Biology subjects

Pilch, K. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Pilch, K. S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Glial subcellular specialisation resolved with high resolution spatial transcriptomics

Cells in the brain have complex structures with extended processes. This complex morphology supports diverse specialized functions in health and disease, and specifically, cell processes appear to be critical for cellular integration and signalling. Here, we developed a new spatial averaging framework to recover and interrogate molecular phenotypes of glial processes in spatial transcriptomics (ST) data. We characterised cell type specific signatures associated with processes of astrocytes and microglia in both mouse and human brain tissue. Astrocytic processes were enriched for transcripts related to neuronal support relative to their soma, while microglial processes preferentially expressed genes linked to specific microglial states. When investigated in tissue from brains with Alzheimers Disease (AD) pathology, we found that local amyloid-{beta} pathology was associated with subcellular differences in transcriptomes in both an amyloid-{beta} mouse model and human AD patient tissue. Specifically, astrocytic and microglial processes oriented toward amyloid-{beta} plaques exhibited distinct molecular changes in comparison to processes extending away into plaque free areas, suggesting polarized glial responses to pathology. Our work thus outlines a general method for the selective characterisation of transcriptomics of glial processes in mouse and human ST data and provides evidence for differential transcriptomic responses between the soma and processes of glia in health and disease. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=139 SRC="FIGDIR/small/737168v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (53K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@157455corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@8ac0a2org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@16ccbf5org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1c24cd0_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Involvement of CaV2.2 channels and α2δ-1 in hippocampal homeostatic synaptic plasticity

In the mammalian brain, presynaptic CaV2 channels play a pivotal role for synaptic transmission by mediating fast neurotransmitter exocytosis via influx of Ca2+ into the active zone of presynaptic terminals. However, the distribution and modulation of CaV2.2 channels at highly plastic hippocampal synapses remains to be elucidated. Here, we assess CaV2.2 channels during homeostatic synaptic plasticity, a compensatory form of homeostatic control preventing excessive or insufficient neuronal activity during which extensive active zone remodelling has been described. We show that chronic silencing of neuronal activity in mature hippocampal cultures resulted in elevated presynaptic Ca2+ transients, mediated by increased levels of CaV2.2 channels at the presynaptic site. This work focussed further on the role of 2{delta}-1 subunits, important regulators of synaptic transmission and CaV2.2 channel abundance at the presynaptic membrane. We find that 2{delta}-1-overexpression reduces the contribution of CaV2.2 channels to total Ca2+ flux without altering the amplitude of the Ca2+ transients. Levels of endogenous 2{delta}-1 decreased during homeostatic synaptic plasticity, whereas the overexpression of 2{delta}-1 prevented homeostatic synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons. Together, this study reveals a key role for CaV2.2 channels and novel roles for 2{delta}-1 during synaptic plastic adaptation.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

CONTAIN: An open-source shipping container laboratory optimisedfor automated COVID-19 diagnostics

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged diagnostic systems globally. Expanding testing capabilities to conduct population-wide screening for COVID-19 requires innovation in diagnostic services at both the molecular and industrial scale. No report to-date has considered the complexity of laboratory infrastructure in conjunction with the available molecular assays to offer a standardised solution to testing. Here we present CONTAIN. A modular biosafety level 2+ laboratory optimised for automated RT-qPCR COVID-19 testing based on a standard 40ft shipping container. Using open-source liquid-handling robots and RNA extraction reagents we demonstrate a reproducible workflow for RT-qPCR COVID-19 testing. With five OT2 liquid handlers, a single CONTAIN unit reaches a maximum daily testing capacity of 2400 tests/day. We validate this workflow for automated RT-qPCR testing, using both synthetic SARS-CoV-2 samples and patient samples from a local NHS hospital. Finally, we discuss the suitability of CONTAIN and its flexibility in a range of diagnostic testing scenarios including high-density urban environments and mobile response units. Visual abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=143 SRC="FIGDIR/small/106625v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (44K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18acad6org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@10ae5f1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7e34d3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1be3815_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

molecular biology↗