Project description:Behavioral experiences activate the Fos transcription factor (TF) in sparse populations of neurons that are critical for encoding and recalling specific events. However, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms by which experience drives circuit reorganization to establish a network of Fos-activated cells. Additionally, it is unknown if Fos is required in this process beyond serving as a marker of recent neural activity and, if so, which of its many gene targets underlie circuit reorganization. Here we demonstrate that when mice engage in spatial exploration of novel environments, perisomatic inhibition of Fos-expressing hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons by parvalbumin (PV)-interneurons (INs) is enhanced, while perisomatic inhibition by cholecystokinin (CCK)-INs is weakened. This bidirectional modulation of inhibition is specific to Fos-expressing neurons and is abolished when the function of the Fos TF complex is disrupted. Single-cell RNA-sequencing, ribosome-associated mRNA profiling, and chromatin analyses, combined with electrophysiology reveal that Fos activates the transcription of Scg2 (secretogranin II), a gene that encodes multiple distinct neuropeptides, to coordinate these changes in inhibition. As PV- and CCK-INs mediate distinct features of pyramidal cell activity, the Scg2-dependent reorganization of inhibitory synaptic input might be predicted to affect network function in vivo. Consistent with this prediction, hippocampal gamma rhythms and pyramidal cell coupling to CA1 theta are significantly altered with loss of Scg2. Together these findings reveal an instructive role for Fos and Scg2 in establishing a network of Fos-activated neurons via the rewiring of local inhibition from an initially broad to a selectively modulated state. The opposing plasticity mechanisms on distinct inhibitory pathways may support the consolidation of memories over time.
Project description:Behavioral experiences activate the Fos transcription factor (TF) in sparse populations of neurons that are critical for encoding and recalling specific events. However, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms by which experience drives circuit reorganization to establish a network of Fos-activated cells. Additionally, it is unknown if Fos is required in this process beyond serving as a marker of recent neural activity and, if so, which of its many gene targets underlie circuit reorganization. Here we demonstrate that when mice engage in spatial exploration of novel environments, perisomatic inhibition of Fos-expressing hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons by parvalbumin (PV)-interneurons (INs) is enhanced, while perisomatic inhibition by cholecystokinin (CCK)-INs is weakened. This bidirectional modulation of inhibition is specific to Fos-expressing neurons and is abolished when the function of the Fos TF complex is disrupted. Single-cell RNA-sequencing, ribosome-associated mRNA profiling, and chromatin analyses, combined with electrophysiology reveal that Fos activates the transcription of Scg2 (secretogranin II), a gene that encodes multiple distinct neuropeptides, to coordinate these changes in inhibition. As PV- and CCK-INs mediate distinct features of pyramidal cell activity, the Scg2-dependent reorganization of inhibitory synaptic input might be predicted to affect network function in vivo. Consistent with this prediction, hippocampal gamma rhythms and pyramidal cell coupling to CA1 theta are significantly altered with loss of Scg2. Together these findings reveal an instructive role for Fos and Scg2 in establishing a network of Fos-activated neurons via the rewiring of local inhibition from an initially broad to a selectively modulated state. The opposing plasticity mechanisms on distinct inhibitory pathways may support the consolidation of memories over time.
Project description:Behavioral experiences activate the Fos transcription factor (TF) in sparse populations of neurons that are critical for encoding and recalling specific events. However, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms by which experience drives circuit reorganization to establish a network of Fos-activated cells. Additionally, it is unknown if Fos is required in this process beyond serving as a marker of recent neural activity and, if so, which of its many gene targets underlie circuit reorganization. Here we demonstrate that when mice engage in spatial exploration of novel environments, perisomatic inhibition of Fos-expressing hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons by parvalbumin (PV)-interneurons (INs) is enhanced, while perisomatic inhibition by cholecystokinin (CCK)-INs is weakened. This bidirectional modulation of inhibition is specific to Fos-expressing neurons and is abolished when the function of the Fos TF complex is disrupted. Single-cell RNA-sequencing, ribosome-associated mRNA profiling, and chromatin analyses, combined with electrophysiology reveal that Fos activates the transcription of Scg2 (secretogranin II), a gene that encodes multiple distinct neuropeptides, to coordinate these changes in inhibition. As PV- and CCK-INs mediate distinct features of pyramidal cell activity, the Scg2-dependent reorganization of inhibitory synaptic input might be predicted to affect network function in vivo. Consistent with this prediction, hippocampal gamma rhythms and pyramidal cell coupling to CA1 theta are significantly altered with loss of Scg2. Together these findings reveal an instructive role for Fos and Scg2 in establishing a network of Fos-activated neurons via the rewiring of local inhibition from an initially broad to a selectively modulated state. The opposing plasticity mechanisms on distinct inhibitory pathways may support the consolidation of memories over time.
Project description:Expression analyses comparing c-Fos expressing keratinocytes vs non-expressing controls. Skin squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are the second most prevalent skin cancers. Chronic skin inflammation has been associated with the development of SCCs, but the contribution of skin inflammation to SCC development remains largely unknown. In this study we demonstrate that inducible expression of c-fos in the epidermis of adult mice is sufficient to promote inflammation-mediated epidermal hyperplasia leading to the development of pre-neoplastic lesions. Interestingly, c-Fos transcriptionally controls mmp10 and s100a7a15 expression in keratinocytes subsequently leading to CD4 T cell recruitment to the skin, thereby promoting epidermal hyperplasia. Combining inducible c-fos expression in the epidermis with a single dose of the carcinogen 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) leads to the development of highly invasive SCCs, which are prevented by using the anti-inflammatory drug Sulindac. Moreover, human SCCs display a correlation between c-FOS expression and elevated levels of MMP10 and S100A15 proteins as well as CD4 T cell infiltration. Our studies demonstrate a bidirectional crosstalk between pre-malignant keratinocytes and infiltrating CD4 T cells in SCC development. Therefore, targeting inflammation along with the newly identified targets, such as MMP10 and S100A15, represent promising therapeutic strategies to treat SCCs. 5 different time points measured in triplicate comparing Dox-treated vs untreated c-FostetON keratinocytes
Project description:Brain organoids are promising tools for disease modelling and drug development. For proper neuronal network formation excitatory and inhibitory neurons as well as glia need to co-develop. Here we report the directed differentiation and self-organization of induced pluripotent stem cells in a collagen hydrogel towards a highly interconnected neuronal network in a macroscale tissue format. Bioengineered Neuronal Organoids (BENOs) comprise interconnected excitatory and inhibitory neurons as well as supportive astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Giant depolarizing potential (GDP)-like events observed within 20-40 days of BENO culture mimic early network activity of the fetal brain. The switch from excitatory to inhibitory GABA activity, and reduced GDPs at >40 day BENO cultures indicate progressive neuronal network maturation. BENOs demonstrate expedited complex network burst development after two months of culture and provide the first evidence for long-term potentiation and plasticity in brain organoids. BENOs exhibit structural and functional properties similar to the fetal brain and thus may be explored as a model to study the development of neuronal plasticity.