51
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Simpson EM, Korecki AJ, Fornes O, McGill TJ, Cueva-Vargas JL, Agostinone J, Farkas RA, Hickmott JW, Lam SL, Mathelier A, Renner LM, Stoddard J, Zhou M, Di Polo A, Neuringer M, Wasserman WW. New MiniPromoter Ple345 (NEFL) Drives Strong and Specific Expression in Retinal Ganglion Cells of Mouse and Primate Retina. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 30:257-272. [PMID: 30062914 PMCID: PMC6437624 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal gene therapy is leading the neurological gene therapy field, with 32 ongoing clinical trials of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)–based therapies. Importantly, over 50% of those trials are using restricted promoters from human genes. Promoters that restrict expression have demonstrated increased efficacy and can limit the therapeutic to the target cells thereby reducing unwanted off-target effects. Retinal ganglion cells are a critical target in ocular gene therapy; they are involved in common diseases such as glaucoma, rare diseases such as Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, and in revolutionary optogenetic treatments. Here, we used computational biology and mined the human genome for the best genes from which to develop a novel minimal promoter element(s) designed for expression in restricted cell types (MiniPromoter) to improve the safety and efficacy of retinal ganglion cell gene therapy. Gene selection included the use of the first available droplet-based single-cell RNA sequencing (Drop-seq) dataset, and promoter design was bioinformatically driven and informed by a wide range of genomics datasets. We tested seven promoter designs from four genes in rAAV for specificity and quantified expression strength in retinal ganglion cells in mouse, and then the single best in nonhuman primate retina. Thus, we developed a new human-DNA MiniPromoter, Ple345 (NEFL), which in combination with intravitreal delivery in rAAV9 showed specific and robust expression in the retinal ganglion cells of the nonhuman-primate rhesus macaque retina. In mouse, we also developed MiniPromoters expressing in retinal ganglion cells, the hippocampus of the brain, a pan neuronal pattern in the brain, and peripheral nerves. As single-cell transcriptomics such as Drop-seq become available for other cell types, many new opportunities for additional novel restricted MiniPromoters will present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Simpson
- 1 Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,2 Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,3 Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,4 Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Andrea J Korecki
- 1 Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Oriol Fornes
- 1 Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,2 Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Trevor J McGill
- 5 Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,6 Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jorge Luis Cueva-Vargas
- 7 Department of Neuroscience and Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jessica Agostinone
- 7 Department of Neuroscience and Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Rachelle A Farkas
- 1 Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jack W Hickmott
- 1 Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,2 Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Siu Ling Lam
- 1 Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anthony Mathelier
- 1 Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,2 Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lauren M Renner
- 5 Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jonathan Stoddard
- 5 Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Michelle Zhou
- 1 Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Adriana Di Polo
- 7 Department of Neuroscience and Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Martha Neuringer
- 5 Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,6 Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Wyeth W Wasserman
- 1 Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,2 Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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52
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Fligor CM, Langer KB, Sridhar A, Ren Y, Shields PK, Edler MC, Ohlemacher SK, Sluch VM, Zack DJ, Zhang C, Suter DM, Meyer JS. Three-Dimensional Retinal Organoids Facilitate the Investigation of Retinal Ganglion Cell Development, Organization and Neurite Outgrowth from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14520. [PMID: 30266927 PMCID: PMC6162218 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32871-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal organoids are three-dimensional structures derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) which recapitulate the spatial and temporal differentiation of the retina, serving as effective in vitro models of retinal development. However, a lack of emphasis has been placed upon the development and organization of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) within retinal organoids. Thus, initial efforts were made to characterize RGC differentiation throughout early stages of organoid development, with a clearly defined RGC layer developing in a temporally-appropriate manner expressing a complement of RGC-associated markers. Beyond studies of RGC development, retinal organoids may also prove useful for cellular replacement in which extensive axonal outgrowth is necessary to reach post-synaptic targets. Organoid-derived RGCs could help to elucidate factors promoting axonal outgrowth, thereby identifying approaches to circumvent a formidable obstacle to RGC replacement. As such, additional efforts demonstrated significant enhancement of neurite outgrowth through modulation of both substrate composition and growth factor signaling. Additionally, organoid-derived RGCs exhibited diverse phenotypes, extending elaborate growth cones and expressing numerous guidance receptors. Collectively, these results establish retinal organoids as a valuable tool for studies of RGC development, and demonstrate the utility of organoid-derived RGCs as an effective platform to study factors influencing neurite outgrowth from organoid-derived RGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarisse M Fligor
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Kirstin B Langer
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Akshayalakshmi Sridhar
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Yuan Ren
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Priya K Shields
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Michael C Edler
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Sarah K Ohlemacher
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Valentin M Sluch
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Donald J Zack
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Daniel M Suter
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Jason S Meyer
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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53
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Rabesandratana O, Goureau O, Orieux G. Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Approaches to Explore and Treat Optic Neuropathies. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:651. [PMID: 30294255 PMCID: PMC6158340 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sight is a major sense for human and visual impairment profoundly affects quality of life, especially retinal degenerative diseases which are the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. As for other neurodegenerative disorders, almost all retinal dystrophies are characterized by the specific loss of one or two cell types, such as retinal ganglion cells, photoreceptor cells, or retinal pigmented epithelial cells. This feature is a critical point when dealing with cell replacement strategies considering that the preservation of other cell types and retinal circuitry is a prerequisite. Retinal ganglion cells are particularly vulnerable to degenerative process and glaucoma, the most common optic neuropathy, is a frequent retinal dystrophy. Cell replacement has been proposed as a potential approach to take on the challenge of visual restoration, but its application to optic neuropathies is particularly challenging. Many obstacles need to be overcome before any clinical application. Beyond their survival and differentiation, engrafted cells have to reconnect with both upstream synaptic retinal cell partners and specific targets in the brain. To date, reconnection of retinal ganglion cells with distal central targets appears unrealistic since central nervous system is refractory to regenerative processes. Significant progress on the understanding of molecular mechanisms that prevent central nervous system regeneration offer hope to overcome this obstacle in the future. At the same time, emergence of reprogramming of human somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells has facilitated both the generation of new source of cells with therapeutic potential and the development of innovative methods for the generation of transplantable cells. In this review, we discuss the feasibility of stem cell-based strategies applied to retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve impairment. We present the different strategies for the generation, characterization and the delivery of transplantable retinal ganglion cells derived from pluripotent stem cells. The relevance of pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal organoid and retinal ganglion cells for disease modeling or drug screening will be also introduced in the context of optic neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olivier Goureau
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Gaël Orieux
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
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54
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Stern JH, Tian Y, Funderburgh J, Pellegrini G, Zhang K, Goldberg JL, Ali RR, Young M, Xie Y, Temple S. Regenerating Eye Tissues to Preserve and Restore Vision. Cell Stem Cell 2018; 22:834-849. [PMID: 29859174 PMCID: PMC6492284 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ocular regenerative therapies are on track to revolutionize treatment of numerous blinding disorders, including corneal disease, cataract, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and age-related macular degeneration. A variety of transplantable products, delivered as cell suspensions or as preformed 3D structures combining cells and natural or artificial substrates, are in the pipeline. Here we review the status of clinical and preclinical studies for stem cell-based repair, covering key eye tissues from front to back, from cornea to retina, and including bioengineering approaches that advance cell product manufacturing. While recognizing the challenges, we look forward to a deep portfolio of sight-restoring, stem cell-based medicine. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey H Stern
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Yangzi Tian
- Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 257 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, USA
| | - James Funderburgh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Graziella Pellegrini
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G.Gottardi 100, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Kang Zhang
- Shiley Eye Institute and Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University and Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Laboratory, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Jeffrey L Goldberg
- Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University, 2452 Watson Court, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA
| | - Robin R Ali
- Department of Genetics, University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, City Road, London EC1V 2PD, UK; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Michael Young
- The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Yubing Xie
- Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 257 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, USA
| | - Sally Temple
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
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55
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Langer KB, Ohlemacher SK, Phillips MJ, Fligor CM, Jiang P, Gamm DM, Meyer JS. Retinal Ganglion Cell Diversity and Subtype Specification from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 10:1282-1293. [PMID: 29576537 PMCID: PMC5998302 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the projection neurons of the retina and transmit visual information to postsynaptic targets in the brain. While this function is shared among nearly all RGCs, this class of cell is remarkably diverse, comprised of multiple subtypes. Previous efforts have identified numerous RGC subtypes in animal models, but less attention has been paid to human RGCs. Thus, efforts of this study examined the diversity of RGCs differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and characterized defined subtypes through the expression of subtype-specific markers. Further investigation of these subtypes was achieved using single-cell transcriptomics, confirming the combinatorial expression of molecular markers associated with these subtypes, and also provided insight into more subtype-specific markers. Thus, the results of this study describe the derivation of RGC subtypes from hPSCs and will support the future exploration of phenotypic and functional diversity within human RGCs. Unique transcriptional profiles demonstrate diversity among hPSC-derived RGCs Numerous RGC subtypes characterized from hPSC-derived RGCs Molecular markers identified for RGC subtypes through single-cell RNA-seq analysis
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstin B Langer
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sarah K Ohlemacher
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - M Joseph Phillips
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Clarisse M Fligor
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Peng Jiang
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - David M Gamm
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Jason S Meyer
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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56
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Wong RCB, Lim SY, Hung SSC, Jackson S, Khan S, Van Bergen NJ, De Smit E, Liang HH, Kearns LS, Clarke L, Mackey DA, Hewitt AW, Trounce IA, Pébay A. Mitochondrial replacement in an iPSC model of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. Aging (Albany NY) 2018; 9:1341-1350. [PMID: 28455970 PMCID: PMC5425131 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cybrid technology was used to replace Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) causing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations from patient-specific fibroblasts with wildtype mtDNA, and mutation-free induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were generated subsequently. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) differentiation demonstrates increased cell death in LHON-RGCs and can be rescued in cybrid corrected RGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond C B Wong
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Shiang Y Lim
- O'Brien Institute Department, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sandy S C Hung
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stacey Jackson
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Shahnaz Khan
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicole J Van Bergen
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Elisabeth De Smit
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Helena H Liang
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lisa S Kearns
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Linda Clarke
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David A Mackey
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of Western Australia, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Australia.,School of Medicine, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Alex W Hewitt
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Medicine, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Ian A Trounce
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Co-senior authors
| | - Alice Pébay
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Co-senior authors
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57
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Single cell RNA sequencing of stem cell-derived retinal ganglion cells. Sci Data 2018; 5:180013. [PMID: 29437159 PMCID: PMC5810423 DOI: 10.1038/sdata.2018.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We used single cell sequencing technology to characterize the transcriptomes of 1,174 human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) at the single cell level. The human embryonic stem cell line BRN3B-mCherry (A81-H7), was differentiated to RGCs using a guided differentiation approach. Cells were harvested at day 36 and prepared for single cell RNA sequencing. Our data indicates the presence of three distinct subpopulations of cells, with various degrees of maturity. One cluster of 288 cells showed increased expression of genes involved in axon guidance together with semaphorin interactions, cell-extracellular matrix interactions and ECM proteoglycans, suggestive of a more mature RGC phenotype.
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58
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Llonch S, Carido M, Ader M. Organoid technology for retinal repair. Dev Biol 2017; 433:132-143. [PMID: 29291970 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A major cause for vision impairment and blindness in industrialized countries is the loss of the light-sensing retinal tissue in the eye. Photoreceptor damage is one of the main characteristics found in retinal degeneration diseases, such as Retinitis Pigmentosa or age-related macular degeneration. The lack of effective therapies to stop photoreceptor loss together with the absence of significant intrinsic regeneration in the human retina converts such degenerative diseases into permanent conditions that are currently irreversible. Cell replacement by means of photoreceptor transplantation has been proposed as a potential approach to tackle cell loss in the retina. Since the first attempt of photoreceptor transplantation in humans, about twenty years ago, several research groups have focused in the development and improvement of technologies necessary to bring cell transplantation for retinal degeneration diseases to reality. Progress in recent years in the generation of human tissue derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) has significantly improved our tools to study human development and disease in the dish. Particularly the availability of 3D culture systems for the generation of PSC-derived organoids, including the human retina, has dramatically increased access to human material for basic and medical research. In this review, we focus on important milestones towards the generation of transplantable photoreceptor precursors from PSC-derived retinal organoids and discuss recent pre-clinical transplantation studies using organoid-derived photoreceptors in context to related in vivo work using primary photoreceptors as donor material. Additionally, we summarize remaining challenges for developing photoreceptor transplantation towards clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia Llonch
- CRTD/Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Madalena Carido
- CRTD/Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Dresden (DZNE), Arnoldstraße 18, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marius Ader
- CRTD/Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
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59
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Sluch VM, Chamling X, Liu MM, Berlinicke CA, Cheng J, Mitchell KL, Welsbie DS, Zack DJ. Enhanced Stem Cell Differentiation and Immunopurification of Genome Engineered Human Retinal Ganglion Cells. Stem Cells Transl Med 2017; 6:1972-1986. [PMID: 29024560 PMCID: PMC6430043 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.17-0059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells have the potential to promote biological studies and accelerate drug discovery efforts by making possible direct experimentation on a variety of human cell types of interest. However, stem cell cultures are generally heterogeneous and efficient differentiation and purification protocols are often lacking. Here, we describe the generation of clustered regularly‐interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)‐Cas9 engineered reporter knock‐in embryonic stem cell lines in which tdTomato and a unique cell‐surface protein, THY1.2, are expressed under the control of the retinal ganglion cell (RGC)‐enriched gene BRN3B. Using these reporter cell lines, we greatly improved adherent stem cell differentiation to the RGC lineage by optimizing a novel combination of small molecules and established an anti‐THY1.2‐based protocol that allows for large‐scale RGC immunopurification. RNA‐sequencing confirmed the similarity of the stem cell‐derived RGCs to their endogenous human counterparts. Additionally, we developed an in vitro axonal injury model suitable for studying signaling pathways and mechanisms of human RGC cell death and for high‐throughput screening for neuroprotective compounds. Using this system in combination with RNAi‐based knockdown, we show that knockdown of dual leucine kinase (DLK) promotes survival of human RGCs, expanding to the human system prior reports that DLK inhibition is neuroprotective for murine RGCs. These improvements will facilitate the development and use of large‐scale experimental paradigms that require numbers of pure RGCs that were not previously obtainable. Stem Cells Translational Medicine2017;6:1972–1986
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin M Sluch
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Xitiz Chamling
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Melissa M Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Cynthia A Berlinicke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jie Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Katherine L Mitchell
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Derek S Welsbie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Donald J Zack
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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60
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Zhao C, Wang Q, Temple S. Stem cell therapies for retinal diseases: recapitulating development to replace degenerated cells. Development 2017; 144:1368-1381. [PMID: 28400433 PMCID: PMC5399657 DOI: 10.1242/dev.133108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases are the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Replacing lost retinal cells via stem cell-based therapies is an exciting, rapidly advancing area of translational research that has already entered the clinic. Here, we review the status of these clinical efforts for several significant retinal diseases, describe the challenges involved and discuss how basic developmental studies have contributed to and are needed to advance clinical goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiping Zhao
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, 1 Discovery Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Qingjie Wang
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, 1 Discovery Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Sally Temple
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, 1 Discovery Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
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Levin LA, Miller JW, Zack DJ, Friedlander M, Smith LEH. Special Commentary: Early Clinical Development of Cell Replacement Therapy: Considerations for the National Eye Institute Audacious Goals Initiative. Ophthalmology 2017; 124:926-934. [PMID: 28365209 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The National Eye Institute launched the Audacious Goals Initiative (AGI) in 2013 with the aim "to restore vision through the regeneration of neurons and neural connections in the eye and visual system." An AGI Town Hall held at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting in 2016 brought together basic, translational, and clinical scientists to address the clinical implications of the AGI, with a particular emphasis on diseases amenable to regenerative medicine and strategies to deal with barriers to progess. An example of such a barrier is that replacement of lost neurons may be insufficient because damage to other neurons and non-neuronal cells is common in retinal and optic nerve disease. Reparative processes such as gliosis and fibrosis also can make it difficult to replenish and regenerate neurons. Other issues include choice of animal models, selecting appropriate endpoints, ethics of informed consent, and regulatory issues. Another area critical to next steps in the AGI is the choice of target diseases and the stage at which early development studies should be focused. For example, an advantage of doing clinical trials in patients with early disease is that supporting cellular and structural constituents are still likely to be present. However, regenerative studies in patients with late disease make it easier to detect the effects of replacement therapy against the background of severe visual loss, whereas it may be harder to detect incremental improvement in visual function in those with early disease and considerable remaining visual function. Achieving the goals of the AGI also requires preclinical advances, new imaging techniques, and optimizing translational issues. The work of the AGI is expected to take at least 10 years but should eventually result in therapies to restore some degree of vision to the blind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard A Levin
- Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.
| | - Joan W Miller
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Donald J Zack
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Martin Friedlander
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California; The Lowy Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Lois E H Smith
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Crombie DE, Daniszewski M, Liang HH, Kulkarni T, Li F, Lidgerwood GE, Conquest A, Hernández D, Hung SS, Gill KP, De Smit E, Kearns LS, Clarke L, Sluch VM, Chamling X, Zack DJ, Wong RCB, Hewitt AW, Pébay A. Development of a Modular Automated System for Maintenance and Differentiation of Adherent Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. SLAS DISCOVERY 2017; 22:1016-1025. [PMID: 28287872 DOI: 10.1177/2472555217696797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have tremendous potential for development of regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug discovery. However, the processes of reprogramming, maintenance, and differentiation are labor intensive and subject to intertechnician variability. To address these issues, we established and optimized protocols to allow for the automated maintenance of reprogrammed somatic cells into iPSCs to enable the large-scale culture and passaging of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) using a customized TECAN Freedom EVO. Generation of iPSCs was performed offline by nucleofection followed by selection of TRA-1-60-positive cells using a Miltenyi MultiMACS24 Separator. Pluripotency markers were assessed to confirm pluripotency of the generated iPSCs. Passaging was performed using an enzyme-free dissociation method. Proof of concept of differentiation was obtained by differentiating human PSCs into cells of the retinal lineage. Key advantages of this automated approach are the ability to increase sample size, reduce variability during reprogramming or differentiation, and enable medium- to high-throughput analysis of human PSCs and derivatives. These techniques will become increasingly important with the emergence of clinical trials using stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan E Crombie
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Co-first authors
| | - Maciej Daniszewski
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Co-first authors
| | - Helena H Liang
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tejal Kulkarni
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fan Li
- 2 School of Medicine, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.,3 State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Grace E Lidgerwood
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alison Conquest
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Damian Hernández
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sandy S Hung
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katherine P Gill
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elisabeth De Smit
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lisa S Kearns
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Linda Clarke
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Valentin M Sluch
- 4 Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xitiz Chamling
- 4 Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Donald J Zack
- 4 Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,5 Departments of Neuroscience, Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Raymond C B Wong
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alex W Hewitt
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,2 School of Medicine, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.,Co-senior authors
| | - Alice Pébay
- 1 Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital & Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Co-senior authors
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Abstract
Glaucoma and other optic neuropathies result in optic nerve degeneration and the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) through complex signaling pathways. Although the mechanisms that regulate RGC development remain unclear, uncovering novel developmental pathways may support new strategies to regenerate the optic nerve or replace RGCs. Here we review recent studies that provide strong evidence that the Sry-related high-mobility-group C (SoxC) subfamily of transcription factors (TFs) are necessary and sufficient for axon guidance and RGC fate specification. These findings also uncover novel SoxC-dependent mechanisms that serve as master regulators during important steps of RGC development. For example, we review work showing that SoxC TFs regulate RGC axon guidance and direction through the optic chiasm towards their appropriate targets in the brain. We also review work demonstrating that Sox11 subcellular localization is, in part, controlled through small ubiquitin-like post-translational modifier (SUMO) and suggest compensatory cross-talk between Sox4 and Sox11. Furthermore, Sox4 overexpression is shown to positively drive RGC differentiation in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Finally, we discuss how these findings may contribute to the advancement of regenerative and cell-based therapies to treat glaucoma and other optic nerve neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Che Chang
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Hertz
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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