Project description:We elucidate the role of prospero-related homeobox 1 (Prox1) in rendering the mammalian retina incompetent for MG(Muller glia cell)-derived regeneration. Prox1 accumulates in MG in the degenerating human and mouse retinas but not in those in the regenerating zebrafish retina. We investigated whether the transition of MG to proliferative MGPCs occurred in MNU-injured Prox1fg/fg;Chx10-CreERT2 mouse retinas through single-cell RNA sequencing analysis.
Project description:We found that the zebrafish non-coding element careg, which is induced in regenerating fins and heart, also participates in retina regeneration. Its activation persisted mostly in Müller glia from the onset to the termination of retina restoration. To assess the involvement of the careg:EGFP reporter during retina regeneration, we used a chemical injury model with MNU treatment. To identify the molecular profile of these cells, we performed a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) experiment of retinas dissected from adult careg:EGFP zebrafish at 3, 7, and 10 dpMNU. Our control retinas were dissected from fish at 3 days after treatment with heat-inactivated MNU
Project description:Non-mammalian vertebrates have a robust ability to regenerate injured retinal neurons from Müller glia cells (MG) that activate the proneural factor Achaete-scute homolog 1 (Ascl1/Mash1) and de-differentiate into progenitors cells. In contrast, mammalian MG have a limited regenerative response and fail to upregulate Ascl1 after injury. To test whether Ascl1 could restore a neurogenic potential to mammalian MG, we over-expressed Ascl1 in dissociated mouse MG cultures and intact retinal explants. Ascl1-infected MG upregulate retinal progenitor-specific genes, while downregulating glial genes. Furthermore, Ascl1 remodeled the chromatin at its targets from a repressive to active configuration. MG-derived progenitors differentiated into cells that exhibited neuronal morphologies, expressed retinal subtype-specific neuronal markers, and displayed neuron-like physiological responses. These results indicate that a single transcription factor, Ascl1, can produce a neurogenic state in mature Muller glia. Expresssion profiling was used to determine the genes that were changed after Ascl1 infection of P12 cultured Müller glia compared with those present in P0 progenitors and P7-P21 Müller glia Retinas were dissociated and FAC-sorted from Hes5-GFP mice at P0, P7, P10, P14 or P21 and submitted for profiling. WT Retinas were dissociated at P12, grown for 1 week in culture, and infected with lentiviruses expressing Ascl1 or GFP for four days. Total RNA was extracted and submitted for profiling.
Project description:Four Kcng4-cre;stop-YFP mouse retinas from two mice were dissected, dissociated and FACS sorted, and single cell RNA-seq libraries were generated for 384 single cells using Smart-seq2. Aligned bam files are generated for 383 samples as one failed to align. Four mouse retinas (labeled 1la, 1Ra, and 2la, 2Ra respective from the two mice) were used, and 96 single cells from each were processed using Smart-seq2. Total 384 cells Smart-seq2 analysis of P17 FACS sorted retinal cells from the Kcng4-cre;stop-YFP mice (Kcng4tm1.1(cre)Jrs mice [Duan et al., Cell 158, 793-807, 2015] crossed to the cre-dependent reporter Thy1-stop-YFP Line#1 [Buffelli et al., Nature 424, 430-434, 2003])
Project description:Translational research is commonly performed in the C57B6/J mouse strain, chosen for its genetic homogeneity and phenotypic uniformity. Here, we evaluate the suitability of the white-footed deer mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) as a model organism for aging research, offering a comparative analysis against C57B6/J and diversity outbred (DO) Mus musculus strains. Our study includes comparisons of body composition, skeletal muscle function, and cardiovascular parameters, shedding light on potential applications and limitations of P. leucopus in aging studies. Notably, P. leucopus exhibits distinct body composition characteristics, emphasizing reduced muscle force exertion and a unique metabolism, particularly in fat mass. Cardiovascular assessments showed changes in arterial stiffness, challenging conventional assumptions and highlighting the need for a nuanced interpretation of aging-related phenotypes. Our study also highlights inherent challenges associated with maintaining and phenotyping P. leucopus cohorts. Behavioral considerations, including anxiety-induced responses during handling and phenotyping assessment, pose obstacles in acquiring meaningful data. Moreover, the unique anatomy of P. leucopus necessitates careful adaptation of protocols designed for Mus musculus. While showcasing potential benefits, further extensive analyses across broader age ranges and larger cohorts are necessary to establish the reliability of P. leucopus as a robust and translatable model for aging studies.
Project description:Three Vsx2-GFP mouse retinas were dissected, dissociated and FACS sorted, and single cell RNA-seq libraries were generated for 288 single cells and 3 bulk libraries using Smart-seq2 (~10,000 cells each)