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Research in the Spitzer Lab
In the Spitzer Lab, we are interested in understanding the mechanisms that underlie cellular differentiation, specifically neurogenesis, and how they are modulated.
In the brain of young and adult mammals, stem cells continually generate new cells that are involved in normal functions like learning and memory. These cells are also thought to play a role in repair, for example, after a stroke. Precursor cells derived from brain stem cells can become neurons or different kinds of glia, depending on the signals they receive. Cultured adult neural stem cells provide an excellent model for brain development and brain cells in general.
Current projects in the lab examine the responses of differentiating adult stem cells to low levels of silver nanoparticles and manganese. Although the toxic effects of these emerging environmental contaminants are established, little is known about the physiological changes in cells in response to lower, sub-lethal, levels that are more representative of those likely to occur through environmental exposure. Recently, we found that silver nanoparticles, at levels significantly below those considered toxic, disrupt cytoskeletal structure and function in differentiating adult neural stem cells. Silver nanoparticles are increasingly incorporated in consumer products ranging from toothbrushes, toys, and food packaging to wound dressings and home appliances. These products shed nanoparticles that are then ingested or inhaled. Due to their unique structure, silver nanoparticles readily cross biological membranes and accumulate in tissues, including brain, leading to the potential for chronic low-level exposure of brain cells to silver nanoparticles. Changes in cell physiology due to such exposure is therefore of significant concern.
Common techniques in the Spitzer lab include mammalian cell culture, patch clamp electrophysiology, immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR, Western blots, fluorescent imaging, time-lapse microscopy and other standard cell and molecular biology techniques. Motivated students interested in gaining laboratory research experience are encouraged to contact Dr. Spitzer.
Funding:
PI: NSF-CAREER (2016-2021). Award #1553667. Physiological Responses of neural cells to chronic low-level silver nanoparticle exposure.
Group member: NSF-RII Award (2015-2020). Award # OIA-1458952. Appalachian Freshwater Initiative Research Group.
Recent Publications:
Cooper, R.J., Menking-Colby, M.N., Humphrey, K.A., Victory, J.A., Kipps, D.W., Spitzer, N.(2018) Involvement of β-catenin in cytoskeleton disruption following adult neural stem cell exposure to low-level silver nanoparticles. Neurotoxicology. 71: 102-112. PMID: 30605761.
Parsons-White, A.B., Spitzer, N. (2018) Environmentally relevant manganese overexposure alters neural cell morphology and differentiation in vitro. Toxicology in vitro. 50: 22-28. PMID: 29486219.
Cooper, R.J., Spitzer, N. (2015) Silver nanoparticles at sublethal concentrations disrupt cytoskeleton and neurite dynamics in cultured adult neural stem cells. Neurotoxicology. 48: 231-238. PMID: 25952597.
Click here for a complete list of Dr. Spitzer's publications.
Recent Poster Presentations:
Brown, K.D., Nerhood, K.J., Menking-Hoggatt, M.N., Humphrey, K.A., Spitzer, N. (2017) Low-level silver nanoparticle exposure alters adult neural stem cell physiology. Soc. Neurosci. Abs. 115.12, Washington, DC. (Presented by K. Brown, undergraduate)
Nerhood, K.J., Smith, H.G., Brown, K.D., Garretson, S.L., Humphrey, K.A., Menking-Hoggatt, M.N., Cooper, R.J., Quiñones, R., Spitzer, N. (2017) Nanotechnology and neural cell physiology: the dark and light sides of nanoparticles. Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience Poster Session at Annual Meeting of Society for Neuroscience, P16. Washington, DC. (Presented by K. Nerhood and H. Smith, undergraduates)
Carpenter, A.S., Ramirez Garcia, A., Parsons-White, A., Spitzer, N. (2016) Low-level exposure to manganese disrupts morphology and intracellular signaling in cultured adult neural stem cells.Annual Meeting of American Society for Cell Biology. P2404. San Francisco, CA. (Presented by A. Carpenter, master’s student)
Forren, B.N., Brown, K.N., Cooper, R.C., Menking-Hoggatt, M.N., Spitzer, N. (2016) Low-level silver nanoparticle exposure alters cytoskeletal dynamics via intracellular singnaling pathways. Annual Meeting of American Society for Cell Biology. P2405. San Francisco, CA. (Presented by B. Forren, master’s student)
Carpenter, A.S., Ramirez Garcia, A., Parsons-White, A., Spitzer, N. (2016) Effects of low-level manganese exposure on adult neural stem cell morphology and differentiation in vitro. Annual meeting of West Virginia Academy of Sciences. #47. Huntington, WV. (Presented by A. Carpenter, undergraduate)
Menking-Hoggatt, M.N., Cooper, R.C., Spitzer, N. (2016) Effects of silver nanoparticles on adult neural stem cell differentiation and beta-catenin signaling. Annual meeting of West Virginia Academy of Sciences. #46. Huntington, WV. (Presented by M. Menking-Hoggatt, undergraduate)
Cooper, R.C., Parsons-White, A., Ramirez, A. Spitzer, N. (2015) Low-level manganese and nanosilver alter adult neural stem cell morphology and gene expression during differentiation. Soc. Neurosci. Abs. 664.25, Chicago, IL. (Presented by R. Cooper, master’s student and A. Ramirez, undergraduate)
Ramirez Garcia, A., Carpenter, A.S., Spitzer, N. (2015) Changes in morphology and behavior of adult neural stem cells following low-level manganese exposure in vitro. Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience Poster Session at Annual Meeting of Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, IL. (Presented by A. Ramirez, undergraduate)
Leonard, J. Spitzer, N. (2015) Silver nanoparticles impair neuronal maturation of adult neural stem cells in vitro. Sigma Xi Day at Marshall University. May 1, 2015. (Presented by J. Leonard, undergraduate)
Cooper, R.J., Spitzer, N. (2014) Silver nanoparticles interfere with differentiation of adult neural stem cells in culture. Soc. Neurosci. Abs. 395.17. Washington, DC. (Presented by R. Cooper, master's student)
Leonard, J.A., Ramirez Garcia, A.L., Spitzer, N. (2014) Fructose impairs neuronal differentiation of adult neural stem cells in vitro. Soc. Neurosci. Abs. 395.11. Washington, DC. (Presented by J. Leonard, undergraduate)
Adkins, C.E., Spitzer, N. (2014) Atrazine induces adult neural stem cell differentiation towards mature neuron cell fate in vitro. Sigma Xi Day at Marshall University. Huntington, WV. (Presented by C. Adkins, master's student)
Cooper, R.J., Spitzer, N. (2013) Silver nanoparticles disrupt cytoskeletal function in adult neural stem cells in vitro. American Society for Cell Biology. Abs. 1458. New Orleans, LA. (Presented by R, Cooper, undergraduate)
Cooper, R.J., Adkins, C.E., Spitzer, N. (2013) In vitro modulation of adult neural stem cell differentiation through the biogenic amines serotonin and dopamine. Sigma Xi Day at Marshall University. Huntington, WV. (Presented by R. Cooper, undergraduate)
Campbell, A., Spitzer, N. (2013) Adult neural stem cell differentiation after phthalate exposure. IdeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (WV-INBRE) Research Symposium. Marshall University. Huntington, WV. (Presented by A. Campbell, undergraduate)
Spitzer, N., Lyons, A.R., Blake, M.D., Antonsen, B.L. 2012. A brain awareness program in an underrepresented region. Soc. Neurosci. Brain Awareness Event. New Orleans, LA, (Presented by A. Lyons and M. Blake, undergraduates)