• A Systems Approach to Dissecting Immune Gene Regulatory Networks in the Modulation of Brain Function

      Xu, Yang (2017-10-20)
      Although the central nervous system was long perceived as the ivory tower without immune entities, there is growing evidence that the immune and nervous systems are intimated connected. These two systems have been shown to communicate both cellularly and molecularly under physiological and pathological conditions. Despite our increasing understanding of the interplay between these two systems, there are still numerous open questions. In this thesis, I address such unanswered questions related to: the role of microglia and their mechanism in contributing to pathologies in Rett syndrome; the beneficial effects of T-cell secreted cytokines in supporting social brain function; the evolutionary link of the interactions between the nervous and immune systems; the transcription regulation of a subset of microglia population in common neurodegenerative diseases. Collectively, the current thesis is focused on the joint frontier of bioinformatics and experimental work in neuroimmunology. A multifaceted approach, that includes transcriptomics, genomics and other biomolecular modules, was implemented to unearth signaling pathways and mechanisms underlying the presenting biological phenomena. The findings of this thesis can be summarized as follows: 1) MeCP2 acts as a master regulator in the transcriptional repression of inflammatory stimuli in macrophages; 2) T-cell secreted IFN-γ supports social brain function through an evolutionally conserved interaction between the immune and nervous systems; 3) The APOE-TREM2 pathway regulates the microglia phenotype switch in neurodegenerative diseases. Provided that recent technologies allow for readily manipulating the immune system, the findings presented herein may create new vistas for therapeutic interventions in various neurological disorders.
    • The Role of Neurexins in Serotonin Signaling and Complex Behaviors

      Cheung, Amy (2021-04-27)
      Extensive serotonin (5-HT) fiber innervation throughout the brain corroborates 5-HT’s modulatory role in numerous behaviors including social behavior, emotion regulation, and learning and memory. Abnormal brain 5-HT levels and function are implicated in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) which often co-occurs with other neuropsychiatric conditions. While 5-HT therapeutics are used to treat ASD, variable improvements in symptomatology require further investigation of 5-HT-mediated pathology. Neurexins (Nrxns) are presynaptic cell adhesion molecules that maintain synapse function for proper neural circuit assembly. Given that aberrant Nrxn and 5-HT function independently contribute to signaling pathology and behavioral impairments, it is critical to understand how Nrxn-mediated 5-HT neurotransmission participates in pathological mechanisms underlying ASD. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, I found that the three Nrxn genes (Nrxn1, Nrxn2, and Nrxn3) are differentially expressed in 5-HT neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and median raphe nucleus which contain the primary source of 5-HT neurons in the brain. Our lab generated a mouse model with selective deletion of Nrxns in 5-HT neurons to investigate the function of Nrxns in 5-HT signaling. The loss of Nrxns at 5-HT release sites reduced 5-HT release in the DRN and hippocampus and altered 5-HT innervation in specific brain regions. The lack of 5-HTergic Nrxns also reduced sociability and increased depressive-like behavior in males. This mouse model provides mechanisms to shed new light on 5-HT neurotransmission in the generation of complex behaviors.