1
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Shin D, Kim CN, Ross J, Hennick KM, Wu SR, Paranjape N, Leonard R, Wang JC, Keefe MG, Pavlovic BJ, Donohue KC, Moreau C, Wigdor EM, Larson HH, Allen DE, Cadwell CR, Bhaduri A, Popova G, Bearden CE, Pollen AA, Jacquemont S, Sanders SJ, Haussler D, Wiita AP, Frost NA, Sohal VS, Nowakowski TJ. Thalamocortical organoids enable in vitro modeling of 22q11.2 microdeletion associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:421-432.e8. [PMID: 38382530 PMCID: PMC10939828 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.01.010] [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: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Thalamic dysfunction has been implicated in multiple psychiatric disorders. We sought to study the mechanisms by which abnormalities emerge in the context of the 22q11.2 microdeletion, which confers significant genetic risk for psychiatric disorders. We investigated early stages of human thalamus development using human pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids and show that the 22q11.2 microdeletion underlies widespread transcriptional dysregulation associated with psychiatric disorders in thalamic neurons and glia, including elevated expression of FOXP2. Using an organoid co-culture model, we demonstrate that the 22q11.2 microdeletion mediates an overgrowth of thalamic axons in a FOXP2-dependent manner. Finally, we identify ROBO2 as a candidate molecular mediator of the effects of FOXP2 overexpression on thalamic axon overgrowth. Together, our study suggests that early steps in thalamic development are dysregulated in a model of genetic risk for schizophrenia and contribute to neural phenotypes in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Shin
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Chang N Kim
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jayden Ross
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Kelsey M Hennick
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Sih-Rong Wu
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Neha Paranjape
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
| | - Rachel Leonard
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jerrick C Wang
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Matthew G Keefe
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Bryan J Pavlovic
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Kevin C Donohue
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Clara Moreau
- Sainte Justine Research Center, University of Montréal, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Imaging Genetics Center, Stevens Institute for Neuroimaging and Informatics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, CA, USA
| | - Emilie M Wigdor
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7TY, UK
| | - H Hanh Larson
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Denise E Allen
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Cathryn R Cadwell
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Aparna Bhaduri
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Galina Popova
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Carrie E Bearden
- Integrative Center for Neurogenetics, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Departments of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Alex A Pollen
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Sebastien Jacquemont
- Sainte Justine Research Center, University of Montréal, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Stephan J Sanders
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7TY, UK
| | - David Haussler
- UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA; Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Arun P Wiita
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Nicholas A Frost
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
| | - Vikaas S Sohal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Tomasz J Nowakowski
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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Baričević Z, Pongrac M, Ivaničić M, Hreščak H, Tomljanović I, Petrović A, Cojoc D, Mladinic M, Ban J. SOX2 and SOX9 Expression in Developing Postnatal Opossum ( Monodelphis domestica) Cortex. Biomolecules 2024; 14:70. [PMID: 38254670 PMCID: PMC10813269 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010070] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Central nervous system (CNS) development is characterized by dynamic changes in cell proliferation and differentiation. Key regulators of these transitions are the transcription factors such as SOX2 and SOX9. SOX2 is involved in the maintenance of progenitor cell state and neural stem cell multipotency, while SOX9, expressed in neurogenic niches, plays an important role in neuron/glia switch with predominant expression in astrocytes in the adult brain. (2) Methods: To validate SOX2 and SOX9 expression patterns in developing opossum (Monodelphis domestica) cortex, we used immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the isotropic fractionator method on fixed cortical tissue from comparable postnatal ages, as well as dissociated primary neuronal cultures. (3) Results: Neurons positive for both neuronal (TUJ1 or NeuN) and stem cell (SOX2) markers were identified, and their presence was confirmed with all methods and postnatal age groups (P4-6, P6-18, and P30) analyzed. SOX9 showed exclusive staining in non-neuronal cells, and it was coexpressed with SOX2. (4) Conclusions: The persistence of SOX2 expression in developing cortical neurons of M. domestica during the first postnatal month implies the functional role of SOX2 during neuronal differentiation and maturation, which was not previously reported in opossums.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zrinko Baričević
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (Z.B.); (M.P.); (M.I.); (H.H.); (I.T.); (A.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Marta Pongrac
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (Z.B.); (M.P.); (M.I.); (H.H.); (I.T.); (A.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Matea Ivaničić
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (Z.B.); (M.P.); (M.I.); (H.H.); (I.T.); (A.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Helena Hreščak
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (Z.B.); (M.P.); (M.I.); (H.H.); (I.T.); (A.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Ivana Tomljanović
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (Z.B.); (M.P.); (M.I.); (H.H.); (I.T.); (A.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Antonela Petrović
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (Z.B.); (M.P.); (M.I.); (H.H.); (I.T.); (A.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Dan Cojoc
- CNR-IOM, Materials Foundry, National Research Council of Italy, 34149 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Miranda Mladinic
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (Z.B.); (M.P.); (M.I.); (H.H.); (I.T.); (A.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Jelena Ban
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (Z.B.); (M.P.); (M.I.); (H.H.); (I.T.); (A.P.); (M.M.)
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Benítez-Burraco A, Uriagereka J, Nataf S. The genomic landscape of mammal domestication might be orchestrated by selected transcription factors regulating brain and craniofacial development. Dev Genes Evol 2023; 233:123-135. [PMID: 37552321 PMCID: PMC10746608 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-023-00709-7] [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: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Domestication transforms once wild animals into tamed animals that can be then exploited by humans. The process entails modifications in the body, cognition, and behavior that are essentially driven by differences in gene expression patterns. Although genetic and epigenetic mechanisms were shown to underlie such differences, less is known about the role exerted by trans-regulatory molecules, notably transcription factors (TFs) in domestication. In this paper, we conducted extensive in silico analyses aimed to clarify the TF landscape of mammal domestication. We first searched the literature, so as to establish a large list of genes selected with domestication in mammals. From this list, we selected genes experimentally demonstrated to exhibit TF functions. We also considered TFs displaying a statistically significant number of targets among the entire list of (domestication) selected genes. This workflow allowed us to identify 5 candidate TFs (SOX2, KLF4, MITF, NR3C1, NR3C2) that were further assessed in terms of biochemical and functional properties. We found that such TFs-of-interest related to mammal domestication are all significantly involved in the development of the brain and the craniofacial region, as well as the immune response and lipid metabolism. A ranking strategy, essentially based on a survey of protein-protein interactions datasets, allowed us to identify SOX2 as the main candidate TF involved in domestication-associated evolutionary changes. These findings should help to clarify the molecular mechanics of domestication and are of interest for future studies aimed to understand the behavioral and cognitive changes associated to domestication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Benítez-Burraco
- Department of Spanish, Linguistics, and Theory of Literature (Linguistics), Faculty of Philology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain.
- Área de Lingüística General, Departamento de Lengua Española, Lingüística y Teoría de la Literatura, Facultad de Filología, Universidad de Sevilla, C/ Palos de la Frontera s/n., 41007-, Sevilla, España.
| | - Juan Uriagereka
- Department of Linguistics and School of Languages, Literatures & Cultures, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Serge Nataf
- Stem-cell and Brain Research Institute, 18 avenue de Doyen Lépine, F-69500, Bron, France
- University of Lyon 1, 43 Bd du 11 Novembre 1918, F-69100, Villeurbanne, France
- Bank of Tissues and Cells, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Place d'Arsonval, F-69003, Lyon, France
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4
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Gao J, Lu Y, Luo Y, Duan X, Chen P, Zhang X, Wu X, Qiu M, Shen W. β-Catenin and SOX2 Interaction Regulate Visual Experience-Dependent Cell Homeostasis in the Developing Xenopus Thalamus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13593. [PMID: 37686400 PMCID: PMC10488257 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713593] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In the vertebrate brain, sensory experience plays a crucial role in shaping thalamocortical connections for visual processing. However, it is still not clear how visual experience influences tissue homeostasis and neurogenesis in the developing thalamus. Here, we reported that the majority of SOX2-positive cells in the thalamus are differentiated neurons that receive visual inputs as early as stage 47 Xenopus. Visual deprivation (VD) for 2 days shifts the neurogenic balance toward proliferation at the expense of differentiation, which is accompanied by a reduction in nuclear-accumulated β-catenin in SOX2-positive neurons. The knockdown of β-catenin decreases the expression of SOX2 and increases the number of progenitor cells. Coimmunoprecipitation studies reveal the evolutionary conservation of strong interactions between β-catenin and SOX2. These findings indicate that β-catenin interacts with SOX2 to maintain homeostatic neurogenesis during thalamus development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanmei Gao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China (M.Q.)
- College of Life and Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yufang Lu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China (M.Q.)
| | - Yuhao Luo
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China (M.Q.)
| | - Xinyi Duan
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China (M.Q.)
| | - Peiyao Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China (M.Q.)
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China (M.Q.)
| | - Xiaohua Wu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China (M.Q.)
| | - Mengsheng Qiu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China (M.Q.)
- College of Life and Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wanhua Shen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China (M.Q.)
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Hong Y, Song K, Zhang Z, Deng Y, Zhang X, Zhao J, Jiang J, Zhang Q, Guo C, Peng C. The spatiotemporal dynamics of spatially variable genes in developing mouse brain revealed by a novel computational scheme. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:264. [PMID: 37500639 PMCID: PMC10374563 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01569-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand how brain regions form and work, it is important to explore the spatially variable genes (SVGs) enriched in specific brain regions during development. Spatial transcriptomics techniques provide opportunity to select SVGs in the high-throughput way. However, previous methods neglected the ranking order and combinatorial effect of SVGs, making them difficult to automatically select the high-priority SVGs from spatial transcriptomics data. Here, we proposed a novel computational pipeline, called SVGbit, to rank the individual and combinatorial SVGs for marker selection in various brain regions, which was tested in different kinds of public datasets for both human and mouse brains. We then generated the spatial transcriptomics and immunohistochemistry data from mouse brain at critical embryonic and neonatal stages. The results show that our ranking and clustering scheme captures the key SVGs which coincide with known anatomic regions in the developing mouse brain. More importantly, SVGbit can facilitate the identification of multiple gene combination sets in different brain regions. We identified three dynamical sub-regions which can be segregated by the staining of Sox2 and Calb2 in thalamus, and we also found that Nr4a2 expression gradually segregates the neocortex and hippocampus during the development. In summary, our work not only reveals the spatiotemporal dynamics of individual and combinatorial SVGs in developing mouse brain, but also provides a novel computational pipeline to facilitate the selection of marker genes from spatial transcriptomics data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingzhou Hong
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Kai Song
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Zongbo Zhang
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Yuxia Deng
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Jinqian Zhao
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Jun Jiang
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Chunming Guo
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.
| | - Cheng Peng
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.
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6
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Engert J, Spahn B, Bieniussa L, Hagen R, Rak K, Voelker J. Neurogenic Stem Cell Niche in the Auditory Thalamus: In Vitro Evidence of Neural Stem Cells in the Rat Medial Geniculate Body. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051188. [PMID: 37240833 DOI: 10.3390/life13051188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The medial geniculate body (MGB) is a nucleus of the diencephalon representing a relevant segment of the auditory pathway and is part of the metathalamus. It receives afferent information via the inferior brachium of the inferior colliculus and transmits efferent fibers via acoustic radiations to the auditory cortex. Neural stem cells (NSCs) have been detected in certain areas along the auditory pathway. They are of great importance as the induction of an adult stem cell niche might open a regenerative approach to a causal treatment of hearing disorders. Up to now, the existence of NSCs in the MGB has not been determined. Therefore, this study investigated whether the MGB has a neural stem cell potential. For this purpose, cells were extracted from the MGB of PND 8 Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured in a free-floating cell culture assay, which showed mitotic activity and positive staining for stem cell and progenitor markers. In differentiation assays, the markers β-III-tubulin, GFAP, and MBP demonstrated the capacity of single cells to differentiate into neuronal and glial cells. In conclusion, cells from the MGB exhibited the cardinal features of NSCs: self-renewal, the formation of progenitor cells, and differentiation into all neuronal lineage cells. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the development of the auditory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Engert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Bjoern Spahn
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Linda Bieniussa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Rudolf Hagen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Kristen Rak
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Voelker
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
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Mercurio S. SOX2-Sensing: Insights into the Role of SOX2 in the Generation of Sensory Cell Types in Vertebrates. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087637. [PMID: 37108798 PMCID: PMC10141063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087637] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The SOX2 transcription factor is a key regulator of nervous system development, and its mutation in humans leads to a rare disease characterized by severe eye defects, cognitive defects, hearing defects, abnormalities of the CNS and motor control problems. SOX2 has an essential role in neural stem cell maintenance in specific regions of the brain, and it is one of the master genes required for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells. Sox2 is expressed in sensory organs, and this review will illustrate how it regulates the differentiation of sensory cell types required for hearing, touching, tasting and smelling in vertebrates and, in particular, in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mercurio
- Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy
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8
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Wang Y, Yang Z. METTL3 relieved the injury of SH-SY5Y cells treated with lipopolysaccharide and exposed to sevoflurane through regulating the m6A levels of Sox2. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e2936. [PMID: 36977205 PMCID: PMC10176003 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication of the central nervous system in elderly patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) in the POCD progression. METHODS The SH-SY5Y cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and exposed to sevoflurane to establish a POCD cell model. The cell viability and proliferation were assessed with MTT and EdU assays. Besides, the cell apoptosis was determined with TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. Additionally, the inflammatory factors were measured with ELISA. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA Methylation Quantification Kit was used to detect the m6A levels. The relative expressions of methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) and Sex-determining region Y-box-2 (Sox2) was measured with RT-qPCR and western blot assays. RNA methylation immunoprecipitation-real-time quantitative PCR was performed to detect the RNA that was m6A modified. RESULTS After LPS treatment and sevoflurane exposure, the cell viability and proliferation were decreased and the cell apoptosis was elevated. The m6A and the METTL3 expression levels in the POCD cell model were declined. METTL3 overexpression promoted the cell growth and inhibited the cell apoptosis in the POCD cell model. Besides, the Sox2 levels were reduced in the POCD cell model. METTL3 silencing declined the m6A and mRNA levels of Sox2, while overexpression of METTL3 elevated it. The relationship between METTL3 and Sox2 was confirmed with double luciferase assay. Finally, Sox2 silencing neutralized the role of METTTL3 overexpression in the POCD cell model. CONCLUSION METTL3 relieved the injury of the SH-SY5Y cells induced by LPS treatment and sevoflurane exposure through regulating the m6A and mRNA levels of Sox2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeyong Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
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9
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Wang SN, Wang Z, Wang XY, Zhang XP, Xu TY, Miao CY. Humanized cerebral organoids-based ischemic stroke model for discovering of potential anti-stroke agents. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:513-523. [PMID: 36100766 PMCID: PMC9958103 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-00986-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Establishing a stoke experimental model, which is better in line with the physiology and function of human brain, is the bottleneck for the development of effective anti-stroke drugs. A three-dimensional cerebral organoids (COs) from human pluripotent stem cells can mimic cell composition, cortical structure, brain neural connectivity and epigenetic genomics of in-vivo human brain, which provides a promising application in establishing humanized ischemic stroke model. COs have been used for modeling low oxygen condition-induced hypoxic injury, but there is no report on the changes of COs in response to in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced damage of ischemic stroke as well as its application in testing anti-stroke drugs. In this study we compared the cell composition of COs at different culture time and explored the cell types, cell ratios and volume size of COs at 85 days (85 d-CO). The 85 d-CO with diameter more than 2 mm was chosen for establishing humanized ischemic stroke model of OGD. By determining the time-injury relationship of the model, we observed aggravated ischemic injury of COs with OGD exposure time, obtaining first-hand evidence for the damage degree of COs under different OGD condition. The sensitivity of the model to ischemic injury and related treatment was validated by the proven pan-Caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK (20 μM) and Bcl-2 inhibitor navitoclax (0.5 μM). Neuroprotective agents edaravone, butylphthalide, P7C3-A20 and ZL006 (10 μM for each) exerted similar beneficial effects in this model. Taken together, this study establishes a humanized ischemic stroke model based on COs, and provides evidence as a new research platform for anti-stroke drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Na Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Second Military Medical University/Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Second Military Medical University/Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xi-Yuan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Second Military Medical University/Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xiu-Ping Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Second Military Medical University/Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Tian-Ying Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Second Military Medical University/Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
- Department of Anesthesia Pharmacology, Second Military Medical University/Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Chao-Yu Miao
- Department of Pharmacology, Second Military Medical University/Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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10
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Santos-Ledo A, Pérez-Montes C, DeOliveira-Mello L, Arévalo R, Velasco A. Oligodendrocyte origin and development in the zebrafish visual system. J Comp Neurol 2023; 531:515-527. [PMID: 36477827 PMCID: PMC10107312 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25440] [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] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells in the central nervous system. In birds and mammals, the oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) originate in the preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus. However, it remains unclear in other vertebrates such as fish. Thus, we have studied the early progression of OPCs during zebrafish visual morphogenesis from 2 days post fertilization (dpf) until 11 dpf using the olig2:EGFP transgenic line; and we have analyzed the differential expression of transcription factors involved in oligodendrocyte differentiation: Sox2 (using immunohistochemistry) and Sox10 (using the transgenic line sox10:tagRFP). The first OPCs (olig2:EGFP/Sox2) were found at 2 dpf in the POA. From 3 dpf onwards, these olig2:EGFP/Sox2 cells migrate to the optic chiasm, where they invade the optic nerve (ON), extending toward the retina. At 5 dpf, olig2:EGFP/Sox2 cells in the ON also colocalize with sox10:tagRFP. When olig2:EGFP cells differentiate and present more projections, they become positive only for sox10:tagRFP. olig2:EGFP/sox10: tagRFP cells ensheath the ON by 5 dpf when they also become positive for a myelin marker, based on the mbpa:tagRFPt transgenic line. We also found olig2:EGFP cells in other regions of the visual system. In the central retina at 2 dpf, they are positive for Sox2 but later become restricted to the proliferative germinal zone without this marker. In the ventricular areas of the optic tectum, olig2:EGFP cells present Sox2 but arborized ones sox10:tagRFP instead. Our data matches with other models, where OPCs are specified in the POA and migrate to the ON through the optic chiasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Santos-Ledo
- Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, Instituto de NeurocienciasdeCastilla y León (INCyL), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Cristina Pérez-Montes
- Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, Instituto de NeurocienciasdeCastilla y León (INCyL), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Laura DeOliveira-Mello
- Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, Instituto de NeurocienciasdeCastilla y León (INCyL), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rosario Arévalo
- Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, Instituto de NeurocienciasdeCastilla y León (INCyL), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Almudena Velasco
- Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, Instituto de NeurocienciasdeCastilla y León (INCyL), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
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11
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Liu Y, Hong W, Gong P, Qi G, Wang X, Kang S, Tang H, Qin S. Specific knockout of Sox2 in astrocytes reduces reactive astrocyte formation and promotes recovery after early postnatal traumatic brain injury in mouse cortex. Glia 2023; 71:602-615. [PMID: 36353976 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In response to central nervous system (CNS) injury, astrocytes go through a series of alterations, referred to as reactive astrogliosis, ranging from changes in gene expression and cell hypertrophy to permanent astrocyte borders around stromal cell scars in CNS lesions. The mechanisms underlying injury-induced reactive astrocytes in the adult CNS have been extensively studied. However, little is known about injury-induced reactive astrocytes during early postnatal development. Astrocytes in the mouse cortex are mainly produced through local proliferation during the first 2 weeks after birth. Here we show that Sox2, a transcription factor critical for stem cells and brain development, is expressed in the early postnatal astrocytes and its expression level was increased in reactive astrocytes after traumatic brain injury (TBI) at postnatal day (P) 7 in the cortex. Using a tamoxifen-induced hGFAP-CreERT2; Sox2flox/flox ; Rosa-tdT mouse model, we found that specific knockout of Sox2 in astrocytes greatly inhibited the proliferation of reactive astrocytes, the formation of glia limitans borders and subsequently promoted the tissue recovery after postnatal TBI at P7 in the cortex. In addition, we found that injury-induced glia limitans borders were still formed at P2 in the wild-type mouse cortex, and knockout of Sox2 in astrocytes inhibited the reactivity of both astrocytes and microglia. Together, these findings provide evidence that Sox2 is essential for the reactivity of astrocytes in response to the cortical TBI during the early postnatal period and suggest that Sox2-dependent astrocyte reactivity is a potential target for therapeutic treatment after TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitong Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wentong Hong
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pifang Gong
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guibo Qi
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siying Kang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Tang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Song Qin
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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12
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Govek KW, Chen S, Sgourdou P, Yao Y, Woodhouse S, Chen T, Fuccillo MV, Epstein DJ, Camara PG. Developmental trajectories of thalamic progenitors revealed by single-cell transcriptome profiling and Shh perturbation. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111768. [PMID: 36476860 PMCID: PMC9880597 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The thalamus is the principal information hub of the vertebrate brain, with essential roles in sensory and motor information processing, attention, and memory. The complex array of thalamic nuclei develops from a restricted pool of neural progenitors. We apply longitudinal single-cell RNA sequencing and regional abrogation of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) to map the developmental trajectories of thalamic progenitors, intermediate progenitors, and post-mitotic neurons as they coalesce into distinct thalamic nuclei. These data reveal that the complex architecture of the thalamus is established early during embryonic brain development through the coordinated action of four cell differentiation lineages derived from Shh-dependent and -independent progenitors. We systematically characterize the gene expression programs that define these thalamic lineages across time and demonstrate how their disruption upon Shh depletion causes pronounced locomotor impairment resembling infantile Parkinson's disease. These results reveal key principles of thalamic development and provide mechanistic insights into neurodevelopmental disorders resulting from thalamic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiya W. Govek
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Sixing Chen
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Paraskevi Sgourdou
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yao Yao
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, 425 River Road, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Steven Woodhouse
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tingfang Chen
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marc V. Fuccillo
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Douglas J. Epstein
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Correspondence: (D.J.E.), (P.G.C.)
| | - Pablo G. Camara
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Lead contact,Correspondence: (D.J.E.), (P.G.C.)
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13
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D’Aurizio R, Catona O, Pitasi M, Li YE, Ren B, Nicolis SK. Bridging between Mouse and Human Enhancer-Promoter Long-Range Interactions in Neural Stem Cells, to Understand Enhancer Function in Neurodevelopmental Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147964. [PMID: 35887306 PMCID: PMC9322198 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-coding variation in complex human disease has been well established by genome-wide association studies, and is thought to involve regulatory elements, such as enhancers, whose variation affects the expression of the gene responsible for the disease. The regulatory elements often lie far from the gene they regulate, or within introns of genes differing from the regulated gene, making it difficult to identify the gene whose function is affected by a given enhancer variation. Enhancers are connected to their target gene promoters via long-range physical interactions (loops). In our study, we re-mapped, onto the human genome, more than 10,000 enhancers connected to promoters via long-range interactions, that we had previously identified in mouse brain-derived neural stem cells by RNApolII-ChIA-PET analysis, coupled to ChIP-seq mapping of DNA/chromatin regions carrying epigenetic enhancer marks. These interactions are thought to be functionally relevant. We discovered, in the human genome, thousands of DNA regions syntenic with the interacting mouse DNA regions (enhancers and connected promoters). We further annotated these human regions regarding their overlap with sequence variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs; copy number variants, CNVs), that were previously associated with neurodevelopmental disease in humans. We document various cases in which the genetic variant, associated in humans to neurodevelopmental disease, affects an enhancer involved in long-range interactions: SNPs, previously identified by genome-wide association studies to be associated with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and intelligence, are located within our human syntenic enhancers, and alter transcription factor recognition sites. Similarly, CNVs associated to autism spectrum disease and other neurodevelopmental disorders overlap with our human syntenic enhancers. Some of these enhancers are connected (in mice) to homologs of genes already associated to the human disease, strengthening the hypothesis that the gene is indeed involved in the disease. Other enhancers are connected to genes not previously associated with the disease, pointing to their possible pathogenetic involvement. Our observations provide a resource for further exploration of neural disease, in parallel with the now widespread genome-wide identification of DNA variants in patients with neural disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina D’Aurizio
- Institute of Informatics and Telematics (IIT), National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Orazio Catona
- Institute of Informatics and Telematics (IIT), National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Mattia Pitasi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; (M.P.); (S.K.N.)
| | - Yang Eric Li
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (Y.E.L.); (B.R.)
| | - Bing Ren
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (Y.E.L.); (B.R.)
| | - Silvia Kirsten Nicolis
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; (M.P.); (S.K.N.)
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14
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Mercurio S, Serra L, Pagin M, Nicolis SK. Deconstructing Sox2 Function in Brain Development and Disease. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101604. [PMID: 35626641 PMCID: PMC9139651 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
SOX2 is a transcription factor conserved throughout vertebrate evolution, whose expression marks the central nervous system from the earliest developmental stages. In humans, SOX2 mutation leads to a spectrum of CNS defects, including vision and hippocampus impairments, intellectual disability, and motor control problems. Here, we review how conditional Sox2 knockout (cKO) in mouse with different Cre recombinases leads to very diverse phenotypes in different regions of the developing and postnatal brain. Surprisingly, despite the widespread expression of Sox2 in neural stem/progenitor cells of the developing neural tube, some regions (hippocampus, ventral forebrain) appear much more vulnerable than others to Sox2 deletion. Furthermore, the stage of Sox2 deletion is also a critical determinant of the resulting defects, pointing to a stage-specificity of SOX2 function. Finally, cKOs illuminate the importance of SOX2 function in different cell types according to the different affected brain regions (neural precursors, GABAergic interneurons, glutamatergic projection neurons, Bergmann glia). We also review human genetics data regarding the brain defects identified in patients carrying mutations within human SOX2 and examine the parallels with mouse mutants. Functional genomics approaches have started to identify SOX2 molecular targets, and their relevance for SOX2 function in brain development and disease will be discussed.
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15
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Cheng AH, Fung SW, Hegazi S, Abdalla OHMH, Cheng HYM. SOX2 Regulates Neuronal Differentiation of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010229. [PMID: 35008655 PMCID: PMC8745319 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) functions as the central circadian pacemaker, orchestrating behavioral and physiological rhythms in alignment to the environmental light/dark cycle. The neurons that comprise the SCN are anatomically and functionally heterogeneous, but despite their physiological importance, little is known about the pathways that guide their specification and differentiation. Here, we report that the stem/progenitor cell transcription factor, Sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox2), is required in the embryonic SCN to control the expression of SCN-enriched neuropeptides and transcription factors. Ablation of Sox2 in the developing SCN leads to downregulation of circadian neuropeptides as early as embryonic day (E) 15.5, followed by a decrease in the expression of two transcription factors involved in SCN development, Lhx1 and Six6, in neonates. Thymidine analog-retention assays revealed that Sox2 deficiency contributed to reduced survival of SCN neurons during the postnatal period of cell clearance, but did not affect progenitor cell proliferation or SCN specification. Our results identify SOX2 as an essential transcription factor for the proper differentiation and survival of neurons within the developing SCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur H. Cheng
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada; (A.H.C.); (S.W.F.); (S.H.); (O.H.M.H.A.)
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Samuel W. Fung
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada; (A.H.C.); (S.W.F.); (S.H.); (O.H.M.H.A.)
| | - Sara Hegazi
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada; (A.H.C.); (S.W.F.); (S.H.); (O.H.M.H.A.)
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Osama Hasan Mustafa Hasan Abdalla
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada; (A.H.C.); (S.W.F.); (S.H.); (O.H.M.H.A.)
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Hai-Ying Mary Cheng
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada; (A.H.C.); (S.W.F.); (S.H.); (O.H.M.H.A.)
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada
- Correspondence:
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16
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Pagin M, Pernebrink M, Pitasi M, Malighetti F, Ngan CY, Ottolenghi S, Pavesi G, Cantù C, Nicolis SK. FOS Rescues Neuronal Differentiation of Sox2-Deleted Neural Stem Cells by Genome-Wide Regulation of Common SOX2 and AP1(FOS-JUN) Target Genes. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071757. [PMID: 34359927 PMCID: PMC8303191 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor SOX2 is important for brain development and for neural stem cells (NSC) maintenance. Sox2-deleted (Sox2-del) NSC from neonatal mouse brain are lost after few passages in culture. Two highly expressed genes, Fos and Socs3, are strongly downregulated in Sox2-del NSC; we previously showed that Fos or Socs3 overexpression by lentiviral transduction fully rescues NSC's long-term maintenance in culture. Sox2-del NSC are severely defective in neuronal production when induced to differentiate. NSC rescued by Sox2 reintroduction correctly differentiate into neurons. Similarly, Fos transduction rescues normal or even increased numbers of immature neurons expressing beta-tubulinIII, but not more differentiated markers (MAP2). Additionally, many cells with both beta-tubulinIII and GFAP expression appear, indicating that FOS stimulates the initial differentiation of a "mixed" neuronal/glial progenitor. The unexpected rescue by FOS suggested that FOS, a SOX2 transcriptional target, might act on neuronal genes, together with SOX2. CUT&RUN analysis to detect genome-wide binding of SOX2, FOS, and JUN (the AP1 complex) revealed that a high proportion of genes expressed in NSC are bound by both SOX2 and AP1. Downregulated genes in Sox2-del NSC are highly enriched in genes that are also expressed in neurons, and a high proportion of the "neuronal" genes are bound by both SOX2 and AP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Pagin
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; (M.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.); (S.O.)
| | - Mattias Pernebrink
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Mattia Pitasi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; (M.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.); (S.O.)
| | - Federica Malighetti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; (M.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.); (S.O.)
| | - Chew-Yee Ngan
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA;
| | - Sergio Ottolenghi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; (M.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.); (S.O.)
| | - Giulio Pavesi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20134 Milano, Italy;
| | - Claudio Cantù
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (S.K.N.)
| | - Silvia K. Nicolis
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; (M.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.); (S.O.)
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (S.K.N.)
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17
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Gui L, Luo Z, Shan W, Zuo Z. Role of Sox2 in Learning, Memory, and Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Mice. Cells 2021; 10:727. [PMID: 33805206 PMCID: PMC8064339 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a significant clinical issue. Its neuropathogenesis has not been clearly identified and effective interventions for clinical use to reduce POCD have not been established. This study was designed to determine whether environmental enrichment (EE) or cognitive enrichment (CE) reduces POCD and whether sex-determining region Y-box-2 regulated by sirtuin 1, plays a role in the effect. Eighteen-month-old male mice were subjected to right-common-carotid-artery exposure under sevoflurane anesthesia. Some of them stayed in cages with EE or CE after the surgery. Learning and memory of mice were tested by a Barnes maze and fear conditioning, starting 2 weeks after the surgery. Sex-determining region Y-box-2 (Sox2) in the brain was silenced by small hairpin RNA (shRNA). Immunofluorescent staining was used to quantify Sox2-positive cells. Surgery reduced Sox2-positive cells in the hippocampus (64 ± 9 cells vs. 91 ± 9 cells in control group, n = 6, p < 0.001) and impaired learning and memory (time to identify target box one day after training sessions in the Barnes maze test: 132 ± 53 s vs. 79 ± 53 s in control group, n = 10, p = 0.040). EE or CE applied after surgery attenuated this reduction of Sox2 cells and POCD. Surgery reduced sirtuin 1 activity and CE attenuated this reduction. Resveratrol, a sirtuin 1 activator, attenuated POCD and surgery-induced decrease of Sox2-positive cells. Silencing shRNA reduced the Sox2-positive cells in the hippocampus and impaired learning and memory in mice without surgery. These results suggest a role of Sox2 in learning, memory, and POCD. EE and CE attenuated POCD via maintaining Sox2-positive cells in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingli Gui
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA; (L.G.); (Z.L.); (W.S.)
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zhen Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA; (L.G.); (Z.L.); (W.S.)
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Alley, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Weiran Shan
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA; (L.G.); (Z.L.); (W.S.)
| | - Zhiyi Zuo
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA; (L.G.); (Z.L.); (W.S.)
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Sugiura A, Shimizu T, Kameyama T, Maruo T, Kedashiro S, Miyata M, Mizutani K, Takai Y. Identification of Sox2 and NeuN Double-Positive Cells in the Mouse Hypothalamic Arcuate Nucleus and Their Reduction in Number With Aging. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 12:609911. [PMID: 33776740 PMCID: PMC7991304 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.609911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus plays a central role in homeostasis and aging. The hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) controls homeostasis of food intake and energy expenditure and retains adult neural stem cells (NSCs)/progenitor cells. Aging induces the loss of NSCs and the enhancement of inflammation, including the activation of glial cells in the ARC, but aging-associated alterations of the hypothalamic cells remain obscure. Here, we identified Sox2 and NeuN double-positive cells in a subpopulation of cells in the mouse ARC. These cells were reduced in number with aging, although NeuN-positive neuronal cells were unaltered in the total number. Diet-induced obesity mice fed with high-fat diet presented a similar hypothalamic alteration to aged mice. This study provides a new insight into aging-induced changes in the hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumu Sugiura
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiro Shimizu
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kameyama
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Maruo
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Shin Kedashiro
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Muneaki Miyata
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kiyohito Mizutani
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Takai
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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Foglio B, Rossini L, Garbelli R, Regondi MC, Mercurio S, Bertacchi M, Avagliano L, Bulfamante G, Coras R, Maiorana A, Nicolis S, Studer M, Frassoni C. Dynamic expression of NR2F1 and SOX2 in developing and adult human cortex: comparison with cortical malformations. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 226:1303-1322. [PMID: 33661352 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02242-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The neocortex, the most recently evolved brain region in mammals, is characterized by its unique areal and laminar organization. Distinct cortical layers and areas can be identified by the presence of graded expression of transcription factors and molecular determinants defining neuronal identity. However, little is known about the expression of key master genes orchestrating human cortical development. In this study, we explored the expression dynamics of NR2F1 and SOX2, key cortical genes whose mutations in human patients cause severe neurodevelopmental syndromes. We focused on physiological conditions, spanning from mid-late gestational ages to adulthood in unaffected specimens, but also investigated gene expression in a pathological context, a developmental cortical malformation termed focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). We found that NR2F1 follows an antero-dorsallow to postero-ventralhigh gradient as in the murine cortex, suggesting high evolutionary conservation. While SOX2 is mainly expressed in neural progenitors next to the ventricular surface, NR2F1 is found in both mitotic progenitors and post-mitotic neurons at GW18. Interestingly, both proteins are highly co-expressed in basal radial glia progenitors of the outer sub-ventricular zone (OSVZ), a proliferative region known to contribute to cortical expansion and complexity in humans. Later on, SOX2 becomes largely restricted to astrocytes and oligodendrocytes although it is also detected in scattered mature interneurons. Differently, NR2F1 maintains its distinct neuronal expression during the whole process of cortical development. Notably, we report here high levels of NR2F1 in dysmorphic neurons and NR2F1 and SOX2 in balloon cells of surgical samples from patients with FCD, suggesting their potential use in the histopathological characterization of this dysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Foglio
- Clinical and Experimental Epileptology Unit, C/O AmadeoLab, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Rossini
- Clinical and Experimental Epileptology Unit, C/O AmadeoLab, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Rita Garbelli
- Clinical and Experimental Epileptology Unit, C/O AmadeoLab, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Regondi
- Clinical and Experimental Epileptology Unit, C/O AmadeoLab, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Mercurio
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Bertacchi
- Clinical and Experimental Epileptology Unit, C/O AmadeoLab, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, iBV, Nice, France
| | - Laura Avagliano
- Departement of Health Sciences, San Paolo Hospital Medical School University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Gaetano Bulfamante
- Departement of Health Sciences, San Paolo Hospital Medical School University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Roland Coras
- Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Antonino Maiorana
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Pathology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Nicolis
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Carolina Frassoni
- Clinical and Experimental Epileptology Unit, C/O AmadeoLab, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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20
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Mercurio S, Alberti C, Serra L, Meneghini S, Berico P, Bertolini J, Becchetti A, Nicolis SK. An early Sox2-dependent gene expression programme required for hippocampal dentate gyrus development. Open Biol 2021; 11:200339. [PMID: 33622105 PMCID: PMC8061699 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus is a brain area central for cognition. Mutations in the human SOX2 transcription factor cause neurodevelopmental defects, leading to intellectual disability and seizures, together with hippocampal dysplasia. We generated an allelic series of Sox2 conditional mutations in mouse, deleting Sox2 at different developmental stages. Late Sox2 deletion (from E11.5, via Nestin-Cre) affects only postnatal hippocampal development; earlier deletion (from E10.5, Emx1-Cre) significantly reduces the dentate gyrus (DG), and the earliest deletion (from E9.5, FoxG1-Cre) causes drastic abnormalities, with almost complete absence of the DG. We identify a set of functionally interconnected genes (Gli3, Wnt3a, Cxcr4, p73 and Tbr2), known to play essential roles in hippocampal embryogenesis, which are downregulated in early Sox2 mutants, and (Gli3 and Cxcr4) directly controlled by SOX2; their downregulation provides plausible molecular mechanisms contributing to the defect. Electrophysiological studies of the Emx1-Cre mouse model reveal altered excitatory transmission in CA1 and CA3 regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mercurio
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Alberti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Linda Serra
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Simone Meneghini
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Pietro Berico
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Jessica Bertolini
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Becchetti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia K Nicolis
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
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Wakamatsu Y, Uchikawa M. The many faces of Sox2 function in neural crest development. Dev Growth Differ 2020; 63:93-99. [PMID: 33326593 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neural crest (NC) cells give rise to a wide variety of cell types and tissues, such as neurons and glial cells in the peripheral nervous system. Sox2, which encodes an HMG-box transcription factor, is known to mediate pluripotency of primordial germ cells and embryonic stem (ES)/induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and to regulate central nervous system development. Previous studies have revealed that Sox2 is also an important regulator of NC development. This review summarizes the well-established inhibitory roles of Sox2 in NC formation and subsequent neuronal differentiation of NC-derived cells. This review also covers recent studies suggesting additional roles for Sox2 in early NC development, neurogenesis, and glial differentiation of NC-derived cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshio Wakamatsu
- Center for Translational and Advanced Animal Research on Human Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masanori Uchikawa
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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22
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More than just Stem Cells: Functional Roles of the Transcription Factor Sox2 in Differentiated Glia and Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184540. [PMID: 31540269 PMCID: PMC6769708 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Sox2 transcription factor, encoded by a gene conserved in animal evolution, has become widely known because of its functional relevance for stem cells. In the developing nervous system, Sox2 is active in neural stem cells, and important for their self-renewal; differentiation to neurons and glia normally involves Sox2 downregulation. Recent evidence, however, identified specific types of fully differentiated neurons and glia that retain high Sox2 expression, and critically require Sox2 function, as revealed by functional studies in mouse and in other animals. Sox2 was found to control fundamental aspects of the biology of these cells, such as the development of correct neuronal connectivity. Sox2 downstream target genes identified within these cell types provide molecular mechanisms for cell-type-specific Sox2 neuronal and glial functions. SOX2 mutations in humans lead to a spectrum of nervous system defects, involving vision, movement control, and cognition; the identification of neurons and glia requiring Sox2 function, and the investigation of Sox2 roles and molecular targets within them, represents a novel perspective for the understanding of the pathogenesis of these defects.
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