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Focal adhesion dynamics are altered in schizophrenia
Yongjun Fan1, Greger Abrahamsen, Richard Mills
1National Centre for Adult Stem Cell Research, Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Biological Psychiatry
|March 14, 2013
Summary
Schizophrenia patients' olfactory cells show altered cell adhesion and motility due to focal adhesion kinase (FAK) pathway dysregulation. These changes in cell dynamics may impact brain development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Genetic studies link neural migration genes to schizophrenia risk.
- Olfactory neurosphere-derived cells from schizophrenia patients show altered gene expression in focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling.
- FAK signaling is crucial for cell adhesion and migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate altered cell adhesion, motility, and focal adhesion dynamics in olfactory neurosphere-derived cells from schizophrenia patients.
- To explore the role of FAK signaling in these cellular alterations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized olfactory neurosphere-derived cells from nine male schizophrenia patients and nine male healthy controls.
- Assayed cell adhesion and motility.
- Analyzed integrins and FAK proteins.
- Quantified focal adhesions and used time-lapse imaging for dynamics.
Main Results:
- Patient-derived cells exhibited reduced adhesion and increased motility compared to controls.
- Integrin-blocking antibodies and FAK inhibition normalized patient cell motility.
- Fewer and smaller focal adhesion complexes (vinculin-stained) were observed in patient cells.
- Faster focal adhesion disassembly was noted in patient cells expressing FAK-GFP.
Conclusions:
- Altered cell adhesion dynamics and motility in patient-derived cells align with dysregulated FAK signaling.
- These cellular changes may influence brain development trajectories in schizophrenia.
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