1
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Zhang T, Ai D, Wei P, Xu Y, Bi Z, Ma F, Li F, Chen XJ, Zhang Z, Zou X, Guo Z, Zhao Y, Li JL, Ye M, Feng Z, Zhang X, Zheng L, Yu J, Li C, Tu T, Zeng H, Lei J, Zhang H, Hong T, Zhang L, Luo B, Li Z, Xing C, Jia C, Li L, Sun W, Ge WP. The subcommissural organ regulates brain development via secreted peptides. Nat Neurosci 2024:10.1038/s41593-024-01639-x. [PMID: 38741020 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01639-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The subcommissural organ (SCO) is a gland located at the entrance of the aqueduct of Sylvius in the brain. It exists in species as distantly related as amphioxus and humans, but its function is largely unknown. Here, to explore its function, we compared transcriptomes of SCO and non-SCO brain regions and found three genes, Sspo, Car3 and Spdef, that are highly expressed in the SCO. Mouse strains expressing Cre recombinase from endogenous promoter/enhancer elements of these genes were used to genetically ablate SCO cells during embryonic development, resulting in severe hydrocephalus and defects in neuronal migration and development of neuronal axons and dendrites. Unbiased peptidomic analysis revealed enrichment of three SCO-derived peptides, namely, thymosin beta 4, thymosin beta 10 and NP24, and their reintroduction into SCO-ablated brain ventricles substantially rescued developmental defects. Together, these data identify a critical role for the SCO in brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhang
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Daosheng Ai
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Pingli Wei
- Department of Chemistry and School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ying Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences-Beijing, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Zhanying Bi
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fengfei Ma
- Department of Chemistry and School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Fengzhi Li
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xing-Jun Chen
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaohuan Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Zou
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China
| | - Zongpei Guo
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Jun-Liszt Li
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Ye
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyan Feng
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | | | - Lijun Zheng
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Yu
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chunli Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianqi Tu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, China International Neuroscience Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongkui Zeng
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jianfeng Lei
- Medical Imaging laboratory of Core Facility Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongqi Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, China International Neuroscience Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Hong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, China International Neuroscience Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Benyan Luo
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Xing
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Chenxi Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences-Beijing, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Lingjun Li
- Department of Chemistry and School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Wenzhi Sun
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Woo-Ping Ge
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China.
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, China International Neuroscience Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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2
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Zhang T, Ai D, Wei P, Xu Y, Bi Z, Ma F, Li F, Chen XJ, Zhang Z, Zou X, Guo Z, Zhao Y, Li JL, Ye M, Feng Z, Zhang X, Zheng L, Yu J, Li C, Tu T, Zeng H, Lei J, Zhang H, Hong T, Zhang L, Luo B, Li Z, Xing C, Jia C, Li L, Sun W, Ge WP. The subcommissural organ regulates brain development via secreted peptides. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.30.587415. [PMID: 38585720 PMCID: PMC10996762 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.30.587415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The subcommissural organ (SCO) is a gland located at the entrance of the aqueduct of Sylvius in the brain. It exists in species as distantly related as amphioxus and humans, but its function is largely unknown. To explore its function, we compared transcriptomes of SCO and non-SCO brain regions and found three genes, Sspo, Car3, and Spdef, that are highly expressed in the SCO. Mouse strains expressing Cre recombinase from endogenous promoter/enhancer elements of these genes were used to genetically ablate SCO cells during embryonic development, resulting in severe hydrocephalus and defects in neuronal migration and development of neuronal axons and dendrites. Unbiased peptidomic analysis revealed enrichment of three SCO-derived peptides, namely thymosin beta 4, thymosin beta 10, and NP24, and their reintroduction into SCO-ablated brain ventricles substantially rescued developmental defects. Together, these data identify a critical role for the SCO in brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhang
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies (AAIS), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Daosheng Ai
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies (AAIS), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Pingli Wei
- Department of Chemistry and School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
| | - Ying Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences-Beijing, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhanying Bi
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Fengfei Ma
- Department of Chemistry and School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
| | - Fengzhi Li
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
- Beijing Normal University, State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xing-jun Chen
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies (AAIS), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhaohuan Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Zou
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zongpei Guo
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Jun-Liszt Li
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies (AAIS), Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Meng Ye
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ziyan Feng
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xinshuang Zhang
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Lijun Zheng
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jie Yu
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Chunli Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Tianqi Tu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, China International Neuroscience Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Hongkui Zeng
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Jianfeng Lei
- Medical Imaging laboratory of Core Facility Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100054, China
| | - Hongqi Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, China International Neuroscience Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Tao Hong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, China International Neuroscience Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Benyan Luo
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Chao Xing
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Chenxi Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences-Beijing, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Lingjun Li
- Department of Chemistry and School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
| | - Wenzhi Sun
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Woo-ping Ge
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, China International Neuroscience Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China
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3
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Inada H, Corales LG, Osumi N. A novel feature of the ancient organ: A possible involvement of the subcommissural organ in neurogenic/gliogenic potential in the adult brain. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1141913. [PMID: 36960167 PMCID: PMC10027738 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1141913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The subcommissural organ (SCO) is a circumventricular organ highly conserved in vertebrates from Cyclostomata such as lamprey to mammals including human. The SCO locates in the boundary between the third ventricle and the entrance of the aqueduct of Sylvius. The SCO functions as a secretory organ producing a variety of proteins such as SCO-spondin, transthyretin, and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A significant contribution of the SCO has been thought to maintain the homeostasis of CSF dynamics. However, evidence has shown a possible role of SCO on neurogenesis in the adult brain. This review highlights specific features of the SCO related to adult neurogenesis, suggested by the progress of understanding SCO functions. We begin with a brief history of the SCO discovery and continue to structural features, gene expression, and a possible role in adult neurogenesis suggested by the SCO transplant experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Inada
- Laboratory of Health and Sports Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering for Health and Welfare, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- *Correspondence: Hitoshi Inada,
| | - Laarni Grace Corales
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Noriko Osumi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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4
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Carmona-Calero EM, González-Toledo JM, Hernández-Abad LG, Castañeyra-Perdomo A, González-Marrero I. Early Regressive Development of the Subcommissural Organ of Two Human Fetuses with Non-Communicating Hydrocephalus. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9121966. [PMID: 36553409 PMCID: PMC9776597 DOI: 10.3390/children9121966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Hydrocephalus is a central nervous system condition characterized by CSF buildup and ventricular hypertrophy. It is divided into two types: communicative and non-communicating hydrocephalus. Congenital hydrocephalus has been linked to several changes in the subcommissural organ (SCO). However, it is unclear whether these changes occur before or as a result of the hydrocephalic illness. This report presents three cases of human fetuses with hydrocephalus: one non-communicating case, two communicating cases, and two controls. Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) or cresyl violet and immunohistochemistry with anti-transthyretin were used to analyze SCO morphological and secretory changes. We conclude that in the cases presented here, there could be an early regression in the SCO of the communicating cases that is not present in the non-communicating case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia M. Carmona-Calero
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Campus de Ofra, Universidad de La Laguna, 38320 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación y Ciencias Puerto del Rosario, 35600 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Juan M. González-Toledo
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Campus de Ofra, Universidad de La Laguna, 38320 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Luis G. Hernández-Abad
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Campus de Ofra, Universidad de La Laguna, 38320 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Agustin Castañeyra-Perdomo
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Campus de Ofra, Universidad de La Laguna, 38320 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación y Ciencias Puerto del Rosario, 35600 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Ibrahim González-Marrero
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Campus de Ofra, Universidad de La Laguna, 38320 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
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5
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Xie H, Li M, Kang Y, Zhang J, Zhao C. Zebrafish: an important model for understanding scoliosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:506. [PMID: 36059018 PMCID: PMC9441191 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04534-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Scoliosis is a common spinal deformity that considerably affects the physical and psychological health of patients. Studies have shown that genetic factors play an important role in scoliosis. However, its etiopathogenesis remain unclear, partially because of the genetic heterogeneity of scoliosis and the lack of appropriate model systems. Recently, the development of efficient gene editing methods and high-throughput sequencing technology has made it possible to explore the underlying pathological mechanisms of scoliosis. Owing to their susceptibility for developing scoliosis and high genetic homology with human, zebrafish are increasingly being used as a model for scoliosis in developmental biology, genetics, and clinical medicine. Here, we summarize the recent advances in scoliosis research on zebrafish and discuss the prospects of using zebrafish as a scoliosis model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Xie
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University and Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Model for Development and Disease of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China.,Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Sars-Fang Centre, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Mingzhu Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University and Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Model for Development and Disease of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China
| | - Yunsi Kang
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Sars-Fang Centre, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University and Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Model for Development and Disease of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China. .,The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, 524023, China.
| | - Chengtian Zhao
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China. .,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China. .,Sars-Fang Centre, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
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6
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Muñoz-Montecinos C, Romero A, Sepúlveda V, Vira MÁ, Fehrmann-Cartes K, Marcellini S, Aguilera F, Caprile T, Fuentes R. Turning the Curve Into Straight: Phenogenetics of the Spine Morphology and Coordinate Maintenance in the Zebrafish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:801652. [PMID: 35155449 PMCID: PMC8826430 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.801652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebral column, or spine, provides mechanical support and determines body axis posture and motion. The most common malformation altering spine morphology and function is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), a three-dimensional spinal deformity that affects approximately 4% of the population worldwide. Due to AIS genetic heterogenicity and the lack of suitable animal models for its study, the etiology of this condition remains unclear, thus limiting treatment options. We here review current advances in zebrafish phenogenetics concerning AIS-like models and highlight the recently discovered biological processes leading to spine malformations. First, we focus on gene functions and phenotypes controlling critical aspects of postembryonic aspects that prime in spine architecture development and straightening. Second, we summarize how primary cilia assembly and biomechanical stimulus transduction, cerebrospinal fluid components and flow driven by motile cilia have been implicated in the pathogenesis of AIS-like phenotypes. Third, we highlight the inflammatory responses associated with scoliosis. We finally discuss recent innovations and methodologies for morphometrically characterize and analyze the zebrafish spine. Ongoing phenotyping projects are expected to identify novel and unprecedented postembryonic gene functions controlling spine morphology and mutant models of AIS. Importantly, imaging and gene editing technologies are allowing deep phenotyping studies in the zebrafish, opening new experimental paradigms in the morphometric and three-dimensional assessment of spinal malformations. In the future, fully elucidating the phenogenetic underpinnings of AIS etiology in zebrafish and humans will undoubtedly lead to innovative pharmacological treatments against spinal deformities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Muñoz-Montecinos
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Adrián Romero
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Vania Sepúlveda
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - María Ángela Vira
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Karen Fehrmann-Cartes
- Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Universidad de las Américas, Concepción, Chile
| | - Sylvain Marcellini
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Felipe Aguilera
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Teresa Caprile
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- *Correspondence: Teresa Caprile, ; Ricardo Fuentes,
| | - Ricardo Fuentes
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Grupo de Procesos en Biología del Desarrollo (GDeP), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- *Correspondence: Teresa Caprile, ; Ricardo Fuentes,
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7
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Sepúlveda V, Maurelia F, González M, Aguayo J, Caprile T. SCO-spondin, a giant matricellular protein that regulates cerebrospinal fluid activity. Fluids Barriers CNS 2021; 18:45. [PMID: 34600566 PMCID: PMC8487547 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-021-00277-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear fluid that occupies the ventricular and subarachnoid spaces within and around the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid is a dynamic signaling milieu that transports nutrients, waste materials and neuroactive substances that are crucial for the development, homeostasis and functionality of the central nervous system. The mechanisms that enable cerebrospinal fluid to simultaneously exert these homeostatic/dynamic functions are not fully understood. SCO-spondin is a large glycoprotein secreted since the early stages of development into the cerebrospinal fluid. Its domain architecture resembles a combination of a matricellular protein and the ligand-binding region of LDL receptor family. The matricellular proteins are a group of extracellular proteins with the capacity to interact with different molecules, such as growth factors, cytokines and cellular receptors; enabling the integration of information to modulate various physiological and pathological processes. In the same way, the LDL receptor family interacts with many ligands, including β-amyloid peptide and different growth factors. The domains similarity suggests that SCO-spondin is a matricellular protein enabled to bind, modulate, and transport different cerebrospinal fluid molecules. SCO-spondin can be found soluble or polymerized into a dynamic threadlike structure called the Reissner fiber, which extends from the diencephalon to the caudal tip of the spinal cord. Reissner fiber continuously moves caudally as new SCO-spondin molecules are added at the cephalic end and are disaggregated at the caudal end. This movement, like a conveyor belt, allows the transport of the bound molecules, thereby increasing their lifespan and action radius. The binding of SCO-spondin to some relevant molecules has already been reported; however, in this review we suggest more than 30 possible binding partners, including peptide β-amyloid and several growth factors. This new perspective characterizes SCO-spondin as a regulator of cerebrospinal fluid activity, explaining its high evolutionary conservation, its apparent multifunctionality, and the lethality or severe malformations, such as hydrocephalus and curved body axis, of knockout embryos. Understanding the regulation and identifying binding partners of SCO-spondin are crucial for better comprehension of cerebrospinal fluid physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vania Sepúlveda
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Felipe Maurelia
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Maryori González
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Jaime Aguayo
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Teresa Caprile
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
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8
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Neupane S, Goto J, Berardinelli SJ, Ito A, Haltiwanger RS, Holdener BC. Hydrocephalus in mouse B3glct mutants is likely caused by defects in multiple B3GLCT substrates in ependymal cells and subcommissural organ. Glycobiology 2021; 31:988-1004. [PMID: 33909046 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwab033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Peters plus syndrome, characterized by defects in eye and skeletal development with isolated cases of ventriculomegaly/hydrocephalus, is caused by mutations in the β3-glucosyltransferase (B3GLCT) gene. In the endoplasmic reticulum, B3GLCT adds glucose to O-linked fucose on properly folded Thrombospondin Type 1 Repeats (TSRs). The resulting glucose-fucose disaccharide is proposed to stabilize the TSR fold and promote secretion of B3GLCT substrates, with some substrates more sensitive than others to loss of glucose. Mouse B3glct mutants develop hydrocephalus at high frequency. In this study, we demonstrated that B3glct mutant ependymal cells had fewer cilia basal bodies and altered translational polarity compared to controls. Localization of mRNA encoding A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin type 1 repeat 20 (ADAMTS20) and ADAMTS9, suggested that reduced function of these B3GLCT substrates contributed to ependymal cell abnormalities. In addition, we showed that multiple B3GLCT substrates (Adamts3, Adamts9, and Adamts20) are expressed by the subcommissural organ, that subcommissural organ-spondin (SSPO) TSRs were modified with O-linked glucose-fucose, and that loss of B3GLCT reduced secretion of SSPO in cultured cells. In the B3glct mutant subcommissural organ intracellular SSPO levels were reduced and BiP levels increased, suggesting a folding defect. Secreted SSPO colocalized with BiP, raising the possibility that abnormal extracellular assembly of SSPO into Reissner's fiber also contributed to impaired CSF flow in mutants. Combined, these studies underscore the complexity of the B3glct mutant hydrocephalus phenotype and demonstrate that impaired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow likely stems from the collective effects of the mutation on multiple processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjiv Neupane
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
| | - June Goto
- Division of Neurosurgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Steven J Berardinelli
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Atsuko Ito
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Robert S Haltiwanger
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Bernadette C Holdener
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
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9
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Gray RS, Gonzalez R, Ackerman SD, Minowa R, Griest JF, Bayrak MN, Troutwine B, Canter S, Monk KR, Sepich DS, Solnica-Krezel L. Postembryonic screen for mutations affecting spine development in zebrafish. Dev Biol 2021; 471:18-33. [PMID: 33290818 PMCID: PMC10785604 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The spine gives structural support for the adult body, protects the spinal cord, and provides muscle attachment for moving through the environment. The development and maturation of the spine and its physiology involve the integration of multiple musculoskeletal tissues including bone, cartilage, and fibrocartilaginous joints, as well as innervation and control by the nervous system. One of the most common disorders of the spine in human is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which is characterized by the onset of an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine of <10° around adolescence, in otherwise healthy children. The genetic basis of AIS is largely unknown. Systematic genome-wide mutagenesis screens for embryonic phenotypes in zebrafish have been instrumental in the understanding of early patterning of embryonic tissues necessary to build and pattern the embryonic spine. However, the mechanisms required for postembryonic maturation and homeostasis of the spine remain poorly understood. Here we report the results from a small-scale forward genetic screen for adult-viable recessive and dominant zebrafish mutations, leading to overt morphological abnormalities of the adult spine. Germline mutations induced with N-ethyl N-nitrosourea (ENU) were transmitted and screened for dominant phenotypes in 1229 F1 animals, and subsequently bred to homozygosity in F3 families; from these, 314 haploid genomes were screened for adult-viable recessive phenotypes affecting general body shape. We cumulatively found 40 adult-viable (3 dominant and 37 recessive) mutations each leading to a defect in the morphogenesis of the spine. The largest phenotypic group displayed larval onset axial curvatures, leading to whole-body scoliosis without vertebral dysplasia in adult fish. Pairwise complementation testing of 16 mutant lines within this phenotypic group revealed at least 9 independent mutant loci. Using massively-parallel whole genome or whole exome sequencing and meiotic mapping we defined the molecular identity of several loci for larval onset whole-body scoliosis in zebrafish. We identified a new mutation in the skolios/kinesin family member 6 (kif6) gene, causing neurodevelopmental and ependymal cilia defects in mouse and zebrafish. We also report multiple recessive alleles of the scospondin and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 9 (adamts9) genes, which all display defects in spine morphogenesis. Our results provide evidence of monogenic traits that are essential for normal spine development in zebrafish, that may help to establish new candidate risk loci for spine disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan S Gray
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Roberto Gonzalez
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Sarah D Ackerman
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ryoko Minowa
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Johanna F Griest
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Melisa N Bayrak
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin Troutwine
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Stephen Canter
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kelly R Monk
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Diane S Sepich
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Lilianna Solnica-Krezel
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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10
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Yang S, Emelyanov A, You MS, Sin M, Korzh V. Camel regulates development of the brain ventricular system. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 383:835-852. [PMID: 32902807 PMCID: PMC7904751 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03270-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Development of the brain ventricular system of vertebrates and the molecular mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The developmental genes expressed in the elements of the brain ventricular system such as the ependyma and circumventricular organs act as molecular determinants of cell adhesion critical for the formation of brain ventricular system. They control brain development and function, including the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Here, we describe the novel distantly related member of the zebrafish L1-CAM family of genes-camel. Whereas its maternal transcripts distributed uniformly, the zygotic transcripts demonstrate clearly defined expression patterns, in particular in the axial structures: floor plate, hypochord, and roof plate. camel expresses in several other cell lineages with access to the brain ventricular system, including the midbrain roof plate, subcommissural organ, organum vasculosum lamina terminalis, median eminence, paraventricular organ, flexural organ, and inter-rhombomeric boundaries. This expression pattern suggests a role of Camel in neural development. Several isoforms of Camel generated by differential splicing of exons encoding the sixth fibronectin type III domain enhance cell adhesion differentially. The antisense oligomer morpholino-mediated loss-of-function of Camel affects cell adhesion and causes hydrocephalus and scoliosis manifested via the tail curled down phenotype. The subcommissural organ's derivative-the Reissner fiber-participates in the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. The Reissner fiber fails to form upon morpholino-mediated Camel loss-of-function. The Camel mRNA-mediated gain-of-function causes the Reissner fiber misdirection. This study revealed a link between Chl1a/Camel and Reissner fiber formation, and this supports the idea that CHL1 is one of the scoliosis factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shulan Yang
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Translational Medicine Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Alexander Emelyanov
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice, France
| | - May-Su You
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Melvin Sin
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vladimir Korzh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland.
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11
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Abstract
The vertebrate body plan is characterized by the presence of a segmented spine along its main axis. Here, we examine the current understanding of how the axial tissues that are formed during embryonic development give rise to the adult spine and summarize recent advances in the field, largely focused on recent studies in zebrafish, with comparisons to amniotes where appropriate. We discuss recent work illuminating the genetics and biological mechanisms mediating extension and straightening of the body axis during development, and highlight open questions. We specifically focus on the processes of notochord development and cerebrospinal fluid physiology, and how defects in those processes may lead to scoliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Bagnat
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Ryan S Gray
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Dell Pediatrics Research Institute, Austin, TX, 78723, USA
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12
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Rose CD, Pompili D, Henke K, Van Gennip JLM, Meyer-Miner A, Rana R, Gobron S, Harris MP, Nitz M, Ciruna B. SCO-Spondin Defects and Neuroinflammation Are Conserved Mechanisms Driving Spinal Deformity across Genetic Models of Idiopathic Scoliosis. Curr Biol 2020; 30:2363-2373.e6. [PMID: 32386528 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) affects 3% to 4% of children between the ages of 11 and 18 [1, 2]. This disorder, characterized by abnormal three-dimensional spinal curvatures that typically develop during periods of rapid growth, occurs in the absence of congenital vertebral malformations or neuromuscular defects [1]. Genetic heterogeneity [3] and a historical lack of appropriate animal models [4] have confounded basic understanding of AIS biology; thus, treatment options remain limited [5, 6]. Recently, genetic studies using zebrafish have linked idiopathic-like scoliosis to irregularities in motile cilia-mediated cerebrospinal fluid flow [7-9]. However, because loss of cilia motility in human primary ciliary dyskinesia patients is not fully associated with scoliosis [10, 11], other pathogenic mechanisms remain to be determined. Here, we demonstrate that zebrafish scospondin (sspo) mutants develop late-onset idiopathic-like spinal curvatures in the absence of obvious cilia motility defects. Sspo is a large secreted glycoprotein functionally associated with the subcommissural organ and Reissner's fiber [12]-ancient and enigmatic organs of the brain ventricular system reported to govern cerebrospinal fluid homeostasis [13, 14], neurogenesis [12, 15-18], and embryonic morphogenesis [19]. We demonstrate that irregular deposition of Sspo within brain ventricles is associated with idiopathic-like scoliosis across diverse genetic models. Furthermore, Sspo defects are sufficient to induce oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory responses implicated in AIS pathogenesis [9]. Through screening for chemical suppressors of sspo mutant phenotypes, we also identify potent agents capable of blocking severe juvenile spine deformity. Our work thus defines a new preclinical model of AIS and provides tools to realize novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe D Rose
- Program in Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - David Pompili
- Program in Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Katrin Henke
- Department of Orthopedic Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jenica L M Van Gennip
- Program in Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Anne Meyer-Miner
- Program in Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Rahul Rana
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| | | | - Matthew P Harris
- Department of Orthopedic Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mark Nitz
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Brian Ciruna
- Program in Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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13
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Govaert P, Triulzi F, Dudink J. The developing brain by trimester. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2020; 171:245-289. [PMID: 32736754 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64239-4.00014-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Transient anatomical entities play a role in the maturation of brain regions and early functional fetal networks. At the postmenstrual age of 7 weeks, major subdivisions of the brain are visible. At the end of the embryonic period, the cortical plate covers the neopallium. The choroid plexus develops in concert with it, and the dorsal thalamus covers about half the diencephalic third ventricle surface. In addition to the fourth ventricle neuroepithelium the rhombic lips are an active neuroepithelial production site. Early reciprocal connections between the thalamus and cortex are present. The corticospinal tract has reached the pyramidal decussation, and the arteries forming the mature circle of Willis are seen. Moreover, the superior sagittal sinus has formed, and at the rostral neuropore the massa commissuralis is growing. At the viable preterm age of around 24 weeks PMA, white matter tracts are in full development. Asymmetric progenitor division permits production of neurons, subventricular zone precursors, and glial cells. Myelin is present in the ventral spinal quadrant, cuneate fascicle, and spinal motor fibers. The neopallial mantle has been separated into transient layers (stratified transitional fields) between the neuroepithelium and the cortical plate. The subplate plays an important role in organizing the structuring of the cortical plate. Commissural tracts have shaped the corpus callosum, early primary gyri are present, and opercularization has started caudally, forming the lateral fissure. Thalamic and striatal nuclei have formed, although GABAergic neurons continue to migrate into the thalamus from the corpus gangliothalamicum. Near-term PMA cerebral sublobulation is active. Between 24 and 32 weeks, primary sulci develop. Myelin is present in the superior cerebellar peduncle, rubrospinal tract, and inferior olive. Germinal matrix disappears from the telencephalon, except for the GABAergic frontal cortical subventricular neuroepithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Govaert
- Department of Neonatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neonatology, ZNA Middelheim, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Gent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium.
| | - Fabio Triulzi
- Department of Pediatric Neuroradiology, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Jeroen Dudink
- Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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14
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The subcommissural organ and the Reissner fiber: old friends revisited. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 375:507-529. [PMID: 30259139 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2917-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The subcommissural organ (SCO) is an ancient and conserved brain gland secreting into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glycoproteins that form the Reissner fiber (RF). The present investigation was designed to further investigate the dynamic of the biosynthetic process of RF glycoproteins prior and after their release into the CSF, to identify the RF proteome and N-glycome and to clarify the mechanism of assembly of RF glycoproteins. Various methodological approaches were used: biosynthetic labelling injecting 35S-cysteine and 3H-galactose into the CSF, injection of antibodies against galectin-1 into the cerebrospinal fluid, light and electron microscopical methods; isolated bovine RF was used for proteome analyses by mass spectrometry and glycome analysis by xCGE-LIF. The biosynthetic labelling study further supported that a small pool of SCO-spondin molecules rapidly enter the secretory pathways after its synthesis, while most of the SCO-spondin molecules are stored in the rough endoplasmic reticulum for hours or days before entering the secretory pathway and being released to assemble into RF. The proteomic analysis of RF revealed clusterin and galectin-1 as partners of SCO-spondin; the in vivo use of anti-galectin-1 showed that this lectin is essential for the assembly of RF. Galectin-1 is not secreted by the SCO but evidence was obtained that it would be secreted by multiciliated ependymal cells lying close to the SCO. Further, a surprising variety and complexity of glycan structures were identified in the RF N-glycome that further expands the potential functions of RF to a level not previously envisaged. A model of the macromolecular organization of Reissner fiber is proposed.
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15
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Conditional ablation of the RFX4 isoform 1 transcription factor: Allele dosage effects on brain phenotype. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190561. [PMID: 29298325 PMCID: PMC5752003 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory factor X4 (RFX4) isoform 1 is a recently discovered isoform of the winged helix transcription factor RFX4, which can bind to X-box consensus sequences that are enriched in the promoters of cilia-related genes. Early insertional mutagenesis studies in mice first identified this isoform, and demonstrated that it was crucial for mouse brain development. RFX4 isoform 1 is the only RFX4 isoform significantly expressed in the mouse fetal and adult brain. In this study, we evaluated conditional knock-out (KO) mice in which one or two floxed alleles of Rfx4 were deleted early in development through the use of a Sox2-Cre transgene. Heterozygous deletion of Rfx4 resulted in severe, non-communicating congenital hydrocephalus associated with hypoplasia of the subcommissural organ. Homozygous deletion of Rfx4 resulted in formation of a single ventricle in the forebrain, and severe dorsoventral patterning defects in the telencephalon and midbrain at embryonic day 12.5, a collection of phenotypes that resembled human holoprosencephaly. No anatomical abnormalities were noted outside the brain in either case. At the molecular level, transcripts encoded by the cilia-related gene Foxj1 were significantly decreased, and Foxj1 was identified as a direct gene target of RFX4 isoform 1. The phenotypes were similar to those observed in the previous Rfx4 insertional mutagenesis studies. Thus, we provide a novel conditional KO animal model in which to investigate the downstream genes directly and/or indirectly regulated by RFX4 isoform 1. This model could provide new insights into the pathogenesis of obstructive hydrocephalus and holoprosencephaly in humans, both relatively common and disabling birth defects.
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16
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Ortega E, Muñoz RI, Luza N, Guerra F, Guerra M, Vio K, Henzi R, Jaque J, Rodriguez S, McAllister JP, Rodriguez E. The value of early and comprehensive diagnoses in a human fetus with hydrocephalus and progressive obliteration of the aqueduct of Sylvius: Case Report. BMC Neurol 2016; 16:45. [PMID: 27067115 PMCID: PMC4828774 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-016-0566-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mutant rodent models have highlighted the importance of the ventricular ependymal cells and the subcommissural organ (a brain gland secreting glycoproteins into the cerebrospinal fluid) in the development of fetal onset hydrocephalus. Evidence indicates that communicating and non-communicating hydrocephalus can be two sequential phases of a single pathological phenomenon triggered by ependymal disruption and/or abnormal function of the subcommissural organ. We have hypothesized that a similar phenomenon may occur in human cases with fetal onset hydrocephalus. Case presentation We report here on a case of human fetal communicating hydrocephalus with no central nervous system abnormalities other than stenosis of the aqueduct of Sylvius (SA) that became non-communicating hydrocephalus during the first postnatal week due to obliteration of the cerebral aqueduct. The case was followed closely by a team of basic and clinic investigators allowing an early diagnosis and prediction of the evolving pathophysiology. This information prompted neurosurgeons to perform a third ventriculostomy at postnatal day 14. The fetus was monitored by ultrasound, computerized axial tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After birth, the follow up was by MRI, electroencephalography and neurological and neurocognitive assessments. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected at surgery showed abnormalities in the subcommissural organ proteins and the membrane proteins L1-neural cell adhesion molecule and aquaporin-4. The neurological and neurocognitive assessments at 3 and 6 years of age showed neurological impairments (epilepsy and cognitive deficits). Conclusions (1) In a hydrocephalic fetus, a stenosed SA can become obliterated at perinatal stages. (2) In the case reported, a close follow up of a communicating hydrocephalus detected in utero allowed a prompt postnatal surgery aiming to avoid as much brain damage as possible. (3) The clinical and pathological evolution of this patient supports the possibility that the progressive stenosis of the SA initiated during the embryonic period may have resulted from ependymal disruption of the cerebral aqueduct and dysfunction of the subcommissural organ. The analysis of subcommissural organ glycoproteins present in the CSF may be a valuable diagnostic tool for the pathogenesis of congenital hydrocephalus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Ortega
- Unidad de Neurocirugía, Instituto de Neurociencias Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Rosa I Muñoz
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Nelly Luza
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Francisco Guerra
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 456, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Monserrat Guerra
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
| | - Karin Vio
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Roberto Henzi
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Jaime Jaque
- Unidad de Neurocirugía, Instituto de Neurociencias Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Sara Rodriguez
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - James P McAllister
- Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Esteban Rodriguez
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
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17
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Guerra MM, González C, Caprile T, Jara M, Vío K, Muñoz RI, Rodríguez S, Rodríguez EM. Understanding How the Subcommissural Organ and Other Periventricular Secretory Structures Contribute via the Cerebrospinal Fluid to Neurogenesis. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:480. [PMID: 26778959 PMCID: PMC4689152 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic and molecular composition of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and, consequently, the CSF physiology is much more complex and fascinating than the simplistic view held for decades. Signal molecules either transported from blood to CSF or secreted into the CSF by circumventricular organs and CSF-contacting neurons, use the CSF to reach their targets in the brain, including the pre- and postnatal neurogenic niche. The subcommissural organ (SCO), a highly conserved brain gland present throughout the vertebrate phylum, is one of the sources for signals, as well as the choroid plexus, tanycytes and CSF-contacting neurons. The SCO secretes into the fetal and adult CSF SCO-spondin, transthyretin, and basic fibroblast growth factor. These proteins participate in certain aspects of neurogenesis, such as cell cycle of neural stem cells, neuronal differentiation, and axon pathfinding. Through the CSF, the SCO-secretory proteins may reach virtually any target in the embryonic and adult central nervous system. Since the SCO continues to secrete throughout life span, it seems likely that the neurogenetic property of the SCO compounds would be targeted to the niches where neurogenesis continues in adulthood. This review is aimed to bring into discussion early and new evidence concerning the role(s) of the SCO, and the probable mechanisms by which SCO compounds can readily reach the neurogenic niche of the subventricular zone flowing with the CSF to participate in the regulation of the neurogenic niche. As we unfold the multiples trans-fluid talks between discrete brain domains we will have more tools to influence such talks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Guerra
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia, Chile
| | - César González
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia, Chile
| | - Teresa Caprile
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción Concepción, Chile
| | - Maryoris Jara
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia, Chile
| | - Karin Vío
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia, Chile
| | - Rosa I Muñoz
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia, Chile
| | - Sara Rodríguez
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia, Chile
| | - Esteban M Rodríguez
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia, Chile
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18
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Jiménez AJ, Domínguez-Pinos MD, Guerra MM, Fernández-Llebrez P, Pérez-Fígares JM. Structure and function of the ependymal barrier and diseases associated with ependyma disruption. Tissue Barriers 2014; 2:e28426. [PMID: 25045600 PMCID: PMC4091052 DOI: 10.4161/tisb.28426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Revised: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuroepithelium is a germinal epithelium containing progenitor cells that produce almost all of the central nervous system cells, including the ependyma. The neuroepithelium and ependyma constitute barriers containing polarized cells covering the embryonic or mature brain ventricles, respectively; therefore, they separate the cerebrospinal fluid that fills cavities from the developing or mature brain parenchyma. As barriers, the neuroepithelium and ependyma play key roles in the central nervous system development processes and physiology. These roles depend on mechanisms related to cell polarity, sensory primary cilia, motile cilia, tight junctions, adherens junctions and gap junctions, machinery for endocytosis and molecule secretion, and water channels. Here, the role of both barriers related to the development of diseases, such as neural tube defects, ciliary dyskinesia, and hydrocephalus, is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio J Jiménez
- Department of Cell Biology, Genetics, and Physiology; University of Malaga; Malaga, Spain
| | | | - María M Guerra
- Institute of Anatomy, Histology, and Pathology; Austral University of Chile; Valdivia, Chile
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Role of the subcommissural organ in the pathogenesis of congenital hydrocephalus in the HTx rat. Cell Tissue Res 2013; 352:707-25. [PMID: 23640132 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-013-1615-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The present investigation was designed to clarify the role of the subcommissural organ (SCO) in the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus occurring in the HTx rat. The brains of non-affected and hydrocephalic HTx rats from embryonic day 15 (E15) to postnatal day 10 (PN10) were processed for electron microscopy, lectin binding and immunocytochemistry by using a series of antibodies. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of non-affected and hydrocephalic HTx rats were collected at PN1, PN7 and PN30 and analysed by one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis, immunoblotting and nanoLC-ESI-MS/MS. A distinct malformation of the SCO is present as early as E15. Since stenosis of the Sylvius aqueduct (SA) occurs at E18 and dilation of the lateral ventricles starts at E19, the malformation of the SCO clearly precedes the onset of hydrocephalus. In the affected rats, the cephalic and caudal thirds of the SCO showed high secretory activity with all methods used, whereas the middle third showed no signs of secretion. At E18, the middle non-secretory third of the SCO progressively fused with the ventral wall of SA, resulting in marked aqueduct stenosis and severe hydrocephalus. The abnormal development of the SCO resulted in the permanent absence of Reissner's fibre (RF) and led to changes in the protein composition of the CSF. Since the SCO is the source of a large mass of sialilated glycoproteins that form the RF and of those that remain CSF-soluble, we hypothesize that the absence of this large mass of negatively charged molecules from the SA domain results in SA stenosis and impairs the bulk flow of CSF through the aqueduct.
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Abstract
The pathophysiology of congenital and neonatal hydrocephalus is not well understood although the prognosis for patients with this disorder is far from optimal. A major obstacle to advancing our knowledge of the causes of this disorder and the cellular responses that accompany it is the multifactorial nature of hydrocephalus. Not only is the epidemiology varied and complex, but the injury mechanisms are numerous and overlapping. Nevertheless, several conclusions can be made with certainty: the age of onset strongly influences the degree of impairment; injury severity is dependent on the magnitude and duration of ventriculomegaly; the primary targets are periventricular axons, myelin, and microvessels; cerebrovascular injury mechanisms are prominent; gliosis and neuroinflammation play major roles; some but not all changes are preventable by draining cerebrospinal fluid with shunts and third ventriculostomies; cellular plasticity and physiological compensation probably occur but this is a major under-studied area; and pharmacologic interventions are promising. Rat and mouse models have provided important insights into the pathogenesis of congenital and neonatal hydrocephalus. Ependymal denudation of the ventricular lining appears to affect the development of neural progenitors exposed to cerebrospinal fluid, and alterations of the subcommissural organ influence the patency of the cerebral aqueduct. Recently these impairments have been observed in patients with fetal-onset hydrocephalus, so experimental findings are beginning to be corroborated in humans. These correlations, coupled with advanced genetic manipulations in animals and successful pharmacologic interventions, support the view that improved treatments for congenital and neonatal hydrocephalus are on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P McAllister
- Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, University of Utah and Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
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Wohlsein P, Deschl U, Baumgärtner W. Nonlesions, unusual cell types, and postmortem artifacts in the central nervous system of domestic animals. Vet Pathol 2012; 50:122-43. [PMID: 22692622 DOI: 10.1177/0300985812450719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the central nervous system (CNS) of domestic animals, numerous specialized normal structures, unusual cell types, findings of uncertain or no significance, artifacts, and various postmortem alterations can be observed. They may cause confusion for inexperienced pathologists and those not specialized in neuropathology, leading to misinterpretations and wrong diagnoses. Alternatively, changes may mask underlying neuropathological processes. "Specialized structures" comprising the hippocampus and the circumventricular organs, including the vascular organ of the lamina terminalis, subfornical organ, subcommissural organ, pineal gland, median eminence/neurohypophyseal complex, choroid plexus, and area postrema, are displayed. Unusual cell types, including cerebellar external germinal cells, CNS progenitor cells, and Kolmer cells, are presented. In addition, some newly recognized cell types as of yet incompletely understood significance and functionality, such as synantocytes and aldynoglia, are introduced and described. Unusual reactive astrocytes in cats, central chromatolysis, neuronal vacuolation, spheroids, spongiosis, satellitosis, melanosis, neuromelanin, lipofuscin, polyglucosan bodies, and psammoma bodies may represent incidental findings of uncertain or no significance and should not be confused with significant microscopic changes. Auto- and heterolysis as well as handling and histotechnological processing may cause postmortem morphological changes of the CNS, including vacuolization, cerebellar conglutination, dark neurons, Buscaino bodies, freezing, and shrinkage artifacts, all of which have to be differentiated from genuine lesions. Postmortem invasion of micro-organisms should not be confused with intravital infections. Awareness of these different changes and their recognition are a prerequisite for identifying genuine lesions and may help to formulate a professional morphological and etiological diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Wohlsein
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, D-30559 Hannover, Germany.
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Szathmari A, Champier J, Ghersi-Egea JF, Jouvet A, Watrin C, Wierinckx A, Fèvre Montange M. Molecular characterization of circumventricular organs and third ventricle ependyma in the rat: potential markers for periventricular tumors. Neuropathology 2012; 33:17-29. [PMID: 22537279 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1789.2012.01321.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Circumventricular organs (CVOs) are specialized ventricular structures around the third and fourth ventricles of the brain. In humans, these structures are present during the fetal period and some become vestigial after birth. Some of these organs, such as the pineal gland (PG), subcommissural organ (SCO), and organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, might be the sites of origin of periventricular tumors, notably pineal parenchymal tumors, papillary tumor of the pineal region and chordoid glioma. In contrast to the situation in humans, CVOs are present in the adult rat and can be dissected by laser capture microdissection (LCM). In this study, we used LCM and microarrays to analyze the transcriptomes of three CVOs, the SCO, the subfornical organ (SFO), and the PG and the third ventricle ependyma in the adult rat, in order to better characterize these organs at the molecular level. Several genes were expressed only, or mainly, in one of these structures, for example, Erbb2 and Col11a1 in the ependyma, Epcam and Claudin-3 (CLDN3) in the SCO, Ren1 and Slc22a3 in the SFO and Tph, Aanat and Asmt in the PG. The expression of these genes in periventricular tumors should be examined as evidence for a possible origin from the CVOs. Furthermore, we performed an immunohistochemical study of CLDN3, a membrane protein involved in forming cellular tight junctions and found that CLDN3 expression was restricted to the apical pole of ependymocytes in the SCO. This microarray study provides new evidence regarding the possible origin of some rare periventricular tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Szathmari
- Fac Med RTH Laennec, Inserm U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences, Equipe Neurooncologie et Neuroinflammation, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
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Kim YH, Kim JW, Park CK, Kim DG, Sohn CH, Chang KH, Park SH. Papillary tumor of pineal region presenting with leptomeningeal seeding. Neuropathology 2011; 30:654-60. [PMID: 20374498 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1789.2010.01108.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Papillary tumor of the pineal region (PTPR) is a recently recognized and rare pineal tumor, presenting as a solitary mass with or without hydrocephalus. Here, we report a case of c-Kit expressing PTPR with leptomeningeal seeding. A 39-year-old woman presented with a 1-month history of headache and decreased visual acuity. MRI showed a large, 4 cm-diameter solid and cystic enhancing mass at the pineal region with associated ventriculomegaly. Smaller nodular lesions were also found at the pituitary stalk and bilateral internal acoustic canal (IAC). The leptomeninges were noted to be enhanced with gadolinium. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and partial resection were performed. The specimen was small in quantity but nonetheless, revealed the typical features of PTPR, which were tumor cells with vacuolated cytoplasm forming a pseudopapillary architecture. The tumor cells were diffusely immunoreactive for vimentin, INI-1 and c-Kit, focally immunoreactive for neuronal specific enolase (NSE) and S100 protein but negative for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), synaptophysin and GFAP. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells revealed variably-sized cytoplasmic vacuoles, intermediate filaments and villous cytoplasmic membrane. With these features, a diagnosis of PTPR was rendered. The lesions at the pineal gland and bilateral IAC were irradiated through gamma knife radiosurgery and a decrease in size of the lesions was noted on follow-up MRI. However, soon after, other lesions were also noted to develop along the adjacent sites. The case presented is proof that PTPR can disseminate to other sites distant from the original lesion. This case was a c-kit expressing PTPR, which might represent the more primitive nature of this tumor. Ultrastructural examination is useful to differentiate PTPR from other tumors of the pineal gland in addition to immunohistochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Hwy Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Del Bigio MR. Ependymal cells: biology and pathology. Acta Neuropathol 2010; 119:55-73. [PMID: 20024659 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-009-0624-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2009] [Revised: 12/03/2009] [Accepted: 12/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The literature was reviewed to summarize the current understanding of the role of ciliated ependymal cells in the mammalian brain. Previous reviews were summarized. Publications from the past 10 years highlight interactions between ependymal cells and the subventricular zone and the possible role of restricted ependymal populations in neurogenesis. Ependymal cells provide trophic support and possibly metabolic support for progenitor cells. Channel proteins such as aquaporins may be important for determining water fluxes at the ventricle wall. The junctional and anchoring proteins are now fairly well understood, as are proteins related to cilia function. Defects in ependymal adhesion and cilia function can cause hydrocephalus through several different mechanisms, one possibility being loss of patency of the cerebral aqueduct. Ependymal cells are susceptible to infection by a wide range of common viruses; while they may act as a line of first defense, they eventually succumb to repeated attacks in long-lived organisms. Ciliated ependymal cells are almost certainly important during brain development. However, the widespread absence of ependymal cells from the adult human lateral ventricles suggests that they may have only regionally restricted value in the mature brain of large size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc R Del Bigio
- Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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Huh MS, Todd MAM, Picketts DJ. SCO-ping out the mechanisms underlying the etiology of hydrocephalus. Physiology (Bethesda) 2009; 24:117-26. [PMID: 19364914 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00039.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneous nature of congenital hydrocephalus has hampered our understanding of the molecular basis of this common clinical problem. However, disease gene identification and characterization of multiple transgenic mouse models has highlighted the importance of the subcommissural organ (SCO) and the ventricular ependymal (vel) cells. Here, we review how altered development and function of the SCO and vel cells contributes to hydrocephalus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Huh
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Canada
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Inoue T, Kumabe T, Kanamori M, Sonoda Y, Watanabe M, Tominaga T. Papillary tumor of the pineal region: a case report. Brain Tumor Pathol 2008; 25:85-90. [DOI: 10.1007/s10014-008-0231-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2008] [Accepted: 03/21/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Central Nervous System Tumors With Ependymal Features: A Broadened Spectrum of Primarily Ependymal Differentiation? J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2008; 67:177-88. [DOI: 10.1097/nen.0b013e31816543a6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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Zhang D, Zeldin DC, Blackshear PJ. Regulatory factor X4 variant 3: a transcription factor involved in brain development and disease. J Neurosci Res 2008; 85:3515-22. [PMID: 17510980 PMCID: PMC2367213 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory factor X4 variant 3 (RFX4_v3) is a recently identified transcription factor specifically expressed in the brain. Gene disruption in mice demonstrated that interruption of a single allele (heterozygous, +/-) prevented formation of the subcommissural organ (SCO), resulting in congenital hydrocephalus, whereas interruption of two alleles (homozygous, -/-) caused fatal failure of dorsal midline brain structure formation. These mutagenesis studies implicated RFX4_v3 in early brain development as well as the genesis of the SCO. Rfx4_v3 deficiency presumably causes abnormalities in brain by altering the expression levels of many genes that are crucial for brain morphogenesis, such as the signaling components in the Wnt, bone morphogenetic protein, and retinoic acid pathways. RFX4_v3 might affect these critical signaling pathways in brain development. Cx3cl1, a chemokine gene highly expressed in brain, was identified as a direct target for RFX4_v3, indicating that RFX4_v3 possesses trans-acting activity to stimulate gene expression. Rfx4_v3 is highly expressed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and might be involved in regulating the circadian clock. One haplotype in RFX4_v3 gene is linked to a higher risk of bipolar disorder, suggesting that this protein might contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. This Mini-Review describes our current knowledge about RFX4_v3, an important protein that appears to be involved in many aspects of brain development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghui Zhang
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Laboratory of Respiratory Biology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Darryl C. Zeldin
- Laboratory of Respiratory Biology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Office of Clinical Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Perry J. Blackshear
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Office of Clinical Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- *Correspondence to: Dr. Perry J. Blackshear, A2-05 NIEHS, 111 Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. E-mail:
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Vio K, Rodríguez S, Yulis CR, Oliver C, Rodríguez EM. The subcommissural organ of the rat secretes Reissner's fiber glycoproteins and CSF-soluble proteins reaching the internal and external CSF compartments. Cerebrospinal Fluid Res 2008; 5:3. [PMID: 18218138 PMCID: PMC2265671 DOI: 10.1186/1743-8454-5-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2007] [Accepted: 01/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The subcommissural organ (SCO) is a highly conserved brain gland present throughout the vertebrate phylum; it secretes glycoproteins into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), where they aggregate to form Reissner's fiber (RF). SCO-spondin is the major constituent protein of RF. Evidence exists that the SCO also secretes proteins that remain soluble in the CSF. The aims of the present investigation were: (i) to identify and partially characterize the SCO-secretory compounds present in the SCO gland itself and in the RF of the Sprague-Dawley rat and non-hydrocephalic hyh mouse, and in the CSF of rat; (ii) to make a comparative analysis of the proteins present in these three compartments; (iii) to identify the proteins secreted by the SCO into the CSF at different developmental periods. Methods The proteins of the SCO secreted into the CSF were studied (i) by injecting specific antibodies into ventricular CSF in vivo; (ii) by immunoblots of SCO, RF and CSF samples, using specific antibodies against the SCO secretory proteins (AFRU and anti-P15). In addition, the glycosylated nature of SCO-compounds was analysed by concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin binding. To analyse RF-glycoproteins, RF was extracted from the central canal of juvenile rats and mice; to investigate the CSF-soluble proteins secreted by the SCO, CSF samples were collected from the cisterna magna of rats at different stages of development (from E18 to PN30). Results Five glycoproteins were identified in the rat SCO with apparent molecular weights of 630, 450, 390, 320 and 200 kDa. With the exception of the 200-kDa compound, all other compounds present in the rat SCO were also present in the mouse SCO. The 630 and 390 kDa compounds of the rat SCO have affinity for concanavalin A but not for wheat germ agglutinin, suggesting that they correspond to precursor forms. Four of the AFRU-immunoreactive compounds present in the SCO (630, 450, 390, 320 kDa) were absent from the RF and CSF. These may be precursor and/or partially processed forms. Two other compounds (200, 63 kDa) were present in SCO, RF and CSF and may be processed forms. The presence of these proteins in both, RF and CSF suggests a steady-state RF/CSF equilibrium for these compounds. Eight AFRU-immunoreactive bands were consistently found in CSF samples from rats at E18, E20 and PN1. Only four of these compounds were detected in the cisternal CSF of PN30 rats. The 200 kDa compound appears to be a key compound in rats since it was consistently found in all samples of SCO, RF and embryonic and juvenile CSF. Conclusion It is concluded that (i) during the late embryonic life, the rat SCO secretes compounds that remain soluble in the CSF and reach the subarachnoid space; (ii) during postnatal life, there is a reduction in the number and concentration of CSF-soluble proteins secreted by the SCO. The molecular structure and functional significance of these proteins remain to be elucidated. The possibility they are involved in brain development has been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Vio
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
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Chang AH, Fuller GN, Debnam JM, Karis JP, Coons SW, Ross JS, Dean BL. MR imaging of papillary tumor of the pineal region. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2007; 29:187-9. [PMID: 17925365 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a0784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We report the imaging features of 4 cases of patients with papillary tumor of the pineal region, a tumor newly recognized in the 2007 World Health Organization "Classification of Tumors of the Nervous System." In each case, the tumor was intrinsically hyperintense on T1-weighted images with a characteristic location in the posterior commissure or pineal region. The pathologic hallmarks of the tumor are discussed, including a possible explanation for the MR imaging characteristics in our cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Chang
- Division of Neuroradiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Ariz, USA
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Duvernoy HM, Risold PY. The circumventricular organs: an atlas of comparative anatomy and vascularization. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 56:119-47. [PMID: 17659349 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2007.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2007] [Revised: 06/04/2007] [Accepted: 06/04/2007] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The circumventricular organs are small sized structures lining the cavity of the third ventricle (neurohypophysis, vascular organ of the lamina terminalis, subfornical organ, pineal gland and subcommissural organ) and of the fourth ventricle (area postrema). Their particular location in relation to the ventricular cavities is to be noted: the subfornical organ, the subcommissural organ and the area postrema are situated at the confluence between ventricles while the neurohypophysis, the vascular organ of the lamina terminalis and the pineal gland line ventricular recesses. The main object of this work is to study the specific characteristics of the vascular architecture of these organs: their capillaries have a wall devoid of blood-brain barrier, as opposed to central capillaries. This particular arrangement allows direct exchange between the blood and the nervous tissue of these organs. This work is based on a unique set of histological preparations from 12 species of mammals and 5 species of birds, and is taking the form of an atlas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henri M Duvernoy
- Université de Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, 12 Chemin des Relançons, 25000 Besançon, France.
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Hoyo-Becerra C, López-Avalos MD, Pérez J, Miranda E, Rojas-Ríos P, Fernández-Llebrez P, Grondona JM. Continuous delivery of a monoclonal antibody against Reissner's fiber into CSF reveals CSF-soluble material immunorelated to the subcommissural organ in early chick embryos. Cell Tissue Res 2006; 326:771-86. [PMID: 16788834 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-006-0231-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2006] [Accepted: 04/24/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The subcommissural organ (SCO) is an ependymal differentiation located in the dorsal midline of the caudal diencephalon under the posterior commissure. SCO cells synthesize and release glycoproteins into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) forming a threadlike structure known as Reissner's fiber (RF), which runs caudally along the ventricular cavities and the central canal of the spinal cord. Numerous monoclonal antibodies have been raised against bovine RF and the secretory material of the SCO. For this study, we selected the 4F7 monoclonal antibody based on its cross-reactivity with chick embryo SCO glycoproteins in vivo. E4 chick embryos were injected with 4F7 hybridoma cells or with the purified monoclonal antibody into the ventricular cavity of the optic tectum. The hybridoma cells survived, synthesized and released antibody into the CSF for at least 13 days after the injection. E5 embryos injected with 4F7 antibody displayed precipitates in the CSF comprising both the monoclonal antibody and anti-RF-positive material. Such aggregates were never observed in control embryos injected with other monoclonal antibodies used as controls. Western blot analysis of CSF from E4-E6 embryos revealed several immunoreactive bands to anti-RF (AFRU) antibody. We also found AFRU-positive material bound to the apical surface of the choroid plexus primordia in E5 embryos. These and other ultrastructural evidence suggest the existence of soluble SCO-related molecules in the CSF of early chick embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Hoyo-Becerra
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Campus de Teatinos, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
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Cabrera-Socorro A, Pueyo Morlans M, Suarez Sola ML, Gonzalez Delgado FJ, Castañeyra-Perdomo A, Marin MC, Meyer G. Multiple isoforms of the tumor protein p73 are expressed in the adult human telencephalon and choroid plexus and present in the cerebrospinal fluid. Eur J Neurosci 2006; 23:2109-18. [PMID: 16630058 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2006.04750.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
p73, a homolog of the p53 tumor suppressor, codes for full-length transactivating (TA) and N-terminally truncated (DeltaN) isoforms, with pro- and anti-apoptotic activities, respectively. We examined the expression of the main p73 isoforms in adult human and mouse telencephalon and choroid plexus by immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections, and immunoblotting (IB) of tissue extracts and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), using antibodies against different protein domains. Cortical neurons expressed TAp73 predominantly in the cytoplasm and DeltaNp73 mainly in the nucleus, with partial overlap in the cytoplasm. Highest expression was found in the hippocampus. IB showed an array of TAp73 variants in adult human cortex and hippocampus. IB of human choroid plexus and CSF using TAp73-specific antibodies revealed the presence of a approximately 90-kDa protein whose molecular weight was reduced after N-deglycosylation, suggesting that glycosylated TAp73 is exported into the CSF. In the mouse, high expression of TAp73 was also detected in the subcommissural organ (SCO), an ependymal gland absent in adult humans. TAp73 colocalized with anti-fibra-Reissner-antibody (AFRU), which is a marker of Reissner's fiber, the secreted SCO product. p73-deficient mice had generalized cortical hypoplasia and hydrocephalus; in addition, we observed a dramatic size reduction of the choroid plexus. However, the SCOs were apparently unaltered and continued to secrete Reissner's fiber. Our findings point to complex and widespread p73 activities in the maintenance of adult cortical neurons and in brain homeostasis. TAp73 in the CSF may play important roles in the maintenance of the adult ventricular wall as well as in the development of the proliferating neuroepithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Cabrera-Socorro
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Laguna, 38071, La Laguna, Spain
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34
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Kuchelmeister K, Hügens-Penzel M, Jödicke A, Schachenmayr W. Papillary tumour of the pineal region: histodiagnostic considerations. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2006; 32:203-8. [PMID: 16599948 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2990.2006.00741.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Johanson CE, Duncan JA, Stopa EG, Baird A. Enhanced Prospects for Drug Delivery and Brain Targeting by the Choroid Plexus–CSF Route. Pharm Res 2005; 22:1011-37. [PMID: 16028003 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-005-6039-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2005] [Accepted: 04/12/2005] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The choroid plexus (CP), i.e., the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) interface, is an epithelial boundary exploitable for drug delivery to brain. Agents transported from blood to lateral ventricles are convected by CSF volume transmission (bulk flow) to many periventricular targets. These include the caudate, hippocampus, specialized circumventricular organs, hypothalamus, and the downstream pia-glia and arachnoid membranes. The CSF circulatory system normally provides micronutrients, neurotrophins, hormones, neuropeptides, and growth factors extensively to neuronal networks. Therefore, drugs directed to CSF can modulate a variety of endocrine, immunologic, and behavioral phenomema; and can help to restore brain interstitial and cellular homeostasis disrupted by disease and trauma. This review integrates information from animal models that demonstrates marked physiologic effects of substances introduced into the ventricular system. It also recapitulates how pharmacologic agents administered into the CSF system prevent disease or enhance the brain's ability to recover from chemical and physical insults. In regard to drug distribution in the CNS, the BCSFB interaction with the blood-brain barrier is discussed. With a view toward translational CSF pharmacotherapy, there are several promising innovations in progress: bone marrow cell infusions, CP encapsulation and transplants, neural stem cell augmentation, phage display of peptide ligands for CP epithelium, CSF gene transfer, regulation of leukocyte and cytokine trafficking at the BCSFB, and the purification of neurotoxic CSF in degenerative states. The progressively increasing pharmacological significance of the CP-CSF nexus is analyzed in light of treating AIDS, multiple sclerosis, stroke, hydrocephalus, and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conrad E Johanson
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
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Hoyo-Becerra C, López-Avalos MD, Alcaide-Gavilán M, Gómez-Roldán MC, Pérez J, Fernández-Llebrez P, Grondona JM. Reissner’s fiber formation depends on developmentally regulated factors extrinsic to the subcommissural organ. Cell Tissue Res 2005; 321:429-41. [PMID: 16001264 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-004-1040-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2004] [Accepted: 10/29/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Reissner's fiber (RF) is a threadlike structure present in the third and fourth ventricles and in the central canal of the spinal cord. RF develops by the assembly of glycoproteins released into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by the subcommissural organ (SCO). SCO cells differentiate early during embryonic development. In chick embryos, the release into the CSF starts at embryonic day 7 (E7). However, RF does not form until E11, suggesting that a factor other than release is required for RF formation. The aim of the present investigation was to establish whether the factor(s) triggering RF formation is (are) intrinsic or extrinsic to the SCO itself. For this purpose, SCO explants from E13 chick embryos (a stage at which RF has formed) were grafted at two different developmental stages. After grafting, host embryos were allowed to survive for 6-7 days, reaching E 9 (group 1) and E13 (group 2). In experimental group 1, the secretion released by the grafted SCOs never formed a RF; instead, it aggregated as a flocculent material. In experimental group 2, grafted SCO explants were able to develop an RF-like structure, similar to a control RF. These results suggest that the factor triggering RF formation is not present in the SCO itself, since E13 SCO secretion forms an RF in E13 brains but never develops RF-like structures when placed in earlier developmental environments. Furthermore, the glycoproteins released by implanted SCOs bind specifically to several structures: the apical portion of the mesencephalic floor plate and the choroid plexus of the third and fourth ventricles.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Hoyo-Becerra
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Campus de Teatinos, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
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Montecinos HA, Richter H, Caprile T, Rodríguez EM. Synthesis of transthyretin by the ependymal cells of the subcommissural organ. Cell Tissue Res 2005; 320:487-99. [PMID: 15846516 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-004-0997-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2004] [Accepted: 09/06/2004] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) is a protein involved in the transport of thyroid hormones in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The only known source of brain-produced TTR is the choroid plexus. In the present investigation, we have identified the subcommissural organ (SCO) as a new source of brain TTR. The SCO is an ependymal gland that secretes glycoproteins into the CSF, where they aggregate to form Reissner's fibre (RF). Evidence exists that the SCO also secretes proteins that remain soluble in the CSF. To investigate the CSF-soluble compounds secreted by the SCO further, antibodies were raised against polypeptides partially purified from fetal bovine CSF. One of these antibodies (against a 14-kDa compound) reacted with secretory granules in cells of fetal and adult bovine SCO, organ-cultured bovine SCO and the choroid plexus of several mammalian species but not with RF. Western blot analyses with this antibody revealed two polypeptides of 14 kDa and 40 kDa in the bovine SCO, in the conditioned medium of SCO explants, and in fetal and adult bovine CSF. Since the monomeric and tetrameric forms of TTR migrate as bands of 14 kDa and 40 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a commercial preparation of human TTR was run, with both bands being reactive with this antibody. Bovine SCO was also shown to synthesise mRNA encoding TTR under in vivo and in vitro conditions. We conclude that the SCO synthesises TTR and secretes it into the CSF. Colocalisation studies demonstrated that the SCO possessed two populations of secretory cells, one secreting both RF glycoproteins and TTR and the other secreting only the former. TTR was also detected in the SCO of bovine embryos suggesting that this ependymal gland is an important source of TTR during brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- H A Montecinos
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Histología y Patología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla de Correo (P.O. Box) 567, Valdivia, Chile
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Shibahara J, Todo T, Morita A, Mori H, Aoki S, Fukayama M. Papillary neuroepithelial tumor of the pineal region. A case report. Acta Neuropathol 2004; 108:337-40. [PMID: 15221340 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-004-0898-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2004] [Revised: 06/04/2004] [Accepted: 06/04/2004] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We present here an unusual case of papillary neuroepithelial tumor of the pineal region. The patient was a 29-year-old female who presented with headaches. A computed tomography scan revealed a tumorous lesion at the pineal region and hydrocephalus. The resected tumor was composed of columnar and cuboidal cells showing characteristics of papillary growth. The tumor cells exhibited diffuse and intense immunoreactivity to cytokeratins and neural cell adhesion molecule. The tumor expressed abundant levels of transthyretin (prealbumin) and appeared ependymal in nature, with numerous microlumens delineated by punctate and ring-like patterns in epithelial membrane antigen staining. Reactivity to synaptophysin and glial fibrillary acidic protein was observed only in the infiltrated non-neoplastic pineal parenchyma. These histological characteristics matched the description of the recently reported papillary tumor of the pineal region thought to originate from the specialized ependyma of the subcommissural organ (SCO). Transthyretin expression of the present case further supports the likelihood of SCO origin, as transthyretin is one of the proteins presumed to be secreted by human SCO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junji Shibahara
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan.
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Blackshear PJ, Graves JP, Stumpo DJ, Cobos I, Rubenstein JLR, Zeldin DC. Graded phenotypic response to partial and complete deficiency of a brain-specific transcript variant of the winged helix transcription factor RFX4. Development 2003; 130:4539-52. [PMID: 12925582 DOI: 10.1242/dev.00661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
One line of mice harboring a cardiac-specific epoxygenase transgene developed head swelling and rapid neurological decline in young adulthood, and had marked hydrocephalus of the lateral and third ventricles. The transgene was found to be inserted into an intron in the mouse Rfx4 locus. This insertion apparently prevented expression of a novel variant transcript of RFX4 (RFX4_v3), a member of the regulatory factor X family of winged helix transcription factors. Interruption of two alleles resulted in profound failure of dorsal midline brain structure formation and perinatal death, presumably by interfering with expression of downstream genes. Interruption of a single allele prevented formation of the subcommissural organ, a structure important for cerebrospinal fluid flow through the aqueduct of Sylvius, and resulted in congenital hydrocephalus. These data implicate the RFX4_v3 variant transcript as being crucial for early brain development, as well as for the genesis of the subcommissural organ. These findings may be relevant to human congenital hydrocephalus, a birth defect that affects approximately 0.6 per 1000 newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perry J Blackshear
- Office of Clinical Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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Jouvet A, Fauchon F, Liberski P, Saint-Pierre G, Didier-Bazes M, Heitzmann A, Delisle MB, Biassette HA, Vincent S, Mikol J, Streichenberger N, Ahboucha S, Brisson C, Belin MF, Fèvre-Montange M. Papillary tumor of the pineal region. Am J Surg Pathol 2003; 27:505-12. [PMID: 12657936 DOI: 10.1097/00000478-200304000-00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Primary papillary tumors of the central nervous system are rare. We have encountered a series of six papillary tumors of the pineal region with distinctive features that appear to represent a clinicopathologic entity. The tumors occurred in four women and two men, ranging in age from 19 to 53 years. Imaging studies showed a large well-circumscribed mass in the pineal region. The tumors were characterized by an epithelial-like growth pattern, in which the vessels were covered by a layer of tumoral cells. In papillary areas, the neoplastic cells were large, columnar or cuboidal, with a clear cytoplasm. Nuclei, round or infolded, were found generally at the basal pole of tumoral cells. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed strong staining for cytokeratin, S-100 protein, neuron-specific enolase, and vimentin but only weak or no staining for epithelial membrane antigen and glial fibrillary acid protein. Ultrastructural examination of two cases revealed abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum with distended cisternae filled with secretory product, microvilli, and perinuclear intermediate filaments. The morphofunctional features of these papillary tumors of the pineal region, remarkably uniform within this series, are similar to those described for ependymal cells of the subcommissural organ, and the papillary tumors of the pineal region may be derived from these specialized ependymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Jouvet
- Hôpital Neurologique, BP Lyon Montchat, 69394 Lyon Cedex 03, France.
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Caprile T, Hein S, Rodríguez S, Montecinos H, Rodríguez E. Reissner fiber binds and transports away monoamines present in the cerebrospinal fluid. BRAIN RESEARCH. MOLECULAR BRAIN RESEARCH 2003; 110:177-92. [PMID: 12591155 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-328x(02)00565-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The subcommissural organ (SCO) is a brain gland that secretes glycoproteins into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), where they subsequently aggregate to form Reissner fiber (RF). By addition of newly released glycoproteins to its cephalic end, RF grows constantly through the Sylvian aqueduct, fourth ventricle and central canal of the spinal cord. Disaggregation of RF-material and passage to blood occur when RF reaches the terminal ventricle at the filum. The present investigation was designed to test the hypothesis that RF binds, transports and clears away monoamines present in the CSF. Four experimental protocols were applied: (i) in vivo binding of labeled monoamines to the rat RF, studied by pulse and chase, and after perfusion for 7 days; (ii) identification of monoamines, by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), naturally occurring in the bovine RF; (iii) in vitro binding of labeled and unlabeled monoamines to the isolated bovine RF; and (iv) tentative identification of the amine binding site(s) in RF-proteins by use of specific antibodies. The results obtained indicate that RF participates in the regulation of the CSF concentration of monoamines either by binding and transporting them away throughout the central canal of the spinal cord (L-DOPA, noradrenaline, adrenaline), or by transiently binding them and releasing them back to the CSF (serotonin). Furthermore, evidence was obtained that (i) adrenaline and noradrenaline share the same binding site, and that this site would correspond to a repeated sequence present in the SCO-spondin, the major protein component of RF; and (ii) serotonin has its own binding site in RF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Caprile
- Instituto de Histología Y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
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Richter HG, Muñoz RI, Millán CS, Guiñazú MF, Yulis CR, Rodríguez EM. The floor plate cells from bovines express the mRNA encoding for SCO-spondin and its translation products. BRAIN RESEARCH. MOLECULAR BRAIN RESEARCH 2001; 93:137-47. [PMID: 11589991 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-328x(01)00181-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The floor plate (FP) is a transient structure of the embryonic central nervous system (CNS) which plays a key role in development driving cell differentiation and patterning in the ventral neural tube. The fact that antisera raised against subcommissural organ (SCO) secretion immunostain FP cells and react with high-molecular-mass proteins in FP extracts, prompted us to investigate the expression of a SCO-related polypeptide in FP cells. RNA from bovine FP was analyzed by means of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), using primers derived from the 3' end of SCO-spondin which revealed products of 233, 237, 519 and 783 bp. Sequence analysis of the 233 bp PCR fragment confirmed the identity between this FP product and SCO-spondin. FP-translation of the SCO-spondin encoded polypeptide(s) was demonstrated by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry, using antisera raised against (i) the glycoproteins secreted by the bovine SCO, and (ii) a peptide derived from the open reading frame of the major SCO secretory protein, SCO-spondin, respectively. Additional evidence pointing to active transcription and translation of a SCO-spondin related gene was obtained in long term FP organ cultures. On the basis of partial sequence homologies of SCO-spondin with protein domains implicated in cell-cell contacts, cell-matrix interactions and neurite outgrowth it is possible to suggest that the SCO-spondin secreted by the FP is involved in CNS development.
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Affiliation(s)
- H G Richter
- Instituto de Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
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