Faculty Bibliography

Avoiding temperatures outside the physiological range is critical for animal survival, but how temperature dynamics are transformed into behavioral output is largely not understood. Here, we used an infrared laser to challenge freely swimming larval zebrafish with "white-noise" heat stimuli and built quantitative models relating external sensory information and internal state to behavioral output. These models revealed that larval zebrafish integrate temperature information over a time-window of 400 ms preceding a swimbout and that swimming is suppressed right after the end of a bout. Our results suggest that larval zebrafish compute both an integral and a derivative across heat in time to guide their next movement. Our models put important constraints on the type of computations that occur in the nervous system and reveal principles of how somatosensory temperature information is processed to guide behavioral decisions such as sensitivity to both absolute levels and changes in stimulation.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have linked genes to various pathological traits. However, the potential contribution of regulatory noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), to a genetic predisposition to pathological conditions has remained unclear. We leveraged GWAS meta-analysis data from >188,000 individuals to identify 69 miRNAs in physical proximity to single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with abnormal levels of circulating lipids. Several of these miRNAs (miR-128-1, miR-148a, miR-130b, and miR-301b) control the expression of key proteins involved in cholesterol-lipoprotein trafficking, such as the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) and the ATP-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) cholesterol transporter. Consistent with human liver expression data and genetic links to abnormal blood lipid levels, overexpression and antisense targeting of miR-128-1 or miR-148a in high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6J and Apoe-null mice resulted in altered hepatic expression of proteins involved in lipid trafficking and metabolism, and in modulated levels of circulating lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides. Taken together, these findings support the notion that altered expression of miRNAs may contribute to abnormal blood lipid levels, predisposing individuals to human cardiometabolic disorders.

During obesity, macrophages (Mo) accumulate in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT), giving rise to a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation that promotes insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. We hypothesized that activation of HIF-1alpha in highly-metabolically active Mo sustains inflammation in obese VAT and promotes metabolic dysfunction. We show that hypoxic Mo, like M1-polarized Mo, shift their metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis, leading to the accumulation of HIF-1alpha-stabilizing intermediates. Extracellular flux analysis showed that treating Mo with the hypoxia mimetic CoCl2 or the saturated fatty acid palmitate reduced cellular oxygen consumption and increased the rate of extracellular acidification indicative of enhanced glycolysis. Metabolites known to accumulate during persistent glycolysis, such as succinate and lactic acid, activated HIF-1alpha in Mo and promoted inflammatory gene expression. To test the role of Mo HIF-1alpha in promoting VAT inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in obesity, we fed wild type or Mo-specific HIF-1alpha knock-out mice a high-fat diet (60% kcal fat) for 20 weeks. Notably, the ablation of HIF-1alpha in Mo reduced VAT inflammation as indicated by the reduced accumulation of F4/80+ cells and decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNFalpha, IL-6, MCP-1). In addition, adipose tissue Mo isolated from Mo-HIF-1alpha knock-out mice showed increased expression of markers characteristic of M2 reparative Mo (Ym1, Fizz1, Aldh2) and reduced expression of M1 inflammatory Mo markers (Ccl2, Il1b), compared to Mo from WT mice. Furthermore, Mo-HIF-1alpha knock-out mice showed improved glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, and reduced plasma insulin and free fatty acid levels compared to WT mice. Together, these data indicate that activation of HIF-1alpha in VAT Mo during obesity promotes tissue inflammation and insulin resistance

Mutations in genes encoding Isocitrate Dehydrogenase (IDH) isoforms are found in80%of low-grade gliomas (LGGs). Sequencing of LGGs has revealed branching cancer genetics; mutant IDH1 astrocytomas contain p53 and ATRX loss of function mutations, while IDH1-mutated oligodendrogliomas have a different set of mutations that includes chr 1p/19q co-deletion. The IDH mutation is a gain-of-function change at its catalytic core that results in the production of (R)-2-hydroxyglutarate, an oncometabolite, which causes characteristic DNA and histone hypermethylation changes that may contribute to tumorigenesis. Mouse models have thus far failed to demonstrate the role of IDH1 mutations in LGG formation. To test the hypothesis that mutant IDH1 is a driver of gliomagenesis, we use human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) to overexpress mutant IDH1 protein in combination with p53 and ATRX knockdown. We have generated twelve NSC lines that harbor combinations of mutant IDH1, wt IDH1 or an empty vector, in combination with ATRX and/or p53 knockdown. Our preliminary data indicate that mutantIDH1 does not alter the proliferative capacity of NSCs, as shown by cell cycle analysis and Ki67 staining, but paradoxically increases their apoptotic rate (15.8% vs 5.9% n = 4), a phenotype that is exacerbated by ATRX knockdown, as detected by annexin V and TUNEL staining (17.7% vs 2.6% n = 3). shRNA-mediated knockdown of p53 salvages the pro-apoptotic phenotype of mutant IDH1 and ATRX NSCs. Furthermore, initial observations suggest that mutant IDH1 biases NSCs toward glial fates, as evidenced by upregulation of the CD44 cell surface marker. We are currently testing the effects of IDH1 mutation on i) NSC differentiation to astrocytic and neuronal lineages, ii) NSC metabolism via metabolomics profiling and iii) in vivo tumorigenesis. We propose that mutant IDH1 alters the differentiation program of human NSCs toward glial rather than neuronal fates

Intratumoral heterogeneity in glioblastoma (GBM) is exemplified by the diversity of tumor microenvironments, which include normoxic hypervascular areas and necrotic regions, which are considered hypoxic. GBM stem cells (GSCs) play a central role in tumor growth and therapy resistance. How GSCs adapt to diverse GBM microenvironments remains an important and unanswered question. We recently discovered that CD133-expressing GSCs are metabolically adept at expanding in hypoxic conditions and do not require Notch signaling for their self-renewal. Transcriptional analysis indicated that CD133+ GSCs have 17.8+/-8.8-fold enriched expression of GPR133 (n = 3 biospecimens), a member of the adhesion family of Gproteincoupled receptors. Immunostaining with GPR133 antibody revealed that GPR133 expression is restricted to hypoxic regions within GBM tumors (12/12 GBM biospecimens) and not present in normal brain. We observed that GPR133 mRNA expression correlates with hypoxia-induced transcripts, such as CA9 and VEFGA (n = 3 primary cultures). To test the hypothesis that GPR133 expression is regulated by oxygen tension, we subjected GBM cultures to 1% O2 in vitro and found that GPR133 transcript was consistently upregulated (n = 5 cultures). To examine whether GPR133 is important for GSC self-renewal, we tested the effect of shRNA-mediated knockdown on in vitro tumorsphere formation ability. GPR133 knockdown depleted CD133+ GSCs and inhibited tumorsphere formation under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions (p< 0.05). GPR133 knockdown also reduced in vivo tumorigenicity and increased survival of implanted mice (n = 3). Using colorimetric assays, we found that CD133+ GSCs have 26.2+/-12.53% higher cAMP levels compared to CD133- GBM cells (n = 3) and that GPR133 knockdown downregulated cAMP levels to 47.25+/-27.27% of scramble control (n = 3), suggesting that GPR133 signals through activation of adenylate cyclase and cAMP elevation

A major impeding factor in designing effective therapies against glioblastoma (GBM) is its extensive molecular heterogeneity and the diversity of microenvironmental conditions within any given tumor. To test whether heterogeneity with the GBM stem cell (GSC) population is required to ensure tumor growth in such diverse microenvironments, we used human GBM biospecimens to examine the identity of cells marked by two established GSC markers: CD133 and activation of the Notch pathway. Using primary GBM cultures engineered to express GFP upon activation of Notch signaling, we observed only partial overlap between cells expressing cell surface CD133 and cells with Notch activation (n = 3 specimens), contrary to expectations based on prior literature. To further investigate this finding, we FACS-isolated these cell populations and characterized them. While both CD133+ (CD133 + /Notch-) and Notch+(CD133-/Notch+) cells fulfill GSC criteria, they differ vastly in their transcriptome, metabolic preferences and differentiation capacity, thus giving rise to histologically distinct tumors. CD133+ GSCs have increased expression of hypoxia-regulated and glycolytic genes, and are able to expand under hypoxia by activating anaerobic glycolysis. In contrast, Notch+ GSCs are unable to utilize anaerobic glycolysis under hypoxia, leading to decreased tumorsphere formation ability. While CD133+ GSCs give rise to histologically homogeneous tumors devoid of large tumor vessels, tumors initiated by Notch+ GSCs are marked by large perfusing vessels enveloped by pericytes. Using a lineage tracing system, we showed that pericytes are derived from Notch+ GSCs. In addition, Notch+ cells are able to give rise to all tumor lineages in vitro and in vivo, including CD133 + /Notch- cells, as opposed to Notch- populations, which have restricted differentiation capacity and do not generate Notch+ lineages. Our findings demonstrate that GSC heterogeneity is a mechanism used by tumors to sustain growth in diverse microenvironmental conditions

BACKGROUND: The interplay between Notch and Vegf signaling regulates angiogenesis in the embryo. Notch signaling limits the responsiveness of endothelial cells to Vegf to control sprouting. Despite the importance of this regulatory relationship, much remains to be understood about extrinsic factors that modulate the pathway. RESULTS: During a forward genetic screen for novel regulators of lymphangiogenesis, we isolated a mutant with reduced lymphatic vessel development. This mutant also exhibited hyperbranching arteries, reminiscent of Notch pathway mutants. Positional cloning identified a missense mutation in the carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 2, aspartate transcarbamylase, and dihydroorotase (cad) gene. Cad is essential for UDP biosynthesis, which is necessary for protein glycosylation and de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidine-based nucleotides. Using a transgenic reporter of Notch activity, we demonstrate that Notch signaling is significantly reduced in cad(hu10125) mutants. In this context, genetic epistasis showed that increased endothelial cell responsiveness to Vegfc/Vegfr3 signaling drives excessive artery branching. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest important posttranslational modifications requiring Cad as an unappreciated mechanism that regulates Notch/Vegf signaling during angiogenesis.