CHD2 Regulates Neuron-glioma Interactions in Pediatric Glioma.

High-grade gliomas (HGG) are deadly diseases for both adult and pediatric patients. Recently, it has been shown that neuronal activity promotes progression of multiple subgroups of HGG. However, epigenetic mechanisms that govern this process remain elusive. Here we report that the chromatin remodeler CHD2 regulates neuron-glioma interactions in diffuse midline glioma (DMG) characterized by onco-histone H3.1K27M. Depletion of CHD2 in H3.1K27M DMG cells compromises cell viability and neuron-to-glioma synaptic connections in vitro, neuron-induced proliferation of H3.1K27M DMG cells in vitro and in vivo, activity-dependent calcium transients in vivo, and extends the survival of H3.1K27M DMG-bearing mice. Mechanistically, CHD2 coordinates with the transcription factor FOSL1 to control the expression of axon-guidance and synaptic genes in H3.1K27M DMG cells. Together, our study reveals a mechanism whereby CHD2 controls the intrinsic gene program of the H3.1K27M DMG subtype, which in turn regulates the tumor growth-promoting interactions of glioma cells with neurons.

Vascular-derived SPARC and SerpinE1 regulate interneuron tangential migration and accelerate functional maturation of human stem cell-derived interneurons.

Cortical interneurons establish inhibitory microcircuits throughout the neocortex and their dysfunction has been implicated in epilepsy and neuropsychiatric diseases. Developmentally, interneurons migrate from a distal progenitor domain in order to populate the neocortex - a process that occurs at a slower rate in humans than in mice. In this study, we sought to identify factors that regulate the rate of interneuron maturation across the two species. Using embryonic mouse development as a model system, we found that the process of initiating interneuron migration is regulated by blood vessels of the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE), an interneuron progenitor domain. We identified two endothelial cell-derived paracrine factors, SPARC and SerpinE1, that enhance interneuron migration in mouse MGE explants and organotypic cultures. Moreover, pre-treatment of human stem cell-derived interneurons (hSC-interneurons) with SPARC and SerpinE1 prior to transplantation into neonatal mouse cortex enhanced their migration and morphological elaboration in the host cortex. Further, SPARC and SerpinE1-treated hSC-interneurons also exhibited more mature electrophysiological characteristics compared to controls. Overall, our studies suggest a critical role for CNS vasculature in regulating interneuron developmental maturation in both mice and humans.

Systems Analysis of the 22q11.2 Microdeletion Syndrome Converges on a Mitochondrial Interactome Necessary for Synapse Function and Behavior.

Neurodevelopmental disorders offer insight into synaptic mechanisms. To unbiasedly uncover these mechanisms, we studied the 22q11.2 syndrome, a recurrent copy number variant, which is the highest schizophrenia genetic risk factor. We quantified the proteomes of 22q11.2 mutant human fibroblasts from both sexes and mouse brains carrying a 22q11.2-like defect, Df(16)A+/- Molecular ontologies defined mitochondrial compartments and pathways as some of top ranked categories. In particular, we identified perturbations in the SLC25A1-SLC25A4 mitochondrial transporter interactome as associated with the 22q11.2 genetic defect. Expression of SLC25A1-SLC25A4 interactome components was affected in neuronal cells from schizophrenia patients. Furthermore, hemideficiency of the Drosophila SLC25A1 or SLC25A4 orthologues, dSLC25A1-sea and dSLC25A4-sesB, affected synapse morphology, neurotransmission, plasticity, and sleep patterns. Our findings indicate that synapses are sensitive to partial loss of function of mitochondrial solute transporters. We propose that mitoproteomes regulate synapse development and function in normal and pathological conditions in a cell-specific manner.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We address the central question of how to comprehensively define molecular mechanisms of the most prevalent and penetrant microdeletion associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, the 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome. This complex mutation reduces gene dosage of ∼63 genes in humans. We describe a disruption of the mitoproteome in 22q11.2 patients and brains of a 22q11.2 mouse model. In particular, we identify a network of inner mitochondrial membrane transporters as a hub required for synapse function. Our findings suggest that mitochondrial composition and function modulate the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia.

EMC10 (Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Protein Complex Subunit 10) Is a Bone Marrow-Derived Angiogenic Growth Factor Promoting Tissue Repair After Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials of bone marrow cell-based therapies after acute myocardial infarction (MI) have produced mostly neutral results. Treatment with specific bone marrow cell-derived secreted proteins may provide an alternative biological approach to improving tissue repair and heart function after MI. We recently performed a bioinformatic secretome analysis in bone marrow cells from patients with acute MI and discovered a poorly characterized secreted protein, EMC10 (endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein complex subunit 10), showing activity in an angiogenic screen. METHODS: We investigated the angiogenic potential of EMC10 and its mouse homolog (Emc10) in cultured endothelial cells and infarcted heart explants. We defined the cellular sources and function of Emc10 after MI using wild-type, Emc10-deficient, and Emc10 bone marrow-chimeric mice subjected to transient coronary artery ligation. Furthermore, we explored the therapeutic potential of recombinant Emc10 delivered by osmotic minipumps after MI in heart failure-prone FVB/N mice. RESULTS: Emc10 signaled through small GTPases, p21-activated kinase, and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) pathway to promote actin polymerization and endothelial cell migration. Confirming the importance of these signaling events in the context of acute MI, Emc10 stimulated endothelial cell outgrowth from infarcted mouse heart explants via p38 MAPK-MK2. Emc10 protein abundance was increased in the infarcted region of the left ventricle and in the circulation of wild-type mice after MI. Emc10 expression was also increased in left ventricular tissue samples from patients with acute MI. Bone marrow-derived monocytes and macrophages were the predominant sources of Emc10 in the infarcted murine heart. Emc10 KO mice showed no cardiovascular phenotype at baseline. After MI, however, capillarization of the infarct border zone was impaired in KO mice, and the animals developed larger infarct scars and more pronounced left ventricular remodeling compared with wild-type mice. Transplanting KO mice with wild-type bone marrow cells rescued the angiogenic defect and ameliorated left ventricular remodeling. Treating FVB/N mice with recombinant Emc10 enhanced infarct border-zone capillarization and exerted a sustained beneficial effect on left ventricular remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified Emc10 as a previously unknown angiogenic growth factor that is produced by bone marrow-derived monocytes and macrophages as part of an endogenous adaptive response that can be enhanced therapeutically to repair the heart after MI.

Sexual dimorphisms in the immune system of catechol-O-methyltransferase knockout mice.

The enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is part of the metabolic pathway of 17ß-estradiol, converting 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol. We recently showed that administration of the COMT product 2-methoxyestradiol has anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoporotic effects. We have now investigated whether COMT affects the immune system, by immunologically phenotyping COMT deficient (COMT(-/-)) mice. Immunoglobulin production, T lymphocyte proliferation, NK cell cytotoxicity and oxygen radical production were assessed. In male COMT(-/-)-mice, the total number of T-, and B-lymphocytes from spleen increased but the T-cell proliferative response decreased. The NK cell population shifted toward less mature cells, leaving cytotoxic capacity unaffected. In COMT(-/-)-females, a higher frequency of neutrophils was found but the oxygen radical production was unaltered. In conclusion, only minor changes of the immune system were seen in COMT deficient mice, and the changes were usually seen in males. This study provides clues into how COMT activity, and hence gender differences, affects the immune system.

Altered axonal targeting and short-term plasticity in the hippocampus of Disc1 mutant mice.

Carefully designed animal models of genetic risk factors are likely to aid our understanding of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Here, we study a mouse strain with a truncating lesion in the endogenous Disc1 ortholog designed to model the effects of a schizophrenia-predisposing mutation and offer a detailed account of the consequences that this mutation has on the development and function of a hippocampal circuit. We uncover widespread and cumulative cytoarchitectural alterations in the dentate gyrus during neonatal and adult neurogenesis, which include errors in axonal targeting and are accompanied by changes in short-term plasticity at the mossy fiber/CA3 circuit. We also provide evidence that cAMP levels are elevated as a result of the Disc1 mutation, leading to altered axonal targeting and dendritic growth. The identified structural alterations are, for the most part, not consistent with the growth-promoting and premature maturation effects inferred from previous RNAi-based Disc1 knockdown. Our results provide support to the notion that modest disturbances of neuronal connectivity and accompanying deficits in short-term synaptic dynamics is a general feature of schizophrenia-predisposing mutations.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase is dispensable for vascular protection by estradiol in mouse models of atherosclerosis and neointima formation.

Estradiol is converted to the biologically active metabolite 2-methoxyestradiol via the activity of the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). Exogenous administration of both estradiol and 2-methoxyestradiol reduces experimental atherosclerosis and neointima formation, and COMT-dependent formation of 2-methoxyestradiol likely mediates the antimitogenic effect of estradiol on smooth muscle cells in vitro. This study evaluated whether 2-methoxyestradiol mediates the vasculoprotective actions of estradiol in vivo. Wild-type (WT) and COMT knockout (COMTKO) mice on an apolipoprotein E-deficient background were gonadectomized and treated with estradiol or placebo. Exogenous estradiol reduced atherosclerotic lesion formation in both females (WT, -78%; COMTKO, -82%) and males (WT, -48%; COMTKO, -53%) and was equally effective in both genotypes. We further evaluated how exogenous estradiol affected neointima formation after ligation of the carotid artery in ovariectomized female mice; estradiol reduced intimal hyperplasia to a similar extent in both WT (-80%) and COMTKO (-77%) mice. In ovarian-intact female COMTKO mice, atherosclerosis was decreased (-25%) compared with WT controls. In conclusion, the COMT enzyme is dispensable for vascular protection by exogenous estradiol in experimental atherosclerosis and neointima formation in vivo. Instead, COMT deficiency in virgin female mice with intact endogenous production of estradiol results in relative protection against atherosclerosis.

S-nitrosylation and S-palmitoylation reciprocally regulate synaptic targeting of PSD-95.

PSD-95, a principal scaffolding component of the postsynaptic density, is targeted to synapses by palmitoylation, where it couples NMDA receptor stimulation to production of nitric oxide (NO) by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Here, we show that PSD-95 is physiologically S-nitrosylated. We identify cysteines 3 and 5, which are palmitoylated, as sites of nitrosylation, suggesting a competition between these two modifications. In support of this hypothesis, physiologically produced NO inhibits PSD-95 palmitoylation in granule cells of the cerebellum, decreasing the number of PSD-95 clusters at synaptic sites. Further, decreased palmitoylation, as seen in heterologous cells treated with 2-bromopalmitate or in ZDHHC8 knockout mice deficient in a PSD-95 palmitoyltransferase, results in increased PSD-95 nitrosylation. These data support a model in which NMDA-mediated production of NO regulates targeting of PSD-95 to synapses via mutually competitive cysteine modifications. Thus, differential modification of cysteines may represent a general paradigm in signal transduction.

Evidence for altered hippocampal function in a mouse model of the human 22q11.2 microdeletion.

22q11.2 chromosomal deletions are recurrent copy number mutations that increase the risk of schizophrenia around thirty-fold. Deletion of the orthologous chromosomal region in mice offers an opportunity to characterize changes to neuronal structure and function that may account for the development of this disease. The hippocampus has been implicated in schizophrenia pathogenesis, is reduced in volume in 22q11.2 deletion carriers and displays altered neuronal structure in a mouse model of the mutation (Df(16)A(+/-) mice). Here we investigate hippocampal CA1 physiology, hippocampal-dependent spatial memory and novelty-induced hippocampal activation in Df(16)A(+/-) mice. We found normal spatial reference memory (as assayed by the Morris water maze test) as well as modest but potentially important deficits in physiology. In particular, a reduction in the level of inhibition of CA1 pyramidal neurons was observed, implying a decrease in interneuron activity. Additionally, deficits in LTP were observed using certain induction protocols. Induction of c-Fos expression by exploration of a novel environment suggested a relative sparing of CA1 and dentate gyrus function but showed a robust decrease in the number of activated CA3 pyramidal neurons in Df(16)A(+/-) mice. Overall, experiments performed in this 22q11.2 deletion model demonstrated deficits of various degrees across different regions of the hippocampus, which together may contribute to the increased risk of developing schizophrenia.

MicroRNAs in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Abnormalities in microRNA (miRNA)-mediated gene regulation have been observed in a variety of human diseases, especially in cancer. Here, we provide an account of newly emerging connections between miRNAs with various psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, including recent findings of miRNA dysregulation in the 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome, a well-established genetic risk factor for schizophrenia. miRNAs appear to be components of both the genetic architecture of these complex phenotypes as well as integral parts of the biological pathways that mediate the effects of primary genetic deficits. Therefore, they may contribute to both genetic heterogeneity and phenotypic variation of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders and could serve as novel therapeutic targets.

Sex-dependent compensated oxidative stress in the mouse liver upon deletion of catechol O-methyltransferase.

Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) methylates catechols, such as L-dopa and dopamine, and COMT deficient mice show dramatic shifts in the metabolite levels of catechols. Increase in catechol metabolite levels can, in principle, lead to oxidative stress but no indices of oxidative stress have been reported in COMT-knockout (KO) mice [Forsberg MM, Juvonen RO, Helisalmi P, Leppanen J, Gogos JA, Karayiorgou M, et al. Lack of increased oxidative stress in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)-deficient mice. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2004;370:279-89.]. Here we perform a proteomic based analysis of the livers of COMT-KO mice in search for potential compensatory mechanisms developed to cope with the effects of disrupted catechol metabolism. We found sex specific changes in proteins connected to stress response. Our results show that alterations in protein levels contribute to the homeostatic regulation in the liver of COMT deficient mice.

A signaling pathway AKTing up in schizophrenia.

The serine/threonine protein kinase AKT (also known as PKB) signaling pathway has been associated with several human diseases, including schizophrenia. Studies in preclinical models have demonstrated that impaired AKT signaling affects neuronal connectivity and neuromodulation and have identified AKT as a key signaling intermediary downstream of dopamine (DA) receptor 2 (DRD2), the best-established target of antipsychotic drugs. A study by Tan et al. in this issue of the JCI strengthens links among AKT signaling, DA transmission, and cognition in healthy individuals and offers potential avenues to explore in an effort to find more effective pharmacotherapies for schizophrenia and related disorders (see the related article beginning on page 2200).

Akt1 deficiency affects neuronal morphology and predisposes to abnormalities in prefrontal cortex functioning.

There is accumulating evidence that AKT signaling plays a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. We asked whether Akt1 deficiency in mice results in structural and functional abnormalities in prefrontal cortex (PFC). Exploratory transcriptional profiling revealed concerted alterations in the expression of PFC genes controlling synaptic function, neuronal development, myelination, and actin polymerization, and follow-up ultrastructural analysis identified consistent changes in the dendritic architecture of pyramidal neurons. Behavioral analysis indicated that Akt1-mutant mice have normal acquisition of a PFC-dependent cognitive task but abnormal working memory retention under neurochemical challenge of three distinct neurotransmitter systems. Thus, Akt1 deficiency creates a context permissive for gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that modulate PFC functioning and contribute to the disease risk associated with this locus, the severity of the clinical syndrome, or both.

Decreased phosphorylation of NMDA receptor type 1 at serine 897 in brains of patients with Schizophrenia.

NMDA receptor hypofunction in schizophrenia has been inferred by a large number of clinical and preclinical observations; however, whether and how NMDA receptors are exactly involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia are still unknown and subject to interpretation. Here we show, in two independent samples of brains from patients with schizophrenia, a significant decrease in the phosphorylation level at serine 897 (S897) of the NMDA receptor type 1 (NR1) subunit. Our finding, together with a previous report that antipsychotics increase phosphorylation of NR1 at S897 in vivo, strongly suggests that insufficient phosphorylation at S897 may contribute to the neuronal pathology underlying schizophrenia.

Convergent evidence for impaired AKT1-GSK3beta signaling in schizophrenia.

AKT-GSK3beta signaling is a target of lithium and as such has been implicated in the pathogenesis of mood disorders. Here, we provide evidence that this signaling pathway also has a role in schizophrenia. Specifically, we present convergent evidence for a decrease in AKT1 protein levels and levels of phosphorylation of GSK3beta at Ser9 in the peripheral lymphocytes and brains of individuals with schizophrenia; a significant association between schizophrenia and an AKT1 haplotype associated with lower AKT1 protein levels; and a greater sensitivity to the sensorimotor gating-disruptive effect of amphetamine, conferred by AKT1 deficiency. Our findings support the proposal that alterations in AKT1-GSK3beta signaling contribute to schizophrenia pathogenesis and identify AKT1 as a potential schizophrenia susceptibility gene. Consistent with this proposal, we also show that haloperidol induces a stepwise increase in regulatory phosphorylation of AKT1 in the brains of treated mice that could compensate for an impaired function of this signaling pathway in schizophrenia.

Methoxyestradiols mediate the antimitogenic effects of 17beta-estradiol: direct evidence from catechol-O-methyltransferase-knockout mice.

BACKGROUND: Studies using pharmacological agents suggest but do not prove that the antimitogenic effects of estradiol are caused by conversion of estradiol to hydroxyestradiols (mediated by CYP450s) followed by methylation of hydroxyestradiols to methoxyestradiols (mediated by catechol-O-methyltransferase, COMT). METHODS AND RESULTS: To test this hypothesis more rigorously, we used aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from mice lacking COMT (COMT-KO). Wild-type (WT) but not COMT-KO SMCs efficiently converted 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol. Both WT and COMT-KO SMCs expressed estrogen receptors. Estradiol and 2-hydroxyestradiol concentration-dependently inhibited serum-induced DNA synthesis, cell numbers, and collagen synthesis in WT but not COMT-KO SMCs. 2-Methoxyestradiol inhibited DNA synthesis, cell numbers, and collagen synthesis in both WT and COMT-KO SMCs. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide strong evidence that the vascular antimitogenic effects of estradiol are estrogen receptor-independent and involve the sequential conversion of estradiol to hydroxyestradiols and then to methoxyestradiols.