51
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Carido M, Völkner M, Steinheuer LM, Wagner F, Kurth T, Dumler N, Ulusoy S, Wieneke S, Norniella AV, Golfieri C, Khattak S, Schönfelder B, Scamozzi M, Zoschke K, Canzler S, Hackermüller J, Ader M, Karl MO. Reliability of human retina organoid generation from hiPSC-derived neuroepithelial cysts. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1166641. [PMID: 37868194 PMCID: PMC10587494 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1166641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The possible applications for human retinal organoids (HROs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) rely on the robustness and transferability of the methodology for their generation. Standardized strategies and parameters to effectively assess, compare, and optimize organoid protocols are starting to be established, but are not yet complete. To advance this, we explored the efficiency and reliability of a differentiation method, called CYST protocol, that facilitates retina generation by forming neuroepithelial cysts from hiPSC clusters. Here, we tested seven different hiPSC lines which reproducibly generated HROs. Histological and ultrastructural analyses indicate that HRO differentiation and maturation are regulated. The different hiPSC lines appeared to be a larger source of variance than experimental rounds. Although previous reports have shown that HROs in several other protocols contain a rather low number of cones, HROs from the CYST protocol are consistently richer in cones and with a comparable ratio of cones, rods, and Müller glia. To provide further insight into HRO cell composition, we studied single cell RNA sequencing data and applied CaSTLe, a transfer learning approach. Additionally, we devised a potential strategy to systematically evaluate different organoid protocols side-by-side through parallel differentiation from the same hiPSC batches: In an explorative study, the CYST protocol was compared to a conceptually different protocol based on the formation of cell aggregates from single hiPSCs. Comparing four hiPSC lines showed that both protocols reproduced key characteristics of retinal epithelial structure and cell composition, but the CYST protocol provided a higher HRO yield. So far, our data suggest that CYST-derived HROs remained stable up to at least day 200, while single hiPSC-derived HROs showed spontaneous pathologic changes by day 200. Overall, our data provide insights into the efficiency, reproducibility, and stability of the CYST protocol for generating HROs, which will be useful for further optimizing organoid systems, as well as for basic and translational research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalena Carido
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Manuela Völkner
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lisa Maria Steinheuer
- Department Computational Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Computer Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Felix Wagner
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Kurth
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technology Platform, Core Facility Electron Microscopy and Histology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Natalie Dumler
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Selen Ulusoy
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephanie Wieneke
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Cristina Golfieri
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Shahryar Khattak
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Stem Cell Engineering Facility, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Bruno Schönfelder
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria Scamozzi
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katja Zoschke
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sebastian Canzler
- Department Computational Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jörg Hackermüller
- Department Computational Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Computer Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marius Ader
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mike O Karl
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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52
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Andrews MG, Siebert C, Wang L, White ML, Ross J, Morales R, Donnay M, Bamfonga G, Mukhtar T, McKinney AA, Gemenes K, Wang S, Bi Q, Crouch EE, Parikshak N, Panagiotakos G, Huang E, Bhaduri A, Kriegstein AR. LIF signaling regulates outer radial glial to interneuron fate during human cortical development. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:1382-1391.e5. [PMID: 37673072 PMCID: PMC10591955 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Radial glial (RG) development is essential for cerebral cortex growth and organization. In humans, the outer radial glia (oRG) subtype is expanded and gives rise to diverse neurons and glia. However, the mechanisms regulating oRG differentiation are unclear. oRG cells express leukemia-inhibitory factor (LIF) receptors during neurogenesis, and consistent with a role in stem cell self-renewal, LIF perturbation impacts oRG proliferation in cortical tissue and organoids. Surprisingly, LIF treatment also increases the production of inhibitory interneurons (INs) in cortical cultures. Comparative transcriptomic analysis identifies that the enhanced IN population resembles INs produced in the caudal ganglionic eminence. To evaluate whether INs could arise from oRGs, we isolated primary oRG cells and cultured them with LIF. We observed the production of INs from oRG cells and an increase in IN abundance following LIF treatment. Our observations suggest that LIF signaling regulates the capacity of oRG cells to generate INs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline G Andrews
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Tempe, AZ 85281, USA.
| | - Clara Siebert
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Matthew L White
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jayden Ross
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Raul Morales
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Megan Donnay
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Gradi Bamfonga
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Tanzila Mukhtar
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Arpana Arjun McKinney
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Alper Center for Neural Development and Regeneration, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Kaila Gemenes
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Shaohui Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Qiuli Bi
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Crouch
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Pediatrics, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Neelroop Parikshak
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Georgia Panagiotakos
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Alper Center for Neural Development and Regeneration, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Eric Huang
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Aparna Bhaduri
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Arnold R Kriegstein
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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53
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Simorgh S, Mousavi SA, To SK, Pasque V, Wierda K, Vervliet T, Yeganeh M, Pooyan P, Chai YC, Verfaillie C, Baharvand H. A facile method to generate cerebral organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. EXCLI JOURNAL 2023; 22:1055-1076. [PMID: 37927348 PMCID: PMC10620858 DOI: 10.17179/excli2023-6299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Human cerebral organoids (COs) are self-organizing three-dimensional (3D) neural structures that provide a human-specific platform to study the cellular and molecular processes that underlie different neurological events. The first step of CO generation from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is neural induction, which is an in vitro simulation of neural ectoderm development. Several signaling pathways cooperate during neural ectoderm development and in vitro differentiation of hPSCs toward neural cell lineages is also affected by them. In this study, we considered some of the known sources of these variable signaling cues arising from cell culture media components and sought to modulate their effects by applying a comprehensive combination of small molecules and growth factors for CO generation. Histological analysis demonstrated that these COs recapitulate the neural progenitor zone and early cortical layer organization, containing different types of neuronal and glial cells which was in accordance with single-nucleus transcriptome profiling results. Moreover, patch clamp and intracellular Ca2+ dynamic studies demonstrated that the COs behave as a functional neural network. Thus, this method serves as a facile protocol for generating hPSC-derived COs that faithfully mimic the features of their in vivo counterparts in the developing human brain. See also Figure 1(Fig. 1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Simorgh
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Sciences and Advanced Technologies in Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Stem Cell Institute, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Seyed Ahmad Mousavi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - San Kit To
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Lab for Epigenetic Reprogramming, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Single-Cell Omics Institute and Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Vincent Pasque
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Lab for Epigenetic Reprogramming, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Single-Cell Omics Institute and Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Keimpe Wierda
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven 3000, Belgium
- Electrophysiology Unit, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Tim Vervliet
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Meghdad Yeganeh
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Paria Pooyan
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yoke Chin Chai
- Stem Cell Institute, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Catherine Verfaillie
- Stem Cell Institute, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Sciences and Advanced Technologies in Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
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54
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Kataoka M, Gyngell C, Savulescu J, Sawai T. The Ethics of Human Brain Organoid Transplantation in Animals. NEUROETHICS-NETH 2023; 16:27. [PMID: 37809032 PMCID: PMC10550858 DOI: 10.1007/s12152-023-09532-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we outline how one might conduct a comprehensive ethical evaluation of human brain organoid transplantation in animals. Thus far, ethical concerns regarding this type of research have been assumed to be similar to those associated with other transplants of human cells in animals, and have therefore not received significant attention. The focus has been only on the welfare, moral status, or mental capacities of the host animal. However, the transplantation of human brain organoids introduces several new ethical issues. Many of these are related to uncertainty regarding whether or not brain organoids might be conscious. While these concerns might not be immediately relevant, they warrant closer scrutiny. We discuss how various ethical issues are relevant to different stages of human brain organoid transplantation and can guide the ethical evaluation of research. Our examination would broaden the horizons of the debate on the transplantation of brain organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Kataoka
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Christopher Gyngell
- Biomedical Ethics Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Julian Savulescu
- Biomedical Ethics Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Faculty of Philosophy, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tsutomu Sawai
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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55
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Imaizumi K, Paşca SP. Roadmap for developing biologically inspired therapeutics for genetic brain disorders. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:873-874. [PMID: 37586931 PMCID: PMC10529942 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kent Imaizumi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute & Bio-X, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sergiu P Paşca
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute & Bio-X, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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56
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Jusop AS, Thanaskody K, Tye GJ, Dass SA, Wan Kamarul Zaman WS, Nordin F. Development of brain organoid technology derived from iPSC for the neurodegenerative disease modelling: a glance through. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1173433. [PMID: 37602192 PMCID: PMC10435272 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1173433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are adult-onset neurological conditions that are notoriously difficult to model for drug discovery and development because most models are unable to accurately recapitulate pathology in disease-relevant cells, making it extremely difficult to explore the potential mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, alternative models of human or animal cells have been developed to bridge the gap and allow the impact of new therapeutic strategies to be anticipated more accurately by trying to mimic neuronal and glial cell interactions and many more mechanisms. In tandem with the emergence of human-induced pluripotent stem cells which were first generated in 2007, the accessibility to human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) derived from patients can be differentiated into disease-relevant neurons, providing an unrivaled platform for in vitro modeling, drug testing, and therapeutic strategy development. The recent development of three-dimensional (3D) brain organoids derived from iPSCs as the best alternative models for the study of the pathological features of neurodegenerative diseases. This review highlights the overview of current iPSC-based disease modeling and recent advances in the development of iPSC models that incorporate neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, a summary of the existing brain organoid-based disease modeling of Alzheimer's disease was presented. We have also discussed the current methodologies of regional specific brain organoids modeled, its potential applications, emphasizing brain organoids as a promising platform for the modeling of patient-specific diseases, the development of personalized therapies, and contributing to the design of ongoing or future clinical trials on organoid technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirah Syamimi Jusop
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (CTERM), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kalaiselvaan Thanaskody
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (CTERM), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Gee Jun Tye
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Sylvia Annabel Dass
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
| | | | - Fazlina Nordin
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (CTERM), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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57
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Kataoka M, Gyngell C, Savulescu J, Sawai T. The importance of accurate representation of human brain organoid research. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:985-987. [PMID: 36959082 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Representations of brain organoids in the media are often negatively or positively exaggerated without appropriate discussion. Here, we examine two topics (the possibility of consciousness and medical applications) and call on scientists, ethicists, and the media to represent brain organoid research and its ethical issues more accurately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Kataoka
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Christopher Gyngell
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Julian Savulescu
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tsutomu Sawai
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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58
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Zhang Y, Riexinger J, Yang X, Mikhailova E, Jin Y, Zhou L, Bayley H. A microscale soft ionic power source modulates neuronal network activity. Nature 2023; 620:1001-1006. [PMID: 37648756 PMCID: PMC10468398 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06295-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Bio-integrated devices need power sources to operate1,2. Despite widely used technologies that can provide power to large-scale targets, such as wired energy supplies from batteries or wireless energy transduction3, a need to efficiently stimulate cells and tissues on the microscale is still pressing. The ideal miniaturized power source should be biocompatible, mechanically flexible and able to generate an ionic current for biological stimulation, instead of using electron flow as in conventional electronic devices4-6. One approach is to use soft power sources inspired by the electrical eel7,8; however, power sources that combine the required capabilities have not yet been produced, because it is challenging to obtain miniaturized units that both conserve contained energy before usage and are easily triggered to produce an energy output. Here we develop a miniaturized soft power source by depositing lipid-supported networks of nanolitre hydrogel droplets that use internal ion gradients to generate energy. Compared to the original eel-inspired design7, our approach can shrink the volume of a power unit by more than 105-fold and it can store energy for longer than 24 h, enabling operation on-demand with a 680-fold greater power density of about 1,300 W m-3. Our droplet device can serve as a biocompatible and biological ionic current source to modulate neuronal network activity in three-dimensional neural microtissues and in ex vivo mouse brain slices. Ultimately, our soft microscale ionotronic device might be integrated into living organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | | | - Xingyun Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Yongcheng Jin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Linna Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Hagan Bayley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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59
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Kilpatrick S, Irwin C, Singh KK. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) and organoid models of autism: opportunities and limitations. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:217. [PMID: 37344450 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02510-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder caused by genetic or environmental perturbations during early development. Diagnoses are dependent on the identification of behavioral abnormalities that likely emerge well after the disorder is established, leaving critical developmental windows uncharacterized. This is further complicated by the incredible clinical and genetic heterogeneity of the disorder that is not captured in most mammalian models. In recent years, advancements in stem cell technology have created the opportunity to model ASD in a human context through the use of pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), which can be used to generate 2D cellular models as well as 3D unguided- and region-specific neural organoids. These models produce profoundly intricate systems, capable of modeling the developing brain spatiotemporally to reproduce key developmental milestones throughout early development. When complemented with multi-omics, genome editing, and electrophysiology analysis, they can be used as a powerful tool to profile the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this complex disorder. In this review, we will explore the recent advancements in hPSC-based modeling, discuss present and future applications of the model to ASD research, and finally consider the limitations and future directions within the field to make this system more robust and broadly applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah Kilpatrick
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Courtney Irwin
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karun K Singh
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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60
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Kang J, Gong J, Yang C, Lin X, Yan L, Gong Y, Xu H. Application of Human Stem Cell Derived Retinal Organoids in the Exploration of the Mechanisms of Early Retinal Development. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023:10.1007/s12015-023-10553-x. [PMID: 37269529 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10553-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The intricate neural circuit of retina extracts salient features of the natural world and forms bioelectric impulse as the origin of vision. The early development of retina is a highly complex and coordinated process in morphogenesis and neurogenesis. Increasing evidence indicates that stem cells derived human retinal organoids (hROs) in vitro faithfully recapitulates the embryonic developmental process of human retina no matter in the transcriptome, cellular biology and histomorphology. The emergence of hROs greatly deepens on the understanding of early development of human retina. Here, we reviewed the events of early retinal development both in animal embryos and hROs studies, which mainly comprises the formation of optic vesicle and optic cup shape, differentiation of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), photoreceptor cells (PRs) and its supportive retinal pigment epithelium cells (RPE). We also discussed the classic and frontier molecular pathways up to date to decipher the underlying mechanisms of early development of human retina and hROs. Finally, we summarized the application prospect, challenges and cutting-edge techniques of hROs for uncovering the principles and mechanisms of retinal development and related developmental disorder. hROs is a priori selection for studying human retinal development and function and may be a fundamental tool for unlocking the unknown insight into retinal development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Kang
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jing Gong
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Cao Yang
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xi Lin
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Lijuan Yan
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yu Gong
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, 400038, China.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Sciences Research Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Haiwei Xu
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Yang S, Hu H, Kung H, Zou R, Dai Y, Hu Y, Wang T, Lv T, Yu J, Li F. Organoids: The current status and biomedical applications. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e274. [PMID: 37215622 PMCID: PMC10192887 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Organoids are three-dimensional (3D) miniaturized versions of organs or tissues that are derived from cells with stem potential and can self-organize and differentiate into 3D cell masses, recapitulating the morphology and functions of their in vivo counterparts. Organoid culture is an emerging 3D culture technology, and organoids derived from various organs and tissues, such as the brain, lung, heart, liver, and kidney, have been generated. Compared with traditional bidimensional culture, organoid culture systems have the unique advantage of conserving parental gene expression and mutation characteristics, as well as long-term maintenance of the function and biological characteristics of the parental cells in vitro. All these features of organoids open up new opportunities for drug discovery, large-scale drug screening, and precision medicine. Another major application of organoids is disease modeling, and especially various hereditary diseases that are difficult to model in vitro have been modeled with organoids by combining genome editing technologies. Herein, we introduce the development and current advances in the organoid technology field. We focus on the applications of organoids in basic biology and clinical research, and also highlight their limitations and future perspectives. We hope that this review can provide a valuable reference for the developments and applications of organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Yang
- Division of Biliary Tract SurgeryDepartment of General SurgeryWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan ProvinceChina
| | - Haijie Hu
- Division of Biliary Tract SurgeryDepartment of General SurgeryWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan ProvinceChina
| | - Hengchung Kung
- Krieger School of Arts and SciencesJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Ruiqi Zou
- Division of Biliary Tract SurgeryDepartment of General SurgeryWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan ProvinceChina
| | - Yushi Dai
- Division of Biliary Tract SurgeryDepartment of General SurgeryWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan ProvinceChina
| | - Yafei Hu
- Division of Biliary Tract SurgeryDepartment of General SurgeryWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan ProvinceChina
| | - Tiantian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan ProvinceWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Tianrun Lv
- Division of Biliary Tract SurgeryDepartment of General SurgeryWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan ProvinceChina
| | - Jun Yu
- Departments of MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Departments of OncologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Fuyu Li
- Division of Biliary Tract SurgeryDepartment of General SurgeryWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan ProvinceChina
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Amin ND, Kelley KW, Hao J, Miura Y, Narazaki G, Li T, McQueen P, Kulkarni S, Pavlov S, Paşca SP. Generating human neural diversity with a multiplexed morphogen screen in organoids. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.31.541819. [PMID: 37398073 PMCID: PMC10312596 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.31.541819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Morphogens choreograph the generation of remarkable cellular diversity in the developing nervous system. Differentiation of stem cells toward particular neural cell fates in vitro often relies upon combinatorial modulation of these signaling pathways. However, the lack of a systematic approach to understand morphogen-directed differentiation has precluded the generation of many neural cell populations, and knowledge of the general principles of regional specification remain in-complete. Here, we developed an arrayed screen of 14 morphogen modulators in human neural organoids cultured for over 70 days. Leveraging advances in multiplexed RNA sequencing technology and annotated single cell references of the human fetal brain we discovered that this screening approach generated considerable regional and cell type diversity across the neural axis. By deconvoluting morphogen-cell type relationships, we extracted design principles of brain region specification, including critical morphogen timing windows and combinatorics yielding an array of neurons with distinct neuro-transmitter identities. Tuning GABAergic neural subtype diversity unexpectedly led to the derivation of primate-specific interneurons. Taken together, this serves as a platform towards an in vitro morphogen atlas of human neural cell differentiation that will bring insights into human development, evolution, and disease.
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Buchner F, Dokuzluoglu Z, Grass T, Rodriguez-Muela N. Spinal Cord Organoids to Study Motor Neuron Development and Disease. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1254. [PMID: 37374039 DOI: 10.3390/life13061254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders that affect the cranial and/or spinal motor neurons (spMNs), spinal sensory neurons and the muscular system. Although they have been investigated for decades, we still lack a comprehensive understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms; and therefore, efficacious therapies are scarce. Model organisms and relatively simple two-dimensional cell culture systems have been instrumental in our current knowledge of neuromuscular disease pathology; however, in the recent years, human 3D in vitro models have transformed the disease-modeling landscape. While cerebral organoids have been pursued the most, interest in spinal cord organoids (SCOs) is now also increasing. Pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based protocols to generate SpC-like structures, sometimes including the adjacent mesoderm and derived skeletal muscle, are constantly being refined and applied to study early human neuromuscular development and disease. In this review, we outline the evolution of human PSC-derived models for generating spMN and recapitulating SpC development. We also discuss how these models have been applied to exploring the basis of human neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, we provide an overview of the main challenges to overcome in order to generate more physiologically relevant human SpC models and propose some exciting new perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Buchner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Tobias Grass
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Natalia Rodriguez-Muela
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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64
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Guo Q, Wu S, Geschwind DH. Characterization of Gene Regulatory Elements in Human Fetal Cortical Development: Enhancing Our Understanding of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Evolution. Dev Neurosci 2023; 46:69-83. [PMID: 37231806 DOI: 10.1159/000530929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The neocortex is the region that most distinguishes human brain from other mammals and primates [Annu Rev Genet. 2021 Nov;55(1):555-81]. Studying the development of human cortex is important in understanding the evolutionary changes occurring in humans relative to other primates, as well as in elucidating mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders. Cortical development is a highly regulated process, spatially and temporally coordinated by expression of essential transcriptional factors in response to signaling pathways [Neuron. 2019 Sep;103(6):980-1004]. Enhancers are the most well-understood cis-acting, non-protein-coding regulatory elements that regulate gene expression [Nat Rev Genet. 2014 Apr;15(4):272-86]. Importantly, given the conservation of both DNA sequence and molecular function of the majority of proteins across mammals [Genome Res. 2003 Dec;13(12):2507-18], enhancers [Science. 2015 Mar;347(6226):1155-9], which are far more divergent at the sequence level, likely account for the phenotypes that distinguish the human brain by changing the regulation of gene expression. In this review, we will revisit the conceptual framework of gene regulation during human brain development, as well as the evolution of technologies to study transcriptional regulation, with recent advances in genome biology that open a window allowing us to systematically characterize cis-regulatory elements in developing human brain [Hum Mol Genet. 2022 Oct;31(R1):R84-96]. We provide an update on work to characterize the suite of all enhancers in the developing human brain and the implications for understanding neuropsychiatric disorders. Finally, we discuss emerging therapeutic ideas that utilize our emerging knowledge of enhancer function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyu Guo
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sarah Wu
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Institute of Precision Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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65
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Hong Y, Yang Q, Song H, Ming GL. Opportunities and limitations for studying neuropsychiatric disorders using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1430-1439. [PMID: 36782062 PMCID: PMC10213114 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-01990-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders affect a large proportion of the global population and there is an urgent need to understand the pathogenesis and to develop novel and improved treatments of these devastating disorders. However, the diverse symptomatology combined with complex polygenic etiology, and the limited access to disorder-relevant cell types in human brains represent a major obstacle for mechanistic disease research. Conventional animal models, such as rodents, are limited by inherent species differences in brain development, architecture, and function. Advances in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) technologies have provided platforms for new discoveries in neuropsychiatric disorders. First, hiPSC-based disease models enable unprecedented investigation of psychiatric disorders at the molecular, cellular, and structural levels. Second, hiPSCs derived from patients with known genetics, symptoms, and drug response profiles offer an opportunity to recapitulate pathogenesis in relevant cell types and provide novel approaches for understanding disease mechanisms and for developing effective treatments. Third, genome-editing technologies have extended the potential of hiPSCs for generating models to elucidate the genetic basis of rare monogenetic and complex polygenic psychiatric disorders and to establish the causality between genotype and phenotype. Here we review opportunities and limitations for studying psychiatric disorders using various hiPSC-derived model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Hong
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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66
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Pawlowski KD, Duffy JT, Babak MV, Balyasnikova IV. Modeling glioblastoma complexity with organoids for personalized treatments. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:282-296. [PMID: 36805210 PMCID: PMC11101135 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) remains a fatal diagnosis despite the current standard of care of maximal surgical resection, radiation, and temozolomide (TMZ) therapy. One aspect that impedes drug development is the lack of an appropriate model representative of the complexity of patient tumors. Brain organoids derived from cell culture techniques provide a robust, easily manipulatable, and high-throughput model for GBM. In this review, we highlight recent progress in developing GBM organoids (GBOs) with a focus on generating the GBM microenvironment (i.e., stem cells, vasculature, and immune cells) recapitulating human disease. Finally, we also discuss the use of organoids as a screening tool in drug development for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen D Pawlowski
- Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Joseph T Duffy
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Maria V Babak
- Drug Discovery Lab, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, People's Republic of China.
| | - Irina V Balyasnikova
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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67
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Levy RJ, Paşca SP. What Have Organoids and Assembloids Taught Us About the Pathophysiology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders? Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:632-641. [PMID: 36739210 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric research has been impeded by limited access to human brain tissue, especially from early stages of neurodevelopment when the pathophysiology of many childhood-onset disorders is initiated. Neural organoids are 3-dimensional, self-organizing, multicellular structures generated from pluripotent stem cells that recapitulate some of the cell diversity, cytoarchitecture, and functional features of domains of the developing nervous system. Assembloids are 3-dimensional, self-organizing cultures created by the combination of two or more distinctly patterned organoids or an organoid plus additional cell or tissue type(s) that are used to model cell migration and connectivity. Here we review recent advances in neuropsychiatric disorder research using organoid and assembloid models to study the role of disease-relevant genes and mutations, as well as the impact of environmental risk factors on neural development. We also highlight some of the advantages and limitations of these model systems in bringing insights into the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Levy
- Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Stanford Brain Organogenesis, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute & Bio-X, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Sergiu P Paşca
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute & Bio-X, Stanford University, Stanford, California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
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68
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Whitehouse C, Corbett N, Brownlees J. 3D models of neurodegeneration: implementation in drug discovery. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2023; 44:208-221. [PMID: 36822950 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
A lack of in vitro models that robustly represent the complex cellular pathologies underlying neurodegeneration has resulted in a translational gap between in vitro and in vivo results, creating a bottleneck in the development of new therapeutics. In the past decade, new and complex 3D models of the brain have been published at an exponential rate. However, many novel 3D models of neurodegeneration overlook the validation and throughput requirements for implementation in drug discovery. This therefore represents a knowledge gap that could hinder the translation of these models to drug discovery efforts. We review the recent progress in the development of 3D models of neurodegeneration, examining model design benefits and validation techniques, and discuss opportunities and standards for 3D models of neurodegeneration to be implemented in drug discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicola Corbett
- MSD R&D Innovation Centre, 120 Moorgate, London EC2M 6UR, UK
| | - Janet Brownlees
- MSD R&D Innovation Centre, 120 Moorgate, London EC2M 6UR, UK
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69
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Tynianskaia L, Eşiyok N, Huttner WB, Heide M. Targeted Microinjection and Electroporation of Primate Cerebral Organoids for Genetic Modification. J Vis Exp 2023:10.3791/65176. [PMID: 37036224 PMCID: PMC7615602 DOI: 10.3791/65176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebral cortex is the outermost brain structure and is responsible for the processing of sensory input and motor output; it is seen as the seat of higher-order cognitive abilities in mammals, in particular, primates. Studying gene functions in primate brains is challenging due to technical and ethical reasons, but the establishment of the brain organoid technology has enabled the study of brain development in traditional primate models (e.g., rhesus macaque and common marmoset), as well as in previously experimentally inaccessible primate species (e.g., great apes), in an ethically justifiable and less technically demanding system. Moreover, human brain organoids allow the advanced investigation of neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders. As brain organoids recapitulate many processes of brain development, they also represent a powerful tool to identify differences in, and to functionally compare, the genetic determinants underlying the brain development of various species in an evolutionary context. A great advantage of using organoids is the possibility to introduce genetic modifications, which permits the testing of gene functions. However, the introduction of such modifications is laborious and expensive. This paper describes a fast and cost-efficient approach to genetically modify cell populations within the ventricle-like structures of primate cerebral organoids, a subtype of brain organoids. This method combines a modified protocol for the reliable generation of cerebral organoids from human-, chimpanzee-, rhesus macaque-, and common marmoset-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with a microinjection and electroporation approach. This provides an effective tool for the study of neurodevelopmental and evolutionary processes that can also be applied for disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nesil Eşiyok
- German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research
| | | | - Michael Heide
- German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics;
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70
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Tolle I, Tiranti V, Prigione A. Modeling mitochondrial DNA diseases: from base editing to pluripotent stem-cell-derived organoids. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e55678. [PMID: 36876467 PMCID: PMC10074100 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202255678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diseases are multi-systemic disorders caused by mutations affecting a fraction or the entirety of mtDNA copies. Currently, there are no approved therapies for the majority of mtDNA diseases. Challenges associated with engineering mtDNA have in fact hindered the study of mtDNA defects. Despite these difficulties, it has been possible to develop valuable cellular and animal models of mtDNA diseases. Here, we describe recent advances in base editing of mtDNA and the generation of three-dimensional organoids from patient-derived human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Together with already available modeling tools, the combination of these novel technologies could allow determining the impact of specific mtDNA mutations in distinct human cell types and might help uncover how mtDNA mutation load segregates during tissue organization. iPSC-derived organoids could also represent a platform for the identification of treatment strategies and for probing the in vitro effectiveness of mtDNA gene therapies. These studies have the potential to increase our mechanistic understanding of mtDNA diseases and may open the way to highly needed and personalized therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Tolle
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Valeria Tiranti
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Prigione
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Kodera T, Takeuchi RF, Takahashi S, Suzuki K, Kassai H, Aiba A, Shiozawa S, Okano H, Osakada F. Modeling the marmoset brain using embryonic stem cell-derived cerebral assembloids. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 657:119-127. [PMID: 37002985 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Studying the non-human primate (NHP) brain is required for the translation of rodent research to humans, but remains a challenge for molecular, cellular, and circuit-level analyses in the NHP brain due to the lack of in vitro NHP brain system. Here, we report an in vitro NHP cerebral model using marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) embryonic stem cell-derived cerebral assembloids (CAs) that recapitulate inhibitory neuron migration and cortical network activity. Cortical organoids (COs) and ganglionic eminence organoids (GEOs) were induced from cjESCs and fused to generate CAs. GEO cells expressing the inhibitory neuron marker LHX6 migrated toward the cortical side of CAs. COs developed their spontaneous neural activity from a synchronized pattern to an unsynchronized pattern as COs matured. CAs containing excitatory and inhibitory neurons showed mature neural activity with an unsynchronized pattern. The CAs represent a powerful in vitro model for studying excitatory and inhibitory neuron interactions, cortical dynamics, and their dysfunction. The marmoset assembloid system will provide an in vitro platform for the NHP neurobiology and facilitate translation into humans in neuroscience research, regenerative medicine, and drug discovery.
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72
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Wenzel TJ, Le J, He J, Alcorn J, Mousseau DD. Fundamental Neurochemistry Review: Incorporating a greater diversity of cell types, including microglia, in brain organoid cultures improves clinical translation. J Neurochem 2023; 164:560-582. [PMID: 36517959 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Brain organoids have the potential to improve clinical translation, with the added benefit of reducing any extraneous use of experimental animals. As brain organoids are three-dimensional in vitro constructs that emulate the human brain, they bridge in vitro and in vivo studies more appropriately than monocultures. Although many factors contribute to the failure of extrapolating monoculture-based information to animal-based experiments and clinical trials, for the purpose of this review, we will focus on glia (non-neuronal brain cells), whose functions and transcriptome are particularly abnormal in monocultures. As discussed herein, glia require signals from-and contact with-other cell types to exist in their homeostatic state, which likely contributes to some of the differences between data derived from monocultures and data derived from brain organoids and even two-dimensional co-cultures. Furthermore, we highlight transcriptomic differences between humans and mice in regard to aging and Alzheimer's disease, emphasizing need for a model using the human genome-again, a benefit of brain organoids-to complement data derived from animals. We also identify an urgency for guidelines to improve the reporting and transparency of research using organoids. The lack of reporting standards creates challenges for the comparison and discussion of data from different articles. Importantly, brain organoids mark the first human model enabling the study of brain cytoarchitecture and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J Wenzel
- Cell Signalling Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.,College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Jennifer Le
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Jim He
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Jane Alcorn
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Darrell D Mousseau
- Cell Signalling Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Morales Pantoja IE, Smirnova L, Muotri AR, Wahlin KJ, Kahn J, Boyd JL, Gracias DH, Harris TD, Cohen-Karni T, Caffo BS, Szalay AS, Han F, Zack DJ, Etienne-Cummings R, Akwaboah A, Romero JC, Alam El Din DM, Plotkin JD, Paulhamus BL, Johnson EC, Gilbert F, Curley JL, Cappiello B, Schwamborn JC, Hill EJ, Roach P, Tornero D, Krall C, Parri R, Sillé F, Levchenko A, Jabbour RE, Kagan BJ, Berlinicke CA, Huang Q, Maertens A, Herrmann K, Tsaioun K, Dastgheyb R, Habela CW, Vogelstein JT, Hartung T. First Organoid Intelligence (OI) workshop to form an OI community. Front Artif Intell 2023; 6:1116870. [PMID: 36925616 PMCID: PMC10013972 DOI: 10.3389/frai.2023.1116870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain is arguably the most powerful computation system known. It is extremely efficient in processing large amounts of information and can discern signals from noise, adapt, and filter faulty information all while running on only 20 watts of power. The human brain's processing efficiency, progressive learning, and plasticity are unmatched by any computer system. Recent advances in stem cell technology have elevated the field of cell culture to higher levels of complexity, such as the development of three-dimensional (3D) brain organoids that recapitulate human brain functionality better than traditional monolayer cell systems. Organoid Intelligence (OI) aims to harness the innate biological capabilities of brain organoids for biocomputing and synthetic intelligence by interfacing them with computer technology. With the latest strides in stem cell technology, bioengineering, and machine learning, we can explore the ability of brain organoids to compute, and store given information (input), execute a task (output), and study how this affects the structural and functional connections in the organoids themselves. Furthermore, understanding how learning generates and changes patterns of connectivity in organoids can shed light on the early stages of cognition in the human brain. Investigating and understanding these concepts is an enormous, multidisciplinary endeavor that necessitates the engagement of both the scientific community and the public. Thus, on Feb 22-24 of 2022, the Johns Hopkins University held the first Organoid Intelligence Workshop to form an OI Community and to lay out the groundwork for the establishment of OI as a new scientific discipline. The potential of OI to revolutionize computing, neurological research, and drug development was discussed, along with a vision and roadmap for its development over the coming decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itzy E. Morales Pantoja
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lena Smirnova
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alysson R. Muotri
- Department of Pediatrics and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), Archealization Center (ArchC), Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Karl J. Wahlin
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology & the Shiley Eye Institute, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Jeffrey Kahn
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - J. Lomax Boyd
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David H. Gracias
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics (LCSR), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Center for Microphysiological Systems (MPS), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Timothy D. Harris
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, United States
| | - Tzahi Cohen-Karni
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Brian S. Caffo
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alexander S. Szalay
- Department of Computer Science, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Mark Foundation Center for Advanced Genomics and Imaging, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Fang Han
- Department of Statistics and Economics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Donald J. Zack
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ralph Etienne-Cummings
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Akwasi Akwaboah
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - July Carolina Romero
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dowlette-Mary Alam El Din
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jesse D. Plotkin
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Barton L. Paulhamus
- Department of Research and Exploratory Development, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
| | - Erik C. Johnson
- Department of Research and Exploratory Development, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
| | - Frederic Gilbert
- Philosophy Program, School of Humanities, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | | | | | - Jens C. Schwamborn
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Eric J. Hill
- School of Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Roach
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Tornero
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Clinic Hospital August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Caroline Krall
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rheinallt Parri
- Aston Pharmacy School, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Fenna Sillé
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Andre Levchenko
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Rabih E. Jabbour
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Maryland Global Campus, Rockville, MD, United States
| | | | - Cynthia A. Berlinicke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alexandra Maertens
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kathrin Herrmann
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Katya Tsaioun
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Raha Dastgheyb
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Christa Whelan Habela
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Joshua T. Vogelstein
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT)-Europe, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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Bassil K, Horstkötter D. Ethical Implications in Making Use of Human Cerebral Organoids for Investigating Stress-Related Mechanisms and Disorders. Camb Q Healthc Ethics 2023; 32:1-13. [PMID: 36799029 DOI: 10.1017/s0963180123000038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
The generation of three-dimensional cerebral organoids from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) has facilitated the investigation of mechanisms underlying several neuropsychiatric disorders, including stress-related disorders, namely major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Generating hPSC-derived neurons, cerebral organoids, and even assembloids (or multi-organoid complexes) can facilitate research into biomarkers for stress susceptibility or resilience and may even bring about advances in personalized medicine and biomarker research for stress-related psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, cerebral organoid research does not come without its own set of ethical considerations. With increased complexity and resemblance to in vivo conditions, discussions of increased moral status for these models are ongoing, including questions about sentience, consciousness, moral status, donor protection, and chimeras. There are, however, unique ethical considerations that arise and are worth looking into in the context of research into stress and stress-related disorders using cerebral organoids. This paper provides stress research-specific ethical considerations in the context of cerebral organoid generation and use for research purposes. The use of stress research as a case study here can help inform other practices of in vitro studies using brain models with high ethical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Bassil
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dorothee Horstkötter
- Department of Health Ethics and Society, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Cohn EF, Clayton BL, Madhavan M, Yacoub S, Federov Y, Paul-Friedman K, Shafer TJ, Tesar PJ. Pervasive environmental chemicals impair oligodendrocyte development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.10.528042. [PMID: 36798415 PMCID: PMC9934656 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.10.528042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to environmental chemicals can impair neurodevelopment1-4. Oligodendrocytes that wrap around axons to boost neurotransmission may be particularly vulnerable to chemical toxicity as they develop throughout fetal development and into adulthood5,6. However, few environmental chemicals have been assessed for potential risks to oligodendrocyte development. Here, we utilized a high-throughput developmental screen and human cortical brain organoids, which revealed environmental chemicals in two classes that disrupt oligodendrocyte development through distinct mechanisms. Quaternary compounds, ubiquitous in disinfecting agents, hair conditioners, and fabric softeners, were potently and selectively cytotoxic to developing oligodendrocytes through activation of the integrated stress response. Organophosphate flame retardants, commonly found in household items such as furniture and electronics, were non-cytotoxic but prematurely arrested oligodendrocyte maturation. Chemicals from each class impaired human oligodendrocyte development in a 3D organoid model of prenatal cortical development. In analysis of epidemiological data from the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes were associated with childhood exposure to the top organophosphate flame retardant identified by our oligodendrocyte toxicity platform. Collectively, our work identifies toxicological vulnerabilities specific to oligodendrocyte development and highlights common household chemicals with high exposure risk to children that warrant deeper scrutiny for their impact on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin F. Cohn
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Benjamin L.L. Clayton
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Mayur Madhavan
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Sara Yacoub
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Yuriy Federov
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Katie Paul-Friedman
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Timothy J. Shafer
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Paul J. Tesar
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
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Human Brain Organoids in Migraine Research: Pathogenesis and Drug Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043113. [PMID: 36834522 PMCID: PMC9961184 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human organoids are small, self-organized, three-dimensional (3D) tissue cultures that have started to revolutionize medical science in terms of understanding disease, testing pharmacologically active compounds, and offering novel ways to treat disease. Organoids of the liver, kidney, intestine, lung, and brain have been developed in recent years. Human brain organoids are used for understanding pathogenesis and investigating therapeutic options for neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative, and neurological disorders. Theoretically, several brain disorders can be modeled with the aid of human brain organoids, and hence the potential exists for understanding migraine pathogenesis and its treatment with the aid of brain organoids. Migraine is considered a brain disorder with neurological and non-neurological abnormalities and symptoms. Both genetic and environmental factors play essential roles in migraine pathogenesis and its clinical manifestations. Several types of migraines are classified, for example, migraines with and without aura, and human brain organoids can be developed from patients with these types of migraines to study genetic factors (e.g., channelopathy in calcium channels) and environmental stressors (e.g., chemical and mechanical). In these models, drug candidates for therapeutic purposes can also be tested. Here, the potential and limitations of human brain organoids for studying migraine pathogenesis and its treatment are communicated to generate motivation and stimulate curiosity for further research. This must, however, be considered alongside the complexity of the concept of brain organoids and the neuroethical aspects of the topic. Interested researchers are invited to join the network for protocol development and testing the hypothesis presented here.
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Modeling Autism Spectrum Disorders with Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Brain Organoids. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13020260. [PMID: 36830629 PMCID: PMC9953447 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders that affect communication and social interactions and present with restricted interests and repetitive behavior patterns. The susceptibility to ASD is strongly influenced by genetic/heritable factors; however, there is still a large gap in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the neurobiology of ASD. Significant progress has been made in identifying ASD risk genes and the possible convergent pathways regulated by these gene networks during development. The breakthrough of cellular reprogramming technology has allowed the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from individuals with syndromic and idiopathic ASD, providing patient-specific cell models for mechanistic studies. In the past decade, protocols for developing brain organoids from these cells have been established, leading to significant advances in the in vitro reproducibility of the early steps of human brain development. Here, we reviewed the most relevant literature regarding the application of brain organoids to the study of ASD, providing the current state of the art, and discussing the impact of such models on the field, limitations, and opportunities for future development.
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78
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Benchmarking brain organoid recapitulation of fetal corticogenesis. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:520. [PMID: 36539399 PMCID: PMC9767930 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02279-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain organoids are becoming increasingly relevant to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric and neurological conditions. The in vitro recapitulation of key features of human brain development affords the unique opportunity of investigating the developmental antecedents of neuropsychiatric conditions in the context of the actual patients' genetic backgrounds. Specifically, multiple strategies of brain organoid (BO) differentiation have enabled the investigation of human cerebral corticogenesis in vitro with increasing accuracy. However, the field lacks a systematic investigation of how closely the gene co-expression patterns seen in cultured BO from different protocols match those observed in fetal cortex, a paramount information for ensuring the sensitivity and accuracy of modeling disease trajectories. Here we benchmark BO against fetal corticogenesis by integrating transcriptomes from in-house differentiated cortical BO (CBO), other BO systems, human fetal brain samples processed in-house, and prenatal cortices from the BrainSpan Atlas. We identified co-expression patterns and prioritized hubs of human corticogenesis and CBO differentiation, highlighting both well-preserved and discordant trends across BO protocols. We evaluated the relevance of identified gene modules for neurodevelopmental disorders and psychiatric conditions finding significant enrichment of disease risk genes especially in modules related to neuronal maturation and synapsis development. The longitudinal transcriptomic analysis of CBO revealed a two-step differentiation composed of a fast-evolving phase, corresponding to the appearance of the main cell populations of the cortex, followed by a slow-evolving one characterized by milder transcriptional changes. Finally, we observed heterochronicity of differentiation across BO models compared to fetal cortex. Our approach provides a framework to directly compare the extent of in vivo/in vitro alignment of neurodevelopmentally relevant processes and their attending temporalities, structured as a resource to query for modeling human corticogenesis and the neuropsychiatric outcomes of its alterations.
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Berber P, Bondarenko S, Michaelis L, Weber BHF. Transient Retention of Photoreceptor Outer Segments in Matrigel-Embedded Retinal Organoids. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314893. [PMID: 36499228 PMCID: PMC9739155 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal organoids (ROs) are three-dimensional retinal tissues, which are differentiated in vitro from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), ultimately forming all main retinal cell types under defined culture conditions. ROs show several highly specialized retinal features, including the outgrowth of photoreceptor outer segments (OSs). In vivo, the photoreceptor OSs are enveloped and maintained by protrusions of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, the so-called apical microvilli, while ROs fail to recapitulate this critical interaction in culture development. Here, we define specific co-culture conditions aiming to compensate for the missing physical proximity of RPE and OSs in RO development. Accordingly, functional RPE cells and ROs were differentiated simultaneously from the same iPSC clone, the former resulting in byproduct RPE or bRPE cells. While some co-culture approaches indicated a temporary functional interaction between bRPE and RO photoreceptors, they did not improve the photoreceptor histoarchitecture. In contrast, embedding ROs in a basement membrane extract without bRPE cells showed a robust improvement in the rate of photoreceptor OS retention. RO embedding is a quick and easy method that greatly enhances the preservation of photoreceptor OSs, an important structure for modelling retinal diseases with the involvement of photoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Berber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sofiia Bondarenko
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Michaelis
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Heinrich Friedrich Weber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Human Genetics, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Castiglione H, Vigneron PA, Baquerre C, Yates F, Rontard J, Honegger T. Human Brain Organoids-on-Chip: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives for Preclinical Applications. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:2301. [PMID: 36365119 PMCID: PMC9699341 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for predictive in vitro models to improve disease modeling and drug target identification and validation, especially for neurological disorders. Cerebral organoids, as alternative methods to in vivo studies, appear now as powerful tools to decipher complex biological processes thanks to their ability to recapitulate many features of the human brain. Combining these innovative models with microfluidic technologies, referred to as brain organoids-on-chips, allows us to model the microenvironment of several neuronal cell types in 3D. Thus, this platform opens new avenues to create a relevant in vitro approach for preclinical applications in neuroscience. The transfer to the pharmaceutical industry in drug discovery stages and the adoption of this approach by the scientific community requires the proposition of innovative microphysiological systems allowing the generation of reproducible cerebral organoids of high quality in terms of structural and functional maturation, and compatibility with automation processes and high-throughput screening. In this review, we will focus on the promising advantages of cerebral organoids for disease modeling and how their combination with microfluidic systems can enhance the reproducibility and quality of these in vitro models. Then, we will finish by explaining why brain organoids-on-chips could be considered promising platforms for pharmacological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héloïse Castiglione
- NETRI, 69007 Lyon, France
- Sup’Biotech/CEA-IBFJ-SEPIA, Bâtiment 60, 18 Route du Panorama, 94260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Pierre-Antoine Vigneron
- Sup’Biotech/CEA-IBFJ-SEPIA, Bâtiment 60, 18 Route du Panorama, 94260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Sup’Biotech, Ecole D’ingénieurs, 66 Rue Guy Môquet, 94800 Villejuif, France
| | | | - Frank Yates
- Sup’Biotech/CEA-IBFJ-SEPIA, Bâtiment 60, 18 Route du Panorama, 94260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Sup’Biotech, Ecole D’ingénieurs, 66 Rue Guy Môquet, 94800 Villejuif, France
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Deconstructing and then reconstructing developmental processes ex vivo is crucial to understanding how organs assemble and how physiology can be disrupted in disease. Human 3D stem cell-derived systems, such as organoids, have facilitated this pursuit; however, they often do not capture inter-tissue or inter-lineage cellular interactions that give rise to emergent tissue properties during development. Assembloids are self-organizing 3D cellular systems that result from the integration of multiple organoids or the combination of organoids with missing cell types or primary tissue explants. Here, we outline the concept and types of assembloids and present their applications for studying the nervous system and other tissues. We describe tools that are used to probe and manipulate assembloids and delineate current challenges and the potential for this new approach to interrogate development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Kanton
- Stanford University 1 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , , Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neuroscience Institute & Bio-X 2 , Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sergiu P. Paşca
- Stanford University 1 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , , Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neuroscience Institute & Bio-X 2 , Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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82
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Amin ND, Pașca SP. Mouse embryo models built from stem cells take shape in a dish. Nature 2022; 610:39-40. [PMID: 36192499 PMCID: PMC10495118 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-022-03075-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Two groups have grown self-organizing models of mouse embryos from stem cells in vitro . The models mimic mid-gestation embryos, providing an unparalleled opportunity to study early embryonic development.
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