ß-catenin signaling modulates the tempo of dendritic growth of adult-born hippocampal neurons.

In adult hippocampal neurogenesis, stem/progenitor cells generate dentate granule neurons that contribute to hippocampal plasticity. The establishment of a morphologically defined dendritic arbor is central to the functional integration of adult-born neurons. We investigated the role of canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in dendritogenesis of adult-born neurons. We show that canonical Wnt signaling follows a biphasic pattern, with high activity in stem/progenitor cells, attenuation in immature neurons, and reactivation during maturation, and demonstrate that this activity pattern is required for proper dendrite development. Increasing ß-catenin signaling in maturing neurons of young adult mice transiently accelerated dendritic growth, but eventually produced dendritic defects and excessive spine numbers. In middle-aged mice, in which protracted dendrite and spine development were paralleled by lower canonical Wnt signaling activity, enhancement of ß-catenin signaling restored dendritic growth and spine formation to levels observed in young adult animals. Our data indicate that precise timing and strength of ß-catenin signaling are essential for the correct functional integration of adult-born neurons and suggest Wnt/ß-catenin signaling as a pathway to ameliorate deficits in adult neurogenesis during aging.

scRNA sequencing uncovers a TCF4-dependent transcription factor network regulating commissure development in mouse.

Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) is a crucial regulator of neurodevelopment and has been linked to the pathogenesis of autism, intellectual disability and schizophrenia. As a class I bHLH transcription factor (TF), it is assumed that TCF4 exerts its neurodevelopmental functions through dimerization with proneural class II bHLH TFs. Here, we aim to identify TF partners of TCF4 in the control of interhemispheric connectivity formation. Using a new bioinformatic strategy integrating TF expression levels and regulon activities from single cell RNA-sequencing data, we find evidence that TCF4 interacts with non-bHLH TFs and modulates their transcriptional activity in Satb2+ intercortical projection neurons. Notably, this network comprises regulators linked to the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders, e.g. FOXG1, SOX11 and BRG1. In support of the functional interaction of TCF4 with non-bHLH TFs, we find that TCF4 and SOX11 biochemically interact and cooperatively control commissure formation in vivo, and regulate the transcription of genes implicated in this process. In addition to identifying new candidate interactors of TCF4 in neurodevelopment, this study illustrates how scRNA-Seq data can be leveraged to predict TF networks in neurodevelopmental processes.

A novel human stem cell model for Coffin-Siris syndrome-like syndrome reveals the importance of SOX11 dosage for neuronal differentiation and survival.

The SOXC transcription factors Sox4, Sox11 and Sox12, are critical neurodevelopmental regulators that are thought to function in a highly redundant fashion. Surprisingly, heterozygous missense mutations or deletions of SOX11 were recently detected in patients with Coffin-Siris syndrome-like syndrome (CSSLS), a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with intellectual disability, demonstrating that in humans SOX11 haploinsufficiency cannot be compensated and raising the question of the function of SOX11 in human neurodevelopment. Here, we describe the generation of SOX11+/- heterozygous human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines by CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering. SOX11 haploinsufficiency impaired the generation of neurons and resulted in a proliferation/differentiation imbalance of neural precursor cells and enhanced neuronal cell death. Using the SOX11+/- hESC model we provide for the first time experimental evidence that SOX11 haploinsufficiency is sufficient to impair key processes of human neurodevelopment, giving a first insight into the pathophysiology of CSSLS and SOX11 function in human neurodevelopment.

p27kip1 Is Required for Functionally Relevant Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Mice.

We asked whether cell-cycle associated protein p27kip1 might be involved in the transition of precursor cells to postmitotic maturation in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. p27kip1 was expressed throughout the dentate gyrus with a strong nuclear expression in early postmitotic, calretinin-positive neurons and neuronally determined progenitor cells (type-3 and some type-2b), lower or absent expression in radial glia-like precursor cells (type-1) and type-2a cells and essentially no expression in granule cells. This suggested a transitory role in late proliferative and early postmitotic phases of neurogenesis. Inconsistent with a role limited to cell cycle arrest the acute stimuli, voluntary wheel running (RUN), environmental enrichment (ENR) and kainate-induced seizures increased p27kip1 expressing cells. Sequential short-term combination of RUN and ENR yielded more p27kip1 cells than either stimulus alone, indicating an additive effect. In vitro, p27kip1 was lowly expressed by proliferating precursor cells but increased upon differentiation. In p27kip1-/- mice neurogenesis was reduced in vivo, whereas the number of proliferating cells was increased. Accordingly, the microdissected dentate gyrus of p27kip1-/- mice generated more colonies in the neurosphere assay and an increased number of larger spheres with the differentiation potential unchanged. In p27kip1-/- monolayer cultures, proliferation was increased and cell cycle genes were upregulated. In the Morris water maze p27kip1-/- mice learned the task but were specifically impaired in the reversal phase explainable by the decrease in adult neurogenesis. We conclude that p27kip1 is involved in the decisive step around cell-cycle exit and plays an important role in activity-regulated and functionally relevant adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Stem Cells 2017;35:787-799.

Heterogeneity of Radial Glia-Like Cells in the Adult Hippocampus.

Adult neurogenesis is tightly regulated by the neurogenic niche. Cellular contacts between niche cells and neural stem cells are hypothesized to regulate stem cell proliferation or lineage choice. However, the structure of adult neural stem cells and the contact they form with niche cells are poorly described. Here, we characterized the morphology of radial glia-like (RGL) cells, their molecular identity, proliferative activity, and fate determination in the adult mouse hippocampus. We found the coexistence of two morphotypes of cells with prototypical morphological characteristics of RGL stem cells: Type α cells, which represented 76% of all RGL cells, displayed a long primary process modestly branching into the molecular layer and type ß cells, which represented 24% of all RGL cells, with a shorter radial process highly branching into the outer granule cell layer-inner molecular layer border. Stem cell markers were expressed in type α cells and coexpressed with astrocytic markers in type ß cells. Consistently, in vivo lineage tracing indicated that type α cells can give rise to neurons, astrocytes, and type ß cells, whereas type ß cells do not proliferate. Our results reveal that the adult subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus harbors two functionally different RGL cells, which can be distinguished by simple morphological criteria, supporting a morphofunctional role of their thin cellular processes. Type ß cells may represent an intermediate state in the transformation of type α, RGL stem cells, into astrocytes.

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 kip1 regulates radial stem cell quiescence and neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus.

Members of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-inhibitory protein (CIP)/kinase-inhibitory protein (KIP) family of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors regulate proliferation and cell cycle exit of mammalian cells. In the adult brain, the CIP/KIP protein p27(kip1) has been related to the regulation of intermediate progenitor cells located in neurogenic niches. Here, we uncover a novel function of p27(kip1) in the adult hippocampus as a dual regulator of stem cell quiescence and of cell-cycle exit of immature neurons. In vivo, p27(kip1) is detected in radial stem cells expressing SOX2 and in newborn neurons of the dentate gyrus. In vitro, the Cdkn1b gene encoding p27(kip1) is transcriptionally upregulated by quiescence signals such as BMP4. The nuclear accumulation of p27(kip1) protein in adult hippocampal stem cells encompasses the BMP4-induced quiescent state and its overexpression is able to block proliferation. p27(kip1) is also expressed in immature neurons upon differentiation of adult hippocampal stem cell cultures. Loss of p27(kip1) leads to an increase in proliferation and neurogenesis in the adult dentate gyrus, which results from both a decrease in the percentage of radial stem cells that are quiescent and a delay in cell cycle exit of immature neurons. Analysis of animals carrying a disruption in the cyclin-CDK interaction domain of p27(kip1) indicates that the CDK inhibitory function of the protein is necessary to control the activity of radial stem cells. Thus, we report that p27(kip1) acts as a central player of the molecular program that keeps adult hippocampal stem cells out of the cell cycle.

Transcriptional dynamics orchestrating the development and integration of neurons born in the adult hippocampus.

The adult hippocampus generates new granule cells (aGCs) with functional capabilities that convey unique forms of plasticity to the preexisting circuits. While early differentiation of adult radial glia-like cells (RGLs) has been studied extensively, the molecular mechanisms guiding the maturation of postmitotic neurons remain unknown. Here, we used a precise birthdating strategy to study aGC differentiation using single-nuclei RNA sequencing. Transcriptional profiling revealed a continuous trajectory from RGLs to mature aGCs, with multiple immature stages bearing increasing levels of effector genes supporting growth, excitability, and synaptogenesis. Analysis of differential gene expression, pseudo-time trajectory, and transcription factors (TFs) revealed critical transitions defining four cellular states: quiescent RGLs, proliferative progenitors, immature aGCs, and mature aGCs. Becoming mature aGCs involved a transcriptional switch that shuts down pathways promoting cell growth, such SoxC TFs, to activate programs that likely control neuronal homeostasis. aGCs overexpressing Sox4 or Sox11 remained immature. Our results unveil precise molecular mechanisms driving adult RGLs through the pathway of neuronal differentiation.

Transcriptional dynamics orchestrating the development and integration of neurons born in the adult hippocampus.

The adult hippocampus generates new granule cells (aGCs) that exhibit distinct functional capabilities along development, conveying a unique form of plasticity to the preexisting circuits. While early differentiation of adult radial glia-like neural stem cells (RGL) has been studied extensively, the molecular mechanisms guiding the maturation of postmitotic neurons remain unknown. Here, we used a precise birthdating strategy to follow newborn aGCs along differentiation using single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq). Transcriptional profiling revealed a continuous trajectory from RGLs to mature aGCs, with multiple sequential immature stages bearing increasing levels of effector genes supporting growth, excitability and synaptogenesis. Remarkably, four discrete cellular states were defined by the expression of distinct sets of transcription factors (TFs): quiescent neural stem cells, proliferative progenitors, postmitotic immature aGCs, and mature aGCs. The transition from immature to mature aCGs involved a transcriptional switch that shutdown molecular cascades promoting cell growth, such as the SoxC family of TFs, to activate programs controlling neuronal homeostasis. Indeed, aGCs overexpressing Sox4 or Sox11 remained stalled at the immature state. Our results unveil precise molecular mechanisms driving adult neural stem cells through the pathway of neuronal differentiation.

Enhanced mitochondrial fusion during a critical period of synaptic plasticity in adult-born neurons.

Integration of new neurons into adult hippocampal circuits is a process coordinated by local and long-range synaptic inputs. To achieve stable integration and uniquely contribute to hippocampal function, immature neurons are endowed with a critical period of heightened synaptic plasticity, yet it remains unclear which mechanisms sustain this form of plasticity during neuronal maturation. We found that as new neurons enter their critical period, a transient surge in fusion dynamics stabilizes elongated mitochondrial morphologies in dendrites to fuel synaptic plasticity. Conditional ablation of fusion dynamics to prevent mitochondrial elongation selectively impaired spine plasticity and synaptic potentiation, disrupting neuronal competition for stable circuit integration, ultimately leading to decreased survival. Despite profuse mitochondrial fragmentation, manipulation of competition dynamics was sufficient to restore neuronal survival but left neurons poorly responsive to experience at the circuit level. Thus, by enabling synaptic plasticity during the critical period, mitochondrial fusion facilitates circuit remodeling by adult-born neurons.

NR2F1 shapes mitochondria in the mouse brain, providing new insights into Bosch-Boonstra-Schaaf optic atrophy syndrome.

The nuclear receptor NR2F1 acts as a strong transcriptional regulator in embryonic and postnatal neural cells. In humans, mutations in the NR2F1 gene cause Bosch-Boonstra-Schaaf optic atrophy syndrome (BBSOAS), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by multiple clinical features including vision impairment, intellectual disability and autistic traits. In this study, we identified, by genome-wide and in silico analyses, a set of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes as potential genomic targets under direct NR2F1 transcriptional control in neurons. By combining mouse genetic, neuroanatomical and imaging approaches, we demonstrated that conditional NR2F1 loss of function within the adult mouse hippocampal neurogenic niche results in a reduced mitochondrial mass associated with mitochondrial fragmentation and downregulation of key mitochondrial proteins in newborn neurons, the genesis, survival and functional integration of which are impaired. Importantly, we also found dysregulation of several nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes and downregulation of key mitochondrial proteins in the brain of Nr2f1-heterozygous mice, a validated BBSOAS model. Our data point to an active role for NR2F1 in the mitochondrial gene expression regulatory network in neurons and support the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in BBSOAS pathogenesis.

Aberrant neurogenesis after stroke: a retroviral cell labeling study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus is a unique form of brain plasticity that is strongly stimulated after stroke. We investigate the morphological properties of new granule cells, which are born and develop after the ischemic insult, and query whether these adult-born neurons properly integrate into the pre-existing hippocampal circuitries. METHODS: Two well-established models were used to induce either small cortical infarcts (photothrombosis model) or large territorial infarcts (transient middle cerebral artery occlusion model). New granule cells were labeled 4 days after the initial insult by intrahippocampal injection of a retroviral vector encoding green fluorescent protein and newborn neurons were morphologically analyzed using a semiautomatic Neurolucida system and confocal laser scanning microscopy at 6 weeks. RESULTS: Approximately 5% to 10% of newborn granule cells displayed significant morphological abnormalities comprising additional basal dendrites and, after middle cerebral artery occlusion, also ectopic cell position. The extent of morphological abnormalities was higher after large territorial infarcts and seems to depend on the severity of ischemic damage. An increased portion of mushroom spines in aberrant neurons suggests stable synaptic integration. However, poststroke generated granule cells with regular appearance also demonstrate alterations in dendritic complexity and spine morphology. CONCLUSIONS: The remarkable stimulation of dentate neurogenesis after stroke coincides with an increased rate of aberrantly integrated neurons, which may contribute to functional impairments and, hypothetically, favor pathogenesis of adjustment disorders, cognitive deficits, or epilepsy often seen in stroke patients.

Telomere shortening reduces Alzheimer's disease amyloid pathology in mice.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder of the elderly and advancing age is the major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease development. Telomere shortening represents one of the molecular causes of ageing that limits the proliferative capacity of cells, including neural stem cells. Studies on telomere lengths in patients with Alzheimer's disease have revealed contrary results and the functional role of telomere shortening on brain ageing and Alzheimer's disease is not known. Here, we have investigated the effects of telomere shortening on adult neurogenesis and Alzheimer's disease progression in mice. The study shows that aged telomerase knockout mice with short telomeres (G3Terc-/-) exhibit reduced dentate gyrus neurogenesis and loss of neurons in hippocampus and frontal cortex, associated with short-term memory deficit in comparison to mice with long telomere reserves (Terc+/+). In contrast, telomere shortening improved the spatial learning ability of ageing APP23 transgenic mice, a mouse model for Alzheimer's disease. Telomere shortening was also associated with an activation of microglia in ageing amyloid-free brain. However, in APP23 transgenic mice, telomere shortening reduced both amyloid plaque pathology and reactive microgliosis. Together, these results provide the first experimental evidence that telomere shortening, despite impairing adult neurogenesis and maintenance of post-mitotic neurons, can slow down the progression of amyloid plaque pathology in Alzheimer's disease, possibly involving telomere-dependent effects on microglia activation.

Wnt signalling regulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis.

The generation of new neurons from neural stem cells is restricted to two regions of the adult mammalian central nervous system: the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle, and the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. In both regions, signals provided by the microenvironment regulate the maintenance, proliferation and neuronal fate commitment of the local stem cell population. The identity of these signals is largely unknown. Here we show that adult hippocampal stem/progenitor cells (AHPs) express receptors and signalling components for Wnt proteins, which are key regulators of neural stem cell behaviour in embryonic development. We also show that the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is active and that Wnt3 is expressed in the hippocampal neurogenic niche. Overexpression of Wnt3 is sufficient to increase neurogenesis from AHPs in vitro and in vivo. By contrast, blockade of Wnt signalling reduces neurogenesis from AHPs in vitro and abolishes neurogenesis almost completely in vivo. Our data show that Wnt signalling is a principal regulator of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and provide evidence that Wnt proteins have a role in adult hippocampal function.

Dynamic, Transient, and Robust Increase in the Innervation of the Inflamed Mucosa in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterized by chronic dysregulation of immune homeostasis, epithelial demise, immune cell activation, and microbial translocation. Each of these processes leads to proinflammatory changes via the release of cytokines, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), respectively. The impact of these noxious agents on the survival and function of the enteric nervous system (ENS) is poorly understood. Here, we show that in contrast to an expected decrease, experimental as well as clinical colitis causes an increase in the transcript levels of enteric neuronal and glial genes. Immunostaining revealed an elevated neuronal innervation of the inflamed regions of the gut mucosa. The increase was seen in models with overt damage to epithelial cells and models of T cell-induced colitis. Transcriptomic data from treatment naïve pediatric IBD patients also confirmed the increase in the neuroglial genes and were replicated on an independent adult IBD dataset. This induction in the neuroglial genes was transient as levels returned to normal upon the induction of remission in both mouse models as well as colitis patients. Our data highlight the dynamic and robust nature of the enteric nervous system in colitis and open novel questions on its regulation.

CRISPR/Cas9 mediated generation of human ARID1B heterozygous knockout hESC lines to model Coffin-Siris syndrome.

ARID1B haploinsufficiency induced by missense or nonsense mutations of ARID1B is a cause of Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS), a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with intellectual disability. At present, no appropriate human stem cell model for ARID1B-associated CSS has been reported. Here, we describe the generation and validation of ARID1B+/- hESCs by introducing out of frame deletions into exon 5 or 6 of ARID1B with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. These ARID1B+/- hESC lines allow to study the pathophysiology of ARID1B-associated CSS in 2D and 3D models of human neurodevelopment.

Tideglusib Rescues Neurite Pathology of SPG11 iPSC Derived Cortical Neurons.

Mutations in SPG11 cause a complicated autosomal recessive form of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). Mechanistically, there are indications for the dysregulation of the GSK3ß/ßCat signaling pathway in SPG11. In this study, we tested the therapeutic potential of the GSK3ß inhibitor, tideglusib, to rescue neurodegeneration associated characteristics in an induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived neuronal model from SPG11 patients and matched healthy controls as well as a CRISPR-Cas9 mediated SPG11 knock-out line and respective control. SPG11-iPSC derived cortical neurons, as well as the genome edited neurons exhibited shorter and less complex neurites than controls. Administration of tideglusib to these lines led to the rescue of neuritic impairments. Moreover, the treatment restored increased cell death and ameliorated the membranous inclusions in iPSC derived SPG11 neurons. Our results provide a first evidence for the rescue of neurite pathology in SPG11-HSP by tideglusib. The current lack of disease-modifying treatments for SPG11 and related types of complicated HSP renders tideglusib a candidate compound for future clinical application.

Impact of Swiprosin-1/Efhd2 on Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis.

Swiprosin-1/Efhd2 (Efhd2) is highly expressed in the CNS during development and in the adult. EFHD2 is regulated by Ca2+ binding, stabilizes F-actin, and promotes neurite extension. Previous studies indicated a dysregulation of EFHD2 in human Alzheimer's disease brains. We hypothesized a detrimental effect of genetic ablation of Efhd2 on hippocampal integrity and specifically investigated adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Efhd2 was expressed throughout adult neuronal development and in mature neurons. We observed a severe reduction of the survival of adult newborn neurons in Efhd2 knockouts, starting at the early neuroblast stage. Spine formation and dendrite growth of newborn neurons were compromised in full Efhd2 knockouts, but not upon cell-autonomous Efhd2 deletion. Together with our finding of severe hippocampal tauopathy in Efhd2 knockout mice, these data connect Efhd2 to impaired synaptic plasticity as present in Alzheimer's disease and identify a role of Efhd2 in neuronal survival and synaptic integration in the adult hippocampus.

Phosphorylation Modulates the Subcellular Localization of SOX11.

SOX11 is a key Transcription Factor (TF) in the regulation of embryonic and adult neurogenesis, whose mutation has recently been linked to an intellectual disability syndrome in humans. SOX11's transient activity during neurogenesis is critical to ensure the precise execution of the neurogenic program. Here, we report that SOX11 displays differential subcellular localizations during the course of neurogenesis. Western-Blot analysis of embryonic mouse brain lysates indicated that SOX11 is post-translationally modified by phosphorylation. Using Mass Spectrometry, we found 10 serine residues in the SOX11 protein that are putatively phosphorylated. Systematic analysis of phospho-mutant SOX11 resulted in the identification of the S30 residue, whose phosphorylation promotes nuclear over cytoplasmic localization of SOX11. Collectively, these findings uncover phosphorylation as a novel layer of regulation of the intellectual disability gene Sox11.

Phosphorylation of the neurogenic transcription factor SOX11 on serine 133 modulates neuronal morphogenesis.

The intellectual disability gene, Sox11, encodes for a critical neurodevelopmental transcription factor with functions in precursor survival, neuronal fate determination, migration and morphogenesis. The mechanisms regulating SOX11's activity remain largely unknown. Mass spectrometric analysis uncovered that SOX11 can be post-translationally modified by phosphorylation. Here, we report that phosphorylatable serines surrounding the high-mobility group box modulate SOX11's transcriptional activity. Through Mass Spectrometry (MS), co-immunoprecipitation assays and in vitro phosphorylation assays followed by MS we verified that protein kinase A (PKA) interacts with SOX11 and phosphorylates it on S133. In vivo replacement of SoxC factors in developing adult-generated hippocampal neurons with SOX11 S133 phospho-mutants indicated that phosphorylation on S133 modulates dendrite development of adult-born dentate granule neurons, while reporter assays suggested that S133 phosphorylation fine-tunes the activation of select target genes. These data provide novel insight into the control of the critical neurodevelopmental regulator SOX11 and imply SOX11 as a mediator of PKA-regulated neuronal development.

Autophagy inhibition promotes SNCA/alpha-synuclein release and transfer via extracellular vesicles with a hybrid autophagosome-exosome-like phenotype.

The autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP) regulates intracellular homeostasis of the cytosolic protein SNCA/alpha-synuclein and is impaired in synucleinopathies, including Parkinson disease and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Emerging evidence suggests that ALP influences SNCA release, but the underlying cellular mechanisms are not well understood. Several studies identified SNCA in exosome/extracellular vesicle (EV) fractions. EVs are generated in the multivesicular body compartment and either released upon its fusion with the plasma membrane, or cleared via the ALP. We therefore hypothesized that inhibiting ALP clearance 1) enhances SNCA release via EVs by increasing extracellular shuttling of multivesicular body contents, 2) alters EV biochemical profile, and 3) promotes SNCA cell-to-cell transfer. Indeed, ALP inhibition increased the ratio of extra- to intracellular SNCA and upregulated SNCA association with EVs in neuronal cells. Ultrastructural analysis revealed a widespread, fused multivesicular body-autophagosome compartment. Biochemical characterization revealed the presence of autophagosome-related proteins, such as LC3-II and SQSTM1. This distinct "autophagosome-exosome-like" profile was also identified in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) EVs. After a single intracortical injection of SNCA-containing EVs derived from CSF into mice, human SNCA colocalized with endosome and neuronal markers. Prominent SNCA immunoreactivity and a higher number of neuronal SNCA inclusions were observed after DLB patient CSF EV injections. In summary, this study provides compelling evidence that a) ALP inhibition increases SNCA in neuronal EVs, b) distinct ALP components are present in EVs, and c) CSF EVs transfer SNCA from cell to cell in vivo. Thus, macroautophagy/autophagy may regulate EV protein composition and consequently progression in synucleinopathies.