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Maciaczyk J, Singec I, Maciaczyk D, Klein A, Nikkhah G. Restricted Spontaneous In Vitro Differentiation and Region-Specific Migration of Long-Term Expanded Fetal Human Neural Precursor Cells After Transplantation Into the Adult Rat Brain. Stem Cells Dev 2009; 18:1043-58. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2008.0346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslaw Maciaczyk
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurosurgery, Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Neurocenter, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of General Neurosurgery, Neurocenter, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ilyas Singec
- Burnham Institute for Medical Research, Stem Cell and Regeneration Program, La Jolla, California
| | - Donata Maciaczyk
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurosurgery, Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Neurocenter, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Klein
- The Brain Research Group, School of Biosciences, University of Cardiff, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Guido Nikkhah
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurosurgery, Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Neurocenter, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Leukemia inhibitory factor favours neurogenic differentiation of long-term propagated human midbrain precursor cells. Neurosci Lett 2009; 464:203-8. [PMID: 19703518 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.08.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2009] [Revised: 06/26/2009] [Accepted: 08/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
There is a lot of excitement about the potential use of multipotent neural stem cells for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the strategy is compromised by the general loss of multipotency and ability to generate neurons after long-term in vitro propagation. In the present study, human embryonic (5 weeks post-conception) ventral mesencephalic (VM) precursor cells were propagated as neural tissue-spheres (NTS) in epidermal growth factor (EGF; 20 ng/ml) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2; 20 ng/ml). After more than 325 days, the NTS were transferred to media containing either EGF+FGF2, EGF+FGF2+heparin or leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF; 10 ng/ml)+FGF2+heparin. Cultures were subsequently propagated for more than 180 days with NTS analyzed at various time-points. Our data show for the first time that human VM neural precursor cells can be long-term propagated as NTS in the presence of EGF and FGF2. A positive effect of heparin was found only after 150 days of treatment. After switching into different media, only NTS exposed to LIF contained numerous cells positive for markers of newly formed neurons. Besides of demonstrating the ability of human VM NTS to be long-term propagated, our study also suggests that LIF favours neurogenic differentiation of human VM precursor cells.
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Kim HJ, McMillan E, Han F, Svendsen CN. Regionally specified human neural progenitor cells derived from the mesencephalon and forebrain undergo increased neurogenesis following overexpression of ASCL1. Stem Cells 2009; 27:390-8. [PMID: 19008346 DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2007-1047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Human neural progenitor cells (hNPC) derived from the developing brain can be expanded in culture and subsequently differentiated into neurons and glia. They provide an interesting source of tissue for both modeling brain development and developing future cellular replacement therapies. It is becoming clear that hNPC are regionally and temporally specified depending on which brain region they were isolated from and its developmental stage. We show here that hNPC derived from the developing cortex (hNPC(CTX)) and ventral midbrain (hNPC(VM)) have similar morphological characteristics and express the progenitor cell marker nestin. However, hNPC(CTX) cultures were highly proliferative and produced large numbers of neurons, whereas hNPC(VM) divided slowly and produced fewer neurons but more astrocytes. Microarray analysis revealed a similar expression pattern for some stemness markers between the two growing cultures, overlaid with a regionally specific profile that identified some important differentially expressed neurogenic transcription factors. By overexpressing one of these, the transcription factor ASCL1, we were able to regain neurogenesis from hNPC(VM) cultures, which produced larger neurons with more neurites than hNPC(CTX) but no fully mature dopamine neurons. Thus, hNPC are regionally specified and can be induced to undergo neurogenesis following genetic manipulation. Although this restores neuronal production with a region-specific phenotype, it does not restore full neurochemical maturation, which may require additional factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Jung Kim
- Department of Anatomy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
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Leonard BW, Mastroeni D, Grover A, Liu Q, Yang K, Gao M, Wu J, Pootrakul D, van den Berge SA, Hol EM, Rogers J. Subventricular zone neural progenitors from rapid brain autopsies of elderly subjects with and without neurodegenerative disease. J Comp Neurol 2009; 515:269-94. [PMID: 19425077 PMCID: PMC2757160 DOI: 10.1002/cne.22040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In mice and in young adult humans, the subventricular zone (SVZ) contains multipotent, dividing astrocytes, some of which, when cultured, produce neurospheres that differentiate into neurons and glia. It is unknown whether the SVZ of very old humans has this capacity. Here, we report that neural stem/progenitor cells can also be cultured from rapid autopsy samples of SVZ from elderly human subjects, including patients with age-related neurologic disorders. Histological sections of SVZ from these cases showed a glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive ribbon of astrocytes similar to the astrocyte ribbon in human periventricular white matter biopsies that is reported to be a rich source of neural progenitors. Cultures of the SVZ contained 1) neurospheres with a core of Musashi-1-, nestin-, and nucleostemin-immunopositive cells as well as more differentiated GFAP-positive astrocytes; 2) SMI-311-, MAP2a/b-, and beta-tubulin(III)-positive neurons; and 3) galactocerebroside-positive oligodendrocytes. Neurospheres continued to generate differentiated progeny for months after primary culturing, in some cases nearly 2 years postinitial plating. Patch clamp studies of differentiated SVZ cells expressing neuron-specific antigens revealed voltage-dependent, tetrodotoxin-sensitive, inward Na+ currents and voltage-dependent, delayed, slowly inactivating K+ currents, electrophysiologic characteristics of neurons. A subpopulation of these cells also exhibited responses consistent with the kinetics and pharmacology of the h-current. However, although these cells displayed some aspects of neuronal function, they remained immature, insofar as they did not fire action potentials. These studies suggest that human neural progenitor activity may remain viable throughout much of the life span, even in the face of severe neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrew Grover
- Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, U.S.A
| | - Qiang Liu
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, U.S.A
| | - Kechun Yang
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, U.S.A
| | - Ming Gao
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, U.S.A
| | - Jie Wu
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, U.S.A
| | | | - Simone A. van den Berge
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an institute of the NetherlandsRoyal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BAAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elly M. Hol
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an institute of the NetherlandsRoyal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BAAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joseph Rogers
- Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, U.S.A
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Wakeman DR, Hofmann MR, Redmond DE, Teng YD, Snyder EY. Long-term multilayer adherent network (MAN) expansion, maintenance, and characterization, chemical and genetic manipulation, and transplantation of human fetal forebrain neural stem cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; Chapter 2:Unit2D.3. [PMID: 19455542 DOI: 10.1002/9780470151808.sc02d03s9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Human neural stem/precursor cells (hNSC/hNPC) have been targeted for application in a variety of research models and as prospective candidates for cell-based therapeutic modalities in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. To this end, the successful derivation, expansion, and sustained maintenance of undifferentiated hNSC/hNPC in vitro, as artificial expandable neurogenic micro-niches, promises a diversity of applications as well as future potential for a variety of experimental paradigms modeling early human neurogenesis, neuronal migration, and neurogenetic disorders, and could also serve as a platform for small-molecule drug screening in the CNS. Furthermore, hNPC transplants provide an alternative substrate for cellular regeneration and restoration of damaged tissue in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Human somatic neural stem/progenitor cells (NSC/NPC) have been derived from a variety of cadaveric sources and proven engraftable in a cytoarchitecturally appropriate manner into the developing and adult rodent and monkey brain while maintaining both functional and migratory capabilities in pathological models of disease. In the following unit, we describe a new procedure that we have successfully employed to maintain operationally defined human somatic NSC/NPC from developing fetal, pre-term post-natal, and adult cadaveric forebrain. Specifically, we outline the detailed methodology for in vitro expansion, long-term maintenance, manipulation, and transplantation of these multipotent precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin R Wakeman
- University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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56
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Peñuelas S, Anido J, Prieto-Sánchez RM, Folch G, Barba I, Cuartas I, García-Dorado D, Poca MA, Sahuquillo J, Baselga J, Seoane J. TGF-beta increases glioma-initiating cell self-renewal through the induction of LIF in human glioblastoma. Cancer Cell 2009; 15:315-27. [PMID: 19345330 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2009.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 397] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2008] [Revised: 09/14/2008] [Accepted: 02/06/2009] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Glioma-initiating cells (GICs) are responsible for the initiation and recurrence of gliomas. Here, we identify a molecular mechanism that regulates the self-renewal capacity of patient-derived GICs. We show that TGF-beta and LIF induce the self-renewal capacity and prevent the differentiation of GICs. TGF-beta induces the self-renewal capacity of GICs, but not of normal human neuroprogenitors, through the Smad-dependent induction of LIF and the subsequent activation of the JAK-STAT pathway. The effect of TGF-beta and LIF on GICs promotes oncogenesis in vivo. Some human gliomas express high levels of LIF that correlate with high expression of TGF-beta2 and neuroprogenitor cell markers. Our results show that TGF-beta and LIF have an essential role in the regulation of GICs in human glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Peñuelas
- Medical Oncology Program, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
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57
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Hanington PC, Tam J, Katzenback BA, Hitchen SJ, Barreda DR, Belosevic M. Development of macrophages of cyprinid fish. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2009; 33:411-429. [PMID: 19063916 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2008.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2008] [Revised: 11/11/2008] [Accepted: 11/14/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The innate immune responses of early vertebrates, such as bony fishes, play a central role in host defence against infectious diseases and one of the most important effector cells of innate immunity are macrophages. In order for macrophages to be effective in host defence they must be present at all times in the tissues of their host and importantly, the host must be capable of rapidly increasing macrophage numbers during times of need. Hematopoiesis is a process of formation and development of mature blood cells, including macrophages. Hematopoiesis is controlled by soluble factors known as cytokines, that influence changes in transcription factors within the target cells, resulting in cell fate changes and the final development of specific effector cells. The processes involved in macrophage development have been largely derived from mammalian model organisms. However, recent advancements have been made in the understanding of macrophage development in bony fish, a group of organisms that rely heavily on their innate immune defences. Our understanding of the growth factors involved in teleost macrophage development, as well as the receptors and regulatory mechanisms in place to control them has increased substantially. Furthermore, model organisms such as the zebrafish have emerged as important instruments in furthering our understanding of the transcriptional control of cell development in fish as well as in mammals. This review highlights the recent advancements in our understanding of teleost macrophage development. We focused on the growth factors identified to be important in the regulation of macrophage development from a progenitor cell into a functional macrophage and discuss the important transcription factors that have been identified to function in teleost hematopoiesis. We also describe the findings of in vivo studies that have reinforced observations made in vitro and have greatly improved the relevance and importance of using teleost fish as model organisms for studying developmental processes.
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Trouillas M, Saucourt C, Guillotin B, Gauthereau X, Ding L, Buchholz F, Doss MX, Sachinidis A, Hescheler J, Hummel O, Huebner N, Kolde R, Vilo J, Schulz H, Boeuf H. Three LIF-dependent signatures and gene clusters with atypical expression profiles, identified by transcriptome studies in mouse ES cells and early derivatives. BMC Genomics 2009; 10:73. [PMID: 19203379 PMCID: PMC2674464 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-10-73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2008] [Accepted: 02/09/2009] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells remain pluripotent in vitro when grown in the presence of the cytokine Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF). Identification of LIF targets and of genes regulating the transition between pluripotent and early differentiated cells is a critical step for understanding the control of ES cell pluripotency. Results By gene profiling studies carried out with mRNAs from ES cells and their early derivatives treated or not with LIF, we have identified i) LIF-dependent genes, highly expressed in pluripotent cells, whose expression level decreases sharply upon LIF withdrawal [Pluri genes], ii) LIF induced genes [Lifind genes] whose expression is differentially regulated depending upon cell context and iii) genes specific to the reversible or irreversible committed states. In addition, by hierarchical gene clustering, we have identified, among eight independent gene clusters, two atypical groups of genes, whose expression level was highly modulated in committed cells only. Computer based analyses led to the characterization of different sub-types of Pluri and Lifind genes, and revealed their differential modulation by Oct4 or Nanog master genes. Individual knock down of a selection of Pluri and Lifind genes leads to weak changes in the expression of early differentiation markers, in cell growth conditions in which these master genes are still expressed. Conclusion We have identified different sets of LIF-regulated genes depending upon the cell state (reversible or irreversible commitment), which allowed us to present a novel global view of LIF responses. We are also reporting on the identification of genes whose expression is strictly regulated during the commitment step. Furthermore, our studies identify sub-networks of genes with a restricted expression in pluripotent ES cells, whose down regulation occurs while the master knot (composed of OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG) is still expressed and which might be down-regulated together for driving cells towards differentiation.
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59
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60
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Behrstock S, Ebert AD, Klein S, Schmitt M, Moore JM, Svendsen CN. Lesion-induced increase in survival and migration of human neural progenitor cells releasing GDNF. Cell Transplant 2008; 17:753-62. [PMID: 19044202 DOI: 10.3727/096368908786516819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of human neural progenitor cells (hNPC) has been proposed to provide neuronal replacement or astrocytes delivering growth factors for brain disorders such as Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. Success in such studies likely requires migration from the site of transplantation and integration into host tissue in the face of ongoing damage. In the current study, hNPC modified to release glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (hNPCGDNF) were transplanted into either intact or lesioned animals. GDNF release itself had no effect on the survival, migration, or differentiation of the cells. The most robust migration and survival was found using a direct lesion of striatum (Huntington's model) with indirect lesions of the dopamine system (Parkinson's model) or intact animals showing successively less migration and survival. No lesion affected differentiation patterns. We conclude that the type of brain injury dictates migration and integration of hNPC, which has important consequences when considering transplantation of these cells as a therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soshana Behrstock
- The Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI 53705-2280, USA
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61
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Andres RH, Choi R, Steinberg GK, Guzman R. Potential of adult neural stem cells in stroke therapy. Regen Med 2008; 3:893-905. [DOI: 10.2217/17460751.3.6.893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite state-of-the-art therapy, clinical outcome after stroke remains poor, with many patients left permanently disabled and dependent on care. Stem cell therapy has evolved as a promising new therapeutic avenue for the treatment of stroke in experimental studies, and recent clinical trials have proven its feasibility and safety in patients. Replacement of damaged cells and restoration of function can be accomplished by transplantation of different cell types, such as embryonic, fetal or adult stem cells, human fetal tissue and genetically engineered cell lines. Adult neural stem cells offer the advantage of avoiding the ethical problems associated with embryonic or fetal stem cells and can be harvested as autologous grafts from the individual patients. Furthermore, stimulation of endogenous adult stem cell-mediated repair mechanisms in the brain might offer new avenues for stroke therapy without the necessity of transplantation. However, important scientific issues need to be addressed to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the critical steps in cell-based repair to allow the introduction of these experimental techniques into clinical practice. This review describes up-to-date experimental concepts using adult neural stem cells for the treatment of stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert H Andres
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, R211, Stanford, CA 94305-5327, USA
| | - Raymond Choi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, R211, Stanford, CA 94305-5327, USA
| | - Gary K Steinberg
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, R211, Stanford, CA 94305-5327, USA
| | - Raphael Guzman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, R211, Stanford, CA 94305-5327, USA
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Maciaczyk J, Singec I, Maciaczyk D, Nikkhah G. Combined use of BDNF, ascorbic acid, low oxygen, and prolonged differentiation time generates tyrosine hydroxylase-expressing neurons after long-term in vitro expansion of human fetal midbrain precursor cells. Exp Neurol 2008; 213:354-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2008.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2008] [Revised: 06/11/2008] [Accepted: 06/17/2008] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Ideguchi M, Shinoyama M, Gomi M, Hayashi H, Hashimoto N, Takahashi J. Immune or inflammatory response by the host brain suppresses neuronal differentiation of transplanted ES cell-derived neural precursor cells. J Neurosci Res 2008; 86:1936-43. [PMID: 18335525 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are a promising donor source for transplantation therapy, but several problems must be solved before they can be clinically useful. One of these is the host immune reaction to allogeneic grafts. In this article, we examine the effect of the host immune reaction on survival and differentiation of grafted ES cell-derived neural precursor cells (NPCs). We induced NPCs from mouse ES cells by stromal cell-derived inducing activity and then transplanted them into mouse brains with or without administering the immunosuppressant cyclosporine A (CsA). Two and 8 weeks following transplantation, the accumulation of host-derived microglia/macrophages and lymphocytes was observed around the graft. This effect was reduced by CsA treatment, although no significant difference in graft volume was observed. These data suggest that an immune response occurs in allografts of ES cell-derived NPCs. Intriguingly, however, the ratio of neurons to astrocytes in the graft was higher in immunosuppressed mice. Because inflammatory or immune cells produce various cytokines, we examined the effect of IL-1beta, IL-6, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha on the differentiation of NPCs in vitro. Only IL-6 promoted glial cell fate, and this effect could be reversed by the addition of an IL-6 neutralizing antibody. These results suggest that allogeneic ES cell-derived NPCs can cause an immune response by the host brain, but it is not strong enough to reject the graft. More important, activated microglia and lymphocytes can suppress neuronal differentiation of grafted NPCs in vivo by producing cytokines such as IL-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Ideguchi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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Hall PE, Lathia JD, Caldwell MA, Ffrench-Constant C. Laminin enhances the growth of human neural stem cells in defined culture media. BMC Neurosci 2008; 9:71. [PMID: 18651950 PMCID: PMC2496909 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-9-71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2008] [Accepted: 07/23/2008] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human neural stem cells (hNSC) have the potential to provide novel cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. In order to realise this goal, protocols need to be developed that allow for large quantities of hNSC to be cultured efficiently. As such, it is important to identify factors which enhance the growth of hNSC. In vivo, stem cells reside in distinct microenvironments or niches that are responsible for the maintenance of stem cell populations. A common feature of niches is the presence of the extracellular matrix molecule, laminin. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of exogenous laminin on hNSC growth. Results To measure hNSC growth, we established culture conditions using B27-supplemented medium that enable neurospheres to grow from human neural cells plated at clonal densities. Limiting dilution assays confirmed that neurospheres were derived from single cells at these densities. Laminin was found to increase hNSC numbers as measured by this neurosphere formation. The effect of laminin was to augment the proliferation/survival of the hNSC, rather than promoting the undifferentiated state. In agreement, apoptosis was reduced in dissociated neurospheres by laminin in an integrin β1-dependent manner. Conclusion The addition of laminin to the culture medium enhances the growth of hNSC, and may therefore aid their large-scale production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter E Hall
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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65
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Human neural stem cells and astrocytes, but not neurons, suppress an allogeneic lymphocyte response. Stem Cell Res 2008; 2:56-67. [PMID: 19383409 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2008.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2008] [Revised: 06/04/2008] [Accepted: 06/28/2008] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of human neural stem cells (NSCs) and their derivatives is a promising future treatment for neurodegenerative disease and traumatic nervous system lesions. An important issue is what kind of immunological reaction the cellular transplant and host interaction will result in. Previously, we reported that human NSCs, despite expressing MHC class I and class II molecules, do not trigger an allogeneic T cell response. Here, the immunocompetence of human NSCs, as well as differentiated neural cells, was further studied. Astrocytes expressed both MHC class I and class II molecules to a degree equivalent to that of the NSCs, whereas neurons expressed only MHC class I molecules. Neither the NSCs nor the differentiated cells triggered an allogeneic lymphocyte response. Instead, these potential donor NSCs and astrocytes, but not the neurons, exhibited a suppressive effect on an allogeneic immune response. The suppressive effect mediated by NSCs most likely involves cell-cell interaction. When the immunogenicity of human NSCs was tested in an acute spinal cord injury model in rodent, a xenogeneic rejection response was triggered. Thus, human NSCs and their derived astrocytes do not initiate, but instead suppress, an allogeneic response, while they cannot block a graft rejection in a xenogeneic setting.
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Dromard C, Guillon H, Rigau V, Ripoll C, Sabourin J, Perrin F, Scamps F, Bozza S, Sabatier P, Lonjon N, Duffau H, Vachiery-Lahaye F, Prieto M, Tran Van Ba C, Deleyrolle L, Boularan A, Langley K, Gaviria M, Privat A, Hugnot J, Bauchet L. Adult human spinal cord harbors neural precursor cells that generate neurons and glial cells in vitro. J Neurosci Res 2008; 86:1916-26. [DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Suri A, Walters JJ, Rohrs HW, Gross ML, Unanue ER. First signature of islet beta-cell-derived naturally processed peptides selected by diabetogenic class II MHC molecules. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 180:3849-56. [PMID: 18322192 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.6.3849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The diversity of Ags targeted by T cells in autoimmune diabetes is unknown. In this study, we identify and characterize a limited number of naturally processed peptides from pancreatic islet beta-cells selected by diabetogenic I-A(g7) molecules of NOD mice. We used insulinomas transfected with the CIITA transactivator, which resulted in their expression of class II histocompatibility molecules and activation of diabetogenic CD4 T cells. Peptides bound to I-A(g7) were isolated and examined by mass spectrometry: some peptides derived from proteins present in secretory granules of endocrine cells, and a number were shared with cells of neuronal lineage. All proteins to which peptides were identified were expressed in beta cells from normal islets. Peptides bound to I-A(g7) molecules contained the favorable binding motif characterized by acidic amino acids at the P9 position. The draining pancreatic lymph nodes of prediabetic NOD mice contained CD4 T cells that recognized three different natural peptides. Furthermore, four different peptides elicited CD4 T cells, substantiating the presence of such self-reactive T cells. The overall strategy of identifying natural peptides from islet beta-cells opens up new avenues to evaluate the repertoire of self-reactive T cells and its role in onset of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish Suri
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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68
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Bhattacharyya A, McMillan E, Wallace K, Tubon TC, Capowski EE, Svendsen CN. Normal Neurogenesis but Abnormal Gene Expression in Human Fragile X Cortical Progenitor Cells. Stem Cells Dev 2008; 17:107-17. [PMID: 18225979 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2007.0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human stem and progenitor cells offer an innovative way to study early events in development. An exciting new opportunity for these cells is their application to study the underlying developmental consequences of genetic diseases. Because many diseases, ranging from leukemias to developmental disorders, are caused by single-gene defects, stem and progenitor cells that carry disease-causing genetic mutations are invaluable in understanding and treating disease. We have characterized human neural progenitor (hNPCs) cells that carry a single-gene defect that leads to the neurodevelopmental disorder Fragile X syndrome (FX). A loss-of-function mutation in the FMR1 gene leads to subtle changes in neural development and subsequent mental impairment characteristic of FX. hNPCs were isolated from fetal cortex carrying the FMR1 mutation to determine whether aberrations occur in their proliferation and differentiation. As expected, FX hNPCs have reduced expression of the FMR1 gene product Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), and this decrease is maintained in culture and following differentiation. In contrast to a previously published report, the proliferation of FX hNPCs and their differentiation into neurons is not different from unaffected controls. Although the early development of FX hNPCs is essentially normal, microarray analysis reveals novel changes in the expression of signal transduction genes in FX hNPCs. Therefore, hNPCs have intrinsic characteristics that can be investigated to further our understanding and potential treatment of developmental disorders such as FX.
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Yeo GW, Coufal N, Aigner S, Winner B, Scolnick JA, Marchetto MC, Muotri AR, Carson C, Gage FH. Multiple layers of molecular controls modulate self-renewal and neuronal lineage specification of embryonic stem cells. Hum Mol Genet 2008; 17:R67-75. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddn065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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70
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Ciliary neurotrophic factor mediates dopamine D2 receptor-induced CNS neurogenesis in adult mice. J Neurosci 2008; 28:2231-41. [PMID: 18305256 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3574-07.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurogenesis continues in the adult forebrain subventricular zone (SVZ) and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation. Degeneration of dopaminergic projections in Parkinson's disease and animals reduces, whereas ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) promotes, neurogenesis. We tested whether the dopaminergic system promotes neurogenesis through CNTF. Astrocytes of the SVZ and dentate gyrus expressed CNTF and were close to dopaminergic terminals. Dopaminergic denervation in adult mice reduced CNTF mRNA by approximately 60%, whereas systemic treatment with the D2 agonist quinpirole increased CNTF mRNA in the SVZ and hippocampal formation, and in cultured astrocytes by 1.5-5 fold. The effect of quinpirole in vitro was blocked by the D2 antagonist eticlopride and did not cause astroglial proliferation or hypertrophy. Systemic quinpirole injections increased proliferation in wild-type mice by approximately 25-75% but not in CNTF-/- littermates or in the SVZ of mice infused with CNTF antibodies. Quinpirole increased the number of neuroblasts in wild-type but not in CNTF-/- littermates. Neurogenesis was reduced by approximately 20% in CNTF-/- mice, confirming the endogenous role of CNTF. Nigrostriatal denervation did not affect SVZ proliferation in CNTF-/- mice, suggesting that the dopaminergic innervation normally regulates neurogenesis through CNTF. Quinpirole acted on postsynaptic receptors as it reversed the reduced proliferation seen after dopaminergic denervation in wild-type mice. Thus, CNTF mediates dopaminergic innervation- and D2 receptor-induced neurogenesis in the adult forebrain. Because CNTF is predominantly expressed in the nervous system, this mechanism and the ability to pharmacologically modulate it have implications for Parkinson's disease and cell-replacement therapies for other disorders.
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71
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Emborg ME, Ebert AD, Moirano J, Peng S, Suzuki M, Capowski E, Joers V, Roitberg BZ, Aebischer P, Svendsen CN. GDNF-Secreting Human Neural Progenitor Cells Increase Tyrosine Hydroxylase and VMAT2 Expression in MPTP-Treated Cynomolgus Monkeys. Cell Transplant 2008. [DOI: 10.3727/096368908784423300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) have been proposed as a potential source of cells for ex vivo gene therapy. In this pilot study, three 5-year-old female cynomolgus monkeys received a single intracarotid infusion of MPTP, followed 1 week later by MRI-guided stereotaxic intrastriatal and intranigral injections of male hNPCs transgenic for GDNF. Immunosupression with oral cyclosporine (30–40 mg/kg) began 48 h before hNPC transplants and continued throughout the study. We monitored the animals using a clinical rating scale (CRS). Three months postsurgery, we euthanized the animals by transcardiac perfusion, then retrieved and processed their brains for morphological analysis. Our findings include the following. 1) hNPCs survived and produced GDNF in all animals 3 months postsurgery. 2) hNPCs remained in the areas of injection as observed by GDNF immunostaining and in situ hybridization for the human Y chromosome. 3) A “halo” of GDNF expression was observed diffusing from the center of the graft out into the surrounding area. 4) We observed increased TH- and VMAT2-positive fibers in areas of GDNF delivery in two of the three animals. The two animals with TH- and VMAT2-positive fibers also showed reductions in their CRS scores. 5) Some GFAP-positive perivascular cuffing was found in transplanted areas. 6) General blood chemistry and necropsies did not reveal any abnormalities. Therefore, we conclude that hNPCs releasing GDNF may be a possible alternative for intracerebral trophic factor delivery in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina E. Emborg
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Jeff Moirano
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sun Peng
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | | | - Valerie Joers
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ben Z. Roitberg
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Patrick Aebischer
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Clive N. Svendsen
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
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72
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Rappa G, Mercapide J, Anzanello F, Prasmickaite L, Xi Y, Ju J, Fodstad O, Lorico A. Growth of cancer cell lines under stem cell-like conditions has the potential to unveil therapeutic targets. Exp Cell Res 2008; 314:2110-22. [PMID: 18423605 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2008.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2007] [Revised: 03/07/2008] [Accepted: 03/10/2008] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Malignant tumors comprise a small proportion of cancer-initiating cells (CIC), capable of sustaining tumor formation and growth. CIC are the main potential target for anticancer therapy. However, the identification of molecular therapeutic targets in CIC isolated from primary tumors is an extremely difficult task. Here, we show that after years of passaging under differentiating conditions, glioblastoma, mammary carcinoma, and melanoma cell lines contained a fraction of cells capable of forming spheroids upon in vitro growth under stem cell-like conditions. We found an increased expression of surface markers associated with the stem cell phenotype and of oncogenes in cell lines and clones cultured as spheroids vs. adherent cultures. Also, spheroid-forming cells displayed increased tumorigenicity and an altered pattern of chemosensitivity. Interestingly, also from single retrovirally marked clones, it was possible to isolate cells able to grow as spheroids and associated with increased tumorigenicity. Our findings indicate that short-term selection and propagation of CIC as spheroid cultures from established cancer cell lines, coupled with gene expression profiling, represents a suitable tool to study and therapeutically target CIC: the notion of which genes have been down-regulated during growth under differentiating conditions will help find CIC-associated therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Rappa
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, 307 N. University Boulevard, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
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73
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Suzuki M, Svendsen CN. Combining growth factor and stem cell therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Trends Neurosci 2008; 31:192-8. [PMID: 18329734 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2008.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2007] [Revised: 01/18/2008] [Accepted: 01/21/2008] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease where motor neurons within the brain and spinal cord are lost, leading to paralysis and death. Certain growth factors should, in principle, be able to protect dying motor neurons. However, targeted delivery to the spinal cord or brain has been a constant problem. There is also accumulating evidence that glial cells might play a crucial role in maintaining motor neuron function and survival in ALS. Stem cells isolated and expanded in culture can be modified to release growth factors and generate glial cells following transplantation into the spinal cord or brain. As such, they might be able to both detoxify the local environment around dying motor neurons and deliver trophic factors. Here we examine the feasibility of translating these findings into new treatments for ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Suzuki
- The Waisman Center and Departments of Anatomy and Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53707-2280, USA
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74
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Wang JM, Liu L, Brinton RD. Estradiol-17beta-induced human neural progenitor cell proliferation is mediated by an estrogen receptor beta-phosphorylated extracellularly regulated kinase pathway. Endocrinology 2008; 149:208-18. [PMID: 17962344 PMCID: PMC2734499 DOI: 10.1210/en.2007-1155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Estradiol-17beta (E(2)) induces rodent hippocampal neural progenitor cell (NPC) proliferation in vitro, in vivo, and after brain injury. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether E(2)-induced proliferation observed in rodent model systems generalized to cells of human neural origin and the signaling pathway by which E(2) promotes mitosis of human NPCs (hNPCs). Results of these analyses indicate that E(2) induced a significant increase in hNPC proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. E(2)-induced hNPC DNA replication was paralleled by elevated cell cycle protein expression and centrosome amplification, which was associated with augmentation of total cell number. To determine whether estrogen receptor (ER) and which ER subtype were required for E(2)-induced hNPC proliferation, ER expression was first determined by real-time RT-PCR, followed by Western blot analysis, and subsequently verified pharmacologically using ERalpha or beta-selective ligands. Results of these analyses indicated that ERbeta expression was predominant relative to ERalpha, which was barely detectable in hNPCs. Activation of ERbeta by the ERbeta-selective ligand, diarylpropionitrile, led to an increase in phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and subsequent centrosome amplification and hNPC proliferation, which were blocked by the MEKK antagonist, UO126, but not its inactive analog, UO124. These findings, for the first time, demonstrate the molecular cascade and related cell biology events involved in E(2)-induced hNPC proliferation in vitro. Therapeutic implications of these findings relevant to hormone therapy and prevention of neurodegenerative disease are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ming Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacological Science, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90089-9121, USA
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75
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Nelson AD, Suzuki M, Svendsen CN. A high concentration of epidermal growth factor increases the growth and survival of neurogenic radial glial cells within human neurosphere cultures. Stem Cells 2007; 26:348-55. [PMID: 18032704 DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2007-0299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Human neural progenitor cells (hNPC) isolated from the fetal cortex can be expanded as aggregates of cells termed neurospheres. Traditional methods have used 20 ng/ml epidermal growth factor (EGF) to drive the proliferation of these cells. Here, we show that 100 ng/ml EGF can significantly increase growth rates of hNPC at later passages. This was through increased survival of dividing cells rather than increased proliferation and associated with prolonged activation of ErbB2 and phosphorylated Akt. High EGF also resulted in a larger proportion of elongated "radial glial"-like cells within the growing neurospheres and increased expression of the radial glial markers. The number of new neurons generated from cultures maintained in 100 ng/ml EGF was significantly higher than from 20 ng/ml EGF. Thus, high concentrations of EGF increase the survival of a highly neurogenic human radial glial cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron D Nelson
- Department of Anatomy and Neurology, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53705-2280, USA
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76
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Abstract
Adult stem cells have become the focus of intense research in recent years as a result of their role in the maintenance and repair of tissues. They exert this function through their extensive expansion (self-renewal) and multipotent differentiation capacity. Understanding whether adult stem cells retain this capacity throughout the lifespan of the individual, or undergo a process of ageing resulting in a decreased stem cell pool, is an important area of investigation. Progress in this area has been hampered by lack of suitable models and of appropriate markers and assays to identify stem cells. However, recent data suggest that an understanding of the mechanisms governing stem cell ageing can give insight into the mechanism of tissue ageing and, most importantly, advance our ability to use stem cells in cell and gene therapy strategies.
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77
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Esposito G, Imitola J, Lu J, De Filippis D, Scuderi C, Ganesh VS, Folkerth R, Hecht J, Shin S, Iuvone T, Chesnut J, Steardo L, Sheen V. Genomic and functional profiling of human Down syndrome neural progenitors implicates S100B and aquaporin 4 in cell injury. Hum Mol Genet 2007; 17:440-57. [PMID: 17984171 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddm322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21 and is characterized by mental retardation, seizures and premature Alzheimer's disease. To examine neuropathological mechanisms giving rise to this disorder, we generated multiple human DS neural progenitor cell (NPC) lines from the 19-21 week frontal cortex and characterized their genomic and functional properties. Microarray profiling of DS progenitors indicated that increased levels of gene expression were not limited to chromosome 21, suggesting that increased expression of genes on chromosome 21 altered transcriptional regulation of a subset of genes throughout the entire genome. Moreover, many transcriptionally dysregulated genes were involved in cell death and oxidative stress. Network analyses suggested that upregulated expression of chromosome 21 genes such as S100B and amyloid precursor protein activated the stress response kinase pathways, and furthermore, could be linked to upregulation of the water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4). We further demonstrate in DS NPCs that S100B is constitutively overexpressed, that overexpression leads to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and activation of stress response kinases, and that activation of this pathway results in compensatory AQP4 expression. In addition, AQP4 expression could be induced by direct exposure to ROS, and siRNA inhibition of AQP4 resulted in elevated levels of ROS following S100B exposure. Finally, elevated levels of S100B-induced ROS and loss of AQP4 expression led to increased programmed cell death. These findings suggest that dysregulation of chromosome 21 genes in DS neural progenitors leads to increased ROS and thereby alters transcriptional regulation of cytoprotective, non-chromosome 21 genes in response to ongoing cellular insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Esposito
- Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, Vittorio Erspamer Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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78
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Analysis of leukemia inhibitory factor and leukemia inhibitory factor receptor in embryonic and adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Dev Biol 2007; 314:250-60. [PMID: 18201692 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2007.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2007] [Revised: 10/07/2007] [Accepted: 10/12/2007] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a member of the IL-6 cytokine family that functions in the survival, repair and formation of neurons as well as in the maintenance of neural and embryonic stem cells. The functions of LIF have been well documented in mammals, however until recently, the presence of IL-6 family cytokines in ectothermic vertebrates has only been speculated. We report on the identification of lif and lifr transcripts in the zebrafish and document the expression of these molecules in the developing embryos and tissues of adult zebrafish. We also examined the phylogenetic relationship between these molecules and other IL-6 cytokine family members known in mammals. In adult zebrafish, lif is expressed in the kidney and brain while lifr is expressed in the kidney, gill, brain, spleen and liver. During zebrafish embryogenesis, lif and lifr are both expressed as early as 12 hours postfertilization (hpf). In developing zebrafish, lif is expressed in the otic vesicle, retina and cranial sensory ganglia, and lifr is strongly expressed in the notochord, forebrain, otic vesicle, cranial ganglia and the retina. Morpholino knockdown of Lif and Lifr in developing embryos suggests that Lifr, but not Lif is required for proper neural development. lifr morpholino-injected embryos exhibit defects in the trigeminal, facial and vagal branchiomotor neurons, and improper axonal development as measured by acetylated tubulin staining. These embryos also display severe hydrocephaly by 48 hpf. This suggests that Lifrs are involved in proper neural development in zebrafish. This is the first evidence of the expression and role of an LIFR-like molecule in developing fish.
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79
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Oshima K, Teo DTW, Senn P, Starlinger V, Heller S. LIF promotes neurogenesis and maintains neural precursors in cell populations derived from spiral ganglion stem cells. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2007; 7:112. [PMID: 17935626 PMCID: PMC2080640 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-7-112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2007] [Accepted: 10/12/2007] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Background Stem cells with the ability to form clonal floating colonies (spheres) were recently isolated from the neonatal murine spiral ganglion. To further examine the features of inner ear-derived neural stem cells and their derivatives, we investigated the effects of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a neurokine that has been shown to promote self-renewal of other neural stem cells and to affect neural and glial cell differentiation. Results LIF-treatment led to a dose-dependent increase of the number of neurons and glial cells in cultures of sphere-derived cells. Based on the detection of developmental and progenitor cell markers that are maintained in LIF-treated cultures and the increase of cycling nestin-positive progenitors, we propose that LIF maintains a pool of neural progenitor cells. We further provide evidence that LIF increases the number of nestin-positive progenitor cells directly in a cell cycle-independent fashion, which we interpret as an acceleration of neurogenesis in sphere-derived progenitors. This effect is further enhanced by an anti-apoptotic action of LIF. Finally, LIF and the neurotrophins BDNF and NT3 additively promote survival of stem cell-derived neurons. Conclusion Our results implicate LIF as a powerful tool to control neural differentiation and maintenance of stem cell-derived murine spiral ganglion neuron precursors. This finding could be relevant in cell replacement studies with animal models featuring spiral ganglion neuron degeneration. The additive effect of the combination of LIF and BDNF/NT3 on stem cell-derived neuronal survival is similar to their effect on primary spiral ganglion neurons, which puts forward spiral ganglion-derived neurospheres as an in vitro model system to study aspects of auditory neuron development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Oshima
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Stanford CA, USA.
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80
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Yeo GW, Xu X, Liang TY, Muotri AR, Carson CT, Coufal NG, Gage FH. Alternative splicing events identified in human embryonic stem cells and neural progenitors. PLoS Comput Biol 2007; 3:1951-67. [PMID: 17967047 PMCID: PMC2041973 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.0030196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2007] [Accepted: 08/24/2007] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and neural progenitor (NP) cells are excellent models for recapitulating early neuronal development in vitro, and are key to establishing strategies for the treatment of degenerative disorders. While much effort had been undertaken to analyze transcriptional and epigenetic differences during the transition of hESC to NP, very little work has been performed to understand post-transcriptional changes during neuronal differentiation. Alternative RNA splicing (AS), a major form of post-transcriptional gene regulation, is important in mammalian development and neuronal function. Human ESC, hESC-derived NP, and human central nervous system stem cells were compared using Affymetrix exon arrays. We introduced an outlier detection approach, REAP (Regression-based Exon Array Protocol), to identify 1,737 internal exons that are predicted to undergo AS in NP compared to hESC. Experimental validation of REAP-predicted AS events indicated a threshold-dependent sensitivity ranging from 56% to 69%, at a specificity of 77% to 96%. REAP predictions significantly overlapped sets of alternative events identified using expressed sequence tags and evolutionarily conserved AS events. Our results also reveal that focusing on differentially expressed genes between hESC and NP will overlook 14% of potential AS genes. In addition, we found that REAP predictions are enriched in genes encoding serine/threonine kinase and helicase activities. An example is a REAP-predicted alternative exon in the SLK (serine/threonine kinase 2) gene that is differentially included in hESC, but skipped in NP as well as in other differentiated tissues. Lastly, comparative sequence analysis revealed conserved intronic cis-regulatory elements such as the FOX1/2 binding site GCAUG as being proximal to candidate AS exons, suggesting that FOX1/2 may participate in the regulation of AS in NP and hESC. In summary, a new methodology for exon array analysis was introduced, leading to new insights into the complexity of AS in human embryonic stem cells and their transition to neural stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gene W Yeo
- Crick-Jacobs Center for Theoretical and Computational Biology, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: (GWY); (FHG)
| | - Xiangdong Xu
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Tiffany Y Liang
- Crick-Jacobs Center for Theoretical and Computational Biology, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Alysson R Muotri
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Christian T Carson
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Nicole G Coufal
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: (GWY); (FHG)
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81
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Wang L, Martin DR, Baker HJ, Zinn KR, Kappes JC, Ding H, Gentry AS, Harper S, Snyder EY, Cox NR. Neural progenitor cell transplantation and imaging in a large animal model. Neurosci Res 2007; 59:327-40. [PMID: 17897743 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2007.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2006] [Revised: 07/10/2007] [Accepted: 08/06/2007] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate neural stem/progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation therapy in cat models of neurodegenerative diseases, we have isolated, expanded and characterized feline NPCs (fNPCs) from normal fetal cat brain. Feline NPCs responsive to both human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) and human fibroblast growth factor 2 (hFGF2) proliferated as neurospheres, which were able to differentiate to neurons and glial cells. The analysis of growth factors indicated that both hEGF and hFGF2 were required for proliferation of fNPCs. In contrast to the effect on human NPCs, human leukemia inhibitory factor (hLIF) enhanced differentiation of fNPCs. Expanded fNPCs were injected into the brains of normal adult cats. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the majority of transplanted cells were located adjacent to the injection site and some fNPCs differentiated into neurons. The survival of transplanted fNPCs over time was monitored using non-invasive bioluminescent imaging technology. This study provided the first evidence of allotransplantation of fNPCs into feline CNS. Cats have heterogeneous genetic backgrounds and possess neurological diseases that closely resemble analogous human diseases. The characterization of fNPCs and exploration of non-invasive bioluminescent imaging to track transplanted cells in this study will allow evaluation of NPC transplantation therapy using feline models of human neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Scott-Ritchey Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5525, United States
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82
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Suzuki M, McHugh J, Tork C, Shelley B, Klein SM, Aebischer P, Svendsen CN. GDNF secreting human neural progenitor cells protect dying motor neurons, but not their projection to muscle, in a rat model of familial ALS. PLoS One 2007; 2:e689. [PMID: 17668067 PMCID: PMC1925150 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2007] [Accepted: 06/12/2007] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by rapid loss of muscle control and eventual paralysis due to the death of large motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Growth factors such as glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) are known to protect motor neurons from damage in a range of models. However, penetrance through the blood brain barrier and delivery to the spinal cord remains a serious challenge. Although there may be a primary dysfunction in the motor neuron itself, there is also increasing evidence that excitotoxicity due to glial dysfunction plays a crucial role in disease progression. Clearly it would be of great interest if wild type glial cells could ameliorate motor neuron loss in these models, perhaps in combination with the release of growth factors such as GDNF. Methodology/Principal Findings Human neural progenitor cells can be expanded in culture for long periods and survive transplantation into the adult rodent central nervous system, in some cases making large numbers of GFAP positive astrocytes. They can also be genetically modified to release GDNF (hNPCGDNF) and thus act as long-term ‘mini pumps’ in specific regions of the rodent and primate brain. In the current study we genetically modified human neural stem cells to release GDNF and transplanted them into the spinal cord of rats over-expressing mutant SOD1 (SOD1G93A). Following unilateral transplantation into the spinal cord of SOD1G93A rats there was robust cellular migration into degenerating areas, efficient delivery of GDNF and remarkable preservation of motor neurons at early and end stages of the disease within chimeric regions. The progenitors retained immature markers, and those not secreting GDNF had no effect on motor neuron survival. Interestingly, this robust motor neuron survival was not accompanied by continued innervation of muscle end plates and thus resulted in no improvement in ipsilateral limb use. Conclusions/Significance The potential to maintain dying motor neurons by delivering GDNF using neural progenitor cells represents a novel and powerful treatment strategy for ALS. While this approach represents a unique way to prevent motor neuron loss, our data also suggest that additional strategies may also be required for maintenance of neuromuscular connections and full functional recovery. However, simply maintaining motor neurons in patients would be the first step of a therapeutic advance for this devastating and incurable disease, while future strategies focus on the maintenance of the neuromuscular junction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Suzuki
- The Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Jacalyn McHugh
- The Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Craig Tork
- The Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Brandon Shelley
- The Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Sandra M. Klein
- The Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Patrick Aebischer
- Brain & Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Clive N. Svendsen
- The Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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83
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Falconi D, Aubin JE. LIF inhibits osteoblast differentiation at least in part by regulation of HAS2 and its product hyaluronan. J Bone Miner Res 2007; 22:1289-300. [PMID: 17451373 DOI: 10.1359/jbmr.070417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED LIF arrests osteogenesis in fetal rat calvaria cells in a differentiation stage-specific manner. Differential display identified HAS2 as a LIF-induced gene and its product, HA, modulated osteoblast differentiation similarly to LIF. Our data suggest that LIF arrests osteoblast differentiation by altering HA content of the extracellular matrix. INTRODUCTION Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) elicits both anabolic and catabolic effects on bone. We previously showed in the fetal rat calvaria (RC) cell system that LIF inhibits osteoblast differentiation at the late osteoprogenitor/early osteoblast stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS To uncover potential molecular mediators of this inhibitory activity, we used a positive-negative genome-wide differential display screen to identify LIF-induced changes in the developing osteoblast transcriptome. RESULTS Although LIF signaling is active throughout the RC cell proliferation-differentiation sequence, only a relatively small number of genes, in several different functional clusters, are modulated by LIF specifically during the LIF-sensitive inhibitory time window. Based on their known and predicted functions, most of the LIF-regulated genes identified are plausible candidates to be involved in the LIF-induced arrest of osteoprogenitor differentiation. To test this hypothesis, we further analyzed the function of one of the genes identified, hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2), in the LIF-induced inhibition. Synthesis of hyaluronan (HA), the product of HAS enzymatic activity, was stimulated by LIF and mimicked the HAS2 expression profile, with highest expression in early/proliferative and late/maturing cultures and lowest levels in intermediate/late osteoprogenitor-early osteoblast cultures. Exogenously added high molecular weight HA, the product of HAS2, dose-dependently inhibited osteoblast differentiation, with pulse-treatment effective in the same differentiation stage-specific inhibitory window as seen with LIF. In addition, however, pulse treatment with HA in early cultures slightly increased bone nodule formation. Treatment with hyaluronidase, on the other hand, stimulated bone nodule formation in early cultures but caused a small dose-dependent inhibition of osteoblast differentiation in the LIF- and HA-sensitive late time window. CONCLUSIONS Together the data suggest that osteoblast differentiation is acutely sensitive to HA levels and that LIF inhibits osteoblast development at least in part by stimulating high molecular weight HA synthesis through HAS2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Falconi
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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84
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Abstract
Progenitor and stem cell transplantation represent therapeutic strategies for retinal disorders that are accompanied by photoreceptor degeneration. The transplanted cells may either replace degenerating photoreceptors or secrete beneficial factors that halt the processes of photoreceptor degeneration. The present study analyzes whether rat retinal progenitor cells differentiated into photoreceptor phenotypic cells in neurospheres have a potential to interact with rat retinal explants. Immunocytochemistry for rhodopsin and synaptophysin indicated photoreceptor cell-like differentiation in neurospheres that were stimulated by basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor. Differentiation into neural phenotypes including photoreceptor cells was effectively blocked by an addition of leukemia inhibitory factor. Grafting of neurospheres onto retinal explants demonstrated a consistent penetration of glial cell processes into the explanted tissue. On the other hand, the incorporation of donor cells into explants was very low. A general finding was that neurospheres grafting was associated with local decrease in Müller cell activation in the explants. Further characterization of these effect(s) could provide further insight into progenitor cell-based therapies of retinal degenerative disorders.
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85
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Pakkasjärvi N, Kerosuo L, Nousiainen H, Gentile M, Saharinen J, Suhonen S, Sariola H, Peltonen L, Kestilä M, Wartiovaara K. Neural precursor cells from a fatal human motoneuron disease differentiate despite aberrant gene expression. Dev Neurobiol 2007; 67:270-84. [PMID: 17443787 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.20350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Precursor cells of the human central nervous system can be cultured in vitro to reveal pathogenesis of diseases or developmental disorders. Here, we have studied the biology of neural precursor cells (NPCs) from patients of lethal congenital contracture syndrome (LCCS), a severe motoneuron disease leading to prenatal death before the 32nd gestational week. LCCS fetuses are immobile because of a motoneuron defect, seen as degeneration of the anterior horn and descending tracts of the developing spinal cord. The genetic defect for the syndrome is unknown. We show that NPCs isolated postmortem from LCCS fetuses grow and are maintained in culture, but display increased cell cycle activity. Global transcript analysis of undifferentiated LCCS precursor cells present with changes in EGF-related signaling when compared with healthy age-matched human controls. Further, we show that LCCS-derived NPCs differentiate into cells of neuronal and glial lineage and that the initial differentiation is not accompanied by overt apoptosis. Cells expressing markers Islet-1 and Hb9 are also generated from the LCCS NPCs, suggesting that the pathogenic mechanism of LCCS does not directly affect the differentiation capacity or survival of the cells, but the absence of motoneurons in LCCS may be caused by a noncell autonomous mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Pakkasjärvi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, National Public Health Institute, Biomedicum, Helsinki, Finland
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86
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Habisch HJ, Janowski M, Binder D, Kuzma-Kozakiewicz M, Widmann A, Habich A, Schwalenstöcker B, Hermann A, Brenner R, Lukomska B, Domanska-Janik K, Ludolph AC, Storch A. Intrathecal application of neuroectodermally converted stem cells into a mouse model of ALS: limited intraparenchymal migration and survival narrows therapeutic effects. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2007; 114:1395-406. [PMID: 17510731 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-007-0748-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2006] [Accepted: 04/13/2007] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Stem and progenitor cells provide a promising therapeutic strategy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To comparatively evaluate the therapeutic potentials of human bone marrow-derived mesodermal stromal cells (hMSCs) and umbilical cord blood cells (hUBCs) in ALS, we transplanted hMSCs and hUBCs and their neuroectodermal derivatives (hMSC-NSCs and hUBC-NSCs) into the ALS mouse model over-expressing the G93A mutant of the human SOD1 gene. We used a standardized protocol similar to clinical studies by performing a power calculation to estimate sample size prior to transplantation, matching the treatment groups for gender and hSOD-G93A gene content, and applying a novel method for directly injecting 100,000 cells into the CSF (the cisterna magna). Ten days after transplantation we found many cells within the subarachnoidal space ranging from frontal basal cisterns back to the cisterna magna, but only a few cells around the spinal cord. hMSCs and hMSC-NSCs were also located within the Purkinje cell layer. Intrathecal cell application did not affect survival times of mice compared to controls. Consistently, time of disease onset and first pareses, death weight, and motor neuron count in lumbar spinal cord did not vary between treatment groups. Interestingly, transplantation of hMSCs led to an increase of pre-symptomatic motor performance compared to controls in female animals. The negative outcome of the present study is most likely due to insufficient cell numbers within the affected brain regions (mainly the spinal cord). Further experiments defining the optimal cell dose, time point and route of application and particularly strategies to improve the homing of transplanted cells towards the CNS region of interest are warranted to define the therapeutic potential of mesodermal stem cells for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-J Habisch
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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87
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Shin S, Sun Y, Liu Y, Khaner H, Svant S, Cai J, Xu QX, Davidson BP, Stice SL, Smith AK, Goldman SA, Reubinoff BE, Zhan M, Rao MS, Chesnut JD. Whole Genome Analysis of Human Neural Stem Cells Derived from Embryonic Stem Cells and Stem and Progenitor Cells Isolated from Fetal Tissue. Stem Cells 2007; 25:1298-306. [PMID: 17272497 DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2006-0660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Multipotent neural stem cells (NSC) have been derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) as well as isolated from fetal tissues. However, there have been few exclusive markers of NSC identified to date, and the differences between NSC from various sources are poorly understood. Although cells isolated from these two sources share many important characteristics, it is not clear how closely they are related in terms of gene expression. Here, we compare the gene expression profiles of 11 lines of NSC derived from hESC (ES_NSC), four lines of NSC isolated from fetus (F_NSC), and two lines of restricted progenitors in order to characterize these cell populations and identify differences between NSC derived from these two sources. We showed that ES_NSC were clustered together with high transcriptional similarities but were distinguished from F_NSC, oligodendrocyte precursor cells, and astrocyte precursor cells. There were 17 genes expressed in both ES_NSC and F_NSC whose expression was not identified in restricted neural progenitors. Furthermore, the major differences between ES_NSC and F_NSC were mostly observed in genes related to the key neural differentiation pathways. Here, we show that comparison of global gene expression profiles of ES_NSC, F_NSC, and restricted neural progenitor cells makes it possible to identify some of the common characteristics of NSC and differences between similar stem cell populations derived from hESCs or isolated from fetal tissue. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soojung Shin
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, California, USA
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88
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Fukuda S, Abematsu M, Mori H, Yanagisawa M, Kagawa T, Nakashima K, Yoshimura A, Taga T. Potentiation of astrogliogenesis by STAT3-mediated activation of bone morphogenetic protein-Smad signaling in neural stem cells. Mol Cell Biol 2007; 27:4931-7. [PMID: 17452461 PMCID: PMC1951480 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.02435-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes play important roles in brain development and injury response. Transcription factors STAT3 and Smad1, activated by leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), respectively, form a complex with the coactivator p300 to synergistically induce astrocytes from neuroepithelial cells (NECs) (K. Nakashima, M. Yanagisawa, H. Arakawa, N. Kimura, T. Hisatsune, M. Kawabata, K. Miyazono, and T. Taga, Science 284:479-482, 1999). However, the mechanisms that govern astrogliogenesis during the determination of the fate of neural stem cells remain elusive. Here we found that LIF induces expression of BMP2 via STAT3 activation and leads to the consequent activation of Smad1 to efficiently promote astrogliogenic differentiation of NECs. The BMP antagonist Noggin abrogated LIF-induced Smad1 activation and astrogliogenesis by inhibiting BMPs produced by NECs. NECs deficient in suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), a negative regulator of STAT3, readily differentiated into astrocytes upon activation by LIF not only due to sustained activation of STAT3 but also because of the consequent activation of Smad1. Our study suggests a novel LIF-triggered positive regulatory loop that enhances astrogliogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Fukuda
- Department of Cell Fate Modulation, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
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89
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Capowski EE, Schneider BL, Ebert AD, Seehus CR, Szulc J, Zufferey R, Aebischer P, Svendsen CN. Lentiviral vector-mediated genetic modification of human neural progenitor cells for ex vivo gene therapy. J Neurosci Methods 2007; 163:338-49. [PMID: 17397931 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2007.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2007] [Revised: 02/27/2007] [Accepted: 02/27/2007] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Human neural progenitor cells (hNPC) hold great potential as an ex vivo system for delivery of therapeutic proteins to the central nervous system. When cultured as aggregates, termed neurospheres, hNPC are capable of significant in vitro expansion. In the current study, we present a robust method for lentiviral vector-mediated gene delivery into hNPC that maintains the differentiation and proliferative properties of neurosphere cultures while minimizing the amount of viral vector used and controlling the number of insertion sites per population. This method results in long-term, stable expression even after differentiation of the hNPC to neurons and astrocytes and allows for generation of equivalent transgenic populations of hNPC. In addition, the in vitro analysis presented predicts the behavior of transgenic lines in vivo when transplanted into a rodent model of Parkinson's disease. The methods presented provide a powerful tool for assessing the impact of factors such as promoter systems or different transgenes on the therapeutic utility of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth E Capowski
- Stem Cell Research Program, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
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90
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Bauer S, Kerr BJ, Patterson PH. The neuropoietic cytokine family in development, plasticity, disease and injury. Nat Rev Neurosci 2007; 8:221-32. [PMID: 17311007 DOI: 10.1038/nrn2054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 287] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Neuropoietic cytokines are well known for their role in the control of neuronal, glial and immune responses to injury or disease. Since this discovery, it has emerged that several of these proteins are also involved in nervous system development, in particular in the regulation of neurogenesis and stem cell fate. Recent data indicate that these proteins have yet more functions, as key modulators of synaptic plasticity and of various behaviours. In addition, neuropoietic cytokines might be a factor in the aetiology of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvian Bauer
- Physiologie Neurovégétative, UMR 6153 CNRS, 1147 INRA, Université Paul Cézanne-Aix-Marseille-3, Ave. Escadrille Normandie-Niemen, BP 351-352, 13397 Marseille Cedex 20, France
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91
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De Preter K, Vandesompele J, Heimann P, Yigit N, Beckman S, Schramm A, Eggert A, Stallings RL, Benoit Y, Renard M, Paepe AD, Laureys G, Påhlman S, Speleman F. Human fetal neuroblast and neuroblastoma transcriptome analysis confirms neuroblast origin and highlights neuroblastoma candidate genes. Genome Biol 2007; 7:R84. [PMID: 16989664 PMCID: PMC1794547 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2006-7-9-r84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2006] [Revised: 08/17/2006] [Accepted: 09/21/2006] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptome profiling of neuroblasts and neuroblastoma tumor cells provides strong support for a neuroblast origin of neuroblastoma and highlights new candidate neuroblastoma genes Background Neuroblastoma tumor cells are assumed to originate from primitive neuroblasts giving rise to the sympathetic nervous system. Because these precursor cells are not detectable in postnatal life, their transcription profile has remained inaccessible for comparative data mining strategies in neuroblastoma. This study provides the first genome-wide mRNA expression profile of these human fetal sympathetic neuroblasts. To this purpose, small islets of normal neuroblasts were isolated by laser microdissection from human fetal adrenal glands. Results Expression of catecholamine metabolism genes, and neuronal and neuroendocrine markers in the neuroblasts indicated that the proper cells were microdissected. The similarities in expression profile between normal neuroblasts and malignant neuroblastomas provided strong evidence for the neuroblast origin hypothesis of neuroblastoma. Next, supervised feature selection was used to identify the genes that are differentially expressed in normal neuroblasts versus neuroblastoma tumors. This approach efficiently sifted out genes previously reported in neuroblastoma expression profiling studies; most importantly, it also highlighted a series of genes and pathways previously not mentioned in neuroblastoma biology but that were assumed to be involved in neuroblastoma pathogenesis. Conclusion This unique dataset adds power to ongoing and future gene expression studies in neuroblastoma and will facilitate the identification of molecular targets for novel therapies. In addition, this neuroblast transcriptome resource could prove useful for the further study of human sympathoadrenal biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katleen De Preter
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jo Vandesompele
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pierre Heimann
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Hospital Erasme, Lenniksebaan, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nurten Yigit
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Siv Beckman
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, University Hospital MAS, SE-20502 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Alexander Schramm
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital of Essen, Hufelandstr, Essen 45122, Germany
| | - Angelika Eggert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital of Essen, Hufelandstr, Essen 45122, Germany
| | - Raymond L Stallings
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7784, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, USA
| | - Yves Benoit
- Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marleen Renard
- Department of Pediatrics, UZ Gasthuisberg, Herestraat, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anne De Paepe
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geneviève Laureys
- Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sven Påhlman
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, University Hospital MAS, SE-20502 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Frank Speleman
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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92
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Maisel M, Herr A, Milosevic J, Hermann A, Habisch HJ, Schwarz S, Kirsch M, Antoniadis G, Brenner R, Hallmeyer-Elgner S, Lerche H, Schwarz J, Storch A. Transcription profiling of adult and fetal human neuroprogenitors identifies divergent paths to maintain the neuroprogenitor cell state. Stem Cells 2007; 25:1231-40. [PMID: 17218394 DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2006-0617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Global gene expression profiling was performed using RNA from adult human hippocampus-derived neuroprogenitor cells (NPCs) and multipotent frontal cortical fetal NPCs compared with adult human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) as a multipotent adult stem cell control, and adult human hippocampal tissue, to define a gene expression pattern that is specific for human NPCs. The results were compared with data from various databases. Hierarchical cluster analysis of all neuroectodermal cell/tissue types revealed a strong relationship of adult hippocampal NPCs with various white matter tissues, whereas fetal NPCs strongly correlate with fetal brain tissue. However, adult and fetal NPCs share the expression of a variety of genes known to be related to signal transduction, cell metabolism and neuroectodermal tissue. In contrast, adult NPCs and hMSCs overlap in the expression of genes mainly involved in extracellular matrix biology. We present for the first time a detailed transcriptome analysis of human adult NPCs suggesting a relationship between hippocampal NPCs and white matter-derived precursor cells. We further provide a framework for standardized comparative gene expression analysis of human brain-derived NPCs with other stem cell populations or differentiated tissues. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Maisel
- Department of Neurology, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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93
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Bauer S, Patterson PH. Leukemia inhibitory factor promotes neural stem cell self-renewal in the adult brain. J Neurosci 2006; 26:12089-99. [PMID: 17108182 PMCID: PMC6674883 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3047-06.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although neural stem cells (NSCs) persist in various areas of the adult brain, their contribution to brain repair after injury is very limited. Treatment with exogenous growth factors can mitigate this limitation, suggesting that the brain environment is normally deficient in permissive cues and that it may be possible to stimulate the latent regenerative potential of endogenous progenitors with appropriate signals. We analyzed the effects of overexpressing the cytokine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on adult neurogenesis in the normal brain. We found that LIF reduces neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb and subventricular zone by acting directly on NSCs. LIF appears to promote NSC self-renewal, preventing the emergence of more differentiated cell types. This ultimately leads to an expansion of the NSC pool. Our results have implications for the development of therapeutic strategies for brain repair and suggest that LIF may be useful, in combination with other factors, in promoting regeneration in the adult brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvian Bauer
- Biology Division, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125
| | - Paul H. Patterson
- Biology Division, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125
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94
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Piao JH, Odeberg J, Samuelsson EB, Kjaeldgaard A, Falci S, Seiger A, Sundström E, Akesson E. Cellular composition of long-term human spinal cord- and forebrain-derived neurosphere cultures. J Neurosci Res 2006; 84:471-82. [PMID: 16721767 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.20955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In vitro expanded neural precursor cells (NPCs) may provide a stable source for cell therapy. In search of the optimal cell source for spinal cord repair, we investigated influences of gestational age, regional heterogeneity, and long-term in vitro propagation. The cellular content of neurosphere cultures prior to and after in vitro differentiation was studied by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. Human forebrain and spinal cord NPCs deriving from first-trimester tissue were cultured as neurospheres in the presence of epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and ciliary neurotrophic factor. Proteins characteristic for embryonic stem cells, i.e., Tra-1-60, Tra-1-81, and SSEA-4, were present in approximately 0.5% of the cells in donor tissues and neurospheres. The proportions of nestin- and proliferating cell nuclear antigen-immunoreactive (IR) cells were also maintained, whereas the CD133-IR population increased in vitro. Glial fibrillary acidic protein-IR cells increased in number, and in contrast the fraction of beta-tubulin III-IR cells decreased, at and beyond passage 5 in spinal cord but not forebrain cultures. However, dissociated and in vitro-differentiated forebrain- and spinal cord-derived neurospheres generated similar proportions of neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Gestational age of the donor tissue, which ranged from 4.5 to 12 weeks for forebrain and from 4.5 to 9.5 weeks for spinal cord, did not affect the proportion of cells with different phenotypes in culture. Thus, cellular composition of human neurosphere cultures differs as a result of long-term in vitro propagation and regional heterogeneity of source tissue, despite expansion under equal culture conditions. This could in turn imply that human spinal cord and forebrain NPCs present different repair potentials in in vivo settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Hua Piao
- Neurotec Department, Division of Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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95
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Chaichana K, Zamora-Berridi G, Camara-Quintana J, Quiñones-Hinojosa A. Neurosphere assays: growth factors and hormone differences in tumor and nontumor studies. Stem Cells 2006; 24:2851-7. [PMID: 16945995 DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2006-0399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The "no new neuron" dogma that the brain is quiescent throughout adult life has been challenged by the discovery of cells with stem cell-like qualities of self-renewal and multipotency in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in adults. This self-renewing capacity also makes these neural stem cells a possible source of brain tumors, which was supported by the discovery of self-sustaining brain tumor stem-like cells in cancers such as glioblastoma multiforme. Neurosphere assays are the standard for studying these stem-like cells in both normal and cancer tissues. Despite the importance of these assays, there is no standardized protocol to allow for a comparison of results because several studies use different growth factors and hormones at different concentrations. The primary objective of this study is to review the literature for both nontumor and tumor studies to assess their respective neurosphere assay components. We found significant variation in assay components, namely hormones and growth factors, as well as their respective concentrations. This illustrates the need for a standardized protocol to allow proper comparison among studies and a better assessment of the effects of different factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisorn Chaichana
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA
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96
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Abstract
The concept of stem cells within the adult brain is not new. However, only recently have scientific techniques become sufficiently advanced to identify them although this remains problematic and the technology is still developing. Nevertheless, it is now generally recognized that stem cells are restricted to two germinal regions within the intact brain. From here they can migrate to specific destinations where they integrate with existing circuitry. Their identity remains controversial but a growing body of evidence suggests it may have an astrocytic phenotype. Within the germinal regions the stem cells are confined to a niche environment and are capable of responding to environmental signals generated locally in an autocrine or paracrine fashion. The niche environment is also modulated by more generalized systemic and physiological activity. These observations are exciting in their own right and form the basis of this review. They are also beginning to alter how we think about neural injury and disease and to impact on the development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Watts
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Cambridge, UK.
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97
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Buzańska L, Jurga M, Stachowiak EK, Stachowiak MK, Domańska-Janik K. Neural stem-like cell line derived from a nonhematopoietic population of human umbilical cord blood. Stem Cells Dev 2006; 15:391-406. [PMID: 16846376 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2006.15.391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of stem and progenitor cells to proliferate and differentiate into other lineages is widely viewed as a characteristic of stem cells. Previously, we have reported that cells from a CD34(-) (nonhematopoietic) adherent subpopulation of human cord blood can acquire a feature of multipotential neural progenitors in vitro. In the present study, using these cord blood-derived stem cells, we have established a clonal cell line termed HUCB-NSCs (human umbilical cord blood-neural stem cells) that expresses several neural antigens and has been grown in culture for more than 60 passages. During this time, HUCB-NSCs retained their growth rate, the ability to differentiate into neuronal-, astrocyte-, and oligodendrocyte-like cells and displayed a stable karyotype. DNA microarray analysis of HUCB-NSCs revealed enhanced expression of selected genes encoding putative stem and progenitor cell markers when compared to other mononuclear cells. dBcAMP-induced HUCBNSCs were further differentiated into more advanced neuronal cells. This is the first report of the establishment and characterization of a nontransformed HUCB-NSC line that can be grown continuously in a monolayer culture and induced to terminal differentiation. These cells should further our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved in NSC self-renewal and differentiation.
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98
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Suzuki M, Nelson AD, Eickstaedt JB, Wallace K, Wright LS, Svendsen CN. Glutamate enhances proliferation and neurogenesis in human neural progenitor cell cultures derived from the fetal cortex. Eur J Neurosci 2006; 24:645-53. [PMID: 16848797 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2006.04957.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Excitatory amino acids such as glutamate play important roles in the central nervous system. We previously demonstrated that a neurosteroid, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), has powerful effects on the cell proliferation of human neural progenitor cells (hNPC) derived from the fetal cortex, and this effect is modulated through NMDA receptor signaling. Here, we show that glutamate can significantly increase the proliferation rates of hNPC. The increased proliferation could be blocked by specific NMDA receptor antagonists, but not other glutamate antagonists for kainate-AMPA or metabotropic receptors. The NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor was detectable in elongated bipolar or unipolar cells with small cell bodies. These NR1-positive cells were colocalized with GFAP immunoreactivity. Detection of the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) revealed that a subset of NR1-positive hNPC could respond to glutamate. Furthermore, we hypothesized that glutamate treatment may affect mainly the hNPC with a radial morphology and found that glutamate as well as DHEA selectively affected elongated hNPC; these elongated cells may be a type of radial glial cell. Finally we asked whether the glutamate-responsive hNPC had an increased potential for neurogenesis and found that glutamate-treated hNPC produced significantly more neurons following differentiation. Together these data suggest that glutamate stimulates the division of human progenitor cells with neurogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Suzuki
- The Waisman Center and Department of Anatomy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2280, USA
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99
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Cai J, Shin S, Wright L, Liu Y, Zhou D, Xue H, Khrebtukova I, Mattson MP, Svendsen CN, Rao MS. Massively parallel signature sequencing profiling of fetal human neural precursor cells. Stem Cells Dev 2006; 15:232-44. [PMID: 16646669 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2006.15.232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We have examined gene expression in multipotent neural precursor cells (NPCs) derived from human fetal (f) brain tissue and compared its expression profiles with embryonic stem (ESC) cells, embryoid body cell (EBC), and astrocyte precursors using the technique of massively parallel signature sequencing (MPSS). Gene expression profiles show that fNPCs express core neural stem cells markers and share expression profiles with astrocyte precursor cells (APCs) rather than ESC or EBC. Gene expression analysis shows that fNPCs differ from other adult stem and progenitor cells in their marker expression and activation of specific functional networks such as the transforming growth factorbeta (TGFbeta) and Notch signaling pathways. In addition, our results allow us to identify novel genes expressed in fNPCs and provide a detailed profile of fNPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingli Cai
- Stem Cell Biology Unit/Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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100
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Behrstock S, Ebert A, McHugh J, Vosberg S, Moore J, Schneider B, Capowski E, Hei D, Kordower J, Aebischer P, Svendsen CN. Human neural progenitors deliver glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor to parkinsonian rodents and aged primates. Gene Ther 2006; 13:379-88. [PMID: 16355116 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been shown to increase the survival and functioning of dopamine neurons in a variety of animal models and some recent human trials. However, delivery of any protein to the brain remains a challenge due to the blood/brain barrier. Here we show that human neural progenitor cells (hNPC) can be genetically modified to release glycosylated GDNF in vitro under an inducible promoter system. hNPC-GDNF were transplanted into the striatum of rats 10 days following a partial lesion of the dopamine system. At 2 weeks following transplantation, the cells had migrated within the striatum and were releasing physiologically relevant levels of GDNF. This was sufficient to increase host dopamine neuron survival and fiber outgrowth. At 5 weeks following grafting there was a strong trend towards functional improvement in transplanted animals and at 8 weeks the cells had migrated to fill most of the striatum and continued to release GDNF with transport to the substantia nigra. These cells could also survive and release GDNF 3 months following transplantation into the aged monkey brain. No tumors were found in any animal. hNPC can be genetically modified, and thereby represent a safe and powerful option for delivering growth factors to specific targets within the central nervous system for diseases such as Parkinson's.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Behrstock
- Waisman Center and Department of Anatomy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53705, USA
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