Zebrafish models of idiopathic scoliosis link cerebrospinal fluid flow defects to spine curvature

Science. 2016 Jun 10;352(6291):1341-4. doi: 10.1126/science.aaf6419.

Abstract

Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) affects 3% of children worldwide, yet the mechanisms underlying this spinal deformity remain unknown. Here we show that ptk7 mutant zebrafish, a faithful developmental model of IS, exhibit defects in ependymal cell cilia development and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow. Transgenic reintroduction of Ptk7 in motile ciliated lineages prevents scoliosis in ptk7 mutants, and mutation of multiple independent cilia motility genes yields IS phenotypes. We define a finite developmental window for motile cilia in zebrafish spine morphogenesis. Notably, restoration of cilia motility after the onset of scoliosis blocks spinal curve progression. Together, our results indicate a critical role for cilia-driven CSF flow in spine development, implicate irregularities in CSF flow as an underlying biological cause of IS, and suggest that noninvasive therapeutic intervention may prevent severe scoliosis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / physiology*
  • Cilia / physiology
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Ependyma / abnormalities
  • Hydrocephalus / genetics
  • Hydrocephalus / pathology
  • Mutation
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Scoliosis / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Scoliosis / genetics
  • Scoliosis / physiopathology*
  • Spine / abnormalities*
  • Zebrafish / abnormalities*
  • Zebrafish / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Zebrafish / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins

Substances

  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • ptk7b protein, zebrafish