Ampatzis Laboratory - Neuroplasticity and Regeneration

Research focus

How do neurons react to changes?

An intriguing feature of the nervous system is its plasticity, the lifelong fantastic capacity to change and adapt in light of internal and external environmental modifications. This is the focus of our projects aimed at understanding this dynamic process of the vertebrate neural circuits controlling behavior. To achieve this goal, we need a thorough understanding of the organization of neural circuits underlying behavior. The overall aim of our research programs is to uncover the principles and functional consequences of plasticity under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

How do neurons contribute to tissue regeneration?

Humans have a restricted ability to regenerate damaged tissues, such as the spinal cord or the heart. But zebrafish can do it. If part of their nervous system or the heart is damaged, they can heal and repair it in a few weeks. In principle, the regeneration of complex neuronal and non-neuronal tissue requires innervation. Neurons release vital molecules that promote the repair of injured organs and tissues by activating the cell division process. Our aim is to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms participating in the regeneration process and how the nervous system guides this process. Our studies represent an example of how the differences between species can be as valuable to medical advancement as the similarities.

To address our scientific questions, we take advantage of the experimental amenability of the genetically and regenerative powerful model system of the adult zebrafish. Our multifaceted approach uses a comprehensive set of state-of-the-art techniques, including functional imaging, electrophysiology, pharmacology, anatomy, molecular neuroscience, genetics, and behavior. Such an effort is critical for the functional dissection of the neuronal classes and understanding their dynamics and impact on health and disease.

Lab fundings

• Carl Tryggers Foundation (SE)
• Erik & Edith Fernström Foundation (SE)
• Längmanska Kulturfonden (SE)
• Olle Engkvists Foundation (SE)
• Petrus & Augusta Hedlunds Foundation (SE)
• Stiftelsen för Gamla Tjänarinnor (SE)
• STINT - China-Sweden Mobility Programme (SE)
• StratNeuro (SE)
• Swedish Brain Foundation (SE)
• Swedish Research Council - Vetenskapsrådet (SE)
• NARSAD - Young Investigator Award (US)

Selected publications

Locomotion dependent neuron-glia interactions control neurogenesis and regeneration in the adult zebrafish spinal cord.
Chang W, Pedroni A, Bertuzzi M, Kizil C, Simon A, Ampatzis K
Nat Commun 2021 08;12(1):4857

Functionally distinct Purkinje cell types show temporal precision in encoding locomotion.
Chang W, Pedroni A, Hohendorf V, Giacomello S, Hibi M, Köster RW, et al
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020 07;117(29):17330-17337

Neuron-glia interaction through Serotonin-BDNF-NGFR axis enables regenerative neurogenesis in Alzheimer's model of adult zebrafish brain.
Bhattarai P, Cosacak MI, Mashkaryan V, Demir S, Popova SD, Govindarajan N, et al
PLoS Biol 2020 01;18(1):e3000585

Large-Scale Analysis of the Diversity and Complexity of the Adult Spinal Cord Neurotransmitter Typology.
Pedroni A, Ampatzis K
iScience 2019 Sep;19():1189-1201

Adult spinal motoneurons change their neurotransmitter phenotype to control locomotion
Maria Bertuzzi, Weipang Chang, Konstantinos Ampatzis
PNAS, online 1 October 2018, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1809050115

Complementary expression of calcium binding proteins delineates the functional organization of the locomotor network.
Berg EM, Bertuzzi M, Ampatzis K
Brain Struct Funct 2018 Jun;223(5):2181-2196

Spinal cholinergic interneurons differentially control motoneuron excitability and alter the locomotor network operational range.
Bertuzzi M, Ampatzis K
Sci Rep 2018 01;8(1):1988

Motor neurons control locomotor circuit function retrogradely via gap junctions.
Song J, Ampatzis K, Björnfors ER, El Manira A
Nature 2016 Jan;529(7586):399-402

Separate microcircuit modules of distinct v2a interneurons and motoneurons control the speed of locomotion.
Ampatzis K, Song J, Ausborn J, El Manira A
Neuron 2014 Aug;83(4):934-43

Pattern of innervation and recruitment of different classes of motoneurons in adult zebrafish.
Ampatzis K, Song J, Ausborn J, El Manira A
J. Neurosci. 2013 Jun;33(26):10875-86