Publications

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14 Publications visible to you, out of a total of 14

Abstract (Expand)

A hallmark of nervous system aging is a decline of white matter volume and function, but the underlying mechanisms leading to white matter pathology are unknown. In the present study, we found age-related alterations of oligodendrocyte cell state with a reduction in total oligodendrocyte density in aging murine white matter. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing, we identified interferon (IFN)-responsive oligodendrocytes, which localize in proximity to CD8(+) T cells in aging white matter. Absence of functional lymphocytes decreased the number of IFN-responsive oligodendrocytes and rescued oligodendrocyte loss, whereas T-cell checkpoint inhibition worsened the aging response. In addition, we identified a subpopulation of lymphocyte-dependent, IFN-responsive microglia in the vicinity of the CD8(+) T cells in aging white matter. In summary, we provide evidence that CD8(+) T-cell-induced, IFN-responsive oligodendrocytes and microglia are important modifiers of white matter aging.

Authors: T. Kaya, N. Mattugini, L. Liu, H. Ji, L. Cantuti-Castelvetri, J. Wu, M. Schifferer, J. Groh, R. Martini, S. Besson-Girard, S. Kaji, A. Liesz, O. Gokce, M. Simons

Date Published: 26th Oct 2022

Publication Type: Journal

Abstract (Expand)

After demyelinating injury of the central nervous system, resolution of the mounting acute inflammation is crucial for the initiation of a regenerative response. Here, we aim to identify fatty acids and lipid mediators that govern the balance of inflammatory reactions within demyelinating lesions. Using lipidomics, we identify bioactive lipids in the resolution phase of inflammation with markedly elevated levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Using fat-1 transgenic mice, which convert n-6 fatty acids to n-3 fatty acids, we find that reduction of the n-6/n-3 ratio decreases the phagocytic infiltrate. In addition, we observe accelerated decline of microglia/macrophages and enhanced generation of oligodendrocytes in aged mice when n-3 fatty acids are shuttled to the brain. Thus, n-3 fatty acids enhance lesion recovery and may, therefore, provide the basis for pro-regenerative medicines of demyelinating diseases in the central nervous system.

Authors: H. Penkert, A. Bertrand, V. Tiwari, S. Breimann, S. A. Muller, P. M. Jordan, M. J. Gerl, C. Klose, L. Cantuti-Castelvetri, M. Bosch-Queralt, I. Levental, S. F. Lichtenthaler, O. Werz, M. Simons

Date Published: 26th Oct 2021

Publication Type: Journal

Abstract (Expand)

Proteolytic ectodomain shedding of membrane proteins is a fundamental mechanism to control the communication between cells and their environment. A key protease for membrane protein shedding is ADAM17, which requires a non-proteolytic subunit, either inactive Rhomboid 1 (iRhom1) or iRhom2 for its activity. While iRhom1 and iRhom2 are co-expressed in most tissues and appear to have largely redundant functions, the brain is an organ with predominant expression of iRhom1. Yet, little is known about the spatio-temporal expression of iRhom1 in mammalian brain and about its function in controlling membrane protein shedding in the nervous system. Here, we demonstrate that iRhom1 is expressed in mouse brain from the prenatal stage to adulthood with a peak in early postnatal development. In the adult mouse brain iRhom1 was widely expressed, including in cortex, hippocampus, olfactory bulb, and cerebellum. Proteomic analysis of the secretome of primary neurons using the hiSPECS method and of cerebrospinal fluid, obtained from iRhom1-deficient and control mice, identified several membrane proteins that require iRhom1 for their shedding in vitro or in vivo. One of these proteins was 'multiple-EGF-like-domains protein 10' (MEGF10), a phagocytic receptor in the brain that is linked to the removal of amyloid beta and apoptotic neurons. MEGF10 was further validated as an ADAM17 substrate using ADAM17-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Taken together, this study discovers a role for iRhom1 in controlling membrane protein shedding in the mouse brain, establishes MEGF10 as an iRhom1-dependent ADAM17 substrate and demonstrates that iRhom1 is widely expressed in murine brain.

Authors: J. Tushaus, S. A. Muller, J. Shrouder, M. Arends, M. Simons, N. Plesnila, C. P. Blobel, S. F. Lichtenthaler

Date Published: 6th Oct 2021

Publication Type: Journal

Abstract (Expand)

Aging results in gray and white matter degeneration, but the specific microglial responses are unknown. Using single-cell RNA sequencing from white and gray matter separately, we identified white matter-associated microglia (WAMs), which share parts of the disease-associated microglia (DAM) gene signature and are characterized by activation of genes implicated in phagocytic activity and lipid metabolism. WAMs depend on triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) signaling and are aging dependent. In the aged brain, WAMs form independent of apolipoprotein E (APOE), in contrast to mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, in which microglia with the WAM gene signature are generated prematurely and in an APOE-dependent pathway similar to DAMs. Within the white matter, microglia frequently cluster in nodules, where they are engaged in clearing degenerated myelin. Thus, WAMs may represent a potentially protective response required to clear degenerated myelin accumulating during white matter aging and disease.

Authors: S. Safaiyan, S. Besson-Girard, T. Kaya, L. Cantuti-Castelvetri, L. Liu, H. Ji, M. Schifferer, G. Gouna, F. Usifo, N. Kannaiyan, D. Fitzner, X. Xiang, M. J. Rossner, M. Brendel, O. Gokce, M. Simons

Date Published: 7th Apr 2021

Publication Type: Journal

Abstract (Expand)

Niemann-Pick type C disease is a rare neurodegenerative disorder mainly caused by mutations in NPC1, resulting in abnormal late endosomal/lysosomal lipid storage. Although microgliosis is a prominent pathological feature, direct consequences of NPC1 loss on microglial function remain not fully characterized. We discovered pathological proteomic signatures and phenotypes in NPC1-deficient murine models and demonstrate a cell autonomous function of NPC1 in microglia. Loss of NPC1 triggers enhanced phagocytic uptake and impaired myelin turnover in microglia that precede neuronal death. Npc1(-/-) microglia feature a striking accumulation of multivesicular bodies and impaired trafficking of lipids to lysosomes while lysosomal degradation function remains preserved. Molecular and functional defects were also detected in blood-derived macrophages of NPC patients that provide a potential tool for monitoring disease. Our study underscores an essential cell autonomous role for NPC1 in immune cells and implies microglial therapeutic potential.

Authors: A. Colombo, L. Dinkel, S. A. Muller, L. Sebastian Monasor, M. Schifferer, L. Cantuti-Castelvetri, J. Konig, L. Vidatic, T. Bremova-Ertl, A. P. Lieberman, S. Hecimovic, M. Simons, S. F. Lichtenthaler, M. Strupp, S. A. Schneider, S. Tahirovic

Date Published: 24th Feb 2021

Publication Type: Journal

Abstract (Expand)

To understand how cells communicate in the nervous system, it is essential to define their secretome, which is challenging for primary cells because of large cell numbers being required. Here, we miniaturized secretome analysis by developing the "high-performance secretome protein enrichment with click sugars" (hiSPECS) method. To demonstrate its broad utility, hiSPECS was used to identify the secretory response of brain slices upon LPS-induced neuroinflammation and to establish the cell type-resolved mouse brain secretome resource using primary astrocytes, microglia, neurons, and oligodendrocytes. This resource allowed mapping the cellular origin of CSF proteins and revealed that an unexpectedly high number of secreted proteins in vitro and in vivo are proteolytically cleaved membrane protein ectodomains. Two examples are neuronally secreted ADAM22 and CD200, which we identified as substrates of the Alzheimer-linked protease BACE1. hiSPECS and the brain secretome resource can be widely exploited to systematically study protein secretion and brain function and to identify cell type-specific biomarkers for CNS diseases.

Authors: J. Tushaus, S. A. Muller, E. S. Kataka, J. Zaucha, L. Sebastian Monasor, M. Su, G. Guner, G. Jocher, S. Tahirovic, D. Frishman, M. Simons, S. F. Lichtenthaler

Date Published: 15th Oct 2020

Publication Type: Journal

Abstract (Expand)

Remyelination requires innate immune system function, but how exactly microglia and macrophages clear myelin debris after injury and tailor a specific regenerative response is unclear. Here, we asked whether pro-inflammatory microglial/macrophage activation is required for this process. We established a novel toxin-based spinal cord model of de- and remyelination in zebrafish and showed that pro-inflammatory NF-kappaB-dependent activation in phagocytes occurs rapidly after myelin injury. We found that the pro-inflammatory response depends on myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88). MyD88-deficient mice and zebrafish were not only impaired in the degradation of myelin debris, but also in initiating the generation of new oligodendrocytes for myelin repair. We identified reduced generation of TNF-alpha in lesions of MyD88-deficient animals, a pro-inflammatory molecule that was able to induce the generation of new premyelinating oligodendrocytes. Our study shows that pro-inflammatory phagocytic signaling is required for myelin debris degradation, for inflammation resolution, and for initiating the generation of new oligodendrocytes.

Authors: M. I. Cunha, M. Su, L. Cantuti-Castelvetri, S. A. Muller, M. Schifferer, M. Djannatian, I. Alexopoulos, F. van der Meer, A. Winkler, T. J. van Ham, B. Schmid, S. F. Lichtenthaler, C. Stadelmann, M. Simons

Date Published: 4th May 2020

Publication Type: Journal

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