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Diamanti T, Trobiani L, Mautone L, Serafini F, Gioia R, Ferrucci L, Lauro C, Bianchi S, Perfetto C, Guglielmo S, Sollazzo R, Giorda E, Setini A, Ragozzino D, Miranda E, Comoletti D, Di Angelantonio S, Cacci E, De Jaco A. Glucocorticoids rescue cell surface trafficking of R451C Neuroligin3 and enhance synapse formation. Traffic 2024; 25:e12930. [PMID: 38272450 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12930] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Neuroligins are synaptic cell adhesion proteins with a role in synaptic function, implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. The autism spectrum disorder-associated substitution Arg451Cys (R451C) in NLGN3 promotes a partial misfolding of the extracellular domain of the protein leading to retention in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the induction of the unfolded protein response (UPR). The reduced trafficking of R451C NLGN3 to the cell surface leads to altered synaptic function and social behavior. A screening in HEK-293 cells overexpressing NLGN3 of 2662 compounds (FDA-approved small molecule drug library), led to the identification of several glucocorticoids such as alclometasone dipropionate, desonide, prednisolone sodium phosphate, and dexamethasone (DEX), with the ability to favor the exit of full-length R451C NLGN3 from the ER. DEX improved the stability of R451C NLGN3 and trafficking to the cell surface, reduced the activation of the UPR, and increased the formation of artificial synapses between HEK-293 and hippocampal primary neurons. The effect of DEX was validated on a novel model system represented by neural stem progenitor cells and differentiated neurons derived from the R451C NLGN3 knock-in mouse, expressing the endogenous protein. This work shows a potential rescue strategy for an autism-linked mutation affecting cell surface trafficking of a synaptic protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Diamanti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Trobiani
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Lorenza Mautone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Serafini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Gioia
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Ferrucci
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Clotilde Lauro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Bianchi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Perfetto
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Guglielmo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Raimondo Sollazzo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ezio Giorda
- Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Setini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Ragozzino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Miranda
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Comoletti
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- D-tails s.r.l. Via di Torre Rossa, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cacci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella De Jaco
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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2
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Low-Dose Taxol Promotes Neuronal Axons Extension and Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury. Mediators Inflamm 2023; 2023:5604103. [PMID: 36741075 PMCID: PMC9897914 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5604103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Axonal regeneration has been the research focus in the field of clinical treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI). The growth and extension of neuronal axons is a dynamic biological process mediated by the cytoskeleton, and microtubule plays an important role in axonal growth. Moderate stabilization of microtubule promotes axonal growth and eliminates various intra- and extracellular mechanisms that impede axonal regeneration. After SCI, the damaged axons rapidly form a growth cone, wherein the stability of tubulin decreases, impairing axonal regeneration. Taxol with proven clinical safety is commonly used as a broad-spectrum antitumor drug. Importantly, Taxol can promote axonal extension by enhancing and stabilizing the microtubule assembly. In our study, we systematically investigated the differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro and functional recovery in injured rats in vivo following Taxol treatment. Low-dose Taxol promoted differentiation of NSCs to neurons and significantly extended the axons in vitro. In vivo, Taxol promoted the expression of βIII-tubulin in the injured areas and motor function recovery after SCI. Low-dose Taxol is a promising clinical agent to promote axonal regeneration after SCI.
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Fong BC, Chakroun I, Iqbal MA, Paul S, Bastasic J, O’Neil D, Yakubovich E, Bejjani AT, Ahmadi N, Carter A, Clark A, Leone G, Park DS, Ghanem N, Vandenbosch R, Slack RS. The Rb/E2F axis is a key regulator of the molecular signatures instructing the quiescent and activated adult neural stem cell state. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111578. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Ma R, Zhao L, Zhao Y, Li Y. Puerarin action on stem cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis: Therapeutic implications for geriatric diseases. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 96:153915. [PMID: 35026503 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aging is associated with a decline in cognitive and physical functions and various geriatric diseases, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Puerarin (Pue), one of the main active flavonoids of Radix Puerariae (R. pueraria), is reportedly effective in treating geriatric diseases, including cardiovascular disease and hypertension. PURPOSE This review aims to summarize and discuss the profound physiological impact of Pue on various stem cell populations and provide new insights into the use of Pue for the prevention and treatment of geriatric diseases. METHODS The literature was retrieved from the core collection of electronic databases, such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct, using the following keywords and terms: Puerarin, Stem Cell, Proliferation, Differentiation, Apoptosis, and Geriatric diseases. These keywords were used in multiple overlapping combinations. RESULTS Pue is effective in the treatment and management of age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cerebrovascular disease. Pue exerts significant physiological effects on various stem cell populations, including their self-renewal/proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Most importantly, it could improve the efficiency and accuracy of stem cell therapy for treating various geriatric diseases. Further studies are essential to improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and elucidate their significance for future clinical applications. CONCLUSION The effects of Pue on various stem cell populations and their regulatory mechanisms are discussed in detail to provide new insights into the use of Pue in the prevention and treatment of geriatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruishuang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Lucy Zhao
- Institute for Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Functional Genomics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yuming Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
| | - Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
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5
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Wild-Type and Mutant FUS Expression Reduce Proliferation and Neuronal Differentiation Properties of Neural Stem Progenitor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147566. [PMID: 34299185 PMCID: PMC8304973 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nervous system development involves proliferation and cell specification of progenitor cells into neurons and glial cells. Unveiling how this complex process is orchestrated under physiological conditions and deciphering the molecular and cellular changes leading to neurological diseases is mandatory. To date, great efforts have been aimed at identifying gene mutations associated with many neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Mutations in the RNA/DNA binding protein Fused in Sarcoma/Translocated in Liposarcoma (FUS/TLS) have been associated with motor neuron degeneration in rodents and humans. Furthermore, increased levels of the wild-type protein can promote neuronal cell death. Despite the well-established causal link between FUS mutations and ALS, its role in neural cells remains elusive. In order to shed new light on FUS functions we studied its role in the control of neural stem progenitor cell (NSPC) properties. Here, we report that human wild-type Fused in Sarcoma (WT FUS), exogenously expressed in mouse embryonic spinal cord-derived NSPCs, was localized in the nucleus, caused cell cycle arrest in G1 phase by affecting cell cycle regulator expression, and strongly reduced neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, the expression of the human mutant form of FUS (P525L-FUS), associated with early-onset ALS, drives the cells preferentially towards a glial lineage, strongly reducing the number of developing neurons. These results provide insight into the involvement of FUS in NSPC proliferation and differentiation into neurons and glia.
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Poiana G, Gioia R, Sineri S, Cardarelli S, Lupo G, Cacci E. Transcriptional regulation of adult neural stem/progenitor cells: tales from the subventricular zone. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:1773-1783. [PMID: 32246617 PMCID: PMC7513981 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.280301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In rodents, well characterized neurogenic niches of the adult brain, such as the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone of the hippocampus, support the maintenance of neural/stem progenitor cells (NSPCs) and the production of new neurons throughout the lifespan. The adult neurogenic process is dependent on the intrinsic gene expression signatures of NSPCs that make them competent for self-renewal and neuronal differentiation. At the same time, it is receptive to regulation by various extracellular signals that allow the modulation of neuronal production and integration into brain circuitries by various physiological stimuli. A drawback of this plasticity is the sensitivity of adult neurogenesis to alterations of the niche environment that can occur due to aging, injury or disease. At the core of the molecular mechanisms regulating neurogenesis, several transcription factors have been identified that maintain NSPC identity and mediate NSPC response to extrinsic cues. Here, we focus on REST, Egr1 and Dbx2 and their roles in adult neurogenesis, especially in the subventricular zone. We review recent work from our and other laboratories implicating these transcription factors in the control of NSPC proliferation and differentiation and in the response of NSPCs to extrinsic influences from the niche. We also discuss how their altered regulation may affect the neurogenic process in the aged and in the diseased brain. Finally, we highlight key open questions that need to be addressed to foster our understanding of the transcriptional mechanisms controlling adult neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Poiana
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Gioia
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Sineri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Cardarelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lupo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cacci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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7
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Stronati E, Conti R, Cacci E, Cardarelli S, Biagioni S, Poiana G. Extracellular Vesicle-Induced Differentiation of Neural Stem Progenitor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20153691. [PMID: 31357666 PMCID: PMC6696602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural stem progenitor cells (NSPCs) from E13.5 mouse embryos can be maintained in culture under proliferating conditions. Upon growth-factor removal, they may differentiate toward either neuronal or glial phenotypes or both. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that are part of the cell secretome; they may contain and deliver both proteins and genetic material and thus play a role in cell-cell communication, guide axonal growth, modulate synaptic activity and regulate peripheral nerve regeneration. In this work, we were interested in determining whether NSPCs and their progeny can produce and secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) and if their content can affect cell differentiation. Our results indicate that cultured NSPCs produce and secrete EVs both under proliferating conditions and after differentiation. Treatment of proliferating NSPCs with EVs derived from differentiated NSPCs triggers cell differentiation in a dose-dependent manner, as demonstrated by glial- and neuronal-marker expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Stronati
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Department of Biological Science, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275, USA
| | - Roberta Conti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cacci
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Silvia Cardarelli
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Biagioni
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Poiana
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy.
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BMP6 expression in the adult rat central nervous system. J Chem Neuroanat 2019; 98:41-54. [PMID: 30928603 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BMP6, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, is known to be involved in many diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that BMP6 plays pivotal roles in the central nervous system (CNS), however, there's no information about the distribution of BMP6 in the adult CNS. Therefore, we investigated BMP6 expression in the CNS using immunohistochemistry. BMP6 was intensely expressed in most neurons and their axons. Furthermore, we found that oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and ependymal cells also express BMP6 protein. These data indicate that BMP6 is widely expressed throughout the adult CNS, and its abundant expression in the adult brain strongly supports the idea that BMP6 plays important roles in the adult brain.
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Increased FUS levels in astrocytes leads to astrocyte and microglia activation and neuronal death. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4572. [PMID: 30872738 PMCID: PMC6418113 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41040-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations of Fused in sarcoma (FUS), a ribonucleoprotein involved in RNA metabolism, have been found associated with both familial and sporadic cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Notably, besides mutations in the coding sequence, also mutations into the 3′ untranslated region, leading to increased levels of the wild-type protein, have been associated with neuronal death and ALS pathology, in ALS models and patients. The mechanistic link between altered FUS levels and ALS-related neurodegeneration is far to be elucidated, as well as the consequences of elevated FUS levels in the modulation of the inflammatory response sustained by glial cells, a well-recognized player in ALS progression. Here, we studied the effect of wild-type FUS overexpression on the responsiveness of mouse and human neural progenitor-derived astrocytes to a pro-inflammatory stimulus (IL1β) used to mimic an inflammatory environment. We found that astrocytes with increased FUS levels were more sensitive to IL1β, as shown by their enhanced expression of inflammatory genes, compared with control astrocytes. Moreover, astrocytes overexpressing FUS promoted neuronal cell death and pro-inflammatory microglia activation. We conclude that overexpression of wild-type FUS intrinsically affects astrocyte reactivity and drives their properties toward pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic functions, suggesting that a non-cell autonomous mechanism can support neurodegeneration in FUS-mutated animals and patients.
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Vuokila N, Lukasiuk K, Bot AM, van Vliet EA, Aronica E, Pitkänen A, Puhakka N. miR-124-3p is a chronic regulator of gene expression after brain injury. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:4557-4581. [PMID: 30155647 PMCID: PMC11105702 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2911-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) initiates molecular and cellular pathologies that underlie post-injury morbidities, including hippocampus-related memory decline and epileptogenesis. Non-coding small RNAs are master regulators of gene expression with the potential to affect multiple molecular pathways. To evaluate whether hippocampal gene expression networks are chronically regulated by microRNAs after TBI, we sampled the dentate gyrus of rats with severe TBI induced by lateral fluid-percussion injury 3 months earlier. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed 30 upregulated miR-124-3p targets, suggesting that miR-124-3p is downregulated post-TBI (z-score = - 5.146, p < 0.05). Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) and in situ hybridization confirmed the chronic downregulation of miR-124-3p (p < 0.05). Quantitative PCR analysis of two targets, Plp2 and Stat3, indicated that their upregulation correlated with the miR-124-3p downregulation (r = - 0.647, p < 0.05; r = - 0.629, p < 0.05, respectively). Immunohistochemical staining of STAT3 confirmed the increased protein expression. STRING analysis showed that 9 of the 30 miR-124-3p targets belonged to a STAT3 network. Reactome analysis and data mining connected the targets especially to inflammation and signal transduction. L1000CDS2 software revealed drugs (e.g., importazole, trichostatin A, and IKK-16) that could reverse the observed molecular changes. The translational value of our data was emphasized by in situ hybridization showing chronic post-traumatic downregulation of miR-124-3p in the dentate gyrus of TBI patients. Analysis of another brain injury model, status epilepticus, highlighted the fact that chronic downregulation of miR-124 is a common phenomenon after brain injury. Together, our findings indicate that miR-124-3p is a chronic modulator of molecular networks relevant to post-injury hippocampal pathologies in experimental models and in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niina Vuokila
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Katarzyna Lukasiuk
- The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Str, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Maria Bot
- The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Str, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Erwin A van Vliet
- Department of (Neuro)pathology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)pathology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Asla Pitkänen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Noora Puhakka
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
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Lupo G, Nisi PS, Esteve P, Paul YL, Novo CL, Sidders B, Khan MA, Biagioni S, Liu HK, Bovolenta P, Cacci E, Rugg-Gunn PJ. Molecular profiling of aged neural progenitors identifies Dbx2 as a candidate regulator of age-associated neurogenic decline. Aging Cell 2018; 17:e12745. [PMID: 29504228 PMCID: PMC5946077 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis declines with aging due to the depletion and functional impairment of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs). An improved understanding of the underlying mechanisms that drive age‐associated neurogenic deficiency could lead to the development of strategies to alleviate cognitive impairment and facilitate neuroregeneration. An essential step towards this aim is to investigate the molecular changes that occur in NSPC aging on a genomewide scale. In this study, we compare the transcriptional, histone methylation and DNA methylation signatures of NSPCs derived from the subventricular zone (SVZ) of young adult (3 months old) and aged (18 months old) mice. Surprisingly, the transcriptional and epigenomic profiles of SVZ‐derived NSPCs are largely unchanged in aged cells. Despite the global similarities, we detect robust age‐dependent changes at several hundred genes and regulatory elements, thereby identifying putative regulators of neurogenic decline. Within this list, the homeobox gene Dbx2 is upregulated in vitro and in vivo, and its promoter region has altered histone and DNA methylation levels, in aged NSPCs. Using functional in vitro assays, we show that elevated Dbx2 expression in young adult NSPCs promotes age‐related phenotypes, including the reduced proliferation of NSPC cultures and the altered transcript levels of age‐associated regulators of NSPC proliferation and differentiation. Depleting Dbx2 in aged NSPCs caused the reverse gene expression changes. Taken together, these results provide new insights into the molecular programmes that are affected during mouse NSPC aging, and uncover a new functional role for Dbx2 in promoting age‐related neurogenic decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lupo
- Department of Chemistry; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - Paola S. Nisi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - Pilar Esteve
- Centro de Biologia Molecular “Severo Ochoa”; Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas-Universidad Autonoma de Madrid; Madrid Spain
- CIBER of Rare Diseases; ISCIII; Madrid Spain
| | - Yu-Lee Paul
- Epigenetics Programme; The Babraham Institute; Cambridge UK
| | | | - Ben Sidders
- Bioscience; Oncology; IMED Biotech Unit; AstraZeneca; Cambridge UK
| | - Muhammad A. Khan
- Division of Molecular Neurogenetics; German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ); DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance; Heidelberg Germany
| | - Stefano Biagioni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - Hai-Kun Liu
- Division of Molecular Neurogenetics; German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ); DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance; Heidelberg Germany
| | - Paola Bovolenta
- Centro de Biologia Molecular “Severo Ochoa”; Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas-Universidad Autonoma de Madrid; Madrid Spain
- CIBER of Rare Diseases; ISCIII; Madrid Spain
| | - Emanuele Cacci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - Peter J. Rugg-Gunn
- Epigenetics Programme; The Babraham Institute; Cambridge UK
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute; University of Cambridge; Cambridge UK
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12
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Carucci N, Cacci E, Nisi PS, Licursi V, Paul YL, Biagioni S, Negri R, Rugg-Gunn PJ, Lupo G. Transcriptional response of Hoxb genes to retinoid signalling is regionally restricted along the neural tube rostrocaudal axis. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:160913. [PMID: 28484611 PMCID: PMC5414248 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
During vertebrate neural development, positional information is largely specified by extracellular morphogens. Their distribution, however, is very dynamic due to the multiple roles played by the same signals in the developing and adult neural tissue. This suggests that neural progenitors are able to modify their competence to respond to morphogen signalling and autonomously maintain positional identities after their initial specification. In this work, we take advantage of in vitro culture systems of mouse neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) to show that NSPCs isolated from rostral or caudal regions of the mouse neural tube are differentially responsive to retinoic acid (RA), a pivotal morphogen for the specification of posterior neural fates. Hoxb genes are among the best known RA direct targets in the neural tissue, yet we found that RA could promote their transcription only in caudal but not in rostral NSPCs. Correlating with these effects, key RA-responsive regulatory regions in the Hoxb cluster displayed opposite enrichment of activating or repressing histone marks in rostral and caudal NSPCs. Finally, RA was able to strengthen Hoxb chromatin activation in caudal NSPCs, but was ineffective on the repressed Hoxb chromatin of rostral NSPCs. These results suggest that the response of NSPCs to morphogen signalling across the rostrocaudal axis of the neural tube may be gated by the epigenetic configuration of target patterning genes, allowing long-term maintenance of intrinsic positional values in spite of continuously changing extrinsic signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Carucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘C. Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cacci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘C. Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola S. Nisi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘C. Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Licursi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘C. Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Yu-Lee Paul
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Stefano Biagioni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘C. Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Negri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘C. Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur— Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Lupo
- Istituto Pasteur— Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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