The formation and function of the brain ventricular system

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Biology, 2012.

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Chang, Jessica T. (Jessica Tzung-Min)
Other Authors: Hazel L. Sive.
Format: Thesis
Language:eng
Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/72618
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author Chang, Jessica T. (Jessica Tzung-Min)
author2 Hazel L. Sive.
author_facet Hazel L. Sive.
Chang, Jessica T. (Jessica Tzung-Min)
author_sort Chang, Jessica T. (Jessica Tzung-Min)
collection MIT
description Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Biology, 2012.
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spelling mit-1721.1/726182019-04-10T20:48:17Z The formation and function of the brain ventricular system Chang, Jessica T. (Jessica Tzung-Min) Hazel L. Sive. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Biology. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Biology. Biology. Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Biology, 2012. This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections. Cataloged from student submitted PDF version of thesis. Includes bibliographical references. 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,KATPase. 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 proliferatoractivated 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 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. by Jessica T. Chang. Ph.D. 2012-09-11T17:26:42Z 2012-09-11T17:26:42Z 2012 2012 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/72618 805947022 eng M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 204 p. application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology
spellingShingle Biology.
Chang, Jessica T. (Jessica Tzung-Min)
The formation and function of the brain ventricular system
title The formation and function of the brain ventricular system
title_full The formation and function of the brain ventricular system
title_fullStr The formation and function of the brain ventricular system
title_full_unstemmed The formation and function of the brain ventricular system
title_short The formation and function of the brain ventricular system
title_sort formation and function of the brain ventricular system
topic Biology.
url http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/72618
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