Choroid-plexus-derived Otx2 homeoprotein constrains adult cortical plasticity

Cell Rep. 2013 Jun 27;3(6):1815-23. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.05.014. Epub 2013 Jun 13.

Abstract

Brain plasticity is often restricted to critical periods in early life. Here, we show that a key regulator of this process in the visual cortex, Otx2 homeoprotein, is synthesized and secreted globally from the choroid plexus. Consequently, Otx2 is maintained in selected GABA cells unexpectedly throughout the mature forebrain. Genetic disruption of choroid-expressed Otx2 impacts these distant circuits and in the primary visual cortex reopens binocular plasticity to restore vision in amblyopic mice. The potential to regulate adult cortical plasticity through the choroid plexus underscores the importance of this structure in brain physiology and offers therapeutic approaches to recovery from a broad range of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Choroid Plexus / cytology*
  • Choroid Plexus / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Otx Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Otx Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • OTX2 protein, human
  • Otx Transcription Factors
  • Otx2 protein, mouse