Abdurrob, F. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2020

Probing the functions of microglial cyclin-dependent kinase 5 under physiological and pathological conditions

Cyclin dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) regulates various developmental and physiological processes in the central nervous system. Deregulation of Cdk5 activity in neurons induces severe neurodegeneration and has been implicated in Alzheimers disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative conditions. A large fraction of AD risk genes are highly expressed in microglia, highlighting an important role for these cells in AD pathogenesis. While Cdk5 function in neurons is well characterized, our understanding of its roles in microglial function under physiological and neurodegenerative conditions remain rudimentary. Here, we investigate the roles of Cdk5 in microglia using myeloid-specific Cdk5 conditional knockout mice. Using microglia-specific transcriptome profiling, histological analyses, and behavioral assessments, we found that knockout of Cdk5 in microglia for 1 month induced transcriptional changes characterized by upregulation of cell cycle processes and type I interferon signaling genes in both physiological conditions and AD-related amyloidogenesis. In contrast to the robust transcriptional changes, conditional loss of microglial Cdk5 produced minimal effects on the density and morphology of microglia and their phagocytic activity toward myelin debris. Moreover, Cdk5cKO mice exhibited little change in synaptic density and tasks associated with locomotor, anxiety-like, and memory-related behaviors. Our findings indicate that the conditional loss of Cdk5 in microglia induces rapid alterations of microglial transcriptome with minimal or delayed effects on histological and behavioral responses.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2017

3D Mapping Reveals Network-specific Amyloid Progression and Subcortical Susceptibility.

Alzheimers disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative condition for which there is no cure. Prominent hypotheses posit that accumulation of beta-amyloid (A{beta}) peptides drives the neurodegeneration that underlies memory loss, however the spatial origins of the lesions remain elusive. Using SWITCH, we created a spatiotemporal map of A{beta} deposition in a mouse model of amyloidosis. We report that structures connected by the fornix show primary susceptibility to A{beta} accumulation and demonstrate that aggregates develop in increasingly complex networks with age. Notably, the densest early A{beta} aggregates occur in the mammillary body coincident with electrophysiological alterations. In later stages, the fornix itself also develops overt A{beta} burden. Finally, we confirm A{beta} in the mammillary body of postmortem patient specimens. Together, our data suggest that subcortical memory structures are particularly vulnerable to A{beta} deposition and that functional alterations within and physical propagation from these regions may underlie the affliction of increasingly complex networks.\n\nAuthor ContributionsRGC, KC, L-HT, ID conceived of the work and planned the experiments.\n\nRGC, HC, JW, LAW, CGY, FA, SMB performed experiments and analyzed data.\n\nHC built the custom microscope.\n\nRGC, L-HT, KC, ID wrote the manuscript.

neuroscience↗