51
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Autism spectrum disorders and disease modeling using stem cells. Cell Tissue Res 2017; 371:153-160. [PMID: 28918504 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2685-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent a variety of disorders characterized as complex lifelong neurodevelopment disabilities, which may affect the ability of communication and socialization, including typical comportments like repetitive and stereotyped behavior. Other comorbidities are usually present, such as echolalia, hypotonia, intellectual disability and difficulties in processing figured speech. Furthermore, some ASD individuals may present certain abilities, such as eidetic memory, outstanding musical or painting talents and special mathematical skills, among others. Considering the variability of the clinical symptoms, one autistic individual can be severely affected in communication while others can speak perfectly, sometimes having a vocabulary above average in early childhood. The same variability can be seen in other clinical symptoms, thus the "spectrum" can vary from severe to mild. Induced pluripotent stem cell technology has been used to model several neurological diseases, including syndromic and non-syndromic autism. We discuss how modeling the central nervous system cells in a dish may help to reach a better understanding of ASD pathology and variability, as well as personalize their treatment.
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52
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Reilly J, Gallagher L, Chen JL, Leader G, Shen S. Bio-collections in autism research. Mol Autism 2017; 8:34. [PMID: 28702161 PMCID: PMC5504648 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0154-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders with diverse clinical manifestations and symptoms. In the last 10 years, there have been significant advances in understanding the genetic basis for ASD, critically supported through the establishment of ASD bio-collections and application in research. Here, we summarise a selection of major ASD bio-collections and their associated findings. Collectively, these include mapping ASD candidate genes, assessing the nature and frequency of gene mutations and their association with ASD clinical subgroups, insights into related molecular pathways such as the synapses, chromatin remodelling, transcription and ASD-related brain regions. We also briefly review emerging studies on the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to potentially model ASD in culture. These provide deeper insight into ASD progression during development and could generate human cell models for drug screening. Finally, we provide perspectives concerning the utilities of ASD bio-collections and limitations, and highlight considerations in setting up a new bio-collection for ASD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Reilly
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, BioMedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway, Ireland
| | - Louise Gallagher
- Trinity Translational Medicine Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James Hospital Street, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - June L Chen
- Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062 China
| | - Geraldine Leader
- Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research (ICAN), Department of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Sanbing Shen
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, BioMedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway, Ireland
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53
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Boland MJ, Nazor KL, Tran HT, Szücs A, Lynch CL, Paredes R, Tassone F, Sanna PP, Hagerman RJ, Loring JF. Molecular analyses of neurogenic defects in a human pluripotent stem cell model of fragile X syndrome. Brain 2017; 140:582-598. [PMID: 28137726 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
New research suggests that common pathways are altered in many neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder; however, little is known about early molecular events that contribute to the pathology of these diseases. The study of monogenic, neurodevelopmental disorders with a high incidence of autistic behaviours, such as fragile X syndrome, has the potential to identify genes and pathways that are dysregulated in autism spectrum disorder as well as fragile X syndrome. In vitro generation of human disease-relevant cell types provides the ability to investigate aspects of disease that are impossible to study in patients or animal models. Differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells recapitulates development of the neocortex, an area affected in both fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. We have generated induced human pluripotent stem cells from several individuals clinically diagnosed with fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. When differentiated to dorsal forebrain cell fates, our fragile X syndrome human pluripotent stem cell lines exhibited reproducible aberrant neurogenic phenotypes. Using global gene expression and DNA methylation profiling, we have analysed the early stages of neurogenesis in fragile X syndrome human pluripotent stem cells. We discovered aberrant DNA methylation patterns at specific genomic regions in fragile X syndrome cells, and identified dysregulated gene- and network-level correlates of fragile X syndrome that are associated with developmental signalling, cell migration, and neuronal maturation. Integration of our gene expression and epigenetic analysis identified altered epigenetic-mediated transcriptional regulation of a distinct set of genes in fragile X syndrome. These fragile X syndrome-aberrant networks are significantly enriched for genes associated with autism spectrum disorder, giving support to the idea that underlying similarities exist among these neurodevelopmental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Boland
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Regenerative Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kristopher L Nazor
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Regenerative Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ha T Tran
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Regenerative Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Attila Szücs
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,MTA-ELTE NAP-B Neuronal Cell Biology Group, Eötvös Lóránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Candace L Lynch
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Regenerative Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ryder Paredes
- CIRM Bridges to Stem Cells Program, California State University Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA, USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.,MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Pietro Paolo Sanna
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jeanne F Loring
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Regenerative Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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54
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Ardhanareeswaran K, Mariani J, Coppola G, Abyzov A, Vaccarino FM. Human induced pluripotent stem cells for modelling neurodevelopmental disorders. Nat Rev Neurol 2017; 13:265-278. [PMID: 28418023 DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2017.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We currently have a poor understanding of the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders, owing to the fact that postmortem and imaging studies can only measure the postnatal status quo and offer little insight into the processes that give rise to the observed outcomes. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) should, in principle, prove powerful for elucidating the pathways that give rise to neurodevelopmental disorders. hiPSCs are embryonic-stem-cell-like cells that can be derived from somatic cells. They retain the unique genetic signature of the individual from whom they were derived, and thus enable researchers to recapitulate that individual's idiosyncratic neural development in a dish. In the case of individuals with disease, we can re-enact the disease-altered trajectory of brain development and examine how and why phenotypic and molecular abnormalities arise in these diseased brains. Here, we review hiPSC biology and possible experimental designs when using hiPSCs to model disease. We then discuss existing hiPSC models of neurodevelopmental disorders. Our hope is that, as some studies have already shown, hiPSCs will illuminate the pathophysiology of developmental disorders of the CNS and lead to therapeutic options for the millions that are affected by these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthikeyan Ardhanareeswaran
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 South Frontage Road, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Jessica Mariani
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 South Frontage Road, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Gianfilippo Coppola
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 South Frontage Road, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Alexej Abyzov
- Department of Health Sciences Research, Center for Individualized Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA
| | - Flora M Vaccarino
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 South Frontage Road, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Yale Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, 200 South Frontage Road, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
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55
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Zhang N, Ashizawa T. RNA toxicity and foci formation in microsatellite expansion diseases. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2017; 44:17-29. [PMID: 28208060 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
More than 30 incurable neurological and neuromuscular diseases are caused by simple microsatellite expansions consisted of 3-6 nucleotides. These repeats can occur in non-coding regions and often result in a dominantly inherited disease phenotype that is characteristic of a toxic RNA gain-of-function. The expanded RNA adopts unusual secondary structures, sequesters various RNA binding proteins to form insoluble nuclear foci, and causes cellular defects at a multisystem level. Nuclear foci are dynamic in size, shape and colocalization of RNA binding proteins in different expansion diseases and tissue types. This review sets to provide new insights into the disease mechanisms of RNA toxicity and foci modulation, in light of recent advancement on bi-directional transcription, antisense RNA, repeat-associated non-ATG translation and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- Neurosciences Research Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Tetsuo Ashizawa
- Neurosciences Research Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
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56
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Westmark CJ. Commentary: Depletion of the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein in Embryonic Stem Cells Alters the Kinetics of Neurogenesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:29. [PMID: 28223919 PMCID: PMC5293769 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cara J Westmark
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin Madison, WI, USA
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57
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Vershkov D, Benvenisty N. Human pluripotent stem cells in modeling human disorders: the case of fragile X syndrome. Regen Med 2017; 12:53-68. [DOI: 10.2217/rme-2016-0100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) generated from affected blastocysts or from patient-derived somatic cells are an emerging platform for disease modeling and drug discovery. Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading cause of inherited intellectual disability, was one of the first disorders modeled in both embryonic stem cells and induced PCSs and can serve as an exemplary case for the utilization of human PSCs in the study of human diseases. Over the past decade, FXS-PSCs have been used to address the fundamental questions regarding the pathophysiology of FXS. In this review we summarize the methodologies for generation of FXS-PSCs, discuss their advantages and disadvantages compared with existing modeling systems and describe their utilization in the study of FXS pathogenesis and in the development of targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Vershkov
- The Azrieli Center for Stem Cells & Genetic Research, Department of Genetics, Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Nissim Benvenisty
- The Azrieli Center for Stem Cells & Genetic Research, Department of Genetics, Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
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58
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Lu P, Chen X, Feng Y, Zeng Q, Jiang C, Zhu X, Fan G, Xue Z. Integrated transcriptome analysis of human iPS cells derived from a fragile X syndrome patient during neuronal differentiation. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2016; 59:1093-1105. [PMID: 27730449 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-016-0194-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) patients carry the expansion of over 200 CGG repeats at the promoter of fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1), leading to decreased or absent expression of its encoded fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). However, the global transcriptional alteration by FMRP deficiency has not been well characterized at single nucleotide resolution, i.e., RNA-seq. Here, we performed in-vitro neuronal differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells that were derived from fibroblasts of a FXS patient (FXS-iPSC). We then performed RNA-seq and examined the transcriptional misregulation at each intermediate stage during in-vitro differentiation of FXS-iPSC into neurons. After thoroughly analyzing the transcriptomic data and integrating them with those from other platforms, we found up-regulation of many genes encoding TFs for neuronal differentiation (WNT1, BMP4, POU3F4, TFAP2C, and PAX3), down-regulation of potassium channels (KCNA1, KCNC3, KCNG2, KCNIP4, KCNJ3, KCNK9, and KCNT1) and altered temporal regulation of SHANK1 and NNAT in FXS-iPSC derived neurons, indicating impaired neuronal differentiation and function in FXS patients. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the FMRP deficiency in FXS patients has significant impact on the gene expression patterns during development, which will help to discover potential targeting candidates for the cure of FXS symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Lu
- Tongji Stem Cell Research Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yun Feng
- Tongji Stem Cell Research Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Qiao Zeng
- Tongji Stem Cell Research Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Cizhong Jiang
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xianmin Zhu
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Guoping Fan
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Shanghai, 200092, China.
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Zhigang Xue
- Tongji Stem Cell Research Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
- Translational Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji Hospital, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065, China.
- Tongji University Suzhou Institute, Suzhou, 215101, China.
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59
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Mor-Shaked H, Eiges R. Modeling Fragile X Syndrome Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7:genes7100077. [PMID: 27690107 PMCID: PMC5083916 DOI: 10.3390/genes7100077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common heritable form of cognitive impairment. It results from a loss-of-function mutation by a CGG repeat expansion at the 5′ untranslated region of the X-linked fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Expansion of the CGG repeats beyond 200 copies results in protein deficiency by leading to aberrant methylation of the FMR1 promoter and the switch from active to repressive histone modifications. Additionally, the CGGs become increasingly unstable, resulting in high degree of variation in expansion size between and within tissues of affected individuals. It is still unclear how the FMR1 protein (FMRP) deficiency leads to disease pathology in neurons. Nor do we know the mechanisms by which the CGG expansion results in aberrant DNA methylation, or becomes unstable in somatic cells of patients, at least in part due to the lack of appropriate animal or cellular models. This review summarizes the current contribution of pluripotent stem cells, mutant human embryonic stem cells, and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells to disease modeling of FXS for basic and applied research, including the development of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagar Mor-Shaked
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center Affiliated with the Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91031, Israel.
| | - Rachel Eiges
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center Affiliated with the Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91031, Israel.
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60
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Barral S, Kurian MA. Utility of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for the Study and Treatment of Genetic Diseases: Focus on Childhood Neurological Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:78. [PMID: 27656126 PMCID: PMC5012159 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of neurological disorders often presents with significant challenges due to the inaccessibility of human neuronal cells for further investigation. Advances in cellular reprogramming techniques, have however provided a new source of human cells for laboratory-based research. Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can now be robustly differentiated into specific neural subtypes, including dopaminergic, inhibitory GABAergic, motorneurons and cortical neurons. These neurons can then be utilized for in vitro studies to elucidate molecular causes underpinning neurological disease. Although human iPSC-derived neuronal models are increasingly regarded as a useful tool in cell biology, there are a number of limitations, including the relatively early, fetal stage of differentiated cells and the mainly two dimensional, simple nature of the in vitro system. Furthermore, clonal variation is a well-described phenomenon in iPSC lines. In order to account for this, robust baseline data from multiple control lines is necessary to determine whether a particular gene defect leads to a specific cellular phenotype. Over the last few years patient-derived neural cells have proven very useful in addressing several mechanistic questions related to central nervous system diseases, including early-onset neurological disorders of childhood. Many studies report the clinical utility of human-derived neural cells for testing known drugs with repurposing potential, novel compounds and gene therapies, which then can be translated to clinical reality. iPSCs derived neural cells, therefore provide great promise and potential to gain insight into, and treat early-onset neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Barral
- Neurogenetics Group, Molecular Neurosciences, UCL Institute of Child Health,University College London London, UK
| | - Manju A Kurian
- Neurogenetics Group, Molecular Neurosciences, UCL Institute of Child Health,University College LondonLondon, UK; Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street HospitalLondon, UK
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61
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Telias M, Mayshar Y, Amit A, Ben-Yosef D. Molecular mechanisms regulating impaired neurogenesis of fragile X syndrome human embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells Dev 2016; 24:2353-65. [PMID: 26393806 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2015.0220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited cognitive impairment. It is caused by developmental inactivation of the FMR1 gene and the absence of its encoded protein FMRP, which plays pivotal roles in brain development and function. In FXS embryos with full FMR1 mutation, FMRP is expressed during early embryogenesis and is gradually downregulated at the third trimester of pregnancy. FX-human embryonic stem cells (FX-hESCs), derived from FX human blastocysts, demonstrate the same pattern of developmentally regulated FMR1 inactivation when subjected to in vitro neural differentiation (IVND). In this study, we used this in vitro human platform to explore the molecular mechanisms downstream to FMRP in the context of early human embryonic neurogenesis. Our results show a novel role for the SOX superfamily of transcription factors, specifically for SOX2 and SOX9, which could explain the reduced and delayed neurogenesis observed in FX cells. In addition, we assess in this study the "GSK3β theory of FXS" for the first time in a human-based model. We found no evidence for a pathological increase in GSK3β protein levels upon cellular loss of FMRP, in contrast to what was found in the brain of Fmr1 knockout mice. Our study adds novel data on potential downstream targets of FMRP and highlights the importance of the FX-hESC IVND system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Telias
- 1 The Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center , Tel Aviv, Israel .,2 Department of Cell and Developmental Biology Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoav Mayshar
- 1 The Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ami Amit
- 1 The Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- 1 The Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center , Tel Aviv, Israel .,2 Department of Cell and Developmental Biology Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv, Israel
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62
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Li M, Zhao H, Ananiev GE, Musser MT, Ness KH, Maglaque DL, Saha K, Bhattacharyya A, Zhao X. Establishment of Reporter Lines for Detecting Fragile X Mental Retardation (FMR1) Gene Reactivation in Human Neural Cells. Stem Cells 2016; 35:158-169. [PMID: 27422057 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Human patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide unique opportunities for disease modeling and drug development. However, adapting hiPSCs or their differentiated progenies to high throughput assays for phenotyping or drug screening has been challenging. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and a major genetic cause of autism. FXS is caused by mutational trinucleotide expansion in the FMR1 gene leading to hypermethylation and gene silencing. One potential therapeutic strategy is to reactivate the silenced FMR1 gene, which has been attempted using both candidate chemicals and cell-based screening. However, molecules that effectively reactivate the silenced FMR1 gene are yet to be identified; therefore, a high throughput unbiased screen is needed. Here we demonstrate the creation of a robust FMR1-Nluc reporter hiPSC line by knocking in a Nano luciferase (Nluc) gene into the endogenous human FMR1 gene using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing method. We confirmed that luciferase activities faithfully report FMR1 gene expression levels and showed that neural progenitor cells derived from this line could be optimized for high throughput screening. The FMR1-Nluc reporter line is a good resource for drug screening as well as for testing potential genetic reactivation strategies. In addition, our data provide valuable information for the generation of knockin human iPSC reporter lines for disease modeling, drug screening, and mechanistic studies. Stem Cells 2017;35:158-169.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Li
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Huashan Zhao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Gene E Ananiev
- Small Molecule Screening Facility, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Michael T Musser
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kathryn H Ness
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Dianne L Maglaque
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Krishanu Saha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.,Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Xinyu Zhao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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63
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Abstract
UNLABELLED Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common form of inherited mental retardation, is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by silencing of the FMR1 gene, which in FXS becomes inactivated during human embryonic development. We have shown recently that this process is recapitulated by in vitro neural differentiation of FX human embryonic stem cells (FX-hESCs), derived from FXS blastocysts. In the present study, we analyzed morphological and functional properties of neurons generated from FX-hESCs. Human FX neurons can fire single action potentials (APs) to depolarizing current commands, but are unable to discharge trains of APs. Their APs are of a reduced amplitudes and longer durations than controls. These are reflected in reduced inward Na(+) and outward K(+) currents. In addition, human FX neurons contain fewer synaptic vesicles and lack spontaneous synaptic activity. Notably, synaptic activity in these neurons can be restored by coculturing them with normal rat hippocampal neurons, demonstrating a critical role for synaptic mechanisms in FXS pathology. This is the first extensive functional analysis of human FX neurons derived in vitro from hESCs that provides a convenient tool for studying molecular mechanisms underlying the impaired neuronal functions in FXS. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common form of inherited mental retardation, is caused by silencing of the FMR1 gene. In this study, we describe for the first time the properties of neurons developed from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) that carry the FMR1 mutation and are grown in culture for extended periods. These neurons are retarded compared with controls in several morphological and functional properties. In vitro neural differentiation of FX hESCs can thus serve as a most relevant system for the analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying the impaired neuronal functions in FXS.
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64
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Panchision DM. Concise Review: Progress and Challenges in Using Human Stem Cells for Biological and Therapeutics Discovery: Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Stem Cells 2016; 34:523-36. [PMID: 26840228 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 11/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In facing the daunting challenge of using human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells to study complex neural circuit disorders such as schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders, and autism spectrum disorders, a 2012 National Institute of Mental Health workshop produced a set of recommendations to advance basic research and engage industry in cell-based studies of neuropsychiatric disorders. This review describes progress in meeting these recommendations, including the development of novel tools, strides in recapitulating relevant cell and tissue types, insights into the genetic basis of these disorders that permit integration of risk-associated gene regulatory networks with cell/circuit phenotypes, and promising findings of patient-control differences using cell-based assays. However, numerous challenges are still being addressed, requiring further technological development, approaches to resolve disease heterogeneity, and collaborative structures for investigators of different disciplines. Additionally, since data obtained so far is on small sample sizes, replication in larger sample sets is needed. A number of individual success stories point to a path forward in developing assays to translate discovery science to therapeutics development.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Panchision
- Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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65
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Avior Y, Sagi I, Benvenisty N. Pluripotent stem cells in disease modelling and drug discovery. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2016; 17:170-82. [DOI: 10.1038/nrm.2015.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 413] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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66
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Tidball AM, Parent JM. Concise Review: Exciting Cells: Modeling Genetic Epilepsies with Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cells 2016; 34:27-33. [PMID: 26373465 PMCID: PMC4958411 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Revised: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models of epilepsy are becoming a revolutionary platform for mechanistic studies and drug discovery. The skyrocketing pace of epilepsy gene discovery is vastly outstripping the development of in vivo animal models. Currently, antiepileptic drug prescribing to patients with specific genetic epilepsies is based on small-scale clinical trials and empiricism; however, rapid production of patient-derived iPSC models will allow for precision therapy. We review iPSC-based studies that have already afforded novel discoveries in diseases with epileptic phenotypes, as well as challenges to using iPSC-based neurological disease models. We also discuss iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte studies of arrhythmia-inducing ion channelopathies that exemplify novel drug discovery and use of multielectrode array technology that can be translated to epilepsy research. Beyond initial studies of Rett, Timothy, Phelan-McDermid, and Dravet syndromes, the stage is set for groundbreaking iPSC-based mechanistic and therapeutic discoveries in genetic epilepsies with the potential to impact patient treatment and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Tidball
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical Center and Ann Arbor VA Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jack M. Parent
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical Center and Ann Arbor VA Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Bhattacharyya A, Zhao X. Human pluripotent stem cell models of Fragile X syndrome. Mol Cell Neurosci 2015; 73:43-51. [PMID: 26640241 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2015.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism. The causal mutation in FXS is a trinucleotide CGG repeat expansion in the FMR1 gene that leads to human specific epigenetic silencing and loss of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) expression. Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), including human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and particularly induced PSCs (iPSCs), offer a model system to reveal cellular and molecular events underlying human neuronal development and function in FXS. Human FXS PSCs have been established and have provided insight into the epigenetic silencing of the FMR1 gene as well as aspects of neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Bhattacharyya
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, United States.
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, United States.
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Richter JD, Bassell GJ, Klann E. Dysregulation and restoration of translational homeostasis in fragile X syndrome. Nat Rev Neurosci 2015; 16:595-605. [PMID: 26350240 DOI: 10.1038/nrn4001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most-frequently inherited form of intellectual disability and the most-prevalent single-gene cause of autism, results from a lack of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an RNA-binding protein that acts, in most cases, to repress translation. Multiple pharmacological and genetic manipulations that target receptors, scaffolding proteins, kinases and translational control proteins can rescue neuronal morphology, synaptic function and behavioural phenotypes in FXS model mice, presumably by reducing excessive neuronal translation to normal levels. Such rescue strategies might also be explored in the future to identify the mRNAs that are critical for FXS pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel D Richter
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01545, USA
| | - Gary J Bassell
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Eric Klann
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York City, New York 10003, USA
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69
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Qin Y, Gao WQ. Concise Review: Patient-Derived Stem Cell Research for Monogenic Disorders. Stem Cells 2015; 34:44-54. [DOI: 10.1002/stem.2112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yiren Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med-X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine; hanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Qiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med-X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine; hanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai People's Republic of China
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Systems Biomedicine; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai People's Republic of China
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