I research molecular mechanisms of neural circuit assembly during development, genetic control of phrenic motor neuron identity; synaptic specificity in respiratory circuits; Hox genes.
Research Information
Research Interests
A central goal of neuroscience is to define the principles that control the assembly of neural circuits underlying the emergence of behavior. An inherent complexity to this question arises from the fact that circuits underlying distinct behaviors overlap topographically and are often constructed by the same core neural elements. Particularly fascinating in this respect are the circuits that govern respiration; while they extensively overlap with locomotor circuits in the hindbrain and spinal cord, their unique organization leads to a distinct behavior.
Our lab aims to reveal general principles involved in neuronal identity and synaptic specificity and advance our understanding of how neural circuits emerge during development. Significantly, our research has the potential to identify novel therapeutic targets for respiratory dysfunction. Most ALS patients die from respiratory failure within 3-5 years of diagnosis and current treatments do not slow disease progression.
Developmental disorders, such as Rett Syndrome, also exhibit a profound respiratory component due to defects in respiratory circuitry. The generation of phrenic MNs from embryonic stem cells holds promise as a therapeutic avenue but integrating these MNs in existing circuits has been challenging. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in respiratory circuit formation will undoubtedly bring us closer to the development of effective treatment methods for breathing disorders.
Research Projects
The Philippidou lab aims to define the genetic and molecular pathways that underlie respiratory neuron development and connectivity and how extrinsic signals may impinge on these mechanisms to shape respiratory circuit assembly. We combine a molecular/genetic approach with viral tracing, electrophysiology and physiological assays, to address fundamental questions about neuronal identity and circuit assembly during development:
What are the molecular mechanisms that govern phrenic motor neuron identity?
We have recently demonstrated that Hox5 genes are required for the development of diaphragm-innervating phrenic motor neurons (MNs). Selective deletion of Hox5 genes from MNs in murine models (Hox5MNΔ) leads to perinatal lethality due to breathing defects. In Hox5MNΔ subjects there is an extinction of phrenic MN identity, progressive loss and disorganization of phrenic MNs, axon guidance defects and a dramatic loss in synaptic contacts at the diaphragm muscle. These diverse defects are likely the result of coordinated transcriptional regulation of a cohort of genes by Hox5 proteins. We utilize RNA and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing to identify phrenic-specific Hox5 transcriptional targets and use novel gene editing techniques such as CRISPR to assess their role in phrenic MN development in vivo.
How do transcriptional programs define respiratory circuit assembly?
Functional assembly of neural circuits requires that individual circuit components establish multiple inputs. A prevailing—but poorly tested—hypothesis has been that the acquisition of specific subtype identities through transcriptional programs deploys molecular pathways underlying connectivity. Removal of Hox5 genes from phrenic MNs eradicates their identity, providing a powerful molecular entry point to test this hypothesis. We employ viral tracing methods, electrophysiology and plethysmography to assess how phrenic MN inputs change in Hox5MNΔ subjects.
How do extrinsic signals influence phrenic MN connectivity?
The neuronal networks that govern stereotypical behaviors such as breathing and walking are thought to be largely established through hardwired transcriptional programs. Nevertheless, breathing exhibits a remarkable potential for plasticity even before birth. Both gender and gestational stress affect newborn breathing behaviors, likely through rewiring of respiratory circuits, and these changes persist through adulthood. We use a genetic in vivo approach to define how environmental signals intersect with transcriptional programs to establish respiratory circuits.
Recruiting
The Philippidou lab is new to CWRU and is actively recruiting graduate students as well as other motivated individuals. Potential graduate students and other interested applicants should contact Pola with a statement of your research interests to discuss possible opportunities for training.
Publications
Selected Publications
Philippidou P, Dasen JS (2013). Hox genes: choreographers in neural development, architects of circuit organization. Neuron 80(1), 12-34 (Review article).
Boucherat O, Montaron S, Bérubé-Simard FA, Aubin J, Philippidou P, Wellik DM, Dasen JS, Jeannotte L (2013). Partial functional redundancy between Hoxa5 and Hoxb5 paralog genes during lung morphogenesis. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 304(12), L817-30.
Lacombe J, Hanley O, Jung H, Philippidou P, Surmeli G, Grinstein J, Dasen JS (2013). Genetic and functional modularity of Hox activities in the specification of limb-innervating motor neurons. PLoS Genet. 9(1), e1003184.
Philippidou P, Walsh CM, Aubin J, Jeannotte L, Dasen JS (2012). Sustained Hox5 gene activity is required for respiratory motor neuron development. Nat Neurosci. 12, 1636-44. (Cover image) Reviewed in Castellani V, Kania A (2012) Breathless without Hox. Nat Neurosci. 12, 1607-1609.
Harrington AW, St Hillaire C, Zweifel LS, Glebova NO, Philippidou P, Halegoua S, Ginty DD (2011). Recruitment of actin modifiers to TrkA endosomes governs retrograde NGF signaling and survival. Cell 146(3), 421-34.
Philippidou P, Valdez G, Akmentin W, Bowers WJ, Federoff HJ, Halegoua S (2011). Trk Retrograde Signaling Requires Persistent, Pincher-directed Endosomes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108(2), 852-7.
Schecterson LC, Hudson MP, Ko M, Philippidou P, Akmentin W, Wiley J, Rosenblum E, Chao MV, Halegoua S, Bothwell M (2010). Trk activation in the secretory pathway promotes Golgi fragmentation. Mol Cell Neurosci. 43(4), 403-13.
Valdez G*, Philippidou P*, Rosenbaum J, Akmentin W, Shao Y, Halegoua S (2007). Trk-signaling endosomes are generated by Rac-dependent macroendocytosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104(30), 12270-5. *equal contribution
Boykevisch S, Zhao C, Sondermann H, Philippidou P, Halegoua S, Kuriyan J, Bar-Sagi D (2006). Regulation of ras signaling dynamics by Sos-mediated positive feedback. Curr Biol. 16(21), 2173-9.
Valdez G, Akmentin W, Philippidou P, Kuruvilla R, Ginty DD, Halegoua S (2005). Pincher-mediated macroendocytosis underlies retrograde signaling by neurotrophin receptors. J Neurosci. 25(21), 5236-47.