Biology subjects

Chou, V.

Publications and source records attributed to Chou, V..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

INPP5D/SHIP1 regulates inflammasome activation in human microglia

Microglia and neuroinflammation are implicated in the development and progression of Alzheimers disease (AD). To better understand microglia-mediated processes in AD, we studied the function of INPP5D/SHIP1, a gene linked to AD through GWAS. Immunostaining and single nucleus RNA sequencing confirmed that INPP5D expression in the adult human brain is largely restricted to microglia. Examination of prefrontal cortex across a large cohort revealed reduced full length INPP5D protein levels in AD patient brains compared to cognitively normal controls. The functional consequences of reduced INPP5D activity were evaluated in human induced pluripotent stem cell derived microglia (iMGLs), using both pharmacological inhibition of the phosphatase activity of INPP5D and genetic reduction in copy number. Unbiased transcriptional and proteomic profiling of iMGLs suggested an upregulation of innate immune signaling pathways, lower levels of scavenger receptors, and altered inflammasome signaling with INPP5D reduction. INPP5D inhibition induced the secretion of IL-1{beta} and IL-18, further implicating inflammasome activation. Inflammasome activation was confirmed through visualization of inflammasome formation through ASC immunostaining in INPP5D-inhibited iMGLs, increased cleaved caspase-1 and through rescue of elevated IL-1{beta} and IL-18 with caspase-1 and NLRP3 inhibitors. This work implicates INPP5D as a regulator of inflammasome signaling in human microglia.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Cell-type-specific regulation of APOE levels in human neurons by the Alzheimer's disease risk gene SORL1

SORL1 is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease (AD) through human genetic studies that point to an association of reduced SORL1 levels with higher risk for AD. To interrogate the role(s) of SORL1 in human brain cells, SORL1 null iPSCs were generated, followed by differentiation to neuron, astrocyte, microglia, and endothelial cell fates. Loss of SORL1 led to alterations in both overlapping and distinct pathways across cell types, with the greatest effects in neurons and astrocytes. Intriguingly, SORL1 loss led to a dramatic neuron-specific reduction in APOE levels. Further, analyses of iPSCs derived from a human aging cohort revealed a neuron-specific linear correlation between SORL1 and APOE RNA and protein levels, a finding validated in human post-mortem brain. Pathway analysis implicated intracellular transport pathways and TGF- {beta}/SMAD signaling in the function of SORL1 in neurons. In accord, enhancement of retromer-mediated trafficking and autophagy rescued elevated phospho-tau observed in SORL1 null neurons but did not rescue APOE levels, suggesting that these phenotypes are separable. Stimulation and inhibition of SMAD signaling modulated APOE RNA levels in a SORL1-dependent manner. These studies provide a mechanistic link between two of the strongest genetic risk factors for AD.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Gasdermin-E mediates mitochondrial damage in axons and neurodegeneration

Mitochondrial dysfunction and axon loss are hallmarks of neurologic diseases. Gasdermin (GSDM) proteins are executioner pore-forming molecules that mediate cell death, yet their roles in the central nervous system (CNS) are not well understood. Here, we find that one GSDM family member, GSDME is expressed by both mouse and human neurons. GSDME plays a role in mitochondrial damage and axon loss. Mitochondrial neurotoxins induced caspase-dependent GSDME cleavage and rapid localization to mitochondria in axons, where GSDME promoted mitochondrial depolarization, trafficking defects, and neurite retraction. The frontotemporal dementia (FTD)/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-associated proteins TDP-43 and PR-50 induced GSDME-mediated damage to mitochondria and neurite loss. GSDME deficiency prolonged survival, ameliorated motor dysfunction, and rescued motor neuron loss in the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS. GSDME knockdown also protected against neurite loss in ALS patient iPSC-derived motor neurons. Thus, we identify GSDME as an executioner of neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction that contributes to neurodegeneration. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=178 SRC="FIGDIR/small/513927v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (25K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@113c13dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1f3c5caorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@13e75adorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@19fdc93_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIGSDME is expressed by neurons and activated by mitochondrial neurotoxins C_LIO_LIActivated GSDME drives axonal mitochondrial damage and neurite loss prior to cell death C_LIO_LIALS/FTD associated TDP-43 and PR-50 induces GSDME-driven neurite loss in mouse and human iPSC-derived neurons. C_LIO_LISOD1G93A mice show ameliorated disease progression and motor neuron loss in absence of GSDME C_LI

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Identification of palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 substrates defines roles for synaptic depalmitoylation

Loss-of-function mutations in the depalmitoylating enzyme palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) cause Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis type 1 (CLN1), a devastating neurodegenerative disease. Here, we provide a resource identifying PPT1 substrates. We utilized Acyl Resin-Assisted Capture and mass spectrometry to identify proteins with increased in vivo palmitoylation in PPT1 knockout mouse brains. We then validated putative substrates through direct depalmitoylation with recombinant PPT1. This stringent screen elucidated >100 novel PPT1 substrates at the synapse, including channels and transporters, G-protein-associated molecules, endo/exocytic components, synaptic adhesion molecules, and mitochondrial proteins. Cysteine depalmitoylation sites in transmembrane PPT1 substrates frequently participate in disulfide bonds in the mature protein. We confirmed that depalmitoylation regulates disulfide bond formation in a tertiary screen analyzing post-translational modifications. Collectively, the diverse PPT1 substrates highlight the role of PPT1 in mediating synapse functions, implicate molecular pathways in the etiology of CLN1, and advance our basic understanding of the purpose of depalmitoylation. HighlightsO_LI[~]10% of palmitoylated proteins are palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) substrates C_LIO_LIUnbiased proteomic approaches identify 9 distinct classes of PPT1 substrates, including synaptic adhesion molecules and endocytic proteins C_LIO_LIProtein degradation does not require depalmitoylation by PPT1 C_LIO_LIDepalmitoylation mediates disulfide bond formation in transmembrane PPT1 substrates C_LI

neuroscience↗