Intracortical microelectrodes that can record and stimulate brain activity have become a valuable technique for
basic science research and clinical applications. However, long-term implantation of these microelectrodes can
lead to progressive neurodegeneration in the surrounding microenvironment, characterized by elevation in
disease-associated markers. Dysregulation of autophagy-lysosomal degradation, a major intracellular waste
removal process, is considered a key factor in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. It is
plausible that similar dysfunctions in autophagy-lysosomal degradation contribute to tissue degeneration
following implantation-induced focal brain injury, ultimately impacting recording performance. To understand
how the focal, persistent brain injury caused by long-term microelectrode implantation impairs autophagylysosomal
pathway, we employed two-photon microscopy and immunohistology. This investigation focused
on the spatiotemporal characterization of autophagy-lysosomal activity near the chronically implanted microelectrode.
We observed an aberrant accumulation of immature autophagy vesicles near the microelectrode over
the chronic implantation period. Additionally, we found deficits in autophagy-lysosomal clearance proximal to
the chronic implant, which was associated with an accumulation of autophagy cargo and a reduction in lysosomal
protease level during the chronic period. Furthermore, our evidence demonstrates reactive astrocytes have
myelin-containing lysosomes near the microelectrode, suggesting its role of myelin engulfment during acute
implantation period. Together, this study sheds light on the process of brain tissue degeneration caused by longterm
microelectrode implantation, with a specific focus on impaired intracellular waste degradation.
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Nanosensor-based monitoring of autophagy-associated lysosomal acidification in vivo
Autophagy is a cellular process with important functions that drive neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. Lysosomal hyperacidification is a hallmark of autophagy. Lysosomal pH is currently measured by fluorescent probes in cell culture, but existing methods do not allow for quantitative, transient or in vivo measurements. In the present study, we developed near-infrared optical nanosensors using organic color centers (covalent sp3 defects on carbon nanotubes) to measure autophagy-mediated endolysosomal hyperacidification in live cells and in vivo. The nanosensors localize to the lysosomes, where the emission band shifts in response to local pH, enabling spatial, dynamic and quantitative mapping of subtle changes in lysosomal pH. Using the sensor, we observed cellular and intratumoral hyperacidification on administration of mTORC1 and V-ATPase modulators, revealing that lysosomal acidification mirrors the dynamics of S6K dephosphorylation and LC3B lipidation while diverging from p62 degradation. This sensor enables the transient and in vivo monitoring of the autophagy–lysosomal pathway.
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- PAR ID:
- 10475424
- Publisher / Repository:
- Springer Nature
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Nature Chemical Biology
- Volume:
- 19
- Issue:
- 12
- ISSN:
- 1552-4450
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1448 to 1457
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-023-01364-9
