The Formation and Function of the Brain Ventricular System
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The Formation and Function of the Brain Ventricular System By Jessica T. Chang B.S. Molecular and Cellular Biology The Johns Hopkins University, 2006 Submitted to the Department of Biology in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology June 2012 © 2012 Jessica T. Chang. All rights reserved. The author hereby grants to MIT permission to reproduce and to distribute publicly paper and electronic copies of this thesis document in whole or in part. Signature of author……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Department of Biology May 4, 2012 Certified by…..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Hazel L. Sive Professor of Biology Associate Dean, School of Science Thesis Supervisor Accepted by …………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………… Robert T. Sauer Salvador E. Luria Professor of Biology Chairman, Graduate Student Committee Chang | 1 Chang | 2 The Formation and Function of the Brain Ventricular System By Jessica T. Chang Submitted to the Department of Biology on April 13, 2012 in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ABSTRACT The brain ventricular system is composed of a highly conserved set of cavities that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a protein-rich fluid essential for brain function. However, little is known about the function of embryonic CSF (eCSF), or the mechanisms of CSF production, retention, and circulation that regulate brain ventricle shape and size. Here we present data that begins to dissect the mechanisms governing CSF dynamics during zebrafish embryonic development. Our data indicate that the Na,K-ATPase regulates three aspects of brain ventricle development essential for normal function - neuroepithelial formation, permeability, and CSF production. Formation of a cohesive neuroepithelium requires both the alpha subunit (Atp1a1) and the regulatory subunit, Fyxd1, while only Atp1a1 modulates neuroepithelial permeability. Further, RhoA regulates both neuroepithelium formation and permeability, downstream of the Na,K- ATPase. Finally, we identified a RhoA-independent process, likely CSF production, which requires Atp1a1, but not Fxyd1. Therefore, formation of the vertebrate brain ventricles requires both production and retention of CSF. Although the embryonic brain ventricles contain large quantities of eCSF little is known about the function of the fluid or the mechanisms that drive fluid production. We developed a method to manually drain eCSF from zebrafish brain ventricles and show that eCSF is necessary for cell survival within the neuroepithelium. Further, increased retinol binding protein 4 (Rbp4), retinoic acid synthesis, and retinoic acid signaling via the PPAR (peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor gamma) receptors, prevents neuroepithelial cell death. Thus, we present a novel role for Rbp4 and retinoic acid synthesis and signaling during embryonic brain development. Finally, we also developed an assay to visualize CSF flow in the embryonic zebrafish. We found that the midbrain-hindbrain boundary acts as a barrier preventing CSF movement between the midbrain and hindbrain, while CSF moves freely between the midbrain and forebrain. Additionally, the heartbeat contributes to CSF movement increasing mixing between the hindbrain and forebrain/midbrain compartments. Furthermore, we determined that Chang | 3 hydrocephalic phenotypes observed in zebrafish are due to abnormalities in CSF production, retention and flow. These data demonstrate the importance of CSF dynamics during development and further suggest that disruption of these processes can all result in hydrocephalus. Thesis Supervisor: Hazel L. Sive Title: Member, Whitehead institute for Biomedical Research Associate Dean, School of Science Professor of Biology, MIT Chang | 4 To my parents who have provided endless support, love, and encouragement. Chang | 5 Chang | 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS: Page Abstract 3 Acknowledgements 15 Curriculum Vitae 17 Chapter 1 The brain ventricular system and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics 21 Formation and maintenance of the brain ventricular system Neural tube morphogenesis and brain ventricle inflation Epithelial polarization Neural tube opening Neuroepithelium and cell shape changes CSF production + Na transport - HCO3 transport Water transport Other mechanisms of CSF production CSF retention CSF-Brain barrier Blood brain barrier Blood CSF barrier CSF circulation CSF flow CSF reabsorption CSF function Conclusions Research Approach References Chapter 2 Multiple roles for the Na,K-ATPase subunits, Atp1a1 and Fxyd1, 55 during brain ventricle development Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Fish lines and maintenance Antisense morpholino oligonucleotide (MO) injection cDNA constructs RT-PCR In situ hybridization Chang | 7 Brain ventricle injections, dye retention assay, and ventricle size quantification Immunohistochemistry and Western blot Inhibitor treatments Intracellular Na+ measurements Results Na,K-ATPase subunits, Atp1a1 and Fxyd1 are required for brain ventricle development Atp1a1 regulates neuroepithelial permeability Na,K-ATPase pumping is required for brain ventricle development Atp1a1 and Fxyd1 co-regulate brain ventricle development Constitutively active RhoA rescues neuroepithelial cohesiveness but not brain ventricle inflation Discussion Dissecting the activities of the Na,K-ATPase during brain ventricle formation The role of Fxyd1 during brain ventricle development Connection between Na,K-ATPase function, RhoA signaling, neuroepithelial formation and permeability Modulation of CSF production by the Na,K-ATPase Significance of Na,K-ATPase activity during brain ventricle volume control Acknowledgements References Chapter 3 Zebrafish embryonic cerebrospinal fluid is required for retinoic acid 87 synthesis and neuroepithelial cell survival Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Fish lines and maintenance Brightfield brain imaging Manual drainage and brain ventricle injection Immunohistochemistry Antisense oligonucleotide morpholinos (MO) Mass Spectrometry Results eCSF is required for cell survival and tail extension eCSF is not required for neurogenesis eCSF promotes cell survival from 25- 30 hpf Cell survival is not dependent on ionic concentration or hydrostatic pressure Chang | 8 Retinoic acid but not IGF2 or FGF2 is required for neuroepithelial cell survival Rbp4 and retinol are required for neuroepithelial cell survival Retinoic acid synthesis is required for neuroepithelial cell survival Retinoic acid signaling via PPAR receptors promotes neuroepithelial cell survival Discussion eCSF is required for RA synthesis and neuroepithelial cell survival Generation of eCSF depleted zebrafish embryo Role of IGF2 and FGF2 within the eCSF Identifying the source of Rbp4 and RA synthesis Identifying the diencephalic cluster of eCSF and RA sensitive cells Altered eCSF composition and RA signaling in disorders of the nervous system Acknowledgements References Chapter 4 Embryonic zebrafish cerebrospinal fluid circulation in wild type 121 and hydrocephalic models Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Fish lines and maintenance Antisense morpholino oligonucleotide (MO) injection cDNA constructs and in vitro translation Purification of Kaede protein Mounting embryos for live imaging Live imaging – photoconversion and time-course Quantification of fluorescent intensity Results Visualization of CSF flow within embryonic zebrafish Embryonic zebrafish CSF flow Contributions of the heartbeat to CSF flow CSF flow in hydrocephalus models Neuroepithelial morphology prevents CSF mixing Discussion CSF flow method What generates CSF flow Identifying the mechanism leading to hydrocephalus Chang | 9 Acknowledgements References Chapter 5 An assay for permeability of the zebrafish embryonic 143 neuroepithelium Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Fish lines and maintenance Brain ventricle injection Brain ventricle imaging Quantification of dye movement Results Discussion Acknowledgements References Chapter 6 Manual drainage of the zebrafish embryonic brain ventricles 151 Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Preparing microinjection needles and CellTram Draining the eCSF Collecting the eCSF for composition analysis Reintroduction of selected factors Results Discussion Acknowledgements References Chapter 7 Conclusions and Future Directions 161 Regulating CSF production Establishment of the osmotic gradient Water influx into the brain ventricles Protein secretion into the CSF Pump-independent role of the Na,K-ATPase Regulating paracellular permeability and CSF retention Mechanisms of eCSF and retinoic acid induced cell survival Investigating the function of other eCSF components CSF circulation in embryonic zebrafish Abnormalities in CSF dynamics Chang | 10 References Appendix 1 The Na,K-ATPase beta subunit, Atp1b3a, is required for brain 183 ventricle inflation Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Fish lines and maintenance Antisense morpholino oligonucleotide (MO) injection cDNA constructs RT-PCR In situ hybridization Brightfield brain imaging, ventricle injections, forebrain ventricle size and dye retention assay Immunohistochemistry and Western blot Intracellular Na+ measurements Results Na,K-ATPase beta subunits are expressed at the time of brain ventricle development Na,K-ATPase beta subunits are required for brain ventricle inflation Atp1b3a is required for CSF production Atp1a1, Atp1b3a