Targeting neuronal activity-regulated neuroligin-3 dependency for high-grade glioma therapy
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE99045 | GEO | 2017/08/11
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA387119
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Synapse formation is a dynamic process essential for neuronal circuit development and maturation. At the synaptic cleft, trans-synaptic protein-protein interactions constitute major biological determinants of proper synapse efficacy. The balance of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission (E-I balance) stabilizes synaptic activity and its dysregulation has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying E-I balance remains to be elucidated. Here, we investigate Neuroligin (Nlgn) genes which encode a family of postsynaptic adhesion molecules that shape excitatory and inhibitory synaptic function. We identified that NLGN3 protein differentially regulates inhibitory synaptic transmission in a splice isoform-dependent manner in hippocampal CA1 synapses. Distinct subcellular localization patterns of NLGN3 isoforms contribute to the functional differences observed among splice variants. Finally, our single-cell sequencing analysis reveals that Nlgn1 and Nlgn3 are the major Nlgn genes and that Nlgn splice isoforms are highly diverse in CA1 pyramidal neurons.
2020-05-05 | GSE143295 | GEO
Project description:Synaptic dysfunction represents a key pathophysiology in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Rare mutation R451C in human Neuroligin 3 (NLGN3, encoded by X-linked gene NLGN3), a cell adhesion molecule essential for synapse formation, has been linked to ASD. Despite success in recapitulating the social interaction behavioral deficits and the underlying synaptic abnormalities in mouse model, the impact of NLGN3 R451C on the human neuronal system remains elusive. Here, we generated isogenic knock-in human pluripotent stem cell lines harboring NLGN3 R451C allele and examined its impact on synaptic transmission. Analysis of co-cultured excitatory and inhibitory induced neurons (iNs) with mutation revealed an augmentation in excitatory synaptic strength comparing to isogenic control, but not in inhibitory synaptic transmission. Consistently, the augmentation in excitatory transmission was confirmed in iNs transplanted into mouse forebrain. Using single-cell RNA seq on co-cultured excitatory and inhibitory iNs, we identified differential expression genes (DEGs) and found NLGN3 R451C alters gene networks associated with synaptic transmission. Gene ontology and enrichment analysis revealed convergent gene networks associated with ASD and other mental disorders. Our finding suggests that the NLGN3 R451C mutation could preferentially impact excitatory neurons, which causes overall network properties changes and excitation-inhibition imbalance related to mental disorders.
2022-10-26 | GSE180751 | GEO
Project description:The recovery of locomotor function following incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) primarily relies on the precise reconstruction of synaptic communications between spared corticospinal tract (CST) axons and propriospinal neurons. However, components capable of rebuilding synaptic machinery after injury remain elusive. Here, using RNA-Seq of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs) before and after transplantation in SCI rats, along with in vitro and in vivo functional screenings, we identified Neuroligin 3 (NLGN3) as a spinal cord microenvironment (SCE)-activated cell adhesion molecule (CAM) in hUC-MSCs, promoting MSC-mediated functional recovery of SCI. Importantly, spinal neuron-specific activation of Nlgn3 led to significant functional improvement in SCI rats, resembling the effects of hUC-MSC transplantation. We elucidated the protein interactome of Nlgn3, enriched with proteins involved in synaptic transmission. Specifically, Nlgn3 interacted with synaptic vesicle (SV)-associated proteins, Sar1a and Hspa8, modulating their recruitment at synapses. Remarkably, restoring either of these two proteins in injured spinal neurons improved locomotor recovery of SCI, with further enhancement when combined with Nlgn3. Thus, our results not only reveal the previously unknown therapeutic effect of Nlgn3 in SCI repair but also propose a novel approach for treating SCI by targeting protein complexes centered around Nlgn3. This study also suggests that MSCs can serve as a stem cell platform for identifying innovative therapeutic targets and mechanisms to reestablish corticospinal-spinal relay circuits after SCI.
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Project description:Astroglia are integral to brain development and the emergence of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, studying the pathophysiology of human astroglia using brain organoid models has been hindered by inefficient astrogliogenesis. In this study, we introduce a robust method for generating astroglia-enriched organoids through BMP4 treatment during the neural differentiation phase of organoid development. Our RNA sequencing analysis reveals that astroglia developed within these organoids exhibit advanced developmental characteristics and enhanced synaptic functions compared to those grown under traditional two-dimensional conditions, particularly highlighted by increased neurexin (NRXN)-neuroligin (NLGN) signaling. Cell adhesion molecules, such as NRXN and NLGN, are essential in regulating interactions between astroglia and neurons. We further discovered that brain organoids derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) harboring the autism-associated NLGN3 R451C mutation exhibit increased astrogliogenesis. Notably, the NLGN3 R451C astroglia demonstrate enhanced branching, indicating a more intricate morphology. Interestingly, our RNA sequencing data suggest that these mutant astroglia significantly upregulate pathways that support neural functions when compared to isogenic wild-type astroglia. Our findings establish a novel astroglia-enriched organoid model, offering a valuable platform for probing the roles of human astroglia in brain development and related disorders.
2024-12-08 | GSE283484 | GEO
Project description:Purpose: To define copy number alterations and gene expression signatures underlying pediatric high-grade glioma (HGG). Patients and Methods: We conducted a high-resolution analysis of genomic imbalances in 78 de novo pediatric HGG, including 7 diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas, and 10 HGG cases arising in children who received cranial irradiation for a previous cancer, using Affymetrix 500K GeneChips. Gene expression signatures for 53 tumors were analyzed with Affymetrix U133v2 arrays. Results were compared with publicly available data from adult tumors. Results: Pediatric and adult glioblastoma were clearly distinguished by frequent gain of chromosome 1q (30% vs 9%) and lower frequency of chromosome 7 gain (13% vs 74%), respectively. The most common focal amplifications also differed, with PDGFRA and EGFR predominant in childhood and adult populations respectively. These common alterations in pediatric HGG were detected at higher frequency in irradiation-induced tumors, suggesting that these are initiating events in childhood gliomagenesis. CDKN2A was the most common tumor suppressor gene targeted by homozygous deletion in pediatric HGG. No IDH1 hotspot mutations were found in pediatric tumors, highlighting molecular differences in pathogenesis between childhood HGG and adult secondary glioblastoma. Integrated copy number and gene expression data indicated that deregulated PDGFRA signaling plays a major role in pediatric HGG. Conclusions: Integrated molecular profiling showed substantial differences in the molecular features underlying pediatric and adult HGG, indicating that findings in adult tumors cannot be simply extrapolated to younger patients. PDGFRA may be a useful target for pediatric HGG including diffuse pontine gliomas. Keywords: disease state analysis 78 samples for SNP analysis, including 10 samples arising in children who received cranial irradiation for a previous cancer and 7 diffuse pontine gliomas; 53 of them with gene expression analysis; 2 tumor grades To have access to SNP CEL files, please contact Dr. Suzanne Baker (suzzane.baker@stjude.org).
2010-06-15 | E-GEOD-19578 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:The autism-associated synaptic-adhesion gene Neuroligin-4 (NLGN4) is poorly conserved evolutionarily, limiting conclusions from Nlgn4 mouse models for human cells. Here, we show that the cellular and subcellular expression of human and murine Neuroligin-4 differ, with human Neuroligin-4 primarily expressed in cerebral cortex and localized to excitatory synapses. Overexpression of NLGN4 in human neurons resulted in an increase in excitatory synapse numbers but a remarkable decrease in synaptic strength. Human neurons carrying the syndromic autism mutation NLGN4-R704C also formed more excitatory synapses but with increased functional synaptic transmission due to a postsynaptic mechanism, while genetic loss of NLGN4 did not significantly affect synapses in the human neurons analyzed. Thus, the NLGN4-R704C mutation represents a change of function mutation. Our work reveals contrasting roles of NLGN4 in human and mouse neurons, suggesting human evolution has impacted even fundamental cell biological processes generally assumed to be highly conserved.
2019-06-27 | GSE131428 | GEO
Project description:Aims and methods: astroblastoma is a rare glial brain tumor with singular morphology. Recurrent MN1-BEND2 fusions have been recently identified in most of pediatric cases. Adolescent and adult cases, however, remain molecularly poorly defined. Here, we performed clinical and molecular characterization of a retrospective cohort of 14 adult and one adolescent gliomas with astroblastic features. Results: strikingly, we found MN1 fusions a rare event in this age group (1/15). Using methylation profiling and targeted sequencing, most cases were reclassified as either pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXA) or high-grade glioma (HGG). PXA-like ABM show BRAF mutation (6/7 with V600E mutation and 1/7 with G466E mutation) and CD34 expression. Conversely, HGG-like ABM harbored specific mutations of diffuse midline glioma (2/5) or glioblastoma (3/5). These latter patients showed an unfavorable clinical course with significantly shorter overall survival (p = 0.027). MAPK pathway alterations (including FGFR fusion, BRAF and NF1 mutations) were present in 10 of 15 patients and overrepresented in the HGG group (3/5) compared to previously reported prevalence of these alterations in GBM and diffuse midline glioma. Conclusion: We suggest that astroblastoma comprises a variety of molecularly sharply defined entities. Adults’ astroblastomas harboring molecular features of PXA and HGG should be reclassified. CNS high-grade neuroepithelial tumors with MN1 alterations appears to be a truly pediatric entity and is uncommon in adult cases with a histology of astroblastoma. Astroblastic morphology in adults should thus prompt thorough molecular investigation aiming at a clear histomolecular diagnosis and identifying actionable drug targets, especially in MAPK pathway.
2019-03-22 | E-MTAB-7490 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:The nervous system plays an increasingly appreciated role in the regulation of cancer. In gliomas, neuronal activity drives tumor progression through paracrine signaling factors such as neuroligin-3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and also through electrophysiologically functional neuron-to-glioma synapses mediated by AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid) receptors. The consequent glioma cell membrane depolarization drives tumor proliferation. In the healthy brain, activity-regulated secretion of BDNF promotes adaptive plasticity of synaptic connectivity and strength. Here, we show that malignant synapses exhibit similar plasticity regulated by BDNF. Signaling through the receptor TrkB (tropomyosin receptor kinase B), BDNF promotes AMPA receptor trafficking to the glioma cell membrane, resulting in increased amplitude of glutamate-evoked currents in the malignant cells. This potentiation of malignant synaptic strength shares mechanistic features with synaptic plasticity that contributes to memory and learning in the healthy brain. BDNF-TrkB signaling also regulates the number of neuron-to-glioma synapses. Abrogation of activity-regulated BDNF secretion from the brain microenvironment or loss of TrkB in human glioma cells robustly inhibits tumor progression. Blocking TrkB genetically or pharmacologically abrogates these effects of BDNF on glioma synapses and substantially prolongs survival in xenograft models of pediatric glioblastoma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Taken together, these findings indicate that BDNF-TrkB signaling promotes malignant synaptic plasticity and augments tumor progression.
2023-03-01 | GSE222481 | GEO
Project description:The nervous system plays an increasingly appreciated role in the regulation of cancer. In gliomas, neuronal activity drives tumor progression through paracrine signaling factors such as neuroligin-3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and also through electrophysiologically functional neuron-to-glioma synapses mediated by AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid) receptors. The consequent glioma cell membrane depolarization drives tumor proliferation. In the healthy brain, activity-regulated secretion of BDNF promotes adaptive plasticity of synaptic connectivity and strength. Here, we show that malignant synapses exhibit similar plasticity regulated by BDNF. Signaling through the receptor TrkB (tropomyosin receptor kinase B), BDNF promotes AMPA receptor trafficking to the glioma cell membrane, resulting in increased amplitude of glutamate-evoked currents in the malignant cells. This potentiation of malignant synaptic strength shares mechanistic features with synaptic plasticity that contributes to memory and learning in the healthy brain. BDNF-TrkB signaling also regulates the number of neuron-to-glioma synapses. Abrogation of activity-regulated BDNF secretion from the brain microenvironment or loss of TrkB in human glioma cells robustly inhibits tumor progression. Blocking TrkB genetically or pharmacologically abrogates these effects of BDNF on glioma synapses and substantially prolongs survival in xenograft models of pediatric glioblastoma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Taken together, these findings indicate that BDNF-TrkB signaling promotes malignant synaptic plasticity and augments tumor progression.
2023-09-19 | GSE222560 | GEO
Project description:High-grade gliomas (HGGs) include the most common and the most aggressive primary brain tumor of adults and children. Despite multimodality treatment, most high grade gliomas eventually recur and are ultimately incurable. Several studies suggest that the initiation, progression, and recurrence of gliomas are driven, at least partly, by cancer stem-like cells. A defining characteristic of these cancer stem-like cells is their capacity to self-renew. We have identified a hypoxia-induced pathway that utilizes the Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1α (HIF-1α) transcription factor and the JAK1/2-STAT3 (Janus Kinase 1/2 - Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3) axis to enhance the self-renewal of glioma stem-like cells. Hypoxia is a commonly found pathologic feature of HGGs. Under hypoxic conditions, HIF-1α levels are greatly increased in glioma stem-like cells. Increased HIF-1α activates the JAK1/2-STAT3 axis and enhances tumor stem-like cell self-renewal. Our data further demonstrate the importance of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) secretion for this pathway of hypoxia-mediated self-renewal. Brefeldin A and EHT-1864, agents that significantly inhibit VEGF secretion, decreased stem cell self-renewal, inhibited tumor growth, and increased the survival of mice allografted with S100β-v-erbB/p53-/- glioma stem-like cells. These agents also inhibit the expression of a hypoxia gene expression signature that is associated with decreased survival of HGG patients. These findings suggest that targeting the secretion of extracellular, autocrine/paracrine mediators of glioma stem-like cell self-renewal could potentially contribute to the treatment of HGG.
2017-10-01 | GSE103022 | GEO