Project description:Somatic stem cells contribute to tissue ontogenesis, homeostasis, and regeneration through sequential processes. Systematic molecular analysis of stem cell behavior is challenging because classic approaches cannot resolve cellular heterogeneity or capture developmental dynamics. Here we provide a comprehensive resource of single-cell transcriptomes of adult hippocampal quiescent neural stem cells (qNSCs) and their immediate progeny. We further developed Waterfall, a bioinformatic suite, to statistically quantify singe-cell gene expression along de novo reconstructed continuous developmental trajectory. Our study reveals molecular signatures of qNSCs, characterized by high niche signaling integration and low protein translation capacity. Our analyses further delineate molecular cascades underlying adult qNSC activation and neurogenesis initiation, exemplified by decreased extrinsic signaling capacity, primed translational machinery, and regulatory switches in transcription factors, metabolism, and energy sources. Our study reveals the molecular continuum underlying adult neurogenesis and illustrates how Waterfall can be used for single-cell omics analyses of various continuous biological processes. Single-cell transcriptomes of adult hippocampal quiescent neural stem cells (qNSCs) and their immediate progeny.
Project description:Somatic stem cells contribute to tissue ontogenesis, homeostasis, and regeneration through sequential processes. Systematic molecular analysis of stem cell behavior is challenging because classic approaches cannot resolve cellular heterogeneity or capture developmental dynamics. Here we provide a comprehensive resource of single-cell transcriptomes of adult hippocampal quiescent neural stem cells (qNSCs) and their immediate progeny. We further developed Waterfall, a bioinformatic suite, to statistically quantify singe-cell gene expression along de novo reconstructed continuous developmental trajectory. Our study reveals molecular signatures of qNSCs, characterized by high niche signaling integration and low protein translation capacity. Our analyses further delineate molecular cascades underlying adult qNSC activation and neurogenesis initiation, exemplified by decreased extrinsic signaling capacity, primed translational machinery, and regulatory switches in transcription factors, metabolism, and energy sources. Our study reveals the molecular continuum underlying adult neurogenesis and illustrates how Waterfall can be used for single-cell omics analyses of various continuous biological processes.
Project description:Dynamic DNA methylation controls gene-regulatory networks underlying cell fate specification. How DNA methylation patterns change during adult hippocampal neurogenesis and their relevance for the generation of new neurons from adult neural stem cells has, however, remained unknown. Here, we show that neurogenesis-associated de novo DNA methylation is critical for maturation and functional integration of adult-born hippocampal neurons. Cell stage-specific bisulfite sequencing revealed a pronounced gain of DNA methylation at neuronal enhancers, gene bodies and binding sites of pro-neuronal transcription factors during adult neurogenesis, which mostly correlated with transcriptional up-regulation of the associated loci. Inducible deletion of both de novo DNA methyltransferases Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b in adult neural stem cells specifically impaired dendritic outgrowth and synaptogenesis of new neurons, resulting in impaired hippocampal excitability and specific deficits in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. Our results highlight that, during adult neurogenesis, remodeling of neuronal methylomes is fundamental for proper hippocampal function.
Project description:Dynamic DNA methylation controls gene-regulatory networks underlying cell fate specification. How DNA methylation patterns change during adult hippocampal neurogenesis and their relevance for the generation of new neurons from adult neural stem cells has, however, remained unknown. Here, we show that neurogenesis-associated de novo DNA methylation is critical for maturation and functional integration of adult-born hippocampal neurons. Cell stage-specific bisulfite sequencing revealed a pronounced gain of DNA methylation at neuronal enhancers, gene bodies and binding sites of pro-neuronal transcription factors during adult neurogenesis, which mostly correlated with transcriptional up-regulation of the associated loci. Inducible deletion of both de novo DNA methyltransferases Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b in adult neural stem cells specifically impaired dendritic outgrowth and synaptogenesis of new neurons, resulting in impaired hippocampal excitability and specific deficits in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. Our results highlight that, during adult neurogenesis, remodeling of neuronal methylomes is fundamental for proper hippocampal function.
Project description:Dynamic DNA methylation controls gene-regulatory networks underlying cell fate specification. How DNA methylation patterns change during adult hippocampal neurogenesis and their relevance for the generation of new neurons from adult neural stem cells has, however, remained unknown. Here, we show that neurogenesis-associated de novo DNA methylation is critical for maturation and functional integration of adult-born hippocampal neurons. Cell stage-specific bisulfite sequencing revealed a pronounced gain of DNA methylation at neuronal enhancers, gene bodies and binding sites of pro-neuronal transcription factors during adult neurogenesis, which mostly correlated with transcriptional up-regulation of the associated loci. Inducible deletion of both de novo DNA methyltransferases Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b in adult neural stem cells specifically impaired dendritic outgrowth and synaptogenesis of new neurons, resulting in impaired hippocampal excitability and specific deficits in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. Our results highlight that, during adult neurogenesis, remodeling of neuronal methylomes is fundamental for proper hippocampal function.
Project description:We performed snRNA-seq of macaque hippocampal formation sample to investigate whether there is the existence of adult neural stem cells and adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
Project description:Low-threshold voltage gated T-type calcium channels are characterized by unique electrophysiological features with the fast inactivation and slow deactivation kinetics. Previous reports suggest that T-type calcium channels may be involved in the adult hippocampal neurogenesis, however, function of T-type calcium channels in newly generated cells is still uncertain. We demonstrated that Cav3.1 is predominantly localized in the NPCs in mouse SGZ, and that deletion of Cav3.1 attenuates proliferation and survival in 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeled new born cells in the hippocampal DG. To reveal mechanism underlying impaired adult hippocampal neurogenesis in Cav3.1 KO mice, gene expression in the hippocampal DG is compared between WT and Cav3.1 KO mice. We here defined several altered genes related with cell apoptosis, proliferation and neuronal differentiation in Cav3.1 KO mice.
Project description:Physical exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mammals, and is considered a relevant strategy for preventing age-related cognitive decline in aging humans. However, its mechanism is controversial. Here, by investigating microRNAs (miRNAs) and their downstream pathways, we uncover that downregulation of miR-135a-5p mediates exercise-induced proliferation of adult NPCs in adult neurogenesis in the mouse hippocampus, likely by activation of phosphatidylinositol (IP3) signaling. Specifically, while overexpression of miR-135 prevents exercise-induced proliferation in the adult mouse hippocampus in vivo and in NPCs in vitro, its inhibition activates NPCs proliferation in resting and aged mice. Label free proteomics and bioinformatics analysis identifies 11 potential targets of miR-135 in NPCs, several of them involved in phosphatidylinositol signaling. Thus, miR-135a is key in mediating exercise-induced adult neurogenesis and opens intriguing perspectives toward the therapeutic exploitation of miR-135 to delay or prevent pathological brain ageing.Physical exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mammals, and is considered a relevant strategy for preventing age-related cognitive decline in aging humans. However, its mechanism is controversial. Here, by investigating microRNAs (miRNAs) and their downstream pathways, we uncover that downregulation of miR-135a-5p mediates exercise-induced proliferation of adult NPCs in adult neurogenesis in the mouse hippocampus, likely by activation of phosphatidylinositol (IP3) signaling. Specifically, while overexpression of miR-135 prevents exercise-induced proliferation in the adult mouse hippocampus in vivo and in NPCs in vitro, its inhibition activates NPCs proliferation in resting and aged mice. Label free proteomics and bioinformatics analysis identifies 11 potential targets of miR-135 in NPCs, several of them involved in phosphatidylinositol signaling. Thus, miR-135a is key in mediating exercise-induced adult neurogenesis and opens intriguing perspectives toward the therapeutic exploitation of miR-135 to delay or prevent pathological brain ageing.
Project description:The hippocampal-entorhinal system supports cognitive functions, has lifelong neurogenic capabilities in many species, and is selectively vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease. To investigate neurogenic potential and cellular diversity, we profiled single-nucleus transcriptomes in five hippocampal-entorhinal subregions in human, macaque, and pig. Integrated cross-species analysis revealed robust transcriptomic and histologic signatures of neurogenesis in adult mouse, pig and macaque, but not humans. Doublecortin (DCX), a widely accepted marker of newly generated granule cells, was detected in diverse human neurons, but it did not define immature neuron populations. To explore species differences in cellular diversity and implications for disease, we characterized subregion-specific transcriptomically-defined cell types and transitional changes from the three-layered archicortex to the six-layered neocortex. Notably, METTL7B defined subregion-specific excitatory neurons and astrocytes in primates, associated with endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplet proteins, including Alzheimer's disease-related proteins. Together this resource reveals cell-type- and species-specific properties shaping hippocampal-entorhinal neurogenesis and function.