Project description:A better understanding of how Otx2 regulates plasticity in the visual cortex requires that its non-cell autonomous transcription targets be identified. We dissected layer IV of the visual cortex and used RNA-sequencing to analyze gene expression at postnatal day 30 (P30) and P100 in wild-type (WT) and Otx2+/GFP heterozygotes mice. The rationale is that CP plasticity is opened at P30 in WT but not in Otx2+/GFP mice, given that genetic deletion delays CP opening (Sugiyama et al., 2008), and that the CP is closed at P100 in WT mice and not yet in Otx2+/GFP mice. Thus, genes with similar expression at P30 in Otx2+/GFP and at P100 in WT mice but with a different level of expression during the critical period (P30 in WT or P100 Otx2+/GFP mice) were considered as potential genes involved in plasticity.
Project description:Choroid plexus secretes cerebrospinal fluid important for brain development and homeostasis. The OTX2 homeoprotein is critical for choroid plexus development and remains highly expressed in adult choroid plexus. Through RNA sequencing analyses of constitutive and conditional knockdown adult mouse models, we reveal putative roles for OTX2 in choroid plexus function, including cell signaling and adhesion, and show that it regulates the expression of factors secreted into cerebrospinal fluid, notably transthyretin. We also show that Otx2 expression impacts choroid plexus immune and stress responses, and also affects splicing which leads to changes in mRNA isoforms of proteins implicated in oxidative stress response and DNA repair. Through mass spectrometry analysis of OTX2 protein partners in the choroid plexus, and in known non-cell autonomous target regions such as visual cortex and subventricular zone, we identified putative targets involved in cell adhesion, chromatin structure and RNA processing. Thus, OTX2 retains important roles in choroid plexus function and brain homeostasis throughout life.
Project description:To analyze OTX2 function in adult choroid plexus, we performed several OTX2 co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) experiments with mass spectrometry analysis to identify potential protein partners. We previously discovered that OTX2 protein also accumulates non-cell autonomously in subventricular zone (SVZ) and rostral migratory stream (RMS) astrocytes and in visual cortex (VCx) parvalbumin cells. The identification of alternate protein partners in cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous contexts would suggest OTX2 takes on specific roles after transferring between cells. In order to test this hypothesis, and to reinforce choroid plexus analysis, we also performed OTX2 co-IP on lysates from adult mouse SVZ, RMS and VCx.
Project description:Visual cortical circuits show profound plasticity during early life and are later stabilized by molecular "brakes" limiting excessive rewiring beyond a critical period. The mechanisms coordinating the expression of these factors during the transition from development to adulthood remain unknown. We found that miR-29a expression in the visual cortex dramatically increases with age, but it is not experience-dependent. Precocious high levels of miR-29a blocked ocular dominance plasticity and caused an early appearance of perineuronal nets. Conversely, inhibition of miR-29a in adult mice using LNA antagomirs activated ocular dominance plasticity, reduced perineuronal nets and restored their juvenile chemical composition. Activated adult plasticity had the typical functional and proteomic signature of critical period plasticity. Transcriptomic and proteomic studies indicated that miR-29a manipulation regulates the expression of plasticity brakes mainly affecting parvalbumin-positive interneurons. These data indicate that miR29a is a master regulator of the plasticity brakes promoting age-dependent stabilization of visual cortical circuits.