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Lavazza A. 'Consciousnessoids': clues and insights from human cerebral organoids for the study of consciousness. Neurosci Conscious 2021; 7:niab029. [PMID: 34729213 PMCID: PMC8557395 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niab029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cerebral organoids (HCOs) are an in vitro three-dimensional model of early neural development, aimed at modelling and understanding brain development and neurological disorders. In just a few years, there has been a rapid and considerable progress in the attempt to create a brain model capable of showcasing the structure and functions of the human brain. There are still strong limitations to address, including the absence of vascularization that makes it difficult to feed the central layers of organoids. Nevertheless, some important features of the nervous system have recently been observed: HCOs manifest electrical activity, are sensitive to light stimulation and are able to connect to a spinal cord by sending impulses that make a muscle contract. Recent data show that cortical organoid network development at 10 months resembles some preterm babies' electroencephalography (EEG) patterns. In the light of the fast pace of research in this field, one might consider the hypothesis that HCOs might become a living laboratory for studying the emergence of consciousness and investigating its mechanisms and neural correlates. HCOs could be also a benchmark for different neuroscientific theories of consciousness. In this paper, I propose some potential lines of research and offer some clues and insights so as to use HCOs in trying to unveil some puzzles concerning our conscious states. Finally, I consider some relevant ethical issues regarding this specific experimentation on HCOs and conclude that some of them could require strict regulation in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Lavazza
- Centro Universitario Internazionale, Via Garbasso, 42, Arezzo 52100, Italy
- University of Pavia, Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, Piazza Botta, 11, Pavia 27100, Italy
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Samarasinghe RA, Miranda OA, Buth JE, Mitchell S, Ferando I, Watanabe M, Allison TF, Kurdian A, Fotion NN, Gandal MJ, Golshani P, Plath K, Lowry WE, Parent JM, Mody I, Novitch BG. Identification of neural oscillations and epileptiform changes in human brain organoids. Nat Neurosci 2021; 24:1488-1500. [PMID: 34426698 PMCID: PMC9070733 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-021-00906-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Brain organoids represent a powerful tool for studying human neurological diseases, particularly those that affect brain growth and structure. However, many diseases manifest with clear evidence of physiological and network abnormality in the absence of anatomical changes, raising the question of whether organoids possess sufficient neural network complexity to model these conditions. Here, we explore the network-level functions of brain organoids using calcium sensor imaging and extracellular recording approaches that together reveal the existence of complex network dynamics reminiscent of intact brain preparations. We demonstrate highly abnormal and epileptiform-like activity in organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells from individuals with Rett syndrome, accompanied by transcriptomic differences revealed by single-cell analyses. We also rescue key physiological activities with an unconventional neuroregulatory drug, pifithrin-α. Together, these findings provide an essential foundation for the utilization of brain organoids to study intact and disordered human brain network formation and illustrate their utility in therapeutic discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranmal A Samarasinghe
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual Development and Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Osvaldo A Miranda
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual Development and Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessie E Buth
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual Development and Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Simon Mitchell
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, United Kingdom
| | - Isabella Ferando
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Momoko Watanabe
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual Development and Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Thomas F Allison
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Arinnae Kurdian
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual Development and Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- CIRM CSUN-UCLA Stem Cell Training Program, California State University, Northridge, CA, USA
| | - Namie N Fotion
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual Development and Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael J Gandal
- Intellectual Development and Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peyman Golshani
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Intellectual Development and Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kathrin Plath
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - William E Lowry
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jack M Parent
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Istvan Mody
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bennett G Novitch
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Intellectual Development and Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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53
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Porciúncula LO, Goto-Silva L, Ledur PF, Rehen SK. The Age of Brain Organoids: Tailoring Cell Identity and Functionality for Normal Brain Development and Disease Modeling. Front Neurosci 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.674563
expr 918028134 + 817050540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past years, brain development has been investigated in rodent models, which were particularly relevant to establish the role of specific genes in this process. However, the cytoarchitectonic features, which determine neuronal network formation complexity, are unique to humans. This implies that the developmental program of the human brain and neurological disorders can only partly be reproduced in rodents. Advancement in the study of the human brain surged with cultures of human brain tissue in the lab, generated from induced pluripotent cells reprogrammed from human somatic tissue. These cultures, termed brain organoids, offer an invaluable model for the study of the human brain. Brain organoids reproduce the cytoarchitecture of the cortex and can develop multiple brain regions and cell types. Integration of functional activity of neural cells within brain organoids with genetic, cellular, and morphological data in a comprehensive model for human development and disease is key to advance in the field. Because the functional activity of neural cells within brain organoids relies on cell repertoire and time in culture, here, we review data supporting the gradual formation of complex neural networks in light of cell maturity within brain organoids. In this context, we discuss how the technology behind brain organoids brought advances in understanding neurodevelopmental, pathogen-induced, and neurodegenerative diseases.
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54
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Porciúncula LO, Goto-Silva L, Ledur PF, Rehen SK. The Age of Brain Organoids: Tailoring Cell Identity and Functionality for Normal Brain Development and Disease Modeling. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:674563. [PMID: 34483818 PMCID: PMC8414411 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.674563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past years, brain development has been investigated in rodent models, which were particularly relevant to establish the role of specific genes in this process. However, the cytoarchitectonic features, which determine neuronal network formation complexity, are unique to humans. This implies that the developmental program of the human brain and neurological disorders can only partly be reproduced in rodents. Advancement in the study of the human brain surged with cultures of human brain tissue in the lab, generated from induced pluripotent cells reprogrammed from human somatic tissue. These cultures, termed brain organoids, offer an invaluable model for the study of the human brain. Brain organoids reproduce the cytoarchitecture of the cortex and can develop multiple brain regions and cell types. Integration of functional activity of neural cells within brain organoids with genetic, cellular, and morphological data in a comprehensive model for human development and disease is key to advance in the field. Because the functional activity of neural cells within brain organoids relies on cell repertoire and time in culture, here, we review data supporting the gradual formation of complex neural networks in light of cell maturity within brain organoids. In this context, we discuss how the technology behind brain organoids brought advances in understanding neurodevelopmental, pathogen-induced, and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisiane O. Porciúncula
- Department of Biochemistry, Program of Biological Sciences - Biochemistry, Institute of Health and Basic Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Livia Goto-Silva
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pitia F. Ledur
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stevens K. Rehen
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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55
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Velasco S, Paulsen B, Arlotta P. 3D Brain Organoids: Studying Brain Development and Disease Outside the Embryo. Annu Rev Neurosci 2021; 43:375-389. [PMID: 32640930 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-070918-050154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Scientists have been fascinated by the human brain for centuries, yet knowledge of the cellular and molecular events that build the human brain during embryogenesis and of how abnormalities in this process lead to neurological disease remains very superficial. In particular, the lack of experimental models for a process that largely occurs during human in utero development, and is therefore poorly accessible for study, has hindered progress in mechanistic understanding. Advances in stem cell-derived models of human organogenesis, in the form of three-dimensional organoid cultures, and transformative new analytic technologies have opened new experimental pathways for investigation of aspects of development, evolution, and pathology of the human brain. Here, we consider the biology of brain organoids, compared and contrasted with the endogenous human brain, and highlight experimental strategies to use organoids to pioneer new understanding of human brain pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Velasco
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA; .,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Bruna Paulsen
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA; .,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Paola Arlotta
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA; .,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
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56
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Kapr J, Petersilie L, Distler T, Lauria I, Bendt F, Sauter CM, Boccaccini AR, Rose CR, Fritsche E. Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells Produce Distinct Neural 3D In Vitro Models Depending on Alginate/Gellan Gum/Laminin Hydrogel Blend Properties. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100131. [PMID: 34197049 PMCID: PMC11468953 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Stable and predictive neural cell culture models are a necessary premise for many research fields. However, conventional 2D models lack 3D cell-material/-cell interactions and hence do not reflect the complexity of the in vivo situation properly. Here two alginate/gellan gum/laminin (ALG/GG/LAM) hydrogel blends are presented for the fabrication of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based 3D neural models. For hydrogel embedding, hiPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (hiNPCs) are used either directly or after 3D neural pre-differentiation. It is shown that stiffness and stress relaxation of the gel blends, as well as the cell differentiation strategy influence 3D model development. The embedded hiNPCs differentiate into neurons and astrocytes within the gel blends and display spontaneous intracellular calcium signals. Two fit-for-purpose models valuable for i) applications requiring a high degree of complexity, but less throughput, such as disease modeling and long-term exposure studies and ii) higher throughput applications, such as acute exposures or substance screenings are proposed. Due to their wide range of applications, adjustability, and printing capabilities, the ALG/GG/LAM based 3D neural models are of great potential for 3D neural modeling in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kapr
- IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental MedicineDüsseldorf40225Germany
| | - Laura Petersilie
- Institute of NeurobiologyHeinrich Heine UniversityDüsseldorf40225Germany
| | - Thomas Distler
- Institute of BiomaterialsDepartment of Materials Science and EngineeringFriedrich‐Alexander‐University Erlangen‐NurembergErlangen91054Germany
| | - Ines Lauria
- IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental MedicineDüsseldorf40225Germany
| | - Farina Bendt
- IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental MedicineDüsseldorf40225Germany
| | - Clemens M. Sauter
- IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental MedicineDüsseldorf40225Germany
| | - Aldo R. Boccaccini
- Institute of BiomaterialsDepartment of Materials Science and EngineeringFriedrich‐Alexander‐University Erlangen‐NurembergErlangen91054Germany
| | - Christine R. Rose
- Institute of NeurobiologyHeinrich Heine UniversityDüsseldorf40225Germany
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental MedicineDüsseldorf40225Germany
- Medical FacultyHeinrich Heine UniversityDüsseldorf40225Germany
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57
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Abstract
Long-term effective use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people with HIV (PWH) has significantly reduced the burden of disease, yet a cure for HIV has not been universally achieved, likely due to the persistence of an HIV reservoir. The central nervous system (CNS) is an understudied HIV sanctuary. Importantly, due to viral persistence in the brain, cognitive disturbances persist to various degrees at high rates in PWH despite suppressive ART. Given the complexity and accessibility of the CNS compartment and that it is a physiologically and anatomically unique immune site, human studies to reveal molecular mechanisms of viral entry, reservoir establishment, and the cellular and structural interactions leading to viral persistence and brain injury to advance a cure and either prevent or limit cognitive impairments in PWH remain challenging. Recent advances in human brain organoids show that they can mimic the intercellular dynamics of the human brain and may recapitulate many of the events involved in HIV infection of the brain (neuroHIV). Human brain organoids can be produced, spontaneously or with addition of growth factors and at immature or mature states, and have become stronger models to study neurovirulent viral infections of the CNS. While organoids provide opportunities to study neuroHIV, obstacles such as the need to incorporate microglia need to be overcome to fully utilize this model. Here, we review the current achievements in brain organoid biology and their relevance to neuroHIV research efforts.
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58
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Tsuji K, Satsuka A, Kanda Y. [Current challenges and future perspectives of pharmacological testing using new approach methodologies]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2021; 156:208-213. [PMID: 34193697 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.21020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The mission of regulatory science is to promote human longevity by providing safer and more effective drugs and ensuring human health. At present, various in vitro and in vivo evaluation methods are used for drug development, and no major problems have been observed. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of risk prediction in humans. Thus, new approaches and methodologies (NAMs) have recently been developed to predict adverse events in humans more accurately. Based on the animal alternative methods and the current COVID-19 pandemic, in vitro methods, such as human iPS cells, and computational approach are accelerated to improve the efficiency of drug development, ensure the patients' safety and speed up the review process. In this review, we would like to summarize the current status and future perspectives of pharmacological assay system using NAM in drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayoko Tsuji
- Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS)
| | - Ayano Satsuka
- Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS)
| | - Yasunari Kanda
- Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS)
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59
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Brémond Martin C, Simon Chane C, Clouchoux C, Histace A. Recent Trends and Perspectives in Cerebral Organoids Imaging and Analysis. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:629067. [PMID: 34276279 PMCID: PMC8283195 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.629067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Since their first generation in 2013, the use of cerebral organoids has spread exponentially. Today, the amount of generated data is becoming challenging to analyze manually. This review aims to overview the current image acquisition methods and to subsequently identify the needs in image analysis tools for cerebral organoids. Methods: To address this question, we went through all recent articles published on the subject and annotated the protocols, acquisition methods, and algorithms used. Results: Over the investigated period of time, confocal microscopy and bright-field microscopy were the most used acquisition techniques. Cell counting, the most common task, is performed in 20% of the articles and area; around 12% of articles calculate morphological parameters. Image analysis on cerebral organoids is performed in majority using ImageJ software (around 52%) and Matlab language (4%). Treatments remain mostly semi-automatic. We highlight the limitations encountered in image analysis in the cerebral organoid field and suggest possible solutions and implementations to develop. Conclusions: In addition to providing an overview of cerebral organoids cultures and imaging, this work highlights the need to improve the existing image analysis methods for such images and the need for specific analysis tools. These solutions could specifically help to monitor the growth of future standardized cerebral organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Brémond Martin
- ETIS Laboratory UMR 8051, CY Cergy Paris Université, ENSEA, CNRS, Cergy, France
- WITSEE, Paris, France
| | - Camille Simon Chane
- ETIS Laboratory UMR 8051, CY Cergy Paris Université, ENSEA, CNRS, Cergy, France
| | | | - Aymeric Histace
- ETIS Laboratory UMR 8051, CY Cergy Paris Université, ENSEA, CNRS, Cergy, France
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60
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Susaki EA, Takasato M. Perspective: Extending the Utility of Three-Dimensional Organoids by Tissue Clearing Technologies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:679226. [PMID: 34195197 PMCID: PMC8236633 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.679226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An organoid, a self-organizing organ-like tissue developed from stem cells, can exhibit a miniaturized three-dimensional (3D) structure and part of the physiological functions of the original organ. Due to the reproducibility of tissue complexity and ease of handling, organoids have replaced real organs and animals for a variety of uses, such as investigations of the mechanisms of organogenesis and disease onset, and screening of drug effects and/or toxicity. The recent advent of tissue clearing and 3D imaging techniques have great potential contributions to organoid studies by allowing the collection and analysis of 3D images of whole organoids with a reasonable throughput and thus can expand the means of examining the 3D architecture, cellular components, and variability among organoids. Genetic and histological cell-labeling methods, together with organoid clearing, also allow visualization of critical structures and cellular components within organoids. The collected 3D data may enable image analysis to quantitatively assess structures within organoids and sensitively/effectively detect abnormalities caused by perturbations. These capabilities of tissue/organoid clearing and 3D imaging techniques not only extend the utility of organoids in basic biology but can also be applied for quality control of clinical organoid production and large-scale drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etsuo A. Susaki
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory for Synthetic Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Osaka, Japan
| | - Minoru Takasato
- Laboratory for Human Organogenesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology and Development, Department of Animal Development and Physiology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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61
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Sawai T, Hayashi Y, Niikawa T, Shepherd J, Thomas E, Lee TL, Erler A, Watanabe M, Sakaguchi H. Mapping the Ethical Issues of Brain Organoid Research and Application. AJOB Neurosci 2021; 13:81-94. [PMID: 33769221 DOI: 10.1080/21507740.2021.1896603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In 2008, researchers created human three-dimensional neural tissue - known as the pioneering work of "brain organoids." In recent years, some researchers have transplanted human brain organoids into animal brains for applicational purposes. With these experiments have come many ethical concerns. It is thus an urgent task to clarify what is ethically permissible and impermissible in brain organoid research. This paper seeks (1) to sort out the ethical issues related to brain organoid research and application and (2) to propose future directions for additional ethical consideration and policy debates in the field. Toward (1), this paper first outlines the current state of brain organoid research, and then briefly responds to previously raised related ethical concerns. Looking next at anticipated scientific developments in brain organoid research, we will discuss (i) ethical issues related to in vitro brain organoids, (ii) ethical issues raised when brain organoids form complexes or have relationships with other entities, and (iii) ethical issues of research ethics and governance. Finally, in pursuit of (2), we propose research policies that are mindful of the ethics of brain organoid research and application and also suggest the need for an international framework for research and application of brain organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsutomu Sawai
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), KUIAS Kyoto University.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University
| | | | | | | | | | - Tsung-Ling Lee
- Institute of Health and Biotechnology of Law, Taipei Medical University
| | | | - Momoko Watanabe
- University of California Irvine, School of Medicine.,Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center
| | - Hideya Sakaguchi
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, BDR-Otsuka Pharmaceutical Collaboration Center
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62
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Costamagna G, Comi GP, Corti S. Advancing Drug Discovery for Neurological Disorders Using iPSC-Derived Neural Organoids. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052659. [PMID: 33800815 PMCID: PMC7961877 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, different research groups in the academic setting have developed induced pluripotent stem cell-based protocols to generate three-dimensional, multicellular, neural organoids. Their use to model brain biology, early neural development, and human diseases has provided new insights into the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders, including microcephaly, autism, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the adoption of organoid technology for large-scale drug screening in the industry has been hampered by challenges with reproducibility, scalability, and translatability to human disease. Potential technical solutions to expand their use in drug discovery pipelines include Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) to create isogenic models, single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize the model at a cellular level, and machine learning to analyze complex data sets. In addition, high-content imaging, automated liquid handling, and standardized assays represent other valuable tools toward this goal. Though several open issues still hamper the full implementation of the organoid technology outside academia, rapid progress in this field will help to prompt its translation toward large-scale drug screening for neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Costamagna
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neuroscience Section, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (G.P.C.)
- IRCCS Foundation Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neuroscience Section, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (G.P.C.)
- IRCCS Foundation Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neuroscience Section, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (G.P.C.)
- IRCCS Foundation Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
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63
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Tsunemoto K, Yamada S, Kanda Y. [Current challenges and future perspectives of iPSC-based neurotoxicity testing]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2021; 156:107-113. [PMID: 33642528 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.20097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Predicting drug-induced side effects in central nervous system is important because they can lead to the discontinuation of new drugs/candidates or the withdrawal of marketed drugs. Although many efforts are made, evaluation system using animals have not been highly predictive in humans. In addition, animal experiments are time-consuming and costly. To address these issues, in vitro evaluation methods, such as the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAM) have been explored. Human iPS cell technology has already been applied to assess drug-induced cardiotoxicity. In addition, the use of human iPS cell technology and in silico has been promoted for neurotoxicity assessment during the developmental neurotoxicity in terms of chemical safety issues. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidance regarding developmental neurotoxicity is under preparation. In this review, we will review the current trends in safety assessment methods for the central nervous system in light of these international trends.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shigeru Yamada
- Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS)
| | - Yasunari Kanda
- Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS)
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64
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Passaro AP, Stice SL. Electrophysiological Analysis of Brain Organoids: Current Approaches and Advancements. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:622137. [PMID: 33510616 PMCID: PMC7835643 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.622137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain organoids, or cerebral organoids, have become widely used to study the human brain in vitro. As pluripotent stem cell-derived structures capable of self-organization and recapitulation of physiological cell types and architecture, brain organoids bridge the gap between relatively simple two-dimensional human cell cultures and non-human animal models. This allows for high complexity and physiological relevance in a controlled in vitro setting, opening the door for a variety of applications including development and disease modeling and high-throughput screening. While technologies such as single cell sequencing have led to significant advances in brain organoid characterization and understanding, improved functional analysis (especially electrophysiology) is needed to realize the full potential of brain organoids. In this review, we highlight key technologies for brain organoid development and characterization, then discuss current electrophysiological methods for brain organoid analysis. While electrophysiological approaches have improved rapidly for two-dimensional cultures, only in the past several years have advances been made to overcome limitations posed by the three-dimensionality of brain organoids. Here, we review major advances in electrophysiological technologies and analytical methods with a focus on advances with applicability for brain organoid analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin P. Passaro
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Division of Neuroscience, Biomedical & Health Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Steven L. Stice
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Division of Neuroscience, Biomedical & Health Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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65
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Wrobel C, Zafeiriou MP, Moser T. Understanding and treating paediatric hearing impairment. EBioMedicine 2021; 63:103171. [PMID: 33422987 PMCID: PMC7808910 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.103171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensorineural hearing impairment is the most frequent form of hearing impairment affecting 1-2 in 1000 newborns and another 1 in 1000 adolescents. More than 50% of congenital hearing impairment is of genetic origin and some forms of monogenic deafness are likely targets for future gene therapy. Good progress has been made in clinical phenotyping, genetic diagnostics, and counselling. Disease modelling, e.g. in transgenic mice, has helped elucidate disease mechanisms underlying genetic hearing impairment and informed clinical phenotyping in recent years. Clinical management of paediatric hearing impairment involves hearing aids, cochlear or brainstem implants, signal-to-noise improvement in educational settings, speech therapy, and sign language. Cochlear implants, for example, have much improved the situation of profoundly hearing impaired and deaf children. Nonetheless there remains a major unmet clinical need for improving hearing restoration. Preclinical studies promise that we will witness clinical trials on gene therapy and a next generation of cochlear implants during the coming decade. Moreover, progress in generating sensory hair cells and neurons from stem cells spurs disease modelling, drug screening, and regenerative approaches. This review briefly summarizes the pathophysiology of paediatric hearing impairment and provides an update on the current preclinical development of innovative approaches toward improved hearing restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Wrobel
- Department of Otolaryngology and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099 Göttingen, Germany; Multiscale Bioimaging Cluster of Excellence (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maria-Patapia Zafeiriou
- Multiscale Bioimaging Cluster of Excellence (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Germany; Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Moser
- Multiscale Bioimaging Cluster of Excellence (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Germany; Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLab, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099 Göttingen, Germany.
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66
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Yin J, VanDongen AM. Enhanced Neuronal Activity and Asynchronous Calcium Transients Revealed in a 3D Organoid Model of Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 7:254-264. [PMID: 33347288 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Advances in the development of three-dimensional (3D) brain organoids maintained in vitro have provided excellent opportunities to study brain development and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there remains a need to generate AD organoids bearing patient-specific genomic backgrounds that can functionally recapitulate the key features observed in the AD patient's brain. To address this need, we described a strategy to generate self-organizing 3D cerebral organoids which develop a functional neuronal network connectivity. This was achieved by neuroectoderm induction of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSCs) aggregates and subsequent differentiation into desired neuroepithelia and mature neurons in a 3D Matrigel matrix. Using this approach, we successfully generated AD cerebral organoids from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) derived from a familial AD patient with a common mutation in presenilin 2 (PSEN2N141I). An isogenic control with an identical genetic background but wild-type PSEN2 was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Both control and AD organoids were characterized by analyzing their morphology, the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, functional neuronal network activity, drug sensitivity, and the extent of neural apoptosis. The spontaneous activity of the network and its synchronization was measured in the organoids via calcium imaging. We found that compared with the mutation-corrected control organoids, AD organoids had a higher Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, asynchronous calcium transients, and enhanced neuronal hyperactivity, successfully recapitulating an AD-like pathology at the molecular, cellular, and network level in a human genetic context. Moreover, two drugs which increase neuronal activity, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and bicuculline methochloride, induced high-frequency synchronized network bursting to a similar extent in both organoids. Therefore, our study presents a promising organoid-based biosystem for the study of the pathophysiology of AD and a platform for AD drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Yin
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857, Singapore
| | - Antonius M VanDongen
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857, Singapore
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Abstract
Human cerebral organoids (HCOs) are three-dimensional in vitro cell cultures that mimic the developmental process and organization of the developing human brain. In just a few years this technique has produced brain models that are already being used to study diseases of the nervous system and to test treatments and drugs. Currently, HCOs consist of tens of millions of cells and have a size of a few millimeters. The greatest limitation to further development is due to their lack of vascularization. However, recent research has shown that human cerebral organoids can manifest the same electrical activity and connections between brain neurons and EEG patterns as those recorded in preterm babies. All this suggests that, in the future, HCOs may manifest an ability to experience basic sensations such as pain, therefore manifesting sentience, or even rudimentary forms of consciousness. This calls for consideration of whether cerebral organoids should be given a moral status and what limitations should be introduced to regulate research. In this article I focus particularly on the study of the emergence and mechanisms of human consciousness, i.e. one of the most complex scientific problems there are, by means of experiments on HCOs. This type of experiment raises relevant ethical issues and, as I will argue, should probably not be considered morally acceptable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Lavazza
- Centro Universitario Internazionale, Via Garbasso, 42, 52100, Arezzo, Italy.
- University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
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68
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Akamine S, Okuzono S, Yamamoto H, Setoyama D, Sagata N, Ohgidani M, Kato TA, Ishitani T, Kato H, Masuda K, Matsushita Y, Ono H, Ishizaki Y, Sanefuji M, Saitsu H, Matsumoto N, Kang D, Kanba S, Nakabeppu Y, Sakai Y, Ohga S. GNAO1 organizes the cytoskeletal remodeling and firing of developing neurons. FASEB J 2020; 34:16601-16621. [PMID: 33107105 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001113r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) represents a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by infantile-onset intractable seizures and unfavorable prognosis of psychomotor development. To date, hundreds of genes have been linked to the onset of DEE. GNAO1 is a DEE-associated gene encoding the alpha-O1 subunit of guanine nucleotide-binding protein (GαO ). Despite the increasing number of reported children with GNAO1 encephalopathy, the molecular mechanisms underlying their neurodevelopmental phenotypes remain elusive. We herein present that co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analyses identified another DEE-associated protein, SPTAN1, as an interacting partner of GαO . Silencing of endogenous Gnao1 attenuated the neurite outgrowth and calcium-dependent signaling. Inactivation of GNAO1 in human-induced pluripotent stem cells gave rise to anomalous brain organoids that only weakly expressed SPTAN1 and Ankyrin-G. Furthermore, GNAO1-deficient organoids failed to conduct synchronized firing to adjacent neurons. These data indicate that GαO and other DEE-associated proteins organize the cytoskeletal remodeling and functional polarity of neurons in the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Akamine
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Sayaka Okuzono
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamamoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Daiki Setoyama
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Noriaki Sagata
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ohgidani
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takahiro A Kato
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tohru Ishitani
- Division of Integrated Signaling Systems, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan.,Department of Homeostatic Regulation, Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology. Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kato
- Division of Oral Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Oral Anatomy, Graduate School of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keiji Masuda
- Section of Oral Medicine for Children, Division of Oral Health, Growth and Development, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuki Matsushita
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ono
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshito Ishizaki
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masafumi Sanefuji
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hirotomo Saitsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Naomichi Matsumoto
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Dongchon Kang
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shigenobu Kanba
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yusaku Nakabeppu
- Division of Neurofunctional Genomics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yasunari Sakai
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shouichi Ohga
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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69
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Lovett ML, Nieland TJ, Dingle YTL, Kaplan DL. Innovations in 3-Dimensional Tissue Models of Human Brain Physiology and Diseases. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2020; 30:1909146. [PMID: 34211358 PMCID: PMC8240470 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201909146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
3-dimensional (3D) laboratory tissue cultures have emerged as an alternative to traditional 2-dimensional (2D) culture systems that do not recapitulate native cell behavior. The discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro tissue-cell-molecular responses impedes understanding of human physiology in general and creates roadblocks for the discovery of therapeutic solutions. Two parallel approaches have emerged for the design of 3D culture systems. The first is biomedical engineering methodology, including bioengineered materials, bioprinting, microfluidics and bioreactors, used alone or in combination, to mimic the microenvironments of native tissues. The second approach is organoid technology, in which stem cells are exposed to chemical and/or biological cues to activate differentiation programs that are reminiscent of human (prenatal) development. This review article describes recent technological advances in engineering 3D cultures that more closely resemble the human brain. The contributions of in vitro 3D tissue culture systems to new insights in neurophysiology, neurological diseases and regenerative medicine are highlighted. Perspectives on designing improved tissue models of the human brain are offered, focusing on an integrative approach merging biomedical engineering tools with organoid biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L. Lovett
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA 02155
| | - Thomas J.F. Nieland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA 02155
| | - Yu-Ting L. Dingle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA 02155
| | - David L. Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA 02155
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70
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de Melo Reis RA, Freitas HR, de Mello FG. Cell Calcium Imaging as a Reliable Method to Study Neuron-Glial Circuits. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:569361. [PMID: 33122991 PMCID: PMC7566175 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.569361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex dynamic cellular networks have been studied in physiological and pathological processes under the light of single-cell calcium imaging (SCCI), a method that correlates functional data based on calcium shifts operated by different intracellular and extracellular mechanisms integrated with their cell phenotypes. From the classic synaptic structure to tripartite astrocytic model or the recent quadripartite microglia added ensemble, as well as other physiological tissues, it is possible to follow how cells signal spatiotemporally to cellular patterns. This methodology has been used broadly due to the universal properties of calcium as a second messenger. In general, at least two types of receptor operate through calcium permeation: a fast-acting ionotropic receptor channel and a slow-activating metabotropic receptor, added to exchangers/transporters/pumps and intracellular Ca2+ release activated by messengers. These prototypes have gained an enormous amount of information in dynamic signaling circuits. SCCI has also been used as a method to associate phenotypic markers during development and stage transitions in progenitors, stem, vascular cells, neuro- and glioblasts, neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia that operate through ion channels, transporters, and receptors. Also, cancer cells or inducible cell lines from human organoids characterized by transition stages are currently being used to model diseases or reconfigure healthy cells in terms of the expression of calcium-binding/permeable molecules and shed light on therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Augusto de Melo Reis
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hércules Rezende Freitas
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Fernando Garcia de Mello
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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71
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Fair SR, Julian D, Hartlaub AM, Pusuluri ST, Malik G, Summerfied TL, Zhao G, Hester AB, Ackerman WE, Hollingsworth EW, Ali M, McElroy CA, Buhimschi IA, Imitola J, Maitre NL, Bedrosian TA, Hester ME. Electrophysiological Maturation of Cerebral Organoids Correlates with Dynamic Morphological and Cellular Development. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 15:855-868. [PMID: 32976764 PMCID: PMC7562943 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral organoids (COs) are rapidly accelerating the rate of translational neuroscience based on their potential to model complex features of the developing human brain. Several studies have examined the electrophysiological and neural network features of COs; however, no study has comprehensively investigated the developmental trajectory of electrophysiological properties in whole-brain COs and correlated these properties with developmentally linked morphological and cellular features. Here, we profiled the neuroelectrical activities of COs over the span of 5 months with a multi-electrode array platform and observed the emergence and maturation of several electrophysiologic properties, including rapid firing rates and network bursting events. To complement these analyses, we characterized the complex molecular and cellular development that gives rise to these mature neuroelectrical properties with immunohistochemical and single-cell transcriptomic analyses. This integrated approach highlights the value of COs as an emerging model system of human brain development and neurological disease. CO electrophysiology can be quantified with a multi-electrode array method CO electrophysiological trajectories correlate with molecular and cellular development The neurotrophin/TRK signaling pathway is active in COs by 5 months in culture
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Affiliation(s)
- Summer R Fair
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 575 Children's Crossroad, Columbus, OH 43205-2716, USA
| | - Dominic Julian
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 575 Children's Crossroad, Columbus, OH 43205-2716, USA
| | - Annalisa M Hartlaub
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sai Teja Pusuluri
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Girik Malik
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Khoury College of Computer Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Taryn L Summerfied
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Guomao Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Arelis B Hester
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 575 Children's Crossroad, Columbus, OH 43205-2716, USA
| | - William E Ackerman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ethan W Hollingsworth
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 575 Children's Crossroad, Columbus, OH 43205-2716, USA
| | - Mehboob Ali
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Craig A McElroy
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Irina A Buhimschi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Jaime Imitola
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory for Neural Stem Cells and Functional Neurogenetics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Nathalie L Maitre
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tracy A Bedrosian
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 575 Children's Crossroad, Columbus, OH 43205-2716, USA
| | - Mark E Hester
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 575 Children's Crossroad, Columbus, OH 43205-2716, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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72
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Dehorter N, Del Pino I. Shifting Developmental Trajectories During Critical Periods of Brain Formation. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:283. [PMID: 33132842 PMCID: PMC7513795 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Critical periods of brain development are epochs of heightened plasticity driven by environmental influence necessary for normal brain function. Recent studies are beginning to shed light on the possibility that timely interventions during critical periods hold potential to reorient abnormal developmental trajectories in animal models of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we re-examine the criteria defining critical periods, highlighting the recently discovered mechanisms of developmental plasticity in health and disease. In addition, we touch upon technological improvements for modeling critical periods in human-derived neural networks in vitro. These scientific advances associated with the use of developmental manipulations in the immature brain of animal models are the basic preclinical systems that will allow the future translatability of timely interventions into clinical applications for neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Dehorter
- Eccles Institute of Neuroscience, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Isabel Del Pino
- Principe Felipe Research Center (Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe, CIPF), Valencia, Spain
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73
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Dingle YTL, Liaudanskaya V, Finnegan LT, Berlind KC, Mizzoni C, Georgakoudi I, Nieland TJF, Kaplan DL. Functional Characterization of Three-Dimensional Cortical Cultures for In Vitro Modeling of Brain Networks. iScience 2020; 23:101434. [PMID: 32805649 PMCID: PMC7452433 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro cultures recapitulate key features of the brain including morphology, cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, gradients of factors, and mechanical properties. However, there remains a need for experimental and computational tools to investigate network functions in these 3D models. To address this need, we present an experimental system based on 3D scaffold-based cortical neuron cultures in which we expressed the genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP6f to record neuronal activity at the millimeter-scale. Functional neural network descriptors were computed with graph-theory-based network analysis methods, showing the formation of functional networks at 3 weeks of culture. Changes to the functional network properties upon perturbations to glutamatergic neurotransmission or GABAergic neurotransmission were quantitatively characterized. The results illustrate the applicability of our 3D experimental system for the study of brain network development, function, and disruption in a biomimetic microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting L Dingle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Volha Liaudanskaya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Liam T Finnegan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Kyler C Berlind
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Craig Mizzoni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Irene Georgakoudi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Thomas J F Nieland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
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74
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Developmental GABA polarity switch and neuronal plasticity in Bioengineered Neuronal Organoids. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3791. [PMID: 32728089 PMCID: PMC7391775 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17521-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain organoids are promising tools for disease modeling and drug development. For proper neuronal network formation excitatory and inhibitory neurons as well as glia need to co-develop. Here, we report the directed self-organization of human induced pluripotent stem cells in a collagen hydrogel towards a highly interconnected neuronal network at a macroscale tissue format. Bioengineered Neuronal Organoids (BENOs) comprise interconnected excitatory and inhibitory neurons with supportive astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Giant depolarizing potential (GDP)-like events observed in early BENO cultures mimic early network activity of the fetal brain. The observed GABA polarity switch and reduced GDPs in >40 day BENO indicate progressive neuronal network maturation. BENOs demonstrate expedited complex network burst development after two months and evidence for long-term potentiation. The similarity of structural and functional properties to the fetal brain may allow for the application of BENOs in studies of neuronal plasticity and modeling of disease. Brain organoids are important tools to study early development and disease but little is known of their network activity and plasticity. Here the authors generate iPSC-derived neuronal organoids that display early network formation and maturation with evidence for a GABA polarity switch and long-term potentiation.
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Axonal Extensions along Corticospinal Tracts from Transplanted Human Cerebral Organoids. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 15:467-481. [PMID: 32679062 PMCID: PMC7419717 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The reconstruction of lost neural circuits by cell replacement is a possible treatment for neurological deficits after cerebral cortex injury. Cerebral organoids can be a novel source for cell transplantation, but because the cellular composition of the organoids changes along the time course of the development, it remains unclear which developmental stage of the organoids is most suitable for reconstructing the corticospinal tract. Here, we transplanted human embryonic stem cell-derived cerebral organoids at 6 or 10 weeks after differentiation (6w- or 10w-organoids) into mouse cerebral cortices. 6w-organoids extended more axons along the corticospinal tract but caused graft overgrowth with a higher percentage of proliferative cells. Axonal extensions from 10w-organoids were smaller in number but were enhanced when the organoids were grafted 1 week after brain injury. Finally, 10w-organoids extended axons in cynomolgus monkey brains. These results contribute to the development of a cell-replacement therapy for brain injury and stroke.
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76
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den Hoed J, Fisher SE. Genetic pathways involved in human speech disorders. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 65:103-111. [PMID: 32622339 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Rare genetic variants that disrupt speech development provide entry points for deciphering the neurobiological foundations of key human capacities. The value of this approach is illustrated by FOXP2, a transcription factor gene that was implicated in speech apraxia, and subsequently investigated using human cell-based systems and animal models. Advances in next-generation sequencing, coupled to de novo paradigms, facilitated discovery of etiological variants in additional genes in speech disorder cohorts. As for other neurodevelopmental syndromes, gene-driven studies show blurring of boundaries between diagnostic categories, with some risk genes shared across speech disorders, intellectual disability and autism. Convergent evidence hints at involvement of regulatory genes co-expressed in early human brain development, suggesting that etiological pathways could be amenable for investigation in emerging neural models such as cerebral organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joery den Hoed
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, 6525 XD Nijmegen, The Netherlands; International Max Planck Research School for Language Sciences, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, 6525 XD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Simon E Fisher
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, 6525 XD Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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77
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Unprecedented Potential for Neural Drug Discovery Based on Self-Organizing hiPSC Platforms. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25051150. [PMID: 32143423 PMCID: PMC7179160 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have transformed conventional drug discovery pathways in recent years. In particular, recent advances in hiPSC biology, including organoid technologies, have highlighted a new potential for neural drug discovery with clear advantages over the use of primary tissues. This is important considering the financial and social burden of neurological health care worldwide, directly impacting the life expectancy of many populations. Patient-derived iPSCs-neurons are invaluable tools for novel drug-screening and precision medicine approaches directly aimed at reducing the burden imposed by the increasing prevalence of neurological disorders in an aging population. 3-Dimensional self-assembled or so-called ‘organoid’ hiPSCs cultures offer key advantages over traditional 2D ones and may well be gamechangers in the drug-discovery quest for neurological disorders in the coming years.
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78
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Samata B, Takaichi R, Ishii Y, Fukushima K, Nakagawa H, Ono Y, Takahashi J. L1CAM Is a Marker for Enriching Corticospinal Motor Neurons in the Developing Brain. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:31. [PMID: 32140099 PMCID: PMC7042175 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebral cortical tissue of murine embryo and pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons can survive in the adult brain and extend axons to the spinal cord. These features suggest that cell transplantation can be a strategy to reconstruct the corticospinal tract (CST). It is unknown, however, which cell population makes for safe and effective donor cells. To address this issue, we grafted the cerebral cortex of E14.5 mouse to the brain of adult mice and found that the cells in the graft extending axons along the CST expressed CTIP2. By using CTIP2:GFP knock-in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), we identified L1CAM as a cell surface marker to enrich CTIP2+ cells. We sorted L1CAM+ cells from E14.5 mouse brain and confirmed that they extended a larger number of axons along the CST compared to L1CAM− cells. Our results suggest that sorting L1CAM+ cells from the embryonic cerebral cortex enriches subcortical projection neurons to reconstruct the CST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bumpei Samata
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Rika Takaichi
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuko Ishii
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kaori Fukushima
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Harumi Nakagawa
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, KAN Research Institute Inc., Kobe, Japan
| | - Yuichi Ono
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, KAN Research Institute Inc., Kobe, Japan
| | - Jun Takahashi
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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79
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Bayne T, Seth AK, Massimini M. Are There Islands of Awareness? Trends Neurosci 2020; 43:6-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2019.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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80
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Ojeda J, Ávila A. Early Actions of Neurotransmitters During Cortex Development and Maturation of Reprogrammed Neurons. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2019; 11:33. [PMID: 31824293 PMCID: PMC6881277 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2019.00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of the brain is shaped by a myriad of factors among which neurotransmitters play remarkable roles before and during the formation and maturation of synaptic circuits. Cellular processes such as neurogenesis, morphological development, synaptogenesis and maturation of synapses are temporary and spatially regulated by the local or distal influence of neurotransmitters in the developing cortex. Thus, research on this area has contributed to the understanding of fundamental mechanisms of brain development and to shed light on the etiology of various human neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and Rett syndrome (RTT), among others. Recently, the field of neuroscience has been shaken by an explosive advance of experimental approaches linked to the use of induced pluripotent stem cells and reprogrammed neurons. This new technology has allowed researchers for the first time to model in the lab the unique events that take place during early human brain development and to explore the mechanisms that cause synaptopathies. In this context, the role of neurotransmitters during early stages of cortex development is beginning to be re-evaluated and a revision of the state of the art has become necessary in a time when new protocols are being worked out to differentiate stem cells into functional neurons. New perspectives on reconsidering the function of neurotransmitters include opportunities for methodological advances, a better understanding of the origin of mental disorders and the potential for development of new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Ojeda
- Developmental Neurobiology Unit, Biomedical Sciences Research Laboratory, Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ariel Ávila
- Developmental Neurobiology Unit, Biomedical Sciences Research Laboratory, Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile
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81
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Sawai T, Sakaguchi H, Thomas E, Takahashi J, Fujita M. The Ethics of Cerebral Organoid Research: Being Conscious of Consciousness. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 13:440-447. [PMID: 31509736 PMCID: PMC6739740 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the use of three-dimensional neural tissues cultured in vitro and called "cerebral organoids" has advanced recapitulation of neural development and disease modeling studies. Along with such advances, cerebral organoid research, and associated concerns call for the elucidation of two points: (1) how cerebral organoid research is currently progressing and the future directions it is likely to take, especially in functional assessment of organoids, and (2) how we should solve ethical issues of possible consciousness in cerebral organoid research. This paper aims first to explore these two issues, and then to present implications and prospects for future cerebral organoid research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsutomu Sawai
- Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), KUIAS Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Hideya Sakaguchi
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Elizabeth Thomas
- Pembroke College, University of Oxford, St. Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1DW, UK
| | - Jun Takahashi
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Misao Fujita
- Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), KUIAS Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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82
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Abstract
Cells dissociated from cerebral organoids self-organize into two-dimensional neuronal networks with relatively advanced functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L. McCain
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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