1
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Brockie S, Zhou C, Fehlings MG. Resident immune responses to spinal cord injury: role of astrocytes and microglia. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1678-1685. [PMID: 38103231 PMCID: PMC10960308 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.389630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury can be traumatic or non-traumatic in origin, with the latter rising in incidence and prevalence with the aging demographics of our society. Moreover, as the global population ages, individuals with co-existent degenerative spinal pathology comprise a growing number of traumatic spinal cord injury cases, especially involving the cervical spinal cord. This makes recovery and treatment approaches particularly challenging as age and comorbidities may limit regenerative capacity. For these reasons, it is critical to better understand the complex milieu of spinal cord injury lesion pathobiology and the ensuing inflammatory response. This review discusses microglia-specific purinergic and cytokine signaling pathways, as well as microglial modulation of synaptic stability and plasticity after injury. Further, we evaluate the role of astrocytes in neurotransmission and calcium signaling, as well as their border-forming response to neural lesions. Both the inflammatory and reparative roles of these cells have eluded our complete understanding and remain key therapeutic targets due to their extensive structural and functional roles in the nervous system. Recent advances have shed light on the roles of glia in neurotransmission and reparative injury responses that will change how interventions are directed. Understanding key processes and existing knowledge gaps will allow future research to effectively target these cells and harness their regenerative potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Brockie
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cindy Zhou
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael G. Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery and Spine Program, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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2
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Zhao J, Liu S, Xiang X, Zhu X. Versatile strategies for adult neurogenesis: avenues to repair the injured brain. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:774-780. [PMID: 37843211 PMCID: PMC10664121 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.382224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain injuries due to trauma or stroke are major causes of adult death and disability. Unfortunately, few interventions are effective for post-injury repair of brain tissue. After a long debate on whether endogenous neurogenesis actually happens in the adult human brain, there is now substantial evidence to support its occurrence. Although neurogenesis is usually significantly stimulated by injury, the reparative potential of endogenous differentiation from neural stem/progenitor cells is usually insufficient. Alternatively, exogenous stem cell transplantation has shown promising results in animal models, but limitations such as poor long-term survival and inefficient neuronal differentiation make it still challenging for clinical use. Recently, a high focus was placed on glia-to-neuron conversion under single-factor regulation. Despite some inspiring results, the validity of this strategy is still controversial. In this review, we summarize historical findings and recent advances on neurogenesis strategies for neurorepair after brain injury. We also discuss their advantages and drawbacks, as to provide a comprehensive account of their potentials for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Zhao
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xianyuan Xiang
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xinzhou Zhu
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
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3
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Liu Y, Yuan J, Dong Y, Jiang S, Zhang M, Zhao X. Interaction between Oligodendrocytes and Interneurons in Brain Development and Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3620. [PMID: 38612430 PMCID: PMC11011273 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
A variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders have recently been shown to be highly associated with the abnormal development and function of oligodendrocytes (OLs) and interneurons. OLs are the myelin-forming cells in the central nervous system (CNS), while interneurons are important neural types gating the function of excitatory neurons. These two types of cells are of great significance for the establishment and function of neural circuits, and they share similar developmental origins and transcriptional architectures, and interact with each other in multiple ways during development. In this review, we compare the similarities and differences in these two cell types, providing an important reference and further revealing the pathogenesis of related brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xianghui Zhao
- Department of Neuroscience, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
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4
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Curry RN, Ma Q, McDonald MF, Ko Y, Srivastava S, Chin PS, He P, Lozzi B, Jing J, Athukuri P, Wang S, Harmanci AO, Arenkiel B, Jiang X, Deneen B, Rao G, Harmanci AS. Spiking GABAergic OPC tumor cells prolong survival in IDH1 mutant glioma. bioRxiv 2024:2024.03.02.583026. [PMID: 38496434 PMCID: PMC10942290 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.02.583026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Prior studies have shown that glioma cells form synapses with neurons to receive synaptic inputs. To discern if glioma cells can send outgoing electrochemical signals in the form of action potentials (APs), we employed Patch-sequencing on surgically-resected human glioma slices. Results showed that half of patched cells in IDH1 mutant (IDH1mut) tumors demonstrate select properties of both neurons and glia and fire single, short APs. To define the transcriptional profiles of these hybrid cells (HCs) and discern if they are tumor derived, we developed a computational tool, Single Cell Rule Association Mining (SCRAM), to annotate features in each cell individually. SCRAM revealed that HCs represent a heterogenous group of tumor and non-tumor cells that are uniformly defined by both GABAergic neuron and oligodendrocyte precursor cell (GABA-OPC) transcriptional signatures. We found that GABA-OPC tumor cells express requisite voltage-gated ion channels needed to fire APs. We validated our findings in human single cell and bulk RNA-seq datasets, confirming that GABA-OPCs represent 40% of IDH1mut tumor cells, correlate with survival outcomes in IDH1mut human patients and are also found in select molecular subtypes of IDH1 wild-type tumors. These studies describe a new cell type in IDH1mut glioma with unique electrophysiological and transcriptomic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Naomi Curry
- The Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Qianqian Ma
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Malcolm F. McDonald
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Program in Development, Disease Models, and Therapeutics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Yeunjung Ko
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Snigdha Srivastava
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Pey-Shyuan Chin
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Peihao He
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Program in Cancer Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brittney Lozzi
- Program in Genetics and Genomics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Junzhan Jing
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Prazwal Athukuri
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Su Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Arif O. Harmanci
- McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX
| | - Benjamin Arenkiel
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Xiaolong Jiang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin Deneen
- The Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Program in Development, Disease Models, and Therapeutics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Program in Cancer Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ganesh Rao
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Akdes Serin Harmanci
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
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5
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Barvaux S, Okawa S, Del Sol A. SinCMat: A single-cell-based method for predicting functional maturation transcription factors. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:270-284. [PMID: 38215756 PMCID: PMC10874865 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
A major goal of regenerative medicine is to generate tissue-specific mature and functional cells. However, current cell engineering protocols are still unable to systematically produce fully mature functional cells. While existing computational approaches aim at predicting transcription factors (TFs) for cell differentiation/reprogramming, no method currently exists that specifically considers functional cell maturation processes. To address this challenge, here, we develop SinCMat, a single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)-based computational method for predicting cell maturation TFs. Based on a model of cell maturation, SinCMat identifies pairs of identity TFs and signal-dependent TFs that co-target genes driving functional maturation. A large-scale application of SinCMat to the Mouse Cell Atlas and Tabula Sapiens accurately recapitulates known maturation TFs and predicts novel candidates. We expect SinCMat to be an important resource, complementary to preexisting computational methods, for studies aiming at producing functionally mature cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sybille Barvaux
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, 6 Avenue du Swing, 4367 Esch-Belval Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Satoshi Okawa
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, 6 Avenue du Swing, 4367 Esch-Belval Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Computational and Systems Biology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Antonio Del Sol
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, 6 Avenue du Swing, 4367 Esch-Belval Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; CIC bioGUNE-BRTA (Basque Research and Technology Alliance), Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Building, 48160 Derio, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain.
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6
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Huang L, Lai X, Liang X, Chen J, Yang Y, Xu W, Qin Q, Qin R, Huang X, Xie M, Chen L. A promise for neuronal repair: reprogramming astrocytes into neurons in vivo. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20231717. [PMID: 38175538 PMCID: PMC10830445 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Massive loss of neurons following brain injury or disease is the primary cause of central nervous system dysfunction. Recently, much research has been conducted on how to compensate for neuronal loss in damaged parts of the nervous system and thus restore functional connectivity among neurons. Direct somatic cell differentiation into neurons using pro-neural transcription factors, small molecules, or microRNAs, individually or in association, is the most promising form of neural cell replacement therapy available. This method provides a potential remedy for cell loss in a variety of neurodegenerative illnesses, and the development of reprogramming technology has made this method feasible. This article provides a comprehensive review of reprogramming, including the selection and methods of reprogramming starting cell populations as well as the signaling methods involved in this process. Additionally, we thoroughly examine how reprogramming astrocytes into neurons can be applied to treat stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, we discuss the challenges of neuronal reprogramming and offer insights about the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Huang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Xinyu Lai
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Xiaojun Liang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Jiafeng Chen
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Yue Yang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Qingchun Qin
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Rongxing Qin
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiaoying Huang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Minshan Xie
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
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7
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Tang X, Wu L, Zhu J, Xu M, Li S, Zeng G, Zhu S, Jiang Y. GABAergic neurons differentiated from BDNF- and Dlx2-modified neural stem cells restore disrupted neural circuits in brainstem stroke. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:170. [PMID: 37365654 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03378-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brainstem stroke causes severe and persistent neurological impairment. Due to the limited spontaneous recovery and regeneration of the disrupted neural circuits, transplantation of exogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) was an alternative, while there were limitations for primitive NSCs. METHODS We established a mouse model of brainstem stroke by injecting endothelin in the right pons. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)- and distal-less homeobox 2 (Dlx2)-modified NSCs were transplanted to treat brainstem stroke. Transsynaptic viral tracking, immunostaining, magnetic resonance imaging, behavioral testing, and whole-cell patch clamp recordings were applied to probe the pathophysiology and therapeutic prospects of BDNF- and Dlx2-modified NSCs. RESULTS GABAergic neurons were predominantly lost after the brainstem stroke. No endogenous NSCs were generated in situ or migrated from the neurogenesis niches within the brainstem infarct region. Co-overexpressions of BDNF and Dlx2 not only promoted the survival of NSCs, but also boosted the differentiation of NSCs into GABAergic neurons. Results from transsynaptic virus tracking, immunostaining, and evidence from whole-cell patch clamping revealed the morphological and functional integration of the grafted BDNF- and Dlx2-modified NSCs-derived neurons with the host neural circuits. Neurological function was improved by transplantation of BDNF- and Dlx2-modified NSCs in brainstem stroke. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrated that BDNF- and Dlx2-modified NSCs differentiated into GABAergic neurons, integrated into and reconstituted the host neural networks, and alleviated the ischemic injury. It thus provided a potential therapeutic strategy for brainstem stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyue Tang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 Changgang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Li Wu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 Changgang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Juehua Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of SooChow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mindong Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 Changgang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Shaojun Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 Changgang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Guanfeng Zeng
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 Changgang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Shuanggen Zhu
- Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, 187 Guanlan West Road, Shenzhen, 518110, China.
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, 518109, China.
| | - Yongjun Jiang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 Changgang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
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8
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Chen J, Huang L, Yang Y, Xu W, Qin Q, Qin R, Liang X, Lai X, Huang X, Xie M, Chen L. Somatic Cell Reprogramming for Nervous System Diseases: Techniques, Mechanisms, Potential Applications, and Challenges. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13030524. [PMID: 36979334 PMCID: PMC10046178 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Nervous system diseases present significant challenges to the neuroscience community due to ethical and practical constraints that limit access to appropriate research materials. Somatic cell reprogramming has been proposed as a novel way to obtain neurons. Various emerging techniques have been used to reprogram mature and differentiated cells into neurons. This review provides an overview of somatic cell reprogramming for neurological research and therapy, focusing on neural reprogramming and generating different neural cell types. We examine the mechanisms involved in reprogramming and the challenges that arise. We herein summarize cell reprogramming strategies to generate neurons, including transcription factors, small molecules, and microRNAs, with a focus on different types of cells.. While reprogramming somatic cells into neurons holds the potential for understanding neurological diseases and developing therapeutic applications, its limitations and risks must be carefully considered. Here, we highlight the potential benefits of somatic cell reprogramming for neurological disease research and therapy. This review contributes to the field by providing a comprehensive overview of the various techniques used to generate neurons by cellular reprogramming and discussing their potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafeng Chen
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Lijuan Huang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Yue Yang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Qingchun Qin
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Rongxing Qin
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xiaojun Liang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xinyu Lai
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-Related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xiaoying Huang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Minshan Xie
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Aging-Related Diseases of Chinese Ministry of Education, Nanning 530021, China
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9
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Selcen I, Prentice E, Casaccia P. The epigenetic landscape of oligodendrocyte lineage cells. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1522:24-41. [PMID: 36740586 PMCID: PMC10085863 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The epigenetic landscape of oligodendrocyte lineage cells refers to the cell-specific modifications of DNA, chromatin, and RNA that define a unique gene expression pattern of functionally specialized cells. Here, we focus on the epigenetic changes occurring as progenitors differentiate into myelin-forming cells and respond to the local environment. First, modifications of DNA, RNA, nucleosomal histones, key principles of chromatin organization, topologically associating domains, and local remodeling will be reviewed. Then, the relationship between epigenetic modulators and RNA processing will be explored. Finally, the reciprocal relationship between the epigenome as a determinant of the mechanical properties of cell nuclei and the target of mechanotransduction will be discussed. The overall goal is to provide an interpretative key on how epigenetic changes may account for the heterogeneity of the transcriptional profiles identified in this lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ipek Selcen
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA.,Neuroscience Initiative, Advanced Science Research Center, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Emily Prentice
- Neuroscience Initiative, Advanced Science Research Center, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA.,Graduate Program in Biology, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Patrizia Casaccia
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA.,Neuroscience Initiative, Advanced Science Research Center, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA.,Graduate Program in Biology, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
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10
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Favaloro F, DeLeo AM, Delgado AC, Doetsch F. miR-17∼92 exerts stage-specific effects in adult V-SVZ neural stem cell lineages. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111773. [PMID: 36476846 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) generate neurons and glia throughout life. MicroRNAs are important post-transcriptional regulators frequently acting in a context-dependent manner. Here, microRNA profiling defines cohorts of miRNAs in quiescent and activated NSCs, with miR-17∼92 highly upregulated in activated NSCs and transit amplifying cells (TACs) versus quiescent NSCs. Conditional miR-17∼92 deletion in the adult V-SVZ results in stage-specific effects. In NSCs, it reduces proliferation in vitro and in vivo, whereas in TACs, it selectively shifts neurogenic OLIG2- DLX2+ toward oligodendrogenic OLIG2+ DLX2- TACs, due to de-repression of an oligodendrogenic program, leading to increased oligodendrogenesis in vivo. This differential regulation of TAC subpopulations highlights the importance of TAC heterogeneity. Finally, in the NSC lineage for intraventricular oligodendrocyte progenitors, miR-17∼92 deletion decreases proliferation and maturation. Together, these findings reveal multiple stage-specific functions of the miR-17∼92 cluster within different adult V-SVZ lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annina M DeLeo
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ana C Delgado
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fiona Doetsch
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
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Clavreul S, Dumas L, Loulier K. Astrocyte development in the cerebral cortex: Complexity of their origin, genesis, and maturation. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:916055. [PMID: 36177355 PMCID: PMC9513187 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.916055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mammalian brain, astrocytes form a heterogeneous population at the morphological, molecular, functional, intra-, and inter-region levels. In the past, a few types of astrocytes have been first described based on their morphology and, thereafter, according to limited key molecular markers. With the advent of bulk and single-cell transcriptomics, the diversity of astrocytes is now progressively deciphered and its extent better appreciated. However, the origin of this diversity remains unresolved, even though many recent studies unraveled the specificities of astroglial development at both population and individual cell levels, particularly in the cerebral cortex. Despite the lack of specific markers for each astrocyte subtype, a better understanding of the cellular and molecular events underlying cortical astrocyte diversity is nevertheless within our reach thanks to the development of intersectional lineage tracing, microdissection, spatial mapping, and single-cell transcriptomic tools. Here we present a brief overview describing recent findings on the genesis and maturation of astrocytes and their key regulators during cerebral cortex development. All these studies have considerably advanced our knowledge of cortical astrogliogenesis, which relies on a more complex mode of development than their neuronal counterparts, that undeniably impact astrocyte diversity in the cerebral cortex.
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Zhang Z, Li X, Zhou H, Zhou J. NG2-glia crosstalk with microglia in health and disease. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:1663-1674. [PMID: 36000202 PMCID: PMC9532922 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are increasingly becoming a global problem. However, the pathological mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases are not fully understood. NG2‐glia abnormalities and microglia activation are involved in the development and/or progression of neurodegenerative disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and cerebrovascular diseases. In this review, we summarize the present understanding of the interaction between NG2‐glia and microglia in physiological and pathological states and discuss unsolved questions concerning their fate and potential fate. First, we introduce the NG2‐glia and microglia in health and disease. Second, we formulate the interaction between NG2‐glia and microglia. NG2‐glia proliferation, migration, differentiation, and apoptosis are influenced by factors released from the microglia. On the other hand, NG2‐glia also regulate microglia actions. We conclude that NG2‐glia and microglia are important immunomodulatory cells in the brain. Understanding the interaction between NG2‐glia and microglia will help provide a novel method to modulate myelination and treat neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuo Zhang
- National Drug Clinical Trial Institution, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaolong Li
- National Drug Clinical Trial Institution, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongli Zhou
- National Drug Clinical Trial Institution, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiyin Zhou
- National Drug Clinical Trial Institution, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Falk S, Han D, Karow M. Cellular identity through the lens of direct lineage reprogramming. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021; 70:97-103. [PMID: 34333231 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2021.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Direct lineage reprogramming challenges our traditional view on basic aspects of cellular identity, and in particular on processes crucial for identity acquisition. This is partly because in direct lineage reprogramming but not during natural differentiation processes changing cellular identity can occur in the absence of mitosis. Only recently, technologies emerged to deconstruct the cellular and molecular processes governing the transitory states a cell passes through on the journey from its original identity to the new target cell fate. Here we discuss arising concepts on the nature of these transitory states and the challenges and decisions cells must conquer to reach their new cellular identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Falk
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Dandan Han
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marisa Karow
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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