Project description:Recent developments in molecular programming of mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons have led to the identification of many transcription factors playing a role in mdDA specification. LIM homeodomain transcription factor Lmx1a is essential for chick mdDA development, and for the efficient differentiation of ES-cells towards a dopaminergic phenotype. In this study, we aimed towards a more detailed understanding of the subtle phenotype in Lmx1a-dr/dr mice. Therefore, microarray analysis was performed, to elucidate the exact molecular programming underlying the neuronal deficits after loss of Lmx1a. Subsequent expression analysis confirmed that Nurr1 is regulated by Lmx1a, and additional downstream targets were identified, like Pou4f1, Pbx1, Pitx2, C130021l20Rik, Calb2 and Rspo2. In line with a specific, rostral-lateral loss of expression of most of these genes during development, Nurr1 and C130021l20Rik were affected in the SNc of the mature mdDA system. Interestingly, this deficit was marked by the complete loss of the Wnt/b-catenin signaling activator Rspo2 in this domain. Expression analysis in Rspo2-/- embryos revealed affected mdDA neurons, partially phenocopying the Lmx1a mutant. Together, in this study we reveal that Lmx1a is essential for a rostral-lateral subset of the mdDA neuronal field, where it might serve a critical function in modulating proliferation and differentiation of mdDA progenitors through the activation of the Wnt activator Rspo2. Microarray expression study comparing 4 samples of homozygous LMX1A dr/dr mice, midbrain E12.5 with a pooled sample of their wt/wt littermates. Two samples were analyzed in opposite dye orientation.
Project description:Recent developments in molecular programming of mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons have led to the identification of many transcription factors playing a role in mdDA specification. LIM homeodomain transcription factor Lmx1a is essential for chick mdDA development, and for the efficient differentiation of ES-cells towards a dopaminergic phenotype. In this study, we aimed towards a more detailed understanding of the subtle phenotype in Lmx1a-dr/dr mice. Therefore, microarray analysis was performed, to elucidate the exact molecular programming underlying the neuronal deficits after loss of Lmx1a. Subsequent expression analysis confirmed that Nurr1 is regulated by Lmx1a, and additional downstream targets were identified, like Pou4f1, Pbx1, Pitx2, C130021l20Rik, Calb2 and Rspo2. In line with a specific, rostral-lateral loss of expression of most of these genes during development, Nurr1 and C130021l20Rik were affected in the SNc of the mature mdDA system. Interestingly, this deficit was marked by the complete loss of the Wnt/b-catenin signaling activator Rspo2 in this domain. Expression analysis in Rspo2-/- embryos revealed affected mdDA neurons, partially phenocopying the Lmx1a mutant. Together, in this study we reveal that Lmx1a is essential for a rostral-lateral subset of the mdDA neuronal field, where it might serve a critical function in modulating proliferation and differentiation of mdDA progenitors through the activation of the Wnt activator Rspo2.
Project description:The development of the mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons strongly depends on the WNT1/b-catenin signaling pathway. These neurons include the Substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) subset that preferentially degenerates in Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) subpopulation implicated in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. The identity of the cells responding to this signaling pathway in the developing mammalian ventral midbrain (VM) and the precise mechanism of WNT/b-catenin action in these cells, however, are still unknown. Moreover, this signaling pathway has to be accurately balanced during mdDA neuron development: whereas low levels or absence of WNT1/b-catenin signaling abolish their correct specification, constitutive activation of this signaling pathway prevents their proper differentiation in the mouse. We show that the WNT/b-catenin-responsive cells constitute only a fraction of all mdDA progenitors, precursors and neurons in the murine VM. These WNT/b-catenin-responsive cells are mostly located in the Wnt1+, Rspo2+ and Lef1+ lateral floor plate of the medial and caudal midbrain, giving preferentially rise to caudomedial (VTA) mdDA neurons. Strong WNT/b-catenin signaling mediated by RSPO2, a WNT/b-catenin agonist, and LEF1, a nuclear effector of this pathway, inhibits the differentiation of WNT/b-catenin-responsive mdDA progenitors into mature mdDA neurons by repressing the murine Pitx3 gene via conserved LEF1/TCF binding sites in its promoter. Our data indicate that an attenuation of WNT/b-catenin signaling in mdDA progenitors is essential for their correct differentiation into specific mdDA neuron subsets, thus providing a new means for stem cell-based regenerative therapies of PD and in vitro models of neuropsychiatric diseases.
Project description:To characterize mechanisms responsible for the CNS dopamine deficiency and the resulting neuropathology caused by deficiency of the housekeeping purine salvage function hypoxanthine guanine phospho- ribosyltransferase (HPRT) in the Lesch Nyhan Disease (LND), we have used microarray-based methods of global gene expression together with quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis to identify dysregulation of genes and aberrant cellular processes in human fibroblasts and in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells made HPRT-deficient by transduction with a retrovirus stably expressing an shRNA targeted against HPRT. Analysis of the microarray expression data by Gene ontology (GO) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) as well as by GeneSpring GX10 and Panther Classification System reveal that HPRT deficiency is accompanied by aberrations in a variety of pathways known to regulate neurogenesis or to be implicated in neurodegenerative disease, including the canonical Wnt/β-catenin and the Alzheimer’s disease/presenilin signaling pathways. Dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is confirmed by Western blot demonstration of cytosolic sequestration of β-catenin during in vitro differentiation of the SH-SY5Y cells toward the neuronal phenotype. We also demonstrate that two key transcription factor genes known to be regulated by Wnt signaling and to be vital for the generation and function of dopaminergic neurons; i.e., Lmx1a and Engrailed 1, are down-regulated in the HPRT knockdown SH-SY5Y cells. In addition to the Wnt signaling aberration, we found that expression of presenilin-1 shows a severely disturbed expression in HPRT-deficient cells, reflected by marked instability of the 23kDa C-terminal fragment of presenilin-1 in knockdown cells. Western blot analysis of primary cultures of two LND patients with 2.5% and 0% residual HPRT activity also shows dysregulated b-catenin and presenilin-1 expression, including elevated levels of cytosolic phospho-catenin and, in one of the two patient cells, failure of nuclear transport. Similarly, the presenilin-1 processing defect was most clearly demonstrated by markedly increased levels of both the N-terminal and C-terminal presenilin-1 fragments in the human cell line with no detectable residual enzyme activity but less marked over-expression in the cell with 2.5% residual enzyme activity. These demonstrations of dysregulated Wnt and presenilin-1 signaling and impaired expression of transcription factors necessary for dopaminergic development reveal broad pleitropic neuro-regulatory defects played by HPRT and suggest new directions for investigating mechanisms of aberrant neurogenesis and neuropathology in LND and potential new targets for restoration of effective signaling in this neuro-developmental defect.
Project description:Current ventral midbrain dopaminergic progenitor differentiation protocols utilize small molecule inhibitors targeting Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) to activate Wnt signaling, a step required for the anterior-posterior patterning of the nervous system and acquisition of the midbrain fate. However, GSK3a and GSK3β are pleiotropic kinases involved in multiple signaling pathways and their inhibition is a known trigger of neurogenesis. We predicted that direct activation of specific Wnt receptors naturally involved during neural patterning would allow for a more precise spatiotemporal control of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and mimic endogenous cell-cell communication mechanisms to improve hPSC differentiation. Here, we characterized the expression of FZD receptors at the surface of neural progenitor cells with different regional identity. Our data shows that FZD5 expression is uniquely upregulated in anterior neural progenitors and is rapidly downregulated as cells adopt a posterior fate. This spatial regulation of Frizzled cell surface expression constitutes a novel regulatory mechanism adjusting the levels of β-catenin signaling along the anterior-posterior axis and possibly contribute to midbrain-hindbrain boundary formation. Using a tetravalent antibody that selectively triggers FZD5 and LRP6 clustering to activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling, we show that the resulting midbrain-patterned neural progenitors exhibit a gene expression program more closely aligned with the anatomical origin of dopaminergic neurons and could hence represent a more efficient source for cell transplant therapies.
Project description:Current ventral midbrain dopaminergic progenitor differentiation protocols utilize small molecule inhibitors targeting Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) to activate Wnt signaling, a step required for the anterior-posterior patterning of the nervous system and acquisition of the midbrain fate. However, GSK3a and GSK3β are pleiotropic kinases involved in multiple signaling pathways and their inhibition is a known trigger of neurogenesis. We predicted that direct activation of specific Wnt receptors naturally involved during neural patterning would allow for a more precise spatiotemporal control of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and mimic endogenous cell-cell communication mechanisms to improve hPSC differentiation. Here, we characterized the expression of FZD receptors at the surface of neural progenitor cells with different regional identity. Our data shows that FZD5 expression is uniquely upregulated in anterior neural progenitors and is rapidly downregulated as cells adopt a posterior fate. This spatial regulation of Frizzled cell surface expression constitutes a novel regulatory mechanism adjusting the levels of β-catenin signaling along the anterior-posterior axis and possibly contribute to midbrain-hindbrain boundary formation. Using a tetravalent antibody that selectively triggers FZD5 and LRP6 clustering to activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling, we show that the resulting midbrain-patterned neural progenitors exhibit a gene expression program more closely aligned with the anatomical origin of dopaminergic neurons and could hence represent a more efficient source for cell transplant therapies.
Project description:WNT1/beta-catenin signaling plays a crucial role in the generation of mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons including the Substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) subpopulation, whose degeneration is a hallmark of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). However, the precise functions of WNT/beta-catenin signaling in this context remain unknown. Using mutant mice, primary ventral midbrain (VM) cells and pluripotent stem cells (mouse embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells), we show that Dickkopf 3 (DKK3), a secreted glycoprotein that modulates WNT/beta-catenin signaling, is specifically required for the correct differentiation of a rostrolateral mdDA precursor subset into SNc DA neurons. Dkk3 transcription in the murine VM coincides with the onset of mdDA neurogenesis and is required for the maintenance of LMX1A and consequently PITX3 expression in rostrolateral mdDA precursors, without affecting the proliferation or specification of their progenitors. Treatment of primary VM cells or differentiating pluripotent stem cells with recombinant WNT1 and/or DKK3 proteins consistently increases the proportion of mdDA cells with SNc DA neuron identity and promotes their survival in vitro. The SNc DA pro-differentiation and pro-survival properties of DKK3, together with its known anti-tumorigenic effect, therefore make it an ideal candidate for the improvement of regenerative and neuroprotective strategies in the treatment of PD. We performed gene expression microarray analysis on iPSC-derived and FACS-sorted GFP-positive Pitx3GFP/+ mdDA neurons, differentiated in the presence or absence of recombinant human WNT1 and recombinant human DKK3. In addition, we analysed primary and FACS-sorted GFP-positive Pitx3+/GFP mdDA neurons isolated from the E13.5 and E14.5 ventral midbrain of Pitx3+/GFP embryos
Project description:Ventral midbrain (VM) dopaminergic progenitor cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells have the potential to replace endogenously lost dopamine neurons and are currently in preclinical and clinical development for treatment of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). However, one main challenge in the quality control of the cells is that rostral and caudal VM progenitors are extremely similar transcriptionally though only the caudal VM cells give rise to dopaminergic neurons with functionality in PD. Therefore, it is critical to develop assays which can rapidly and reliably discriminate rostral from caudal VM cells during clinical manufacturing. Here, we applied shotgun proteomics to search for novel secreted biomarkers specific for caudal VM progenitors compared to rostral VM progenitors and validated key hits by ELISA. From this, we identified novel secreted markers (CPE, LGI1 and PDGFC) significantly enriched in caudal versus rostral VM progenitor cultures, whereas the markers CNTN2 and CORIN were significantly enriched in rostral VM cultures. With this data, we suggest and test in clinical grade samples a panel of coupled ELISA assays that can be applied as a quality control tool for assessing the correct patterning of cells during clinical manufacturing.
Project description:To characterize mechanisms responsible for the CNS dopamine deficiency and the resulting neuropathology caused by deficiency of the housekeeping purine salvage function hypoxanthine guanine phospho- ribosyltransferase (HPRT) in the Lesch Nyhan Disease (LND), we have used microarray-based methods of global gene expression together with quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis to identify dysregulation of genes and aberrant cellular processes in human fibroblasts and in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells made HPRT-deficient by transduction with a retrovirus stably expressing an shRNA targeted against HPRT. Analysis of the microarray expression data by Gene ontology (GO) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) as well as by GeneSpring GX10 and Panther Classification System reveal that HPRT deficiency is accompanied by aberrations in a variety of pathways known to regulate neurogenesis or to be implicated in neurodegenerative disease, including the canonical Wnt/β-catenin and the Alzheimer’s disease/presenilin signaling pathways. Dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is confirmed by Western blot demonstration of cytosolic sequestration of β-catenin during in vitro differentiation of the SH-SY5Y cells toward the neuronal phenotype. We also demonstrate that two key transcription factor genes known to be regulated by Wnt signaling and to be vital for the generation and function of dopaminergic neurons; i.e., Lmx1a and Engrailed 1, are down-regulated in the HPRT knockdown SH-SY5Y cells. In addition to the Wnt signaling aberration, we found that expression of presenilin-1 shows a severely disturbed expression in HPRT-deficient cells, reflected by marked instability of the 23kDa C-terminal fragment of presenilin-1 in knockdown cells. Western blot analysis of primary cultures of two LND patients with 2.5% and 0% residual HPRT activity also shows dysregulated b-catenin and presenilin-1 expression, including elevated levels of cytosolic phospho-catenin and, in one of the two patient cells, failure of nuclear transport. Similarly, the presenilin-1 processing defect was most clearly demonstrated by markedly increased levels of both the N-terminal and C-terminal presenilin-1 fragments in the human cell line with no detectable residual enzyme activity but less marked over-expression in the cell with 2.5% residual enzyme activity. These demonstrations of dysregulated Wnt and presenilin-1 signaling and impaired expression of transcription factors necessary for dopaminergic development reveal broad pleitropic neuro-regulatory defects played by HPRT and suggest new directions for investigating mechanisms of aberrant neurogenesis and neuropathology in LND and potential new targets for restoration of effective signaling in this neuro-developmental defect. For microarray analysis, RNAs from triplicate independent cultures of vector-infected HPRT knockdown and control fibroblasts were prepared separately, pooled and used to prepare cRNA and finally subjected to microarray transcriptional analysis in triplicate. The integrity of total RNA from HPRT knockdown and control cells was confirmed by bioanalyzer (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA). The quality of total RNA samples from HPRT knockdown and control cells was assessed by 2100 bioanalyzer before application to microarray analysis. We determined that the RNA integrity number (RIN), (maximal degradation = 1; maximal molecular integrity = 10) was 10 for both the normal and knockdown cells (data not shown), indicating that isolated RNA samples were of sufficiently high quality to permit subsequent preparation of cDNA for microarray analysis. Microarray transcriptional analysis was performed in triplicate using the HumanWG-6 v3.0 Expression BeadChip system (Illumina, San Diego, CA). All reagents were obtained from HumanWG-6 v.3 Expression BeadChip Kit (Illumina) and all experimental processes were carried out according to manufacturer’s instruction (Illumina). After scanning of hybridized BeadChip, quantitation of slide images were performed using Illumina’s BeadArray software and the raw data were normalized by Loess normalization method, and then the normalized raw data in BeadStudio was exported to GeneSpring GX 10.0.2 (Agilent, Santa Clara, CA). For identification of genes significantly altered in knockdown cell compared with the control normal gene set, total detected entities were filtered by signal intensity value (upper cut-off 100th and lower cut-off 20th percentile) and error (coefficient of variation: CV < 50.0 percent) to remove very low signal entities and to select reproducible signal values of entities among the replicated experiments, respectively. In statistical analysis, t-test unpaired (p < 0.05) was applied and all significant changes above 2-fold were selected. Signals were selected if they were above microarray background (detection p-value < 0.05) in either all six experiments or in at least three knockdown or control experiments. Analysis of GO, GSEA and signaling pathway was carried out using GeneSpring GX 10.0.2 (Agilent) and the PANTHER Classification System (http://www.pantherdb.org/). In the analysis of signaling pathways using GeneSpring GX 10.0.2 (Agilent), a total of 140 cellular pathways were identified. For GSEA analysis, we used the false discovery rate (FDR) of <0.4 and p ≤ 0.1.
Project description:Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a highly organized biochemical cascade that triggers a gene expression program in the signal-receiving cell. The Wnt/β-catenin-driven transcriptional response is involved in virtually all cellular processes during development, homeostasis, and its deregulation causes human disease. However, outstanding questions remain unanswered. Here, we combined RNA sequencing with CUT&RUN-LoV-U against β-catenin to assess the correlation between β-catenin recruitment to target loci and its effect on target gene expression. To this end, we performed a bulk RNA sequencing analysis on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) treated with the the GSK3 inhibitor/Wnt activator CHIR99021 (10 mM) for 3 days, and compared them to untreated hESCs. We then correlated the observed gene expression changes with β-catenin binding events identified from a separate experiment (see “Related Accession Number”). We observed that β-catenin binding is associated with both activation and repression of cell-specific gene expression programs, underscoring how Wnt/b-catenin drives complex cell behaviors.