Rubio Rodriguez-Kirby, L. A.

bioRxiv2024

Spatial dynamics of mammalian brain development and neuroinflammation by multimodal tri-omics mapping

The ability to spatially map multiple layers of the omics information over different time points allows for exploring the mechanisms driving brain development, differentiation, arealization, and alterations in disease. Herein we developed and applied spatial tri-omic sequencing technologies, DBiT ARP-seq (spatial ATAC-RNA-Protein-seq) and DBiT CTRP-seq (spatial CUT&Tag- RNA-Protein-seq) together with multiplexed immunofluorescence imaging (CODEX) to map spatial dynamic remodeling in brain development and neuroinflammation. A spatiotemporal tri-omic atlas of the mouse brain was obtained at different stages from postnatal day P0 to P21, and compared to the regions of interest in the human developing brains. Specifically, in the cortical area, we discovered temporal persistence and spatial spreading of chromatin accessibility for the layer-defining transcription factors. In corpus callosum, we observed dynamic chromatin priming of myelin genes across the subregions. Together, it suggests a role for layer specific projection neurons to coordinate axonogenesis and myelination. We further mapped the brain of a lysolecithin (LPC) neuroinflammation mouse model and observed common molecular programs in development and neuroinflammation. Microglia, exhibiting both conserved and distinct programs for inflammation and resolution, are transiently activated not only at the core of the LPC lesion, but also at distal locations presumably through neuronal circuitry. Thus, this work unveiled common and differential mechanisms in brain development and neuroinflammation, resulting in a valuable data resource to investigate brain development, function and disease.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Distinct transcriptomic and epigenomic responses of mature oligodendrocytes during disease progression in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating autoimmune disease that targets mature oligodendrocytes (MOLs) and their myelin. MOLs are transcriptionally heterogeneous and can transition to immune-like states in the context of MS. However, the intricacies of their dynamics throughout disease progression remain poorly understood. Here, we employed simultaneous single-cell multiome ATAC and RNA sequencing targeting oligodendroglia (OLGs) from the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) MS mouse model at different stages of the disease course. We found that the transition to immune OLG states appear already at the early stages of EAE and persist to the late stages of the disease. Interestingly, transcription factor activity suggested immunosuppression in MOLs at early stages of EAE and we also observed a transitory activation of a regenerative program in MOLs at this stage. Importantly, different MOLs exhibit a differential responsiveness to EAE, with MOL2 exhibiting a stronger transcriptional immune response than MOL5/6. Moreover, we observed divergent responses at the epigenetic level of MOL2 and MOL5/6 during disease evolution. Thus, our single-cell multiomic resource highlights dynamic and distinct responses of OLG subpopulations to the evolving environment in EAE, which might modulate their response to regenerative therapeutic interventions in MS.

neuroscience↗