101
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Cheng C, Fass DM, Folz-Donahue K, MacDonald ME, Haggarty SJ. Highly Expandable Human iPS Cell-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells (NPC) and Neurons for Central Nervous System Disease Modeling and High-Throughput Screening. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 92:21.8.1-21.8.21. [PMID: 28075486 DOI: 10.1002/cphg.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Reprogramming of human somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has greatly expanded the set of research tools available to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Realizing the promise of iPS cell technology for the identification of novel therapeutic targets and for high-throughput drug screening requires implementation of methods for the large-scale production of defined CNS cell types. Here we describe a protocol for generating stable, highly expandable, iPS cell-derived CNS neural progenitor cells (NPC) using multi-dimensional fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) to purify NPC defined by cell surface markers. In addition, we describe a rapid, efficient, and reproducible method for generating excitatory cortical-like neurons from these NPC through inducible expression of the pro-neural transcription factor Neurogenin 2 (iNgn2-NPC). Finally, we describe methodology for the use of iNgn2-NPC for probing human neuroplasticity and mechanisms underlying CNS disorders using high-content, single-cell-level automated microscopy assays. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chialin Cheng
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel M Fass
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kat Folz-Donahue
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Center for Regenerative Medicine Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Currently at FACS & Imaging Core Facility, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marcy E MacDonald
- Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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102
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Xu JC, Fan J, Wang X, Eacker SM, Kam TI, Chen L, Yin X, Zhu J, Chi Z, Jiang H, Chen R, Dawson TM, Dawson VL. Cultured networks of excitatory projection neurons and inhibitory interneurons for studying human cortical neurotoxicity. Sci Transl Med 2016; 8:333ra48. [PMID: 27053772 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aad0623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Translating neuroprotective treatments from discovery in cell and animal models to the clinic has proven challenging. To reduce the gap between basic studies of neurotoxicity and neuroprotection and clinically relevant therapies, we developed a human cortical neuron culture system from human embryonic stem cells or human inducible pluripotent stem cells that generated both excitatory and inhibitory neuronal networks resembling the composition of the human cortex. This methodology used timed administration of retinoic acid to FOXG1(+) neural precursor cells leading to differentiation of neuronal populations representative of the six cortical layers with both excitatory and inhibitory neuronal networks that were functional and homeostatically stable. In human cortical neuronal cultures, excitotoxicity or ischemia due to oxygen and glucose deprivation led to cell death that was dependent on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, nitric oxide (NO), and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) (a cell death pathway called parthanatos that is distinct from apoptosis, necroptosis, and other forms of cell death). Neuronal cell death was attenuated by PARP inhibitors that are currently in clinical trials for cancer treatment. This culture system provides a new platform for the study of human cortical neurotoxicity and suggests that PARP inhibitors may be useful for ameliorating excitotoxic and ischemic cell death in human neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Chong Xu
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jing Fan
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Xueqing Wang
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Stephen M Eacker
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Tae-In Kam
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Li Chen
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Xiling Yin
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Juehua Zhu
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China
| | - Zhikai Chi
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Haisong Jiang
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Rong Chen
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ted M Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Valina L Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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103
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Jaworska E, Kozlowska E, Switonski PM, Krzyzosiak WJ. Modeling simple repeat expansion diseases with iPSC technology. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:4085-100. [PMID: 27261369 PMCID: PMC11108530 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2284-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A number of human genetic disorders, including Huntington's disease, myotonic dystrophy type 1, C9ORF72 form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and several spinocerebellar ataxias, are caused by the expansion of various microsatellite sequences in single implicated genes. The neurodegenerative and neuromuscular nature of the repeat expansion disorders considerably limits the access of researchers to appropriate cellular models of these diseases. This limitation, however, can be overcome by the application of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology. In this paper, we review the current knowledge on the modeling of repeat expansion diseases with human iPSCs and iPSC-derived cells, focusing on the disease phenotypes recapitulated in these models. In subsequent sections, we provide basic practical knowledge regarding iPSC generation, characterization and differentiation into neurons. We also cover disease modeling in iPSCs, neuronal stem cells and specialized neuronal cultures. Furthermore, we also summarize the therapeutic potential of iPSC technology in repeat expansion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Jaworska
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14 Str., 61-704, Poznan, Poland
| | - Emilia Kozlowska
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14 Str., 61-704, Poznan, Poland
| | - Pawel M Switonski
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14 Str., 61-704, Poznan, Poland
| | - Wlodzimierz J Krzyzosiak
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14 Str., 61-704, Poznan, Poland.
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104
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Chi L, Fan B, Zhang K, Du Y, Liu Z, Fang Y, Chen Z, Ren X, Xu X, Jiang C, Li S, Ma L, Gao L, Liu L, Zhang X. Targeted Differentiation of Regional Ventral Neuroprogenitors and Related Neuronal Subtypes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2016; 7:941-954. [PMID: 27720902 PMCID: PMC5106484 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryoid body (EB) formation and adherent culture (AD) paradigms are equivalently thought to be applicable for neural specification of human pluripotent stem cells. Here, we report that sonic hedgehog-induced ventral neuroprogenitors under EB conditions are fated to medial ganglionic eminence (MGE), while the AD cells mostly adopt a floor-plate (FP) fate. The EB-MGE later on differentiates into GABA and cholinergic neurons, while the AD-FP favors dopaminergic neuron specification. Distinct developmental, metabolic, and adhesion traits in AD and EB cells may potentially account for their differential patterning potency. Gene targeting combined with small-molecule screening experiments identified that concomitant inhibition of Wnts, STAT3, and p38 pathways (3i) could largely convert FP to MGE under AD conditions. Thus, differentiation paradigms and signaling regulators can be integrated together to specify distinct neuronal subtypes for studying and treating related neurological diseases, such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. EB and AD paradigms yield different ventral neuroprogenitors upon SHH patterning DA neurons of FP origin are generated in AD conditions upon SHH patterning Wnts/STAT3/p38 inhibition benefits MGE specification under AD conditions GABA and CHAT neurons of MGE origin are generated in EB or AD/3i conditions
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Affiliation(s)
- Liankai Chi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Neuroregeneration Key Laboratory of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Beibei Fan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Neuroregeneration Key Laboratory of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Kunshan Zhang
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanhua Du
- The School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhongliang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Neuroregeneration Key Laboratory of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yujiang Fang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Neuroregeneration Key Laboratory of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhenyu Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Neuroregeneration Key Laboratory of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xudong Ren
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Neuroregeneration Key Laboratory of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiangjie Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Neuroregeneration Key Laboratory of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Cizhong Jiang
- The School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Siguang Li
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Neuroregeneration Key Laboratory of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China; Tongji University Advanced Institute of Translational Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Liang Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Neuroregeneration Key Laboratory of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Ling Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Neuroregeneration Key Laboratory of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China; Tongji University Advanced Institute of Translational Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Neuroregeneration Key Laboratory of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China; Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Tongji University Advanced Institute of Translational Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China; The Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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105
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Engel M, Do-Ha D, Muñoz SS, Ooi L. Common pitfalls of stem cell differentiation: a guide to improving protocols for neurodegenerative disease models and research. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:3693-709. [PMID: 27154043 PMCID: PMC5002043 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2265-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells have revolutionized cellular neuroscience, providing the opportunity to model neurological diseases and test potential therapeutics in a pre-clinical setting. The power of these models has been widely discussed, but the potential pitfalls of stem cell differentiation in this research are less well described. We have analyzed the literature that describes differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into three neural cell types that are commonly used to study diseases, including forebrain cholinergic neurons for Alzheimer's disease, midbrain dopaminergic neurons for Parkinson's disease and cortical astrocytes for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Published protocols for differentiation vary widely in the reported efficiency of target cell generation. Additionally, characterization of the cells by expression profile and functionality differs between studies and is often insufficient, leading to highly variable protocol outcomes. We have synthesized this information into a simple methodology that can be followed when performing or assessing differentiation techniques. Finally we propose three considerations for future research, including the use of physiological O2 conditions, three-dimensional co-culture systems and microfluidics to control feeding cycles and growth factor gradients. Following these guidelines will help researchers to ensure that robust and meaningful data is generated, enabling the full potential of stem cell differentiation for disease modeling and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Engel
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Dzung Do-Ha
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Sonia Sanz Muñoz
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Lezanne Ooi
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
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106
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Chandrasekaran A, Avci HX, Leist M, Kobolák J, Dinnyés A. Astrocyte Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: New Tools for Neurological Disorder Research. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:215. [PMID: 27725795 PMCID: PMC5035736 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes have a central role in brain development and function, and so have gained increasing attention over the past two decades. Consequently, our knowledge about their origin, differentiation and function has increased significantly, with new research showing that astrocytes cultured alone or co-cultured with neurons have the potential to improve our understanding of various central nervous system diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, or Alexander disease. The generation of astrocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) opens up a new area for studying neurologic diseases in vitro; these models could be exploited to identify and validate potential drugs by detecting adverse effects in the early stages of drug development. However, as it is now known that a range of astrocyte populations exist in the brain, it will be important in vitro to develop standardized protocols for the in vitro generation of astrocyte subsets with defined maturity status and phenotypic properties. This will then open new possibilities for co-cultures with neurons and the generation of neural organoids for research purposes. The aim of this review article is to compare and summarize the currently available protocols and their strategies to generate human astrocytes from PSCs. Furthermore, we discuss the potential role of human-induced PSCs derived astrocytes in disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hasan X Avci
- BioTalentum LtdGödöllő, Hungary; Department of Medical Chemistry, University of SzegedSzeged, Hungary
| | - Marcel Leist
- Dorenkamp-Zbinden Chair, Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences, University of Konstanz Konstanz, Germany
| | | | - Andras Dinnyés
- BioTalentum LtdGödöllő, Hungary; Molecular Animal Biotechnology Laboratory, Szent Istvan UniversityGödöllő, Hungary
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107
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Noelanders R, Vleminckx K. How Wnt Signaling Builds the Brain: Bridging Development and Disease. Neuroscientist 2016; 23:314-329. [DOI: 10.1177/1073858416667270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a crucial role throughout all stages of brain development and remains important in the adult brain. Accordingly, many neurological disorders have been linked to Wnt signaling. Defects in Wnt signaling during neural development can give rise to birth defects or lead to neurological dysfunction later in life. Developmental signaling events can also be hijacked in the adult and result in disease. Moreover, knowledge about the physiological role of Wnt signaling in the brain might lead to new therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases. Especially, the important role for Wnt signaling in neural differentiation of pluripotent stem cells has received much attention as this might provide a cure for neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we summarize the versatile role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling during neural development and discuss some recent studies linking Wnt signaling to neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rivka Noelanders
- Unit of Developmental Biology, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kris Vleminckx
- Unit of Developmental Biology, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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108
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Anderson NC, Chen CY, Grabel L. Hedgehog Promotes Production of Inhibitory Interneurons in Vivo and in Vitro from Pluripotent Stem Cells. J Dev Biol 2016; 4:jdb4030026. [PMID: 29615590 PMCID: PMC5831776 DOI: 10.3390/jdb4030026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss or damage of cortical inhibitory interneurons characterizes a number of neurological disorders. There is therefore a great deal of interest in learning how to generate these neurons from a pluripotent stem cell source so they can be used for cell replacement therapies or for in vitro drug testing. To design a directed differentiation protocol, a number of groups have used the information gained in the last 15 years detailing the conditions that promote interneuron progenitor differentiation in the ventral telencephalon during embryogenesis. The use of Hedgehog peptides and agonists is featured prominently in these approaches. We review here the data documenting a role for Hedgehog in specifying interneurons in both the embryonic brain during development and in vitro during the directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickesha C Anderson
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459, USA.
| | - Christopher Y Chen
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459, USA.
| | - Laura Grabel
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459, USA.
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109
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Lee CT, Bendriem RM, Freed WJ. A new technique for modeling neuronal connectivity using human pluripotent stem cells. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2016; 33:347-56. [PMID: 25835555 PMCID: PMC4702948 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-140488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: We describe a technique for independently differentiating neocortical and mesencephalic dopaminergic (mDA) neurons from a single human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) line, and subsequently allowing the two cell types to interact and form connections. Methods: Dopaminergic and neocortical progenitors were differentiated in separate vessels, then separately seeded into the inner and outer compartments of specialized cell culture vessels designed for in vitro studies of wound healing. Cells were further differentiated using dopamine-specific and neocortex-specific trophic factors, respectively. The barrier was then removed, and differentiation was continued for three weeks in the presence of BDNF. Results: After three weeks of differentiation, neocortical and mDA cell bodies largely remained in the areas into which they had been seeded, and the gap between the mDA and neocortical neuron populations could still be discerned. Abundant tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive projections had extended from the area of the inner chamber to the outer chamber neocortical area. Conclusions: We have developed a hPSC-based system for producing connections between neurons from two brain regions, neocortex and midbrain. Future experiments could employ modifications of this method to examine connections between any two brain regions or neuronal subtypes that can be produced from hPSCs in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Ting Lee
- Correspondence to:Dr. Chun-Ting Lee, NIDA Intramural Research Program, 333 Cassell Drive, Triad Bldg, Room 3305, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. Tel.: +1 443 740 2604; Fax: +1 443 740 2123;
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110
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Efficient Generation of Corticofugal Projection Neurons from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28572. [PMID: 27346302 PMCID: PMC4921908 DOI: 10.1038/srep28572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to study development and function of corticofugal projection neurons (CfuPNs) in the human cerebral cortex for health and disease have been limited by the unavailability of highly enriched CfuPNs. Here, we develop a robust, two-step process for generating CfuPNs from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs): directed induction of neuroepithelial stem cells (NESCs) from hESCs and efficient differentiation of NESCs to about 80% of CfuPNs. NESCs or a NESC faithfully maintain unlimitedly self-renewal and self-organized abilities to develop into miniature neural tube-like structures. NESCs retain a stable propensity toward neuronal differentiation over culture as fate-restricted progenitors of CfuPNs and interneurons. When grafted into mouse brains, NESCs successfully integrate into the host brains, differentiate into CfuPNs and effectively reestablish specific patterns of subcortical projections and synapse structures. Efficient generation of CfuPNs in vitro and in vivo will facilitate human cortex development and offer sufficient CfuPNs for cell therapy.
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111
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Abstract
Astrocytes abound in the human central nervous system (CNS) and play a multitude of indispensable roles in neuronal homeostasis and regulation of synaptic plasticity. While traditionally considered to be merely ancillary supportive cells, their complex yet fundamental relevance to brain physiology and pathology have only become apparent in recent times. Beyond their myriad canonical functions, previously unrecognised region-specific functional heterogeneity of astrocytes is emerging as an important attribute and challenges the traditional perspective of CNS-wide astrocyte homogeneity. Animal models have undeniably provided crucial insights into astrocyte biology, yet interspecies differences may limit the translational yield of such studies. Indeed, experimental systems aiming to understand the function of human astrocytes in health and disease have been hampered by accessibility to enriched cultures. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) now offer an unparalleled model system to interrogate the role of astrocytes in neurodegenerative disorders. By virtue of their ability to convey mutations at pathophysiological levels in a human system, hiPSCs may serve as an ideal pre-clinical platform for both resolution of pathogenic mechanisms and drug discovery. Here, we review astrocyte specification from hiPSCs and discuss their role in modelling human neurological diseases.
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112
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Evaluating cell reprogramming, differentiation and conversion technologies in neuroscience. Nat Rev Neurosci 2016; 17:424-37. [PMID: 27194476 DOI: 10.1038/nrn.2016.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The scarcity of live human brain cells for experimental access has for a long time limited our ability to study complex human neurological disorders and elucidate basic neuroscientific mechanisms. A decade ago, the development of methods to reprogramme somatic human cells into induced pluripotent stem cells enabled the in vitro generation of a wide range of neural cells from virtually any human individual. The growth of methods to generate more robust and defined neural cell types through reprogramming and direct conversion into induced neurons has led to the establishment of various human reprogramming-based neural disease models.
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113
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Ahn S, Kim TG, Kim KS, Chung S. Differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into Medial Ganglionic Eminence vs. Caudal Ganglionic Eminence cells. Methods 2016; 101:103-12. [PMID: 26364591 PMCID: PMC4786472 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2015.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Revised: 08/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) represent an opportunity to study human development in vitro, to model diseases in a dish, to screen drugs as well as to provide an unlimited and ethically unimpeded source of therapeutic cells. Cortical GABAergic interneurons, which are generated from Medial Ganglionic Eminence (MGE) cells and Caudal Ganglionic Eminence (CGE) cells during embryonic development, regulate cortical neural networks by providing inhibitory inputs. Their malfunction, resulting in failure to intricately regulate neural circuit balance, has been implicated in brain diseases, such as schizophrenia, autism and epilepsy. In this study, using combinatorial and temporal modulation of developmentally relevant dorsoventral and rostrocaudal signaling pathways, we efficiently generated MGE cells vs. CGE cells from human PSCs, which predominantly generate Parvalbumin-expressing or Somatostatin-expressing interneurons vs. Calretinin-expressing interneurons, respectively. Efficient generation of specific differentiated progenies of hPSCs as shown in this study will be a pivotal step to realize the full potential of hPSCs for regenerative medicine, developmental studies, disease modeling, bioassay, and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Ahn
- Translational Stem Cell Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Program in Neuroscience, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Tae-Gon Kim
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Program in Neuroscience, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Kwang-Soo Kim
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Program in Neuroscience, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Sangmi Chung
- Translational Stem Cell Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Program in Neuroscience, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
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114
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Jones JR, Zhang SC. Engineering human cells and tissues through pluripotent stem cells. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2016; 40:133-138. [PMID: 27082135 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2016.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The utility of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) depends on their ability to produce functional cells and tissues of the body. Two strategies have been developed: directed differentiation of enriched populations of cells that match a regional and functional profile and spontaneous generation of three-dimensional organoids that resemble tissues in the body. Genomic editing of hPSCs and their differentiated cells broadens the use of the hPSC paradigm in studying human cellular function and disease as well as developing therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R Jones
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, United States
| | - Su-Chun Zhang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, United States; Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, United States; Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, United States.
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115
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Hu Y, Qu ZY, Cao SY, Li Q, Ma L, Krencik R, Xu M, Liu Y. Directed differentiation of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons from human pluripotent stem cells. J Neurosci Methods 2016; 266:42-9. [PMID: 27036311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2016.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) play critical roles in learning, memory and cognition. Dysfunction or degeneration of BFCNs may connect to neuropathology, such as Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome and dementia. Generation of functional BFCNs may contribute to the studies of cell-based therapy and pathogenesis that is related to learning and memory deficits. NEW METHOD Here we describe a detail method for robust generation of BFCNs from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). In this method, BFCN progenitors are patterned from hESC or hiPSC-derived primitive neuroepithelial cells, with the treatment of sonic hedgehog (SHH) or combination with its agonist Purmorphamine, and by co-culturing with human astrocytes. RESULTS At day 20, ∼90% hPSC-derived progenitors expressed NKX2.1, which is a transcriptional marker for MGE. Moreover, around 40% of NKX2.1+ cells co-expressed OLIG2 and ∼15% of NKX2.1+ cells co-expressed ISLET1, which are ventral markers. At day 35, ∼40% neurons robustly express ChAT, most of which are co-labeled with NKX2.1, ISLET1 and FOXG1, indicating the basal forebrain-like identity. At day 45, these neurons express mature neuronal markers MAP2, Synapsin, and VAChT. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) In this method, undefined conditions including genetic modification or cell-sorting are avoided. As a choice, feeder free conditions are used to avoid ingredients of animal origin. Moreover, Purmorphamine can be substituted for SHH to induce ventral progenitors effectively and economically. CONCLUSION We provide an efficient method to generate BFCNs from multiple hPSC lines, which offers the potential application for disease modeling and pharmacological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Hu
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhuang-Yin Qu
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shi-Ying Cao
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Li
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lixiang Ma
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Robert Krencik
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Min Xu
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Institute for Stem Cell and Neural Regeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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116
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Neural Conversion and Patterning of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Developmental Perspective. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:8291260. [PMID: 27069483 PMCID: PMC4812494 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8291260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the reprogramming of adult human terminally differentiated somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) became a reality in 2007, only eight years have passed. Yet over this relatively short period, myriad experiments have revolutionized previous stem cell dogmata. The tremendous promise of hiPSC technology for regenerative medicine has fuelled rising expectations from both the public and scientific communities alike. In order to effectively harness hiPSCs to uncover fundamental mechanisms of disease, it is imperative to first understand the developmental neurobiology underpinning their lineage restriction choices in order to predictably manipulate cell fate to desired derivatives. Significant progress in developmental biology provides an invaluable resource for rationalising directed differentiation of hiPSCs to cellular derivatives of the nervous system. In this paper we begin by reviewing core developmental concepts underlying neural induction in order to provide context for how such insights have guided reductionist in vitro models of neural conversion from hiPSCs. We then discuss early factors relevant in neural patterning, again drawing upon crucial knowledge gained from developmental neurobiological studies. We conclude by discussing open questions relating to these concepts and how their resolution might serve to strengthen the promise of pluripotent stem cells in regenerative medicine.
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117
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Motono M, Ioroi Y, Ogura T, Takahashi J. WNT-C59, a Small-Molecule WNT Inhibitor, Efficiently Induces Anterior Cortex That Includes Cortical Motor Neurons From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cells Transl Med 2016; 5:552-60. [PMID: 26941358 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2015-0261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The recapitulation of human neural development in a controlled, defined manner from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) has considerable potential for studies of human neural development, circuit formation and function, and the construction of in vitro models of neurological diseases. The inhibition of Wnt signaling, often by the recombinant protein DKK1, is important for the induction of cortical neurons. Here, we report a novel differentiation method using a small-molecule WNT inhibitor, WNT-C59 (C59), to efficiently induce human anterior cortex. We compared two types of small molecules, C59 and XAV939 (XAV), as substitutes for DKK1 to induce cortical neurons from PSCs in serum-free embryoid body-like aggregate culture. DKK1 and XAV inhibited only the canonical pathway of Wnt signaling, whereas C59 inhibited both the canonical and noncanonical pathways. C59 efficiently induced CTIP2+/COUP-TF1- cells, which are characteristic of the cells found in the anterior cortex. In addition, when grafted into the cortex of adult mice, the C59-induced cells showed abundant axonal fiber extension toward the spinal cord. These results raise the possibility of C59 contributing to cell replacement therapy for motor neuron diseases or insults. SIGNIFICANCE For a cell therapy against damaged corticospinal tract caused by neurodegenerative diseases or insults, cortical motor neurons are needed. Currently, their induction from pluripotent stem cells is considered very promising; however, an efficient protocol to induce motor neurons is not available. For efficient induction of anterior cortex, where motor neurons are located, various WNT inhibitors were investigated. It was found that one of them could induce anterior cortical cells efficiently. In addition, when grafted into the cortex of adult mice, the induced cells showed more abundant axonal fiber extension toward spinal cord. These results raise the possibility that this inhibitor contributes to a cell-replacement therapy for motor neuron diseases or insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Motono
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Ioroi
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takenori Ogura
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jun Takahashi
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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118
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Arber C, Precious SV, Cambray S, Risner-Janiczek JR, Kelly C, Noakes Z, Fjodorova M, Heuer A, Ungless MA, Rodríguez TA, Rosser AE, Dunnett SB, Li M. Activin A directs striatal projection neuron differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. Development 2016; 142:1375-86. [PMID: 25804741 DOI: 10.1242/dev.117093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The efficient generation of striatal neurons from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is fundamental for realising their promise in disease modelling, pharmaceutical drug screening and cell therapy for Huntington's disease. GABAergic medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs) are the principal projection neurons of the striatum and specifically degenerate in the early phase of Huntington's disease. Here we report that activin A induces lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE) characteristics in nascent neural progenitors derived from hESCs and hiPSCs in a sonic hedgehog-independent manner. Correct specification of striatal phenotype was further demonstrated by the induction of the striatal transcription factors CTIP2, GSX2 and FOXP2. Crucially, these human LGE progenitors readily differentiate into postmitotic neurons expressing the striatal projection neuron signature marker DARPP32, both in culture and following transplantation in the adult striatum in a rat model of Huntington's disease. Activin-induced neurons also exhibit appropriate striatal-like electrophysiology in vitro. Together, our findings demonstrate a novel route for efficient differentiation of GABAergic striatal MSNs from human pluripotent stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Arber
- Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 ONN, UK
| | - Sophie V Precious
- Brain Repair Group, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Bioscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Serafí Cambray
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 ONN, UK
| | - Jessica R Risner-Janiczek
- Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 ONN, UK
| | - Claire Kelly
- Brain Repair Group, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Bioscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Zoe Noakes
- Stem Cell Neurogenesis Group, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Medicine and School of Bioscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Marija Fjodorova
- Stem Cell Neurogenesis Group, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Medicine and School of Bioscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Andreas Heuer
- Brain Repair Group, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Bioscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Mark A Ungless
- Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 ONN, UK
| | - Tristan A Rodríguez
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 ONN, UK
| | - Anne E Rosser
- Brain Repair Group, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Bioscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Stephen B Dunnett
- Brain Repair Group, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Bioscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Meng Li
- Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 ONN, UK Stem Cell Neurogenesis Group, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Medicine and School of Bioscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
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119
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Wen Z, Christian KM, Song H, Ming GL. Modeling psychiatric disorders with patient-derived iPSCs. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2016; 36:118-27. [PMID: 26705693 PMCID: PMC4738077 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are heterogeneous disorders characterized by complex genetics, variable symptomatology, and anatomically distributed pathology, all of which present challenges for effective treatment. Current treatments are often blunt tools used to ameliorate the most severe symptoms, often at the risk of disrupting functional neural systems, thus there is a pressing need to develop rational therapeutics. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reprogrammed from patient somatic cells offer an unprecedented opportunity to recapitulate both normal and pathologic human tissue and organ development, and provides new approaches for understanding disease mechanisms and for drug discovery with higher predictability of their effects in humans. Here we review recent progress and challenges in using human iPSCs for modeling neuropsychiatric disorders and developing novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhexing Wen
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kimberly M Christian
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Guo-li Ming
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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120
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Golas MM, Sander B. Use of human stem cells in Huntington disease modeling and translational research. Exp Neurol 2016; 278:76-90. [PMID: 26826449 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a devastating neurological disorder caused by an extended CAG repeat in exon 1 of the gene that encodes the huntingtin (HTT) protein. HD pathology involves a loss of striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and progressive neurodegeneration affects the striatum and other brain regions. Because HTT is involved in multiple cellular processes, the molecular mechanisms of HD pathogenesis should be investigated on multiple levels. On the cellular level, in vitro stem cell models, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from HD patients and HD embryonic stem cells (ESCs), have yielded progress. Approaches to differentiate functional MSNs from ESCs, iPSCs, and neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs/NPCs) have been established, enabling MSN differentiation to be studied and disease phenotypes to be recapitulated. Isolation of target stem cells and precursor cells may also provide a resource for grafting. In animal models, transplantation of striatal precursors differentiated in vitro to the striatum has been reported to improve disease phenotype. Initial clinical trials examining intrastriatal transplantation of fetal neural tissue suggest a more favorable clinical course in a subset of HD patients, though shortcomings persist. Here, we review recent advances in the development of cellular HD models and approaches aimed at cell regeneration with human stem cells. We also describe how genome editing tools could be used to correct the HTT mutation in patient-specific stem cells. Finally, we discuss the potential and the remaining challenges of stem cell-based approaches in HD research and therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika M Golas
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Bjoern Sander
- Stereology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
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121
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Wang Q, Hong P, Gao H, Chen Y, Yang Q, Jiang M, Li H. An interneuron progenitor maintains neurogenic potential in vivo and differentiates into GABAergic interneurons after transplantation in the postnatal rat brain. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19003. [PMID: 26750620 PMCID: PMC4707470 DOI: 10.1038/srep19003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of cortical GABAergic interneurons are involved in numerous neurological disorders including epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism; and replenishment of these cells by transplantation strategy has proven to be a feasible and effective method to help revert the symptoms in several animal models. To develop methodology of generating transplantable GABAergic interneurons for therapy, we previously reported the isolation of a v-myc-induced GABAergic interneuron progenitor clone GE6 from embryonic ganglionic eminence (GE). These cells can proliferate and form functional inhibitory synapses in culture. Here, we tested their differentiation behavior in vivo by transplanting them into the postnatal rat forebrain. We found that GE6 cells migrate extensively in the neonatal forebrain and differentiate into both neurons and glia, but preferentially into neurons when compared with a sister progenitor clone CTX8. The neurogenic potential of GE6 cells is also maintained after transplantation into a non-permissive environment such as adult cortex or when treated with inflammatory cytokine in culture. The GE6-derived neurons were able to mature in vivo as GABAergic interneurons expressing GABAergic, not glutamatergic, presynaptic puncta. Finally, we propose that v-myc-induced human interneuron progenitor clones could be an alternative cell source of transplantable GABAergic interneurons for treating related neurological diseases in future clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- West China Developmental &Stem Cell Institute, Department of Obstetric &Gynecologic and Pediatric, Key Laboratory of Obstetric &Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Peiwei Hong
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Hui Gao
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yuntian Chen
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Qi Yang
- West China Developmental &Stem Cell Institute, Department of Obstetric &Gynecologic and Pediatric, Key Laboratory of Obstetric &Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Mei Jiang
- West China Developmental &Stem Cell Institute, Department of Obstetric &Gynecologic and Pediatric, Key Laboratory of Obstetric &Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Hedong Li
- West China Developmental &Stem Cell Institute, Department of Obstetric &Gynecologic and Pediatric, Key Laboratory of Obstetric &Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
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122
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Suzuki IK, Vanderhaeghen P. Is this a brain which I see before me? Modeling human neural development with pluripotent stem cells. Development 2016; 142:3138-50. [PMID: 26395142 DOI: 10.1242/dev.120568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The human brain is arguably the most complex structure among living organisms. However, the specific mechanisms leading to this complexity remain incompletely understood, primarily because of the poor experimental accessibility of the human embryonic brain. Over recent years, technologies based on pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have been developed to generate neural cells of various types. While the translational potential of PSC technologies for disease modeling and/or cell replacement therapies is usually put forward as a rationale for their utility, they are also opening novel windows for direct observation and experimentation of the basic mechanisms of human brain development. PSC-based studies have revealed that a number of cardinal features of neural ontogenesis are remarkably conserved in human models, which can be studied in a reductionist fashion. They have also revealed species-specific features, which constitute attractive lines of investigation to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the development of the human brain, and its link with evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikuo K Suzuki
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IRIBHM), and ULB Institute of Neuroscience (UNI), 808 Route de Lennik, Brussels B-1070, Belgium
| | - Pierre Vanderhaeghen
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IRIBHM), and ULB Institute of Neuroscience (UNI), 808 Route de Lennik, Brussels B-1070, Belgium WELBIO, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 808 Route de Lennik, Brussels B-1070, Belgium
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123
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Xu CC, Denton KR, Wang ZB, Zhang X, Li XJ. Abnormal mitochondrial transport and morphology as early pathological changes in human models of spinal muscular atrophy. Dis Model Mech 2016; 9:39-49. [PMID: 26586529 PMCID: PMC4728333 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.021766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), characterized by specific degeneration of spinal motor neurons, is caused by mutations in the survival of motor neuron 1, telomeric (SMN1) gene and subsequent decreased levels of functional SMN. How the deficiency of SMN, a ubiquitously expressed protein, leads to spinal motor neuron-specific degeneration in individuals affected by SMA remains unknown. In this study, we examined the role of SMN in mitochondrial axonal transport and morphology in human motor neurons by generating SMA type 1 patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiating these cells into spinal motor neurons. The initial specification of spinal motor neurons was not affected, but these SMA spinal motor neurons specifically degenerated following long-term culture. Moreover, at an early stage in SMA spinal motor neurons, but not in SMA forebrain neurons, the number of mitochondria, mitochondrial area and mitochondrial transport were significantly reduced in axons. Knocking down of SMN expression led to similar mitochondrial defects in spinal motor neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells, confirming that SMN deficiency results in impaired mitochondrial dynamics. Finally, the application of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) mitigated the impairment in mitochondrial transport and morphology and rescued motor neuron degeneration in SMA long-term cultures. Furthermore, NAC ameliorated the reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential in SMA spinal motor neurons, suggesting that NAC might rescue apoptosis and motor neuron degeneration by improving mitochondrial health. Overall, our data demonstrate that SMN deficiency results in abnormal mitochondrial transport and morphology and a subsequent reduction in mitochondrial health, which are implicated in the specific degeneration of spinal motor neurons in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong-Chong Xu
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Kyle R Denton
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Zhi-Bo Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xue-Jun Li
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA Stem Cell Institute, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
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124
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Abstract
Impaired axonal development and degeneration are implicated in many debilitating disorders, such as hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and periphery neuropathy. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have provided researchers with an excellent resource for modeling human neuropathologic processes including axonal defects in vitro. There are a number of steps that are crucial when developing an hPSC-based model of a human disease, including generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), differentiating those cells to affected cell types, and identifying disease-relevant phenotypes. Here, we describe these steps in detail, focusing on the neurodegenerative disorder HSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle R Denton
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Chong-Chong Xu
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Xue-Jun Li
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.
- The Stem Cell Institute, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA.
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125
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Functional Properties of Human Stem Cell-Derived Neurons in Health and Disease. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:4190438. [PMID: 27274733 PMCID: PMC4870377 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4190438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-derived neurons from various source materials present unique model systems to examine the fundamental properties of central nervous system (CNS) development as well as the molecular underpinnings of disease phenotypes. In order to more accurately assess potential therapies for neurological disorders, multiple strategies have been employed in recent years to produce neuronal populations that accurately represent in vivo regional and transmitter phenotypes. These include new technologies such as direct conversion of somatic cell types into neurons and glia which may accelerate maturation and retain genetic hallmarks of aging. In addition, novel forms of genetic manipulations have brought human stem cells nearly on par with those of rodent with respect to gene targeting. For neurons of the CNS, the ultimate phenotypic characterization lies with their ability to recapitulate functional properties such as passive and active membrane characteristics, synaptic activity, and plasticity. These features critically depend on the coordinated expression and localization of hundreds of ion channels and receptors, as well as scaffolding and signaling molecules. In this review I will highlight the current state of knowledge regarding functional properties of human stem cell-derived neurons, with a primary focus on pluripotent stem cells. While significant advances have been made, critical hurdles must be overcome in order for this technology to support progression toward clinical applications.
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126
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CRISPR/Cas9 facilitates investigation of neural circuit disease using human iPSCs: mechanism of epilepsy caused by an SCN1A loss-of-function mutation. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e703. [PMID: 26731440 PMCID: PMC5068877 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in SCN1A, the gene encoding the α subunit of Nav1.1 channel, can cause epilepsies with wide ranges of clinical phenotypes, which are associated with the contrasting effects of channel loss-of-function or gain-of-function. In this project, CRISPR/Cas9- and TALEN-mediated genome-editing techniques were applied to induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based-disease model to explore the mechanism of epilepsy caused by SCN1A loss-of-function mutation. By fluorescently labeling GABAergic subtype in iPSC-derived neurons using CRISPR/Cas9, we for the first time performed electrophysiological studies on SCN1A-expressing neural subtype and monitored the postsynaptic activity of both inhibitory and excitatory types. We found that the mutation c.A5768G, which led to no current of Nav1.1 in exogenously transfected system, influenced the properties of not only Nav current amount, but also Nav activation in Nav1.1-expressing GABAergic neurons. The two alterations in Nav further reduced the amplitudes and enhanced the thresholds of action potential in patient-derived GABAergic neurons, and led to weakened spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in the patient-derived neuronal network. Although the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) did not change significantly, when the frequencies of both sIPSCs and sEPSCs were further analyzed, we found the whole postsynaptic activity transferred from the inhibition-dominated state to excitation in patient-derived neuronal networks, suggesting that changes in sIPSCs alone were sufficient to significantly reverse the excitatory level of spontaneous postsynaptic activity. In summary, our findings fill the gap of our knowledge regarding the relationship between SCN1A mutation effect recorded on exogenously transfected cells and on Nav1.1-expressing neurons, and reveal the physiological basis underlying epileptogenesis caused by SCN1A loss-of-function mutation.
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127
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Livesey MR, Magnani D, Hardingham GE, Chandran S, Wyllie DJA. Functional properties of in vitro excitatory cortical neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells. J Physiol 2015; 594:6573-6582. [PMID: 26608229 PMCID: PMC5108911 DOI: 10.1113/jp270660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro derivation of regionally defined human neuron types from patient‐derived stem cells is now established as a resource to investigate human development and disease. Characterization of such neurons initially focused on the expression of developmentally regulated transcription factors and neural markers, in conjunction with the development of protocols to direct and chart the fate of differentiated neurons. However, crucial to the understanding and exploitation of this technology is to determine the degree to which neurons recapitulate the key functional features exhibited by their native counterparts, essential for determining their usefulness in modelling human physiology and disease in vitro. Here, we review the emerging data concerning functional properties of human pluripotent stem cell‐derived excitatory cortical neurons, in the context of both maturation and regional specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Livesey
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Dario Magnani
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Giles E Hardingham
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - David J A Wyllie
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, 560065, India
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128
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DeBoer EM, Anderson SA. Fate determination of cerebral cortical GABAergic interneurons and their derivation from stem cells. Brain Res 2015; 1655:277-282. [PMID: 26723568 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Cortical GABAergic interneurons modulate cortical excitation, and their dysfunction is implicated in a multitude of neuropsychiatric disorders including autism, schizophrenia and epilepsy. Consequently, the study of cortical interneuron development, and their derivation from stem cells for transplantation therapy, has garnered intense scientific interest. In this review, we discuss some of the molecular signals involved in cortical interneuron fate determination, and describe how this has informed the use of mouse and human embryonic stem cell biology in generating cortical interneurons in vitro. We highlight the tremendous progress that has been made recently using stem cells to derive cortical interneurons, as well as challenges that have arisen. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:StemsCellsinPsychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik M DeBoer
- Department of Psychiatry, Children׳s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, 3615 Civic Center Blvd, ARC 517, Philadelphia, PA 19104-5127, USA.
| | - Stewart A Anderson
- Department of Psychiatry, Children׳s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, 3615 Civic Center Blvd, ARC 517, Philadelphia, PA 19104-5127, USA.
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129
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Efficient generation of region-specific forebrain neurons from human pluripotent stem cells under highly defined condition. Sci Rep 2015; 5:18550. [PMID: 26670131 PMCID: PMC4680876 DOI: 10.1038/srep18550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have potential to differentiate to unlimited number of neural cells, which provide powerful tools for neural regeneration. To date, most reported protocols were established with an animal feeder system. However, cells derived on this system are inappropriate for the translation to clinical applications because of the introduction of xenogenetic factors. In this study, we provided an optimized paradigm to generate region-specific forebrain neurons from hPSCs under a defined system. We assessed five conditions and found that a vitronectin-coated substrate was the most efficient method to differentiate hPSCs to neurons and astrocytes. More importantly, by applying different doses of purmorphamine, a small-molecule agonist of sonic hedgehog signaling, hPSCs were differentiated to different region-specific forebrain neuron subtypes, including glutamatergic neurons, striatal medium spiny neurons, and GABA interneurons. Our study offers a highly defined system without exogenetic factors to produce human neurons and astrocytes for translational medical studies, including cell therapy and stem cell-based drug discovery.
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130
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O'Shea KS, McInnis MG. Neurodevelopmental origins of bipolar disorder: iPSC models. Mol Cell Neurosci 2015; 73:63-83. [PMID: 26608002 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2015.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BP) is a chronic neuropsychiatric condition characterized by pathological fluctuations in mood from mania to depression. Adoption, twin and family studies have consistently identified a significant hereditary component to BP, yet there is no clear genetic event or consistent neuropathology. BP has been suggested to have a developmental origin, although this hypothesis has been difficult to test since there are no viable neurons or glial cells to analyze, and research has relied largely on postmortem brain, behavioral and imaging studies, or has examined proxy tissues including saliva, olfactory epithelium and blood cells. Neurodevelopmental factors, particularly pathways related to nervous system development, cell migration, extracellular matrix, H3K4 methylation, and calcium signaling have been identified in large gene expression and GWAS studies as altered in BP. Recent advances in stem cell biology, particularly the ability to reprogram adult somatic tissues to a pluripotent state, now make it possible to interrogate these pathways in viable cell models. A number of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from BP patient and healthy control (C) individuals have been derived in several laboratories, and their ability to form cortical neurons examined. Early studies suggest differences in activity, calcium signaling, blocks to neuronal differentiation, and changes in neuronal, and possibly glial, lineage specification. Initial observations suggest that differentiation of BP patient-derived neurons to dorsal telencephalic derivatives may be impaired, possibly due to alterations in WNT, Hedgehog or Nodal pathway signaling. These investigations strongly support a developmental contribution to BP and identify novel pathways, mechanisms and opportunities for improved treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Sue O'Shea
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, 3051 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher PL, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5765, United States.
| | - Melvin G McInnis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5765, United States
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131
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Zhang SZ, Li HF, Ma LX, Qian WJ, Wang ZF, Wu ZY. Urine-derived induced pluripotent stem cells as a modeling tool for paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia. Biol Open 2015; 4:1744-52. [PMID: 26621826 PMCID: PMC4736025 DOI: 10.1242/bio.013078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is a monogenic movement disorder with autosomal dominant inheritance. We previously identified the proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) as a causative gene of PKD. However, the pathogenesis of PKD remains largely unknown so far. In addition, applicable modeling tools to investigate the underlying mechanisms of PKD are still lacking. The combination of disease-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and directed cell differentiation offers an ideal platform for disease modeling. In this study, we generated two iPSC lines from the renal epithelial cells of one PKD patient with the hotspot c.649dupC mutation (PKD-iPSCs). These cell lines were positive for alkaline phosphatase Nanog, Tra-1-80, Tra-1-60, SSEA-3 and SSEA-4. Teratomas with three blastoderms including ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm were obtained two months after injection of PKD-iPSCs into NOD/SCID mice. The expression of PRRT2 mRNA was decreased in PKD-iPSCs compared with that of the control iPSCs. Furthermore, PKD-iPSCs possessed the differentiation potential of functional glutamatergic, dopaminergic and motor neurons in vitro. Electrophysiological examinations revealed that the current densities of fast activated and deactivated sodium channels as well as voltage gated potassium channels were not different between the neurons from PKD-iPSCs and control iPSCs. Thus, PKD-iPSCs are a feasible modeling tool to investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of PKD. Summary: This is the first report of urinary cell-induced pluripotent stem cells being used as resources for investigation of the pathological mechanisms of paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Zhen Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Hong-Fu Li
- Department of Neurology and Research Center of Neurology in Second Affiliated Hospital, and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Li-Xiang Ma
- Department of Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wen-Jing Qian
- Institutes of Brain Science, Institute of Neurobiology and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhong-Feng Wang
- Institutes of Brain Science, Institute of Neurobiology and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhi-Ying Wu
- Department of Neurology and Research Center of Neurology in Second Affiliated Hospital, and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
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132
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The Specification and Maturation of Nociceptive Neurons from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16821. [PMID: 26581770 PMCID: PMC4652175 DOI: 10.1038/srep16821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Nociceptive neurons play an essential role in pain sensation by transmitting painful stimuli to the central nervous system. However, investigations of nociceptive neuron biology have been hampered by the lack of accessibility of human nociceptive neurons. Here, we describe a system for efficiently guiding human embryonic stem cells into nociceptive neurons by first inducing these cells to the neural lineage. Subsequent addition of retinoic acid and BMP4 at specific time points and concentrations yielded a high population of neural crest progenitor cells (AP2α+, P75+), which further differentiated into nociceptive neurons (TRKA+, Nav1.7+, P2X3+). The overexpression of Neurogenin 1 (Neurog1) promoted the neurons to express genes related to sensory neurons (Peripherin, TrkA) and to further mature into TRPV1+ nociceptive neurons. Importantly, the overexpression of Neurog1 increased the response of these neurons to capsaicin stimulation, a hallmark of mature functional nociceptive neurons. Taken together, this study reveals the important role that Neurog1 plays in generating functional human nociceptive neurons.
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133
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Mahairaki V, Ryu J, Peters A, Chang Q, Li T, Park TS, Burridge PW, Talbot CC, Asnaghi L, Martin LJ, Zambidis ET, Koliatsos VE. Induced pluripotent stem cells from familial Alzheimer's disease patients differentiate into mature neurons with amyloidogenic properties. Stem Cells Dev 2015; 23:2996-3010. [PMID: 25027006 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2013.0511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the majority of Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases are sporadic, about 5% of cases are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern as familial AD (FAD) and manifest at an early age. Mutations in the presenilin 1 (PSEN1) gene account for the majority of early-onset FAD. Here, we describe the generation of virus-free human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived from fibroblasts of patients harboring the FAD PSEN1 mutation A246E and fibroblasts from healthy age-matched controls using nonintegrating episomal vectors. We have differentiated these hiPSC lines to the neuronal lineage and demonstrated that hiPSC-derived neurons have mature phenotypic and physiological properties. Neurons from mutant hiPSC lines express PSEN1-A246E mutations themselves and show AD-like biochemical features, that is, amyloidogenic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) indicated by an increase in β-amyloid (Aβ)42/Aβ40 ratio. FAD hiPSCs harboring disease properties can be used as humanized models to test novel diagnostic methods and therapies and explore novel hypotheses for AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Mahairaki
- 1 Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland
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134
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Bengoa-Vergniory N, Kypta RM. Canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling in neural stem/progenitor cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:4157-72. [PMID: 26306936 PMCID: PMC11113751 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2028-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Revised: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The first mammalian Wnt to be discovered, Wnt-1, was found to be essential for the development of a large part of the mouse brain over 25 years ago. We have since learned that Wnt family secreted glycolipoproteins, of which there are nineteen, which activate a diverse network of signals that are particularly important during embryonic development and tissue regeneration. Wnt signals in the developing and adult brain can drive neural stem cell self-renewal, expansion, asymmetric cell division, maturation and differentiation. The molecular events taking place after a Wnt binds to its cell-surface receptors are complex and, at times, controversial. A deeper understanding of these events is anticipated to lead to improvements in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and stem cell-based replacement therapies. Here, we review the roles played by Wnts in neural stem cells in the developing mouse brain, at neurogenic sites of the adult mouse and in neural stem cell culture models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Bengoa-Vergniory
- Cell Biology and Stem Cells Unit, CIC bioGUNE, Bilbao, Spain.
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.
| | - Robert M Kypta
- Cell Biology and Stem Cells Unit, CIC bioGUNE, Bilbao, Spain.
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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135
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Yue W, Li Y, Zhang T, Jiang M, Qian Y, Zhang M, Sheng N, Feng S, Tang K, Yu X, Shu Y, Yue C, Jing N. ESC-Derived Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons Ameliorate the Cognitive Symptoms Associated with Alzheimer's Disease in Mouse Models. Stem Cell Reports 2015; 5:776-790. [PMID: 26489896 PMCID: PMC4649256 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2015.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2014] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) is associated with cognitive impairments of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), implying that BFCNs hold potentials in exploring stem cell-based replacement therapy for AD. However, studies on derivation of BFCNs from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are limited, and the application of ESC-derived BFCNs remains to be determined. Here, we report on differentiation approaches for directing both mouse and human ESCs into mature BFCNs. These ESC-derived BFCNs exhibit features similar to those of their in vivo counterparts and acquire appropriate functional properties. After transplantation into the basal forebrain of AD model mice, ESC-derived BFCN progenitors predominantly differentiate into mature cholinergic neurons that functionally integrate into the endogenous basal forebrain cholinergic projection system. The AD mice grafted with mouse or human BFCNs exhibit improvements in learning and memory performances. Our findings suggest a promising perspective of ESC-derived BFCNs in the development of stem cell-based therapies for treatment of AD. Mouse and human ESCs differentiate into basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) ESC-derived BFCNs exhibit functional properties in vitro and transplanted in vivo ESC-derived BFCNs functionally integrate into the basal forebrain of AD mice The AD model mice grafted with BFCNs exhibit improvements in cognitive abilities
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Man Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yun Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Min Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Nengyin Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Su Feng
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Ke Tang
- Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Xiang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yousheng Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Chunmei Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Naihe Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
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136
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Modeling Huntington׳s disease with patient-derived neurons. Brain Res 2015; 1656:76-87. [PMID: 26459990 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Huntington׳s Disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by expanded polyglutamine repeats in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. While the gene was identified over two decades ago, it remains poorly understood why mutant HTT (mtHTT) is initially toxic to striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs). Models of HD using non-neuronal human patient cells and rodents exhibit some characteristic HD phenotypes. While these current models have contributed to the field, they are limited in disease manifestation and may vary in their response to treatments. As such, human HD patient MSNs for disease modeling could greatly expand the current understanding of HD and facilitate the search for a successful treatment. It is now possible to use pluripotent stem cells, which can generate any tissue type in the body, to study and potentially treat HD. This review covers disease modeling in vitro and, via chimeric animal generation, in vivo using human HD patient MSNs differentiated from embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells. This includes an overview of the differentiation of pluripotent cells into MSNs, the established phenotypes found in cell-based models and transplantation studies using these cells. This review not only outlines the advancements in the rapidly progressing field of HD modeling using neurons derived from human pluripotent cells, but also it highlights several remaining controversial issues such as the 'ideal' series of pluripotent lines, the optimal cell types to use and the study of a primarily adult-onset disease in a developmental model. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Exploiting human neurons.
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137
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Nestor MW, Phillips AW, Artimovich E, Nestor JE, Hussman JP, Blatt GJ. Human Inducible Pluripotent Stem Cells and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Emerging Technologies. Autism Res 2015; 9:513-35. [DOI: 10.1002/aur.1570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael W. Nestor
- The Hussman Institute for Autism; 801 W. Baltimore St., Suite 301 Baltimore Maryland 21201
| | - Andre W. Phillips
- The Hussman Institute for Autism; 801 W. Baltimore St., Suite 301 Baltimore Maryland 21201
| | - Elena Artimovich
- The Hussman Institute for Autism; 801 W. Baltimore St., Suite 301 Baltimore Maryland 21201
| | - Jonathan E. Nestor
- The Hussman Institute for Autism; 801 W. Baltimore St., Suite 301 Baltimore Maryland 21201
| | - John P. Hussman
- The Hussman Institute for Autism; 801 W. Baltimore St., Suite 301 Baltimore Maryland 21201
| | - Gene J. Blatt
- The Hussman Institute for Autism; 801 W. Baltimore St., Suite 301 Baltimore Maryland 21201
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138
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Zhang N, Bailus BJ, Ring KL, Ellerby LM. iPSC-based drug screening for Huntington's disease. Brain Res 2015; 1638:42-56. [PMID: 26428226 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder, caused by an expansion of the CAG repeat in exon 1 of the huntingtin gene. The disease generally manifests in middle age with both physical and mental symptoms. There are no effective treatments or cures and death usually occurs 10-20 years after initial symptoms. Since the original identification of the Huntington disease associated gene, in 1993, a variety of models have been created and used to advance our understanding of HD. The most recent advances have utilized stem cell models derived from HD-patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offering a variety of screening and model options that were not previously available. The discovery and advancement of technology to make human iPSCs has allowed for a more thorough characterization of human HD on a cellular and developmental level. The interaction between the genome editing and the stem cell fields promises to further expand the variety of HD cellular models available for researchers. In this review, we will discuss the history of Huntington's disease models, common screening assays, currently available models and future directions for modeling HD using iPSCs-derived from HD patients. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: PSC and the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningzhe Zhang
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd, Novato, CA 94945, United States
| | - Barbara J Bailus
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd, Novato, CA 94945, United States
| | - Karen L Ring
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd, Novato, CA 94945, United States
| | - Lisa M Ellerby
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd, Novato, CA 94945, United States.
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139
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Genomic DISC1 Disruption in hiPSCs Alters Wnt Signaling and Neural Cell Fate. Cell Rep 2015; 12:1414-29. [PMID: 26299970 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.07.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic and clinical association studies have identified disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) as a candidate risk gene for major mental illness. DISC1 is interrupted by a balanced chr(1;11) translocation in a Scottish family in which the translocation predisposes to psychiatric disorders. We investigate the consequences of DISC1 interruption in human neural cells using TALENs or CRISPR-Cas9 to target the DISC1 locus. We show that disruption of DISC1 near the site of the translocation results in decreased DISC1 protein levels because of nonsense-mediated decay of long splice variants. This results in an increased level of canonical Wnt signaling in neural progenitor cells and altered expression of fate markers such as Foxg1 and Tbr2. These gene expression changes are rescued by antagonizing Wnt signaling in a critical developmental window, supporting the hypothesis that DISC1-dependent suppression of basal Wnt signaling influences the distribution of cell types generated during cortical development.
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140
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Ishikawa M, Ohnishi H, Skerleva D, Sakamoto T, Yamamoto N, Hotta A, Ito J, Nakagawa T. Transplantation of neurons derived from human iPS cells cultured on collagen matrix into guinea-pig cochleae. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2015. [PMID: 26205474 DOI: 10.1002/term.2072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The present study examined the efficacy of a neural induction method for human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to eliminate undifferentiated cells and to determine the feasibility of transplanting neurally induced cells into guinea-pig cochleae for replacement of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). A stepwise method for differentiation of human iPS cells into neurons was used. First, a neural induction method was established on Matrigel-coated plates; characteristics of cell populations at each differentiation step were assessed. Second, neural stem cells were differentiated into neurons on a three-dimensional (3D) collagen matrix, using the same protocol of culture on Matrigel-coated plates; neuron subtypes in differentiated cells on a 3D collagen matrix were examined. Then, human iPS cell-derived neurons cultured on a 3D collagen matrix were transplanted into intact guinea-pig cochleae, followed by histological analysis. In vitro analyses revealed successful induction of neural stem cells from human iPS cells, with no retention of undifferentiated cells expressing OCT3/4. After the neural differentiation of neural stem cells, approximately 70% of cells expressed a neuronal marker, 90% of which were positive for vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1). The expression pattern of neuron subtypes in differentiated cells on a 3D collagen matrix was identical to that of the differentiated cells on Matrigel-coated plates. In addition, the survival of transplant-derived neurons was achieved when inflammatory responses were appropriately controlled. Our preparation method for human iPS cell-derived neurons efficiently eliminated undifferentiated cells and contributed to the settlement of transplant-derived neurons expressing VGLUT1 in guinea-pig cochleae. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Ishikawa
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Hiroe Ohnishi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Desislava Skerleva
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Sakamoto
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Norio Yamamoto
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Akitsu Hotta
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Juichi Ito
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Takayuki Nakagawa
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan
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141
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Oleanolic Acid Induces Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells to Neurons: An Involvement of Transcription Factor Nkx-2.5. Stem Cells Int 2015; 2015:672312. [PMID: 26240574 PMCID: PMC4512619 DOI: 10.1155/2015/672312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) harbor the potential to differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes under normal conditions and/or in response to tissue damage. NSCs open a new way of treatment of the injured central nervous system and neurodegenerative disorders. Thus far, few drugs have been developed for controlling NSC functions. Here, the effect as well as mechanism of oleanolic acid (OA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid, on NSC function was investigated. We found OA significantly inhibited neurosphere formation in a dose-dependent manner and achieved a maximum effect at 10 nM. OA also reduced 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation into NSCs, which was indicative of inhibited NSC proliferation. Western blotting analysis revealed the protein levels of neuron-specific marker tubulin-βIII (TuJ1) and Mash1 were increased whilst the astrocyte-specific marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) decreased. Immunofluorescence analysis showed OA significantly elevated the percentage of TuJ1-positive cells and reduced GFAP-positive cells. Using DNA microarray analysis, 183 genes were differentially regulated by OA. Through transcription factor binding site analyses of the upstream regulatory sequences of these genes, 87 genes were predicted to share a common motif for Nkx-2.5 binding. Finally, small interfering RNA (siRNA) methodology was used to silence Nkx-2.5 expression and found silence of Nkx-2.5 alone did not change the expression of TuJ-1 and the percentage of TuJ-1-positive cells. But in combination of OA treatment and silence of Nkx-2.5, most effects of OA on NSCs were abolished. These results indicated that OA is an effective inducer for NSCs differentiation into neurons at least partially by Nkx-2.5-dependent mechanism.
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142
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Lin L, Yuan J, Sander B, Golas MM. In Vitro Differentiation of Human Neural Progenitor Cells Into Striatal GABAergic Neurons. Stem Cells Transl Med 2015; 4:775-88. [PMID: 25972145 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2014-0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED : Huntington's disease (HD) results from a CAG repeat expansion in the gene encoding the huntingtin protein. This inherited disorder is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration. In particular, HD progression involves the loss of striatal projection neurons. The limited availability of reliable sources of human striatal projection neurons currently hampers our understanding of HD mechanisms and hinders the development of novel HD treatments. In this paper, we described two- and three-step methods for differentiating human neural progenitor cells toward striatal projection neurons. In the two-step differentiation protocol, 90%, 54%, and 6% of MAP2-positive cells were immunopositive for GABA, calbindin (CALB1), and DARPP-32/PPP1R1B, respectively. In the three-step differentiation protocol, 96%, 84%, and 21% of MAP2-positive cells were immunopositive for GABA, calbindin, and DARPP-32/PPP1R1B, respectively. In line with a striatal projection neuron phenotype, cells differentiated with our protocols displayed significantly increased expression of MAP2, CALB1, DARPP-32/PPP1R1B, ARPP21, and CTIP2. Application of glutamate receptor agonists induced calcium influx; accordingly, the cells also expressed various ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits. Differentiated cells also released GABA on stimulation. We suggest that our three-step differentiation protocol presents a reliable and simplified method for the generation of striatal projection neurons, yielding a critical resource for neuronal physiology and neurodegenerative disorder studies. SIGNIFICANCE The earliest changes in the neurodegenerative disorder Huntington's disease affect a specific type of brain neurons, the so-called medium spiny neurons of the striatum. In this study, two protocols were developed for the differentiation of neural progenitor cells into striatal medium spiny neurons, and the differentiated neurons were extensively characterized. The data indicate that the three-step differentiation protocol presents a reliable and simplified method for the generation of striatal medium spiny neurons. The generated striatal medium spiny neurons could represent a critical resource for the study of neurodegenerative disorders, a model system for drug discovery, and a step toward cell-based regeneration therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Lin
- Department of Biomedicine, Stereology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, and Center for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Juan Yuan
- Department of Biomedicine, Stereology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, and Center for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bjoern Sander
- Department of Biomedicine, Stereology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, and Center for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Monika M Golas
- Department of Biomedicine, Stereology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, and Center for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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143
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Munoz JL, Rodriguez-Cruz V, Walker ND, Greco SJ, Rameshwar P. Temozolomide resistance and tumor recurrence: Halting the Hedgehog. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 2. [PMID: 27158638 DOI: 10.14800/ccm.747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chemotherapy with Temozolomide (TMZ), radiation and surgery are the primary methods to treat Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most common adult intracranial tumor with dismal outcome. GBM resistance to therapy is the main reason of poor patient outcomes. Thus, methods to overcome the resistance are an area of extensive research. This highlight focuses on three recently published articles on the mechanism of resistance and possible therapeutic intervention, including RNA treatment with stem cells. We showed a crucial role of the developmental Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway in the acquisition and maintenance of TMZ resistance. SHH signaling caused TMZ resistance in GBM cells through an increase in the multiple drug resistance gene (MDR1). The SHH receptor, Patched-1 (PTCH1), negatively regulate SHH signaling. In GBM, miR-9 suppressed PTCH1 levels, resulting in the activation of SHH pathway. Thus, SHH signaling is independent of the ligand in resistant GBM cells. MiR-9 was also increased in chemoresistance CD133+ GBM cells. A potential method to reverse resistance was tested by delivering the anti-miR in bone marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). The anti-miR-9 was transferred into the resistant GBM cells through exosomes and gap junctional intercellular communication. We also review on-going clinical trials with inhibitor of SHH signaling, and also discuss drug delivery by cell therapy for GBM. While GBM treatment has proven to be a challenge, there are a number of novel approaches we are currently developing to manage this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessian L Munoz
- Department of Medicine-Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Vivian Rodriguez-Cruz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences-SUNY University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Nykia D Walker
- Department of Medicine-Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA; Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Steven J Greco
- Department of Medicine-Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Pranela Rameshwar
- Department of Medicine-Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA; Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
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144
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Ichida JK, Kiskinis E. Probing disorders of the nervous system using reprogramming approaches. EMBO J 2015; 34:1456-77. [PMID: 25925386 PMCID: PMC4474524 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201591267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The groundbreaking technologies of induced pluripotency and lineage conversion have generated a genuine opportunity to address fundamental aspects of the diseases that affect the nervous system. These approaches have granted us unrestricted access to the brain and spinal cord of patients and have allowed for the study of disease in the context of human cells, expressing physiological levels of proteins and under each patient's unique genetic constellation. Along with this unprecedented opportunity have come significant challenges, particularly in relation to patient variability, experimental design and data interpretation. Nevertheless, significant progress has been achieved over the past few years both in our ability to create the various neural subtypes that comprise the nervous system and in our efforts to develop cellular models of disease that recapitulate clinical findings identified in patients. In this Review, we present tables listing the various human neural cell types that can be generated and the neurological disease modeling studies that have been reported, describe the current state of the field, highlight important breakthroughs and discuss the next steps and future challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin K Ichida
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad, CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Evangelos Kiskinis
- The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology & Clinical Neurological Sciences and Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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145
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Drouin-Ouellet J. The potential of alternate sources of cells for neural grafting in Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. Neurodegener Dis Manag 2015; 4:297-307. [PMID: 25313986 DOI: 10.2217/nmt.14.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based therapies for Parkinson's and Huntington's disease have provided mixed clinical outcomes and one of the reasons underlying this is the use of primary fetal tissue as the source of grafted cells. An alternate source of cells, such as stem cells, could overcome many of the issues associated with primary fetal tissue and would help bring forward cell replacement therapy as a reliable and effective treatment for these two neurodegenerative disorders. This review will discuss which stem cells are likely to go to clinic in the next generation of cells, based on trials for Parkinson's and Huntington's disease.
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146
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Deterministic HOX patterning in human pluripotent stem cell-derived neuroectoderm. Stem Cell Reports 2015; 4:632-44. [PMID: 25843047 PMCID: PMC4400649 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2015.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Colinear HOX expression during hindbrain and spinal cord development diversifies and assigns regional neural phenotypes to discrete rhombomeric and vertebral domains. Despite the precision of HOX patterning in vivo, in vitro approaches for differentiating human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to posterior neural fates coarsely pattern HOX expression thereby generating cultures broadly specified to hindbrain or spinal cord regions. Here, we demonstrate that successive activation of fibroblast growth factor, Wnt/β-catenin, and growth differentiation factor signaling during hPSC differentiation generates stable, homogenous SOX2+/Brachyury+ neuromesoderm that exhibits progressive, full colinear HOX activation over 7 days. Switching to retinoic acid treatment at any point during this process halts colinear HOX activation and transitions the neuromesoderm into SOX2+/PAX6+ neuroectoderm with predictable, discrete HOX gene/protein profiles that can be further differentiated into region-specific cells, e.g., motor neurons. This fully defined approach significantly expands capabilities to derive regional neural phenotypes from diverse hindbrain and spinal cord domains. Deterministic HOX expression in hPSC-derived neuromesoderm progenitors (NMPs) Wnt/β-catenin, FGF, and GDF signaling regulate HOX activation in NMPs Retinoic acid (RA) transitions NMPs to neuroectoderm and halts HOX activation Neural cells can be patterned to any rostrocaudal hindbrain or spinal cord domain
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147
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Nieweg K, Andreyeva A, van Stegen B, Tanriöver G, Gottmann K. Alzheimer's disease-related amyloid-β induces synaptotoxicity in human iPS cell-derived neurons. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e1709. [PMID: 25837485 PMCID: PMC4650541 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons have been proposed to be a highly valuable cellular model for studying the pathomechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Studies employing patient-specific human iPSCs as models of familial and sporadic forms of AD described elevated levels of AD-related amyloid-β (Aβ). However, none of the present AD iPSC studies could recapitulate the synaptotoxic actions of Aβ, which are crucial early events in a cascade that eventually leads to vast brain degeneration. Here we established highly reproducible, human iPSC-derived cortical cultures as a cellular model to study the synaptotoxic effects of Aβ. We developed a highly efficient immunopurification procedure yielding immature neurons that express markers of deep layer cortical pyramidal neurons and GABAergic interneurons. Upon long-term cultivation, purified cells differentiated into mature neurons exhibiting the generation of action potentials and excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic synapses. Most interestingly, these iPSC-derived human neurons were strongly susceptible to the synaptotoxic actions of Aβ. Application of Aβ for 8 days led to a reduction in the overall FM4–64 and vGlut1 staining of vesicles in neurites, indicating a loss of vesicle clusters. A selective analysis of presynaptic vesicle clusters on dendrites did not reveal a significant change, thus suggesting that Aβ impaired axonal vesicle clusters. In addition, electrophysiological patch-clamp recordings of AMPA receptor-mediated miniature EPSCs revealed an Aβ-induced reduction in amplitudes, indicating an impairment of postsynaptic AMPA receptors. A loss of postsynaptic AMPA receptor clusters was confirmed by immunocytochemical stainings for GluA1. Incubation with Aβ for 8 days did not result in a significant loss of neurites or cell death. In summary, we describe a highly reproducible cellular AD model based on human iPSC-derived cortical neurons that enables the mechanistic analysis of Aβ-induced synaptic pathomechanisms and the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Nieweg
- 1] Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany [2] Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Phillips University, Marburg, Germany
| | - A Andreyeva
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - B van Stegen
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - G Tanriöver
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Phillips University, Marburg, Germany
| | - K Gottmann
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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148
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Chen T, Xiang JF, Zhu S, Chen S, Yin QF, Zhang XO, Zhang J, Feng H, Dong R, Li XJ, Yang L, Chen LL. ADAR1 is required for differentiation and neural induction by regulating microRNA processing in a catalytically independent manner. Cell Res 2015; 25:459-76. [PMID: 25708366 DOI: 10.1038/cr.2015.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 11/09/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) are involved in adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing and are implicated in development and diseases. Here we observed that ADAR1 deficiency in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) significantly affected hESC differentiation and neural induction with widespread changes in mRNA and miRNA expression, including upregulation of self-renewal-related miRNAs, such as miR302s. Global editing analyses revealed that ADAR1 editing activity contributes little to the altered miRNA/mRNA expression in ADAR1-deficient hESCs upon neural induction. Genome-wide iCLIP studies identified that ADAR1 binds directly to pri-miRNAs to interfere with miRNA processing by acting as an RNA-binding protein. Importantly, aberrant expression of miRNAs and phenotypes observed in ADAR1-depleted hESCs upon neural differentiation could be reversed by an enzymatically inactive ADAR1 mutant, but not by the RNA-binding-null ADAR1 mutant. These findings reveal that ADAR1, but not its editing activity, is critical for hESC differentiation and neural induction by regulating miRNA biogenesis via direct RNA interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jian-Feng Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Shanshan Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Siye Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Qing-Fei Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xiao-Ou Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Hua Feng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Rui Dong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xue-Jun Li
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Stem Cell Institute, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Li Yang
- 1] CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China [2] School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ling-Ling Chen
- 1] State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China [2] School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 200031, China
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149
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Kim TG, Yao R, Monnell T, Cho JH, Vasudevan A, Koh A, Peeyush KT, Moon M, Datta D, Bolshakov VY, Kim KS, Chung S. Efficient specification of interneurons from human pluripotent stem cells by dorsoventral and rostrocaudal modulation. Stem Cells 2015; 32:1789-804. [PMID: 24648391 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
GABAergic interneurons regulate cortical neural networks by providing inhibitory inputs, and their malfunction, resulting in failure to intricately regulate neural circuit balance, is implicated in brain diseases such as Schizophrenia, Autism, and Epilepsy. During early development, GABAergic interneuron progenitors arise from the ventral telencephalic area such as medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) and caudal ganglionic eminence (CGE) by the actions of secreted signaling molecules from nearby organizers, and migrate to their target sites where they form local synaptic connections. In this study, using combinatorial and temporal modulation of developmentally relevant dorsoventral and rostrocaudal signaling pathways (SHH, Wnt, and FGF8), we efficiently generated MGE cells from multiple human pluripotent stem cells. Most importantly, modulation of FGF8/FGF19 signaling efficiently directed MGE versus CGE differentiation. Human MGE cells spontaneously differentiated into Lhx6-expressing GABAergic interneurons and showed migratory properties. These human MGE-derived neurons generated GABA, fired action potentials, and displayed robust GABAergic postsynaptic activity. Transplantation into rodent brains results in well-contained neural grafts enriched with GABAergic interneurons that migrate in the host and mature to express somatostatin or parvalbumin. Thus, we propose that signaling modulation recapitulating normal developmental patterns efficiently generate human GABAergic interneurons. This strategy represents a novel tool in regenerative medicine, developmental studies, disease modeling, bioassay, and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Gon Kim
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Program in Neuroscience, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
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150
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Park K, Nam Y, Choi Y. An agarose gel-based neurosphere culture system leads to enrichment of neuronal lineage cells in vitro. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2014; 51:455-62. [PMID: 25539864 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-014-9855-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell-based therapy holds great potential especially for neurological disorders. However, clinical applications await further understanding of many aspects of stem cell differentiation and development of technology enabling manipulation of stem cells into desired cell types in the central nervous system. Here, we developed a new method that leads to enrichment of neuronal lineage cells in neural stem cell cultures. The protocol involves cultivation of primary cells derived from the forebrains of rat E18 embryos above a layer of nonadhesive hard agarose gel in the form of neurospheres. In contrast to the neurospheres that were cultured above an anti-adhesive hydrogel layer, the primary cells that were cultured above a layer of agarose gel preferentially differentiated into β-III tubulin-positive neurons when allowed to undergo differentiation in vitro.In an effort to investigate the mechanism behind this observation, we found that the gene expression of a vertebrate neuronal determination gene (neurogenin1) was enhanced in the neurospheres that proliferated above a layer of agarose gel as compared with the control, and the gene expression level of neurogenin1 was quite well correlated with the rigidity of agarose gel. These results indicate that agarose gel can contribute, at least in part, to enrich neuronal progenitors and immature postmitotic neurons during neurosphere formation and may provide additional information to establish efficient protocols for the neural stem cell-based study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyuhee Park
- Gyeonggi Bio-Center, Gyeonggi Institute of Science and Technology Promotion, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 443-270, South Korea
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