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Co-localisation, heterophilic interactions and regulated expression of IgLON family proteins in the chick nervous system.

The chick glycoprotein GP55 has been shown to inhibit the growth and adhesion of DRG and forebrain neurons. GP55 consists of several members of the IgLON family, a group of glycoproteins including LAMP, OBCAM, CEPU-1 (chick)/neurotrimin (rat) and neurotractin (chick)/kilon (rat) thought to play a role in the guidance of growing axons. IgLONs belong to the Ig superfamily and have three C2 domains and a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol anchor which tethers them to the neuronal plasma membrane. We have now completed the deduced amino acid sequence for two isoforms of chicken OBCAM and used recombinant LAMP, OBCAM and CEPU-1 to raise antisera specific to these three IgLONs. LAMP and CEPU-1 are co-expressed on DRG and sympathetic neurons, while both overlapping and distinct expression patterns for LAMP, OBCAM and CEPU-1 are observed in retina. Analysis of IgLON mRNA expression reveals that alternatively spliced forms of LAMP and CEPU-1 are developmentally regulated. In an attempt to understand how the IgLONs function, we have begun to characterise their molecular interactions. LAMP and CEPU-1 have already been shown to interact homophilically. We now confirm that OBCAM will bind homophilically and also that LAMP, OBCAM and CEPU-1 will interact heterophilically with each other. We propose that IgLON activity will depend on the complement of IgLONs expressed by each neuron.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Use of chimeric F3-NCAM molecules to explore the properties of VASE exon in modulating polysialylation and neurite outgrowth.

Differential splicing of VASE exon in the fourth immunoglobulin (Ig) domain and attachment to the fifth Ig domain of alpha 2-8 linked sialic acid (PSA) both dramatically change, in opposite manner, Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (NCAM) functional properties. Reciprocal patterns of VASE and PSA expression suggest that they might be mutually exclusive. Here, we tested whether informations conferring polysialylation reside in NCAM-Ig domains 4 and 5 and the influence of the VASE exon encoded sequence on this process. We also examined if the VASE sequence was still able to inhibit neurite outgrowth when presented out of its normal NCAM context. Constructs have been prepared encoding NCAM-Ig domains 4 (with or without the VASE exon) and 5 fused to the F3 molecule. Stable clones expressing the chimeric molecules or wild type F3 were then obtained in the AtT-20 cell line. Although the chimeric molecules were expressed on the cell surface none of them was bearing PSA. Thus, polysialylation cannot be conferred to proteins by addition of the NCAM-Ig domains 4 and 5 modular motif and in this molecular context, the VASE sequence is not influencing the process. These chimeric molecules, either expressed at the surface of RIN or COS cells or presented as soluble forms, were examined for their effect on neurite outgrowth. In all cases, the length of neurites of sensory neurons was significantly reduced when grown in presence of the VASE containing chimera by comparison with the chimera without VASE or wild type F3. When neurons from NCAM knock-out mice were used for the assay, the VASE inhibition could not be detected. Thus VASE is able to act as a modular motif and NCAM expressed on neurons participates in transducing its effect.

Animals↗

Differentiation-related expression of adhesion molecules and receptors on human neuroblastoma tissues, cell lines and variants.

The expression of cellular adhesion molecules (CAM) involved in cell adhesion and immune recognition was measured on neuroblastoma tissue samples, on a neuroblastoma (NB) cell line, SK-N-SH, and on 3 phenotypically different variants, SH-SY5Y, SH-EP, SH-IN, representing neuronal, Schwannian/glial or intermediate NB-cell types. Immunohistochemical analysis of CAM expression by NB and related tumors at different stages of differentiation revealed a co-expression of several CAM (ICAM-1/CD54, LFA-3, VLA-2 and HLA-ABC) associated with low stages and more highly differentiated NB tumors and peripheral neuroepitheliomas (PN). In contrast, N-CAM was uniformly expressed on all NB tumors. Flow cytometric analysis of CAM surface expression by SK-N-SH and variant cells revealed highly variable phenotypes. Expression of ICAM-1, LFA-3, VLA-2 and HLA-ABC molecules was associated with the epithelial cell type represented by the SH-EP variant. In contrast, low expression of these molecules and high expression of N-CAM was associated with the neuronal SH-SY5Y cells. Exposure of the NB cells to differentiation inducers (retinoic acid, 5'-bromodeoxyuridine and phorbol esters) and cytokines (tau-interferon, alpha-tumor necrosis factor) resulted in a variable up-regulation of the expression of all CAMs, except N-CAM, regardless of the type of differentiation induced. In an attempt to establish a link between the pattern of expression of CAM on NB cells and their susceptibility to natural killer (NK) or lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell lysis, the analysis revealed that NB cells expressing CAM and a differentiated phenotype were less susceptible to NK lysis, but no difference in the sensitivity of the NB cell types to LAK effectors was observed. Treatment of NB target cells with cytokines or PMA decreased their susceptibility to NK and LAK lysis, while induction of differentiation with RA or BUdR resulted in no changes in the sensitivity to NK and LAK lysis. In conclusion, expression of HLA-ABC and several co-regulated CAMs was shown to be associated with a differentiated phenotype in NB, with an overall decreased sensitivity to NK/LAK effector cells.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

Purification of embryonic stem cell-derived neurons by immunoisolation.

The pluripotency and high proliferative capacity of embryonic stem (ES) cells (1-3) makes them an attractive source of different cell types for biomedical research and cell replacement therapies. A major prerequisite for these applications is the availability of a homogeneous population of the desired cell type. However, ES cell-derived material contains, for example, undifferentiated cells, which can cause tumor formation after transplantation into the brain (4). To avoid such unwanted side effects, effective purification of distinct types of cells needs to be developed. Here, we describe an immunoisolation procedure to purify neurons from in vitro differentiated mouse ES cells using an antibody against the neuronal cell adhesion molecule L1 (5, 6). Our procedure yields a pure population of differentiated neurons, which are electrically excitable and form excitatory, glutamatergic, and inhibitory GABAergic synapses. The ability to highly purify ES cell-derived neurons will boost their molecular characterization and the further exploration of their therapeutic potential.

Action Potentials↗

Subpial neuronal migration in the medulla oblongata of Pax-6-deficient rats.

In rat fetuses, neurons generated in the lower rhombic lip on embryonic day 14 (E14) specifically express the transcription factor Pax-6 and migrate circumferentially in the subpial region along axons which are immunoreactive for TAG-1, a neural cell adhesion molecule. These neurons ultimately settle from E17 in the contralateral medulla oblongata to form the precerebellar nuclei, the lateral reticular and external cuneate nuclei. We have examined this migratory process in rat small eye (rSey2) which has a mutation in the Pax-6 gene. Both the migration and settlement of neurons labelled with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) at E14 delayed in the mutant. Furthermore, in the ventrolateral part of the E16 mutant medulla oblongata, cells both expressing Pax-6 mRNA and prelabelled with BrdU at E14 were ectopically localized in the deep zone of the medullary parenchyma in addition to the normal subpial location. These ectopic neurons remained in close contact with ectopic TAG-1-immunoreactive axons. These results indicate that Pax-6 plays a role in the migration of medullary precerebellar neurons, although neurons generated in the lower rhombic lip can nevertheless migrate and settle to form the external cuneate nucleus in the absence of Pax-6.

Animals↗

Rhinotopy is disrupted during the re-innervation of the olfactory bulb that follows transection of the olfactory nerve.

Re-innervation of the olfactory bulb was investigated after transection of the olfactory nerve using monoclonal antibody RB-8 to assess whether rhinotopy of the primary olfactory projection is restored. In normal animals RB-8 heavily stains the axons, and their terminals, that project from the ventrolateral olfactory epithelium onto glomeruli of the ventrolateral bulb (termed RB-8(+)). In contrast, axons from dorsomedial epithelium are unlabeled (RB-8(-)) and normally terminate in the dorsomedial bulb. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent unilateral olfactory nerve transection and survived for 6 weeks prior to perfusion, sectioning and immunostaining with RB-8. Nerve lesion does not shift the position of the boundary between RB-8(+) and RB-8(-) regions of the epithelium. However, following transection and bulb re-innervation, the distribution of RB-8(+) and RB-8(-) axons is markedly abnormal. First, in all 10 experimental animals RB-8(-) axons displace RB-8(+) axons from anterior glomeruli. Furthermore, the usual target of the RB-8(-) fibers, i.e. the dorsomedial bulb at more posterior levels of the bulb, remains denervated, judging by the lack of staining with antibodies that label axons derived from all epithelial zones. Finally, RB-8(+) fibers invade foreign territory in the dorsolateral bulb on the lesioned side in some cases. The shifts in terminal territory in the bulb after transection contrast with the restoration of the normal zonal patterning of the projection after recovery from methyl bromide lesion, but is consistent with reports of mistargeting by a receptor-defined subset of neurons after transection.

Animals↗

G(o) protein-dependent survival of primary accessory olfactory neurons.

Extensive G protein-coupled receptor families in both the main and accessory olfactory systems have been implicated in axonal targeting, sensory function, and cell survival. Although sensory function seems to be mediated by G proteins, axonal guidance and cell survival may be G protein-independent processes. In the accessory olfactory system, the G(o)-containing neurons in the basal vomeronasal organ (VNO) project to the posterior accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), whereas more apically located VNO neurons contain G(i2) and project to the anterior AOB. Herein, we investigate the organization of the accessory olfactory system in mice with a targeted deletion in the G(o)alpha gene. The accessory olfactory system seems normal at birth; however, postnatally, the number of G(o)-receptor-containing VNO neurons decreases by half, and apoptotic neurons are detected. The axons of VNO neurons remain restricted to the posterior AOB. The posterior AOB is reduced in size but contains a synaptophysin-positive layer with the normal number of glomeruli. The posterior AOB has reduced mitral cell c-Fos immunoreactivity, consistent with decreased sensory activation of G(o) protein-coupled VNO receptor neurons. Thus, in the accessory olfactory system, receptor-coupled G proteins are required for cell survival.

Animals↗

Cell adhesion molecule L1 guides cell migration in primary reaggregation cultures of mouse cerebellar cells.

We demonstrate a new assay in vitro using reaggregated cerebellar neurons in order to test the role of the L1 molecule in migration events. Cells other than neurons were eliminated in these cultures. Cerebellar neuron reaggregates plated on L1 molecule substrates migrated at rates similar to those observed in vivo. This migration was blocked by anti-L1 antibody. These findings suggest that this culture could provide a useful system with which to directly study relationships between neuron migration and adhesion molecules.

Animals↗

Diglons are heterodimeric proteins composed of IgLON subunits, and Diglon-CO inhibits neurite outgrowth from cerebellar granule cells.

IgLONs are a family of four cell adhesion molecules belonging to the Ig superfamily that are thought to play a role in cell-cell recognition and growth-cone migration. One member of the family, opioid-binding cell-adhesion molecule (OBCAM), might act as a tumour suppressor. Previous work has shown that limbic-system-associated protein (LAMP), CEPU-1/Neurotrimin and OBCAM interact homophilically and heterophilically within the family. Here, we show that, based on their relative affinities, CEPU-1 might be both a homo- and a heterophilic cell adhesion molecule, whereas LAMP and OBCAM act only as heterophilic cell adhesion molecules. A binding assay using recombinant IgLONs fused to human Fc showed that IgLONs are organized in the plane of the membrane as heterodimers, and we propose that IgLONs function predominantly as subunits of heterodimeric proteins (Diglons). Thus, the four IgLONs can form six Diglons. Furthermore, although singly transfected cell lines have little effect on neurite outgrowth, CHO cell lines expressing both CEPU-1 and OBCAM (Diglon-CO) inhibit neurite outgrowth from cerebellar granule cells.

Animals↗

Expression and distribution of metabotropic GABA receptor subtypes GABABR1 and GABABR2 during rat neocortical development.

To understand the possible contribution of metabotropic gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABABR) in cortical development, we investigated the expression pattern and the cellular and subcellular localization of the GABABR1 and GABABR2 subtypes in the rat neocortex from embryonic day 14 (E14) to adulthood. At the light microscopic level, both GABABR1 and GABABR2 were detected as early as E14. During prenatal development, both subtypes were expressed highly in the cortical plate. Using double immunofluorescence, GABABR1 colocalized with GABABR2 in neurons of the marginal zone and subplate, indicating that these proteins are coexpressed and could be forming functional GABABRs during prenatal development in vivo. In contrast, only GABABR1 but not GABABR2 was detected in the tangentially migratory cells in the lower intermediate zone. During postnatal development, immunoreactivity for GABABR1 and GABABR2 was distributed mainly in pyramidal cells. Discrete GABABR1-immunopositive cell bodies of interneurons were present throughout the neocortex. In addition, GABABR1 but not GABABR2 was found in identified Cajal-Retzius cells in layer I. At the electron microscopic level, immunoreactivity for GABABR1 and GABABR2 was found in dendritic spines and dendritic shafts at extrasynaptic and perisynaptic sites throughout postnatal development. We further demonstrated the presynaptic localization of GABABR1 and GABABR2, as well as the association of the receptors with asymmetrical synaptic junctions. These results indicate potentially important roles for the GABABRs in the regulation of migratory processes during corticogenesis and in the modulation of synaptic transmission during early development of cortical circuitry.

Animals↗

Disorder-associated mutations lead to functional inactivation of neuroligins.

Autism is a neuro-developmental syndrome that affects 0.1-0.5% of the population. It has been proposed that alterations in neuronal circuitry and/or neuronal signaling are responsible for the behavioral and cognitive aberrations in autism patients. However, the cellular basis of such alterations is unknown. Recently, point mutations in a family of neuronal cell adhesion molecules called neuroligins have been linked to autism-spectrum disorders and mental retardation. We investigated the consequences of these disease-associated mutations on neuroligin function. We demonstrate that the point mutation at arginine 451 and a nonsense mutation at aspartate 396 of neuroligin-3 and -4 (NL3 and NL4), respectively, result in intracellular retention of the mutant proteins. Over-expression of wild-type NL3 and NL4 proteins in hippocampal neurons stimulates the formation of presynaptic terminals, whereas the disease-associated mutations result in a loss of this synaptic function. Our findings suggest that the previously identified mutations in neuroligin genes are likely to be relevant for the neuro-developmental defects in autism-spectrum disorders and mental retardation since they impair the function of a synaptic cell adhesion molecule.

Animals↗

Expression of NCAM containing VASE in neurons can account for a developmental loss in their neurite outgrowth response to NCAM in a cellular substratum.

Binding of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in neurons to NCAM on non-neuronal cells can stimulate axonal growth. A developmentally regulated loss of this response is associated with the insertion of 10 amino acids (called VASE) into the fourth Ig domain in up to 50% of the NCAM receptors in neurons. In the present study we have transfected PC12 cells with the major neuronal isoforms of human NCAM and tested cells expressing these isoforms for their ability to respond to NCAM in a cellular substratum. Whereas both the 140- and 180-kD isoforms of NCAM can act as functional receptors for neurite outgrowth, the presence of the VASE sequence in a minority of the receptors specifically inhibited this response. A synthetic peptide containing the VASE sequence inhibits neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells and primary neurons stimulated by NCAM. The same peptide has no effect on integrin dependent neurite outgrowth or neurite outgrowth stimulated by N-cadherin or L1. We discuss the possibility that the VASE peptide inhibits the NCAM response by preventing NCAM from binding to the FGF receptor in the plasma membrane.

3T3 Cells↗

Functional cooperation of beta1-integrins and members of the Ig superfamily in neurite outgrowth induction.

Neurite outgrowth is a central aspect of the ontogenetic formation of neural networks and is regulated by distinct groups of cell surface molecules. One protein involved in neurite elongation and fasciculation is the neural Ig superfamily member F11/contactin. We have shown previously that F11 promotes neurite extension of chick tectal neurons by interaction with the tectal receptor NrCAM, a member of the L1 subgroup of the Ig superfamily. By contrast, it does not induce outgrowth of retinal neurons despite the fact that these cells also express NrCAM, suggesting that in retinal cells the F11-NrCAM interaction alone is not sufficient to induce neurite extension. In this report we present a novel image analysis procedure to quantify neurite outgrowth and use it to demonstrate that F11 enhances the fibronectin-induced outgrowth response of embryonic retinal neurons. We reveal that NrCAM is the neuronal receptor mediating the enhanced outgrowth of retinal neurons, whereas the related F11-binding molecule NgCAM is not involved. Furthermore, we provide evidence that a beta1-integrin may represent the fibronectin-dependent receptor that cooperates indirectly with the F11-NrCAM pathway. Our results support the concept of a combinatorial labeling of cells in nervous system histogenesis by different classes of cell surface proteins, in particular by integrins and molecules of the Ig superfamily.

Animals↗

Impact of thyroid hormone deficiency on the developing CNS: cerebellar glial and neuronal protein expression in rat neonates exposed to antithyroid drug propylthiouracil.

The developing rat cerebellum is vulnerable to thyroid hormone (TH) deficiency. The present study addresses the molecular mechanisms involved in this response. Specifically, the study focuses on the expression of selected cerebellar proteins that are known to be directly [protein expressing 3-fucosyl-N-acetyl-lactosamine antigen (CD15), neuronal cell adhesion molecule (L1)] or indirectly [glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)], involved in glial-neuronal interactions and thus regulation of cell proliferation and granule cell migration. Cerebellar mass, structure, and protein expression in rat neonates exposed to antithyroid drug propylthiouracil (PTU) from the embryonic day (E) 16 to postnatal day (P) 21 were compared against rat neonates that received replacement of thyroxin (T4) starting on day P1 or untreated controls. Cerebellar proteins were analyzed by quantitative Western blots. PTU-treated rats lagged in growth and showed reduction in cerebellar mass and alterations in cerebellar structure on P15. Daily treatment of neonates with T4 restored normal cerebellum-to-body-mass ratio, cerebellar structure, and cerebellar protein expression. Densitometric analysis of Western blots revealed altered expression of selected proteins in the cerebella of hypothyroid neonates. A decrease of CD15 (46%, p = 0.031) was observed on P10 and was accompanied by a decrease in GFAP expression (64%, p = 0.039). Furthermore, a shift in the developmental GFAP profile was observed in the PTU-treated cerebellum. L1 expression was not significantly affected in the hypothyroid cerebellum. Altered expression of cerebellar proteins is likely to affect cell-cell interactions and consequently cell proliferation and migration and contribute to structural and functional alterations seen in the hypothyroid rat neonates.

Age Factors↗

N-CAM binding inhibits the proliferation of hippocampal progenitor cells and promotes their differentiation to a neuronal phenotype.

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) play important roles during the development of the nervous system. On the basis of our previous observations that binding of the neural CAM (N-CAM) inhibits astrocyte proliferation and alters gene expression, we hypothesized that N-CAM may influence the balance between the proliferation and the differentiation of neural progenitor cells. Rat and mouse hippocampal progenitor cells were cultured and showed dependence on basic FGF for proliferation, immunoreactivity for nestin, the presence of limited numbers of differentiated cells, and the ability to generate glial cells and neurons under different culture conditions. Addition of soluble N-CAM reduced cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with no evidence of apoptosis. The inhibition of proliferation by N-CAM was accompanied by an induction of differentiation to the neuronal lineage, as indicated by a twofold increase in the percentage of microtubule-associated protein 2-positive cells even in the presence of mitogenic growth factors. Experiments using hippocampal cells from N-CAM knock-out mice indicated that N-CAM on the cell surface is not required for these effects, suggesting the existence of heterophilic signaling. These results support a role for N-CAM and N-CAM ligands in the inhibition of proliferation and the induction of neural differentiation of hippocampal neural progenitor cells.

Animals↗

The cell adhesion molecule L1 has a specific role in neural cell migration.

L1-transfected L cells show a markedly enhanced ability for neuronal cell binding and promotion of neuron migration compared with control L cells. Further, when purified L1 was used as a culture substrate for neurons, it was found to promote neuronal adhesion and enhance the speed of migration of cerebellar neurons from reaggregated cultures, indicating that it is involved in a determinant step of neural cell migration.

Animals↗

Characterization of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) expression in thyroid follicular cells: induction by cytokines and over-expression in autoimmune glands.

NCAM (CD56) is a cell surface glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed on neuroendocrine and natural killer (NK) cells which has considerable molecular heterogeneity due to differential splicing and post-translational modifications. NCAM has been detected in the thyroid follicular cells (thyrocytes) immunohistologically. We report here the molecular form, the modulation by cytokines and the levels of expression in thyroid pathology. By using a panel of MoAbs to NCAM on Western blots from thyrocyte extract we have determined that these cells express the 140- and 180-kD forms of NCAM. Exposure of primary cultures of thyrocytes to interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and even more, to the combination of IFN-gamma plus tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induced a clear increase in the expression of NCAM as assessed by FACS analysis. NCAM expression in thyrocytes was assessed by immunofluorescence in 59 surgical specimens of thyroid glands, and was found increased in 11/17 (64%) of Graves', in 5/25 (20%) of multinodular goitre (MNG) and in occasional adenoma glands. No correlation was found with the expression of HLA class I, class II or the degree of lymphocytic infiltration scored in adjacent sections, but it was often seen in areas infiltrated by macrophages. In conclusion, NCAM is an adhesion molecule whose expression is clearly increased in thyrocytes in autoimmune glands, probably as a consequence of exposure to cytokines locally released. Since one of the forms of NCAM expressed by thyrocytes has the capability to generate intracellular signal it may play a role in normal thyroid function. In addition, NCAM may facilitate the recognition of thyrocytes by lymphocytes, particularly by NK CD56+ lymphocytes.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗