Axon-Seq Decodes the Motor Axon Transcriptome and Its Modulation in Response to ALS
STEM CELL REPORTS
Authors: Nijssen, Jik; Aguila, Julio; Hoogstraaten, Rein; Kee, Nigel; Hedlund, Eva
Abstract
Spinal motor axons traverse large distances to innervate target muscles, thus requiring local control of cellular events for proper functioning. To interrogate axon-specific processes we developed Axon-seq, a refined method incorporating microfluidics, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and bioinformatic quality control. We show that the axonal transcriptome is distinct from that of somas and contains fewer genes. We identified 3,500-5,000 transcripts in mouse and human stem cell-derived spinal motor axons, most of which are required for oxidative energy production and ribogenesis. Axons contained transcription factor mRNAs, e.g., Ybx1, with implications for local functions. As motor axons degenerate in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we investigated their response to the SOD1(G93A) mutation, identifying 121 ALS-dysregulated transcripts. Several of these are implicated in axonal function, including Nrp1, Dbn1, and Nek1, a known ALS-causing gene. In conclusion, Axon-seq provides an improved method for RNA-seq of axons, increasing our understanding of peripheral axon biology and identifying therapeutic targets in motor neuron disease.
Ablation of Neuropilin 1 in Myeloid Cells Exacerbates High-Fat Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance Through Nlrp3 Inflammasome In Vivo
DIABETES
Authors: Dai, Xiaoyan; Okon, Imoh; Liu, Zhaoyu; Bedarida, Tatiana; Wang, Qilong; Ramprasath, Tharmarajan; Zhang, Miao; Song, Ping; Zou, Ming-Hui
Abstract
Neuropilin 1 (Nrp1), a coreceptor for class 3 semaphorins and growth factors, is highly expressed in vascular cells and myeloid cells, including macrophages. Unlike well-characterized proangiogenic functions of endothelial cell Nrp1, the contributions of macrophage Nrp1 within the context of metabolic dysfunction remain to be established. The aim of this study was to determine the contributions of macrophage Nrp1 in high-fat diet (HFD)-instigated insulin resistance in vivo. Insulin sensitivity and Nlrp3 inflammasome activation were monitored in wild-type (WT) and myeloid cell-specific Nrp1 knockout (Nrp1(myel-KO)) mice fed an HFD (60% kcal) for 16 weeks. HFD-fed mice exhibited insulin resistance with reduced levels of Nrp1 in macrophages compared with chow-fed mice. Further, HFD-fed Nrp1(myel-KO) mice displayed accentuated insulin resistance, enhanced systemic inflammation, and dramatically increased Nlrp3 inflammasome priming and activation. Importantly, knockout of Nlrp3 ablated HFD-induced insulin resistance and inflammation in Nrp1myel-KO mice, indicating that Nrp1 reduction in macrophages instigates insulin resistance by increasing macrophage Nlrp3 inflammasome activation. Mechanistically, Nrp1 deletion activates the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway, which in turn accentuates the priming of Nlrp3, promotes Nlrp3-ASC inflammasome assembly, and results in the activation of Nlrp3. We conclude that the HFD-instigated Nrp1 reduction in macrophages exacerbates insulin resistance by promoting Nlrp3 inflammasome priming and activation.