Notch ligand Dll4 impairs cell recruitment to aortic clusters and limits blood stem cell generation.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) develop from the hemogenic endothelium in cluster structures that protrude into the embryonic aortic lumen. Although much is known about the molecular characteristics of the developing hematopoietic cells, we lack a complete understanding of their origin and the three-dimensional organization of the niche. Here, we use advanced live imaging techniques of organotypic slice cultures, clonal analysis, and mathematical modeling to show the two-step process of intra-aortic hematopoietic cluster (IACH) formation. First, a hemogenic progenitor buds up from the endothelium and undergoes division forming the monoclonal core of the IAHC. Next, surrounding hemogenic cells are recruited into the IAHC, increasing their size and heterogeneity. We identified the Notch ligand Dll4 as a negative regulator of the recruitment phase of IAHC. Blocking of Dll4 promotes the entrance of new hemogenic Gfi1+ cells into the IAHC and increases the number of cells that acquire HSC activity. Mathematical modeling based on our data provides estimation of the cluster lifetime and the average recruitment time of hemogenic cells to the cluster under physiologic and Dll4-inhibited conditions.

Quantitative 3D histochemistry reveals region-specific amyloid-ß reduction by the antidiabetic drug netoglitazone.

A hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the extracellular aggregation of toxic amyloid-beta (Aß) peptides in form of plaques. Here, we identify netoglitazone, an antidiabetic compound previously tested in humans, as an Aß aggregation antagonist. Netoglitazone improved cognition and reduced microglia activity in a mouse model of AD. Using quantitative whole-brain three-dimensional histology (Q3D), we precisely identified brain regions where netoglitazone reduced the number and size of Aß plaques. We demonstrate the utility of Q3D in preclinical drug evaluation for AD by providing a high-resolution brain-wide view of drug efficacy. Applying Q3D has the potential to improve pre-clinical drug evaluation by providing information that can help identify mechanisms leading to brain region-specific drug efficacy.

Engineering Toxoplasma gondii secretion systems for intracellular delivery of multiple large therapeutic proteins to neurons.

Delivering macromolecules across biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier limits their application in vivo. Previous work has demonstrated that Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that naturally travels from the human gut to the central nervous system (CNS), can deliver proteins to host cells. Here we engineered T. gondii's endogenous secretion systems, the rhoptries and dense granules, to deliver multiple large (>100 kDa) therapeutic proteins into neurons via translational fusions to toxofilin and GRA16. We demonstrate delivery in cultured cells, brain organoids and in vivo, and probe protein activity using imaging, pull-down assays, scRNA-seq and fluorescent reporters. We demonstrate robust delivery after intraperitoneal administration in mice and characterize 3D distribution throughout the brain. As proof of concept, we demonstrate GRA16-mediated brain delivery of the MeCP2 protein, a putative therapeutic target for Rett syndrome. By characterizing the potential and current limitations of the system, we aim to guide future improvements that will be required for broader application.

Whole-brain microscopy reveals distinct temporal and spatial efficacy of anti-Aß therapies.

Many efforts targeting amyloid-ß (Aß) plaques for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease thus far have resulted in failures during clinical trials. Regional and temporal heterogeneity of efficacy and dependence on plaque maturity may have contributed to these disappointing outcomes. In this study, we mapped the regional and temporal specificity of various anti-Aß treatments through high-resolution light-sheet imaging of electrophoretically cleared brains. We assessed the effect on amyloid plaque formation and growth in Thy1-APP/PS1 mice subjected to ß-secretase inhibitors, polythiophenes, or anti-Aß antibodies. Each treatment showed unique spatiotemporal Aß clearance, with polythiophenes emerging as a potent anti-Aß compound. Furthermore, aligning with a spatial-transcriptomic atlas revealed transcripts that correlate with the efficacy of each Aß therapy. As observed in this study, there is a striking dependence of specific treatments on the location and maturity of Aß plaques. This may also contribute to the clinical trial failures of Aß-therapies, suggesting that combinatorial regimens may be significantly more effective in clearing amyloid deposition.