for histological analysis through Nissl method. RESULTS: The cell counts in the Nissl-stained sections performed within the hippocampal formation showed a significant cell loss in rats that received pilocarpine and presented SE (CA1= 26.8 ± 13.67; CA3= 38.1 ± 7.2; hilus= 43.8 ± 3.95) when compared with control group animals (Group A: CA1= 53.2 ± 9.63; CA3= 63.5 ± 13.35; hilus= 59.08 ± 10.24; Group B: CA1= 74.3 ± 8.16; CA3= 70.1 ± 3.83; hilus= 70.6 ± 5.10). The average neuronal cell number of CA1 subfield of rats that present SE and received lovastatin (44.4 ± 17.88) was statically significant increased when compared with animals that just presented SE. CONCLUSION: Lovastatin exert a neuroprotective role in the attenuation of brain damage after SE.


Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 99 (11) ◽  
pp. 4225-4227 ◽  
Author(s):  
JoAnn C. Castelli ◽  
Steven G. Deeks ◽  
Stephen Shiboski ◽  
Jay A. Levy

During chronic HIV infection, asymptomatic individuals demonstrate a strong CD8+ cell noncytotoxic antiviral response (CNAR). With the onset of symptoms or reduction in CD4+ cell counts, CNAR decreases. Presently, it is recommended that infected individuals receive antiretroviral therapy if CD4+ cell counts fall below 350 cells/μL. To determine whether CNAR lends support to this recommendation for initiation of antiretroviral treatment, we examined CNAR in 20 healthy, untreated, HIV-infected men exhibiting a range of CD4+ cell numbers. Our results indicate that the asymptomatic untreated HIV-infected individuals with less than 300 CD4+ cells/μL had a significantly lower CNAR than those with higher CD4+ cell counts. These data on CNAR in untreated, healthy, HIV-infected individuals support the current recommendation for when to initiate antiretroviral therapy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 204173141769754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Sancho-Tello ◽  
Sara Martorell ◽  
Manuel Mata Roig ◽  
Lara Milián ◽  
MA Gámiz-González ◽  
...  

The clinical management of large-size cartilage lesions is difficult due to the limited regenerative ability of the cartilage. Different biomaterials have been used to develop tissue engineering substitutes for cartilage repair, including chitosan alone or in combination with growth factors to improve its chondrogenic properties. The main objective of this investigation was to evaluate the benefits of combining activated platelet-rich plasma with a stabilized porous chitosan scaffold for cartilage regeneration. To achieve this purpose, stabilized porous chitosan scaffolds were prepared using freeze gelation and combined with activated platelet-rich plasma. Human primary articular chondrocytes were isolated and cultured in stabilized porous chitosan scaffolds with and without combination to activated platelet-rich plasma. Scanning electron microscopy was used for the morphological characterization of the resulting scaffolds. Cell counts were performed in hematoxylin and eosin–stained sections, and type I and II collagen expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Significant increase in cell number in activated platelet-rich plasma/stabilized porous chitosan was found compared with stabilized porous chitosan scaffolds. Chondrocytes grown on stabilized porous chitosan expressed high levels of type I collagen but type II was not detectable, whereas cells grown on activated platelet rich plasma/stabilized porous chitosan scaffolds expressed high levels of type II collagen and type I was almost undetectable. In summary, activated platelet-rich plasma increases nesting and induces the differentiation of chondrocytes cultured on stabilized porous chitosan scaffolds.


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