Single cell molecular alterations reveal target cells and pathways of concussive brain injury

Nat Commun. 2018 Sep 25;9(1):3894. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06222-0.

Abstract

The complex neuropathology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is difficult to dissect, given the convoluted cytoarchitecture of affected brain regions such as the hippocampus. Hippocampal dysfunction during TBI results in cognitive decline that may escalate to other neurological disorders, the molecular basis of which is hidden in the genomic programs of individual cells. Using the unbiased single cell sequencing method Drop-seq, we report that concussive TBI affects previously undefined cell populations, in addition to classical hippocampal cell types. TBI also impacts cell type-specific genes and pathways and alters gene co-expression across cell types, suggesting hidden pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic target pathways. Modulating the thyroid hormone pathway as informed by the T4 transporter transthyretin Ttr mitigates TBI-associated genomic and behavioral abnormalities. Thus, single cell genomics provides unique information about how TBI impacts diverse hippocampal cell types, adding new insights into the pathogenic pathways amenable to therapeutics in TBI and related disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Concussion / genetics*
  • Brain Concussion / physiopathology
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Gene Ontology
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Hippocampus / pathology
  • Male
  • Maze Learning / drug effects
  • Maze Learning / physiology
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Prealbumin / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods*
  • Thyroxine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Prealbumin
  • Thyroxine