Biology subjects

Dityatev, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Dityatev, A..

16 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Single neurons act as a memory buffer for space

Neurons are the fundamental units of cognitive processing. The prevailing view holds that neurons are input-output units that fire action potentials only upon receiving sufficient synaptic input. Here, we demonstrate that this may not be the sole operational mode of neurons in vivo during cognitive tasks, by showing that hippocampal place cells actively maintain firing and preserve spatial information through molecularly defined intrinsic mechanisms. Using in vitro and in vivo recordings coupled with molecular manipulation in mice, we reveal that hippocampal persistent firing during spatial working memory is supported by individual neurons via TRPC4 ion channels. Despite the general belief that persistent activity carries working memory content, we demonstrate that this firing maintains immediate spatial representations and is required for spatial working memory performance. These findings redefine neurons as active contributors to information retention, beyond their traditional role as passive input-output units, potentially reshaping our general understanding of computation in the brain.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

SNCA triplication disrupts proteostasis and extracellular architecture prior to neurodegeneration in human midbrain organoids

Synucleinopathies, including Parkinsons disease, are characterized by -synuclein (SNCA) aggregation and progressive neurodegeneration, yet the early molecular events linking SNCA gene dosage to disrupted proteostasis remain poorly understood. Here, we used human midbrain organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) carrying an SNCA triplication (SNCA Trip) and the isogenic corrected line (SNCA Isog) to dissect early pathogenic mechanisms in a 3D human model of synucleinopathy. We combined immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, tandem mass tag proteomics, bulk RNA sequencing, and ribosome profiling to systematically characterize molecular alterations in SNCA Trip organoids at day 50 (D50) and day 100 (D100) of maturation. SNCA Trip organoids exhibited increased -synuclein accumulation, neuromelanin deposition, and activation of mTORC1 (p-rpS6), ERK1/2, AKT and p-eIF2 signalling pathways by D100. Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed upregulation of cytoskeletal, synaptic, and axonal development pathways, alongside significant downregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and upregulation of perineuronal net (PNN) genes. Ribosome profiling showed minimal global translational changes but uncovered selective translational buffering of neuronal and ECM-associated transcripts. Confocal imaging confirmed progressive disorganization of pericellular and interstitial ECM structures around neurons in SNCA Trip organoids. Our findings demonstrate that SNCA triplication induces early proteostatic disruption and extracellular matrix remodelling prior to neurodegeneration and suggest that altered gene expression and ECM homeostasis may contribute to disease initiation and progression. Targeting these early aberrant mechanisms may offer new therapeutic opportunities for synucleinopathies, such as Parkinsons Disease.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Short Polysialic Acid Counteracts Age-Related Synaptic and Cognitive Deficits

Impaired activity of glutamate transporters, elevated concentration of extrasynaptic glutamate and hyperactivity of extrasynaptic GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors are common features in aging and several neurological conditions, including Alzheimers disease (AD). Previous studies revealed that polysialic acid (polySia), a glycan predominantly carried by the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM, inhibits extrasynaptic NMDA receptors and supports synaptic plasticity in healthy adult brains. Moreover, intranasal delivery of polySia with the degree of polymerization 12 (NANA12) rescued synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions in models of tauopathy and amyloidosis associated with AD. Here, we comparatively studied the effects of NANA12 in young (4 months) old (26 months) and very old (29 months) mice. Strikingly, NANA12 promoted cognitive flexibility in attentional set-shifting (ASST) tests and spatial memory in the Barnes maze in very old mice. To capture fine-grained effects undetectable by conventional methods, we introduced a novel trial-wise data analysis approach for evaluating ASST performance. The observed cognitive improvements were not due to changes in the size of hippocampal memory engrams, visualized by c-Fos immunolabeling after reactivation of spatial memory in the probe trial. Five-day treatment with NANA12 did not affect neuronal structure (MAP2 levels), expression of senescence (lipofuscin) or neuroinflammation (microglial Iba1) markers, activation of BDNF receptors (p-TrkB) or expression of endogenous polySia in the hippocampus of very old mice. However, cognitive improvements correlated with the normalized size of CD68+ microglial lysosomes and reduced amounts of pre- and postsynaptic proteins at these structures. Thus, our data demonstrate the potential of short polySia to reduce synaptic phagocytosis and restore key cognitive functions attenuated in aging.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Activity-dependent extracellular proteolytic cascade remodels ECM to promote structural plasticity

The brains perineuronal extracellular matrix (ECM) is a crucial factor in maintaining the stability of mature brain circuitry. However, how is activity-induced synaptic plasticity achieved in the adult brain with a dense ECM? We hypothesized that neuronal activity induces cleavage of ECM components, creating space for synaptic rearrangements. To test this hypothesis, we investigated neuronal activity-dependent proteolytic cleavage of brevican, a prototypical perineuronal ECM proteoglycan, and its importance of this process for functional and structural synaptic plasticity in the rat hippocampus ex vivo. Our findings revealed that chemical long-term potentiation (cLTP) triggers a rapid brevican cleavage through the activation of an extracellular proteolytic cascade involving proprotein convertases and ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5. This process is dependent on NMDA receptors and requires astrocytes. Interestingly, the extracellular full-length brevican increases upon cLTP, indicating a simultaneous secretion of ECM components. Interfering with cLTP-induced brevican cleavage did not impact the early LTP but prevented formation of new dendritic protrusions. Collectively, these results reveal a mechanism of activity-dependent ECM remodeling and suggest that ECM degradation is essential for structural synaptic plasticity.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Spatio-temporal dynamics of microglia phenotype in human and murine cSVD: impact of acute and chronic hypertensive states

Vascular risk factors such as chronic hypertension are well established major modifiable factors for the development of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). In the present study, our focus was the investigation of cSVD-related phenotypic changes in microglia in human disease and in the spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rat (SHRSP) model of cSVD. Our examination of cortical microglia in human post-mortem cSVD cortical tissue revealed distinct morphological microglial features specific to cSVD. We identified enlarged somata, an increase in the territory occupied by thickened microglial processes, and an expansion in the number of vascular-associated microglia. In parallel, we characterized microglia in a rodent model of hypertensive cSVD along different durations of arterial hypertension, i.e., early chronic and late chronic hypertension. Microglial somata were already enlarged in early hypertension, whereas at late-stage chronic hypertension they further exhibited elongat ed branches, thickened processes, and a reduced ramification index, mirroring the findings in human cSVD. An unbiased multidimensional flow cytometric analysis revealed phenotypic heterogeneit y among microglia cells within the hippocampus and cortex. At early-stage hypertension, hippocampal microglia exhibited upregulated CD11b/c, P2Y12R, CD200R, and CD86 surface markers. Detailed analysis of cell subpopulations revealed a unique microglial subset expressing CD11b/c, CD163, and CD86 exclusively in early hypertension. Notably, even at early-stage hypertension, microglia displayed a higher association with cerebral blood vessels. We identified several profound clusters of microglia expressing distinct marker profiles at late chronic hypertensive states. We further detected a temporal hypertension-related disturbances in blood-brain barrier integrity, accompanied by increased recruitment of leukocytes to the brain parenchyma in early hypertension. In summary, our findings demonstrate a higher vulnerability of the hippocampus, stage-specific microglial signatures based on morphological features, and cell surface protein expression in response to chronic arterial hypertension. These results indicate the diversity within microglia sub-populations and implicate the subtle involvement of microglia in cSVD pathogenesis.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Neural Extracellular Matrix Remodeling Signatures in Genetic and Acquired Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Epilepsies are multifaceted neurological disorders characterized by abnormal brain activity, e.g., caused by imbalanced synaptic excitation and inhibition. The neural extracellular matrix (ECM) is dynamically modulated by physiological and pathophysiological activity and critically involved in controlling the brains excitability. We used different epilepsy models, i.e. mice lacking the presynaptic scaffolding protein Bassoon at excitatory, inhibitory or all synapse types as genetic models for rapidly generalizing early-onset epilepsy, and intra-hippocampal kainate injection, a model for acquired temporal lobe epilepsy, to study the relationship between epileptic seizures and ECM composition. Electroencephalogram recordings revealed Bassoon deletion at excitatory or inhibitory synapses having diverse effects on epilepsy-related phenotypes. While constitutive Bsn mutants and GABAergic neuron-specific knockouts (BsnDlx5/6cKO) displayed severe epilepsy with more and stronger seizures than kainate-injected animals, mutants lacking Bassoon solely in excitatory forebrain neurons (BsnEmx1cKO) showed only mild impairments. By semiquantitative immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry we show model-specific patterns of neural ECM remodeling, and we also demonstrate significant upregulation of the ECM receptor CD44 in null and BsnDlx5/6cKO mutants. ECM-associated WFA-binding chondroitin sulfates were strongly augmented in seizure models. Strikingly, Brevican, Neurocan, Aggrecan and link protein Hapln1 levels reliably predicted seizure properties across models, suggesting a link between ECM state and epileptic phenotype.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Depletion of neurocan in the prefrontal cortex impairs temporal order recognition, cognitive flexibility and perisomatic GABAergic innervation

The condensed form of neural extracellular matrix (ECM), perineuronal nets (PNNs), is predominantly associated with parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) interneurons in the cortex and hippocampus. PNNs are enriched in several lecticans, including neurocan (Ncan). A polymorphism in the human Ncan gene has been associated with alterations in hippocampus-dependent memory function, variation of prefrontal cortex structure, and a higher risk for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Ncan knockout (KO) mice show related behavioral abnormalities, such as hyperactivity. Here we focused on studying how dysregulation of Ncan specifically in the mPFC may affect cognitive and synaptic functions. Intracortical adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery was used to express shRNA against Ncan. Analysis of PNNs in Ncan shRNA-injected mice revealed a reduction in PNNs labelling by Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA) around PV+ interneurons. Reduced Ncan expression resulted in a loss of the mPFC-dependent temporal order recognition and impairment of reversal spatial learning in a labyrinth (dry maze) task. As a potential synaptic substrate of these cognitive abnormalities, we report a robust reduction in the perisomatic GABAergic innervation of PV+ cells in Ncan KO and Ncan shRNA-injected mice. We also observed an increase in the density of vGLUT1-immunopositive synaptic puncta in the neuropil of Ncan shRNA-injected mice, which was, however, compensated in Ncan KO mice. Thus, our findings highlight a functional role of Ncan in supporting perisomatic GABAergic inhibition, temporal order recognition memory and cognitive flexibility, as one of the important cognitive resources depleted in neuropsychiatric disorders. Contribution to the fieldIn this study, we asked if the extracellular matrix proteoglycan neurocan (Ncan) plays a functional role in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of mice. Using viral delivery and expression of shRNA to knock down the expression of Ncan in the PFC, we provide evidence that neuronal Ncan is essential for the maintenance of perineuronal nets enveloping perisomatic interneurons by influencing the expression of glycoepitopes stained with Wisteria floribunda agglutinin and by modulating mRNA expression levels of other PNNs constituents. At the behavioral level, the knockdown of Ncan in mPFC impaired the temporal order recognition memory and consolidation/retrieval of spatial memories after reversal learning in the dry maze task. At the synaptic level, we found that Ncan knockdown reduced perisomatic GABAergic innervation of perisomatic interneurons and increased the density of vGLUT1+ excitatory presynaptic terminals in the neuropil of the PFC. Moreover, knockdown of Ncan changed the expression levels of several genes involved in activity-dependent synaptic remodeling. In summary, we conclude that neuronal Ncan is essential for multiple cognitive flexibility-related synaptic and cognitive functions in the PFC.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Extracellular Matrix Regulates Neuronal Chloride Concentration via K+-Cl--Cotransporter 2

The neuronal intracellular chloride concentration [Cl-]i is critical for {gamma}-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor-mediated transmission. Degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is associated with raised [Cl-]I but neither the mechanisms underlying this effect nor the consequences for GABA- mediated transmission are well understood. Hitherto it has been unclear how to reconcile the effect of the ECM on [Cl-]i with the established role of cation-chloride cotransporters in setting [Cl-]I. In the present work we clarify the role of the ECM in the control of neuronal [Cl-]i. By measuring [Cl-]i in central neurons from male rats we show that the ECM affects basal [Cl-]i as well as the rate of Cl- extrusion after a high load. The mechanism is not via impermeant anions but through regulation of K+-Cl--cotransporter 2 (KCC2). ECM degradation is accompanied by an N-type Ca2+-channel- and calpain-dependent reduction in the amount of KCC2 protein, increased basal [Cl-]i, reduced Cl- extrusion capacity as well as by reduced inhibitory, or even an excitatory, effect of intense GABAA- receptor mediated trans mission. This implies a previously unrecognized pathway for the control of neuronal [Cl-]i and excitability by the ECM. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=144 SRC="FIGDIR/small/527837v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (53K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1ee0d30org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a3eb1aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a00b44org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@143b43f_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Heparan sulfates regulate axonal excitability and context generalization through Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

Our previous studies demonstrated that enzymatic removal of highly sulfated heparan sulfates with heparinase 1 impaired axonal excitability and reduced expression of ankyrin G at the axon initial segments in the CA1 region of the hippocampus ex vivo, impaired context discrimination in vivo, and elevated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activity in vitro. Here, we show that in vivo delivery of heparinase 1 in the CA1 region of the hippocampus elevated autophosphorylation of CaMKII 24 hours after injection in mice. Patch-clamp recording in CA1 neurons revealed no significant heparinase effects on the amplitude or frequency of miniature excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents, while the threshold for action potential generation was increased and fewer spikes were generated in response to current injection. Delivery of heparinase on the next day after contextual fear conditioning induced context overgeneralization 24 hours after injection. Co-administration of heparinase with the CaMKII inhibitor (autocamtide-2-related inhibitory peptide) rescued neuronal excitability and expression of ankyrin G at the axon initial segment. It also restored context discrimination, suggesting a key role of CaMKII in neuronal signaling downstream of heparan sulfate proteoglycans and highlighting a link between impaired CA1 pyramidal cell excitability and context generalization during recall of contextual memories.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Vascular and neural transcriptomics reveal stage-dependent pathways to inflammation and cognitive dysfunction in a rat model of hypertension

Chronic arterial hypertension causes cerebral microvascular dysfunction and doubles dementia risk in aging. However, cognitive health preservation by therapeutic blood pressure lowering alone is limited and depends on disease duration, the degree of irreversible tissue damage and whether microvascular function can be restored. This study aimed to understand molecular and cellular temporo-spatial pathomechanisms in the course of hypertension. We investigated the effects of initial, early chronic and late chronic hypertension in the frontal brain of rats by applying behavioral tests, histopathology, immunofluorescence, FACS, microvascular/neural tissue RNA sequencing as well as 18F-FDG PET imaging. Chronic hypertension caused frontal brain-specific behavioral deficits. Our results highlight stage-dependent responses to continuous microvascular stress and wounding by hypertension. Early responses included a fast recruitment of activated microglia to the blood vessels, immigration of peripheral immune cells, blood-brain-barrier leakage and an energy-demanding hypermetabolic state. Vascular adaptation mechanisms were observed in later stages and included angiogenesis and vessel wall strengthening by upregulation of cellular adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix. Additionally, we identified late chronic accumulation of Igfbp-5 in the brains of hypertensive rats, which is also a signature of Alzheimers dementia and attenuates protective Igf-1 signaling. Our study advances the knowledge of involved pathomechanisms and highlights the stage-dependent nature of hypertensive pathobiology. This groundwork might be helpful for basic and clinical research to identify stage-dependent markers in the human disease course, investigate stage-dependent interventions besides blood pressure lowering and better understand the relationship between poor vascular health and neurodegenerative diseases.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

A shift in the mechanisms controlling hippocampal engram formation during brain maturation

The ability to form precise, episodic memories develops with age, with young children only able to form gist-like memories that lack precision. The cellular and molecular events in the developing hippocampus that underlie the emergence of precise, episodic-like memory formation are unclear. In mice, the absence of a competitive neuronal engram allocation process in the immature hippocampus precluded the formation of sparse engrams and precise memories until the fourth postnatal week, when inhibitory circuits in the hippocampus mature. This age-dependent shift in precision of episodic-like memories involved the functional maturation of parvalbumin-expressing interneurons in subfield CA1 by extracellular perineuronal nets which is necessary and sufficient for the onset of competitive neuronal allocation, sparse engram formation, and memory precision. One-Sentence SummaryEpisodic-like memory precision requires maturation of hippocampal inhibitory interneurons by the extracellular matrix.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Extracellular matrix remodeling through endocytosis and resurfacing of Tenascin-R

The brain extracellular matrix (ECM) assembles around neurons and synapses, and is thought to change only rarely, through proteolysis and renewed protein synthesis. We report here an alternative ECM remodeling mechanism, based on the recycling of ECM molecules. We found that a key ECM protein, Tenascin-R, is frequently endocytosed, and later resurfaces, preferentially near synapses. The TNR molecules complete this cycle within [~]3 days, in an activity-dependent fashion.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

A synthetic synaptic organizer protein restores glutamatergic neuronal circuits

Neuronal synapses undergo structural and functional changes throughout life, essential for nervous system physiology. However, these changes may also perturb the excitatory/inhibitory neurotransmission balance and trigger neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. Molecular tools to restore this balance are highly desirable. Here, we report the design and characterization of CPTX, a synthetic synaptic organizer combining structural elements from cerebellin-1 and neuronal pentraxin-1 to interact with presynaptic neurexins and postsynaptic AMPA-type ionotropic glutamate receptors. CPTX induced the formation of excitatory synapses in vitro and in vivo and restored synaptic functions, motor coordination, spatial and contextual memories, and locomotion in mouse models for cerebellar ataxia, Alzheimers disease and spinal cord injury, respectively. Thus, CPTX represents a prototype for novel structure-guided biologics that can efficiently repair or remodel neuronal circuits. One Sentence SummaryStructural biology information was used to design CPTX, a synthetic protein that induces functional excitatory synapses and restores normal behaviors in mouse models of neurological diseases.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2019

LGI1 downregulation increases neuronal circuit excitability

LGI1 (Leucine-Rich Glioma-Inactivated 1) is a secreted trans-synaptic protein that interacts presynaptically with Kv1.1 potassium channels and ADAM23, and postsynaptically, influencing AMPA receptors through a direct link with the ADAM22 cell adhesion protein. Haploinsufficiency of LGI1 or autoantibodies directed against LGI1 are associated with human epilepsy, generating the hypothesis that a subacute reduction of LGI1 is sufficient to increase network excitability. We tested this hypothesis in ex vivo hippocampal slices and in neuronal cultures, by subacutely reducing LGI1 expression with shRNA. Injection of shRNA-LGI1 in the hippocampus increased dentate granule cell excitability and low frequency facilitation of mossy fibers to CA3 pyramidal cell neurotransmission. Application of the Kv1 family blocker, alpha-dendrotoxin, occluded this effect, implicating the involvement of Kv1.1. This subacute reduction of LGI1 was also sufficient to increase neuronal network activity in neuronal primary culture. These results indicate that a subacute reduction in LGI1 potentiates neuronal excitability and short-term synaptic plasticity, and increases neuronal network excitability, opening new avenues for the treatment of limbic encephalitis and temporal lobe epilepsies. Significant StatementDown-regulation of LGI1 protein increases excitability at mossy fiber to CA3 pyramidal cell synapses and in hippocampal primary cultures. These alterations alter network function and so could contribute to symptoms observed in patients affected by limbic encephalitis.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2019

Epigenetic mechanism of carbohydrate sulfotransferase 3 (CHST3) downregulation in the aging brain

Neural extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex molecular meshwork surrounding neurons and glial cells in the extracellular space. Structural and functional state of ECM in the brain is tightly regulated by various components of neural ECM such as hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, link proteins, tenascins, various matrix-modifying enzymes such as chondroitin sulfate synthases and carbohydrate sulfotransferase together with matrix-degrading enzymes. Age-dependent accumulation of ECM molecules is implicated in the age-associated decline in synaptic and cognitive functions. Understanding age-associated changes in the expression of genes involved in regulating various components of ECM can provide an insight into the role of ECM in the aging brain. Hence, in this study, we compared the expression levels of ECM regulating genes in three groups of mice: 2-3 months old mice (2-3M), 22- to 26-month-old mice (22-26M) and more than 30-month-old mice (>30M). Using qPCR, we discovered that in the hippocampus of >30M old mice, the majority of ECM related genes are downregulated, while genes related to neuroinflammation are highly upregulated. This pattern was accompanied by a decrease in cognitive performance of the >30M old mice and was most correlated among ECM-related genes with the downregulation of carbohydrate sulfotransferase 3 (CHST3) gene expression. Interestingly, in 24-26M mice, no general decrease in the expression of ECM related genes was observed, although we still found the upregulation in neuroinflammatory genes and downregulation of CHST3. Further analysis of epigenetic mechanisms revealed a decrease in H3K4me3, three methyl groups at the lysine 4 on the histone H3 proteins, associated with the promoter region of CHST3 gene in non-neuronal (NeuN-negative) but not in neuronal (NeuN-positive) cells. We conclude that in 22-26 M old brains there are minor changes in expression of the studied bona fide neural ECM genes but there is a prominent epigenetic dysregulation of the CHST3 gene responsible for 6-sulfation of chondroitin sulfates, which may lead to impaired brain plasticity and cognitive decline.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2019

Dopamine modulates the integrity of the perisynaptic extracellular matrix at excitatory synapses

In the brain, Hebbian-type and homeostatic forms of plasticity are affected by neuromodulators like dopamine (DA). Modifications of the perisynaptic extracellular matrix (ECM), controlling functions and mobility of synaptic receptors as well as diffusion of transmitters and neuromodulators in the extracellular space, are crucial for the manifestation of plasticity. Mechanistic links between synaptic activation and ECM modifications are largely unknown. Here, we report that neuromodulation via D1-type DA receptors can induce targeted ECM proteolysis specifically at excitatory synapses of rat cortical neurons via proteases ADAMTS-4 and -5. We show that receptor activation induces increased proteolysis of brevican (BC) and aggrecan, two major constituents of the adult ECM, in vivo and in vitro. ADAMTS immunoreactivity is detected near synapses, and shRNA-mediated knockdown reduced BC cleavage. We outline a molecular scenario how synaptic activity and neuromodulation are linked to ECM rearrangements via increased cAMP levels, NMDA receptor activation, and intracellular calcium signaling.

neuroscience↗