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Lorin C, Guiet R, Chiaruttini N, Ambrosini G, Boci E, Abdellah M, Markram H, Keller D. Structural and molecular characterization of astrocyte and vasculature connectivity in the mouse hippocampus and cortex. Glia 2024. [PMID: 39007459 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The relation of astrocytic endfeet to the vasculature plays a key functional role in the neuro-glia-vasculature unit. We characterize the spatial organization of astrocytes and the structural aspects that facilitate their involvement in molecular exchanges. Using double transgenic mice, we performed co-immunostaining, confocal microscopy, and three-dimensional digital segmentation to investigate the biophysical and molecular organization of astrocytes and their intricate endfoot network at the micrometer level in the isocortex and hippocampus. The results showed that hippocampal astrocytes had smaller territories, reduced endfoot dimensions, and fewer contacts with blood vessels compared with those in the isocortex. Additionally, we found that both connexins 43 and 30 have a higher density in the endfoot and the former is overexpressed relative to the latter. However, due to the limitations of the method, further studies are needed to determine the exact localization on the endfoot. The quantitative information obtained in this study will be useful for modeling the interactions of astrocytes with the vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Lorin
- Blue Brain Project, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Romain Guiet
- Bioimaging and Optics Platform, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Chiaruttini
- Bioimaging and Optics Platform, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giovanna Ambrosini
- Bioinformatics Competence Center, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Bioinformatics Competence Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elvis Boci
- Blue Brain Project, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marwan Abdellah
- Blue Brain Project, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Henry Markram
- Blue Brain Project, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Keller
- Blue Brain Project, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
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2
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Heffernan KS, Galvan A. Building and Characterization of an Affordable diOlistic Device for Single-Cell Labeling in Rodent and Non-Human Primate Brain Slices. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e760. [PMID: 37068198 PMCID: PMC10347685 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
In the brain, cell morphology often reflects function and thus provides a first glance into cell-specific changes in health and disease. Studying the morphology of individual cells, including neurons and glia, is essential to fully understand brain connectivity and changes in disease states. Many recent morphological studies of brain cells have relied on transgenic animals and viral vectors to label individual cells. However, transgenic animals are not always available, and in non-human primate (NHP) models, viral transduction poses several practical and financial challenges, limiting the number of researchers that can thoroughly investigate cell morphology in NHP or other non-transgenic animals. The diOlistic system for delivering fluorescent lipophilic dye-coated gold or tungsten particles into brain tissue has been used to label single cells, but the currently available systems are expensive, have limited applications, and are rare in laboratories. Investigations of cell morphology without transgenic or viral approaches rely on immunohistochemical markers that may not reveal structural detail, such as in astrocytes. To overcome these practical limitations to expand our understanding of cell morphology across species with an emphasis on astrocytes, we constructed a low-cost ballistic method to deliver dye-coated gold or tungsten particles into NHP and rodent brain slices. We have optimized the tissue processing parameters to achieve penetration of DiI-coated particles, allowing for the complete reconstruction of individual cells within a brain slice. While we report on astrocytes in rodent and NHP brain slices, this protocol can be adapted and implemented across species and tissue types to evaluate cell morphology. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Building the diOlistic device Basic Protocol 2: Preparation of dye "bullet" carriers Basic Protocol 3: Perfusion, brain sectioning, and diOlistic labeling Alternate Protocol: Immunohistochemical labeling of sections prior to diOlistic bombardment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate S Heffernan
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurological Disorders, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adriana Galvan
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurological Disorders, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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3
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Albizzati E, Florio E, Miramondi F, Sormonta I, Landsberger N, Frasca A. Identification of Region-Specific Cytoskeletal and Molecular Alterations in Astrocytes of Mecp2 Deficient Animals. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:823060. [PMID: 35242007 PMCID: PMC8886113 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.823060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that represents the most common genetic cause of severe intellectual disability in females. Most patients carry mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene, coding for the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), originally isolated as an epigenetic transcriptional factor able to bind methylated DNA and repress transcription. Recent data implicated a role for glia in RTT, showing that astrocytes express Mecp2 and that its deficiency affects their ability to support neuronal maturation by non-cell autonomous mechanisms. To date, some molecular, structural and functional alterations have been attributed to Mecp2 null astrocytes, but how they evolve over time and whether they follow a spatial heterogeneity are two aspects which deserve further investigations. In this study, we assessed cytoskeletal features of astrocytes in Mecp2 deficient brains by analyzing their arbor complexity and processes in reconstructed GFAP+ cells at different ages, corresponding to peculiar stages of the disorder, and in different cerebral regions (motor and somatosensory cortices and CA1 layer of hippocampus). Our findings demonstrate the presence of defects in Mecp2 null astrocytes that worsen along disease progression and strictly depend on the brain area, highlighting motor and somatosensory cortices as the most affected regions. Of relevance, astrocyte cytoskeleton is impaired also in the somatosensory cortex of symptomatic heterozygous animals, with Mecp2 + astrocytes showing slightly more pronounced defects with respect to the Mecp2 null cells, emphasizing the importance of non-cell autonomous effects. We reported a temporal correlation between the progressive thinning of layer I and the atrophy of astrocytes, suggesting that their cytoskeletal dysfunctions might contribute to cortical defects. Considering the reciprocal link between morphology and function in astrocytes, we analyzed the effect of Mecp2 deficiency on the expression of selected astrocyte-enriched genes, which describe typical astrocytic features. qRT-PCR data corroborated our results, reporting an overall decrement of gene expression, which is area and age-dependent. In conclusion, our data show that Mecp2 deficiency causes structural and molecular alterations in astrocytes, which progress along with the severity of symptoms and diversely occur in the different cerebral regions, highlighting the importance of considering heterogeneity when studying astrocytes in RTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Albizzati
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Florio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Miramondi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Sormonta
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Landsberger
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelisa Frasca
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Bancroft EA, Srinivasan R. Emerging Roles for Aberrant Astrocytic Calcium Signals in Parkinson's Disease. Front Physiol 2022; 12:812212. [PMID: 35087422 PMCID: PMC8787054 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.812212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes display a plethora of spontaneous Ca2+ signals that modulate vital functions of the central nervous system (CNS). This suggests that astrocytic Ca2+ signals also contribute to pathological processes in the CNS. In this context, the molecular mechanisms by which aberrant astrocytic Ca2+ signals trigger dopaminergic neuron loss during Parkinson's disease (PD) are only beginning to emerge. Here, we provide an evidence-based perspective on potential mechanisms by which aberrant astrocytic Ca2+ signals can trigger dysfunction in three distinct compartments of the brain, viz., neurons, microglia, and the blood brain barrier, thereby leading to PD. We envision that the coming decades will unravel novel mechanisms by which aberrant astrocytic Ca2+ signals contribute to PD and other neurodegenerative processes in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A. Bancroft
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Rahul Srinivasan
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, United States
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience (TAMIN), College Station, TX, United States
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5
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Zisis E, Keller D, Kanari L, Arnaudon A, Gevaert M, Delemontex T, Coste B, Foni A, Abdellah M, Calì C, Hess K, Magistretti PJ, Schürmann F, Markram H. Digital Reconstruction of the Neuro-Glia-Vascular Architecture. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:5686-5703. [PMID: 34387659 PMCID: PMC8568010 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes connect the vasculature to neurons mediating the supply of nutrients and biochemicals. They are involved in a growing number of physiological and pathophysiological processes that result from biophysical, physiological, and molecular interactions in this neuro-glia-vascular ensemble (NGV). The lack of a detailed cytoarchitecture severely restricts the understanding of how they support brain function. To address this problem, we used data from multiple sources to create a data-driven digital reconstruction of the NGV at micrometer anatomical resolution. We reconstructed 0.2 mm3 of the rat somatosensory cortex with 16 000 morphologically detailed neurons, 2500 protoplasmic astrocytes, and its microvasculature. The consistency of the reconstruction with a wide array of experimental measurements allows novel predictions of the NGV organization, allowing the anatomical reconstruction of overlapping astrocytic microdomains and the quantification of endfeet connecting each astrocyte to the vasculature, as well as the extent to which they cover the latter. Structural analysis showed that astrocytes optimize their positions to provide uniform vascular coverage for trophic support and signaling. However, this optimal organization rapidly declines as their density increases. The NGV digital reconstruction is a resource that will enable a better understanding of the anatomical principles and geometric constraints, which govern how astrocytes support brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleftherios Zisis
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Keller
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Lida Kanari
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Alexis Arnaudon
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Michael Gevaert
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Delemontex
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Benoît Coste
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Foni
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Marwan Abdellah
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Corrado Calì
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Orbassano, Turin 10043, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kathryn Hess
- Laboratory for Topology and Neuroscience, Brain Mind Institute, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Julius Magistretti
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Felix Schürmann
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Henry Markram
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
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Muraleedharan R, Nardini D, Waclaw RR, Dasgupta B. Analysis of reactive astrogliosis in mouse brain using in situ hybridization combined with immunohistochemistry. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100375. [PMID: 33718893 PMCID: PMC7933799 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive astrogliosis is characterized by a profound change in astrocyte phenotype in response to all CNS injuries. Here, we present a revised in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry (IHC) protocol to label the reactive astrocytes in the mouse brain. Several approaches for quantifying astrocyte reactivity lacked sensitivity to discriminate across the spectrum. We optimized in situ hybridization followed by IHC. We provide a staining protocol for quantitative measures of astrocyte reactivity as an independent confirmation of the magnitude of reactive gliosis. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Muraleedharan et al. (2020).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diana Nardini
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Ronald Raymond Waclaw
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Biplab Dasgupta
- Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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7
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Testen A, Kim R, Reissner KJ. High-Resolution Three-Dimensional Imaging of Individual Astrocytes Using Confocal Microscopy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 91:e92. [PMID: 32068976 DOI: 10.1002/cpns.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes play numerous vital roles in the central nervous system. Accordingly, it is of merit to identify structural and functional properties of astrocytes in both health and disease. The majority of studies examining the morphology of astrocytes have employed immunoassays for markers such as glial fibrillary acidic protein, which are insufficient to encapsulate the considerable structural complexity of these cells. Herein, we describe a method utilizing a commercially available and validated, genetically encoded membrane-associated fluorescent marker of astrocytes, AAV5-GfaABC1D-Lck-GFP. This tool and approach allow for visualization of a single isolated astrocyte in its entirety, including fine peripheral processes. Astrocytes are imaged using confocal microscopy and reconstructed in three dimensions to obtain detailed morphometric data. We further provide an immunohistochemistry procedure to assess colocalization of isolated astrocytes with synaptic markers throughout the z-plane. This technique, which can be utilized via a standard laboratory confocal microscope and Imaris software, allows for detailed analysis of the morphology and synaptic colocalization of astrocytes in fixed tissue. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Basic Protocol 1: Microinjection of AAV5-GfaABC1D-Lck-GFP into the nucleus accumbens of rats Basic Protocol 2: Tissue processing and immunohistochemistry for post-synaptic density-95 Basic Protocol 3: Single-cell image acquisition Basic Protocol 4: Three-dimensional reconstruction of single cells Basic Protocol 5: Three-dimensional colocalization analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anze Testen
- Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Ronald Kim
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Kathryn J Reissner
- Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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