scholarly journals Putative Autoantigen Leiomodin-1 Is Expressed in the Human Brain and in the Membrane Fraction of Newly Formed Neurons

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1036
Author(s):  
David W. Nauen ◽  
Michael C. Haffner ◽  
Juyun Kim ◽  
Qizhi Zheng ◽  
Hao Yin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Progenitor Cells ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Pediatric Epilepsy ◽  
Cell Fractionation ◽  
Membrane Expression ◽  
Representative Cell ◽  
Human Neurons ◽  
Mature Neurons

Nodding syndrome is a pediatric epilepsy disorder associated with Onchocerca volvulus infection, but the mechanism driving this relationship is unclear. One hypothesis proposes that parasite-induced immune responses cross-react with human leiomodin-1 resulting in immune-mediated central nervous system (CNS) damage. However, as leiomodin-1 expression and epitope availability in human neurons remains uncharacterized, the relevance of leiomodin-1 autoimmunity is unknown. Leiomodin-1 transcript expression was assessed in silico using publicly available ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing databases and in tissue by in situ hybridization and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Abundance and subcellular localization were examined by cell fractionation and immunoblotting. Leiomodin-1 transcripts were expressed in cells of the CNS, including neurons and astrocytes. Protein was detectable from all brain regions examined as well as from representative cell lines and in vitro differentiated neurons and astrocytes. Leiomodin-1 was expressed on the membrane of newly formed neurons, but not neural progenitor cells or mature neurons. Importantly, leiomodin-1 antibodies were only toxic to cells expressing leiomodin-1 on the membrane. Our findings provide evidence that leiomodin-1 is expressed in human neurons and glia. Furthermore, we show membrane expression mediates leiomodin-1 antibody toxicity, suggesting these antibodies may play a role in pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Fitness selection of hyperfusogenic measles virus F proteins associated with neuropathogenic phenotypes

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (18) ◽  
pp. e2026027118
Author(s):  
Satoshi Ikegame ◽  
Takao Hashiguchi ◽  
Chuan-Tien Hung ◽  
Kristina Dobrindt ◽  
Kristen J. Brennand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Measles Virus ◽  
Fitness Landscape ◽  
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Genomic Context ◽  
Fitness Advantage ◽  
Human Neurons ◽  
Selection Of

Measles virus (MeV) is resurgent and caused >200,000 deaths in 2019. MeV infection can establish a chronic latent infection of the brain that can recrudesce months to years after recovery from the primary infection. Recrudescent MeV leads to fatal subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) or measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE) as the virus spreads across multiple brain regions. Most clinical isolates of SSPE/MIBE strains show mutations in the fusion (F) gene that result in a hyperfusogenic phenotype in vitro and allow for efficient spread in primary human neurons. Wild-type MeV receptor-binding protein is indispensable for manifesting these mutant F phenotypes, even though neurons lack canonical MeV receptors (CD150/SLAMF1 or nectin-4). How such hyperfusogenic F mutants are selected and whether they confer a fitness advantage for efficient neuronal spread is unresolved. To better understand the fitness landscape that allows for the selection of such hyperfusogenic F mutants, we conducted a screen of ≥3.1 × 105 MeV-F point mutants in their genomic context. We rescued and amplified our genomic MeV-F mutant libraries in BSR-T7 cells under conditions in which MeV-F-T461I (a known SSPE mutant), but not wild-type MeV, can spread. We recovered known SSPE mutants but also characterized at least 15 hyperfusogenic F mutations with an SSPE phenotype. Structural mapping of these mutants onto the prefusion MeV-F trimer confirm and extend our understanding of the F regulatory domains in MeV-F. Our list of hyperfusogenic F mutants is a valuable resource for future studies into MeV neuropathogenesis and the regulation of paramyxovirus F.

scholarly journals Meteorin is a Chemokinetic Factor in Neuroblast Migration and Promotes Stroke-Induced Striatal Neurogenesis

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaolu Wang ◽  
Nuno Andrade ◽  
Malene Torp ◽  
Somsak Wattananit ◽  
Andreas Arvidsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Progenitor Cells ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Artery Occlusion ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Neuroblast Migration ◽  
Mature Neurons ◽  
Cerebral Artery Occlusion

Ischemic stroke affecting the adult brain causes increased progenitor proliferation in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and generation of neuroblasts, which migrate into the damaged striatum and differentiate to mature neurons. Meteorin (METRN), a newly discovered neurotrophic factor, is highly expressed in neural progenitor cells and immature neurons during development, suggesting that it may be involved in neurogenesis. Here, we show that METRN promotes migration of neuroblasts from SVZ explants of postnatal rats and stroke-subjected adult rats via a chemokinetic mechanism, and reduces N-methyl-d-asparate-induced apoptotic cell death in SVZ cells in vitro. Stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion upregulates the expression of endogenous METRN in cells with neuronal phenotype in striatum. Recombinant METRN infused into the stroke-damaged brain stimulates cell proliferation in SVZ, promotes neuroblast migration, and increases the number of immature and mature neurons in the ischemic striatum. Our findings identify METRN as a new factor promoting neurogenesis both in vitro and in vivo by multiple mechanisms. Further work will be needed to translate METRN's actions on endogenous neurogenesis into improved recovery after stroke.

scholarly journals μNeurocircuitry: Establishing in vitro models of neurocircuits with human neurons

TECHNOLOGY ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 05 (02) ◽  
pp. 87-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. Fantuzzo ◽  
Lidia De Filippis ◽  
Heather McGowan ◽  
Nan Yang ◽  
Yi-Han Ng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Spatial Separation ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Neuronal Markers ◽  
Human Neurons ◽  
Human Neuronal Cells

Neurocircuits in the human brain govern complex behavior and involve connections from many different neuronal subtypes from different brain regions. Recent advances in stem cell biology have enabled the derivation of patient-specific human neuronal cells of various subtypes for the study of neuronal function and disease pathology. Nevertheless, one persistent challenge using these human-derived neurons is the ability to reconstruct models of human brain circuitry. To overcome this obstacle, we have developed a compartmentalized microfluidic device, which allows for spatial separation of cell bodies of different human-derived neuronal subtypes (excitatory, inhibitory and dopaminergic) but is permissive to the spreading of projecting processes. Induced neurons (iNs) cultured in the device expressed pan-neuronal markers and subtype specific markers. Morphologically, we demonstrate defined synaptic contacts between selected neuronal subtypes by synapsin staining. Functionally, we show that excitatory neuronal stimulation evoked excitatory postsynaptic current responses in the neurons cultured in a separate chamber.

scholarly journals Disruption of Dense Granular Protein 2 (GRA2) Decreases the Virulence of Neospora caninum

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingquan Dong ◽  
Nan Zhang ◽  
Panpan Zhao ◽  
Jianhua Li ◽  
Lili Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Cell Fractionation ◽  
Fractionation Analysis ◽  
Protein Functions ◽  
Localization Analysis

Neospora caninum causes abortions in cattle and nervous system dysfunction in dogs. Dense granular proteins (GRAs) play important roles in virulence; however, studies on NcGRA functions are limited. In the present study, multiple methods, including site-directed mutagenesis; CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing; Western blotting; quantitative polymerase chain reaction; confocal microscopy; plaque, invasion, egress, and replication assays; animal assays of survival rate and parasite burden; and hematoxylin–eosin staining, were used to characterize the NcGRA2 protein, construct an NcGRA2 gene disruption (ΔNcGRA2) strain, and explore its virulence in vivo and vitro. The results showed that NcGRA2 shared 31.31% homology with TgGRA2 and was colocalized with NcGRA6 at the posterior end of tachyzoites and the intravacuolar network of parasitophorous vacuoles (PVs). Cell fractionation analysis showed that NcGRA2 behaved as a transmembrane and membrane-coupled protein. The ΔNcGRA2 strain was constructed by coelectroporation of the NcGRA2-targeting CRISPR plasmid (pNc-SAG1-Cas9:U6-SgGRA2) and DHFR-TS DNA donor and verified at the protein, genome, and transcriptional levels and by immunofluorescence localization analysis. The in vitro virulence results showed that the ΔNcGRA2 strain displayed smaller plaques, similar invasion and egress abilities, and slower intracellular growth. The in vivo virulence results showed a prolonged survival time, lower parasite burden, and mild histopathological changes. Overall, the present study indicates that NcGRA2, as a dense granular protein, forms the intravacuolar network structure of PVs and weakens N. caninum virulence by slowing proliferation. These data highlight the roles of NcGRA2 and provide a foundation for research on other protein functions in N. caninum.

scholarly journals Fitness selection of hyperfusogenic measles virus F proteins associated with neuropathogenic phenotypes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Ikegame ◽  
Takao Hashiguchi ◽  
Chuan-tien Hung ◽  
Kristina Dobrindt ◽  
Kristen Brennand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Measles Virus ◽  
Fitness Landscape ◽  
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Genomic Context ◽  
Fitness Advantage ◽  
Human Neurons ◽  
Selection Of

Measles virus (MeV) is resurgent and caused >200,000 deaths in 2019. MeV infection can establish a chronic latent infection of the brain that can recrudesce months to years after recovery from the primary infection. Recrudescent MeV leads to fatal subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) or measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE) as the virus spreads across multiple brain regions. Most clinical isolates of SSPE/MIBE strains show mutations in the fusion (F) gene that result in a hyperfusogenic phenotype in vitro and allow for efficient spread in primary human neurons. Wild-type MeV receptor binding protein (RBP) is indispensable for manifesting these mutant F phenotypes, even though neurons lack canonical MeV receptors (CD150/SLAMF1 or Nectin-4). How such hyperfusogenic F mutants are selected for, and whether they confer a fitness advantage for efficient neuronal spread is unresolved. To better understand the fitness landscape that allows for the selection of such hyperfusogenic F mutants, we conducted a screen of ≥3.1x105 MeV-F point mutants in their genomic context. We rescued and amplified our genomic MeV-F mutant libraries in BSR-T7 cells under conditions where MeV-F-T461I (a known SSPE mutant), but not wild-type MeV can spread. We recovered known SSPE mutants but also characterized at least 15 novel hyperfusogenic F mutations with a SSPE phenotype. Structural mapping of these mutants onto the pre-fusion MeV-F trimer confirm and extend our understanding of the fusion regulatory domains in MeV-F. Our list of hyperfusogenic F mutants is a valuable resource for future studies into MeV neuropathogenesis and the regulation of paramyxovirus fusion.

scholarly journals Species-specific maturation profiles of human, chimpanzee and bonobo neural cells

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria C Marchetto ◽  
Branka Hrvoj-Mihic ◽  
Bilal E Kerman ◽  
Diana X Yu ◽  
Krishna C Vadodaria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Progenitor Cells ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Neural Cells ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Comparative Analyses ◽  
Human Neurons ◽  
Species Specific

Comparative analyses of neuronal phenotypes in closely related species can shed light on neuronal changes occurring during evolution. The study of post-mortem brains of nonhuman primates (NHPs) has been limited and often does not recapitulate important species-specific developmental hallmarks. We utilize induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to investigate the development of cortical pyramidal neurons following migration and maturation of cells grafted in the developing mouse cortex. Our results show differential migration patterns in human neural progenitor cells compared to those of chimpanzees and bonobos both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting heterochronic changes in human neurons. The strategy proposed here lays the groundwork for further comparative analyses between humans and NHPs and opens new avenues for understanding the differences in the neural underpinnings of cognition and neurological disease susceptibility between species.

scholarly journals Neural tube patterning: from a minimal model for rostrocaudal patterning towards an integrated 3D model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Brambach ◽  
Ariane Ernst ◽  
Sara Nolbrant ◽  
Janelle Drouin-Ouellet ◽  
Agnete Kirkeby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Progenitor Cells ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Early Brain Development ◽  
Gene Regulatory ◽  
Regulatory Model ◽  
Dose Dependent

AbstractThe rostrocaudal patterning of the neural tube is a key event in early brain development. This process is mainly driven by a gradient of WNT, which defines the fate of the present neural progenitor cells in a dose dependent matter and leads to a subdivision of the tube into forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. Although this process is extensively studied experimentally both in vivo and in vitro, an integrated view of the responsible genetic circuitry is currently lacking. In this work, we present a minimal gene regulatory model for rostrocaudal neural tube patterning. The model's nodes and architecture are determined in a data driven way, leading to a tristable configuration of mutually repressing brain regions. Analysis of the parameter sensitivity and simulations of knockdown and overexpression cases show that repression of hindbrain fate is a promising strategy for the improvement of current protocols for the generation of dopaminergic neurons in vitro. Furthermore, we combine the model with an existing model for dorsoventral neural tube patterning, to test its capabilities in an in vivo setting, by predicting the steady state pattern of a realistic three-dimensional neural tube. This reveals that the rostrocaudal pattern stacks dorsoventrally in the caudal half of the neural tube. Finally, we simulate morphogen secretion overexpression, which highlights the sensitivity of neural tube patterning to the morphogen levels.

scholarly journals The Differential Metabolomes in Cumulus and Mural Granulosa Cells from Human Preovulatory Follicles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Er-Meng Gao ◽  
Bongkoch Turathum ◽  
Ling Wang ◽  
Di Zhang ◽  
Yu-Bing Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Cholesterol Transport ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles ◽  
Morphological Differences

AbstractThis study evaluated the differences in metabolites between cumulus cells (CCs) and mural granulosa cells (MGCs) from human preovulatory follicles to understand the mechanism of oocyte maturation involving CCs and MGCs. CCs and MGCs were collected from women who were undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. The differences in morphology were determined by immunofluorescence. The metabolomics of CCs and MGCs was measured by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analysis to further confirm the genes and proteins involved in oocyte maturation. CCs and MGCs were cultured for 48 h in vitro, and the medium was collected for detection of hormone levels. There were minor morphological differences between CCs and MGCs. LC-MS/MS analysis showed that there were differences in 101 metabolites between CCs and MGCs: 7 metabolites were upregulated in CCs, and 94 metabolites were upregulated in MGCs. The metabolites related to cholesterol transport and estradiol production were enriched in CCs, while metabolites related to antiapoptosis were enriched in MGCs. The expression of genes and proteins involved in cholesterol transport (ABCA1, LDLR, and SCARB1) and estradiol production (SULT2B1 and CYP19A1) was significantly higher in CCs, and the expression of genes and proteins involved in antiapoptosis (CRLS1, LPCAT3, and PLA2G4A) was significantly higher in MGCs. The level of estrogen in CCs was significantly higher than that in MGCs, while the progesterone level showed no significant differences. There are differences between the metabolomes of CCs and MGCs. These differences may be involved in the regulation of oocyte maturation.

scholarly journals Anti-Metastatic and Anti-Angiogenic Effects of Curcumin Analog DK1 on Human Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 532
Author(s):  
Muhammad Nazirul Mubin Aziz ◽  
Nurul Fattin Che Rahim ◽  
Yazmin Hussin ◽  
Swee Keong Yeap ◽  
Mas Jaffri Masarudin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Safety Profile ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Tube Formation ◽  
Osteosarcoma Cell ◽  
Curcumin Analog ◽  
Human Osteosarcoma ◽  
Human Osteosarcoma Cells ◽  
Human Osteosarcoma Cell

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a life-threatening malignant bone tumor associated with poor prognosis among children. The survival rate of the patient is still arguably low even with intensive treatment provided, plus with the inherent side effects from the chemotherapy, which gives more unfavorable outcomes. Hence, the search for potent anti-osteosarcoma agent with promising safety profile is still on going. Natural occurring substance like curcumin has gained a lot of attention due to its splendid safety profile as well as it pharmacological advantages such as anti-metastasis and anti-angiogenesis. However, natural curcumin was widely known for its poor cellular uptake, which undermines all potential that it possesses. This prompted the development of synthetically synthesized curcuminoid analog, known as (Z)-3-hydroxy-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-phenylprop-2- en-1-one (DK1). In this present study, in vitro scratch assay, transwell migration/invasion assay, HUVEC tube formation assay, and ex vivo rat aortic ring assays were performed in order to investigate the anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic potential of DK1. For further comprehension of DK1 mechanism on human osteosarcoma cell lines, microarray gene expression analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and proteome profiler were adopted, providing valuable forecast from the expression of important genes and proteins related to metastasis and angiogenesis. Based on the data gathered from the bioassays, DK1 was able to inhibit the metastasis and angiogenesis of human osteosarcoma cell lines by significantly reducing the cell motility, number of migrated and invaded cells as well as the tube formation and micro-vessels sprouting. Additionally, DK1 also has significantly regulated several cancer pathways involved in OS proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis such as PI3K/Akt and NF-κB in both U-2 OS and MG-63. Regulation of PI3K/Akt caused up-regulation of genes related to metastasis inhibition, namely, PTEN, FOXO, PLK3, and GADD45A. Meanwhile, NF-κB pathway was regulated by mitigating the expression of NF-κB activator such as IKBKB and IKBKE in MG-63, whilst up-regulating the expression of NF-κB inhibitors such as NFKBIA and NFKBIE in U-2 OS. Finally, DK1 also has successfully hindered the metastatic and angiogenic capability of OS cell lines by down-regulating the expression of pro-metastatic genes and proteins like MMP3, COL11A1, FGF1, Endoglin, uPA, and IGFBP2 in U-2 OS. Whilst for MG-63, the significantly down-regulated oncogenes were Serpin E1, AKT2, VEGF, uPA, PD-ECGF, and Endoglin. These results suggest that curcumin analog DK1 may serve as a potential new anti-osteosarcoma agent due to its anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic attributes.

scholarly journals Incerto-thalamic modulation of fear via GABA and dopamine

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Archana Venkataraman ◽  
Sarah C. Hunter ◽  
Maria Dhinojwala ◽  
Diana Ghebrezadik ◽  
JiDong Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Regions ◽  
Zona Incerta ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Functional Connections ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Fear Generalization ◽  
Stimulation Of

AbstractFear generalization and deficits in extinction learning are debilitating dimensions of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Most understanding of the neurobiology underlying these dimensions comes from studies of cortical and limbic brain regions. While thalamic and subthalamic regions have been implicated in modulating fear, the potential for incerto-thalamic pathways to suppress fear generalization and rescue deficits in extinction recall remains unexplored. We first used patch-clamp electrophysiology to examine functional connections between the subthalamic zona incerta and thalamic reuniens (RE). Optogenetic stimulation of GABAergic ZI → RE cell terminals in vitro induced inhibitory post-synaptic currents (IPSCs) in the RE. We then combined high-intensity discriminative auditory fear conditioning with cell-type-specific and projection-specific optogenetics in mice to assess functional roles of GABAergic ZI → RE cell projections in modulating fear generalization and extinction recall. In addition, we used a similar approach to test the possibility of fear generalization and extinction recall being modulated by a smaller subset of GABAergic ZI → RE cells, the A13 dopaminergic cell population. Optogenetic stimulation of GABAergic ZI → RE cell terminals attenuated fear generalization and enhanced extinction recall. In contrast, optogenetic stimulation of dopaminergic ZI → RE cell terminals had no effect on fear generalization but enhanced extinction recall in a dopamine receptor D1-dependent manner. Our findings shed new light on the neuroanatomy and neurochemistry of ZI-located cells that contribute to adaptive fear by increasing the precision and extinction of learned associations. In so doing, these data reveal novel neuroanatomical substrates that could be therapeutically targeted for treatment of PTSD.

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