Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “cortical development”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Maturation-dependent upregulation of growth-promoting molecules in developing cortical plate controls thalamic and cortical neurite growth.

We have tested the hypothesis that maturation-dependent changes in the cortical plate affect the spatiotemporal growth patterns of developing thalamocortical and corticocortical axonal projections. Given a choice between alternating lanes of embryonic (E18-19) and neonatal (P0-1) rat cortical plate membranes, embryonic (E18-19) thalamic and cortical neurites prefer to extend on neonatal membranes. Thalamic and cortical explants do extend neurites on uniform carpets of E19 cortical plate membranes, but the outgrowth is consistently greater on uniform carpets of P1 cortical plate membranes. These experiments demonstrate a maturation-dependent enhancement in the ability of cortical plate to support neurite growth from thalamic and cortical explants. In contrast, retinal and cerebellar neurites, which do not grow into cortex in vivo, generally grew poorly on these membranes, suggesting a degree of specificity to the neurite growth response. Immunohistochemical analysis of developing cortex suggests that several extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell adhesion molecules are upregulated in cortical plate. However, immunocharacterization of membrane carpets for these same ECM and cell adhesion molecules suggests that the growth preferences of thalamic and cortical neurites in vitro are predominantly influenced by membrane-anchored, rather than ECM, molecules. Western analysis of E19 and P1 cortical plate membranes supports this conclusion, and indicates that the membrane-anchored cell adhesion molecules L1 and N-CAM are more abundant in the P1 cortical plate membrane preparation. Experiments in which cortical plate membranes were treated to remove molecules sensitive to phosphatidylinositol (PI)-specific phospholipase C demonstrate that neurite growth promoters present in E19 cortical plate membranes are predominantly PI linked, whereas those present in P1 membranes are predominantly non-PI linked. These findings indicate that the neurite growth preferences are mediated, at least in part, by an upregulation of neurite growth-promoting molecules in developing cortical plate that are not PI linked. Taken together, these findings suggest that a maturation-dependent upregulation of neurite growth-promoting molecules on cortical plate cells controls the invasion of the cortical plate by thalamocortical and corticocortical axons.

Aging↗

Cell-type-specific dysregulation of gene expression due to Chd8 haploinsufficiency during mouse cortical development.

Disruptive variants in the chromodomain helicase CHD8 are associated with risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). CHD8 haploinsufficiency is hypothesized to contribute to ASD by perturbing neurodevelopmental gene expression. However, insight into cell-type-specific transcriptional effects of CHD8 haploinsufficiency remains limited. We used single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify dysregulated genes in the embryonic and juvenile Chd8+/- mouse cortex. Chd8 and other ASD risk-associated genes showed a convergent expression trajectory conserved between mouse and human developing cortex, increasing from progenitor zones to the cortical plate. Genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders or involved in chromatin remodeling and neuron projection development were dysregulated in Chd8+/- embryonic radial glia. Genes implicated in synaptic activity and organization were dysregulated in Chd8+/- postnatal excitatory cortical neurons, suggesting impaired synaptogenesis. Our findings reveal complex patterns of transcriptional dysregulation due to Chd8 haploinsufficiency, potentially with distinct impacts on progenitors and maturing neurons in the excitatory neuronal lineage.

Animals↗

Genetics of disorders of cortical development.

Since the advent of MR imaging, cortical malformations have become an increasingly recognized cause of epilepsy and neurologic impairment. Improved radiographic characterization of cortical malformations has been requisite to defining their genetics, and a large portion of these disorders are now known to have a genetic basis. Uncovering genetic etiologies has provided insight into phenotypic diversity, revealed the importance of de novo mutations, and resulted in improved radiographic-genetic correlation. This article provides an overview of major cerebral cortical malformations and focuses on the genetic mechanisms of their causation.

Cerebral Cortex↗

Neuronal roles of the integrin-associated protein (IAP/CD47) in developing cortical neurons.

Little is known about the role of the integrin-associated protein (IAP, or CD47) in neuronal development and its function in the central nervous system. We investigated neuronal responses in IAP-overexpressing cortical neurons using a virus-gene transfer system. We found that dendritic outgrowth was significantly enhanced in IAP (form 4)-transfected neurons. Furthermore, synaptic proteins including synaptotagmin, syntaxin, synapsin I, and SNAP25 (25-kDa synaptosomal associated protein) were up-regulated. In accordance with this finding, the release of the excitatory transmitter glutamate and the frequencies of Ca2+ oscillations (glutamate-mediated synaptic transmission) were increased. Interestingly, the overexpression of IAP activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and this activation was required for the IAP-dependent biological effects. After down-regulation of the endogenous IAP by small interfering RNA, MAPK activity, synaptic protein levels, and glutamate release decreased. These observations suggest that the IAP plays important roles in dendritic outgrowth and synaptic transmission in developing cortical neurons through the activation of MAPK.

Adenoviridae↗

Basic helix-loop-helix factors in cortical development.

Transcription factors with bHLH motifs modulate critical events in the development of the mammalian neocortex. Multipotent cortical progenitors are maintained in a proliferative state by bHLH factors from the Id and Hes families. The transition from proliferation to neurogenesis involves a coordinate increase in the activity of proneural bHLH factors (Mash1, Neurogenin1, and Neurogenin2) and a decrease in the activity of Hes and Id factors. As development proceeds, inhibition of proneural bHLH factors in cortical progenitors promotes the formation of astrocytes. Finally, the formation of oligodendrocytes is triggered by an increase in the activity of bHLH factors Olig1 and Olig2 that may be coupled with a decrease in Id activity. Thus, bHLH factors have key roles in corticogenesis, affecting the timing of differentiation and the specification of cell fate.

Animals↗

Disturbances of cortical development.

The development processes coinciding in formation of cerebral cortex were presented. On this background may arise the cortical developmental abnormalities. The review of principal cortical malformations include the 1) agyria-pachygyria - lissencephaly type I, 2) polymicrogyria, 3) disorganized cortical structure - lissencephaly type II, 4) minor cortical developmental anomalies and 5) other cortical dysplasia syndromes. It will help to reconstruct the pathomechanism of cortical abnormal development from early occurring primary errors to late changes in which coincide necrotic lesions. The presented material illustrate the role of time of occurrence and intensity of damage in final result of pathologic developmental processes.

Cerebral Cortex↗

Initiation and growth of ectopic neurites and meganeurites during postnatal cortical development in ganglioside storage disease.

The incidence of cortical pyramidal neurons displaying meganeurites or enlarged axon hillocks with ectopic spines and neurites was evaluated developmentally using feline models of GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis. Results of these studies demonstrated that the onset of ectopic neurite growth occurred after the elaboration of dendrites on cortical pyramidal neurons, and that the time of onset of this renewed dendritogenesis was similar in the two diseases. Initiation and growth of ectopic neurites also correlated in a general way with onset and progression of clinical deterioration in both diseases. In GM1 gangliosidosis there was a greater tendency toward formation of meganeurites, whereas in cats with GM2 gangliosidosis the growth of ectopic axon hillock neurites without meganeurites predominated. At end-stage disease in GM2 gangliosidosis, nearly 90% of pyramidal cells displayed some degree of axon hillock neurite growth as opposed to less than half this number for GM1 gangliosidosis cats at the same age. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that there are two separate driving forces behind these somadendritic abnormalities of pyramidal neurons in the gangliosidoses. Excessive intraneuronal accumulation of storage vacuoles accounts for the formation of meganeurites, whereas some type of intrinsic metabolic defect results in axon hillock neurite growth which in turn offers new surface area for synaptic input. Currently available data indicate that GM2 or GM3 ganglioside, or a closely related metabolic product other than GM1 ganglioside, may be primarily associated with the growth of ectopic dendritic processes on morphologically mature neurons in storage diseases.

Animals↗

Inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor-sensitive Ca(2+) release, store-operated Ca(2+) entry, and cAMP responsive element binding protein phosphorylation in developing cortical cells following exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls.

The present study assessed intracellular Ca(2+) signaling pathways sensitive to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), xenobiotics that perturb neural development and plasticity. Mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+) stores after acute exposure to a PCB mixture, Aroclor 1254 (A1254), as well as selected PCB congeners, was studied in P0 rat cortical neuronal culture using fluorescence microscopy. Ca(2+) responses to A1254 progressed from a transient intracellular Ca(2+) increase (lasting 3--5 min) at 1 to 2 microM (0.3-0.6 ppm) to a Ca(2+) transient with store-operated Ca(2+) influx and later disturbances of basal Ca(2+) concentration; this latter pattern occurred more often with 10 to 20 microM (3--6 ppm) A1254. Thapsigargin, xestospongin C, and carbachol/Ca(2+)-free buffer blocked significantly the PCB-induced Ca(2+) transient, whereas both ryanodine (to deplete ryanodine-sensitive stores) and the L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker nifedipine were without effect on the A1254 initial Ca(2+) transient. Both thapsigargin and xestospongin also blocked latent elevations (at 0.5 h) in Ca(2+), disturbances that depend upon extracellular Ca(2+) entry via ion channels. Two possible consequences were explored. Phosphorylation of cAMP responsive element binding protein, a Ca(2+)-activated nuclear transcription factor (CREB), occurred in an A1254 concentration-dependent manner and persisted at least 1 h. Cell viability following a 24-h exposure to A1254 (2-20 microM) was decreased at 20 microM, but only in cells cultured >6 days. This cell death did not occur via an apoptotic mechanism. These results indicate that Ca(2+) disturbances following PCB exposure are associated with 1) discrete alterations in IP(3) receptor-mediated signals and 2) activation of downstream events that impact developing cortical cells.

Animals↗

Regulation of the POU domain gene SCIP during cerebral cortical development.

The mammalian cerebral cortex is patterned into layers of neurons that share characteristic morphologies, physiological properties, and axonal connections. Neurons in the various layers are thought to acquire their lamina-specific identities shortly before the time of their final mitosis in the cortical ventricular zone. In order to investigate the molecular basis of laminar patterning in the CNS, we have performed in situ hybridization studies of the POU homeodomain gene SCIP (also known as Tst-1 or Oct-6), which is expressed in proliferating Schwann cells in the PNS and O2A progenitor cells in the developing CNS. In the CNS of adult rats, SCIP is expressed at high levels in the cerebral cortex, specifically in layer 5 pyramidal neurons that form subcortical axonal connections. SCIP is both temporally and spatially regulated during cortical development. Its initial expression in the intermediate zone and cortical plate is correlated with the early migration and differentiation of layer 5 neurons. SCIP hybridization was not, however, observed within the ventricular zone during the period of neurogenesis. SCIP is also expressed at high levels in the neurons of cortical layer 2/3, during their migration and differentiation within the cortical plate. This expression in the upper layers is apparently downregulated during postnatal periods, with the adult pattern apparent by postnatal day 30 (P30). POU domain genes are thought to play a role in cell lineage and cell fate decisions in several systems; thus, SCIP may serve a function in generating discrete laminar phenotypes in the developing cerebral cortex. In addition, since SCIP is a putative repressor of myelin gene expression, our results suggest that SCIP plays a role in regulating transcription in differentiated CNS neurons as well as in proliferating glial precursors.

Aging↗

Netrin-1 induces axon branching in developing cortical neurons by frequency-dependent calcium signaling pathways.

A single axon can innervate multiple targets by collateral branching. Axon branching is thus essential for establishing CNS connectivity. However, surprisingly little is known about the mechanisms by which branching is regulated. Axons often stop elongating before branches develop and anatomical and molecular data suggest that axon branching occurs independent of axon outgrowth. We found that netrin-1 dramatically increases cortical axon branching. Here, we sought to identify intracellular signaling components involved in netrin-1-induced axon branching. Using live cell imaging of dissociated developing cortical neurons, we show that netrin-1 rapidly increases the frequency of repetitive calcium transients. These transients are often restricted to small regions of the axon. Simultaneous imaging of calcium activity and development of axon branches revealed that Ca2+ transients coincide spatially and temporally with protrusion of branches from the axon. Remarkably, fully formed branches with motile growth cones could develop de novo within 20 min. Netrin-1-induced Ca2+ transients involve release from intracellular stores and Ca2+ signaling is essential for netrin-1-induced axon branching. Using techniques to overexpress or suppress kinase activity, we find that calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) are major downstream targets of the netrin-1 calcium signaling pathway and are required for axon branching. CaMKII, but not MAPK, is also involved in axon outgrowth. The role of CaMKII and MAPKs in axon branching is consistent with the sensitivity of these kinases to changes in the frequency Ca2+ transients. Together, these novel findings define calcium signaling mechanisms required for development of new axon branches promoted by a guidance cue.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Unique profiles of the alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and beta-adrenergic receptors in the developing cortical plate and transient embryonic zones of the rhesus monkey.

Film receptor autoradiography was used to study the distribution of alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and beta-adrenergic receptors in the occipital lobe of developing rhesus monkeys ranging in age from the 65th embryonic day (E65) to adulthood (5 years of age). The study shows that each adrenergic receptor subtype has a unique distribution in the cortical plate and transient embryonic zones of the developing cerebral wall. For example, alpha 1 receptors are prominent throughout the proliferative ventricular and subventricular zones while alpha 2 receptors in the same zones form three distinct bands interdigitated with three bands rich in beta sites. There are also considerable temporal differences in the emergence of adrenergic receptor subtypes in specific embryonic zones. For instance, the high density of alpha 1 sites in the germinal zones occurs only in conjunction with intensive proliferative activity. In contrast, beta receptors emerge in these zones after the majority of cortical neurons have been generated. The transient embryonic zones often display higher densities of adrenergic sites than the cortical plate itself. In particular, the subplate zone subjacent to the developing visual cortex contains the highest density of alpha 2-adrenergic sites in the cerebral wall throughout all prenatal ages studies. Finally, the regional differences in the density of beta-adrenergic receptors are evident in the subplate zone underlying the prospective striate and extrastriate cortex before such differences emerge in the cortical plate. The early appearance, unique pattern of distribution, and time-dependent changes of adrenergic receptors in the transient embryonic zones suggest their involvement in the regulation of the cortical development.

Aging↗

Pathology of cortical development and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Epilepsy is a well-documented consequence of about 150 rare genetic syndromes and malformations of the central nervous system. These syndromes are generally associated with fairly gross defects within the central nervous system and they were thought to be responsible for a small minority of cases. However, improved methods of neuropathological investigations and extensive magnetic resonance imaging studies have revealed a range of disturbances in cortical cytoarchitecture in patients with epileptic seizures previously considered as idiopathic (up to 70% of epilepsy). Structural abnormalities have also been demonstrated in the brain in schizophrenia. These consist of disturbed cortical cytoarchitecture (best described in the temporal lobe) and a diffuse loss of grey matter. The absence of the pathological stigma characteristic of degenerative processes indicates that these structural changes are the result of an abnormal pattern of brain development. The relationship between the type and location of developmental abnormality and the subsequent clinical syndrome (e.g. generalized or localized epilepsy) and the effects of aberrant cortical development on the functional integrity of the adult brain require definition.

Cerebral Cortex↗

Identification of ventricular-side-enriched molecules regulated in a stage-dependent manner during cerebral cortical development.

Radial glial cells are the main component of the embryonic cortical ventricular zone (VZ), producing deep-layer excitatory neurons in the early stage and upper-layer excitatory neurons in the late stage of development. Previous studies have suggested that the laminar fate of deep-layer neurons might be determined by early-stage-specific secretory or transmembrane molecules (S/TMs) in the VZ. However, the different properties required to produce the different types of neurons in early-stage and late-stage VZ cells are largely unknown. Herein, we investigated the stage-dependent transcriptional profiles of the ventricular side of the mouse cortex, which was manually dissected at embryonic day (E)12, E14 and E16, and identified 3985 'VZ-enriched' genes, regulated stage-dependently, by GeneChip analysis. These molecules were classified into nine types based on stage-dependent regulation patterns. Prediction programs for the S/TMs revealed 659 'VZ-enriched' S/TMs. In situ hybridization and real-time PCR analysis for several of these molecules showed results consistent with the statistical analysis of the GeneChip experiments. Moreover, we identified 17 cell cycle-related early-stage and 'VZ-enriched' molecules. These molecules included not only those involved in cell cycle progression, but also essential molecules for DNA double-strand break repair, such as Rad51 and Rpa1. These results suggest that the early stage-VZ cells, which produce both deep- and upper-layer neurons, and the late-stage VZ cells, which produce only upper-layer neurons, are intrinsically different. The gene lists presented here will be useful for the investigation of stage-dependent changes in VZ cells and their regulatory mechanisms in the developing cortex.

Animals↗

Temporally and spatially regulated expression of a candidate G-protein-coupled receptor during cerebral cortical development.

Genes expressed in layer-specific patterns in the mammalian cerebral cortex may play a role in specifying the identity of different cortical layers. Using PCR-differential display, we identified a cDNA that encodes rCNL3, a gene cloned previously by sequence homology to G-protein-coupled receptors. rCNL3 is expressed predominantly in layers 2-4 of the young rat cortex and in the developing and adult striatum. Cortical expression of rCNL3 begins postnatally at P3 and continues at high levels until around P15, while striatal expression begins at E20 and continues through adulthood. rCNL3 expression is not detectable in the ventricular zone precursors that generate the neurons of layers 2-4. The expression pattern of rCNL3 in the developing cortex suggests that rCNL3 is not involved in the initial specification of laminar fate, but rather may be involved with later differentiation events within the superficial cortical layers.

Age Factors↗

Opposing roles for neurotrophin-3 in targeting and collateral formation of distinct sets of developing cortical neurons.

Neurotrophin-3 and its receptor TrkC are expressed during the development of the mammalian cerebral cortex. To examine whether neurotrophin-3 might play a role in the elaboration of layer-specific cortical circuits, slices of layer 6 and layers 2/3 neurons were cultured in the presence of exogenously applied neurotrophin-3. Results indicate that neurotrophin-3 promotes axonal branching of layer 6 axons, which target neurotrophin-3-expressing layers in vivo, and that it inhibits branching of layers 2/3 axons, which avoid neurotrophin-3-expressing layers. Such opposing effects of neurotrophin-3 on axonal branching were also observed with embryonic cortical neurons, indicating that the response to neurotrophin-3 is specified at early developmental stages, prior to cell migration. In addition to its effects on fiber branching, axonal guidance assays also indicate that neurotrophin-3 is an attractive signal for layer 6 axons and a repellent guidance cue for layers 2/3 axons. Experiments with specific antibodies to neutralize neurotrophin-3 in cortical membranes revealed that endogenous levels of neurotrophin-3 are sufficient to regulate branching and targeting of cortical axons. These opposing effects of neurotrophin-3 on specific populations of axons demonstrate that it could serve as one of the signals for the elaboration of local cortical circuits.

Animals↗

Tenascin-C synthesis and influence on axonal growth during rat cortical development.

Several putative guidance molecules are restricted to the marginal and subplate zones, the major fibre tracts in the developing cortex. It is presently unknown how their distribution is achieved and how these molecules affect neurite extension. Tenascin-C is of particular interest in this context, because it may either promote or deflect growing axons depending on its mode of presentation. Therefore, the cellular origin of tenascin-C in the developing rat cortex and its effects on the extension of cortical afferents and efferents were examined. Tenascin-C protein is first restricted to the marginal and subplate zones and spreads later into the developing grey matter, in close correlation with afferent innervation. In situ hybridization showed that tenascin-C mRNA is first confined to the ventricular zone, at some distance from the location of the protein, while at later stages tenascin-C-synthesizing cells become scattered throughout the cortical thickness, concomitant with the spread of the protein. In order to assess its function, monoclonal antibodies directed against different domains of tenascin-C were used in a quantitative axonal outgrowth assay. These perturbation experiments suggested that distinct tenascin-C fibronectin type III repeats sustain the growth of thalamic and cortical axons on cortical membrane carpets, whereas the EGF-type repeats are not involved. The combination of different antibodies revealed that separate fibronectin-type III repeats exert cooperative effects. These results suggest that ventricular zone cells regulate the establishment of thalamic and cortical axonal projections through locally restricted deposition of tenascin-C.

Animals↗

Dual role of Cajal-Retzius cells and reelin in cortical development.

Cajal-Retzius (CR) cells are transient neurons located in the marginal zones of the neocortex and hippocampus. Recent studies have shown that they synthesize and secrete the glycoprotein reelin. This extracellular matrix protein has sequence similarities with cell adhesion molecules and other extracellular matrix proteins, such as tenascin and laminin, suggesting a role in cell migration and process outgrowth. In reeler mutant mice lacking reelin, the orderly inside-out deposition of neocortical cells during development is disturbed, indicating that reelin is essential for normal cortical lamination. In the hippocampus, CR cells and reelin have recently been found to be important for the normal lamina-specific fiber ingrowth of afferents from the entorhinal cortex. These fibers are known to terminate in superficial layers of the hippocampus and dentate gyrus, regions in which CR cells are located. Both selective elimination of CR cells by local lesions and antibody blockade (CR-50 antibody) of an important epitope near the N-terminus of reelin result in severe alterations of the growth of entorhinal axons in co-cultures of the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. It is hypothesized in this review that reelin functions as a stop signal for both migrating neurons and growing fibers in the developing central nervous system.

Animals↗

The Role of gp130 in cerebral cortical development: in vivo functional analysis in a mouse exo utero system.

The role of gp130 in cerebral cortical histogenesis remains unknown. Mice lacking gp130 showed a hypoplastic cortical plate and decreased incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) in progenitor cells of the developing cerebrum. In contrast, injection of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a gp130 ligand, into the lateral cerebral ventricle of wild-type embryos exo utero induced hyperplasia of the cerebral cortex and increased the incorporation of BrdU in progenitor cells. Furthermore, chronologically controlled injection of LIF followed or preceded by BrdU revealed that gp130-mediated signals promote the progenitor cells to reenter the stem cell cycle without affecting the duration of cell cycle and enhance the migration of postmitotic neurons in the developing cerebrum.

Animals↗