Sayan Nandi

Fate Mapping Analysis Reveals That Adult Microglia Derive from Primitive Macrophages

Primitive Origins for Microglia Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system and are associated with neurodegeneration and brain inflammatory diseases. Although the developmental origins of other tissue macrophage populations are well established, the origins of microglia remain controversial. Ginhoux et al. (p. 841, published online 21 October) used in vivo lineage tracing studies to show that microglia arise early in mouse development and derive from primitive macrophages in the yolk sac. This is in contrast to other cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system, which arise later in development from a distinct progenitor population. The developmental origins of adult microglia are revealed. Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system and are associated with the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative and brain inflammatory diseases; however, the origin of adult microglia remains controversial. We show that postnatal hematopoietic progenitors do not significantly contribute to microglia homeostasis in the adult brain. In contrast to many macrophage populations, we show that microglia develop in mice that lack colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) but are absent in CSF-1 receptor–deficient mice. In vivo lineage tracing studies established that adult microglia derive from primitive myeloid progenitors that arise before embryonic day 8. These results identify microglia as an ontogenically distinct population in the mononuclear phagocyte system and have implications for the use of embryonically derived microglial progenitors for the treatment of various brain disorders.

Functional overlap but differential expression of CSF‐1 and IL‐34 in their CSF‐1 receptor‐mediated regulation of myeloid cells

CSF‐1 is broadly expressed and regulates macrophage and osteoclast development. The action and expression of IL‐34, a novel CSF‐1R ligand, were investigated in the mouse. As expected, huIL‐34 stimulated macrophage proliferation via the huCSF‐1R, equivalently to huCSF‐1, but was much less active at stimulating mouse macrophage proliferation than huCSF‐1. Like muCSF‐1, muIL‐34 and a muIL‐34 isoform lacking Q81 stimulated mouse macrophage proliferation, CSF‐1R tyrosine phosphorylation, and signaling and synergized with other cytokines to generate macrophages and osteoclasts from cultured progenitors. However, they respectively possessed twofold and fivefold lower affinities for the CSF‐1R and correspondingly, lower activities than muCSF‐1. Furthermore, muIL‐34, when transgenically expressed in a CSF‐1‐dependent manner in vivo, rescued the bone, osteoclast, tissue macrophage, and fertility defects of Csf1op/op mice, suggesting similar regulation of CSF‐1R‐expressing cells by IL‐34 and CSF‐1. Whole‐mount IL34 in situ hybridization and CSF‐1 reporter expression revealed that IL34 mRNA was strongly expressed in the embryonic brain at E11.5, prior to the expression of Csf1 mRNA. QRT‐PCR revealed that compared with Csf1 mRNA, IL34 mRNA levels were lower in pregnant uterus and in cultured osteoblasts, higher in most regions of the brain and heart, and not compensatorily increased in Csf1op/op mouse tissues. Thus, the different spatiotemporal expression of IL‐34 and CSF‐1 allows for complementary activation of the CSF‐1R in developing and adult tissues.

The CSF-1 receptor ligands IL-34 and CSF-1 exhibit distinct developmental brain expression patterns and regulate neural progenitor cell maintenance and maturation

The CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R) regulates CNS microglial development. However, the localization and developmental roles of this receptor and its ligands, IL-34 and CSF-1, in the brain are poorly understood. Here we show that compared to wild type mice, CSF-1R-deficient (Csf1r-/-) mice have smaller brains of greater mass. They further exhibit an expansion of lateral ventricle size, an atrophy of the olfactory bulb and a failure of midline crossing of callosal axons. In brain, IL-34 exhibited a broader regional expression than CSF-1, mostly without overlap. Expression of IL-34, CSF-1 and the CSF-1R were maximal during early postnatal development. However, in contrast to the expression of its ligands, CSF-1R expression was very low in adult brain. Postnatal neocortical expression showed that CSF-1 was expressed in layer VI, whereas IL-34 was expressed in the meninges and layers II-V. The broader expression of IL-34 is consistent with its previously implicated role in microglial development. The differential expression of CSF-1R ligands, with respect to CSF-1R expression, could reflect their CSF-1R-independent signaling. Csf1r-/- mice displayed increased proliferation and apoptosis of neocortical progenitors and reduced differentiation of specific excitatory neuronal subtypes. Indeed, addition of CSF-1 or IL-34 to microglia-free, CSF-1R-expressing dorsal forebrain clonal cultures, suppressed progenitor self-renewal and enhanced neuronal differentiation. Consistent with a neural developmental role for the CSF-1R, ablation of the Csf1r gene in Nestin-positive neural progenitors led to a smaller brain size, an expanded neural progenitor pool and elevated cellular apoptosis in cortical forebrain. Thus our results also indicate novel roles for the CSF-1R in the regulation of corticogenesis.

Receptor-type Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase ζ Is a Functional Receptor for Interleukin-34

Background: IL-34 and the known IL-34 receptor, CSF-1R, are differentially expressed in mouse brain; thus, IL-34 may signal via an additional receptor(s). Results: IL-34 binds to PTP-ζ on U251 human glioblastoma cells to stimulate intracellular signaling and responses. Conclusion: PTP-ζ is an IL-34 receptor. Significance: CSF-1R-independent actions of IL-34 via PTP-ζ should be considered in evaluating IL-34 roles in development and disease. Interleukin-34 (IL-34) is highly expressed in brain. IL-34 signaling via its cognate receptor, colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R), is required for the development of microglia. However, the differential expression of IL-34 and the CSF-1R in brain suggests that IL-34 may signal via an alternate receptor. By IL-34 affinity chromatography of solubilized mouse brain membrane followed by mass spectrometric analysis, we identified receptor-type protein-tyrosine phosphatase ζ (PTP-ζ), a cell surface chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycan, as a novel IL-34 receptor. PTP-ζ is primarily expressed on neural progenitors and glial cells and is highly expressed in human glioblastomas. IL-34 selectively bound PTP-ζ in CSF-1R-deficient U251 human glioblastoma cell lysates and inhibited the proliferation, clonogenicity, and motility of U251 cells in a PTP-ζ-dependent manner. These effects were correlated with an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of the previously identified PTP-ζ downstream effectors focal adhesion kinase and paxillin. IL-34 binding to U251 cells was abrogated by chondroitinase ABC treatment, and CS competed with IL-34 for binding to the extracellular domain of PTP-ζ and to the cells, indicating a dependence of binding on PTP-ζ CS moieties. This study identifies an alternate receptor for IL-34 that may mediate its action on novel cellular targets.

Emerging Roles for CSF-1 Receptor and its Ligands in the Nervous System

The colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) kinase regulates tissue macrophage homeostasis, osteoclastogenesis, and Paneth cell development. However, recent studies in mice have revealed that CSF-1R signaling directly controls the development and maintenance of microglia, and cell autonomously regulates neuronal differentiation and survival. While the CSF-1R-cognate ligands, CSF-1 and interleukin-34 (IL-34) compete for binding to the CSF-1R, they are expressed in a largely non-overlapping manner by mature neurons. The recent identification of a dominantly inherited, adult-onset, progressive dementia associated with inactivating mutations in the CSF-1R highlights the importance of CSF-1R signaling in the brain. We review the roles of the CSF-1R and its ligands in microglial and neural development and function, and their relevance to our understanding of neurodegenerative disease.

Colony Stimulating Factor-1 Dependence of Paneth Cell Development in the Mouse Small Intestine

BACKGROUND & AIMS Paneth cells (PCs) secrete defensins and antimicrobial enzymes that contribute to innate immunity against pathogen infections within the mucosa of the small intestine. We examined the role of colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) in PC development. METHODS CSF-1-deficient and CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R)-deficient mice and administration of neutralizing anti-CSF-1R antibody were used to study the requirement of CSF-1 for the development of epithelial cells of the small intestine. CSF-1 transgenic reporter mice and mice that express only the membrane-spanning, cell-surface CSF-1 isoform were used to investigate regulation by systemic versus local CSF-1. RESULTS Mice deficient in CSF-1 or CSF-1R had greatly reduced numbers of mature PCs. PCs express the CSF-1R, and administration of anti-CSF-1R antibody to neonatal mice significantly reduced the number of PCs. Analysis of transgenic CSF-1 reporter mice showed that CSF-1-expressing cells are in close proximity to PCs. CSF-1/CSF-1R-deficient mice also had reduced numbers of the proliferating epithelial cell progenitors and lamina propria macrophages. Expression of the membrane-spanning, cell-surface CSF-1 isoform in CSF-1-deficient mice completely rescued the deficiencies of PCs, proliferating progenitors, and lamina propria macrophages. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate local regulation by CSF-1 of PC development, either directly, in a juxtacrine/paracrine manner, or indirectly, by lamina propria macrophages. Therefore, CSF-1R hyperstimulation could be involved in hyperproliferative disorders of the small intestine, such as Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.

PSTPIP2 deficiency in mice causes osteopenia and increased differentiation of multipotent myeloid precursors into osteoclasts

Missense mutations that reduce or abrogate myeloid cell expression of the F-BAR domain protein, proline serine threonine phosphatase-interacting protein 2 (PSTPIP2), lead to autoinflammatory disease involving extramedullary hematopoiesis, skin and bone lesions. However, little is known about how PSTPIP2 regulates osteoclast development. Here we examined how PSTPIP2 deficiency causes osteopenia and bone lesions, using the mouse PSTPIP2 mutations, cmo, which fails to express PSTPIP2 and Lupo, in which PSTPIP2 is dysfunctional. In both models, serum levels of the pro-osteoclastogenic factor, MIP-1α, were elevated and CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R)-dependent production of MIP-1α by macrophages was increased. Treatment of cmo mice with a dual specificity CSF-1R and c-Kit inhibitor, PLX3397, decreased circulating MIP-1α and ameliorated the extramedullary hematopoiesis, inflammation, and osteopenia, demonstrating that aberrant myelopoiesis drives disease. Purified osteoclast precursors from PSTPIP2-deficient mice exhibit increased osteoclastogenesis in vitro and were used to probe the structural requirements for PSTPIP2 suppression of osteoclast development. PSTPIP2 tyrosine phosphorylation and a functional F-BAR domain were essential for PSTPIP2 inhibition of TRAP expression and osteoclast precursor fusion, whereas interaction with PEST-type phosphatases was only required for suppression of TRAP expression. Thus, PSTPIP2 acts as a negative feedback regulator of CSF-1R signaling to suppress inflammation and osteoclastogenesis.

Distinct In Vivo Roles of Colony-Stimulating Factor-1 Isoforms in Renal Inflammation

CSF-1, the major regulator of macrophage (Mφ) development, has three biologically active isoforms: a membrane-spanning, cell surface glycoprotein, a secreted glycoprotein, and a secreted proteoglycan. We hypothesized that there are shared and unique roles of individual CSF-1 isoforms during renal inflammation. To test this, we evaluated transgenic mice only expressing the cell surface or precursors of the secreted CSF-1 isoforms for Mφ accumulation, activation, and Mφ-mediated tubular epithelial cell (TEC) apoptosis during unilateral ureteral obstruction. The only difference between secreted proteoglycan and secreted glycoprotein CSF-1 isoforms is the presence (proteoglycan) or absence (glycoprotein) of an 18-kDa chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan. We report that 1) cell surface CSF-1 isoform is sufficient to restore Mφ accumulation, activation, and TEC apoptosis to wild-type levels and is substantially more effective than the secreted CSF-1 isoforms; 2) the chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan facilitates Mφ accumulation, activation, and TEC apoptosis; 3) increasing the level of secreted proteoglycan CSF-1 in serum amplifies renal inflammation; and 4) cell-cell contact is required for Mφ to up-regulate CSF-1-dependent expression of IFN-γ. Taken together, we have identified central roles for the cell surface CSF-1 and the chondroitin sulfate chain on secreted proteoglycan CSF-1 during renal inflammation.

Roles for small noncoding RNAs in silencing of retrotransposons in the mammalian brain

Significance Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), a class of small noncoding RNAs whose primary function in mammals is silencing germline-resident retrotransposons, are also expressed in the Aplysia brain, where they play roles in memory storage. Transposons constitute a bulk of the genome and, when activated, can cause genomic instability and variability by integrating into various gene loci, including those in the mammalian brain, where they can modulate stress response and adaptive behavior and contribute to brain pathology. We show that small RNAs with conserved piRNA-like features are present in the mouse brain. In addition, we describe another class of small noncoding RNAs with features of endogenous siRNAs, which along with putative piRNAs could play critical roles by silencing brain-expressed retrotransposons contributing to mammalian behavior. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), long thought to be restricted to germline, have recently been discovered in neurons of Aplysia, with a role in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression underlying long-term memory. We here ask whether piwi/piRNAs are also expressed and have functional roles in the mammalian brain. Large-scale RNA sequencing and subsequent analysis of protein expression revealed the presence in brain of several piRNA biogenesis factors including a mouse piwi (Mili), as well as small RNAs, albeit at low levels, resembling conserved piRNAs in mouse testes [primarily LINE1 (long interspersed nuclear element1) retrotransposon-derived]. Despite the seeming low expression of these putative piRNAs, single-base pair CpG methylation analyses across the genome of Mili/piRNA-deficient (Mili−/−) mice demonstrate that brain genomic DNA is preferentially hypomethylated within intergenic areas and LINE1 promoter areas of the genome. Furthermore, Mili mutant mice exhibit behavioral deficits such as hyperactivity and reduced anxiety. These results suggest that putative piRNAs exist in mammalian brain, and similar to the role of piRNAs in testes, they may be involved in the silencing of retrotransposons, which in brain have critical roles in contributing to genomic heterogeneity underlying adaptation, stress response, and brain pathology. We also describe the presence of another class of small RNAs in the brain, with features of endogenous siRNAs, which may have taken over the role of invertebrate piRNAs in their capacity to target both transposons, as well as protein-coding genes. Thus, RNA interference through gene and retrotransposon silencing previously encountered in Aplysia may also have potential roles in the mammalian brain.

FGF-Dependent, Context-Driven Role for FRS Adapters in the Early Telencephalon

FGF signaling, an important component of intercellular communication, is required in many tissues throughout development to promote diverse cellular processes. Whether FGF receptors (FGFRs) accomplish such varied tasks in part by activating different intracellular transducers in different contexts remains unclear. Here, we used the developing mouse telencephalon as an example to study the role of the FRS adapters FRS2 and FRS3 in mediating the functions of FGFRs. Using tissue-specific and germline mutants, we examined the requirement of Frs genes in two FGFR-dependent processes. We found that Frs2 and Frs3 are together required for the differentiation of a subset of medial ganglionic eminence (MGE)-derived neurons, but are dispensable for the survival of early telencephalic precursor cells, in which any one of three FGFRs (FGFR1, FGFR2, or FGFR3) is sufficient for survival. Although FRS adapters are dispensable for ERK-1/2 activation, they are required for AKT activation within the subventricular zone of the developing MGE. Using an FRS2,3-binding site mutant of Fgfr1, we established that FRS adapters are necessary for mediating most or all FGFR1 signaling, not only in MGE differentiation, but also in cell survival, implying that other adapters mediate at least in part the signaling from FGFR2 and FGFR3. Our study provides an example of a contextual role for an intracellular transducer and contributes to our understanding of how FGF signaling plays diverse developmental roles. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT FGFs promote a range of developmental processes in many developing tissues and at multiple developmental stages. The mechanisms underlying this multifunctionality remain poorly defined in vivo. Using telencephalon development as an example, we show here that FRS adapters exhibit some selectivity in their requirement for mediating FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling and activating downstream mediators that depend on the developmental process, with a requirement in neuronal differentiation but not cell survival. Differential engagement of FRS and non-FRS intracellular adapters downstream of FGFRs could therefore in principle explain how FGFs play several distinct roles in other developing tissues and developmental stages.