Brain organoids are artificial neural tissues derived in vitro,containing a variety of cell types,as well as structural and/or functional brain regions.They can partially mimic brain physiological activities and disea...Brain organoids are artificial neural tissues derived in vitro,containing a variety of cell types,as well as structural and/or functional brain regions.They can partially mimic brain physiological activities and diseased processes.Owing to their operability and sample accessibility,brain organoids serve as a bridge between in vitro monolayer cell culture models and in vivo animal models.An increasing number of induction protocols for brain organoids have been developed over the preceding decade.A key future research direction will focus on ensuring the complexity and quality of brain organoids.The integration of powerful technologies,such as the CRISP R/Cas9 genome editing and lineage tra cing systems,shall precipitate practical and broad applications of brain organoids.In this review,we discuss the generation and application of brain organoids,as well as their integration with genome editing technologies,in the study of neural development,disease modeling,and mechanistic investigations.The innovative combination of these two technologies may offer a fresh perspective for exploring the fundamental aspects of the human nervous system and related diseases.展开更多
Proteins are the primary functional units within cells,driving complex biological processes essential for stem cell differentiation into specific neural lineages and for the structural and functional maturation of the...Proteins are the primary functional units within cells,driving complex biological processes essential for stem cell differentiation into specific neural lineages and for the structural and functional maturation of the central nervous system.Advances in high-throughput proteomic technologies allow comprehensive profiling of molecular landscape of the brain,revealing dynamic,region-and time-specific changes in protein expression.During early embryonic development,pluripotency-associated proteins are highly expressed but gradually decline as lineagespecific markers and pathways governing DNA regulation and cytoskeletal organization become predominant.In fetal and postnatal stages,synaptic and metabolic proteins are enriched in a region-specific manner,reflecting functional compartmentalization and specialization in the central nervous system.Fetal growth restriction is an obstetric complication caused by sustained periods of inadequate oxygen and nutrient supply,preventing the fetus from achieving its genetic growth potential.Proteomic analysis of fetal tissues and biofluids has deepened our understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with fetal growth restriction,highlighting metabolic and vascular adaptations,inflammatory responses and redox imbalances.These analyses have also uncovered molecular signatures with potential value as biomarkers for clinical diagnosis(e.g.,complement proteins in maternal blood in fetal growth restriction),and prognosis(e.g.,neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1 as a modulator of fetal growth restriction response).Despite such advances,animal models remain indispensable for elucidating the multifactorial nature of fetal growth restriction-related neuropathology,pinpointing region-specific alterations.They also offer a controlled setting to explore how factors such as sex,gestational age at birth,and birth weight influence the impact of fetal growth restriction on brain development.A deeper understanding of neurodevelopmental processes and the pathological mechanisms involved in fetal growth restriction is critical for the development of effective diagnostic strategies and targeted therapeutic interventions.The purpose of this review is to provide synthesis of neuroproteomic alterations across developmental stages,highlighting how chronic intrauterine oxygen and nutrient deprivation,in humans and animals,shapes the proteomic landscape.展开更多
Glial cells are crucial for maintaining central nervous system(CNS)homeostasis.They actively participate in immune responses,as well as form functional barriers,such as blood-brain barrier(BBB),which restrict the entr...Glial cells are crucial for maintaining central nervous system(CNS)homeostasis.They actively participate in immune responses,as well as form functional barriers,such as blood-brain barrier(BBB),which restrict the entry of pathogens and inflammatory mediators into the CNS.In general,viral infections during the gestational period can alter the embryonic and fetal environment,and the related inflammatory response may affect neurodevelopment and lead to behavioral dysfunction during later stage of life,as highlighted by our group for Zika virus infection.Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2)induces a cytokine storm and,during pregnancy,may be related to a more severe form of the coronavirus disease-19(COVID-19)and also to higher preterm birth rates.SARS-CoV-2 can also affect the CNS by inducing neurochemical remodeling in neural cells,which can compromise neuronal plasticity and synaptic function.However,the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on postnatal CNS,including brain development during childhood and adulthood,remains undetermined.Our group has recently highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on the expression of molecular markers associated with neuropsychiatric disorders,which are strongly related to the inflammatory response.Thus,based on these relationships,we discussed the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection either during pregnancy or in critical periods of neurodevelopment as a risk factor for neurological consequences in the offspring later in life,focusing on the potential role of glial cells.Thus,it is important to consider future and long-term public health concerns associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.展开更多
With the advent of modern techniques, drugs, and monitoring, general anesthesia has come to be considered an unlikely cause of harm, particularly for healthy patients. While this is largely true, newly emerging clinic...With the advent of modern techniques, drugs, and monitoring, general anesthesia has come to be considered an unlikely cause of harm, particularly for healthy patients. While this is largely true, newly emerging clinical and laboratory studies have sug- gested that exposure to anesthetic agents during early childhood may have long-lasting adverse effects on cognitive function. This concern has been the focus of intense study in the field of anesthesia research. A recent high-profile review by Rappaport et al. (2015) concluded that while many questions remain un- answered, there is strong evidence from laboratory studies that commonly used anesthetics interfere with brain development and that clinical studies suggest a correlation between early childhood exposure to these agents and subsequent effects on learning and cognition. The issue is of sufficient public health importance that a public-private partnership known as Smar- Tots (Strategies for Mitigating Anesthesia-Related Neurotoxicity in Tots) was developed by the FDA to study pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity. The mechanism of injury underlying this phe- nomenon has yet to be fully elucidated, and there is evidence to suggest that anesthetics may have direct cytotoxic effects on neurons leading to cell death or suppressed neurogenesis (Strat- mann et al., 2010) and that they may interfere with key pro- cesses in neuronal growth and development that underlie brain circuit development (Wagner et al., 2014).展开更多
Tetrabromobisphenol A(TBBPA)is a widely used brominated flame retardant.There is evidence showing that TBBPA can exert thyroid disrupting effects in mammals,but different results were also reported,along with inconsis...Tetrabromobisphenol A(TBBPA)is a widely used brominated flame retardant.There is evidence showing that TBBPA can exert thyroid disrupting effects in mammals,but different results were also reported,along with inconsistent reports regarding its neurotoxicity.Here,we investigated thyroid disrupting effects and neurotoxicity of TBBPA(5,50,500μg/(kg·day))to male mice following maternal and direct exposure through drinking water,with the antithyroid drug propylthiouracil(PTU)as the positive control.On postnatal day(PND)15,we expectedly observed severe thyroid compensatory hyperplasia and cerebellar developmental retardation in PTU-treated pups.The highest dose of TBBPA also caused thyroid histological alteration but had no effects on cerebellar development in terms of Purkinje cell morphology and the thickness of the internal granular layer and the molecular layer of the cerebellum.During puberty and adulthood,the thyroid morphological alterations became more pronounced in the TBBPA-treated animals,accompanied by decreased serum thyroid hormone levels.Furthermore,the 50 and 500μg/(kg·day)TBBPA groups showed a significant decrease in the serum level of serotonin,a neurotransmitter associated with anxiety behaviors.Correspondingly,the highest dose group displayed anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus-maze test on PND 35,but this neurobehavioral alteration disappeared on PND 56.Moreover,no changes in neurobehavioral parameters tested were found in TBBPAtreated animals at puberty and adulthood.Altogether,all observations show that TBBPA can exert thyroid disrupting effects but has little overt impact on brain development and neurobehaviors in mice,suggesting that thyroid disruption does not necessarily cause overtly adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.展开更多
Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), In the normal state, microglia have a ramified shape and con- tinuously survey the conditions of the brain.
A major basic research projectin the field of neurosciencewas launched on November26 last year at the Shanghai-basedInstitute of Neuroscience of the Chi-nese Academy of Sciences(CAS).
Docosahexaenoic acid(DHA)is an importantω-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid,which plays important roles in brain development and preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.Phospholipid DHA(PL-DHA)is...Docosahexaenoic acid(DHA)is an importantω-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid,which plays important roles in brain development and preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.Phospholipid DHA(PL-DHA)is a form of DHA that has higher bioavailability,which is considered as a potential DHA molecules compared with triglyceride DHA and ethyl ester DHA.This review aims to summarize the recent progress of phospholipid DHA from its effects on human health and preparation methods.Firstly we will introduce the biological activities of DHA throughout human life,after which the absorption process of different structural DHA will be discussed systematically.Then,various preparation methods of PL-DHA,including formulation innovation,extraction,bio-enrichment and enzymatic catalysis,will be summarized in detail.Finally,the future challenges and prospects of PL-DHA will also be discussed.展开更多
Previous studies on the prenatal organophosphate ester(OPE)exposure's effect on children's neurodevelopment have yielded inconsistent results.In this study,we employed a longitudinal approach,capitalizing on m...Previous studies on the prenatal organophosphate ester(OPE)exposure's effect on children's neurodevelopment have yielded inconsistent results.In this study,we employed a longitudinal approach,capitalizing on multitime-point evaluations of exposure to OPEs and two-stage assessments of children's brain development.The study included 508 mother-child pairs.We measured seven OPEs in maternal serum throughout pregnancy and assessed children's mental health and developmental mile-stones at the age of 2 and 5.The group-based trajectory model identified pregnancy exposure trajectories.Generalized estimated equations and quantile-based g-computation were employed to evaluate the effects of OPEs on children's brain development.Four OPEs,including 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate(EHDPP),were detected in over 50%of the maternal samples.Each ln-unit increment of EHDPP was associated with an increased peer problem scores(IRR:1.104,95%CI:1.038-1.174)in mental health.Regarding development milestones,EHDPP was related to lower scores in communication,gross motor,personal-social,and total score of the ages and stages questionnaires(ASQ)(IRR:0.963-0.976).Trajectory analysis confirmed these associations.Notably,boys were more affected in terms of mental health,while girls were more vulnerable in terms of developmental milestones.Prenatal exposure to OPEs,particularly EHDPP,is associated with adverse brain development in early childhood with notable sex-specific differences in vulnerability.展开更多
Although new genes and regulatory events have been linked to the uniqueness of human brain development,it is unknown whether alternative polyadenylation(APA)also contributes to shaping this key feature that differenti...Although new genes and regulatory events have been linked to the uniqueness of human brain development,it is unknown whether alternative polyadenylation(APA)also contributes to shaping this key feature that differentiates humans from other species.Here,we present an atlas of APAs of the human brain and identified 161 development-related,open-reading-frame-disrupting APAs associated with the dynamic translation of protein products.Among the genes affected by these events,we identified ZNF271P,which encodes a human-specific protein when using the distal polyadenylation site,a site that preferentially occurs during early brain development.The cortical organoids derived from ZNF271P-knockout human embryonic stem cells seemed to exhibit accelerated development and maturation,resulting in a significant decrease in organoid size,implicating that ZNF271P is involved in features unique to human brain development.We thus highlight APAs as new regulators in shaping the unique aspects of human brain development.展开更多
Dear Editor,Understanding early human brain development is crucial for uncovering the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders[1].Traditional methods,such as histological staining and sectioning,provide only two-dimens...Dear Editor,Understanding early human brain development is crucial for uncovering the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders[1].Traditional methods,such as histological staining and sectioning,provide only two-dimensional views,which fail to display the complete structure and often damage delicate tissue structures[2].These approaches face limitations in visualizing complex three-dimensional(3D)networks,particularly the developing vascular system.展开更多
Neurodevelopmental processes represent a finely tuned interplay between genetic and environmental factors,shaping the dynamic landscape of the developing brain.A major component of the developing brain that enables th...Neurodevelopmental processes represent a finely tuned interplay between genetic and environmental factors,shaping the dynamic landscape of the developing brain.A major component of the developing brain that enables this dynamic is the white matter(WM),known to be affected in neurodevelopmental disorders(NDDs)(Rokach et al.,2024).WM formation is mediated by myelination,a multifactorial process driven by neuro-glia interactions dependent on proper neuronal functionality(Simons and Trajkovic,2006).Another key aspect of neurodevelopmental abnormalities involves neuronal dynamics and function,with recent advances significantly enhancing our understanding of both neuronal and glial mitochondrial function(Devine and Kittler,2018;Rojas-Charry et al.,2021).Energy homeostasis in neurons,attributed largely to mitochondrial function,is critical for proper functionality and interactions with oligodendrocytes(OLs),the cells forming myelin in the brain’s WM.We herein discuss the interplay between these processes and speculate on potential dysfunction in NDDs.展开更多
Brain development and aging are associated with alterations in multiple epigenetic systems, including DNA methylation and demethylation patterns. Here, we observed that the levels of the 5- hydroxymethylcytosine (5hm...Brain development and aging are associated with alterations in multiple epigenetic systems, including DNA methylation and demethylation patterns. Here, we observed that the levels of the 5- hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) ten-eleven transtocation (TET) enzyme-mediated active DNA demethylation products were dynamically changed and involved in postnatal brain development and aging in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis). The levels of 5hmC in multiple anatomic structures showed a gradual increase throughout postnatal development, whereas a significant decrease in 5hmC was found in several brain regions in aged tree shrews, including in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, but not the cerebellum. Active changes in Tet mRNA levels indicated that TET2 and TET3 predominantly contributed to the changes in 5hmC levels. Our findings provide new insight into the dynamic changes in 5hmC levels in tree shrew brains during postnatal development and aging processes.展开更多
Objective To study the developmental changes of glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 ( GAD-67, a GABA synthetic enzyme) in normal and hypoxic ischemic (HI) brain. Methods C57/BL6 mice on postnatal day (P) 5, 9, 21 and...Objective To study the developmental changes of glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 ( GAD-67, a GABA synthetic enzyme) in normal and hypoxic ischemic (HI) brain. Methods C57/BL6 mice on postnatal day (P) 5, 9, 21 and 60, corresponding developmentally to premature, term, juvenile and adult human brain were investigated by using both Western blot and immunohistochemistry methods either in normal condition or after hypoxic ischemic insult. Results The immunoreactivity of GAD67 was up regulated with brain development and significant difference was seen between mature (P21, P60) and immature (P5, P9) brain. GAD67 immunoreactivity decreased in the ipsilateral hemisphere in all the ages after hypoxia ischemia (HI) insult, but, significant decrease was only seen in the immature brain. Double labeling of GAD67 and cell death marker, TUNEL, in the cortex at 8h post-HI in the P9 mice showed that (15.6±7.0)% TUNEL positive cells were GAD67 positive which was higher than that of P60 mice. Conclusion These data suggest that GABAergic neurons in immature brain were more vulnerable to HI insult than that of mature brain.展开更多
Maternal health during pregnancy has a direct impact on the risk and severity of neurodevelopmental disorders(NDDs)in the offspring,especially in the case of drug exposure.However,little progress has been made to asse...Maternal health during pregnancy has a direct impact on the risk and severity of neurodevelopmental disorders(NDDs)in the offspring,especially in the case of drug exposure.However,little progress has been made to assess the risk of drug exposure during pregnancy due to ethical constraints and drug use factors.We collected and manually curated sub-pathways and pathways(sub-/pathways)and drug information to propose an analytical framework for predicting drug candidates.This framework linked sub-/pathway activity and drug response scores derived from gene transcription data and was applied to human fetal brain development and six NDDs.Further,specific and pleiotropic sub-/pathways/drugs were identified using entropy,and sex bias was analyzed in conjunction with logistic regression and random forest models.We identified 19 disorder-associated and 256 regionally pleiotropic and specific candidate drugs that targeted risk sub-/pathways in NDDs,showing temporal or spatial changes across fetal development.Moreover,5443 differential drug-sub-/pathways exhibited sex-biased differences after filling in the gender labels.A user-friendly NDDP visualization website(https:/dd-lab.shinyapps.io/NDDP)was developed to allow researchers and clinicians to access and retrieve data easily.Our framework overcame data gaps and identified numerous pleiotropic and specific candidates across six disorders and fetal developmental trajectories.This could significantly contribute to drug discovery during pregnancy and can be applied to a wide range of traits.展开更多
Neurogenesis is the process in which neurons are generated from neural stem/progenitor cells(NSCs/NPCs).It involves the proliferation and neuronal fate specification/differentiation of NSCs,as well as migration,maturat...Neurogenesis is the process in which neurons are generated from neural stem/progenitor cells(NSCs/NPCs).It involves the proliferation and neuronal fate specification/differentiation of NSCs,as well as migration,maturation and functional integration of the neuronal progeny into neuronal network.NSCs exhibit the two essential properties of stem cells:self-renewal and multi-potency.Contrary to previous dogma that neurogenesis happens only during development,it is generally accepted now that neurogenesis can take place throughout life in mammalian brains.This raises a new therapeutic potential of applying stem cell therapy for stroke,neurodegenerative diseases and other diseases.However,the maintenance and differentiation of NSCs/NPCs are tightly controlled by the extremely intricate molecular networks.Uncovering the underlying mechanisms that drive the differentiation,migration and maturation of specific neuronal lineages for use in regenerative medicine is,therefore,crucial for the application of stem cell for clinical therapy as well as for providing insight into the mechanisms of human neurogenesis.Here,we focus on the role of bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)signaling in NSCs during mammalian brain development.展开更多
Using the specific affinity of tubulin for colchicine and the strong absorption of tubulin to DEAE ion exchangers at neutral pH and moderate ionic strength,the amounts of tubulin in the brain from both mice and chicks...Using the specific affinity of tubulin for colchicine and the strong absorption of tubulin to DEAE ion exchangers at neutral pH and moderate ionic strength,the amounts of tubulin in the brain from both mice and chicks during different developing stages were measured by ~3H-colchicine assay (expressed as colchicine binding activity).The results show that the rate oftubulin synthesis reached a peak value during the critical period of brain development.This is exactly the period during which the organization and function of thyroid are being perfected.Besides,during breeding period,the difference of tubulin contents between male and female is significant(P<0.001).The synthesis of tubulin is strictly sex dependent(this phenomenon appeared only during sex maturation stage).It is suggested that sexual hormones might exert their effect on tubulin synthesis.展开更多
Brain tumors are a diverse group of malignancies that remain refractory to conventional treatment approaches.Molecular neuro-oncologyhas now begun to clarify the transformed phenotype of brain tumors and identify onco...Brain tumors are a diverse group of malignancies that remain refractory to conventional treatment approaches.Molecular neuro-oncologyhas now begun to clarify the transformed phenotype of brain tumors and identify oncogenic pathways that might be amenable to targetedtherapy.Activity of the phosphoinositide 3;kinase(PI3K)/Akt pathway is often upregulated in brain tumors due to excessive stimu-lation by growth factor receptors and Ras.Loss of function of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN also frequently contributesto展开更多
Understanding the fundamental processes of human brain development and diseases is of great importance for our health.However,existing research models such as non-human primate and mouse models remain limited due to t...Understanding the fundamental processes of human brain development and diseases is of great importance for our health.However,existing research models such as non-human primate and mouse models remain limited due to their developmental discrepancies compared with humans.Over the past years,an emerging model,the“brain organoid”integrated from human pluripotent stem cells,has been developed to mimic developmental processes of the human brain and disease-associated phenotypes to some extent,making it possible to better understand the complex structures and functions of the human brain.In this review,we summarize recent advances in brain organoid technologies and their applications in brain development and diseases,including neurodevelopmental,neurodegenerative,psychiatric diseases,and brain tumors.Finally,we also discuss current limitations and the potential of brain organoids.展开更多
Background:Emerging research supports the idea that exercise positively affects neurodevelopment.However,the mechanisms linking exercise with brain health are largely unknown.We aimed to investigate the effect of exer...Background:Emerging research supports the idea that exercise positively affects neurodevelopment.However,the mechanisms linking exercise with brain health are largely unknown.We aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on(a)blood biomarkers selected based on previous evidence(brainderived neurotrophic factor,β-hydroxybutyrate(BHB),cathepsin B(CTSB),kynurenine,fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21),soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(sVCAM-1));and(b)a panel of 92 neurology-related proteins(discovery analysis).We also investigated whether changes in these biomarkers mediate the effects of exercise on brain health(hippocampal structure and function,cognitive performance,and mental health).Methods:We randomized 81 overweight/obese children(10.1±1.1 years,41%girls)into 2 groups:either 20 weeks of aerobic plus resistance exercise or control.Candidate biomarkers were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)for kynurenine,FGF21,and CTSB;colorimetry forβ-hydroxybutyrate;and XMap for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1.The92 neurology-related proteins were analyzed by an antibody-based proteomic analysis.Results:Our intervention had no significant effect on candidate biomarkers(all p>0.05).In the discovery analysis,a reduction in circulating macrophage scavenger receptor type-I was observed(standardized differences between groups=-0.3,p=0.001).This effect was validated using ELISA methods(standardized difference=-0.3,p=0.01).None of the biomarkers mediated the effects of exercise on brain health.Conclusions:Our study does not support a chronic effect of exercise on candidate biomarkers.We observed that while chronic exercise reduced the levels of macrophage scavenger receptor type-Ⅰ,it did not mediate the effects of exercise on brain health.Future studies should explore the implications of this novel biomarker for overall health.展开更多
基金Special Projectfor Clinical Research of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission,No.202140403Key Disciplines Group Construction Project of Pudong Health Bureau of Shanghai,No.PWZxq2022-05+2 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region,No.2024AAC05084Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Key Research and Development Program,No.2021BEG03084National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.32370895,32070862。
摘要Brain organoids are artificial neural tissues derived in vitro,containing a variety of cell types,as well as structural and/or functional brain regions.They can partially mimic brain physiological activities and diseased processes.Owing to their operability and sample accessibility,brain organoids serve as a bridge between in vitro monolayer cell culture models and in vivo animal models.An increasing number of induction protocols for brain organoids have been developed over the preceding decade.A key future research direction will focus on ensuring the complexity and quality of brain organoids.The integration of powerful technologies,such as the CRISP R/Cas9 genome editing and lineage tra cing systems,shall precipitate practical and broad applications of brain organoids.In this review,we discuss the generation and application of brain organoids,as well as their integration with genome editing technologies,in the study of neural development,disease modeling,and mechanistic investigations.The innovative combination of these two technologies may offer a fresh perspective for exploring the fundamental aspects of the human nervous system and related diseases.
基金supported by an National Health and Medical Research Council grant to JAW。
摘要Proteins are the primary functional units within cells,driving complex biological processes essential for stem cell differentiation into specific neural lineages and for the structural and functional maturation of the central nervous system.Advances in high-throughput proteomic technologies allow comprehensive profiling of molecular landscape of the brain,revealing dynamic,region-and time-specific changes in protein expression.During early embryonic development,pluripotency-associated proteins are highly expressed but gradually decline as lineagespecific markers and pathways governing DNA regulation and cytoskeletal organization become predominant.In fetal and postnatal stages,synaptic and metabolic proteins are enriched in a region-specific manner,reflecting functional compartmentalization and specialization in the central nervous system.Fetal growth restriction is an obstetric complication caused by sustained periods of inadequate oxygen and nutrient supply,preventing the fetus from achieving its genetic growth potential.Proteomic analysis of fetal tissues and biofluids has deepened our understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with fetal growth restriction,highlighting metabolic and vascular adaptations,inflammatory responses and redox imbalances.These analyses have also uncovered molecular signatures with potential value as biomarkers for clinical diagnosis(e.g.,complement proteins in maternal blood in fetal growth restriction),and prognosis(e.g.,neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1 as a modulator of fetal growth restriction response).Despite such advances,animal models remain indispensable for elucidating the multifactorial nature of fetal growth restriction-related neuropathology,pinpointing region-specific alterations.They also offer a controlled setting to explore how factors such as sex,gestational age at birth,and birth weight influence the impact of fetal growth restriction on brain development.A deeper understanding of neurodevelopmental processes and the pathological mechanisms involved in fetal growth restriction is critical for the development of effective diagnostic strategies and targeted therapeutic interventions.The purpose of this review is to provide synthesis of neuroproteomic alterations across developmental stages,highlighting how chronic intrauterine oxygen and nutrient deprivation,in humans and animals,shapes the proteomic landscape.
基金The authors are supported by Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul(UFRGS),Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico(CNPq),Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(CAPES),Fundação de AmparoàPesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul(FAPERGS),and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia para Excitotoxicidade e Neuroproteção(INCTEN/CNPq).
摘要Glial cells are crucial for maintaining central nervous system(CNS)homeostasis.They actively participate in immune responses,as well as form functional barriers,such as blood-brain barrier(BBB),which restrict the entry of pathogens and inflammatory mediators into the CNS.In general,viral infections during the gestational period can alter the embryonic and fetal environment,and the related inflammatory response may affect neurodevelopment and lead to behavioral dysfunction during later stage of life,as highlighted by our group for Zika virus infection.Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2)induces a cytokine storm and,during pregnancy,may be related to a more severe form of the coronavirus disease-19(COVID-19)and also to higher preterm birth rates.SARS-CoV-2 can also affect the CNS by inducing neurochemical remodeling in neural cells,which can compromise neuronal plasticity and synaptic function.However,the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on postnatal CNS,including brain development during childhood and adulthood,remains undetermined.Our group has recently highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on the expression of molecular markers associated with neuropsychiatric disorders,which are strongly related to the inflammatory response.Thus,based on these relationships,we discussed the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection either during pregnancy or in critical periods of neurodevelopment as a risk factor for neurological consequences in the offspring later in life,focusing on the potential role of glial cells.Thus,it is important to consider future and long-term public health concerns associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.
摘要With the advent of modern techniques, drugs, and monitoring, general anesthesia has come to be considered an unlikely cause of harm, particularly for healthy patients. While this is largely true, newly emerging clinical and laboratory studies have sug- gested that exposure to anesthetic agents during early childhood may have long-lasting adverse effects on cognitive function. This concern has been the focus of intense study in the field of anesthesia research. A recent high-profile review by Rappaport et al. (2015) concluded that while many questions remain un- answered, there is strong evidence from laboratory studies that commonly used anesthetics interfere with brain development and that clinical studies suggest a correlation between early childhood exposure to these agents and subsequent effects on learning and cognition. The issue is of sufficient public health importance that a public-private partnership known as Smar- Tots (Strategies for Mitigating Anesthesia-Related Neurotoxicity in Tots) was developed by the FDA to study pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity. The mechanism of injury underlying this phe- nomenon has yet to be fully elucidated, and there is evidence to suggest that anesthetics may have direct cytotoxic effects on neurons leading to cell death or suppressed neurogenesis (Strat- mann et al., 2010) and that they may interfere with key pro- cesses in neuronal growth and development that underlie brain circuit development (Wagner et al., 2014).
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2018YFA0901103)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.21876196)。
摘要Tetrabromobisphenol A(TBBPA)is a widely used brominated flame retardant.There is evidence showing that TBBPA can exert thyroid disrupting effects in mammals,but different results were also reported,along with inconsistent reports regarding its neurotoxicity.Here,we investigated thyroid disrupting effects and neurotoxicity of TBBPA(5,50,500μg/(kg·day))to male mice following maternal and direct exposure through drinking water,with the antithyroid drug propylthiouracil(PTU)as the positive control.On postnatal day(PND)15,we expectedly observed severe thyroid compensatory hyperplasia and cerebellar developmental retardation in PTU-treated pups.The highest dose of TBBPA also caused thyroid histological alteration but had no effects on cerebellar development in terms of Purkinje cell morphology and the thickness of the internal granular layer and the molecular layer of the cerebellum.During puberty and adulthood,the thyroid morphological alterations became more pronounced in the TBBPA-treated animals,accompanied by decreased serum thyroid hormone levels.Furthermore,the 50 and 500μg/(kg·day)TBBPA groups showed a significant decrease in the serum level of serotonin,a neurotransmitter associated with anxiety behaviors.Correspondingly,the highest dose group displayed anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus-maze test on PND 35,but this neurobehavioral alteration disappeared on PND 56.Moreover,no changes in neurobehavioral parameters tested were found in TBBPAtreated animals at puberty and adulthood.Altogether,all observations show that TBBPA can exert thyroid disrupting effects but has little overt impact on brain development and neurobehaviors in mice,suggesting that thyroid disruption does not necessarily cause overtly adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
摘要Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), In the normal state, microglia have a ramified shape and con- tinuously survey the conditions of the brain.
摘要A major basic research projectin the field of neurosciencewas launched on November26 last year at the Shanghai-basedInstitute of Neuroscience of the Chi-nese Academy of Sciences(CAS).
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2024YFA0919100)the Jiangsu Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Bio-Manufacture(XTD2213)+1 种基金Jiangsu Province“333”Project(2022)Jiangsu Basic Research Center for Synthetic Biology(BK20233003).
摘要Docosahexaenoic acid(DHA)is an importantω-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid,which plays important roles in brain development and preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.Phospholipid DHA(PL-DHA)is a form of DHA that has higher bioavailability,which is considered as a potential DHA molecules compared with triglyceride DHA and ethyl ester DHA.This review aims to summarize the recent progress of phospholipid DHA from its effects on human health and preparation methods.Firstly we will introduce the biological activities of DHA throughout human life,after which the absorption process of different structural DHA will be discussed systematically.Then,various preparation methods of PL-DHA,including formulation innovation,extraction,bio-enrichment and enzymatic catalysis,will be summarized in detail.Finally,the future challenges and prospects of PL-DHA will also be discussed.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China[Grant numbers:82273585,81872581]the Shanghai 3-year Public Health Action Plan(Grant number:GWVI-11.1-39).
摘要Previous studies on the prenatal organophosphate ester(OPE)exposure's effect on children's neurodevelopment have yielded inconsistent results.In this study,we employed a longitudinal approach,capitalizing on multitime-point evaluations of exposure to OPEs and two-stage assessments of children's brain development.The study included 508 mother-child pairs.We measured seven OPEs in maternal serum throughout pregnancy and assessed children's mental health and developmental mile-stones at the age of 2 and 5.The group-based trajectory model identified pregnancy exposure trajectories.Generalized estimated equations and quantile-based g-computation were employed to evaluate the effects of OPEs on children's brain development.Four OPEs,including 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate(EHDPP),were detected in over 50%of the maternal samples.Each ln-unit increment of EHDPP was associated with an increased peer problem scores(IRR:1.104,95%CI:1.038-1.174)in mental health.Regarding development milestones,EHDPP was related to lower scores in communication,gross motor,personal-social,and total score of the ages and stages questionnaires(ASQ)(IRR:0.963-0.976).Trajectory analysis confirmed these associations.Notably,boys were more affected in terms of mental health,while girls were more vulnerable in terms of developmental milestones.Prenatal exposure to OPEs,particularly EHDPP,is associated with adverse brain development in early childhood with notable sex-specific differences in vulnerability.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32300510 to NAA)the research start-up funding from the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.E4651K0102 to CYL)the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(National Key Research and Development Program of China,Grant Nos.2019YFA0801801 to CYL and 2018YFA0801405 to CYL).
摘要Although new genes and regulatory events have been linked to the uniqueness of human brain development,it is unknown whether alternative polyadenylation(APA)also contributes to shaping this key feature that differentiates humans from other species.Here,we present an atlas of APAs of the human brain and identified 161 development-related,open-reading-frame-disrupting APAs associated with the dynamic translation of protein products.Among the genes affected by these events,we identified ZNF271P,which encodes a human-specific protein when using the distal polyadenylation site,a site that preferentially occurs during early brain development.The cortical organoids derived from ZNF271P-knockout human embryonic stem cells seemed to exhibit accelerated development and maturation,resulting in a significant decrease in organoid size,implicating that ZNF271P is involved in features unique to human brain development.We thus highlight APAs as new regulators in shaping the unique aspects of human brain development.
基金supported by grants from the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFA1603604)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82571494,82271320,82371307,32301146)+1 种基金Shanghai Sailing Program(23YF1420700)Shanghai Rising-Star program(21QA1405200).
摘要Dear Editor,Understanding early human brain development is crucial for uncovering the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders[1].Traditional methods,such as histological staining and sectioning,provide only two-dimensional views,which fail to display the complete structure and often damage delicate tissue structures[2].These approaches face limitations in visualizing complex three-dimensional(3D)networks,particularly the developing vascular system.
摘要Neurodevelopmental processes represent a finely tuned interplay between genetic and environmental factors,shaping the dynamic landscape of the developing brain.A major component of the developing brain that enables this dynamic is the white matter(WM),known to be affected in neurodevelopmental disorders(NDDs)(Rokach et al.,2024).WM formation is mediated by myelination,a multifactorial process driven by neuro-glia interactions dependent on proper neuronal functionality(Simons and Trajkovic,2006).Another key aspect of neurodevelopmental abnormalities involves neuronal dynamics and function,with recent advances significantly enhancing our understanding of both neuronal and glial mitochondrial function(Devine and Kittler,2018;Rojas-Charry et al.,2021).Energy homeostasis in neurons,attributed largely to mitochondrial function,is critical for proper functionality and interactions with oligodendrocytes(OLs),the cells forming myelin in the brain’s WM.We herein discuss the interplay between these processes and speculate on potential dysfunction in NDDs.
基金supported by the Hundred-Talent Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(Y4065411411100050210)to J.L.+3 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(8147131391649119)to J.L.the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31260242 to)F.Lthe National Science and Technology Infrastructure Program(2014BAI01B01-04)to S.L.
摘要Brain development and aging are associated with alterations in multiple epigenetic systems, including DNA methylation and demethylation patterns. Here, we observed that the levels of the 5- hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) ten-eleven transtocation (TET) enzyme-mediated active DNA demethylation products were dynamically changed and involved in postnatal brain development and aging in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis). The levels of 5hmC in multiple anatomic structures showed a gradual increase throughout postnatal development, whereas a significant decrease in 5hmC was found in several brain regions in aged tree shrews, including in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, but not the cerebellum. Active changes in Tet mRNA levels indicated that TET2 and TET3 predominantly contributed to the changes in 5hmC levels. Our findings provide new insight into the dynamic changes in 5hmC levels in tree shrew brains during postnatal development and aging processes.
基金This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (30470598).
摘要Objective To study the developmental changes of glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 ( GAD-67, a GABA synthetic enzyme) in normal and hypoxic ischemic (HI) brain. Methods C57/BL6 mice on postnatal day (P) 5, 9, 21 and 60, corresponding developmentally to premature, term, juvenile and adult human brain were investigated by using both Western blot and immunohistochemistry methods either in normal condition or after hypoxic ischemic insult. Results The immunoreactivity of GAD67 was up regulated with brain development and significant difference was seen between mature (P21, P60) and immature (P5, P9) brain. GAD67 immunoreactivity decreased in the ipsilateral hemisphere in all the ages after hypoxia ischemia (HI) insult, but, significant decrease was only seen in the immature brain. Double labeling of GAD67 and cell death marker, TUNEL, in the cortex at 8h post-HI in the P9 mice showed that (15.6±7.0)% TUNEL positive cells were GAD67 positive which was higher than that of P60 mice. Conclusion These data suggest that GABAergic neurons in immature brain were more vulnerable to HI insult than that of mature brain.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China[81701350 and 31671252]the Health Technology Plan of Zhejiang Province[2023RC205].
摘要Maternal health during pregnancy has a direct impact on the risk and severity of neurodevelopmental disorders(NDDs)in the offspring,especially in the case of drug exposure.However,little progress has been made to assess the risk of drug exposure during pregnancy due to ethical constraints and drug use factors.We collected and manually curated sub-pathways and pathways(sub-/pathways)and drug information to propose an analytical framework for predicting drug candidates.This framework linked sub-/pathway activity and drug response scores derived from gene transcription data and was applied to human fetal brain development and six NDDs.Further,specific and pleiotropic sub-/pathways/drugs were identified using entropy,and sex bias was analyzed in conjunction with logistic regression and random forest models.We identified 19 disorder-associated and 256 regionally pleiotropic and specific candidate drugs that targeted risk sub-/pathways in NDDs,showing temporal or spatial changes across fetal development.Moreover,5443 differential drug-sub-/pathways exhibited sex-biased differences after filling in the gender labels.A user-friendly NDDP visualization website(https:/dd-lab.shinyapps.io/NDDP)was developed to allow researchers and clinicians to access and retrieve data easily.Our framework overcame data gaps and identified numerous pleiotropic and specific candidates across six disorders and fetal developmental trajectories.This could significantly contribute to drug discovery during pregnancy and can be applied to a wide range of traits.
摘要Neurogenesis is the process in which neurons are generated from neural stem/progenitor cells(NSCs/NPCs).It involves the proliferation and neuronal fate specification/differentiation of NSCs,as well as migration,maturation and functional integration of the neuronal progeny into neuronal network.NSCs exhibit the two essential properties of stem cells:self-renewal and multi-potency.Contrary to previous dogma that neurogenesis happens only during development,it is generally accepted now that neurogenesis can take place throughout life in mammalian brains.This raises a new therapeutic potential of applying stem cell therapy for stroke,neurodegenerative diseases and other diseases.However,the maintenance and differentiation of NSCs/NPCs are tightly controlled by the extremely intricate molecular networks.Uncovering the underlying mechanisms that drive the differentiation,migration and maturation of specific neuronal lineages for use in regenerative medicine is,therefore,crucial for the application of stem cell for clinical therapy as well as for providing insight into the mechanisms of human neurogenesis.Here,we focus on the role of bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)signaling in NSCs during mammalian brain development.
摘要Using the specific affinity of tubulin for colchicine and the strong absorption of tubulin to DEAE ion exchangers at neutral pH and moderate ionic strength,the amounts of tubulin in the brain from both mice and chicks during different developing stages were measured by ~3H-colchicine assay (expressed as colchicine binding activity).The results show that the rate oftubulin synthesis reached a peak value during the critical period of brain development.This is exactly the period during which the organization and function of thyroid are being perfected.Besides,during breeding period,the difference of tubulin contents between male and female is significant(P<0.001).The synthesis of tubulin is strictly sex dependent(this phenomenon appeared only during sex maturation stage).It is suggested that sexual hormones might exert their effect on tubulin synthesis.
摘要Brain tumors are a diverse group of malignancies that remain refractory to conventional treatment approaches.Molecular neuro-oncologyhas now begun to clarify the transformed phenotype of brain tumors and identify oncogenic pathways that might be amenable to targetedtherapy.Activity of the phosphoinositide 3;kinase(PI3K)/Akt pathway is often upregulated in brain tumors due to excessive stimu-lation by growth factor receptors and Ras.Loss of function of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN also frequently contributesto
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32130035 and 92168107)STI2030-Major Projects(2021ZD0202500)+2 种基金the Frontier Key Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(QYZDJ-SSW-SMC025)Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Projects(2018SHZDZX05)Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Biomacromolecules and Precision Medicine at ShanghaiTech University.
摘要Understanding the fundamental processes of human brain development and diseases is of great importance for our health.However,existing research models such as non-human primate and mouse models remain limited due to their developmental discrepancies compared with humans.Over the past years,an emerging model,the“brain organoid”integrated from human pluripotent stem cells,has been developed to mimic developmental processes of the human brain and disease-associated phenotypes to some extent,making it possible to better understand the complex structures and functions of the human brain.In this review,we summarize recent advances in brain organoid technologies and their applications in brain development and diseases,including neurodevelopmental,neurodegenerative,psychiatric diseases,and brain tumors.Finally,we also discuss current limitations and the potential of brain organoids.
基金supported primarily by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness((MINECO),DEP2017-91544-EXP)the Alicia Koplowitz Foundation+13 种基金supported by additional grants from MINECO(DEP2013-47540,DEP2016-79512-R,PID2020-120249RB-I00)the European Regional Development Fund(ERDF,FEDER in Spanish)the European Commission(No.667302)Further funding was obtained from the Andalusian Operational Programme supported by the ERDF(B-CTS-355-UGR18,B-CTS-500-UGR18 and A-CTS-614-UGR20)partially funded by the University of Granada,Plan Propio de Investigación 2016,Excellence actions:Units of ExcellenceUnit of Excellence on Exercise and Health(UCEES)and by the Regional Government of Andalusia,Regional Ministry of Knowledge,Science,and Universities and the ERDF(SOMM17/6107/UGR)supported by the School of Medicine,Complutense University of Madrid,Mother-Child Health and Development Network(Red SAMID)Ⅲnetwork,Redes temáticas de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud(RETICS),funded by the PN I+D+I 20172021(Spain)funded by the Ramón Areces Foundation.AMG is supported by FPU16/03653supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation(RYC2019-027287-I)supported by a grant from Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo(No.72180543)from Chilethrough a Margarita Salas grant from the Spanish Ministry Universitiessupported by MINECO and ERDF(grants RYC-2016-21199 and SAF2017-87526-R)the Junta de Andalucia(PAIDI P20_00158,PAIDI P20_00124)supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education,Culture and Sport(FPU 16/02760)。
摘要Background:Emerging research supports the idea that exercise positively affects neurodevelopment.However,the mechanisms linking exercise with brain health are largely unknown.We aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on(a)blood biomarkers selected based on previous evidence(brainderived neurotrophic factor,β-hydroxybutyrate(BHB),cathepsin B(CTSB),kynurenine,fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21),soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(sVCAM-1));and(b)a panel of 92 neurology-related proteins(discovery analysis).We also investigated whether changes in these biomarkers mediate the effects of exercise on brain health(hippocampal structure and function,cognitive performance,and mental health).Methods:We randomized 81 overweight/obese children(10.1±1.1 years,41%girls)into 2 groups:either 20 weeks of aerobic plus resistance exercise or control.Candidate biomarkers were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)for kynurenine,FGF21,and CTSB;colorimetry forβ-hydroxybutyrate;and XMap for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1.The92 neurology-related proteins were analyzed by an antibody-based proteomic analysis.Results:Our intervention had no significant effect on candidate biomarkers(all p>0.05).In the discovery analysis,a reduction in circulating macrophage scavenger receptor type-I was observed(standardized differences between groups=-0.3,p=0.001).This effect was validated using ELISA methods(standardized difference=-0.3,p=0.01).None of the biomarkers mediated the effects of exercise on brain health.Conclusions:Our study does not support a chronic effect of exercise on candidate biomarkers.We observed that while chronic exercise reduced the levels of macrophage scavenger receptor type-Ⅰ,it did not mediate the effects of exercise on brain health.Future studies should explore the implications of this novel biomarker for overall health.