1
|
Yde Ohki CM, Walter NM, Rickli M, Salazar Campos JM, Werling AM, Döring C, Walitza S, Grünblatt E. Protocol for a Wnt reporter assay to measure its activity in human neural stem cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 5:100095. [PMID: 37426743 PMCID: PMC10329100 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2023.100095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The canonical Wnt signaling is an essential pathway that regulates cellular proliferation, maturation, and differentiation during neurodevelopment and maintenance of adult tissue homeostasis. This pathway has been implicated with the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders and was associated with cognitive processes, such as learning and memory. However, the molecular investigation of the Wnt signaling in functional human neural cell lines might be challenging since brain biopsies are not possible and animal models may not represent the polygenic profile of some neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this context, using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has become a powerful tool to model disorders that affect the Central Nervous System (CNS) in vitro, by maintaining patients' genetic backgrounds. In this method paper, we report the development of a virus-free Wnt reporter assay in neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from human iPSCs from two healthy individuals, by using a vector containing a reporter gene (luc2P) under the control of a TCF/LEF (T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor) responsive element. Dose-response curve analysis from this luciferase-based method might be useful when testing the activity of the Wnt signaling pathway after agonists (e.g. Wnt3a) or antagonists (e.g. DKK1) administration, comparing activity between cases and controls in distinct disorders. Using such a reporter assay method may help to elucidate whether neurological or neurodevelopmental mental disorders show alterations in this pathway, and testing whether targeted treatment may reverse these. Therefore, our established assay aims to help researchers on the functional and molecular investigation of the Wnt pathway in patient-specific cell types comprising several neuropsychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristine Marie Yde Ohki
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translational Molecular Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
- Biomedicine PhD Program, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 11, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Natalie Monet Walter
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translational Molecular Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Michelle Rickli
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translational Molecular Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - José Maria Salazar Campos
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translational Molecular Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Anna Maria Werling
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translational Molecular Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Christian Döring
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translational Molecular Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Walitza
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translational Molecular Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and the ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 11, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 11, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Edna Grünblatt
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translational Molecular Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and the ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 11, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 11, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Punovuori K, Malaguti M, Lowell S. Cadherins in early neural development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4435-4450. [PMID: 33796894 PMCID: PMC8164589 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03815-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
During early neural development, changes in signalling inform the expression of transcription factors that in turn instruct changes in cell identity. At the same time, switches in adhesion molecule expression result in cellular rearrangements that define the morphology of the emerging neural tube. It is becoming increasingly clear that these two processes influence each other; adhesion molecules do not simply operate downstream of or in parallel with changes in cell identity but rather actively feed into cell fate decisions. Why are differentiation and adhesion so tightly linked? It is now over 60 years since Conrad Waddington noted the remarkable "Constancy of the Wild Type" (Waddington in Nature 183: 1654-1655, 1959) yet we still do not fully understand the mechanisms that make development so reproducible. Conversely, we do not understand why directed differentiation of cells in a dish is sometimes unpredictable and difficult to control. It has long been suggested that cells make decisions as 'local cooperatives' rather than as individuals (Gurdon in Nature 336: 772-774, 1988; Lander in Cell 144: 955-969, 2011). Given that the cadherin family of adhesion molecules can simultaneously influence morphogenesis and signalling, it is tempting to speculate that they may help coordinate cell fate decisions between neighbouring cells in the embryo to ensure fidelity of patterning, and that the uncoupling of these processes in a culture dish might underlie some of the problems with controlling cell fate decisions ex-vivo. Here we review the expression and function of cadherins during early neural development and discuss how and why they might modulate signalling and differentiation as neural tissues are formed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Punovuori
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mattias Malaguti
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Sally Lowell
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vyas B, Nandkishore N, Sambasivan R. Vertebrate cranial mesoderm: developmental trajectory and evolutionary origin. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:1933-1945. [PMID: 31722070 PMCID: PMC11105048 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03373-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrate cranial mesoderm is a discrete developmental unit compared to the mesoderm below the developing neck. An extraordinary feature of the cranial mesoderm is that it includes a common progenitor pool contributing to the chambered heart and the craniofacial skeletal muscles. This striking developmental potential and the excitement it generated led to advances in our understanding of cranial mesoderm developmental mechanism. Remarkably, recent findings have begun to unravel the origin of its distinct developmental characteristics. Here, we take a detailed view of the ontogenetic trajectory of cranial mesoderm and its regulatory network. Based on the emerging evidence, we propose that cranial and posterior mesoderm diverge at the earliest step of the process that patterns the mesoderm germ layer along the anterior-posterior body axis. Further, we discuss the latest evidence and their impact on our current understanding of the evolutionary origin of cranial mesoderm. Overall, the review highlights the findings from contemporary research, which lays the foundation to probe the molecular basis of unique developmental potential and evolutionary origin of cranial mesoderm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bhakti Vyas
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bengaluru, 560065, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Nitya Nandkishore
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bengaluru, 560065, India
- SASTRA University, Thirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur, 613401, India
| | - Ramkumar Sambasivan
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Transit Campus, Karakambadi Road, Rami Reddy Nagar, Mangalam, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517507, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Han J, Yang M, Guo T, Niu C, Liu J, Yue Y, Yuan C, Yang B. Two linked TBXT (brachyury) gene polymorphisms are associated with the tailless phenotype in fat-rumped sheep. Anim Genet 2019; 50:772-777. [PMID: 31475743 PMCID: PMC6899607 DOI: 10.1111/age.12852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
T‐box transcription factor T (TBXT), encoding the brachyury protein, is an embryonic nuclear transcription factor involved in mesoderm formation and differentiation. Previous studies indicate that TBXT mutations are responsible for the tailless or short‐tailed phenotype of many vertebrates. To verify whether the tailless phenotype in fat‐rumped sheep is associated with TBXT mutations, exon 2 of the TBXT gene for 301 individuals belonging to 13 Chinese and Iranian sheep breeds was directly sequenced. Meanwhile, 380 samples were used to detect the genotypes of the candidate variations by mapping to their reads databases in the Sequence Read Archive repository of GenBank. The results showed that one missense mutation, c.334G>T (GGG>TGG) with a completely linked synonymous variant c.333G>C (CCG>CCC) was found to be associated with the ‘tailless’ characteristic in typical fat‐rumped sheep breeds. The c.334G>T transversion led to the conversion of glycine to tryptophan at the 112th amino acid in the T‐box domain of the brachyury protein. In addition, crossbreeding experiments for long‐tailed and tailless sheep showed that CT/CT allele of nucleotides (nt) 333 and 334, a recessive mutation, would cause sheep tails to be shorter, suggesting that these two linked variants at nucleotides 333 and 334 in TBXT are probably causative mutations responsible for the tailless phenotype in sheep.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Han
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, China
| | - M Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - T Guo
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| | - C Niu
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| | - J Liu
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| | - Y Yue
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China.,International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), PO Box 30709, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - C Yuan
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| | - B Yang
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kruepunga N, Hikspoors JPJM, Mekonen HK, Mommen GMC, Meemon K, Weerachatyanukul W, Asuvapongpatana S, Eleonore Köhler S, Lamers WH. The development of the cloaca in the human embryo. J Anat 2018; 233:724-739. [PMID: 30294789 PMCID: PMC6231168 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Subdivision of cloaca into urogenital and anorectal passages has remained controversial because of disagreements about the identity and role of the septum developing between both passages. This study aimed to clarify the development of the cloaca using a quantitative 3D morphological approach in human embryos of 4–10 post‐fertilisation weeks. Embryos were visualised with Amira 3D‐reconstruction and Cinema 4D‐remodelling software. Distances between landmarks were computed with Amira3D software. Our main finding was a pronounced difference in growth between rapidly expanding central and ventral parts, and slowly or non‐growing cranial and dorsal parts. The entrance of the Wolffian duct into the cloaca proved a stable landmark that remained linked to the position of vertebra S3. Suppressed growth in the cranial cloaca resulted in an apparent craniodorsal migration of the entrance of the Wolffian duct, while suppressed growth in the dorsal cloaca changed the entrance of the hindgut from cranial to dorsal on the cloaca. Transformation of this ‘end‐to‐end’ into an ‘end‐to‐side’ junction produced temporary ‘lateral (Rathke's) folds’. The persistent difference in dorsoventral growth straightened the embryonic caudal body axis and concomitantly extended the frontally oriented ‘urorectal (Tourneux's) septum’ caudally between the ventral urogenital and dorsal anorectal parts of the cloaca. The dorsoventral growth difference also divided the cloacal membrane into a well‐developed ventral urethral plate and a thin dorsal cloacal membrane proper, which ruptured at 6.5 weeks. The expansion of the pericloacal mesenchyme followed the dorsoventral growth difference and produced the genital tubercle. Dysregulation of dorsal cloacal development is probably an important cause of anorectal malformations: too little regressive development may result in anorectal agenesis, and too much regression in stenosis or atresia of the remaining part of the dorsal cloaca.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nutmethee Kruepunga
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jill P J M Hikspoors
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Hayelom K Mekonen
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Greet M C Mommen
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Krai Meemon
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | - S Eleonore Köhler
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter H Lamers
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ren X, Mi J, Jia H, Gao H, Bai Y, Wang W. Reduced Wnt3a expression correlates with poor development of the hindgut in rats with anorectal malformations. Exp Mol Pathol 2015; 99:81-5. [PMID: 26024594 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 05/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Embryogenesis is orchestrated by the wingless-type MMTV integration site family (WNT) signaling pathways, including Wnt3a. This study was performed to investigate the expression of Wnt3a in the terminal hindgut in ethylenethiourea (ETU)-exposed rat embryos with anorectal malformations (ARMs) and its potential association between Wnt3a and the maldevelopment of the terminal hindgut in ARMs. ARM rat embryos were induced by ethylenethiourea on embryonic day 10 (E10). The expression levels of protein and mRNA of Wnt3a were confirmed using immunohistochemistry staining, Western blotting analyses, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in normal rat and ARM embryos. Immunostaining revealed a variation in the expression of Wnt3a in the developing terminal hindgut of ARM embryos. The expression of Wnt3a in the terminal hindgut of ARM rat embryos decreased at both the mRNA level and protein level (P<0.05) compared with normal tissues. This study demonstrated that the expression of Wnt3a in the ARMs of ETU-exposed rat embryos was remarkably reduced, which indicated its potential role in the pathogenesis of the terminal hindgut maldevelopment in ARMs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiantian Ren
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, PR China
| | - Jie Mi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, PR China
| | - Huimin Jia
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, PR China.
| | - Hong Gao
- The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110004, PR China
| | - Yuzuo Bai
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, PR China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
A key common feature all but three known mammalian genera is the strict seven cervical vertebrae blueprint, suggesting the involvement of strong conserving selection forces during mammalian radiation. This is further supported by reports indicating that children with cervical ribs die before they reach reproductive age. Hypotheses were put up, associating cervical ribs (homeotic transformations) to embryonal cancer (e.g., neuroblastoma) or ascribing the constraint in cervical vertebral count to the development of the mammalian diaphragm. Here, we describe a spontaneous mutation c.196A > G in the Bos taurus T gene (also known as brachyury) associated with a cervical vertebral homeotic transformation that violates the fundamental mammalian cervical blueprint, but does not preclude reproduction of the affected individual. Genome-wide mapping, haplotype tracking within a large pedigree, resequencing of target genome regions, and bioinformatic analyses unambiguously confirmed the mutant c.196G allele as causal for this previously unknown defect termed vertebral and spinal dysplasia (VSD) by providing evidence for the mutation event. The nonsynonymous VSD mutation is located within the highly conserved T box of the T gene, which plays a fundamental role in eumetazoan body organization and vertebral development. To our knowledge, VSD is the first unequivocally approved spontaneous mutation decreasing cervical vertebrae number in a large mammal. The spontaneous VSD mutation in the bovine T gene is the first in vivo evidence for the hypothesis that the T protein is directly involved in the maintenance of the mammalian seven-cervical vertebra blueprint. It therefore furthers our knowledge of the T-protein function and early mammalian notochord development.
Collapse
|