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Lenert ME, Burton MD. Sensory neuron LKB1 mediates ovarian and reproductive function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.28.534533. [PMID: 37034663 PMCID: PMC10081243 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.28.534533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Treatments for reproductive disorders in women primarily consist of hormone replacement therapy, which can have negative health impacts. Bidirectional communication between sensory neurons and innervated organs is an emerging area of interest in tissue physiology with potential relevance for reproductive disorders. Indeed, the metabolic activity of sensory neurons can have profound effects on reproductive phenotypes. To investigate this phenomenon, we utilized a murine model with conditional deletion in sensory neurons of liver kinase B1 (LKB1), a serine/threonine kinase that regulates cellular metabolism. Female mice with this LKB1 deletion (Nav1.8cre;LKB1fl/fl) had significantly more pups per litter compared to wild-type females. Interestingly, the LKB1 genotype of male breeders had no effect on fertility outcomes, thus indicating a female-specific role of sensory neuron metabolism in fertility. LKB1 deletion in sensory neurons resulted in reduced ovarian innervation from dorsal root ganglia neurons and increased follicular turnover compared to littermate controls. In summary, LKB1 expression in peripheral sensory neurons plays an important role in modulating fertility of female mice via ovarian sensory innervation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa E Lenert
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Michael D Burton
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
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2
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Ni RJ, Shu YM, Li T, Zhou JN. Whole-Brain Afferent Inputs to the Caudate Nucleus, Putamen, and Accumbens Nucleus in the Tree Shrew Striatum. Front Neuroanat 2021; 15:763298. [PMID: 34795566 PMCID: PMC8593333 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.763298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Day-active tree shrews have a well-developed internal capsule (ic) that clearly separates the caudate nucleus (Cd) and putamen (Pu). The striatum consists of the Cd, ic, Pu, and accumbens nucleus (Acb). Here, we characterized the cytoarchitecture of the striatum and the whole-brain inputs to the Cd, Pu, and Acb in tree shrews by using immunohistochemistry and the retrograde tracer Fluoro-Gold (FG). Our data show the distribution patterns of parvalbumin (PV), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), calretinin (CR), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in the striatum of tree shrews, which were different from those observed in rats. The Cd and Pu mainly received inputs from the thalamus, motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra, and other cortical and subcortical regions, whereas the Acb primarily received inputs from the anterior olfactory nucleus, claustrum, infralimbic cortex, thalamus, raphe nucleus, parabrachial nucleus, ventral tegmental area, and so on. The Cd, Pu, and Acb received inputs from different neuronal populations in the ipsilateral (60, 67, and 63 brain regions, respectively) and contralateral (23, 20, and 36 brain regions, respectively) brain hemispheres. Overall, we demonstrate that there are species differences between tree shrews and rats in the density of PV, NOS, CR, and TH immunoreactivity in the striatum. Additionally, we mapped for the first time the distribution of whole-brain input neurons projecting to the striatum of tree shrews with FG injected into the Cd, Pu, and Acb. The similarities and differences in their brain-wide input patterns may provide new insights into the diverse functions of the striatal subregions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Jun Ni
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu-Mian Shu
- School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Li
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiang-Ning Zhou
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Yu M, Gu G, Cong M, Du M, Wang W, Shen M, Zhang Q, Shi H, Gu X, Ding F. Repair of peripheral nerve defects by nerve grafts incorporated with extracellular vesicles from skin-derived precursor Schwann cells. Acta Biomater 2021; 134:190-203. [PMID: 34289422 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Our previous studies have shown that extracellular vesicles from skin-derived precursor Schwann cells (SKP-SC-EVs) promote neurite outgrowth of sensory and motor neurons in vitro. This study was aimed at generating an artificial nerve graft incorporated with SKP-SC-EVs to examine in vivo effects of SKP-SC-EVs on peripheral nerve regeneration. Here SKP-SC-EVs were isolated and then identified by morphological observation and phenotypic marker expression. Following co-culture with SCs or motoneurons, SKP-SC-EVs were internalized, showing the capability to enhance SC viability or motoneuron neurite outgrowth. In vitro, SKP-SC-EVs released from Matrigel could maintain cellular uptake property and neural activity. Nerve grafts were developed by incorporating Matrigel-encapsulated SKP-SC-EVs into silicone conduits. Functional evaluation, histological investigation, and morphometric analysis were performed to compare the nerve regenerative outcome after bridging the 10-mm long sciatic nerve defect in rats with our developed nerve grafts, silicone conduits (filled with vehicle), and autografts respectively. Our developed nerve grafts significantly accelerated the recovery of motor, sensory, and electrophysiological functions of rats, facilitated outgrowth and myelination of regenerated axons, and alleviated denervation-induced atrophy of target muscles. Collectively, our findings suggested that incorporation of SKP-SC-EVs into nerve grafts might represent a promising paradigm for peripheral nerve injury repair. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Nerve grafts have been progressively developed to meet the increasing requirements for peripheral nerve injury repair. Here we reported a design of nerve grafts featured by incorporation of Matrigel-encapsulated extracellular vesicles from skin-derived precursor Schwann cells (SKP-SC-EVs), because SKP-SC-EVs were found to possess in vitro neural activity, thus raising the possibility of cell-free therapy. Our developed nerve grafts yielded the satisfactory outcome of nerve grafting in rats with a 10-mm long sciatic nerve defect, as evaluated by functional and morphological assessments. The promoting effects of SKP-SC-EVs-incorporating nerve grafts on peripheral nerve regeneration might benefit from in vivo biological cues afforded by SKP-SC-EVs, which had been released from Matrigel and then internalized by residual neural cells in sciatic nerve stumps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China; Clinical Medical Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Guohao Gu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Meng Cong
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Mingzhi Du
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Mi Shen
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Haiyan Shi
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China; Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xiaosong Gu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China; Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Fei Ding
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education and Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China; Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China.
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Doperalski AE, Montgomery LR, Mondello SE, Howland DR. Anatomical Plasticity of Rostrally Terminating Axons as a Possible Bridging Substrate across a Spinal Injury. J Neurotrauma 2020; 37:877-888. [PMID: 31774025 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transfer of information across a spinal lesion is required for many aspects of recovery across diverse motor systems. Our understanding of axonal plasticity and which subpopulations of neurons may contribute to bridging substrates following injury, however, remains relatively incomplete. Most recently, attention has been directed to propriospinal neurons (PSNs), with research suggesting that they are capable of bridging a spinal lesion in rodents. In the current study, subpopulations of both long (C5) and short (T6, T8) PSNs-as well as a supraspinal system, the rubrospinal tract (RST)-were assessed following low thoracic (T9) hemisection in the cat using the retrograde tracer Fluoro-Gold. Acutely, within 2 weeks post-hemisection, the numbers of short and long PSNs, as well as contralateral RST neurons, with axons crossing the lesion were significantly decreased relative to uninjured controls. This decrease persisted bilaterally and was permanent in the long PSNs and the contralateral red nucleus (RN). However, by 16 weeks post-hemisection, the numbers of ipsilesional and contralesional short PSNs bridging the lesion were significantly increased. Further, the number of contralesional contributing short PSNs was significantly greater in injured animals than in uninjured animals. A significant increase over uninjured numbers also was seen in the ipsilateral (non-axotomized) RN. These findings suggest that a novel substrate of undamaged axons, which normally terminates rostral to the lesion, grows past a thoracic lesion after injury. This rostral population represents a major component of the bridging substrate seen and may represent an important anatomical target for evolving rehabilitation approaches as a substrate capable of contributing to functional recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele E Doperalski
- Department of Biology, American University, Washington DC.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lynnette R Montgomery
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Sarah E Mondello
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida.,Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Dena R Howland
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida.,Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky
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A ventral CA1 to nucleus accumbens core engram circuit mediates conditioned place preference for cocaine. Nat Neurosci 2019; 22:1986-1999. [DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0524-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Jung Y, Kim D. Nonviral Fluorescent Retrograde Tracers. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/bkcs.11849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuna Jung
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate SchoolKyung Hee University Seoul 02447 Republic of Korea
| | - Dokyoung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate SchoolKyung Hee University Seoul 02447 Republic of Korea
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, College of MedicineKyung Hee University Seoul 02447 Republic of Korea
- Center for Converging HumanitiesKyung Hee University Seoul 02447 Republic of Korea
- Medical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species and Biomedical Science InstituteKyung Hee University Seoul 02447 Republic of Korea
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Injection of Fluoro-Gold into the tibial nerve leads to prolonged but reversible functional deficits in rats. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9906. [PMID: 31289330 PMCID: PMC6616333 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46285-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Tract tracing with neuronal tracers not only represents a straightforward approach to identify axonal projection connection between regions of the nervous system at distance but also provides compelling evidence for axonal regeneration. An ideal neuronal tracer meets certain criteria including high labeling efficacy, minimal neurotoxicity, rapid labeling, suitable stability in vivo, and compatibility to tissue processing for histological/immunohistochemical staining. Although labeling efficacy of commonly used fluorescent tracers has been studied extensively, neurotoxicity and their effect on neural functions remains poorly understood. In the present study, we comprehensively evaluated motor and sensory nerve function 2-24 weeks after injection of retrograde tracer Fluoro-Gold (FG), True Blue (TB) or Fluoro-Ruby (FR) in the tibial nerve in adult Spague-Dawley rats. We found that motor and sensory nerve functions were completely recovered by 24 weeks after tracer exposure, and that FG lead to a more prolonged delay in functional recovery than TB. These findings shed light on the long-term effect of tracers on nerve function and peripheral axonal regeneration, and therefore have implications in selection of appropriate tracers in relevant studies.
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Katoh H, Yokota K, Fehlings MG. Regeneration of Spinal Cord Connectivity Through Stem Cell Transplantation and Biomaterial Scaffolds. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:248. [PMID: 31244609 PMCID: PMC6563678 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant progress has been made in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Advances in post-trauma management and intensive rehabilitation have significantly improved the prognosis of SCI and converted what was once an “ailment not to be treated” into a survivable injury, but the cold hard fact is that we still do not have a validated method to improve the paralysis of SCI. The irreversible functional impairment of the injured spinal cord is caused by the disruption of neuronal transduction across the injury lesion, which is brought about by demyelination, axonal degeneration, and loss of synapses. Furthermore, refractory substrates generated in the injured spinal cord inhibit spontaneous recovery. The discovery of the regenerative capability of central nervous system neurons in the proper environment and the verification of neural stem cells in the spinal cord once incited hope that a cure for SCI was on the horizon. That hope was gradually replaced with mounting frustration when neuroprotective drugs, cell transplantation, and strategies to enhance remyelination, axonal regeneration, and neuronal plasticity demonstrated significant improvement in animal models of SCI but did not translate into a cure in human patients. However, recent advances in SCI research have greatly increased our understanding of the fundamental processes underlying SCI and fostered increasing optimism that these multiple treatment strategies are finally coming together to bring about a new era in which we will be able to propose encouraging therapies that will lead to appreciable improvements in SCI patients. In this review, we outline the pathophysiology of SCI that makes the spinal cord refractory to regeneration and discuss the research that has been done with cell replacement and biomaterial implantation strategies, both by itself and as a combined treatment. We will focus on the capacity of these strategies to facilitate the regeneration of neural connectivity necessary to achieve meaningful functional recovery after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Katoh
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Surgical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuya Yokota
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Michael G Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Spine Program, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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