Impaired motor coordination and disrupted cerebellar architecture in Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 double knockout mice

• Published in: Brain research Vol. 1460; pp. 12 - 24
• Main Authors: Smith, Karen Müller, Williamson, Theresa L, Schwartz, Michael L, Vaccarino, Flora M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.06.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Bergmann glia; Biological and medical sciences; Brain architecture; Cell migration; cell movement; Cerebellar Diseases - genetics; Cerebellar Diseases - pathology; Cerebellar Diseases - physiopathology; Cerebellum; cerebral cortex; Cortex; Cre recombinase; Cytology; dendrites; Embryos; Female; Fibroblast growth factor; Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1; Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2; Fibroblast growth factor receptors; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gamma -Aminobutyric acid; Glia; Glial fibrillary acidic protein; Glial stem cells; Granule cells; Granule neurons; Humans; Interneurons; learning; Male; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Mice, Neurologic Mutants; Migration; Morphogenesis; Motor control and motor pathways. Reflexes. Control centers of vegetative functions. Vestibular system and equilibration; Motor Skills Disorders - genetics; Motor Skills Disorders - pathology; Motor Skills Disorders - physiopathology; Neurology; Neuronal-glial interactions; Proliferation; Promoters; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 - deficiency; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 - metabolism; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 - deficiency; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 - metabolism; stem cells; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Cerebellum; Fibroblast growth factor; Granule neurons; Proliferation; Bergmann glia; Migration; Cell proliferation; Architecture; Granule neuron; Neuroglia; Rodentia; Central nervous system; Motor control; Muscular coordination; Encephalon; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Mouse; Animal; Mutation; Motricity
• ISSN: 0006-8993; 1872-6240
• DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.04.002

Abstract Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling determines the size of the cerebral cortex by regulating the amplification of radial glial stem cells, and participates in the formation of midline glial structures. We show that Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 double knockouts (FGFR DKO) generated by Cre-mediated recombination driven by the human GFAP promoter ( hGFAP ) have reduced cerebellar size due to reduced proliferation of radial glia and other glial precursors in late embryonic and neonatal FGFR DKO mice. The proliferation of granule cell progenitors (GCPs) in the EGL was also reduced, leading to reduced granule cell numbers. Furthermore, both inward migration of granule cells into the inner granule cell layer (IGL) and outward migration of GABA interneurons into the molecular layer (ML) were arrested, disrupting layer and lobular morphology. Purkinje neurons and their dendrites, which were not targeted by Cre-mediated recombination of Fgf receptors, were also misplaced in FGFR DKO mice, possibly as a consequence of altered Bergmann glia orientation or reduced granule cell number. Our findings indicate a dual role for FGFR signaling in cerebellar morphogenesis. The first role is to amplify the number of granule neuron precursors in the external granular layer and glial precursor cells throughout the cerebellum. The second is to establish the correct Bergmann glia morphology, which is crucial for granule cell migration. The disrupted cerebellar size and laminar architecture resulting from loss of FGFR signaling impair motor learning and coordination in FGFR DKO mice.