1
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Packheiser J, Sommer L, Wüllner M, Malek IM, Reichart JS, Katona L, Luhmann M, Ocklenburg S. A Comparison of Hugging Frequency and Its Association with Momentary Mood Before and During COVID-19 Using Ecological Momentary Assessment. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024; 39:951-959. [PMID: 37041685 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2023.2198058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a drastic decrease in human social interactions including social touch. One of the most prevalent forms of touch is hugging. Hugging has been demonstrated to benefit both physical and mental well-being. In the present study, we used an ecological momentary assessment approach to assess the relationship between hugging and momentary mood in two independent cohorts sampled prior or during the pandemic. We found that the frequency of hugging was significantly reduced during the pandemic. Using multilevel modeling, we found a significant positive association between momentary mood and daily hugs. This effect was moderated by the cohort, as individuals during the pandemic showed a stronger positive association compared to the cohort sampled prior to the pandemic. While we have to stress that our results are correlational in nature, they potentially indicate that social touch is more beneficial in times of social distancing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leslie Sommer
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum
| | - Maren Wüllner
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum
| | - Imke Marlene Malek
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum
| | | | - Laura Katona
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum
| | | | - Sebastian Ocklenburg
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg
- ICAN Institute for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Medical School Hamburg
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2
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Moreno-Flores O, Rausch MK, Tepole AB. The role of interface geometry and appendages on the mesoscale mechanics of the skin. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2024; 23:553-568. [PMID: 38129671 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-023-01791-6] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The skin is the largest organ in the human body and serves various functions, including mechanical protection and mechanosensation. Yet, even though skin's biomechanics are attributed to two main layers-epidermis and dermis-computational models have often treated this tissue as a thin homogeneous material or, when considering multiple layers, have ignored the most prominent heterogeneities of skin seen at the mesoscale. Here, we create finite element models of representative volume elements (RVEs) of skin, including the three-dimensional variation of the interface between the epidermis and dermis as well as considering the presence of hair follicles. The sinusoidal interface, which approximates the anatomical features known as Rete ridges, does not affect the homogenized mechanical response of the RVE but contributes to stress concentration, particularly at the valleys of the Rete ridges. The stress profile is three-dimensional due to the skin's anisotropy, leading to high-stress bands connecting the valleys of the Rete ridges through one type of saddle point. The peaks of the Rete ridges and the other class of saddle points of the sinusoidal surface form a second set of low-stress bands under equi-biaxial loading. Another prominent feature of the heterogeneous stress pattern is a switch in the stress jump across the interface, which becomes lower with respect to the flat interface at increasing deformations. These features are seen in both tension and shear loading. The RVE with the hair follicle showed strains concentrating at the epidermis adjacent to the hair follicle, the epithelial tissue surrounding the hair right below the epidermis, and the bulb or base region of the hair follicle. The regions of strain concentration near the hair follicle in equi-biaxial and shear loading align with the presence of distinct mechanoreceptors in the skin, except for the bulb or base region. This study highlights the importance of skin heterogeneities, particularly its potential mechanophysiological role in the sense of touch and the prevention of skin delamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Moreno-Flores
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, AB Tepole, 585 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, USA
| | - Manuel K Rausch
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
| | - Adrian B Tepole
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, AB Tepole, 585 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, USA.
- Weldon School of Biomedical Eng, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA.
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3
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Edens BM, Bronner ME. Making developmental sense of the senses, their origin and function. Curr Top Dev Biol 2024; 159:132-167. [PMID: 38729675 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2024.01.015] [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] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The primary senses-touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing-connect animals with their environments and with one another. Aside from the eyes, the primary sense organs of vertebrates and the peripheral sensory pathways that relay their inputs arise from two transient stem cell populations: the neural crest and the cranial placodes. In this chapter we consider the senses from historical and cultural perspectives, and discuss the senses as biological faculties. We begin with the embryonic origin of the neural crest and cranial placodes from within the neural plate border of the ectodermal germ layer. Then, we describe the major chemical (i.e. olfactory and gustatory) and mechanical (i.e. vestibulo-auditory and somatosensory) senses, with an emphasis on the developmental interactions between neural crest and cranial placodes that shape their structures and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany M Edens
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Marianne E Bronner
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States.
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4
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Mao F, Yang W. How Merkel cells transduce mechanical stimuli: A biophysical model of Merkel cells. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011720. [PMID: 38117763 PMCID: PMC10732429 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Merkel cells combine with Aβ afferents, producing slowly adapting type 1(SA1) responses to mechanical stimuli. However, how Merkel cells transduce mechanical stimuli into neural signals to Aβ afferents is still unclear. Here we develop a biophysical model of Merkel cells for mechanical transduction by incorporating main ingredients such as Ca2+ and K+ voltage-gated channels, Piezo2 channels, internal Ca2+ stores, neurotransmitters release, and cell deformation. We first validate our model with several experiments. Then we reveal that Ca2+ and K+ channels on the plasma membrane shape the depolarization of membrane potentials, further regulating the Ca2+ transients in the cells. We also show that Ca2+ channels on the plasma membrane mainly inspire the Ca2+ transients, while internal Ca2+ stores mainly maintain the Ca2+ transients. Moreover, we show that though Piezo2 channels are rapidly adapting mechanical-sensitive channels, they are sufficient to inspire sustained Ca2+ transients in Merkel cells, which further induce the release of neurotransmitters for tens of seconds. Thus our work provides a model that captures the membrane potentials and Ca2+ transients features of Merkel cells and partly explains how Merkel cells transduce the mechanical stimuli by Piezo2 channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangtao Mao
- Research Center for Humanoid Sensing, Intelligent Perception Research Institute of Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenzhen Yang
- Research Center for Humanoid Sensing, Intelligent Perception Research Institute of Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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5
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Agramunt J, Parke B, Mena S, Ubels V, Jimenez F, Williams G, Rhodes ADY, Limbu S, Hexter M, Knight L, Hashemi P, Kozlov AS, Higgins CA. Mechanical stimulation of human hair follicle outer root sheath cultures activates adjacent sensory neurons. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh3273. [PMID: 37889977 PMCID: PMC10610912 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh3273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical stimuli, such as stroking or pressing on the skin, activate mechanoreceptors transmitting information to the sensory nervous system and brain. It is well accepted that deflection of the hair fiber that occurs with a light breeze or touch directly activates the sensory neurons surrounding the hair follicle, facilitating transmission of mechanical information. Here, we hypothesized that hair follicle outer root sheath cells act as transducers of mechanical stimuli to sensory neurons surrounding the hair follicle. Using electrochemical analysis on human hair follicle preparations in vitro, we were able to show that outer root sheath cells release ATP and the neurotransmitters serotonin and histamine in response to mechanical stimulation. Using calcium imaging combined with pharmacology in a coculture of outer root sheath cells with sensory neurons, we found that the release of these three molecules from hair follicle cells leads to activation of sensory neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julià Agramunt
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Brenna Parke
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sergio Mena
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Victor Ubels
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Francisco Jimenez
- Mediteknia Clinic, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
- University Fernando Pessoa Canarias, Gran Canaria, Spain
| | | | - Anna DY Rhodes
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Summik Limbu
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Melissa Hexter
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Parastoo Hashemi
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Andriy S. Kozlov
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
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6
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Madkour FA, Abdellatif AM, Osman YA, Kandyel RM. Histological and ultrastructural characterization of the dorso-ventral skin of the juvenile and the adult starry puffer fish (Arothron stellatus, Anonymous 1798). BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:221. [PMID: 37875870 PMCID: PMC10598996 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03784-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The starry puffer fish (Arothron stellatus, Anonymous, 1798) is a poisonous tetradontidae fish inhabiting the Red sea. The skin constitutes an important defense against any external effects. The study aims to characterize the dorso-ventral skin of the juvenile and the adult starry puffer fish using light and scanning electron microscopies. Twenty specimens of juvenile and adult fresh fishes were used. RESULTS The scanning electron microarchitecture of the skin of the juvenile and adult fish showed delicate irregular-shaped protrusions, and well-defined bricks-like elevations on the dorsal side and interrupted folds as well as irregular-shaped protrusions on the ventral side. In adult fish, the patterned microridges of the superficial and deep epithelial cells (keratinocytes) were larger and well-defined in the dorsal skin than in the ventral side, the contrary was seen in the juvenile fish. The microridges were arranged in a fingerprint or honeycomb patterns. The openings of the mucous cells were more numerous in the dorsal skin in both age stages but more noticeable in adult. Furthermore, the sensory cells were more dominant in the juveniles than the adults. The odontic spines were only seen in adult. Histologically, few taste buds were observed in the epidermis of the dorsal skin surface of the adult fish. Both mucous and club cells were embedded in the epidermis of the juvenile and adult fish with different shapes and sizes. Melanophores were observed at the dorsal skin of both juvenile and adult fishes while fewer numbers were noticed at the ventral surfaces. Several dermal bony plates with different shapes and sizes were demonstrated in the skin of both adult and juvenile fishes. CONCLUSION The structural variations of skin of the juvenile and adult fishes may reflect the various environmental difficulties that they confront.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma A Madkour
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, 83523, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed M Abdellatif
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Yassein A Osman
- Department of Fisheries, Fish Population Dynamic Lab, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt
| | - Ramadan M Kandyel
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
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7
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Santiago C, Sharma N, Africawala N, Siegrist J, Handler A, Tasnim A, Anjum R, Turecek J, Lehnert BP, Renauld S, Nolan-Tamariz M, Iskols M, Magee AR, Paradis S, Ginty DD. Activity-dependent development of the body's touch receptors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.23.559109. [PMID: 37790437 PMCID: PMC10542488 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.23.559109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
We report a role for activity in the development of the primary sensory neurons that detect touch. Genetic deletion of Piezo2, the principal mechanosensitive ion channel in somatosensory neurons, caused profound changes in the formation of mechanosensory end organ structures and altered somatosensory neuron central targeting. Single cell RNA sequencing of Piezo2 conditional mutants revealed changes in gene expression in the sensory neurons activated by light mechanical forces, whereas other neuronal classes were less affected. To further test the role of activity in mechanosensory end organ development, we genetically deleted the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.6 (Scn8a) in somatosensory neurons throughout development and found that Scn8a mutants also have disrupted somatosensory neuron morphologies and altered electrophysiological responses to mechanical stimuli. Together, these findings indicate that mechanically evoked neuronal activity acts early in life to shape the maturation of the mechanosensory end organs that underlie our sense of gentle touch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Santiago
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Nikhil Sharma
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Nusrat Africawala
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Julianna Siegrist
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Annie Handler
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Aniqa Tasnim
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Rabia Anjum
- Department of Biology and Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 02453, USA
| | - Josef Turecek
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Brendan P. Lehnert
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Sophia Renauld
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Michael Nolan-Tamariz
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Michael Iskols
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Alexandra R. Magee
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Suzanne Paradis
- Department of Biology and Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 02453, USA
| | - David D. Ginty
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Lead Contact
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8
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Flores OM, Rausch MK, Tepole AB. The Role of Interface Geometry and Appendages on the Mesoscale Mechanics of the Skin. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3182434. [PMID: 37546861 PMCID: PMC10402203 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3182434/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The skin is the largest organ in the human body and serves various functions, including mechanical protection and mechanosensation. Yet, even though skin's biomechanics are attributed to two main layers - epidermis and dermis-computational models have often treated this tissue as a thin homogeneous material or, when considering multiple layers, have ignored the most prominent heterogeneities of skin seen at the mesoscale. Here we create finite element models of representative volume elements (RVEs) of skin, including the three-dimensional variation of the interface between the epidermis and dermis as well as considering the presence of hair follicles. The sinusoidal interface, which approximates the anatomical features known as Rete ridges, does not affect the homogenized mechanical response of the RVE but contributes to stress concentration, particularly at the valleys of the Rete ridges. The stress profile is three-dimensional due to the skin's anisotropy, leading to high-stress bands connecting the valleys of the Rete ridges through one type of saddle point. The peaks of the Rete ridges and the other class of saddle points of the sinusoidal surface form a second set of low-stress bands under equi-biaxial loading. Another prominent feature of the heterogeneous stress pattern is a switch in the stress jump across the interface, which becomes lower with respect to the flat interface at increasing deformations. These features are seen in both tension and shear loading. The RVE with the hair follicle showed strains concentrating at the epidermis adjacent to the hair follicle, the epithelial tissue surrounding the hair right below the epidermis, and the bulb or base region of the hair follicle. The regions of strain concentration near the hair follicle in equi-biaxial and shear loading align with the presence of distinct mechanoreceptors in the skin, except for the bulb or base region. This study highlights the importance of skin heterogeneities, particularly its potential mechanophysiological role in the sense of touch and the prevention of skin delamination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuel K. Rausch
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
| | - Adrian B. Tepole
- School of Mechanical Eng., Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA
- Weldon School of Biomedical Eng., Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA
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9
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Meltzer S, Boulanger KC, Chirila AM, Osei-Asante E, DeLisle M, Zhang Q, Kalish BT, Tasnim A, Huey EL, Fuller LC, Flaherty EK, Maniatis T, Garrett AM, Weiner JA, Ginty DD. γ-Protocadherins control synapse formation and peripheral branching of touch sensory neurons. Neuron 2023; 111:1776-1794.e10. [PMID: 37028432 PMCID: PMC10365546 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Light touch sensation begins with activation of low-threshold mechanoreceptor (LTMR) endings in the skin and propagation of their signals to the spinal cord and brainstem. We found that the clustered protocadherin gamma (Pcdhg) gene locus, which encodes 22 cell-surface homophilic binding proteins, is required in somatosensory neurons for normal behavioral reactivity to a range of tactile stimuli. Developmentally, distinct Pcdhg isoforms mediate LTMR synapse formation through neuron-neuron interactions and peripheral axonal branching through neuron-glia interactions. The Pcdhgc3 isoform mediates homophilic interactions between sensory axons and spinal cord neurons to promote synapse formation in vivo and is sufficient to induce postsynaptic specializations in vitro. Moreover, loss of Pcdhgs and somatosensory synaptic inputs to the dorsal horn leads to fewer corticospinal synapses on dorsal horn neurons. These findings reveal essential roles for Pcdhg isoform diversity in somatosensory neuron synapse formation, peripheral axonal branching, and stepwise assembly of central mechanosensory circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Meltzer
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Katelyn C Boulanger
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anda M Chirila
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Emmanuella Osei-Asante
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michelle DeLisle
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Qiyu Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Brian T Kalish
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aniqa Tasnim
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Erica L Huey
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Leah C Fuller
- Department of Biology and Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, 143 Biology Building, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Erin K Flaherty
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Zuckerman Institute of Mind Brain and Behavior, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tom Maniatis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Zuckerman Institute of Mind Brain and Behavior, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Andrew M Garrett
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield St. 7322 Scott Hall, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Joshua A Weiner
- Department of Biology and Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, 143 Biology Building, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - David D Ginty
- Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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10
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Mangione F, Titlow J, Maclachlan C, Gho M, Davis I, Collinson L, Tapon N. Co-option of epidermal cells enables touch sensing. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:540-549. [PMID: 36959505 PMCID: PMC10104782 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01110-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
The epidermis is equipped with specialized mechanosensory organs that enable the detection of tactile stimuli. Here, by examining the differentiation of the tactile bristles, mechanosensory organs decorating the Drosophila adult epidermis, we show that neighbouring epidermal cells are essential for touch perception. Each mechanosensory bristle signals to the surrounding epidermis to co-opt a single epidermal cell, which we named the F-Cell. Once specified, the F-Cell adopts a specialized morphology to ensheath each bristle. Functional assays reveal that adult mechanosensory bristles require association with the epidermal F-Cell for touch sensing. Our findings underscore the importance of resident epidermal cells in the assembly of functional touch-sensitive organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Mangione
- Apoptosis and Proliferation Control Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
| | - Joshua Titlow
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Catherine Maclachlan
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Michel Gho
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (LBD-IBPS), Paris, France
| | - Ilan Davis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lucy Collinson
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Nicolas Tapon
- Apoptosis and Proliferation Control Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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11
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Zhu R, Jan YN. A new cell in an old tactile sensory organ. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:518-519. [PMID: 37059881 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01119-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruijun Zhu
- Department of Physiology, UCSF/HHMI, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yuh Nung Jan
- Department of Physiology, UCSF/HHMI, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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12
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Brown TL, Horton EC, Craig EW, Goo CEA, Black EC, Hewitt MN, Yee NG, Fan ET, Raible DW, Rasmussen JP. Dermal appendage-dependent patterning of zebrafish atoh1a+ Merkel cells. eLife 2023; 12:85800. [PMID: 36648063 PMCID: PMC9901935 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Touch system function requires precise interactions between specialized skin cells and somatosensory axons, as exemplified by the vertebrate mechanosensory Merkel cell-neurite complex. Development and patterning of Merkel cells and associated neurites during skin organogenesis remain poorly understood, partly due to the in utero development of mammalian embryos. Here, we discover Merkel cells in the zebrafish epidermis and identify Atonal homolog 1a (Atoh1a) as a marker of zebrafish Merkel cells. We show that zebrafish Merkel cells derive from basal keratinocytes, express neurosecretory and mechanosensory machinery, extend actin-rich microvilli, and complex with somatosensory axons, all hallmarks of mammalian Merkel cells. Merkel cells populate all major adult skin compartments, with region-specific densities and distribution patterns. In vivo photoconversion reveals that Merkel cells undergo steady loss and replenishment during skin homeostasis. Merkel cells develop concomitant with dermal appendages along the trunk and loss of Ectodysplasin signaling, which prevents dermal appendage formation, reduces Merkel cell density by affecting cell differentiation. By contrast, altering dermal appendage morphology changes the distribution, but not density, of Merkel cells. Overall, our studies provide insights into touch system maturation during skin organogenesis and establish zebrafish as an experimentally accessible in vivo model for the study of Merkel cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya L Brown
- Department of Biology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Emma C Horton
- Department of Biology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Evan W Craig
- Department of Biology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Camille EA Goo
- Department of Biology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Erik C Black
- Department of Biology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Madeleine N Hewitt
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Department of Biological Structure, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Nathaniel G Yee
- Department of Biology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Everett T Fan
- Department of Biology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - David W Raible
- Department of Biological Structure, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Jeffrey P Rasmussen
- Department of Biology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
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13
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Mao F, Yang Y, Jiang H. Electromechanical model for object roughness perception during finger sliding. Biophys J 2022; 121:4740-4747. [PMID: 36116008 PMCID: PMC9748192 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Touch allows us to gather abundant information in the world around us. However, how sensory cells embedded in the fingers convey texture information into their firing patterns is still poorly understood. Here, we develop an electromechanical model for roughness perception by incorporating main ingredients such as voltage-gated ion channels, active ion pumps, mechanosensitive channels, and cell deformation. The model reveals that sensory cells can convey texture wavelengths into the period of their firing patterns as the finger slides across object surfaces, but they can only convey a limited range of texture wavelengths. We also show that an increase in sliding speed broadens the decoding wavelength range at the cost of reduction of lower perception limits. Thus, a smaller sliding speed and a bigger contact force may be needed to successfully discern a smooth surface, consistent with previous psychophysical observations. Moreover, we show that cells with slowly adapting mechanosensitive channels can still fire action potentials under static loadings, indicating that slowly adapting mechanosensitive channels may contribute to the perception of coarse textures under static touch. Our work thus provides a new theoretical framework to study roughness perception and may have important implications for the design of electronic skin, artificial touch, and haptic interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangtao Mao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yuehua Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Hongyuan Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, CAS Center for Excellence in Complex System Mechanics, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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14
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Cappellesso R, Nicolè L, Del Fiore P, Barzon L, Sinigaglia A, Riccetti S, Franco R, Zito Marino F, Munari G, Zamuner C, Cavallin F, Sbaraglia M, Galuppini F, Bassetto F, Alaibac M, Chiarion-Sileni V, Piccin L, Benna C, Fassan M, Mocellin S, Dei Tos AP. TRK Protein Expression in Merkel Cell Carcinoma Is Not Caused by NTRK Fusions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315366. [PMID: 36499693 PMCID: PMC9737899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous malignant tumor with neuroendocrine differentiation, with a rapidly growing incidence rate, high risk of recurrence, and aggressive behavior. The available therapeutic options for advanced disease are limited and there is a pressing need for new treatments. Tumors harboring fusions involving one of the neurotrophin receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) genes are now actionable with targeted inhibitors. NTRK-fused genes have been identified in neuroendocrine tumors of other sites; thus, a series of 76 MCCs were firstly analyzed with pan-TRK immunohistochemistry and the positive ones with real-time RT-PCR, RNA-based NGS, and FISH to detect the eventual underlying gene fusion. Despite 34 MCCs showing pan-TRK expression, NTRK fusions were not found in any cases. As in other tumors with neural differentiation, TRK expression seems to be physiological and not caused by gene fusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Cappellesso
- Pathological Anatomy Unit, Padua University Hospital, 35121 Padua, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-049-8217962
| | - Lorenzo Nicolè
- Department of Pathology, Angelo Hospital, 30174 Venice, Italy
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Paolo Del Fiore
- Soft-Tissue, Peritoneum and Melanoma Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Luisa Barzon
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Riccetti
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Renato Franco
- Pathology Unit, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80129 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giada Munari
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | | | | | - Marta Sbaraglia
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | | | - Franco Bassetto
- Department of Neurosciences (DNS), University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Mauro Alaibac
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Vanna Chiarion-Sileni
- Melanoma Unit, Oncology 2 Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Luisa Piccin
- Melanoma Unit, Oncology 2 Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Clara Benna
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Simone Mocellin
- Soft-Tissue, Peritoneum and Melanoma Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
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15
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Gentle as a mother's touch: C-tactile touch promotes autonomic regulation in preterm infants. Physiol Behav 2022; 257:113991. [PMID: 36242858 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113991] [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: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Preterm infants are challenged to adapt to an extrauterine milieu, while their interoceptive system and autonomic regulation capacity is still immature. Caressing parental touch is known to foster parasympathetic regulation in infants by stimulating C-tactile (CT) afferents and in preterm infants, slow stroking stimulation also leads to a heart rate decrease. The particular impact of maternal stroking has not yet been investigated and factors influencing the maturation of the CT system in preterm infants remain unclear. We therefore analysed 53 standardized events in which preterm infants (24 to 36 weeks gestational age at birth) were stroked by their mothers. Video analysis revealed that mothers use CT optimal velocities to stroke their preterm child. Analysis of pulse oximetric data showed no effect of stroking on infantile blood oxygenation, but a significant decrease of the heart rate. Compared to term-born children, this decrease was delayed by about two minutes. Furthermore, our data suggested that more immature preterm infants benefited less from stroking than more mature ones. We conclude that maternal stroking touch targets CT afferents in preterm infants and that the preterm CT system is not yet mature.
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16
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A role for axon-glial interactions and Netrin-G1 signaling in the formation of low-threshold mechanoreceptor end organs. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210421119. [PMID: 36252008 PMCID: PMC9618144 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210421119] [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: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs) and their cutaneous end organs convert light mechanical forces acting on the skin into electrical signals that propagate to the central nervous system. In mouse hairy skin, hair follicle-associated longitudinal lanceolate complexes, which are end organs comprising LTMR axonal endings that intimately associate with terminal Schwann cell (TSC) processes, mediate LTMR responses to hair deflection and skin indentation. Here, we characterized developmental steps leading to the formation of Aβ rapidly adapting (RA)-LTMR and Aδ-LTMR lanceolate complexes. During early postnatal development, Aβ RA-LTMRs and Aδ-LTMRs extend and prune cutaneous axonal branches in close association with nascent TSC processes. Netrin-G1 is expressed in these developing Aβ RA-LTMR and Aδ-LTMR lanceolate endings, and Ntng1 ablation experiments indicate that Netrin-G1 functions in sensory neurons to promote lanceolate ending elaboration around hair follicles. The Netrin-G ligand (NGL-1), encoded by Lrrc4c, is expressed in TSCs, and ablation of Lrrc4c partially phenocopied the lanceolate complex deficits observed in Ntng1 mutants. Moreover, NGL-1-Netrin-G1 signaling is a general mediator of LTMR end organ formation across diverse tissue types demonstrated by the fact that Aβ RA-LTMR endings associated with Meissner corpuscles and Pacinian corpuscles are also compromised in the Ntng1 and Lrrc4c mutant mice. Thus, axon-glia interactions, mediated in part by NGL-1-Netrin-G1 signaling, promote LTMR end organ formation.
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17
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Testing individual variations of horses’ tactile reactivity: when, where, how? Naturwissenschaften 2022; 109:41. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-022-01811-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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18
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Bridging skin, brain, and behavior to understand pleasurable social touch. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 73:102527. [PMID: 35453001 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Social touch-the affiliative skin-to-skin contact between individuals-can rapidly evoke emotions of comfort, pleasure, or calm, and is essential for mental and physical well-being. Physical isolation from social support can be devastating. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed a global increase in suicidal ideation, anxiety, domestic violence, and worsening of pre-existing physical conditions, alerting society to our need to understand the neurobiology of social touch and how it promotes normal health. Gaining a mechanistic understanding of how sensory neuron stimulation induces pleasure, calm, and analgesia may reveal untapped therapeutic targets in the periphery for treatment of anxiety and depression, as well as social disorders and traumas in which social touch becomes aversive. Bridging the gap between stimulation in the skin and positive affect in the brain-especially during naturally occurring social touch behaviors-remains a challenge to the field. However, with advances in mouse genetics, behavioral quantification, and brain imaging approaches to measure neuronal firing and neurochemical release, completing this mechanistic picture may be on the horizon. Here, we summarize some exciting new findings about social touch in mammals, emphasizing both the peripheral and central nervous systems, with attempts to bridge the gap between external stimulation and internal representations in the brain.
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19
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Abstract
Developing organs are shaped, in part, by physical interaction with their environment in the embryo. In recent years, technical advances in live-cell imaging and material science have greatly expanded our understanding of the mechanical forces driving organ formation. Here, we provide a broad overview of the types of forces generated during embryonic development and then focus on a subset of organs underlying our senses: the eyes, inner ears, nose and skin. The epithelia in these organs emerge from a common origin: the ectoderm germ layer; yet, they arrive at unique and complex forms over developmental time. We discuss exciting recent animal studies that show a crucial role for mechanical forces in, for example, the thickening of sensory placodes, the coiling of the cochlea and the lengthening of hair. Finally, we discuss how microfabricated organoid systems can now provide unprecedented insights into the physical principles of human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Phuong Le
- Department of Otolaryngology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jin Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Karl R. Koehler
- Department of Otolaryngology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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20
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Lucas K, Todd P, Ness BM. A Multi-Systems Approach to Human Movement after ACL Reconstruction: The Integumentary System. Int J Sports Phys Ther 2021; 17:74-80. [PMID: 35024207 PMCID: PMC8720252 DOI: 10.26603/001c.29454] [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: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Postoperative management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has traditionally focused on the evaluation and intervention of musculoskeletal components such as range of motion and patients' reports of function. The integumentary system can provide early indications that rehabilitation may be prolonged due to protracted or poor healing of the incision sites. Full evaluation of the reconstruction over time, including direction of the incisions, appearance of surgical sites, level of residual innervation, and health of the individual should be considered when determining time-based goals and plans for returning an athlete to activity. Skin care techniques should be used to minimize strain and promote wound healing at the surgical sites, which in turn allows for implementation of other interventions that target other body systems such as locomotion, strength training, and cardiopulmonary conditioning. The integration of the integumentary system with cardiovascular, neurological, and muscular systems is required for a successful return to activity. A multi-physiologic systems approach may provide a unique viewpoint when aiming to attain a greater appreciation of the integumentary system and its integration with other body systems following ACL reconstruction. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to discuss integumentary considerations within a multi-physiologic systems approach to human movement after ACL reconstruction, including an anatomical review, key elements of assessment, and integrated intervention strategies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Lucas
- Kosair Charities Center for Pediatric NeuroRecovery, University of Louisville; Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville
| | - Patricia Todd
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Norton Children's Pediatric Dermatology
| | - Brandon M Ness
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Tufts University School of Medicine
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21
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Hale ME. Evolution of touch and proprioception of the limbs: Insights from fish and humans. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 71:37-43. [PMID: 34562801 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The function of the hands is inextricably linked to cutaneous mechanosensation, both in touch and in how hand movement and posture (proprioception) are controlled. The structure and behavior of hands and distal forelimbs of other vertebrates have been evolutionarily shaped by these mechanosensory functions. The distal forelimb of tetrapod vertebrates is homologous to the pectoral fin rays and membrane of fishes. Fish fins demonstrate similar mechanosensory abilities to hands and other distal tetrapod forelimbs in touch and proprioception. These results indicate that vertebrates were using the core mechanosensory inputs, such as fast adapting and slow adapting nerve responses, to inform fin and limb function and behavior before their diversification in fish and tetrapod lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina E Hale
- William Rainey Harper Professor in Organismal Biology and Anatomy and The College, Dept. of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, 1027 E 57(th) St, Chicago IL 60637 USA.
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22
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The cellular and molecular basis of somatosensory neuron development. Neuron 2021; 109:3736-3757. [PMID: 34592169 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Primary somatosensory neurons convey salient information about our external environment and internal state to the CNS, allowing us to detect, perceive, and react to a wide range of innocuous and noxious stimuli. Pseudo-unipolar in shape, and among the largest (longest) cells of most mammals, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) somatosensory neurons have peripheral axons that extend into skin, muscle, viscera, or bone and central axons that innervate the spinal cord and brainstem, where they synaptically engage the central somatosensory circuitry. Here, we review the diversity of mammalian DRG neuron subtypes and the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that control their development. We describe classical and contemporary advances that frame our understanding of DRG neurogenesis, transcriptional specification of DRG neurons, and the establishment of morphological, physiological, and synaptic diversification across somatosensory neuron subtypes.
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23
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Motahari Z, Maynard TM, Popratiloff A, Moody SA, LaMantia AS. Aberrant early growth of individual trigeminal sensory and motor axons in a series of mouse genetic models of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:3081-3093. [PMID: 32901287 PMCID: PMC7645708 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We identified divergent modes of initial axon growth that prefigure disrupted differentiation of the trigeminal nerve (CN V), a cranial nerve essential for suckling, feeding and swallowing (S/F/S), a key innate behavior compromised in multiple genetic developmental disorders including DiGeorge/22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2 DS). We combined rapid in vivo labeling of single CN V axons in LgDel+/− mouse embryos, a genomically accurate 22q11.2DS model, and 3D imaging to identify and quantify phenotypes that could not be resolved using existing methods. We assessed these phenotypes in three 22q11.2-related genotypes to determine whether individual CN V motor and sensory axons wander, branch and sprout aberrantly in register with altered anterior–posterior hindbrain patterning and gross morphological disruption of CN V seen in LgDel+/−. In the additional 22q11.2-related genotypes: Tbx1+/−, Ranbp1−/−, Ranbp1+/− and LgDel+/−:Raldh2+/−; axon phenotypes are seen when hindbrain patterning and CN V gross morphology is altered, but not when it is normal or restored toward WT. This disordered growth of CN V sensory and motor axons, whose appropriate targeting is critical for optimal S/F/S, may be an early, critical determinant of imprecise innervation leading to inefficient oropharyngeal function associated with 22q11.2 deletion from birth onward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Motahari
- Institute for Neuroscience, Washington, DC 20037, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Thomas M Maynard
- The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA
| | - Anastas Popratiloff
- Institute for Neuroscience, Washington, DC 20037, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Sally A Moody
- Institute for Neuroscience, Washington, DC 20037, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Anthony-S LaMantia
- The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
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24
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A bending fluctuation-based mechanism for particle detection by ciliated structures. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2020402118. [PMID: 34326246 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020402118] [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: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To mimic the mechanical response of passive biological cilia in complex fluids, we study the bending dynamics of an anchored elastic fiber submitted to a dilute granular suspension under shear. We show that the bending fluctuations of the fiber accurately encode minute variations of the granular suspension concentration. Indeed, besides the stationary bending induced by the continuous phase flow, the passage of each single particle induces an additional deflection. We demonstrate that the dominant particle/fiber interaction arises from contacts of the particles with the fiber, and we propose a simple elastohydrodynamics model to predict their amplitude. Our results provide a mechanistic and statistical framework to describe particle detection by biological ciliated systems.
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25
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Yoshida S, Funato H. Physical contact in parent-infant relationship and its effect on fostering a feeling of safety. iScience 2021; 24:102721. [PMID: 34235413 PMCID: PMC8250458 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The infant-caregiver relationship involves physical contact for feeding, moving, and other cares, and such contact also encourages the infant to form an attachment, an emotional bond with the caregivers. Physical contact always accompanies somatosensory perception, which is detected by mechanosensory neurons and processed in the brain. Physical contact triggers sensorimotor reflexes such as Transport Response in rodent infants, and calm human infants while being carried. Tactile sensation and deep pressure in physical interactions, such as hugging, can function as emotional communication between infant and caregiver, which can alter the behavior and mood of both the infant and caregiver. This review summarizes the findings related to physical contact between the infant and the caregiver in terms of pleasant, noxious, and neutral somatosensation and discusses how somatosensory perceptions foster a feeling of safety that is important for infant's psychosocial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachine Yoshida
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Funato
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
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26
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Hirano M, Huang Y, Vela Jarquin D, De la Garza Hernández RL, Jodat YA, Luna Cerón E, García-Rivera LE, Shin SR. 3D bioprinted human iPSC-derived somatosensory constructs with functional and highly purified sensory neuron networks. Biofabrication 2021; 13. [PMID: 33962404 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/abff11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Engineering three-dimensional (3D) sensible tissue constructs, along with the complex microarchitecture wiring of the sensory nervous system, has been an ongoing challenge in the tissue engineering field. By combining 3D bioprinting and human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) technologies, sensible tissue constructs could be engineered in a rapid, precise, and controllable manner to replicate 3D microarchitectures and mechanosensory functionalities of the native sensory tissue (e.g. response to external stimuli). Here, we introduce a biofabrication approach to create complex 3D microarchitecture wirings. We develop an hPSC-sensory neuron (SN) laden bioink using highly purified and functional SN populations to 3D bioprint microarchitecture wirings that demonstrate responsiveness to warm/cold sense-inducing chemicals and mechanical stress. Specifically, we tailor a conventional differentiation strategy to our purification method by utilizing p75 cell surface marker and DAPT treatment along with neuronal growth factors in order to selectively differentiate neural crest cells into SNs. To create spatial resolution in 3D architectures and grow SNs in custom patterns and directions, an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-SN-laden gelatin bioink was printed on laminin-coated substrates using extrusion-based bioprinting technique. Then the printed constructs were covered with a collagen matrix that guided SNs growing in the printed micropattern. Using a sacrificial bioprinting technique, the iPSC-SNs were seeded into the hollow microchannels created by sacrificial gelatin ink printed in the gelatin methacryloyl supporting bath, thereby demonstrating controllability over axon guidance in curved lines up to several tens of centimeters in length on 2D substrates and in straight microchannels in 3D matrices. Therefore, this biofabrication approach could be amenable to incorporate sensible SN networks into the engineered skin equivalents, regenerative skin implants, and augmented somatosensory neuro-prosthetics that have the potential to regenerate sensible functions by connecting host neuron systems in injured areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Hirano
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham Women's Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America.,Future Vehicle Research Department, Toyota Research Institute North America, Toyota Motor North America Inc., 1555 Woodridge Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, United States of America
| | - Yike Huang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham Women's Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America.,Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Daniel Vela Jarquin
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham Women's Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America.,Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Calle del Puente 222, Ejidos de Huipulco, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México, CDMX 14380, Mexico
| | - Rosakaren Ludivina De la Garza Hernández
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham Women's Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America.,Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Av. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur, Tecnológico, 64849 Monterrey, NL, Mexico
| | - Yasamin A Jodat
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham Women's Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Eder Luna Cerón
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham Women's Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America.,Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Calle del Puente 222, Ejidos de Huipulco, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México, CDMX 14380, Mexico
| | - Luis Enrique García-Rivera
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham Women's Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America.,Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Calle del Puente 222, Ejidos de Huipulco, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México, CDMX 14380, Mexico
| | - Su Ryon Shin
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham Women's Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
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27
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Pomaville MB, Wright KM. Immunohistochemical and Genetic Labeling of Hairy and Glabrous Skin Innervation. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e121. [PMID: 33950580 PMCID: PMC8162737 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous innervation is an essential component of the mammalian sensory nervous system. During development, genetically and morphologically diverse subtypes of sensory neurons use distinct molecular pathways to innervate end organs or form free nerve endings in glabrous and hairy skin. Peripheral neurons can be damaged by acute injury or degenerate due to chronic conditions including diabetes and chemotherapy, leading to peripheral neuropathy. The analysis of skin and cutaneous innervation can be applied to many research endeavors, from developmental neuroscience to pharmaceutical testing. Due to the natural hydrophobicity and heterogenous makeup of the skin (dense, keratinized cells as well as sparse, extracellular-matrix-bound cells), its histological analysis presents unique challenges compared to that of many other tissues. This series of protocols describes histological methods for generalized immunohistochemistry and subtype-specific genetic labeling of sensory neurons in mouse skin in both whole-mount and section formats. We provide detailed methodology of tissue preparation for hairy and glabrous skin, several types of labeling, and counting of hair follicles in flat-mounted mouse skin. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Cryosectioning and immunostaining of mouse hairy skin Alternate Protocol 1: Alternate method for preparation and fixation of mouse hairy skin Basic Protocol 2: Sectioning of mouse paw glabrous skin Basic Protocol 3: Whole-mount immunolabeling of mouse skin Basic Protocol 4: Sparse labeling of skin-innervating neurons with a Cre-dependent membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase reporter Alternate Protocol 2: Sparse labeling of skin-innervating neurons with a Cre-dependent fluorescent reporter Basic Protocol 5: Oil Red O staining of skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B Pomaville
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Kevin M Wright
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
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28
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Lee G, Son JH, Lee S, Kim SW, Kim D, Nguyen NN, Lee SG, Cho K. Fingerpad-Inspired Multimodal Electronic Skin for Material Discrimination and Texture Recognition. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2002606. [PMID: 33977042 PMCID: PMC8097346 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202002606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Human skin plays a critical role in a person communicating with his or her environment through diverse activities such as touching or deforming an object. Various electronic skin (E-skin) devices have been developed that show functional or geometrical superiority to human skin. However, research into stretchable E-skin that can simultaneously distinguish materials and textures has not been established yet. Here, the first approach to achieving a stretchable multimodal device is reported, that operates on the basis of various electrical properties of piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, and piezoresistivity and that exceeds the capabilities of human tactile perception. The prepared E-skin is composed of a wrinkle-patterned silicon elastomer, hybrid nanomaterials of silver nanowires and zinc oxide nanowires, and a thin elastomeric dielectric layer covering the hybrid nanomaterials, where the dielectric layer exhibits high surface roughness mimicking human fingerprints. This versatile device can identify and distinguish not only mechanical stress from a single stimulus such as pressure, tensile strain, or vibration but also that from a combination of multiple stimuli. With simultaneous sensing and analysis of the integrated stimuli, the approach enables material discrimination and texture recognition for a biomimetic prosthesis when the multifunctional E-skin is applied to a robotic hand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giwon Lee
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohang37673Korea
| | - Jong Hyun Son
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohang37673Korea
| | - Siyoung Lee
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohang37673Korea
| | - Seong Won Kim
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohang37673Korea
| | - Daegun Kim
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohang37673Korea
| | - Nguyen Ngan Nguyen
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohang37673Korea
| | - Seung Goo Lee
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of UlsanUlsan44 610Korea
| | - Kilwon Cho
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPohang University of Science and TechnologyPohang37673Korea
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29
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Wang Y, Cao X, Cheng J, Yao B, Zhao Y, Wu S, Ju B, Zhang S, He X, Niu W. Cephalopod-Inspired Chromotropic Ionic Skin with Rapid Visual Sensing Capabilities to Multiple Stimuli. ACS NANO 2021; 15:3509-3521. [PMID: 33528244 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Biological skin systems can perceive various external stimuli through ion transduction. Especially, the skin of some advanced organisms such as cephalopods can further promptly change body color by manipulating photonic nanostructures. However, the current skin-inspired soft iontronics lack the rapid full-color switching ability to respond to multiple stimuli including tension, pressure, and temperature. Here, an intelligent chromotropic iontronics with these fascinating functions is developed by constructing a biomimetic ultrastructure with anisotropic electrostatic repulsion. This skin-like chromotropic iontronics can synchronously realize electrical response and optical visualization to mechanical strain and tactile sensation by adjusting the ultrastructure in cooperation with ionic mechanotransduction. Notably, it can perform instantaneous geometric changes to thermal stimuli via an anisotropic electrostatic repulsion interior. Such a capability allows bionic skin to transduce temperature or infrared light into ionic signals and color changes in real time. The design of anisotropic photonic nanostructures expands the intelligent application for soft iontronics at higher levels, providing a concise, multifunctional, interactive sensing platform that dynamically displays stimuli information on its body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunpeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, West Campus, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Xianfei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, West Campus, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Jie Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, West Campus, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Bowen Yao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Yusen Zhao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Suli Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, West Campus, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Benzhi Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, West Campus, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Shufen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, West Campus, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Ximin He
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Wenbin Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, West Campus, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
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30
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A cutaneous mechanoneural interface for neuroprosthetic feedback. Nat Biomed Eng 2021; 6:731-740. [PMID: 33526908 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-020-00669-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Amputation destroys sensory end organs and does not provide an anatomical interface for cutaneous neuroprosthetic feedback. Here, we report the design and a biomechanical and electrophysiological evaluation of the cutaneous mechanoneural interface consisting of an afferent neural system that comprises a muscle actuator coupled to a natively pedicled skin flap in a cuff-like architecture. Muscle is actuated through electrical stimulation to induce strains or oscillatory vibrations on the skin flap that are proportional to a desired contact duration or contact pressure. In rat hindlimbs, the mechanoneural interface elicited native dermal mechanotransducers to generate at least four levels of graded contact and eight distinct vibratory afferents that were not significantly different from analogous mechanical stimulation of intact skin. The application of different patterns of electrical stimulation independently engaged slowly adapting and rapidly adapting mechanotransducers, and recreated an array of cutaneous sensations. The cutaneous mechanoneural interface can be integrated with current prosthetic technologies for tactile feedback.
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31
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Gatto G, Bourane S, Ren X, Di Costanzo S, Fenton PK, Halder P, Seal RP, Goulding MD. A Functional Topographic Map for Spinal Sensorimotor Reflexes. Neuron 2021; 109:91-104.e5. [PMID: 33181065 PMCID: PMC7790959 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous somatosensory modalities play pivotal roles in generating a wide range of sensorimotor behaviors, including protective and corrective reflexes that dynamically adapt ongoing movement and posture. How interneurons (INs) in the dorsal horn encode these modalities and transform them into stimulus-appropriate motor behaviors is not known. Here, we use an intersectional genetic approach to functionally assess the contribution that eight classes of dorsal excitatory INs make to sensorimotor reflex responses. We demonstrate that the dorsal horn is organized into spatially restricted excitatory modules composed of molecularly heterogeneous cell types. Laminae I/II INs drive chemical itch-induced scratching, laminae II/III INs generate paw withdrawal movements, and laminae III/IV INs modulate dynamic corrective reflexes. These data reveal a key principle in spinal somatosensory processing, namely, sensorimotor reflexes are driven by the differential spatial recruitment of excitatory neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziana Gatto
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Steeve Bourane
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Université de la Réunion, DéTROI, UMR 1188 INSERM, Sainte Clotilde, La Réunion 97490, France
| | - Xiangyu Ren
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Biology Graduate Program, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Stefania Di Costanzo
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Biology Graduate Program, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Peter K Fenton
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Priyabrata Halder
- Departments of Neurobiology and Otolaryngology, Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, and Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Rebecca P Seal
- Departments of Neurobiology and Otolaryngology, Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, and Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Martyn D Goulding
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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32
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Abstract
Stem cells (SCs) maintain tissue homeostasis and repair wounds. Despite marked variation in tissue architecture and regenerative demands, SCs often follow similar paradigms in communicating with their microenvironmental "niche" to transition between quiescent and regenerative states. Here we use skin epithelium and skeletal muscle-among the most highly-stressed tissues in our body-to highlight similarities and differences in niche constituents and how SCs mediate natural tissue rejuvenation and perform regenerative acts prompted by injuries. We discuss how these communication networks break down during aging and how understanding tissue SCs has led to major advances in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Fuchs
- Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Helen M Blau
- Baxter Foundation Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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33
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Loutit AJ, Vickery RM, Potas JR. Functional organization and connectivity of the dorsal column nuclei complex reveals a sensorimotor integration and distribution hub. J Comp Neurol 2020; 529:187-220. [PMID: 32374027 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The dorsal column nuclei complex (DCN-complex) includes the dorsal column nuclei (DCN, referring to the gracile and cuneate nuclei collectively), external cuneate, X, and Z nuclei, and the median accessory nucleus. The DCN are organized by both somatotopy and modality, and have a diverse range of afferent inputs and projection targets. The functional organization and connectivity of the DCN implicate them in a variety of sensorimotor functions, beyond their commonly accepted role in processing and transmitting somatosensory information to the thalamus, yet this is largely underappreciated in the literature. To consolidate insights into their sensorimotor functions, this review examines the morphology, organization, and connectivity of the DCN and their associated nuclei. First, we briefly discuss the receptors, afferent fibers, and pathways involved in conveying tactile and proprioceptive information to the DCN. Next, we review the modality and somatotopic arrangements of the remaining constituents of the DCN-complex. Finally, we examine and discuss the functional implications of the myriad of DCN-complex projection targets throughout the diencephalon, midbrain, and hindbrain, in addition to their modulatory inputs from the cortex. The organization and connectivity of the DCN-complex suggest that these nuclei should be considered a complex integration and distribution hub for sensorimotor information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair J Loutit
- School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,The Eccles Institute of Neuroscience, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Richard M Vickery
- School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason R Potas
- School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,The Eccles Institute of Neuroscience, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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34
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Lee J, Rabbani CC, Gao H, Steinhart MR, Woodruff BM, Pflum ZE, Kim A, Heller S, Liu Y, Shipchandler TZ, Koehler KR. Hair-bearing human skin generated entirely from pluripotent stem cells. Nature 2020; 582:399-404. [PMID: 32494013 PMCID: PMC7593871 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2352-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The skin is a multi-layered organ equipped with appendages (i.e. follicles and glands) critical for regulating bodily fluid retention and temperature, guarding against external stresses, and mediating touch and pain sensation1,2. Reconstruction of appendage-bearing skin in cultures and in bioengineered grafts remains an unmet biomedical challenge3–9. Here, we report an organoid culture system that generates complex skin from human pluripotent stem cells. We use step-wise modulation of the TGFβ and FGF signalling pathways to co-induce cranial epithelial cells and neural crest cells within a spherical cell aggregate. During 4–5 months incubation, we observe the emergence of a cyst-like skin organoid composed of stratified epidermis, fat-rich dermis, and pigmented hair follicles equipped with sebaceous glands. A network of sensory neurons and Schwann cells form nerve-like bundles that target Merkel cells in organoid hair follicles, mimicking human touch circuitry. Single-cell RNA-sequencing and direct comparison to foetal specimens suggest that skin organoids are equivalent to human facial skin in the second-trimester of development. Moreover, we show that skin organoids form planar hair-bearing skin when grafted on nude mice. Together, our results demonstrate that nearly complete skin can self-assemble in vitro and be used to reconstitute skin in vivo. We anticipate skin organoids will be foundational to future studies of human skin development, disease modelling, or reconstructive surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoon Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cyrus C Rabbani
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hongyu Gao
- Center for Medical Genomics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Matthew R Steinhart
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Medical Neuroscience Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Zachary E Pflum
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Alexander Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Stefan Heller
- Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Yunlong Liu
- Center for Medical Genomics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Taha Z Shipchandler
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Karl R Koehler
- Department of Otolaryngology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. .,Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. .,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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35
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Wang Y, Sibaii F, Custead R, Oh H, Barlow SM. Functional Connectivity Evoked by Orofacial Tactile Perception of Velocity. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:182. [PMID: 32210753 PMCID: PMC7068713 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cortical representations of orofacial pneumotactile stimulation involve complex neuronal networks, which are still unknown. This study aims to identify the characteristics of functional connectivity (FC) evoked by three different saltatory velocities over the perioral and buccal surface of the lower face using functional magnetic resonance imaging in twenty neurotypical adults. Our results showed a velocity of 25 cm/s evoked stronger connection strength between the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the right thalamus than a velocity of 5 cm/s. The decreased FC between the right secondary somatosensory cortex and right posterior parietal cortex for 5-cm/s velocity versus all three velocities delivered simultaneously (“All ON”) and the increased FC between the right thalamus and bilateral secondary somatosensory cortex for 65 cm/s vs “All ON” indicated that the right secondary somatosensory cortex might play a role in the orofacial tactile perception of velocity. Our results have also shown different patterns of FC for each seed (bilateral primary and secondary somatosensory cortex) at various velocity contrasts (5 vs 25 cm/s, 5 vs 65 cm/s, and 25 vs 65 cm/s). The similarities and differences of FC among three velocities shed light on the neuronal networks encoding the orofacial tactile perception of velocity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Wang
- Neuroimaging for Language, Literacy and Learning Laboratory, Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States.,Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States.,Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and schools, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States.,Biomedical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Fatima Sibaii
- Neuroimaging for Language, Literacy and Learning Laboratory, Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States.,Biomedical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Rebecca Custead
- Communication Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Hyuntaek Oh
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States.,Communication Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Steven M Barlow
- Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States.,Biomedical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States.,Communication Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
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36
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Orefice LL. Peripheral Somatosensory Neuron Dysfunction: Emerging Roles in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Neuroscience 2020; 445:120-129. [PMID: 32035119 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in somatosensory (touch and pain) behaviors are highly prevalent among people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the neural mechanisms underlying abnormal touch and pain-related behaviors in ASDs and how altered somatosensory reactivity might contribute to ASD pathogenesis has not been well studied. Here, we provide a brief review of somatosensory alterations observed in people with ASDs and recent evidence from animal models that implicates peripheral neurons as a locus of dysfunction for somatosensory abnormalities in ASDs. Lastly, we describe current efforts to understand how altered peripheral sensory neuron dysfunction may impact brain development and complex behaviors in ASD models, and whether targeting peripheral somatosensory neurons to improve their function might also improve related ASD phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren L Orefice
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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37
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Jung J, Kim SJ, Pérez Arias SM, McDaniel JG, Warkentin KM. How do red-eyed treefrog embryos sense motion in predator attacks? Assessing the role of vestibular mechanoreception. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.206052. [PMID: 31586019 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.206052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The widespread ability to alter timing of hatching in response to environmental cues can serve as a defense against threats to eggs. Arboreal embryos of red-eyed treefrogs, Agalychnis callidryas, can hatch up to 30% prematurely to escape predation. This escape-hatching response is cued by physical disturbance of eggs during attacks, including vibrations or motion, and thus depends critically on mechanosensory ability. Predator-induced hatching appears later in development than flooding-induced, hypoxia-cued hatching; thus, its onset is not constrained by the development of hatching ability. It may, instead, reflect the development of mechanosensor function. We hypothesize that vestibular mechanoreception mediates escape-hatching in snake attacks, and that the developmental period when hatching-competent embryos fail to flee from snakes reflects a sensory constraint. We assessed the ontogenetic congruence of escape-hatching responses and an indicator of vestibular function, the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), in three ways. First, we measured VOR in two developmental series of embryos 3-7 days old to compare with the published ontogeny of escape success in attacks. Second, during the period of greatest variation in VOR and escape success, we compared hatching responses and VOR across sibships. Finally, in developmental series, we compared the response of individual embryos to a simulated attack cue with their VOR. The onset of VOR and hatching responses were largely concurrent at all three scales. Moreover, latency to hatch in simulated attacks decreased with increasing VOR. These results are consistent with a key role of the vestibular system in the escape-hatching response of A. callidryas embryos to attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Jung
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Su J Kim
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Sonia M Pérez Arias
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - James G McDaniel
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, 110 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Karen M Warkentin
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.,Gamboa Laboratory, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado Postal 0843-03092, Panamá, República de Panamá
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38
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Fish Scales Dictate the Pattern of Adult Skin Innervation and Vascularization. Dev Cell 2018; 46:344-359.e4. [PMID: 30032992 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
As animals mature from embryonic to adult stages, the skin grows and acquires specialized appendages, like hairs, feathers, and scales. How cutaneous blood vessels and sensory axons adapt to these dramatic changes is poorly understood. By characterizing skin maturation in zebrafish, we discovered that sensory axons are delivered to the adult epidermis in organized nerves patterned by features in bony scales. These nerves associate with blood vessels and osteoblasts above scales. Osteoblasts create paths in scales that independently guide nerves and blood vessels during both development and regeneration. By preventing scale regeneration and examining mutants lacking scales, we found that scales recruit, organize, and polarize axons and blood vessels to evenly distribute them in the skin. These studies uncover mechanisms for achieving comprehensive innervation and vascularization of the adult skin and suggest that scales coordinate a metamorphosis-like transformation of the skin with sensory axon and vascular remodeling.
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39
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FGF signalling controls the specification of hair placode-derived SOX9 positive progenitors to Merkel cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2333. [PMID: 29899403 PMCID: PMC5998134 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04399-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cells are innervated mechanosensory cells responsible for light-touch sensations. In murine dorsal skin, Merkel cells are located in touch domes and found in the epidermis around primary hairs. While it has been shown that Merkel cells are skin epithelial cells, the progenitor cell population that gives rise to these cells is unknown. Here, we show that during embryogenesis, SOX9-positive (+) cells inside hair follicles, which were previously known to give rise to hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) and cells of the hair follicle lineage, can also give rise to Merkel Cells. Interestingly, while SOX9 is critical for HFSC specification, it is dispensable for Merkel cell formation. Conversely, FGFR2 is required for Merkel cell formation but is dispensable for HFSCs. Together, our studies uncover SOX9(+) cells as precursors of Merkel cells and show the requirement for FGFR2-mediated epithelial signalling in Merkel cell specification. Merkel cells are mechanoreceptors located in the epidermis whose developmental origin is unclear. Here the authors show that Merkel cells originate from SOX9 positive cells inside hair follicles and that FGFR2-mediated epithelial signalling is required for their specification.
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40
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Iwasato T, Erzurumlu RS. Development of tactile sensory circuits in the CNS. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2018; 53:66-75. [PMID: 29908482 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Molecular identification of neuronal types and genetic and imaging approaches to characterize their properties reveal morphological, physiological and dynamic aspects of sensory circuit development. Here we focus on the mouse tactile sensory circuitry, with particular emphasis on the main trigeminal pathway that connects the whiskers, the major tactile organ in rodents, to the neocortex. At each level of this pathway, neurogenesis, axonal elongation, pathfinding, target recognition and circuit reorganization including dendritic refinement of cortical layer 4 neurons occur contemporaneously and a multitude of molecular signals are used in differing combinations. We highlight recent advances in development of tactile circuitry and note gaps in our understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuji Iwasato
- National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan; Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI, Mishima, Japan
| | - Reha S Erzurumlu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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