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Cui Y, Ma X, Wei J, Chen C, Shakir N, Guirram H, Dai Z, Anderson T, Ferguson D, Qiu S. MET receptor tyrosine kinase promotes the generation of functional synapses in adult cortical circuits. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1431-1444. [PMID: 39075910 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202505000-00026/figure1/v/2024-07-28T173839Z/r/image-tiff Loss of synapse and functional connectivity in brain circuits is associated with aging and neurodegeneration, however, few molecular mechanisms are known to intrinsically promote synaptogenesis or enhance synapse function. We have previously shown that MET receptor tyrosine kinase in the developing cortical circuits promotes dendritic growth and dendritic spine morphogenesis. To investigate whether enhancing MET in adult cortex has synapse regenerating potential, we created a knockin mouse line, in which the human MET gene expression and signaling can be turned on in adult (10-12 months) cortical neurons through doxycycline-containing chow. We found that similar to the developing brain, turning on MET signaling in the adult cortex activates small GTPases and increases spine density in prefrontal projection neurons. These findings are further corroborated by increased synaptic activity and transient generation of immature silent synapses. Prolonged MET signaling resulted in an increased α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid/N-methyl-D-aspartate (AMPA/NMDA) receptor current ratio, indicative of enhanced synaptic function and connectivity. Our data reveal that enhancing MET signaling could be an interventional approach to promote synaptogenesis and preserve functional connectivity in the adult brain. These findings may have implications for regenerative therapy in aging and neurodegeneration conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehua Cui
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Xiaokuang Ma
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Jing Wei
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Chang Chen
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Neha Shakir
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Hitesch Guirram
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Zhiyu Dai
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Trent Anderson
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Deveroux Ferguson
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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2
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Lanjewar AL, Levitt P, Eagleson KL. Developmental and molecular contributions to contextual fear memory emergence in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:1392-1401. [PMID: 38438594 PMCID: PMC11251045 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01835-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a common phenotype of neurodevelopmental disorders, but how these deficits arise remains elusive. Determining the onset of discrete cognitive capabilities facilitates studies in probing mechanisms underlying their emergence. The present study analyzed the emergence of contextual fear memory persistence (7-day memory retention) and remote memory (30-day memory retention). There was a rapid transition from postnatal day (P) 20 to P21, in which memory persistence emerged in C57Bl/6 J male and female mice. Remote memory was present at P23, but expression was not robust compared to pubertal and adult mice. Previous studies reported that following deletion of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (MET), there are fear memory deficits in adult mice and the timing of critical period plasticity is altered in the developing visual cortex, positioning MET as a regulator for onset of contextual fear memory. Sustaining Met past the normal window of peak cortical expression or deleting Met, however, did not alter the timing of emergence of persistence or remote memory capabilities during development. Fear memory in young adults, however, was disrupted. Remarkably, compared to homecage controls, the number of FOS-expressing infragranular neurons in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) did not increase from contextual memory formation recall of fear conditioning at P35 but exhibited enhanced activation at P90 in male and female mice. Additionally, MET-expressing neurons were preferentially recruited at P90 compared to P35 during fear memory expression. The studies demonstrate a developmental profile of contextual fear memory capabilities. Further, developmental disruption of Met leads to a delayed functional deficit that arises in young adulthood, correlated with an increase of mPFC neuron activation during fear memory recall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Lanjewar
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Pat Levitt
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kathie L Eagleson
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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3
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Lanjewar AL, Levitt P, Eagleson KL. Developmental and molecular contributions to contextual fear memory emergence in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.02.03.527024. [PMID: 36778231 PMCID: PMC9915741 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.03.527024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a common phenotype of neurodevelopmental disorders, but how these deficits arise remains elusive. Determining the onset of discrete cognitive capabilities facilitates studies in probing mechanisms underlying their emergence. The present study analyzed the emergence of contextual fear memory persistence (7-day memory retention) and remote memory (30-day memory retention). There was a rapid transition from postnatal day (P) 20 to P21, in which memory persistence emerged in C57Bl/6J male and female mice. Remote memory was present at P23, but expression was not robust compared to pubertal and adult mice. Previous studies reported that following deletion of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (MET), there are fear memory deficits in adult mice and the timing of critical period plasticity is altered in the developing visual cortex, positioning MET as a regulator for onset of contextual fear memory. Sustaining Met past the normal window of peak cortical expression or deleting Met, however, did not alter the timing of emergence of persistence or remote memory capabilities during development. Fear memory in young adults, however, was disrupted. Remarkably, compared to homecage controls, the number of FOS-expressing infragranular neurons in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) did not increase from contextual memory formation recall of fear conditioning at P35 but exhibited enhanced activation at P90 in male and female mice. Additionally, MET-expressing neurons were preferentially recruited at P90 compared to P35 during fear memory expression. The studies demonstrate a developmental profile of contextual fear memory capabilities. Further, developmental disruption of Met leads to a delayed functional deficit that arises in young adulthood, correlated with an increase of mPFC neuron activation during fear memory recall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L. Lanjewar
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Pat Levitt
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kathie L. Eagleson
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Berthiaume AA, Reda SM, Kleist KN, Setti SE, Wu W, Johnston JL, Taylor RW, Stein LR, Moebius HJ, Church KJ. ATH-1105, a small-molecule positive modulator of the neurotrophic HGF system, is neuroprotective, preserves neuromotor function, and extends survival in preclinical models of ALS. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1348157. [PMID: 38389786 PMCID: PMC10881713 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1348157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder, primarily affects the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord. Like other neurodegenerative conditions, ongoing pathological processes such as increased inflammation, excitotoxicity, and protein accumulation contribute to neuronal death. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling through the MET receptor promotes pro-survival, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects in multiple cell types, including the neurons and support cells of the nervous system. This pleiotropic system is therefore a potential therapeutic target for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS. Here, we test the effects of ATH-1105, a small-molecule positive modulator of the HGF signaling system, in preclinical models of ALS. Methods In vitro, the impact of ATH-1105 on HGF-mediated signaling was assessed via phosphorylation assays for MET, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and protein kinase B (AKT). Neuroprotective effects of ATH-1105 were evaluated in rat primary neuron models including spinal motor neurons, motor neuron-astrocyte cocultures, and motor neuron-human muscle cocultures. The anti-inflammatory effects of ATH-1105 were evaluated in microglia- and macrophage-like cell systems exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In vivo, the impact of daily oral treatment with ATH-1105 was evaluated in Prp-TDP43A315T hemizygous transgenic ALS mice. Results In vitro, ATH-1105 augmented phosphorylation of MET, ERK, and AKT. ATH-1105 attenuated glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity in primary motor neurons and motor neuron- astrocyte cocultures, and had protective effects on motor neurons and neuromuscular junctions in motor neuron-muscle cocultures. ATH-1105 mitigated LPS-induced inflammation in microglia- and macrophage-like cell systems. In vivo, ATH-1105 treatment resulted in improved motor and nerve function, sciatic nerve axon and myelin integrity, and survival in ALS mice. Treatment with ATH-1105 also led to reductions in levels of plasma biomarkers of inflammation and neurodegeneration, along with decreased pathological protein accumulation (phospho-TDP-43) in the sciatic nerve. Additionally, both early intervention (treatment initiation at 1 month of age) and delayed intervention (treatment initiation at 2 months of age) with ATH-1105 produced benefits in this preclinical model of ALS. Discussion The consistent neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects demonstrated by ATH-1105 preclinically provide a compelling rationale for therapeutic interventions that leverage the positive modulation of the HGF pathway as a treatment for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Wei Wu
- Athira Pharma, Inc., Bothell, WA, United States
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CHENG K, YUAN J, LIU J, ZHANG S, XU Q, XIE Y, ZHAO J, ZHANG X, TANG X, ZHENG Y, WANG Z. Identifying Qingkailing ingredients-dependent mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor-axiation "π" structuring module with angiogenesis and neurogenesis effects. J TRADIT CHIN MED 2024; 44:35-43. [PMID: 38213237 PMCID: PMC10774727 DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the functional role of the drug-dependent mesenchymal-epithelial transition (Met)-axiation "π" structural module of neurogenesis after processing by three components of Qingkailing injection in neurogenesis and angiogenesis in cerebral ischemia. METHODS We used a Glutathione S-transferase (GST)-pull down assay, isothermal titration calorimetry assay, and other related methods to identify the relationships among Met, inositol polyphosphate phosphatase like 1 (Inppl1), and death associated protein kinase 3 (Dapk3) in this allosteric module. The biological effects of the modules of neurons generation composed of Met, Inppl1, and Dapk3 were measured through Western blot, apoptosis analysis, and double immunofluorescence labeling. RESULTS The GST-pull down assay revealed that proline-serine-threonine rich domain of Met binds to the Src homology domain of Inppl1 to form a protein-protein complex; Dapk3 with a C-terminal domain interacts weakly with the protein kinase C domain of Met in the intracellular region. Thus, we obtained a "π" structuring module considered a neural regeneration module. The biological effects of angiogenesis and neurogenesis modules composed of Met, Inppl1, and Dapk3 were also verified. CONCLUSION The study suggested that understanding the functional modules that contribute to pharmaceutics might provide novel signatures that can be used as endpoints to define disease processes under stroke or cerebral ischemia conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunming CHENG
- 1 Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Screening and Re-evaluation of Active Compounds of Herbal Medicines in Southern Anhui, Teaching and Research Section of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Jianan YUAN
- 1 Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Screening and Re-evaluation of Active Compounds of Herbal Medicines in Southern Anhui, Teaching and Research Section of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Jun LIU
- 2 Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Shengpeng ZHANG
- 1 Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Screening and Re-evaluation of Active Compounds of Herbal Medicines in Southern Anhui, Teaching and Research Section of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Qixiang XU
- 1 Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Screening and Re-evaluation of Active Compounds of Herbal Medicines in Southern Anhui, Teaching and Research Section of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Yong XIE
- 3 Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jingfeng ZHAO
- 3 Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaoxu ZHANG
- 2 Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xudong TANG
- 4 Department of Gastroenterology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Yongqiu ZHENG
- 1 Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Screening and Re-evaluation of Active Compounds of Herbal Medicines in Southern Anhui, Teaching and Research Section of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Zhong WANG
- 2 Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
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Gallo S, Vitacolonna A, Comoglio PM, Crepaldi T. MET Oncogene Enhances Pro-Migratory Functions by Counteracting NMDAR2B Cleavage. Cells 2023; 13:28. [PMID: 38201232 PMCID: PMC10777984 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The involvement of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), a glutamate-gated ion channel, in promoting the invasive growth of cancer cells is an area of ongoing investigation. Our previous findings revealed a physical interaction between NMDAR and MET, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this NMDAR/MET interaction remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that the NMDAR2B subunit undergoes proteolytic processing, resulting in a low-molecular-weight form of 100 kDa. Interestingly, when the NMDAR2B and MET constructs were co-transfected, the full-size high-molecular-weight NMDAR2B form of 160 kDa was predominantly observed. The protection of NMDAR2B from cleavage was dependent on the kinase activity of MET. We provide the following evidence that MET opposes the autophagic lysosomal proteolysis of NMDAR2B: (i) MET decreased the protein levels of lysosomal cathepsins; (ii) treatment with either an inhibitor of autophagosome formation or the fusion of the autophagosome and lysosome elevated the proportion of the NMDAR2B protein's uncleaved form; (iii) a specific mTOR inhibitor hindered the anti-autophagic effect of MET. Finally, we demonstrate that MET coopts NMDAR2B to augment cell migration. This implies that MET harnesses the functionality of NMDAR2B to enhance the ability of cancer cells to migrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Gallo
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10143 Orbassano, Italy; (S.G.); (A.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, SP142, Km 3.95, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
| | - Annapia Vitacolonna
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10143 Orbassano, Italy; (S.G.); (A.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, SP142, Km 3.95, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
| | - Paolo Maria Comoglio
- IFOM ETS—The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milano, Italy;
| | - Tiziana Crepaldi
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10143 Orbassano, Italy; (S.G.); (A.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, SP142, Km 3.95, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
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Xu Y, Kusuyama J, Osana S, Matsuhashi S, Li L, Takada H, Inada H, Nagatomi R. Lactate promotes neuronal differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells by lactate-responsive gene sets through NDRG3-dependent and -independent manners. J Biol Chem 2023:104802. [PMID: 37172727 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactate serves as the major glucose alternative to an energy substrate in the brain. Lactate level is increased in the fetal brain from the middle stage of gestation, indicating the involvement of lactate in brain development and neuronal differentiation. Recent reports show that lactate functions as a signaling molecule to regulate gene expression and protein stability. However, the roles of lactate signaling in neuronal cells remain unknown. Here, we showed that lactate promotes the all stages of neuronal differentiation of SH-SY5Y and Neuro2A, human and mouse neuroblastoma cell lines, characterized by increased neuronal marker expression and the rates of neurites extension. Transcriptomics revealed many lactate-responsive genes sets such as SPARCL1 in SH-SY5Y, Neuro2A, and primary embryonic mouse neuronal cells. The effects of lactate on neuronal function were mainly mediated through monocarboxylate transporters 1 (MCT1). We found that NDRG family member 3 (NDRG3), a lactate-binding protein, was highly expressed and stabilized by lactate treatment during neuronal differentiation. Combinative RNA-seq of SH-SY5Y with lactate treatment and NDRG3 knockdown shows that the promotive effects of lactate on neural differentiation are regulated through NDRG3-dependent and independent manners. Moreover, we identified TEA domain family member 1 (TEAD1) and ETS-related transcription factor 4 (ELF4) are the specific transcription factors that are regulated by both lactate and NDRG3 in neuronal differentiation. TEAD1 and ELF4 differently affect the expression of neuronal marker genes in SH-SY5Y cells. These results highlight the biological roles of extracellular and intracellular lactate as a critical signaling molecule that modifies neuronal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidan Xu
- Department of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Joji Kusuyama
- Department of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan; Division of Biomedical Engineering for Health and Welfare, Tohoku University Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Sendai, Japan; Department of Biosignals and Inheritance, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Shion Osana
- Department of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Division of Biomedical Engineering for Health and Welfare, Tohoku University Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Sendai, Japan; Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, University of Electro-Communications
| | - Satayuki Matsuhashi
- Division of Biomedical Engineering for Health and Welfare, Tohoku University Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Sendai, Japan
| | - Longfei Li
- Department of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Takada
- Division of Biomedical Engineering for Health and Welfare, Tohoku University Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Inada
- Division of Biomedical Engineering for Health and Welfare, Tohoku University Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Sendai, Japan; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Nagatomi
- Department of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Division of Biomedical Engineering for Health and Welfare, Tohoku University Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Sendai, Japan.
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Eagleson KL, Levitt P. Alterations in the Proteome of Developing Neocortical Synaptosomes in the Absence of MET Signaling Revealed by Comparative Proteomics. Dev Neurosci 2023; 45:126-138. [PMID: 36882009 PMCID: PMC10239366 DOI: 10.1159/000529981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in synapse formation, maturation, and function are a hallmark of many neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. For example, there is reduced neocortical expression of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) transcript and protein in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Rett syndrome. Preclinical in vivo and in vitro models manipulating MET signaling reveal that the receptor modulates excitatory synapse development and maturation in select forebrain circuits. The molecular adaptations underlying the altered synaptic development remain unknown. We performed a comparative mass spectrometry analysis of synaptosomes generated from the neocortex of wild type and Met null mice during the peak of synaptogenesis (postnatal day 14; data are available from ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD033204). The analyses revealed broad disruption of the developing synaptic proteome in the absence of MET, consistent with the localization of MET protein in pre- and postsynaptic compartments, including proteins associated with the neocortical synaptic MET interactome and those encoded by syndromic and ASD risk genes. In addition to an overrepresentation of altered proteins associated with the SNARE complex, multiple proteins in the ubiquitin-proteasome system and associated with the synaptic vesicle, as well as proteins that regulate actin filament organization and synaptic vesicle exocytosis/endocytosis, were disrupted. Taken together, the proteomic changes are consistent with structural and functional changes observed following alterations in MET signaling. We hypothesize that the molecular adaptations following Met deletion may reflect a general mechanism that produces circuit-specific molecular changes due to loss or reduction of synaptic signaling proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathie L Eagleson
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,
- Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA,
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9
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Pérez MJ, Carden TR, Dos Santos Claro PA, Silberstein S, Páez PM, Cheli VT, Correale J, Pasquini JM. Transferrin Enhances Neuronal Differentiation. ASN Neuro 2023; 15:17590914231170703. [PMID: 37093743 PMCID: PMC10134178 DOI: 10.1177/17590914231170703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Although transferrin (Tf) is a glycoprotein best known for its role in iron delivery, iron-independent functions have also been reported. Here, we assessed apoTf (aTf) treatment effects on Neuro-2a (N2a) cells, a mouse neuroblastoma cell line which, once differentiated, shares many properties with neurons, including process outgrowth, expression of selective neuronal markers, and electrical activity. We first examined the binding of Tf to its receptor (TfR) in our model and verified that, like neurons, N2a cells can internalize Tf from the culture medium. Next, studies on neuronal developmental parameters showed that Tf increases N2a survival through a decrease in apoptosis. Additionally, Tf accelerated the morphological development of N2a cells by promoting neurite outgrowth. These pro-differentiating effects were also observed in primary cultures of mouse cortical neurons treated with aTf, as neurons matured at a higher rate than controls and showed a decrease in the expression of early neuronal markers. Further experiments in iron-enriched and iron-deficient media showed that Tf preserved its pro-differentiation properties in N2a cells, with results hinting at a modulatory role for iron. Moreover, N2a-microglia co-cultures revealed an increase in IL-10 upon aTf treatment, which may be thought to favor N2a differentiation. Taken together, these findings suggest that Tf reduces cell death and favors the neuronal differentiation process, thus making Tf a promising candidate to be used in regenerative strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Julia Pérez
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tomas Roberto Carden
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula Ayelen Dos Santos Claro
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBIoBA), CONICET-Partner Institute of The Max Plank Society, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Susana Silberstein
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBIoBA), CONICET-Partner Institute of The Max Plank Society, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Martin Páez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Veronica Teresita Cheli
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Jorge Correale
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Neurología, Fleni, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juana M Pasquini
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Lanjewar AL, Jagetia S, Khan ZM, Eagleson KL, Levitt P. Subclass-specific expression patterns of MET receptor tyrosine kinase during development in medial prefrontal and visual cortices. J Comp Neurol 2023; 531:132-148. [PMID: 36201439 PMCID: PMC9691614 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Met encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) that is expressed during development and regulates cortical synapse maturation. Conditional deletion of Met in the nervous system during embryonic development leads to deficits in adult contextual fear learning, a medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-dependent cognitive task. MET also regulates the timing of critical period plasticity for ocular dominance in primary visual cortex (V1). However, the underlying circuitry responsible remains unknown. Therefore, this study determines the broad expression patterns of MET throughout postnatal development in mPFC and V1 projection neurons (PNs), providing insight into similarities and differences in the neuronal subtypes and temporal patterns of MET expression between cortical areas. Using a transgenic mouse line that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) in Met+ neurons, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy were performed to visualize MET-GFP+ cell bodies and PN subclass-specific protein markers. Analyses reveal that the MET expression is highly enriched in infragranular layers of mPFC, but in supragranular layers of V1. Interestingly, temporal regulation of the percentage of MET+ neurons across development not only differs between cortical regions but also is distinct between lamina within a cortical region. Further, MET is expressed predominantly in the subcerebral PN subclass in mPFC, but the intratelencephalic PN subclass in V1. The data suggest that MET signaling influences the development of distinct circuits in mPFC and V1 that underlie subcerebral and intracortical functional deficits following Met deletion, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L. Lanjewar
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children's Hospital Los AngelesThe Saban Research InstituteLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA,Department of PediatricsKeck School of Medicine of University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA,Neuroscience Graduate ProgramUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sonum Jagetia
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children's Hospital Los AngelesThe Saban Research InstituteLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA,Department of PediatricsKeck School of Medicine of University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Zuhayr M. Khan
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children's Hospital Los AngelesThe Saban Research InstituteLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA,Department of PediatricsKeck School of Medicine of University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kathie L. Eagleson
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children's Hospital Los AngelesThe Saban Research InstituteLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA,Department of PediatricsKeck School of Medicine of University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, Children's Hospital Los AngelesThe Saban Research InstituteLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA,Department of PediatricsKeck School of Medicine of University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
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11
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Ali Marandi Ghoddousi R, Magalong VM, Kamitakahara AK, Levitt P. SCAMPR, a single-cell automated multiplex pipeline for RNA quantification and spatial mapping. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100316. [PMID: 36313803 PMCID: PMC9606134 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Spatial gene expression, achieved classically through in situ hybridization, is a fundamental tool for topographic phenotyping of cell types in the nervous system. Newly developed techniques allow for visualization of multiple mRNAs at single-cell resolution and greatly expand the ability to link gene expression to tissue topography, yet there are challenges in efficient quantification and analysis of these high-dimensional datasets. We have therefore developed the single-cell automated multiplex pipeline for RNA (SCAMPR), facilitating rapid and accurate segmentation of neuronal cell bodies using a dual immunohistochemistry-RNAscope protocol and quantification of low- and high-abundance mRNA signals using open-source image processing and automated segmentation tools. Proof of principle using SCAMPR focused on spatial mapping of gene expression by peripheral (vagal nodose) and central (visual cortex) neurons. The analytical effectiveness of SCAMPR is demonstrated by identifying the impact of early life stress on gene expression in vagal neuron subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramin Ali Marandi Ghoddousi
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
| | | | - Anna K. Kamitakahara
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
- Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
- Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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12
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Derkus B, Isik M, Eylem CC, Ergin I, Camci CB, Bilgin S, Elbuken C, Arslan YE, Akkulak M, Adali O, Kiran F, Okesola BO, Nemutlu E, Emregul E. Xenogenic Neural Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Nanovesicles Modulate Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Fate and Reconstruct Metabolomic Structure. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2101317. [PMID: 35347890 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202101317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular nanovesicles, particularly exosomes, can deliver their diverse bioactive biomolecular content, including miRNAs, proteins, and lipids, thus providing a context for investigating the capability of exosomes to induce stem cells toward lineage-specific cells and tissue regeneration. In this study, it is demonstrated that rat subventricular zone neural stem cell-derived exosomes (rSVZ-NSCExo) can control neural-lineage specification of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Microarray analysis shows that the miRNA content of rSVZ-NSCExo is a faithful representation of rSVZ tissue. Through immunocytochemistry, gene expression, and multi-omics analyses, the capability to use rSVZ-NSCExo to induce hMSCs into a neuroglial or neural stem cell phenotype and genotype in a temporal and dose-dependent manner via multiple signaling pathways is demonstrated. The current study presents a new and innovative strategy to modulate hMSCs fate by harnessing the molecular content of exosomes, thus suggesting future opportunities for rSVZ-NSCExo in nerve tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burak Derkus
- Stem Cell Research Lab, Department of ChemistryFaculty of Science, Ankara University, Ankara, 06560, Turkey.,Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Advanced Materials (INTRAM) Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Ankara, 06560, Turkey
| | - Melis Isik
- Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Advanced Materials (INTRAM) Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Ankara, 06560, Turkey
| | - Cemil Can Eylem
- Analytical Chemistry Division, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, 06530, Turkey
| | - Irem Ergin
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Turkey
| | - Can Berk Camci
- Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Advanced Materials (INTRAM) Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Ankara, 06560, Turkey
| | - Sila Bilgin
- Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Advanced Materials (INTRAM) Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Ankara, 06560, Turkey
| | - Caglar Elbuken
- UNAM-National Nanotechnology Research Center, Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey.,Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, 90014, Finland
| | - Yavuz Emre Arslan
- Regenerative Biomaterials Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Engineering Faculty, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, 17100, Turkey
| | - Merve Akkulak
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey
| | - Orhan Adali
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey
| | - Fadime Kiran
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Ankara, 06560, Turkey
| | - Babatunde O Okesola
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - Emirhan Nemutlu
- Analytical Chemistry Division, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, 06530, Turkey.,Bioanalytic and Omics Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, 06530, Turkey
| | - Emel Emregul
- Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Advanced Materials (INTRAM) Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Ankara, 06560, Turkey
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13
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Ma X, Wei J, Cui Y, Xia B, Zhang L, Nehme A, Zuo Y, Ferguson D, Levitt P, Qiu S. Disrupted Timing of MET Signaling Derails the Developmental Maturation of Cortical Circuits and Leads to Altered Behavior in Mice. Cereb Cortex 2021; 32:1769-1786. [PMID: 34470051 PMCID: PMC9016286 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular regulation of the temporal dynamics of circuit maturation is a key contributor to the emergence of normal structure-function relations. Developmental control of cortical MET receptor tyrosine kinase, expressed early postnatally in subpopulations of excitatory neurons, has a pronounced impact on the timing of glutamatergic synapse maturation and critical period plasticity. Here, we show that using a controllable overexpression (cto-Met) transgenic mouse, extending the duration of MET signaling after endogenous Met is switched off leads to altered molecular constitution of synaptic proteins, persistent activation of small GTPases Cdc42 and Rac1, and sustained inhibitory phosphorylation of cofilin. These molecular changes are accompanied by an increase in the density of immature dendritic spines, impaired cortical circuit maturation of prefrontal cortex layer 5 projection neurons, and altered laminar excitatory connectivity. Two photon in vivo imaging of dendritic spines reveals that cto-Met enhances de novo spine formation while inhibiting spine elimination. Extending MET signaling for two weeks in developing cortical circuits leads to pronounced repetitive activity and impaired social interactions in adult mice. Collectively, our data revealed that temporally controlled MET signaling as a critical mechanism for controlling cortical circuit development and emergence of normal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokuang Ma
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Jing Wei
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Yuehua Cui
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Baomei Xia
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Le Zhang
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Antoine Nehme
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Yi Zuo
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Deveroux Ferguson
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Developmental Neurogenetics, The Saban Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
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14
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Chen K, Ma X, Nehme A, Wei J, Cui Y, Cui Y, Yao D, Wu J, Anderson T, Ferguson D, Levitt P, Qiu S. Time-delimited signaling of MET receptor tyrosine kinase regulates cortical circuit development and critical period plasticity. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:3723-3736. [PMID: 31900430 PMCID: PMC7332377 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0635-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Normal development of cortical circuits, including experience-dependent cortical maturation and plasticity, requires precise temporal regulation of gene expression and molecular signaling. Such regulation, and the concomitant impact on plasticity and critical periods, is hypothesized to be disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders. A protein that may serve such a function is the MET receptor tyrosine kinase, which is tightly regulated developmentally in rodents and primates, and exhibits reduced cortical expression in autism spectrum disorder and Rett Syndrome. We found that the peak of MET expression in developing mouse cortex coincides with the heightened period of synaptogenesis, but is precipitously downregulated prior to extensive synapse pruning and certain peak periods of cortical plasticity. These results reflect a potential on-off regulatory synaptic mechanism for specific glutamatergic cortical circuits in which MET is enriched. In order to address the functional significance of the 'off' component of the proposed mechanism, we created a controllable transgenic mouse line that sustains cortical MET signaling. Continued MET expression in cortical excitatory neurons disrupted synaptic protein profiles, altered neuronal morphology, and impaired visual cortex circuit maturation and connectivity. Remarkably, sustained MET signaling eliminates monocular deprivation-induced ocular dominance plasticity during the normal cortical critical period; while ablating MET signaling leads to early closure of critical period plasticity. The results demonstrate a novel mechanism in which temporal regulation of a pleiotropic signaling protein underlies cortical circuit maturation and timing of cortical critical period, features that may be disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Chen
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Sciences Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, China
| | - Xiaokuang Ma
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, China
| | - Antoine Nehme
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Jing Wei
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Yan Cui
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Sciences Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, China
| | - Yuehua Cui
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Dezhong Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Sciences Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, China
- Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
| | - Trent Anderson
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Deveroux Ferguson
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Department of Pediatrics and Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA.
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.
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15
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Desole C, Gallo S, Vitacolonna A, Montarolo F, Bertolotto A, Vivien D, Comoglio P, Crepaldi T. HGF and MET: From Brain Development to Neurological Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:683609. [PMID: 34179015 PMCID: PMC8220160 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.683609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its tyrosine kinase receptor, encoded by the MET cellular proto-oncogene, are expressed in the nervous system from pre-natal development to adult life, where they are involved in neuronal growth and survival. In this review, we highlight, beyond the neurotrophic action, novel roles of HGF-MET in synaptogenesis during post-natal brain development and the connection between deregulation of MET expression and developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). On the pharmacology side, HGF-induced MET activation exerts beneficial neuroprotective effects also in adulthood, specifically in neurodegenerative disease, and in preclinical models of cerebral ischemia, spinal cord injuries, and neurological pathologies, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS). HGF is a key factor preventing neuronal death and promoting survival through pro-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory mechanisms. Recent evidence suggests that HGF acts on neural stem cells to enhance neuroregeneration. The possible therapeutic application of HGF and HGF mimetics for the treatment of neurological disorders is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Desole
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Simona Gallo
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Annapia Vitacolonna
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Francesca Montarolo
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Orbassano, Italy.,Neurobiology Unit, Neurology, CReSM (Regional Referring Center of Multiple Sclerosis), San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Italy.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Bertolotto
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Orbassano, Italy.,Neurobiology Unit, Neurology, CReSM (Regional Referring Center of Multiple Sclerosis), San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Denis Vivien
- INSERM U1237, University of Caen, Gyp Cyceron, Caen, France.,Department of Clinical Research, Caen-Normandie University Hospital, Caen, France
| | - Paolo Comoglio
- IFOM, FIRC Institute for Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Crepaldi
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
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16
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Jeckel P, Kriebel M, Volkmer H. Autism Spectrum Disorder Risk Factor Met Regulates the Organization of Inhibitory Synapses. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:659856. [PMID: 34054427 PMCID: PMC8155383 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.659856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A common hypothesis explains autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a neurodevelopmental disorder linked to excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalance in neuronal network connectivity. Mutation of genes including Met and downstream signaling components, e.g., PTEN, Tsc2 and, Rheb are involved in the control of synapse formation and stabilization and were all considered as risk genes for ASD. While the impact of Met on glutamatergic synapses was widely appreciated, its contribution to the stability of inhibitory, GABAergic synapses is poorly understood. The stabilization of GABAergic synapses depends on clustering of the postsynaptic scaffolding protein gephyrin. Here, we show in vivo and in vitro that Met is necessary and sufficient for the stabilization of GABAergic synapses via induction of gephyrin clustering. Likewise, we provide evidence for Met-dependent gephyrin clustering via activation of mTOR. Our results support the notion that deficient GABAergic signaling represents a pathomechanism for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Jeckel
- Department of Pharma and Biotech, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Martin Kriebel
- Department of Pharma and Biotech, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Hansjürgen Volkmer
- Department of Pharma and Biotech, NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
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17
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Kast RJ, Wu HH, Levitt P. Developmental Connectivity and Molecular Phenotypes of Unique Cortical Projection Neurons that Express a Synapse-Associated Receptor Tyrosine Kinase. Cereb Cortex 2020; 29:189-201. [PMID: 29190358 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhx318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex circuitry and cell-type diversity of the cerebral cortex are required for its high-level functions. The mechanisms underlying the diversification of cortical neurons during prenatal development have received substantial attention, but understanding of neuronal heterogeneity is more limited during later periods of cortical circuit maturation. To address this knowledge gap, connectivity analysis and molecular phenotyping of cortical neuron subtypes that express the developing synapse-enriched MET receptor tyrosine kinase were performed. Experiments used a MetGFP transgenic mouse line, combined with coexpression analysis of class-specific molecular markers and retrograde connectivity mapping. The results reveal that MET is expressed by a minor subset of subcerebral and a larger number of intratelencephalic projection neurons. Remarkably, MET is excluded from most layer 6 corticothalamic neurons. These findings are particularly relevant for understanding the maturation of discrete cortical circuits, given converging evidence that MET influences dendritic elaboration and glutamatergic synapse maturation. The data suggest that classically defined cortical projection classes can be further subdivided based on molecular characteristics that likely influence synaptic maturation and circuit wiring. Additionally, given that MET is classified as a high confidence autism risk gene, the data suggest that projection neuron subpopulations may be differentially vulnerable to disorder-associated genetic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Kast
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,The Institute for the Developing Mind, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hsiao-Huei Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,The Institute for the Developing Mind, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,The Institute for the Developing Mind, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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18
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Ma X, Qiu S. Control of cortical synapse development and plasticity by MET receptor tyrosine kinase, a genetic risk factor for autism. J Neurosci Res 2019; 98:2115-2129. [PMID: 31746037 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The key developmental milestone events of the human brain, such as neurogenesis, synapse formation, maturation, and plasticity, are determined by a myriad of molecular signaling events, including those mediated by a number of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and their cognate ligands. Aberrant or mistimed brain development and plasticity can lead to maladaptive changes, such as dysregulated synaptic connectivity and breakdown of circuit functions necessary for cognition and adaptive behaviors, which are hypothesized pathophysiologies of many neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we review recent literature that supports autism spectrum disorder as a likely result of aberrant synapse development due to mistimed maturation and plasticity. We focus on MET RTK, a prominent genetic risk factor for autism, and discuss how a pleiotropic molecular signaling system engaged by MET exemplifies a genetic program that controls cortical circuit development and plasticity by modulating the anatomical and functional connectivity of cortical circuits, thus conferring genetic risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokuang Ma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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19
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Kast RJ, Levitt P. Precision in the development of neocortical architecture: From progenitors to cortical networks. Prog Neurobiol 2019; 175:77-95. [PMID: 30677429 PMCID: PMC6402587 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Of all brain regions, the 6-layered neocortex has undergone the most dramatic changes in size and complexity during mammalian brain evolution. These changes, occurring in the context of a conserved set of organizational features that emerge through stereotypical developmental processes, are considered responsible for the cognitive capacities and sensory specializations represented within the mammalian clade. The modern experimental era of developmental neurobiology, spanning 6 decades, has deciphered a number of mechanisms responsible for producing the diversity of cortical neuron types, their precise connectivity and the role of gene by environment interactions. Here, experiments providing insight into the development of cortical projection neuron differentiation and connectivity are reviewed. This current perspective integrates discussion of classic studies and new findings, based on recent technical advances, to highlight an improved understanding of the neuronal complexity and precise connectivity of cortical circuitry. These descriptive advances bring new opportunities for studies related to the developmental origins of cortical circuits that will, in turn, improve the prospects of identifying pathogenic targets of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Kast
- Department of Pediatrics and Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Developmental Neurogenetics, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Department of Pediatrics and Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Developmental Neurogenetics, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA.
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20
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Zhou Y, Ji J, Chen C, Hong F. Retardation of Axonal and Dendritic Outgrowth Is Associated with the MAPK Signaling Pathway in Offspring Mice Following Maternal Exposure to Nanosized Titanium Dioxide. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:2709-2715. [PMID: 30701967 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b06992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to nanosized titanium oxide (nano-TiO2) has been proven to suppress brain growth in mouse offspring; however, whether retardation of axonal or dendritic outgrowth is associated with activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway remains unclear. In the present study, pregnant mice were exposed to nano-TiO2 at 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg body weight, and the molecular mechanism of axonal or dendritic outgrowth retardation was investigated. The results suggested that nano-TiO2 crossed the blood-fetal barrier and blood-brain barrier and deposited in the brain of offspring, which retarded axonal and dendritic outgrowth, including the absence of axonal outgrowth, and decreased dendritic filament length, dendritic branching number, and dendritic spine density. Importantly, maternal exposure to nano-TiO2 increased phosphorylated (p)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2, +24.35% to +59.4%), p-p38 (+60.82% to 181.85%), and p-c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK, +28.28% to 97.28%) expression in the hippocampus of the offspring. These findings suggested that retardation of axonal and dendritic outgrowth in mouse offspring caused by maternal exposure to nano-TiO2 may be related to excessive activation of the ERK1/2/MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore, the potential toxicity of nano-TiO2 is a concern, especially in pregnant woman or children who are exposed to nano-TiO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjun Zhou
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Safety and Nutrition Function Evaluation , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
- School of Life Sciences , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
| | - Jianhui Ji
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Safety and Nutrition Function Evaluation , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
- School of Life Sciences , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
| | - Chunmei Chen
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Safety and Nutrition Function Evaluation , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
- School of Life Sciences , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
| | - Fashui Hong
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Safety and Nutrition Function Evaluation , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
- School of Life Sciences , Huaiyin Normal University , Huaian 223300 , China
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Mansilla A, Jordán-Álvarez S, Santana E, Jarabo P, Casas-Tintó S, Ferrús A. Molecular mechanisms that change synapse number. J Neurogenet 2018; 32:155-170. [DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2018.1506781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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22
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Heun-Johnson H, Levitt P. Differential impact of Met receptor gene interaction with early-life stress on neuronal morphology and behavior in mice. Neurobiol Stress 2017; 8:10-20. [PMID: 29255778 PMCID: PMC5723381 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Early adversity in childhood increases the risk of anxiety, mood, and post-traumatic stress disorders in adulthood, and specific gene-by-environment interactions may increase risk further. A common functional variant in the promoter region of the gene encoding the human MET receptor tyrosine kinase (rs1858830 ‘C’ allele) reduces expression of MET and is associated with altered cortical circuit function and structural connectivity. Mice with reduced Met expression exhibit changes in anxiety-like and conditioned fear behavior, precocious synaptic maturation in the hippocampus, and reduced neuronal arbor complexity and synaptogenesis. These phenotypes also can be produced independently by early adversity in wild-type mice. The present study addresses the outcome of combining early-life stress and genetic influences that alter timing of maturation on enduring functional and structural phenotypes. Using a model of reduced Met expression (Met+/−) and early-life stress from postnatal day 2–9, social, anxiety-like, and contextual fear behaviors in later life were measured. Mice that experienced early-life stress exhibited impairments in social interaction, whereas alterations in anxiety-like behavior and fear learning were driven by Met haploinsufficiency, independent of rearing condition. Early-life stress or reduced Met expression decreased arbor complexity of ventral hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons projecting to basolateral amygdala. Paradoxically, arbor complexity in Met+/− mice was increased following early-life stress, and thus not different from arbors in wild-type mice raised in control conditions. The changes in dendritic morphology are consistent with the hypothesis that the physiological state of maturation of CA1 neurons in Met+/− mice influences their responsiveness to early-life stress. The dissociation of behavioral and structural changes suggests that there may be phenotype-specific sensitivities to early-life stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanke Heun-Johnson
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Institute for the Developing Mind, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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23
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Kamitakahara A, Wu HH, Levitt P. Distinct projection targets define subpopulations of mouse brainstem vagal neurons that express the autism-associated MET receptor tyrosine kinase. J Comp Neurol 2017; 525:3787-3808. [PMID: 28758209 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Detailed anatomical tracing and mapping of the viscerotopic organization of the vagal motor nuclei has provided insight into autonomic function in health and disease. To further define specific cellular identities, we paired information based on visceral connectivity with a cell-type specific marker of a subpopulation of neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) and nucleus ambiguus (nAmb) that express the autism-associated MET receptor tyrosine kinase. As gastrointestinal disturbances are common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we sought to define the relationship between MET-expressing (MET+) neurons in the DMV and nAmb, and the gastrointestinal tract. Using wholemount tissue staining and clearing, or retrograde tracing in a METEGFP transgenic mouse, we identify three novel subpopulations of EGFP+ vagal brainstem neurons: (a) EGFP+ neurons in the nAmb projecting to the esophagus or laryngeal muscles, (b) EGFP+ neurons in the medial DMV projecting to the stomach, and (b) EGFP+ neurons in the lateral DMV projecting to the cecum and/or proximal colon. Expression of the MET ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), by tissues innervated by vagal motor neurons during fetal development reveal potential sites of HGF-MET interaction. Furthermore, similar cellular expression patterns of MET in the brainstem of both the mouse and nonhuman primate suggests that MET expression at these sites is evolutionarily conserved. Together, the data suggest that MET+ neurons in the brainstem vagal motor nuclei are anatomically positioned to regulate distinct portions of the gastrointestinal tract, with implications for the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal comorbidities of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kamitakahara
- Program in Developmental Neurogenetics, Institute for the Developing Mind, The Saban Resarch Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Hsiao-Huei Wu
- Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Pat Levitt
- Program in Developmental Neurogenetics, Institute for the Developing Mind, The Saban Resarch Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.,University of Southern California Program in Neuroscience, Los Angeles, California
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Kast RJ, Wu HH, Williams P, Gaspar P, Levitt P. Specific Connectivity and Unique Molecular Identity of MET Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Expressing Serotonergic Neurons in the Caudal Dorsal Raphe Nuclei. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:1053-1064. [PMID: 28375615 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular characterization of neurons across brain regions has revealed new taxonomies for understanding functional diversity even among classically defined neuronal populations. Neuronal diversity has become evident within the brain serotonin (5-HT) system, which is far more complex than previously appreciated. However, until now it has been difficult to define subpopulations of 5-HT neurons based on molecular phenotypes. We demonstrate that the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) is specifically expressed in a subset of 5-HT neurons within the caudal part of the dorsal raphe nuclei (DRC) that is encompassed by the classic B6 serotonin cell group. Mapping from embryonic day 16 through adulthood reveals that MET is expressed almost exclusively in the DRC as a condensed, paired nucleus, with an additional sparse set of MET+ neurons scattered within the median raphe. Retrograde tracing experiments reveal that MET-expressing 5-HT neurons provide substantial serotonergic input to the ventricular/subventricular region that contains forebrain stem cells, but do not innervate the dorsal hippocampus or entorhinal cortex. Conditional anterograde tracing experiments show that 5-HT neurons in the DRC/B6 target additional forebrain structures such as the medial and lateral septum and the ventral hippocampus. Molecular neuroanatomical analysis identifies 14 genes that are enriched in DRC neurons, including 4 neurotransmitter/neuropeptide receptors and 2 potassium channels. These analyses will lead to future studies determining the specific roles that 5-HTMET+ neurons contribute to the broader set of functions regulated by the serotonergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Patricia Gaspar
- Inserm, UMRS-839, Université
Pierre et Marie Curie, and Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005, Paris, France
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Eagleson KL, Xie Z, Levitt P. The Pleiotropic MET Receptor Network: Circuit Development and the Neural-Medical Interface of Autism. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 81:424-433. [PMID: 27837921 PMCID: PMC5285483 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2016] [Revised: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
People with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are behaviorally and medically heterogeneous. The combination of polygenicity and gene pleiotropy-the influence of one gene on distinct phenotypes-raises questions of how specific genes and their protein products interact to contribute to NDDs. A preponderance of evidence supports developmental and pathophysiological roles for the MET receptor tyrosine kinase, a multifunctional receptor that mediates distinct biological responses depending upon cell context. MET influences neuron architecture and synapse maturation in the forebrain and regulates homeostasis in gastrointestinal and immune systems, both commonly disrupted in NDDs. Peak expression of synapse-enriched MET is conserved across rodent and primate forebrain, yet regional differences in primate neocortex are pronounced, with enrichment in circuits that participate in social information processing. A functional risk allele in the MET promoter, enriched in subgroups of children with autism spectrum disorder, reduces transcription and disrupts socially relevant neural circuits structurally and functionally. In mice, circuit-specific deletion of Met causes distinct atypical behaviors. MET activation increases dendritic complexity and nascent synapse number, but synapse maturation requires reductions in MET. MET mediates its specific biological effects through different intracellular signaling pathways and has a complex protein interactome that is enriched in autism spectrum disorder and other NDD candidates. The interactome is coregulated in developing human neocortex. We suggest that a gene as pleiotropic and highly regulated as MET, together with its interactome, is biologically relevant in normal and pathophysiological contexts, affecting central and peripheral phenotypes that contribute to NDD risk and clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathie L Eagleson
- Program in Developmental Neurogenetics, Institute for the Developing Mind Children's Hospital Los Angeles, CA; Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Zhihui Xie
- Program in Developmental Neurogenetics, Institute for the Developing Mind Children's Hospital Los Angeles, CA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Program in Developmental Neurogenetics, Institute for the Developing Mind Children's Hospital Los Angeles, CA; Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
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Xie Z, Li J, Baker J, Eagleson KL, Coba MP, Levitt P. Receptor Tyrosine Kinase MET Interactome and Neurodevelopmental Disorder Partners at the Developing Synapse. Biol Psychiatry 2016; 80:933-942. [PMID: 27086544 PMCID: PMC5001930 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atypical synapse development and plasticity are implicated in many neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). NDD-associated, high-confidence risk genes have been identified, yet little is known about functional relationships at the level of protein-protein interactions, which are the dominant molecular bases responsible for mediating circuit development. METHODS Proteomics in three independent developing neocortical synaptosomal preparations identified putative interacting proteins of the ligand-activated MET receptor tyrosine kinase, an autism risk gene that mediates synapse development. The candidates were translated into interactome networks and analyzed bioinformatically. Additionally, three independent quantitative proximity ligation assays in cultured neurons and four independent immunoprecipitation analyses of synaptosomes validated protein interactions. RESULTS Approximately 11% (8/72) of MET-interacting proteins, including SHANK3, SYNGAP1, and GRIN2B, are associated with NDDs. Proteins in the MET interactome were translated into a novel MET interactome network based on human protein-protein interaction databases. High-confidence genes from different NDD datasets that encode synaptosomal proteins were analyzed for being enriched in MET interactome proteins. This was found for autism but not schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. There is correlated gene expression between MET and its interactive partners in developing human temporal and visual neocortices but not with highly expressed genes that are not in the interactome. Proximity ligation assays and biochemical analyses demonstrate that MET-protein partner interactions are dynamically regulated by receptor activation. CONCLUSIONS The results provide a novel molecular framework for deciphering the functional relations of key regulators of synaptogenesis that contribute to both typical cortical development and to NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Xie
- Department of Pediatrics and The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jing Li
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jonathan Baker
- College of Science, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana
| | - Kathie L Eagleson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California; Los Angeles, California
| | - Marcelo P Coba
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Pat Levitt
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California; Los Angeles, California; Program in Developmental Neurogenetics, Institute for the Developing Mind and The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
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Hepatocyte Growth Factor Modulates MET Receptor Tyrosine Kinase and β-Catenin Functional Interactions to Enhance Synapse Formation. eNeuro 2016; 3:eN-NWR-0074-16. [PMID: 27595133 PMCID: PMC5002983 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0074-16.2016] [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: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
MET, a pleiotropic receptor tyrosine kinase implicated in autism risk, influences multiple neurodevelopmental processes. There is a knowledge gap, however, in the molecular mechanism through which MET mediates developmental events related to disorder risk. In the neocortex, MET is expressed transiently during periods of peak dendritic outgrowth and synaptogenesis, with expression enriched at developing synapses, consistent with demonstrated roles in dendritic morphogenesis, modulation of spine volume, and excitatory synapse development. In a recent coimmunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry screen, β-catenin was identified as part of the MET interactome in developing neocortical synaptosomes. Here, we investigated the influence of the MET/β-catenin complex in mouse neocortical synaptogenesis. Western blot analysis confirms that MET and β-catenin coimmunoprecipitate, but N-cadherin is not associated with the MET complex. Following stimulation with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), β-catenin is phosphorylated at tyrosine142 (Y142) and dissociates from MET, accompanied by an increase in β-catenin/N-cadherin and MET/synapsin 1 protein complexes. In neocortical neurons in vitro, proximity ligation assays confirmed the close proximity of these proteins. Moreover, in neurons transfected with synaptophysin-GFP, HGF stimulation increases the density of synaptophysin/bassoon (a presynaptic marker) and synaptophysin/PSD-95 (a postsynaptic marker) clusters. Mutation of β-catenin at Y142 disrupts the dissociation of the MET/β-catenin complex and prevents the increase in clusters in response to HGF. The data demonstrate a new mechanism for the modulation of synapse formation, whereby MET activation induces an alignment of presynaptic and postsynaptic elements that are necessary for assembly and formation of functional synapses by subsets of neocortical neurons that express MET/β-catenin complex.
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Heun-Johnson H, Levitt P. Early-Life Stress Paradigm Transiently Alters Maternal Behavior, Dam-Pup Interactions, and Offspring Vocalizations in Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:142. [PMID: 27458353 PMCID: PMC4932116 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models can help elucidate the mechanisms through which early-life stress (ELS) has pathophysiological effects on the developing brain. One model that has been developed for rodents consists of limiting the amount of bedding and nesting material during the first postnatal weeks of pup life. This ELS environment has been shown to induce "abusive" behaviors by rat dams towards pups, while mouse dams have been hypothesized to display "fragmented care". Here, as part of an ongoing study of gene-environment interactions that impact brain development, we analyzed long observation periods of wild-type C57Bl/6J dams caring for wild-type and Met heterozygous pups. Met encodes for the MET receptor tyrosine kinase, which is involved in cortical and hippocampal synaptogenesis. Dams with limited resources from postnatal day (P)2 to P9 preserved regular long on-nest periods, and instead increased the number of discrete dam-pup interactions during regular off-nest periods. Immediately after dams entered the nest during off-nest periods in this ELS environment, pups responded to these qualitatively different interactions with an increased number of ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) and audible vocalizations (AV), communication signals that have been associated with aversive and painful stimuli. After returning to control conditions, nest entry behaviors normalized, and dams did not show altered anxiety-like or contextual fear learning behaviors after pup weaning. Furthermore, female mice that had undergone ELS as pups did not show atypical nest entry behaviors in control conditions in adulthood, suggesting that these specific maternal behaviors are not learned during the ELS period. The results suggest that atypical responses of both mother and pups during exposure to this ELS environment likely contribute to long-term negative outcomes in mice, and that these responses more closely resemble the effects of limited bedding on rat dams and pups than was previously suggested. Discerning how different early-life stressors mediate changes in maternal-pup interactions can help elucidate the mechanisms of ELS on brain development and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanke Heun-Johnson
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Institute for the Developing Mind, Children’s Hospital Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA, USA
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