51
|
Patient-Specific iPSCs-Based Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases: Focus on Aberrant Calcium Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020624. [PMID: 35054808 PMCID: PMC8776084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of cell reprogramming technologies became a breakthrough in the creation of new models of human diseases, including neurodegenerative pathologies. The iPSCs-based models allow for the studying of both hereditary and sporadic cases of pathologies and produce deep insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. The use of the cells most vulnerable to a particular pathology makes it possible to identify specific pathological mechanisms and greatly facilitates the task of selecting the most effective drugs. To date, a large number of studies on patient-specific models of neurodegenerative diseases has been accumulated. In this review, we focused on the alterations of such a ubiquitous and important intracellular regulatory pathway as calcium signaling. Here, we reviewed and analyzed the data obtained from iPSCs-based models of different neurodegenerative disorders that demonstrated aberrant calcium signaling.
Collapse
|
52
|
Zhang A, Sokolova I, Domissy A, Davis J, Rao L, Hana Utami K, Wang Y, Hagerman RJ, Pouladi MA, Sanna P, Boland MJ, Loring JF. OUP accepted manuscript. Stem Cells Transl Med 2022; 11:613-629. [PMID: 35556144 PMCID: PMC9216490 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szac022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the leading monogenic cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, is caused by expansion of a CGG trinucleotide repeat in the 5ʹ-UTR of the Fragile X Mental Retardation-1 (FMR1) gene. Epigenetic silencing of FMR1 results in loss of the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP). Although most studies to date have focused on excitatory neurons, recent evidence suggests that GABAergic inhibitory networks are also affected. To investigate human GABAergic neurogenesis, we established a method to reproducibly derive inhibitory neurons from multiple FXS and control human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) lines. Electrophysiological analyses suggested that the developing FXS neurons had a delay in the GABA functional switch, a transition in fetal development that converts the GABAA channel’s function from depolarization to hyperpolarization, with profound effects on the developing brain. To investigate the cause of this delay, we analyzed 14 400 single-cell transcriptomes from FXS and control cells at 2 stages of GABAergic neurogenesis. While control and FXS cells were similar at the earlier time point, the later-stage FXS cells retained expression of neuroblast proliferation-associated genes and had lower levels of genes associated with action potential regulation, synapses, and mitochondria compared with controls. Our analysis suggests that loss of FMRP prolongs the proliferative stage of progenitors, which may result in more neurons remaining immature during the later stages of neurogenesis. This could have profound implications for homeostatic excitatory-inhibitory circuit development in FXS, and suggests a novel direction for understanding disease mechanisms that may help to guide therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ai Zhang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Aspen Neuroscience, Inc.San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Irina Sokolova
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alain Domissy
- Center for Computational Biology, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Joshua Davis
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lee Rao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Biological and Medical Informatics Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kagistia Hana Utami
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Yanling Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Pietro Sanna
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michael J Boland
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeanne F Loring
- Corresponding author: Jeanne F. Loring, Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Identification of TGFβ signaling as a regulator of interneuron neurogenesis in a human pluripotent stem cell model. Neuronal Signal 2021; 5:NS20210020. [PMID: 34956651 PMCID: PMC8661503 DOI: 10.1042/ns20210020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical interneurons are GABAergic inhibitory cells that connect locally in the neocortex and play a pivotal role in shaping cortical network activities. Dysfunction of these cells is believed to lead to runaway excitation underlying seizure-based diseases, such as epilepsy, autism and schizophrenia. There is a growing interest in using cortical interneurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells for understanding their complex development and for modeling neuropsychiatric diseases. Here, we report the identification of a novel role of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling in modulating interneuron progenitor maintenance and neuronal differentiation. TGFβ signaling inhibition suppresses terminal differentiation of interneuron progenitors, while exogenous TGFβ3 accelerates the transition of progenitors into postmitotic neurons. We provide evidence that TGFb signaling exerts this function via regulating cell cycle length of the NKX2.1+ neural progenitors. Together, the present study represents a useful platform for studying human interneuron development and interneuron-associated neurological diseases with human pluripotent stem cells.
Collapse
|
54
|
Havins L, Capel A, Christie SD, Lewis MP, Roach P. Gradient biomimetic platforms for neurogenesis studies. J Neural Eng 2021; 19. [PMID: 34942614 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac4639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
There is a need for the development of new cellular therapies for the treatment of many diseases, with the central nervous system (CNS) currently an area of specific focus. Due to the complexity and delicacy of its biology, there is currently a limited understanding of neurogenesis and consequently a lack of reliable test platforms, resulting in several CNS based diseases having no cure. The ability to differentiate pluripotent stem cells into specific neuronal sub-types may enable scalable manufacture for clinical therapies, with a focus also on the purity and quality of the cell population. This focus is targeted towards an urgent need for the diseases that currently have no cure, e.g. Parkinson's disease. Differentiation studies carried out using traditional 2D cell culture techniques are designed using biological signals and morphogens known to be important for neurogenesis in vivo. However, such studies are limited by their simplistic nature, including a general poor efficiency and reproducibility, high reagent costs and an inability to scale-up the process to a manufacture-wide design for clinical use. Biomimetic approaches to recapitulate a more in vivo-like environment are progressing rapidly within this field, with application of bio(chemical) gradients presented both as 2D surfaces and within a 3D volume. This review focusses on the development and application of these advanced extracellular environments particularly for the neural niche. We emphasise the progress that has been made specifically in the area of stem cell derived neuronal differentiation. Increasing developments in biomaterial approaches to manufacture stem cells will enable the improvement of differentiation protocols, enhancing the efficiency and repeatability of the process with a move towards up-scaling. Progress in this area brings these techniques closer to enabling the development of therapies for the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurissa Havins
- Department of Chemistry, Loughborough University, Dept Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Andrew Capel
- Loughborough University, 2National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM), School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Steven D Christie
- Department of Chemistry, Loughborough University, Dept Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Mark P Lewis
- Loughborough University School of Sport Exercise and Health Sciences, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM), School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Paul Roach
- Chemistry, Loughborough University, Dept Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| |
Collapse
|
55
|
Sharma K, Asp NT, Harrison SP, Siller R, Baumgarten SF, Gupta S, Chollet ME, Andersen E, Sullivan GJ, Simonsen A. Autophagy modulates cell fate decisions during lineage commitment. Autophagy 2021; 18:1915-1931. [PMID: 34923909 PMCID: PMC9450964 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2021.2008691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Early events during development leading to exit from a pluripotent state and commitment toward a specific germ layer still need in depth understanding. Autophagy has been shown to play a crucial role in both development and differentiation. This study employs human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells to understand the early events of lineage commitment with respect to the role of autophagy in this process. Our data indicate that a dip in autophagy facilitates exit from pluripotency. Upon exit, we demonstrate that the modulation of autophagy affects SOX2 levels and lineage commitment, with induction of autophagy promoting SOX2 degradation and mesendoderm formation, whereas inhibition of autophagy causes SOX2 accumulation and neuroectoderm formation. Thus, our results indicate that autophagy-mediated SOX2 turnover is a determining factor for lineage commitment. These findings will deepen our understanding of development and lead to improved methods to derive different lineages and cell types.Abbreviations: ACTB: Actin, beta; ATG: Autophagy-related; BafA1: Bafilomycin A1; CAS9: CRISPR associated protein 9; CQ: Chloroquine; DE: Definitive endoderm; hESCs: Human Embryonic Stem Cells; hiPSCs: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; LAMP1: Lysosomal Associated Membrane Protein 1; MAP1LC3: Microtubule-Associated Protein 1 Light Chain 3; MTOR: Mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin Kinase; NANOG: Nanog Homeobox; PAX6: Paired Box 6; PE: Phosphatidylethanolamine; POU5F1: POU class 5 Homeobox 1; PRKAA2: Protein Kinase AMP-Activated Catalytic Subunit Alpha 2; SOX2: SRY-box Transcription Factor 2; SQSTM1: Sequestosome 1; ULK1: unc-51 like Autophagy Activating Kinase 1; WDFY3: WD Repeat and FYVE Domain Containing 3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kulbhushan Sharma
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Research, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), Delhi, India.,Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Nagham T Asp
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sean P Harrison
- Department of Pediatric Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Richard Siller
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Saphira F Baumgarten
- Hybrid Technology Hub, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Swapnil Gupta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Maria E Chollet
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Haematology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elisabeth Andersen
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Haematology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gareth J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Pediatric Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Hybrid Technology Hub, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Simonsen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Montebello, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Bruzelius A, Kidnapillai S, Drouin-Ouellet J, Stoker T, Barker RA, Rylander Ottosson D. Reprogramming Human Adult Fibroblasts into GABAergic Interneurons. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123450. [PMID: 34943958 PMCID: PMC8699824 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct reprogramming is an appealing strategy to generate neurons from a somatic cell by forced expression of transcription factors. The generated neurons can be used for both cell replacement strategies and disease modelling. Using this technique, previous studies have shown that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) expressing interneurons can be generated from different cell sources, such as glia cells or fetal fibroblasts. Nevertheless, the generation of neurons from adult human fibroblasts, an easily accessible cell source to obtain patient-derived neurons, has proved to be challenging due to the intrinsic blockade of neuronal commitment. In this paper, we used an optimized protocol for adult skin fibroblast reprogramming based on RE1 Silencing Transcription Factor (REST) inhibition together with a combination of GABAergic fate determinants to convert human adult skin fibroblasts into GABAergic neurons. Our results show a successful conversion in 25 days with upregulation of neuronal gene and protein expression levels. Moreover, we identified specific gene combinations that converted fibroblasts into neurons of a GABAergic interneuronal fate. Despite the well-known difficulty in converting adult fibroblasts into functional neurons in vitro, we could detect functional maturation in the induced neurons. GABAergic interneurons have relevance for cognitive impairments and brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Bruzelius
- Group of Regenerative Neurophysiology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden; (A.B.); (S.K.)
| | - Srisaiyini Kidnapillai
- Group of Regenerative Neurophysiology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden; (A.B.); (S.K.)
| | | | - Tom Stoker
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK; (T.S.); (R.A.B.)
| | - Roger A. Barker
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK; (T.S.); (R.A.B.)
| | - Daniella Rylander Ottosson
- Group of Regenerative Neurophysiology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden; (A.B.); (S.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-222-0559
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Benchoua A, Lasbareilles M, Tournois J. Contribution of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Models to Drug Discovery for Neurological Disorders. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123290. [PMID: 34943799 PMCID: PMC8699352 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the major obstacles to the identification of therapeutic interventions for central nervous system disorders has been the difficulty in studying the step-by-step progression of diseases in neuronal networks that are amenable to drug screening. Recent advances in the field of human pluripotent stem cell (PSC) biology offers the capability to create patient-specific human neurons with defined clinical profiles using reprogramming technology, which provides unprecedented opportunities for both the investigation of pathogenic mechanisms of brain disorders and the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies via drug screening. Many examples not only of the creation of human pluripotent stem cells as models of monogenic neurological disorders, but also of more challenging cases of complex multifactorial disorders now exist. Here, we review the state-of-the art brain cell types obtainable from PSCs and amenable to compound-screening formats. We then provide examples illustrating how these models contribute to the definition of new molecular or functional targets for drug discovery and to the design of novel pharmacological approaches for rare genetic disorders, as well as frequent neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Benchoua
- Neuroplasticity and Therapeutics, CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
- High Throughput Screening Platform, CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
- Correspondence:
| | - Marie Lasbareilles
- Neuroplasticity and Therapeutics, CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
- UEVE UMR 861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Johana Tournois
- High Throughput Screening Platform, CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
| |
Collapse
|
58
|
McGhee C, Yang Z, Guo W, Wu Y, Lyu M, DeLong CJ, Hong S, Ma Y, McInnis MG, O’Shea KS, Lu Y. DNAzyme-Based Lithium-Selective Imaging Reveals Higher Lithium Accumulation in Bipolar Disorder Patient-Derived Neurons. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:1809-1820. [PMID: 34841055 PMCID: PMC8614110 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c00843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Lithium has been a drug for bipolar disorders (BD) for over 70 years; however, its usage has been limited by its narrow therapeutic window (between 0.6 and 1.2 mM). Understanding the cellular distribution of lithium ions (Li+) in patient cells will offer deep insight into this limitation, but selective imaging of Li+ in living cells under biomedically relevant concentration ranges has not been achieved. Herein, we report in vitro selection and development of a Li+-specific DNAzyme fluorescent sensor with >100-fold selectivity over other biorelevant metal ions. This sensor allows comparative Li+ visualization in HeLa cells, human neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs), and neurons derived from BD patients and healthy controls. Strikingly, we detected enhanced accumulation of Li+ in cells derived from BD patients compared with healthy controls in differentiated neurons but not NPCs. These results establish the DNAzyme-based sensor as a novel platform for biomedical research into BD and related areas using lithium drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire
E. McGhee
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Zhenglin Yang
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Weijie Guo
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Yuting Wu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Mingkuan Lyu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Center
for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Cynthia J. DeLong
- Department
of Cell and Developmental Biology, The University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109, United States
| | - Shanni Hong
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Yuan Ma
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Melvin G. McInnis
- Department
of Psychiatry, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109, United States
| | - K. Sue O’Shea
- Department
of Cell and Developmental Biology, The University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109, United States
- Department
of Psychiatry, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109, United States
| | - Yi Lu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Center
for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| |
Collapse
|
59
|
Hopkins HK, Traverse EM, Barr KL. Methodologies for Generating Brain Organoids to Model Viral Pathogenesis in the CNS. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111510. [PMID: 34832665 PMCID: PMC8625030 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The human brain is of interest in viral research because it is often the target of viruses. Neurological infections can result in consequences in the CNS, which can result in death or lifelong sequelae. Organoids modeling the CNS are notable because they are derived from stem cells that differentiate into specific brain cells such as neural progenitors, neurons, astrocytes, and glial cells. Numerous protocols have been developed for the generation of CNS organoids, and our goal was to describe the various CNS organoid models available for viral pathogenesis research to serve as a guide to determine which protocol might be appropriate based on research goal, timeframe, and budget. (2) Methods: Articles for this review were found in Pubmed, Scopus and EMBASE. The search terms used were "brain + organoid" and "CNS + organoid" (3) Results: There are two main methods for organoid generation, and the length of time for organoid generation varied from 28 days to over 2 months. The costs for generating a population of organoids ranged from USD 1000 to 5000. (4) Conclusions: There are numerous methods for generating organoids representing multiple regions of the brain, with several types of modifications for fine-tuning the model to a researcher's specifications. Organoid models of the CNS can serve as a platform for characterization and mechanistic studies that can reduce or eliminate the use of animals, especially for viruses that only cause disease in the human CNS.
Collapse
|
60
|
Self-organization of human dorsal-ventral forebrain structures by light induced SHH. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6768. [PMID: 34799555 PMCID: PMC8604999 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26881-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Organizing centers secrete morphogens that specify the emergence of germ layers and the establishment of the body's axes during embryogenesis. While traditional experimental embryology tools have been instrumental in dissecting the molecular aspects of organizers in model systems, they are impractical in human in-vitro model systems to dissect the relationships between signaling and fate along embryonic coordinates. To systematically study human embryonic organizer centers, we devised a collection of optogenetic ePiggyBac vectors to express a photoactivatable Cre-loxP recombinase, that allows the systematic induction of organizer structures by shining blue-light on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We used a light stimulus to geometrically confine SHH expression in neuralizing hESCs. This led to the self-organization of mediolateral neural patterns. scRNA-seq analysis established that these structures represent the dorsal-ventral forebrain, at the end of the first month of development. Here, we show that morphogen light-stimulation is a scalable tool that induces self-organizing centers.
Collapse
|
61
|
Earley AM, Burbulla LF, Krainc D, Awatramani R. Identification of ASCL1 as a determinant for human iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22257. [PMID: 34782629 PMCID: PMC8593045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01366-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During cellular specification, transcription factors orchestrate cellular decisions through gene regulation. By hijacking these transcriptional networks, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can be specialized into neurons with different molecular identities for the purposes of regenerative medicine and disease modeling. However, molecular fine tuning cell types to match their in vivo counterparts remains a challenge. Directing cell fates often result in blended or incomplete neuron identities. A better understanding of hPSC to neuron gene regulation is needed. Here, we used single cell RNA sequencing to resolve some of these graded molecular identities during human neurogenesis from hPSCs. Differentiation platforms were established to model neural induction from stem cells, and we characterized these differentiated cell types by 10x single cell RNA sequencing. Using single cell trajectory and co-expression analyses, we identified a co-regulated transcription factor module expressing achaete-scute family basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 1 (ASCL1) and neuronal differentiation 1 (NEUROD1). We then tested the function of these transcription factors in neuron subtype differentiation by gene knockout in a novel human system that reports the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis. ASCL1 was identified as a necessary transcription factor for regulating dopaminergic neurotransmitter selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M Earley
- Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Lena F Burbulla
- Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Dimitri Krainc
- Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Rajeshwar Awatramani
- Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
62
|
Human stem cell-derived GABAergic neurons functionally integrate into human neuronal networks. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22050. [PMID: 34764308 PMCID: PMC8585944 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01270-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-releasing interneurons modulate neuronal network activity in the brain by inhibiting other neurons. The alteration or absence of these cells disrupts the balance between excitatory and inhibitory processes, leading to neurological disorders such as epilepsy. In this regard, cell-based therapy may be an alternative therapeutic approach. We generated light-sensitive human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived GABAergic interneurons (hdIN) and tested their functionality. After 35 days in vitro (DIV), hdINs showed electrophysiological properties and spontaneous synaptic currents comparable to mature neurons. In co-culture with human cortical neurons and after transplantation (AT) into human brain tissue resected from patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, light-activated channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) expressing hdINs induced postsynaptic currents in human neurons, strongly suggesting functional efferent synapse formation. These results provide a proof-of-concept that hESC-derived neurons can integrate and modulate the activity of a human host neuronal network. Therefore, this study supports the possibility of precise temporal control of network excitability by transplantation of light-sensitive interneurons.
Collapse
|
63
|
Jayakar S, Shim J, Jo S, Bean BP, Singeç I, Woolf CJ. Developing nociceptor-selective treatments for acute and chronic pain. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabj9837. [PMID: 34757806 PMCID: PMC9964063 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj9837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite substantial efforts dedicated to the development of new, nonaddictive analgesics, success in treating pain has been limited. Clinically available analgesic agents generally lack efficacy and may have undesirable side effects. Traditional target-based drug discovery efforts that generate compounds with selectivity for single targets have a high rate of attrition because of their poor clinical efficacy. Here, we examine the challenges associated with the current analgesic drug discovery model and review evidence in favor of stem cell–derived neuronal-based screening approaches for the identification of analgesic targets and compounds for treating diverse forms of acute and chronic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Selwyn Jayakar
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology, Boston Children's Hospital, and Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jaehoon Shim
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology, Boston Children's Hospital, and Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sooyeon Jo
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bruce P Bean
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ilyas Singeç
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Clifford J Woolf
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology, Boston Children's Hospital, and Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
64
|
A Step-by-Step Refined Strategy for Highly Efficient Generation of Neural Progenitors and Motor Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113087. [PMID: 34831309 PMCID: PMC8625124 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Limited access to human neurons, especially motor neurons (MNs), was a major challenge for studying neurobiology and neurological diseases. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) could be induced as neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and further multiple neural subtypes, which provide excellent cellular sources for studying neural development, cell therapy, disease modeling and drug screening. It is thus important to establish robust and highly efficient methods of neural differentiation. Enormous efforts have been dedicated to dissecting key signalings during neural commitment and accordingly establishing reliable differentiation protocols. In this study, we refined a step-by-step strategy for rapid differentiation of hPSCs towards NPCs within merely 18 days, combining the adherent and neurosphere-floating methods, as well as highly efficient generation (~90%) of MNs from NPCs by introducing refined sets of transcription factors for around 21 days. This strategy made use of, and compared, retinoic acid (RA) induction and dual-SMAD pathway inhibition, respectively, for neural induction. Both methods could give rise to highly efficient and complete generation of preservable NPCs, but with different regional identities. Given that the generated NPCs can be differentiated into the majority of excitatory and inhibitory neurons, but hardly MNs, we thus further differentiate NPCs towards MNs by overexpressing refined sets of transcription factors, especially by adding human SOX11, whilst improving a series of differentiation conditions to yield mature MNs for good modeling of motor neuron diseases. We thus refined a detailed step-by-step strategy for inducing hPSCs towards long-term preservable NPCs, and further specified MNs based on the NPC platform.
Collapse
|
65
|
Blanchard JW, Victor MB, Tsai LH. Dissecting the complexities of Alzheimer disease with in vitro models of the human brain. Nat Rev Neurol 2021; 18:25-39. [PMID: 34750588 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00578-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most prevalent type of dementia. It is marked by severe memory loss and cognitive decline, and currently has limited effective treatment options. Although individuals with AD have common neuropathological hallmarks, emerging data suggest that the disease has a complex polygenic aetiology, and more than 25 genetic loci have been linked to an elevated risk of AD and dementia. Nevertheless, our ability to decipher the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie genetic susceptibility to AD, and its progression and severity, remains limited. Here, we discuss ongoing efforts to leverage genomic data from patients using cellular reprogramming technologies to recapitulate complex brain systems and build in vitro discovery platforms. Much attention has already been given to methodologies to derive major brain cell types from pluripotent stem cells. We therefore focus on technologies that combine multiple cell types to recreate anatomical and physiological properties of human brain tissue in vitro. We discuss the advances in the field for modelling four domains that have come into view as key contributors to the pathogenesis of AD: the blood-brain barrier, myelination, neuroinflammation and neuronal circuits. We also highlight opportunities for the field to further interrogate the complex genetic and environmental factors of AD using in vitro models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel W Blanchard
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matheus B Victor
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
66
|
McTague A, Rossignoli G, Ferrini A, Barral S, Kurian MA. Genome Editing in iPSC-Based Neural Systems: From Disease Models to Future Therapeutic Strategies. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:630600. [PMID: 34713254 PMCID: PMC8525405 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.630600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic advances for neurological disorders are challenging due to limited accessibility of the human central nervous system and incomplete understanding of disease mechanisms. Many neurological diseases lack precision treatments, leading to significant disease burden and poor outcome for affected patients. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology provides human neuronal cells that facilitate disease modeling and development of therapies. The use of genome editing, in particular CRISPR-Cas9 technology, has extended the potential of iPSCs, generating new models for a number of disorders, including Alzheimers and Parkinson Disease. Editing of iPSCs, in particular with CRISPR-Cas9, allows generation of isogenic pairs, which differ only in the disease-causing mutation and share the same genetic background, for assessment of phenotypic differences and downstream effects. Moreover, genome-wide CRISPR screens allow high-throughput interrogation for genetic modifiers in neuronal phenotypes, leading to discovery of novel pathways, and identification of new therapeutic targets. CRISPR-Cas9 has now evolved beyond altering gene expression. Indeed, fusion of a defective Cas9 (dCas9) nuclease with transcriptional repressors or activation domains allows down-regulation or activation of gene expression (CRISPR interference, CRISPRi; CRISPR activation, CRISPRa). These new tools will improve disease modeling and facilitate CRISPR and cell-based therapies, as seen for epilepsy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Genome engineering holds huge promise for the future understanding and treatment of neurological disorders, but there are numerous barriers to overcome. The synergy of iPSC-based model systems and gene editing will play a vital role in the route to precision medicine and the clinical translation of genome editing-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy McTague
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giada Rossignoli
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arianna Ferrini
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Serena Barral
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Manju A Kurian
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
67
|
Chang CY, Ting HC, Liu CA, Su HL, Chiou TW, Harn HJ, Lin SZ, Ho TJ. Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Into Specific Neural Lineages. Cell Transplant 2021; 30:9636897211017829. [PMID: 34665040 PMCID: PMC8529300 DOI: 10.1177/09636897211017829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are sources of several somatic cell
types for human developmental studies, in vitro disease modeling, and
cell transplantation therapy. Improving strategies of derivation of
high-purity specific neural and glial lineages from hPSCs is critical
for application to the study and therapy of the nervous system. Here,
we will focus on the principles behind establishment of neuron and
glia differentiation methods according to developmental studies. We
will also highlight the limitations and challenges associated with the
differentiation of several “difficult” neural lineages and delay in
neuronal maturation and functional integration. To overcome these
challenges, we will introduce strategies and novel technologies aimed
at improving the differentiation of various neural lineages to expand
the application potential of hPSCs to the study of the nervous
system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yu Chang
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.,Neuroscience Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Chien Ting
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ann Liu
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.,Neuroscience Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Lin Su
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tzyy-Wen Chiou
- Department of Life Science, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Jyh Harn
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shinn-Zong Lin
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Jung Ho
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.,Integration Center of Traditional Chinese and Modern Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.,School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
68
|
Lim Y, Beane-Ebel JE, Tanaka Y, Ning B, Husted CR, Henderson DC, Xiang Y, Park IH, Farrer LA, Zhang H. Exploration of alcohol use disorder-associated brain miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:504. [PMID: 34601489 PMCID: PMC8487426 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01635-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptomic changes in specific brain regions can influence the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD), but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. We investigated AUD-associated miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks in multiple brain regions by analyzing transcriptomic changes in two sets of postmortem brain tissue samples and ethanol-exposed human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived cortical interneurons. miRNA and mRNA transcriptomes were profiled in 192 tissue samples (Set 1) from eight brain regions (amygdala, caudate nucleus, cerebellum, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, putamen, and ventral tegmental area) of 12 AUD and 12 control European Australians. Nineteen differentially expressed miRNAs (fold-change>2.0 & P < 0.05) and 97 differentially expressed mRNAs (fold-change>2.0 & P < 0.001) were identified in one or multiple brain regions of AUD subjects. AUD-associated miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks in each brain region were constructed using differentially expressed and negatively correlated miRNA-mRNA pairs. AUD-relevant pathways (including CREB Signaling, IL-8 Signaling, and Axonal Guidance Signaling) were potentially regulated by AUD-associated brain miRNA-mRNA pairs. Moreover, miRNA and mRNA transcriptomes were mapped in additional 96 tissue samples (Set 2) from six of the above eight brain regions of eight AUD and eight control European Australians. Some of the AUD-associated miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks were confirmed. In addition, miRNA and mRNA transcriptomes were analyzed in hESC-derived cortical interneurons with or without ethanol exposure, and ethanol-influenced miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks were constructed. This study provided evidence that alcohol could induce concerted miRNA and mRNA expression changes in reward-related or alcohol-responsive brain regions. We concluded that altered brain miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks might contribute to AUD development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yolpanhchana Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- The Bioinformatics Program, Boston University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Beane-Ebel
- Section of Computational Biomedicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yoshiaki Tanaka
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Medicine, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, H1T 2M4, Canada
| | - Boting Ning
- Section of Computational Biomedicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher R Husted
- Section of Computational Biomedicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David C Henderson
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yangfei Xiang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - In-Hyun Park
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lindsay A Farrer
- Section of Biomedical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- Departments of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
69
|
Nomura T. Interneuron Dysfunction and Inhibitory Deficits in Autism and Fragile X Syndrome. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102610. [PMID: 34685590 PMCID: PMC8534049 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The alteration of excitatory–inhibitory (E–I) balance has been implicated in various neurological and psychiatric diseases, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a single-gene disorder that is the most common known cause of ASD. Understanding the molecular and physiological features of FXS is thought to enhance our knowledge of the pathophysiology of ASD. Accumulated evidence implicates deficits in the inhibitory circuits in FXS that tips E–I balance toward excitation. Deficits in interneurons, the main source of an inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), have been reported in FXS, including a reduced number of cells, reduction in intrinsic cellular excitability, or weaker synaptic connectivity. Manipulating the interneuron activity ameliorated the symptoms in the FXS mouse model, which makes it reasonable to conceptualize FXS as an interneuronopathy. While it is still poorly understood how the developmental profiles of the inhibitory circuit go awry in FXS, recent works have uncovered several developmental alterations in the functional properties of interneurons. Correcting disrupted E–I balance by potentiating the inhibitory circuit by targeting interneurons may have a therapeutic potential in FXS. I will review the recent evidence about the inhibitory alterations and interneuron dysfunction in ASD and FXS and will discuss the future directions of this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiro Nomura
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| |
Collapse
|
70
|
Libé-Philippot B, Vanderhaeghen P. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Linking Human Cortical Development and Evolution. Annu Rev Genet 2021; 55:555-581. [PMID: 34535062 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-071719-020705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The cerebral cortex is at the core of brain functions that are thought to be particularly developed in the human species. Human cortex specificities stem from divergent features of corticogenesis, leading to increased cortical size and complexity. Underlying cellular mechanisms include prolonged patterns of neuronal generation and maturation, as well as the amplification of specific types of stem/progenitor cells. While the gene regulatory networks of corticogenesis appear to be largely conserved among all mammals including humans, they have evolved in primates, particularly in the human species, through the emergence of rapidly divergent transcriptional regulatory elements, as well as recently duplicated novel genes. These human-specific molecular features together control key cellular milestones of human corticogenesis and are often affected in neurodevelopmental disorders, thus linking human neural development, evolution, and diseases. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Genetics, Volume 55 is November 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Libé-Philippot
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; .,Institut de Recherches Interdisciplinaires en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM) and ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Vanderhaeghen
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; .,Institut de Recherches Interdisciplinaires en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM) and ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
71
|
Allison T, Langerman J, Sabri S, Otero-Garcia M, Lund A, Huang J, Wei X, Samarasinghe RA, Polioudakis D, Mody I, Cobos I, Novitch BG, Geschwind DH, Plath K, Lowry WE. Defining the nature of human pluripotent stem cell-derived interneurons via single-cell analysis. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2548-2564. [PMID: 34506726 PMCID: PMC8514853 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The specification of inhibitory neurons has been described for the mouse and human brain, and many studies have shown that pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can be used to create interneurons in vitro. It is unclear whether in vitro methods to produce human interneurons generate all the subtypes found in brain, and how similar in vitro and in vivo interneurons are. We applied single-nuclei and single-cell transcriptomics to model interneuron development from human cortex and interneurons derived from PSCs. We provide a direct comparison of various in vitro interneuron derivation methods to determine the homogeneity achieved. We find that PSC-derived interneurons capture stages of development prior to mid-gestation, and represent a minority of potential subtypes found in brain. Comparison with those found in fetal or adult brain highlighted decreased expression of synapse-related genes. These analyses highlight the potential to tailor the method of generation to drive formation of particular subtypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Allison
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Justin Langerman
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shan Sabri
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Bioinformatics PhD Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marcos Otero-Garcia
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrew Lund
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John Huang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiaofei Wei
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ranmal A. Samarasinghe
- Broad Stem Cell Center for Regenerative Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Department of Neurobiology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Damon Polioudakis
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology and Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Istvan Mody
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Inma Cobos
- Department of Pathology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bennett G. Novitch
- Broad Stem Cell Center for Regenerative Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Department of Neurobiology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel H. Geschwind
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology and Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kathrin Plath
- Broad Stem Cell Center for Regenerative Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Bioinformatics PhD Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Corresponding author
| | - William E. Lowry
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Broad Stem Cell Center for Regenerative Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
72
|
Xu J, Wen Z. Brain Organoids: Studying Human Brain Development and Diseases in a Dish. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:5902824. [PMID: 34539790 PMCID: PMC8448601 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5902824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid development of stem cell technology, the advent of three-dimensional (3D) cultured brain organoids has opened a new avenue for studying human neurodevelopment and neurological disorders. Brain organoids are stem-cell-derived 3D suspension cultures that self-assemble into an organized structure with cell types and cytoarchitectures recapitulating the developing brain. In recent years, brain organoids have been utilized in various aspects, ranging from basic biology studies, to disease modeling, and high-throughput screening of pharmaceutical compounds. In this review, we overview the establishment and development of brain organoid technology, its recent progress, and translational applications, as well as existing limitations and future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xu
- The Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, GA 30322, USA
| | - Zhexing Wen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| |
Collapse
|
73
|
Krajka V, Naujock M, Pauly MG, Stengel F, Meier B, Stanslowsky N, Klein C, Seibler P, Wegner F, Capetian P. Ventral Telencephalic Patterning Protocols for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:716249. [PMID: 34490265 PMCID: PMC8416478 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.716249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into specific cell types for disease modeling and restorative therapies is a key research agenda and offers the possibility to obtain patient-specific cells of interest for a wide range of diseases. Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) play a particular role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s dementia and isolated dystonias. In this work, various directed differentiation protocols based on monolayer neural induction were tested for their effectiveness in promoting a ventral telencephalic phenotype and generating BFCN. Ventralizing factors [i.e., purmorphamine and Sonic hedgehog (SHH)] were applied at different time points, time intervals, and concentrations. In addition, caudal identity was prevented by the use of a small molecule XAV-939 that inhibits the Wnt-pathway. After patterning, gene expression profiles were analyzed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Rostro-ventral patterning is most effective when initiated simultaneously with neural induction. The most promising combination of patterning factors was 0.5 μM of purmorphamine and 1 μM of XAV-939, which induces the highest expression of transcription factors specific for the medial ganglionic eminence, the source of GABAergic inter- and cholinergic neurons in the telencephalon. Upon maturation of cells, the immune phenotype, as well as electrophysiological properties were investigated showing the presence of marker proteins specific for BFCN (choline acetyltransferase, ISL1, p75, and NKX2.1) and GABAergic neurons. Moreover, a considerable fraction of measured cells displayed mature electrophysiological properties. Synaptic boutons containing the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VACHT) could be observed in the vicinity of the cells. This work will help to generate basal forebrain interneurons from hiPSCs, providing a promising platform for modeling neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or Dystonia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Krajka
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Martje G Pauly
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Felix Stengel
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Britta Meier
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Christine Klein
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Philip Seibler
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Florian Wegner
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Philipp Capetian
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
74
|
Mermer F, Poliquin S, Rigsby K, Rastogi A, Shen W, Romero-Morales A, Nwosu G, McGrath P, Demerast S, Aoto J, Bilousova G, Lal D, Gama V, Kang JQ. Common molecular mechanisms of SLC6A1 variant-mediated neurodevelopmental disorders in astrocytes and neurons. Brain 2021; 144:2499-2512. [PMID: 34028503 PMCID: PMC8418336 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Solute carrier family 6 member 1 (SLC6A1) is abundantly expressed in the developing brain even before the CNS is formed. Its encoded GABA transporter 1 (GAT-1) is responsible for the reuptake of GABA into presynaptic neurons and glia, thereby modulating neurotransmission. GAT-1 is expressed globally in the brain, in both astrocytes and neurons. The GABA uptake function of GAT-1 in neurons cannot be compensated for by other GABA transporters, while the function in glia can be partially replaced by GABA transporter 3. Recently, many variants in SLC6A1 have been associated with a spectrum of epilepsy syndromes and neurodevelopmental disorders, including myoclonic atonic epilepsy, childhood absence epilepsy, autism, and intellectual disability, but the pathomechanisms associated with these phenotypes remain unclear. The presence of GAT-1 in both neurons and astrocytes further obscures the role of abnormal GAT-1 in the heterogeneous disease phenotype manifestations. Here we examine the impact on transporter trafficking and function of 22 SLC6A1 variants identified in patients with a broad spectrum of phenotypes. We also evaluate changes in protein expression and subcellular localization of the variant GAT-1 in various cell types, including neurons and astrocytes derived from human patient induced pluripotent stem cells. We found that a partial or complete loss-of-function represents a common disease mechanism, although the extent of GABA uptake reduction is variable. The reduced GABA uptake appears to be due to reduced cell surface expression of the variant transporter caused by variant protein misfolding, endoplasmic reticulum retention, and subsequent degradation. Although the extent of reduction of the total protein, surface protein, and the GABA uptake level of the variant transporters is variable, the loss of GABA uptake function and endoplasmic reticulum retention is consistent across induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell types, including astrocytes and neurons, for the surveyed variants. Interestingly, we did not find a clear correlation of GABA uptake function and the disease phenotypes, such as myoclonic atonic epilepsy versus developmental delay, in this study. Together, our study suggests that impaired transporter protein trafficking and surface expression are the major disease-associated mechanisms associated with pathogenic SLC6A1 variants. Our results resemble findings from pathogenic variants in other genes affecting the GABA pathway, such as GABAA receptors. This study provides critical insight into therapeutic developments for SLC6A1 variant-mediated disorders and implicates that boosting transporter function by either genetic or pharmacological approaches would be beneficial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Mermer
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Sarah Poliquin
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | | | - Anuj Rastogi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Wangzhen Shen
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Alejandra Romero-Morales
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Stem Cell Biology, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Gerald Nwosu
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt-Meharry Alliance Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Patrick McGrath
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Scott Demerast
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Jason Aoto
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Ganna Bilousova
- Department of Dermatology, Charles C. Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Dennis Lal
- Cleveland Clinic Genomic Medicine Institute and Neurological Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Vivian Gama
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Stem Cell Biology, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jing-Qiong Kang
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center of Human Development, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| |
Collapse
|
75
|
Iwata R. Temporal differences of neurodevelopment processes between species. Neurosci Res 2021; 177:8-15. [PMID: 34419562 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The ontogeny programs are highly conserved across all vertebrates, although there are significant temporal variations in interspecies developmental processes. Changing the timing and rate of developmental processes could affect subsequent organogenesis profoundly and may also have been critical factors in evolutionary diversity. However, despite their potential importance, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control interspecies differences in developmental timescale remain unclear. This review highlights recent advances in the experimental models to compare interspecies differences in neurodevelopmental processes, neurogenesis, and neuronal maturation and discusses the possible mechanisms that could generate species-specific timescales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Iwata
- VIB KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Institut de Recherches en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM), ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), 1070 Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
76
|
Logan RW, Ozburn AR, Arey RN, Ketchesin KD, Winquist A, Crain A, Tobe BTD, Becker-Krail D, Jarpe MB, Xue X, Zong W, Huo Z, Parekh PK, Zhu X, Fitzgerald E, Zhang H, Oliver-Smith J, DePoy LM, Hildebrand MA, Snyder EY, Tseng GC, McClung CA. Valproate reverses mania-like behaviors in mice via preferential targeting of HDAC2. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:4066-4084. [PMID: 33235333 PMCID: PMC8141541 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00958-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Valproate (VPA) has been used in the treatment of bipolar disorder since the 1990s. However, the therapeutic targets of VPA have remained elusive. Here we employ a preclinical model to identify the therapeutic targets of VPA. We find compounds that inhibit histone deacetylase proteins (HDACs) are effective in normalizing manic-like behavior, and that class I HDACs (e.g., HDAC1 and HDAC2) are most important in this response. Using an RNAi approach, we find that HDAC2, but not HDAC1, inhibition in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is sufficient to normalize behavior. Furthermore, HDAC2 overexpression in the VTA prevents the actions of VPA. We used RNA sequencing in both mice and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from bipolar patients to further identify important molecular targets. Together, these studies identify HDAC2 and downstream targets for the development of novel therapeutics for bipolar mania.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan W. Logan
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Angela R. Ozburn
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Portland Alcohol Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.,VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Rachel N. Arey
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kyle D. Ketchesin
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Alicia Winquist
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Andrew Crain
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Brian T. D. Tobe
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Administration Medical Center, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Darius Becker-Krail
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Matthew B. Jarpe
- Regenacy Pharmaceuticals, 303 Wyman St, Suite 300, Waltham, MA, 02451, USA
| | - Xiangning Xue
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Wei Zong
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Zhiguang Huo
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Puja K. Parekh
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, and Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Xiyu Zhu
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Ethan Fitzgerald
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Hui Zhang
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.,Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China 100730
| | - Jeffrey Oliver-Smith
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Lauren M. DePoy
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Mariah A. Hildebrand
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Evan Y. Snyder
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - George C. Tseng
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.,Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Colleen A. McClung
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.,Corresponding Author: Colleen A. McClung, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry, 450 Technology Drive, Suite 223, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, , 412-624-5547
| |
Collapse
|
77
|
Cerebral Organoids-Challenges to Establish a Brain Prototype. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071790. [PMID: 34359959 PMCID: PMC8306666 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The new cellular models based on neural cells differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells have greatly enhanced our understanding of human nervous system development. Highly efficient protocols for the differentiation of iPSCs into different types of neural cells have allowed the creation of 2D models of many neurodegenerative diseases and nervous system development. However, the 2D culture of neurons is an imperfect model of the 3D brain tissue architecture represented by many functionally active cell types. The development of protocols for the differentiation of iPSCs into 3D cerebral organoids made it possible to establish a cellular model closest to native human brain tissue. Cerebral organoids are equally suitable for modeling various CNS pathologies, testing pharmacologically active substances, and utilization in regenerative medicine. Meanwhile, this technology is still at the initial stage of development.
Collapse
|
78
|
Zhu H, Sun T, Wang Y, Wang T, Ma C, Wang C, Liu C, Guo Y. [Directed differentiation of porcine induced pluripotent stem cells into forebrain GABAergic neuron progenitors]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2021; 41:820-827. [PMID: 34238733 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2021.06.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To establish an efficient protocol for directed differentiation of miniature-swine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into GABAergic progenitors in a chemically defined system. OBJECTIVE We adopted a two-stage protocol for inducing the differentiation of porcine iPSCs. In the first stage, embryoid bodies (EBs) derived from porcine iPSCs after 3 days of suspension culture were induced in neural induction medium (containing SB431542, DMH1 and FGF2) till day 12 to differentiate into primitive neuroepithelia cells (NECs). In the second stage, the primitive NECs were induced in neural induction medium (containing Pur and B27) to obtain neural rosettes, which further differentiated into GABAergic neuron progenitors on day 21. After labeling with CM-DiI, the progenitor cells were stereotactically transplanted into the substantia nigra (SN) of 6-OHDA-lesioned PD model rats, and the cell survival, migration and differentiation in vivo were observed. OBJECTIVE Porcine iPSCs could be passaged stably on the feeder cell layer and expressed the pluripotent stem cell markers OCT4, Nanog, SSEA1and TRA-160. Karyotype analysis demonstrated the absence of contamination by cells from other species. On day 12 of induced differentiation, the cells formed adherent colonies containing NECs in the form of neural rosettes, which expressed the neuroepithelial markers PAX6, SOX2 and Nestin and the neurite marker beta Ⅲ Tubulin (Tuj1). After induction for 21 days, the NECs differentiated into GABAergic neural progenitors highly expressing NKX2.1 and FOXG1. Eight weeks after transplantation, the iPSCs-iGABA progeniters survived in the striatum of the PD rats, where they differentiate into GABAergic neurons and TH+ neurons and significantly improved dyskinesia of the rats. OBJECTIVE The miniature-swine iPSCsderived GABA progenitors may serve as promising donor cells for neural grafting for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Zhu
- School of Laboratory Medicine Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - T Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - Y Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - T Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - C Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - C Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - C Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - Y Guo
- School of Laboratory Medicine Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| |
Collapse
|
79
|
Harschnitz O, Studer L. Human stem cell models to study host-virus interactions in the central nervous system. Nat Rev Immunol 2021; 21:441-453. [PMID: 33398129 PMCID: PMC9653304 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-020-00474-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Advancements in human pluripotent stem cell technology offer a unique opportunity for the neuroimmunology field to study host-virus interactions directly in disease-relevant cells of the human central nervous system (CNS). Viral encephalitis is most commonly caused by herpesviruses, arboviruses and enteroviruses targeting distinct CNS cell types and often leading to severe neurological damage with poor clinical outcomes. Furthermore, different neurotropic viruses will affect the CNS at distinct developmental stages, from early prenatal brain development to the aged brain. With the unique flexibility and scalability of human pluripotent stem cell technology, it is now possible to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying acute infection and latency, determine which CNS subpopulations are specifically infected, study temporal aspects of viral susceptibility, perform high-throughput chemical or genetic screens for viral restriction factors and explore complex cell-non-autonomous disease mechanisms. Therefore, human pluripotent stem cell technology has the potential to address key unanswered questions about antiviral immunity in the CNS, including emerging questions on the potential CNS tropism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Harschnitz
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York (NY), USA,The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York (NY), USA,
| | - Lorenz Studer
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York (NY), USA,The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York (NY), USA
| |
Collapse
|
80
|
Deletion of RBMX RGG/RG motif in Shashi-XLID syndrome leads to aberrant p53 activation and neuronal differentiation defects. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109337. [PMID: 34260915 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins play important roles in X-linked intellectual disability (XLID). In this study, we investigate the contribution of the XLID-associated RBMX in neuronal differentiation. We show that RBMX-depleted cells exhibit aberrant activation of the p53 pathway. Moreover, we identify that the RBMX RGG/RG motif is methylated by protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), and this regulates assembly with the SRSF1 splicing factor into higher-order complexes. Depletion of RBMX or disruption of the RBMX/SRSF1 complex in PRMT5-depleted cells reduces SRSF1 binding to the MDM4 precursor (pre-)mRNA, leading to exon 6 exclusion and lower MDM4 protein levels. Transcriptomic analysis of isogenic Shashi-XLID human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) generated using CRISPR-Cas9 reveals a dysregulation of MDM4 splicing and aberrant p53 upregulation. Shashi-XLID neural progenitor cells (NPCs) display differentiation and morphological abnormalities accompanied with excessive apoptosis. Our findings identify RBMX as a regulator of SRSF1 and the p53 pathway, suggesting that the loss of function of the RBMX RGG/RG motif is the cause of Shashi-XLID syndrome.
Collapse
|
81
|
Hua T(T, Bejoy J, Song L, Wang Z, Zeng Z, Zhou Y, Li Y, Sang QXA. Cerebellar Differentiation from Human Stem Cells Through Retinoid, Wnt, and Sonic Hedgehog Pathways. Tissue Eng Part A 2021; 27:881-893. [PMID: 32873223 PMCID: PMC8336229 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2020.0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiating cerebellar organoids can be challenging due to complex cell organization and structure in the cerebellum. Different approaches were investigated to recapitulate differentiation process of the cerebellum from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) without high efficiency. This study was carried out to test the hypothesis that the combination of different signaling factors including retinoic acid (RA), Wnt activator, and sonic hedgehog (SHH) activator promotes the cerebellar differentiation of hiPSCs. Wnt, RA, and SHH pathways were activated by CHIR99021 (CHIR), RA, and purmorphamine (PMR), respectively. Different combinations of the morphogens (RA/CHIR, RA/PMR, CHIR/PMR, and RA/CHIR/PMR) were utilized, and the spheroids (day 35) were characterized for the markers of three cerebellum layers (the molecular layer, the Purkinje cell layer, and the granule cell layer). Of all the combinations tested, RA/CHIR/PMR promoted both the Purkinje cell layer and the granule cell layer differentiation. The cells also exhibited electrophysiological characteristics using whole-cell patch clamp recording, especially demonstrating Purkinje cell electrophysiology. This study should advance the understanding of different signaling pathways during cerebellar development to engineer cerebellum organoids for drug screening and disease modeling. Impact statement This study investigated the synergistic effects of retinoic acid, Wnt activator, and sonic hedgehog activator on cerebellar patterning of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) spheroids and organoids. The results indicate that the combination promotes the differentiation of the Purkinje cell layer and the granule cell layer. The cells also exhibit electrophysiological characteristics using whole-cell patch clamp recording, especially demonstrating Purkinje cell electrophysiology. The findings are significant for understanding the biochemical signaling of three-dimensional microenvironment on neural patterning of hiPSCs for applications in organoid engineering, disease modeling, and drug screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thien (Timothy) Hua
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Julie Bejoy
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Liqing Song
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Ziwei Zeng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Qing-Xiang Amy Sang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
82
|
Ng YH, Chanda S, Janas JA, Yang N, Kokubu Y, Südhof TC, Wernig M. Efficient generation of dopaminergic induced neuronal cells with midbrain characteristics. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:1763-1776. [PMID: 34171286 PMCID: PMC8282497 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The differentiation of pluripotent stem cells can be accomplished by sequential activation of signaling pathways or through transcription factor programming. Multistep differentiation imitates embryonic development to obtain authentic cell types, but it suffers from asynchronous differentiation with variable efficiency. Transcription factor programming induces synchronous and efficient differentiation with higher reproducibility but may not always yield authentic cell types. We systematically explored the generation of dopaminergic induced neuronal cells from mouse and human pluripotent stem cells. We found that the proneural factor Ascl1 in combination with mesencephalic factors Lmx1a and Nurr1 induce peripheral dopaminergic neurons. Co-delivery of additional midbrain transcription factors En1, FoxA2, and Pitx3 resulted in facile and robust generation of functional dopaminergic neurons of midbrain character. Our results suggest that more complex combinations of transcription factors may be needed for proper regional specification of induced neuronal cells generated by direct lineage induction. Ascl1 alone can induce tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive ES-iN cells Ascl1 alone, or with Nurr1 and Lmx1a, induce peripheral TH-positive cells WNT1 and neurotrophic factors increase TH-positive iN cells in culture A 6-factor combination induces TH-positive dopamine iN cells of central identity
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Han Ng
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Soham Chanda
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Justyna A Janas
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nan Yang
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yuko Kokubu
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Thomas C Südhof
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marius Wernig
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
83
|
Anderson NC, Chen PF, Meganathan K, Afshar Saber W, Petersen AJ, Bhattacharyya A, Kroll KL, Sahin M. Balancing serendipity and reproducibility: Pluripotent stem cells as experimental systems for intellectual and developmental disorders. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:1446-1457. [PMID: 33861989 PMCID: PMC8190574 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their differentiation into neural lineages is a revolutionary experimental system for studying neurological disorders, including intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). However, issues related to variability and reproducibility have hindered translating preclinical findings into drug discovery. Here, we identify areas for improvement by conducting a comprehensive review of 58 research articles that utilized iPSC-derived neural cells to investigate genetically defined IDDs. Based upon these findings, we propose recommendations for best practices that can be adopted by research scientists as well as journal editors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nickesha C Anderson
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pin-Fang Chen
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kesavan Meganathan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Wardiya Afshar Saber
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Anita Bhattacharyya
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
| | - Kristen L Kroll
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
84
|
Micali N, Kim SK, Diaz-Bustamante M, Stein-O'Brien G, Seo S, Shin JH, Rash BG, Ma S, Wang Y, Olivares NA, Arellano JI, Maynard KR, Fertig EJ, Cross AJ, Bürli RW, Brandon NJ, Weinberger DR, Chenoweth JG, Hoeppner DJ, Sestan N, Rakic P, Colantuoni C, McKay RD. Variation of Human Neural Stem Cells Generating Organizer States In Vitro before Committing to Cortical Excitatory or Inhibitory Neuronal Fates. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107599. [PMID: 32375049 PMCID: PMC7357345 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Better understanding of the progression of neural stem cells (NSCs) in the developing cerebral cortex is important for modeling neurogenesis and defining the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we use RNA sequencing, cell imaging, and lineage tracing of mouse and human in vitro NSCs and monkey brain sections to model the generation of cortical neuronal fates. We show that conserved signaling mechanisms regulate the acute transition from proliferative NSCs to committed glutamatergic excitatory neurons. As human telencephalic NSCs develop from pluripotency in vitro, they transition through organizer states that spatially pattern the cortex before generating glutamatergic precursor fates. NSCs derived from multiple human pluripotent lines vary in these early patterning states, leading differentially to dorsal or ventral telencephalic fates. This work furthers systematic analyses of the earliest patterning events that generate the major neuronal trajectories of the human telencephalon. Micali et al. report that human telencephalic NSCs in vitro transition through the organizer states that pattern the neocortex. Human pluripotent lines vary in organizer formation, generating divergent neuronal differentiation trajectories biased toward dorsal or ventral telencephalic fates and opening further analysis of the earliest cortical specification events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Micali
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Suel-Kee Kim
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | | | - Genevieve Stein-O'Brien
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Seungmae Seo
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Joo-Heon Shin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Brian G Rash
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Shaojie Ma
- Departments of Comparative Medicine, Genetics, and Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Yanhong Wang
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Nicolas A Olivares
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jon I Arellano
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Kristen R Maynard
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Alan J Cross
- AstraZeneca Neuroscience, IMED Biotech Unit, R&D, Boston, MA 024515, USA
| | - Roland W Bürli
- AstraZeneca Neuroscience, IMED Biotech Unit, R&D, Boston, MA 024515, USA
| | - Nicholas J Brandon
- AstraZeneca Neuroscience, IMED Biotech Unit, R&D, Boston, MA 024515, USA
| | - Daniel R Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Joshua G Chenoweth
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Daniel J Hoeppner
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Astellas Research Institute of America, 3565 General Atomics Ct., Ste. 200, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Nenad Sestan
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Departments of Comparative Medicine, Genetics, and Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Pasko Rakic
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Carlo Colantuoni
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Ronald D McKay
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
85
|
Fiorenzano A, Sozzi E, Parmar M, Storm P. Dopamine Neuron Diversity: Recent Advances and Current Challenges in Human Stem Cell Models and Single Cell Sequencing. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061366. [PMID: 34206038 PMCID: PMC8226961 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons are a heterogeneous group of cells that share a common neurotransmitter phenotype and are in close anatomical proximity but display different functions, sensitivity to degeneration, and axonal innervation targets. The A9 DA neuron subtype controls motor function and is primarily degenerated in Parkinson’s disease (PD), whereas A10 neurons are largely unaffected by the condition, and their dysfunction is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Currently, DA neurons can only be reliably classified on the basis of topographical features, including anatomical location in the midbrain and projection targets in the forebrain. No systematic molecular classification at the genome-wide level has been proposed to date. Although many years of scientific efforts in embryonic and adult mouse brain have positioned us to better understand the complexity of DA neuron biology, many biological phenomena specific to humans are not amenable to being reproduced in animal models. The establishment of human cell-based systems combined with advanced computational single-cell transcriptomics holds great promise for decoding the mechanisms underlying maturation and diversification of human DA neurons, and linking their molecular heterogeneity to functions in the midbrain. Human pluripotent stem cells have emerged as a useful tool to recapitulate key molecular features of mature DA neuron subtypes. Here, we review some of the most recent advances and discuss the current challenges in using stem cells, to model human DA biology. We also describe how single cell RNA sequencing may provide key insights into the molecular programs driving DA progenitor specification into mature DA neuron subtypes. Exploiting the state-of-the-art approaches will lead to a better understanding of stem cell-derived DA neurons and their use in disease modeling and regenerative medicine.
Collapse
|
86
|
Strano A, Tuck E, Stubbs VE, Livesey FJ. Variable Outcomes in Neural Differentiation of Human PSCs Arise from Intrinsic Differences in Developmental Signaling Pathways. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107732. [PMID: 32521257 PMCID: PMC7296348 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells varies in specificity and efficiency. Stochastic, genetic, intracellular, and environmental factors affect maintenance of pluripotency and differentiation into early embryonic lineages. However, factors affecting variation in in vitro differentiation to defined cell types are not well understood. To address this, we focused on a well-established differentiation process to cerebral cortex neural progenitor cells and their neuronal progeny from human pluripotent stem cells. Analysis of 162 differentiation outcomes of 61 stem cell lines derived from 37 individuals showed that most variation occurs along gene expression axes reflecting dorsoventral and rostrocaudal spatial expression during in vivo brain development. Line-independent and line-dependent variations occur, with the latter driven largely by differences in endogenous Wnt signaling activity. Tuning Wnt signaling during a specific phase early in the differentiation process reduces variability, demonstrating that cell-line/genome-specific differentiation outcome biases can be corrected by controlling extracellular signaling. Analysis of 162 iPSC neural differentiation quantifies sources of variability Variation in outcomes occurs along developmental brain spatial and regional axes Variation depends on iPSC-line-specific differences in Wnt/β-catenin signaling Effects of signaling differences can be rescued by exogenous pathway activation
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Strano
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute & Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, 20 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DZ, UK
| | - Eleanor Tuck
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, 20 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DZ, UK
| | - Victoria E Stubbs
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute & Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Frederick J Livesey
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, 20 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DZ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
87
|
Michael Deans PJ, Brennand KJ. Applying stem cells and CRISPR engineering to uncover the etiology of schizophrenia. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 69:193-201. [PMID: 34010781 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a highly heritable, polygenic disorder. A growing list of common genetic variants have been associated with schizophrenia; there is a clear need to understand the role of these risk factors in the etiology of disease. The majority of these variants occur in noncoding regions of the genome and are thought to regulate the expression of one or more genes in a cell type-specific fashion. Recent advances in stem cell biology and molecular genetics have resulted in two invaluable advances: hiPSC technology makes possible the generation of donor-specific disease-relevant neural cell types, whereas CRISPR-based techniques can be applied to manipulate individual variants and/or their gene targets. New multiplexed gene manipulation and CRISPR screening techniques show great promise toward dissecting the complex interactions between the myriad disease-associated variants. This review outlines key advances in hiPSC and CRISPR technology, describing their applications and future potential in the field of schizophrenia research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter James Michael Deans
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
88
|
Padmanabhan Nair V, Liu H, Ciceri G, Jungverdorben J, Frishman G, Tchieu J, Cederquist GY, Rothenaigner I, Schorpp K, Klepper L, Walsh RM, Kim TW, Cornacchia D, Ruepp A, Mayer J, Hadian K, Frishman D, Studer L, Vincendeau M. Activation of HERV-K(HML-2) disrupts cortical patterning and neuronal differentiation by increasing NTRK3. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:1566-1581.e8. [PMID: 33951478 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The biological function and disease association of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are largely elusive. HERV-K(HML-2) has been associated with neurotoxicity, but there is no clear understanding of its role or mechanistic basis. We addressed the physiological functions of HERV-K(HML-2) in neuronal differentiation using CRISPR engineering to activate or repress its expression levels in a human-pluripotent-stem-cell-based system. We found that elevated HERV-K(HML-2) transcription is detrimental for the development and function of cortical neurons. These effects are cell-type-specific, as dopaminergic neurons are unaffected. Moreover, high HERV-K(HML-2) transcription alters cortical layer formation in forebrain organoids. HERV-K(HML-2) transcriptional activation leads to hyperactivation of NTRK3 expression and other neurodegeneration-related genes. Direct activation of NTRK3 phenotypically resembles HERV-K(HML-2) induction, and reducing NTRK3 levels in context of HERV-K(HML-2) induction restores cortical neuron differentiation. Hence, these findings unravel a cell-type-specific role for HERV-K(HML-2) in cortical neuron development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hengyuan Liu
- Department of Genome-Oriented Bioinformatics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gabriele Ciceri
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Johannes Jungverdorben
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Goar Frishman
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jason Tchieu
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gustav Y Cederquist
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ina Rothenaigner
- Assay Development and Screening Platform, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Kenji Schorpp
- Assay Development and Screening Platform, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Lena Klepper
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ryan M Walsh
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tae Wan Kim
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniela Cornacchia
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andreas Ruepp
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jens Mayer
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Kamyar Hadian
- Assay Development and Screening Platform, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Dmitrij Frishman
- Department of Genome-Oriented Bioinformatics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Lorenz Studer
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Vincendeau
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
89
|
Lewis EMA, Kaushik K, Sandoval LA, Antony I, Dietmann S, Kroll KL. Epigenetic regulation during human cortical development: Seq-ing answers from the brain to the organoid. Neurochem Int 2021; 147:105039. [PMID: 33915225 PMCID: PMC8387070 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in controlling gene expression during complex processes, such as development of the human brain. Mutations in genes encoding chromatin modifying proteins and in the non-protein coding sequences of the genome can potentially alter transcription factor binding or chromatin accessibility. Such mutations can frequently cause neurodevelopmental disorders, therefore understanding how epigenetic regulation shapes brain development is of particular interest. While epigenetic regulation of neural development has been extensively studied in murine models, significant species-specific differences in both the genome sequence and in brain development necessitate human models. However, access to human fetal material is limited and these tissues cannot be grown or experimentally manipulated ex vivo. Therefore, models that recapitulate particular aspects of human fetal brain development, such as the in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), are instrumental for studying the epigenetic regulation of human neural development. Here, we examine recent studies that have defined changes in the epigenomic landscape during fetal brain development. We compare these studies with analogous data derived by in vitro differentiation of hPSCs into specific neuronal cell types or as three-dimensional cerebral organoids. Such comparisons can be informative regarding which aspects of fetal brain development are faithfully recapitulated by in vitro differentiation models and provide a foundation for using experimentally tractable in vitro models of human brain development to study neural gene regulation and the basis of its disruption to cause neurodevelopmental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily M A Lewis
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue St, Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Komal Kaushik
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue St, Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Luke A Sandoval
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue St, Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Irene Antony
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue St, Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Sabine Dietmann
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue St, Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Kristen L Kroll
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue St, Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
90
|
Cederquist GY, Tchieu J, Callahan SJ, Ramnarine K, Ryan S, Zhang C, Rittenhouse C, Zeltner N, Chung SY, Zhou T, Chen S, Betel D, White RM, Tomishima M, Studer L. A Multiplex Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Platform Defines Molecular and Functional Subclasses of Autism-Related Genes. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 27:35-49.e6. [PMID: 32619517 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a clinically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Despite significant advances in the genetics of autism, understanding how genetic changes perturb brain development and affect clinical symptoms remains elusive. Here, we present a multiplex human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) platform, in which 30 isogenic disease lines are pooled in a single dish and differentiated into prefrontal cortex (PFC) lineages to efficiently test early-developmental hypotheses of autism. We define subgroups of autism mutations that perturb PFC neurogenesis and are correlated to abnormal WNT/βcatenin responses. Class 1 mutations (8 of 27) inhibit while class 2 mutations (5 of 27) enhance PFC neurogenesis. Remarkably, autism patient data reveal that individuals carrying subclass-specific mutations differ clinically in their corresponding language acquisition profiles. Our study provides a framework to disentangle genetic heterogeneity associated with autism and points toward converging molecular and developmental pathways of diverse autism-associated mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gustav Y Cederquist
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill-Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jason Tchieu
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Scott J Callahan
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA; Cancer Genetics and Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA; Gerstner Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kiran Ramnarine
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sean Ryan
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Chao Zhang
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Chelsea Rittenhouse
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Nadja Zeltner
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA; Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cellular Biology, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Sun Young Chung
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ting Zhou
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Shuibing Chen
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Doron Betel
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Richard M White
- Cancer Genetics and Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mark Tomishima
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lorenz Studer
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
91
|
Nasu M, Esumi S, Hatakeyama J, Tamamaki N, Shimamura K. Two-Phase Lineage Specification of Telencephalon Progenitors Generated From Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:632381. [PMID: 33937233 PMCID: PMC8086603 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.632381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper brain development requires precisely controlled phases of stem cell proliferation, lineage specification, differentiation, and migration. Lineage specification depends partly on concentration gradients of chemical cues called morphogens. However, the rostral brain (telencephalon) expands prominently during embryonic development, dynamically altering local morphogen concentrations, and telencephalic subregional properties develop with a time lag. Here, we investigated how progenitor specification occurs under these spatiotemporally changing conditions using a three-dimensional in vitro differentiation model. We verified the critical contributions of three signaling factors for the lineage specification of subregional tissues in the telencephalon, ventralizing sonic hedgehog (Shh) and dorsalizing bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and WNT proteins (WNTs). We observed that a short-lasting signal is sufficient to induce subregional progenitors and that the timing of signal exposure for efficient induction is specific to each lineage. Furthermore, early and late progenitors possess different Shh signal response capacities. This study reveals a novel developmental mechanism for telencephalon patterning that relies on the interplay of dose- and time-dependent signaling, including a time lag for specification and a temporal shift in cellular Shh sensitivity. This delayed fate choice through two-phase specification allows tissues with marked size expansion, such as the telencephalon, to compensate for the changing dynamics of morphogen signals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Nasu
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Esumi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Jun Hatakeyama
- Department of Brain Morphogenesis, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Tamamaki
- Department of Morphological Neural Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kenji Shimamura
- Department of Brain Morphogenesis, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
92
|
Kazuki Y, Uno N, Abe S, Kajitani N, Kazuki K, Yakura Y, Sawada C, Takata S, Sugawara M, Nagashima Y, Okada A, Hiratsuka M, Osaki M, Ferrari G, Tedesco FS, Nishikawa S, Fukumoto K, Takayanagi SI, Kunisato A, Kaneko S, Oshimura M, Tomizuka K. Engineering of human induced pluripotent stem cells via human artificial chromosome vectors for cell therapy and disease modeling. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 23:629-639. [PMID: 33552683 PMCID: PMC7819819 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Genetic engineering of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) holds great promise for gene and cell therapy as well as drug discovery. However, there are potential concerns regarding the safety and control of gene expression using conventional vectors such as viruses and plasmids. Although human artificial chromosome (HAC) vectors have several advantages as a gene delivery vector, including stable episomal maintenance and the ability to carry large gene inserts, the full potential of HAC transfer into iPSCs still needs to be explored. Here, we provide evidence of a HAC transfer into human iPSCs by microcell-mediated chromosome transfer via measles virus envelope proteins for various applications, including gene and cell therapy, establishment of versatile human iPSCs capable of gene loading and differentiation into T cells, and disease modeling for aneuploidy syndrome. Thus, engineering of human iPSCs via desired HAC vectors is expected to be widely applied in biomedical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Kazuki
- Division of Genome and Cellular Functions, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of Life Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Narumi Uno
- Division of Genome and Cellular Functions, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of Life Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
- Laboratory of Bioengineering, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1, Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Satoshi Abe
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Naoyo Kajitani
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Kanako Kazuki
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Yuwna Yakura
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Chiaki Sawada
- Division of Genome and Cellular Functions, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of Life Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Shuta Takata
- Division of Genome and Cellular Functions, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of Life Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Masaki Sugawara
- Division of Genome and Cellular Functions, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of Life Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Yuichi Nagashima
- Division of Genome and Cellular Functions, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of Life Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Akane Okada
- Division of Genome and Cellular Functions, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of Life Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Masaharu Hiratsuka
- Division of Genome and Cellular Functions, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of Life Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiko Osaki
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Giulia Ferrari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6DE, UK
| | - Francesco Saverio Tedesco
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6DE, UK
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Satoshi Nishikawa
- Regenerative Medicine Research Laboratories, Research Functions Unit, R&D Division, Kyowa Kirin, Co., Ltd. 3-6-6, Asahi-machi, Machida-shi, Tokyo 194-8533, Japan
| | - Ken Fukumoto
- Cell Therapy Project, R&D Division, Kirin Holdings, Co., Ltd. 1-13-5, Fukuura Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004 Japan
| | - Shin-ichiro Takayanagi
- Cell Therapy Project, R&D Division, Kirin Holdings, Co., Ltd. 1-13-5, Fukuura Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004 Japan
| | - Atsushi Kunisato
- Project Planning Section, Kirin Holdings, Co., Ltd., 4-10-2 Nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164-0001 Japan
| | - Shin Kaneko
- Shin Kaneko Laboratory, Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Oshimura
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
| | - Kazuma Tomizuka
- Laboratory of Bioengineering, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1, Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
93
|
Brown J, Barry C, Schmitz MT, Argus C, Bolin JM, Schwartz MP, Van Aartsen A, Steill J, Swanson S, Stewart R, Thomson JA, Kendziorski C. Interspecies chimeric conditions affect the developmental rate of human pluripotent stem cells. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008778. [PMID: 33647016 PMCID: PMC7951976 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells hold significant promise for regenerative medicine. However, long differentiation protocols and immature characteristics of stem cell-derived cell types remain challenges to the development of many therapeutic applications. In contrast to the slow differentiation of human stem cells in vitro that mirrors a nine-month gestation period, mouse stem cells develop according to a much faster three-week gestation timeline. Here, we tested if co-differentiation with mouse pluripotent stem cells could accelerate the differentiation speed of human embryonic stem cells. Following a six-week RNA-sequencing time course of neural differentiation, we identified 929 human genes that were upregulated earlier and 535 genes that exhibited earlier peaked expression profiles in chimeric cell cultures than in human cell cultures alone. Genes with accelerated upregulation were significantly enriched in Gene Ontology terms associated with neurogenesis, neuron differentiation and maturation, and synapse signaling. Moreover, chimeric mixed samples correlated with in utero human embryonic samples earlier than human cells alone, and acceleration was dose-dependent on human-mouse co-culture ratios. The altered gene expression patterns and developmental rates described in this report have implications for accelerating human stem cell differentiation and the use of interspecies chimeric embryos in developing human organs for transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jared Brown
- Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JB); (CK)
| | - Christopher Barry
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Matthew T. Schmitz
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Cara Argus
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Jennifer M. Bolin
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Michael P. Schwartz
- NSF Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Amy Van Aartsen
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - John Steill
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Scott Swanson
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ron Stewart
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - James A. Thomson
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
| | - Christina Kendziorski
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JB); (CK)
| |
Collapse
|
94
|
Interneuron Origins in the Embryonic Porcine Medial Ganglionic Eminence. J Neurosci 2021; 41:3105-3119. [PMID: 33637558 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2738-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Interneurons contribute to the complexity of neural circuits and maintenance of normal brain function. Rodent interneurons originate in embryonic ganglionic eminences, but developmental origins in other species are less understood. Here, we show that transcription factor expression patterns in porcine embryonic subpallium are similar to rodents, delineating a distinct medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) progenitor domain. On the basis of Nkx2.1, Lhx6, and Dlx2 expression, in vitro differentiation into neurons expressing GABA, and robust migratory capacity in explant assays, we propose that cortical and hippocampal interneurons originate from a porcine MGE region. Following xenotransplantation into adult male and female rat hippocampus, we further demonstrate that porcine MGE progenitors, like those from rodents, migrate and differentiate into morphologically distinct interneurons expressing GABA. Our findings reveal that basic rules for interneuron development are conserved across species, and that porcine embryonic MGE progenitors could serve as a valuable source for interneuron-based xenotransplantation therapies.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Here we demonstrate that porcine medial ganglionic eminence, like rodents, exhibit a distinct transcriptional and interneuron-specific antibody profile, in vitro migratory capacity and are amenable to xenotransplantation. This is the first comprehensive examination of embryonic interneuron origins in the pig; and because a rich neurodevelopmental literature on embryonic mouse medial ganglionic eminence exists (with some additional characterizations in other species, e.g., monkey and human), our work allows direct neurodevelopmental comparisons with this literature.
Collapse
|
95
|
Funato K, Smith RC, Saito Y, Tabar V. Dissecting the impact of regional identity and the oncogenic role of human-specific NOTCH2NL in an hESC model of H3.3G34R-mutant glioma. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:894-905.e7. [PMID: 33631117 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
H3.3G34R-mutant gliomas are lethal tumors of the cerebral hemispheres with unknown mechanisms of regional specificity and tumorigenicity. We developed a human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based model of H3.3G34R-mutant glioma that recapitulates the key features of the tumors with cell-type specificity to forebrain interneuronal progenitors but not hindbrain precursors. We show that H3.3G34R, ATRX, and TP53 mutations cooperatively impact alternative RNA splicing events, particularly suppression of intron retention. This leads to increased expression of components of the Notch pathway, notably NOTCH2NL, a human-specific gene family. We also uncover a parallel mechanism of enhanced NOTCH2NL expression via genomic amplification of its locus in some H3.3G34R-mutant tumors. These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism whereby evolutionary pathways that lead to larger brain size in humans are co-opted to drive tumor growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Funato
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Cancer Biology and Genetics, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ryan C Smith
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yuhki Saito
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-oncology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Viviane Tabar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Cancer Biology and Genetics, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
96
|
Harward SC, Southwell DG. Interneuron transplantation: a prospective surgical therapy for medically refractory epilepsy. Neurosurg Focus 2021; 48:E18. [PMID: 32234982 DOI: 10.3171/2020.2.focus19955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Excitatory-inhibitory imbalance is central to epilepsy pathophysiology. Current surgical therapies for epilepsy, such as brain resection, laser ablation, and neurostimulation, target epileptic networks on macroscopic scales, without directly correcting the circuit-level aberrations responsible for seizures. The transplantation of inhibitory cortical interneurons represents a novel neurobiological method for modifying recipient neural circuits in a physiologically corrective manner. Transplanted immature interneurons have been found to disperse in the recipient brain parenchyma, where they develop elaborate structural morphologies, express histochemical markers of mature interneurons, and form functional inhibitory synapses onto recipient neurons. Transplanted interneurons also augment synaptic inhibition and alter recipient neural network synchrony, two physiological processes disrupted in various epilepsies. In rodent models of epilepsy, interneuron transplantation corrects recipient seizure phenotypes and associated behavioral abnormalities. As such, interneuron transplantation may represent a novel neurobiological approach to the surgical treatment of human epilepsy. Here, the authors describe the preclinical basis for applying interneuron transplantation to human epilepsy, discuss its potential clinical applications, and consider the translational hurdles to its development as a surgical therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Derek G Southwell
- Departments of1Neurosurgery and.,2Neurology.,3Graduate Program in Neurobiology; Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| |
Collapse
|
97
|
Jacob F, Schnoll JG, Song H, Ming GL. Building the brain from scratch: Engineering region-specific brain organoids from human stem cells to study neural development and disease. Curr Top Dev Biol 2021; 142:477-530. [PMID: 33706925 PMCID: PMC8363060 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2020.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human brain development is an intricate process that involves precisely timed coordination of cell proliferation, fate specification, neuronal differentiation, migration, and integration of diverse cell types. Understanding of these fundamental processes, however, has been largely constrained by limited access to fetal brain tissue and the inability to prospectively study neurodevelopment in humans at the molecular, cellular and system levels. Although non-human model organisms have provided important insights into mechanisms underlying brain development, these systems do not fully recapitulate many human-specific features that often relate to disease. To address these challenges, human brain organoids, self-assembled three-dimensional neural aggregates, have been engineered from human pluripotent stem cells to model the architecture and cellular diversity of the developing human brain. Recent advancements in neural induction and regional patterning using small molecules and growth factors have yielded protocols for generating brain organoids that recapitulate the structure and neuronal composition of distinct brain regions. Here, we first provide an overview of early mammalian brain development with an emphasis on molecular cues that guide region specification. We then focus on recent efforts in generating human brain organoids that model the development of specific brain regions and highlight endeavors to enhance the cellular complexity to better mimic the in vivo developing human brain. We also provide examples of how organoid models have enhanced our understanding of human neurological diseases and conclude by discussing limitations of brain organoids with our perspectives on future advancements to maximize their potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Jacob
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Medical Scientist Training Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jordan G Schnoll
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
98
|
Tidball AM, Lopez-Santiago LF, Yuan Y, Glenn TW, Margolis JL, Clayton Walker J, Kilbane EG, Miller CA, Martina Bebin E, Scott Perry M, Isom LL, Parent JM. Variant-specific changes in persistent or resurgent sodium current in SCN8A-related epilepsy patient-derived neurons. Brain 2021; 143:3025-3040. [PMID: 32968789 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Missense variants in the SCN8A voltage-gated sodium channel gene are linked to early-infantile epileptic encephalopathy type 13, also known as SCN8A-related epilepsy. These patients exhibit a wide spectrum of intractable seizure types, severe developmental delay, movement disorders, and elevated risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. The mechanisms by which SCN8A variants lead to epilepsy are poorly understood, although heterologous expression systems and mouse models have demonstrated altered sodium current properties. To investigate these mechanisms using a patient-specific model, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells from three patients with missense variants in SCN8A: p.R1872>L (Patient 1); p.V1592>L (Patient 2); and p.N1759>S (Patient 3). Using small molecule differentiation into excitatory neurons, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons from all three patients displayed altered sodium currents. Patients 1 and 2 had elevated persistent current, while Patient 3 had increased resurgent current compared to controls. Neurons from all three patients displayed shorter axon initial segment lengths compared to controls. Further analyses focused on one of the patients with increased persistent sodium current (Patient 1) and the patient with increased resurgent current (Patient 3). Excitatory cortical neurons from both patients had prolonged action potential repolarization. Using doxycycline-inducible expression of the neuronal transcription factors neurogenin 1 and 2 to synchronize differentiation of induced excitatory cortical-like neurons, we investigated network activity and response to pharmacotherapies. Both small molecule differentiated and induced patient neurons displayed similar abnormalities in action potential repolarization. Patient induced neurons showed increased burstiness that was sensitive to phenytoin, currently a standard treatment for SCN8A-related epilepsy patients, or riluzole, an FDA-approved drug used in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and known to block persistent and resurgent sodium currents, at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. Patch-clamp recordings showed that riluzole suppressed spontaneous firing and increased the action potential firing threshold of patient-derived neurons to more depolarized potentials. Two of the patients in this study were prescribed riluzole off-label. Patient 1 had a 50% reduction in seizure frequency. Patient 3 experienced an immediate and dramatic seizure reduction with months of seizure freedom. An additional patient with a SCN8A variant in domain IV of Nav1.6 (p.V1757>I) had a dramatic reduction in seizure frequency for several months after starting riluzole treatment, but then seizures recurred. Our results indicate that patient-specific neurons are useful for modelling SCN8A-related epilepsy and demonstrate SCN8A variant-specific mechanisms. Moreover, these findings suggest that patient-specific neuronal disease modelling offers a useful platform for discovering precision epilepsy therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Tidball
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Yukun Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Trevor W Glenn
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - J Clayton Walker
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Emma G Kilbane
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - E Martina Bebin
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - M Scott Perry
- Cook Children's Health Care System, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Lori L Isom
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jack M Parent
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
99
|
Tolomeo AM, Laterza C, Grespan E, Michielin F, Canals I, Kokaia Z, Muraca M, Gagliano O, Elvassore N. NGN2 mmRNA-Based Transcriptional Programming in Microfluidic Guides hiPSCs Toward Neural Fate With Multiple Identities. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:602888. [PMID: 33679325 PMCID: PMC7928329 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.602888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements in cell engineering have succeeded in manipulating cell identity with the targeted overexpression of specific cell fate determining transcription factors in a process named transcriptional programming. Neurogenin2 (NGN2) is sufficient to instruct pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to acquire a neuronal identity when delivered with an integrating system, which arises some safety concerns for clinical applications. A non-integrating system based on modified messenger RNA (mmRNA) delivery method, represents a valuable alternative to lentiviral-based approaches. The ability of NGN2 mmRNA to instruct PSC fate change has not been thoroughly investigated yet. Here we aimed at understanding whether the use of an NGN2 mmRNA-based approach combined with a miniaturized system, which allows a higher transfection efficiency in a cost-effective system, is able to drive human induced PSCs (hiPSCs) toward the neuronal lineage. We show that NGN2 mRNA alone is able to induce cell fate conversion. Surprisingly, the outcome cell population accounts for multiple phenotypes along the neural development trajectory. We found that this mixed population is mainly constituted by neural stem cells (45% ± 18 PAX6 positive cells) and neurons (38% ± 8 βIIITUBULIN positive cells) only when NGN2 is delivered as mmRNA. On the other hand, when the delivery system is lentiviral-based, both providing a constant expression of NGN2 or only a transient pulse, the outcome differentiated population is formed by a clear majority of neurons (88% ± 1 βIIITUBULIN positive cells). Altogether, our data confirm the ability of NGN2 to induce neuralization in hiPSCs and opens a new point of view in respect to the delivery system method when it comes to transcriptional programming applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Tolomeo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,L.i.f.e.L.a.b. Program, Consorzio per la Ricerca Sanitaria (CORIS), Padua, Italy
| | - Cecilia Laterza
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,L.i.f.e.L.a.b. Program, Consorzio per la Ricerca Sanitaria (CORIS), Padua, Italy.,Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy
| | - Eleonora Grespan
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Padua, Italy
| | - Federica Michielin
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy
| | - Isaac Canals
- Stem Cells, Aging and Neurodegeneration Group, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Zaal Kokaia
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Restorative Neurology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maurizio Muraca
- L.i.f.e.L.a.b. Program, Consorzio per la Ricerca Sanitaria (CORIS), Padua, Italy.,Department of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Onelia Gagliano
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,L.i.f.e.L.a.b. Program, Consorzio per la Ricerca Sanitaria (CORIS), Padua, Italy.,Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,L.i.f.e.L.a.b. Program, Consorzio per la Ricerca Sanitaria (CORIS), Padua, Italy.,Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
100
|
Si Z, Wang X. Stem Cell Therapies in Alzheimer's Disease: Applications for Disease Modeling. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2021; 377:207-217. [PMID: 33558427 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.120.000324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with complex pathologic and biologic characteristics. Extracellular β-amyloid deposits, such as senile plaques, and intracellular aggregation of hyperphosphorylated tau, such as neurofibrillary tangles, remain the main neuropathological criteria for the diagnosis of AD. There is currently no effective treatment of the disease, and many clinical trials have failed to prove any benefits of new therapeutics. More recently, there has been increasing interest in harnessing the potential of stem cell technologies for drug discovery, disease modeling, and cell therapies, which have been used to study an array of human conditions, including AD. The recently developed and optimized induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology is a critical platform for screening anti-AD drugs and understanding mutations that modify AD. Neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation has been investigated as a new therapeutic approach to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) also exhibit considerable potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases by secreting growth factors and exosomes, attenuating neuroinflammation. This review highlights recent progress in stem cell research and the translational applications and challenges of iPSCs, NSCs, and MSCs as treatment strategies for AD. Even though these treatments are still in relative infancy, these developing stem cell technologies hold considerable promise to combat AD and other neurodegenerative disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that results in learning and memory defects. Although some drugs have been approved for AD treatment, fewer than 20% of patients with AD benefit from these drugs. Therapies based on stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells, neural stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells, provide promising therapeutic strategies for AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zizhen Si
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China (Z.S.) and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China (X.W.)
| | - Xidi Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China (Z.S.) and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China (X.W.)
| |
Collapse
|