1
|
Ogundipe V, Plukker J, Links T, Coppes R. Thyroid Gland Organoids: Current models and insights for application in tissue engineering. Tissue Eng Part A 2022; 28:500-510. [PMID: 35262402 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2021.0221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of treatment of thyroid disease and consequential hypothyroidism has been increasing over the past few years. To maintain adequate thyroid hormone levels, these patients require daily supplementation with levothyroxine (L-T4) for the rest of their lives. However, a large part of these patients experiences difficulties due to the medication, which causes a decrease in their quality of life. Regenerative medicine through tissue engineering could provide a potential therapy by establishing tissue engineering models, such as those employing thyroid-derived organoids. The development of such treatment options may replace the need for additional hormonal replacement therapy. This review aims to highlight the current knowledge on thyroid regenerative medicine using organoids for tissue engineering, and to discuss insights into potential methods to optimize thyroid engineering culture systems. Finally, we will describe several challenges faced when utilising these models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Ogundipe
- University Medical Centre Groningen, 10173, Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands;
| | - John Plukker
- University Medical Centre Groningen, 10173, Surgical Oncology, Groningen, Netherlands;
| | - Thera Links
- University Medical Centre Groningen, 10173, Endocrinology, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands;
| | - Rob Coppes
- University Medical Centre Groningen, 10173, Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Sytems, Groningen, Netherlands;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Faulkner-Jones A, Zamora V, Hortigon-Vinagre MP, Wang W, Ardron M, Smith GL, Shu W. A Bioprinted Heart-on-a-Chip with Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes for Drug Evaluation. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:bioengineering9010032. [PMID: 35049741 PMCID: PMC8773426 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we show that valve-based bioprinting induces no measurable detrimental effects on human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). The aim of the current study was three-fold: first, to assess the response of hiPSC-CMs to several hydrogel formulations by measuring electrophysiological function; second, to customise a new microvalve-based cell printing mechanism in order to deliver hiPSC-CMs suspensions, and third, to compare the traditional manual pipetting cell-culture method and cardiomyocytes dispensed with the bioprinter. To achieve the first and third objectives, iCell2 (Cellular Dynamics International) hiPSC-CMs were used. The effects of well-known drugs were tested on iCell2 cultured by manual pipetting and bioprinting. Despite the results showing that hydrogels and their cross-linkers significantly reduced the electrophysiological performance of the cells compared with those cultured on fibronectin, the bio-ink droplets containing a liquid suspension of live cardiomyocytes proved to be an alternative to standard manual handling and could reduce the number of cells required for drug testing, with no significant differences in drug-sensitivity between both approaches. These results provide a basis for the development of a novel bioprinter with nanolitre resolution to decrease the required number of cells and to automate the cell plating process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Faulkner-Jones
- Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK; (A.F.-J.); (W.W.)
| | - Victor Zamora
- Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de los Materiales, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain;
| | - Maria P. Hortigon-Vinagre
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-924-289-300 (ext. 89053)
| | - Wenxing Wang
- Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK; (A.F.-J.); (W.W.)
| | - Marcus Ardron
- Renishaw PLC, Research Avenue North, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK;
| | - Godfrey L. Smith
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK;
- Clyde Biosciences, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Wenmiao Shu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NW, UK;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Silva MC, Nandi G, Haggarty SJ. Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Cortical Neurons to Advance Precision Medicine. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2429:143-174. [PMID: 35507160 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1979-7_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A major obstacle in studying human central nervous system (CNS) diseases is inaccessibility to the affected tissue and cells. Even in limited cases where tissue is available through surgical interventions, differentiated neurons cannot be maintained for extended time frames, which is prohibitive for experimental repetition and scalability. Advances in methodologies for reprogramming human somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and directed differentiation of human neurons in culture now allow access to physiological and disease relevant cell types. In particular, patient iPSC-derived neurons represent unique ex vivo neuronal networks that allow investigating disease genetic and molecular pathways in physiologically accurate cellular microenvironments, importantly recapitulating molecular and cellular phenotypic aspects of disease. Generation of functional neural cells from iPSCs relies on manipulation of culture formats in the presence of specific factors that promote the conversion of pluripotent stem cells into neurons. To this end, several experimental protocols have been developed. Direct differentiation of stem cells into post-mitotic neurons is usually associated with low throughput, low yield, and high technical variability. Instead, methods relying on expansion of the intermediate neural progenitor cells (NPCs) show incredible potential for posterior generation of suitable neuronal cultures for cellular and biochemical assays, as well as drug screening. NPCs are expandable, self-renewable multipotent cells that can differentiate into astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and electrically active neurons. Here, we describe a protocol for generating iPSC-derived NPCs via formation of neural aggregates and selection of NPC precursor neural rosettes, followed by a simple and reproducible method for generating a mixed population of cortical-like neurons through growth factor withdrawal. Implementation of this protocol has the potential to advance the goals of precision medicine research for both neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Catarina Silva
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ghata Nandi
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Park Y, Chung TS, Lee G, Rogers JA. Materials Chemistry of Neural Interface Technologies and Recent Advances in Three-Dimensional Systems. Chem Rev 2021; 122:5277-5316. [PMID: 34739219 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Advances in materials chemistry and engineering serve as the basis for multifunctional neural interfaces that span length scales from individual neurons to neural networks, neural tissues, and complete neural systems. Such technologies exploit electrical, electrochemical, optical, and/or pharmacological modalities in sensing and neuromodulation for fundamental studies in neuroscience research, with additional potential to serve as routes for monitoring and treating neurodegenerative diseases and for rehabilitating patients. This review summarizes the essential role of chemistry in this field of research, with an emphasis on recently published results and developing trends. The focus is on enabling materials in diverse device constructs, including their latest utilization in 3D bioelectronic frameworks formed by 3D printing, self-folding, and mechanically guided assembly. A concluding section highlights key challenges and future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoonseok Park
- Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Ted S Chung
- Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Geumbee Lee
- Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - John A Rogers
- Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Al Naem M, Bourebaba L, Kucharczyk K, Röcken M, Marycz K. Therapeutic mesenchymal stromal stem cells: Isolation, characterization and role in equine regenerative medicine and metabolic disorders. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 16:301-322. [PMID: 31797146 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-019-09932-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have become a popular treatment modality in equine orthopaedics. Regenerative therapies are especially interesting for pathologies like complicated tendinopathies of the distal limb, osteoarthritis, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and more recently metabolic disorders. Main sources for MSC harvesting in the horse are bone marrow, adipose tissue and umbilical cord blood. While the acquisition of umbilical cord blood is fairly easy and non-invasive, extraction of bone marrow and adipose tissue requires more invasive techniques. Characterization of the stem cells as a result of any isolation method, is also a crucial step for the confirmation of the cells' stemness properties; thus, three main characteristics must be fulfilled by these cells, namely: adherence, expression of a series of well-defined differentiation clusters as well as pluripotency. EVs, resulting from the paracrine action of MSCs, also play a key role in the therapeutic mechanisms mediated by stem cells; MSC-EVs are thus largely implicated in the regulation of proliferation, maturation, polarization and migration of various target cells. Evidence that EVs alone represent a complex network 0involving different soluble factors and could then reflect biophysical characteristics of parent cells has fuelled the importance of developing highly specific techniques for their isolation and analysis. All these aspects related to the functional and technical understanding of MSCs will be discussed and summarized in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Al Naem
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Equine Clinic - Equine Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Lynda Bourebaba
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology and Animal Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 27B, 50-375, Wrocław, Poland.,International Institute of Translational Medicine, Jesionowa, 11, Malin, 55-114, Wisznia Mała, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kucharczyk
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology and Animal Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 27B, 50-375, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Michael Röcken
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Equine Clinic - Equine Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Krzysztof Marycz
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Equine Clinic - Equine Surgery, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392, Gießen, Germany. .,Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology and Animal Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 27B, 50-375, Wrocław, Poland. .,International Institute of Translational Medicine, Jesionowa, 11, Malin, 55-114, Wisznia Mała, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lee SJ, Lee HA. Trends in the development of human stem cell-based non-animal drug testing models. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 24:441-452. [PMID: 33093266 PMCID: PMC7585597 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2020.24.6.441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In vivo animal models are limited in their ability to mimic the extremely complex systems of the human body, and there is increasing disquiet about the ethics of animal research. Many authorities in different geographical areas are considering implementing a ban on animal testing, including testing for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Therefore, there is a need for research into systems that can replicate the responses of laboratory animals and simulate environments similar to the human body in a laboratory. An in vitro two-dimensional cell culture model is widely used, because such a system is relatively inexpensive, easy to implement, and can gather considerable amounts of reference data. However, these models lack a real physiological extracellular environment. Recent advances in stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and microfabrication techniques have facilitated the development of various 3D cell culture models. These include multicellular spheroids, organoids, and organs-on-chips, each of which has its own advantages and limitations. Organoids are organ-specific cell clusters created by aggregating cells derived from pluripotent, adult, and cancer stem cells. Patient-derived organoids can be used as models of human disease in a culture dish. Biomimetic organ chips are models that replicate the physiological and mechanical functions of human organs. Many organoids and organ-on-a-chips have been developed for drug screening and testing, so competition for patents between countries is also intensifying. We analyzed the scientific and technological trends underlying these cutting-edge models, which are developed for use as non-animal models for testing safety and efficacy at the nonclinical stages of drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Su-Jin Lee
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Korea
| | - Hyang-Ae Lee
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Silva MC, Haggarty SJ. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived models and drug screening in CNS precision medicine. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1471:18-56. [PMID: 30875083 PMCID: PMC8193821 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Development of effective therapeutics for neurological disorders has historically been challenging partly because of lack of accurate model systems in which to investigate disease etiology and test new therapeutics at the preclinical stage. Human stem cells, particularly patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) upon differentiation, have the ability to recapitulate aspects of disease pathophysiology and are increasingly recognized as robust scalable systems for drug discovery. We review advances in deriving cellular models of human central nervous system (CNS) disorders using iPSCs along with strategies for investigating disease-relevant phenotypes, translatable biomarkers, and therapeutic targets. Given their potential to identify novel therapeutic targets and leads, we focus on phenotype-based, small-molecule screens employing human stem cell-derived models. Integrated efforts to assemble patient iPSC-derived cell models with deeply annotated clinicopathological data, along with molecular and drug-response signatures, may aid in the stratification of patients, diagnostics, and clinical trial success, shifting translational science and precision medicine approaches. A number of remaining challenges, including the optimization of cost-effective, large-scale culture of iPSC-derived cell types, incorporation of aging into neuronal models, as well as robustness and automation of phenotypic assays to support quantitative drug efficacy, toxicity, and metabolism testing workflows, are covered. Continued advancement of the field is expected to help fully humanize the process of CNS drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. Catarina Silva
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
| | - Stephen J. Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate induces apoptosis via the PPARγ/PTEN/AKT pathway in differentiated human embryonic stem cells. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 131:110552. [PMID: 31163220 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.05.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
[OBJECTIVE]: Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a widely used plasticizer, may act as an endocrine disruptor and cause developmental toxicity. Differentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were used to investigate the underlying mechanism of the embryotoxicity induced by DEHP. [Materials and Methods] H9-hESCs were treated with DEHP at different concentrations for 10 days, and the cytotoxicity of DEHP on cell proliferation was determined using a cell-microelectronic sensing technique (Real-Time Cellular Analysis: RTCA). Based on the 50% inhibitory proliferation concentration (IC50), differentiated H9-hESCs were treated with DEHP at 0, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml for 120 h, followed by measurement of its toxic effects on the transcriptome by mRNA microarray and QuantiGene Plex (QGP). Proteins were detected by the iTRAQ-based proteomics method and the proteins related to the PPARγ/PTEN/Akt pathways were measured by western blotting. The progression of the cell cycle and apoptosis were characterized using flow cytometry (FCM). In other experiments, hESCs were pre-treated with GW9662 (20 μM), a specific PPARγ inhibitor, for 30 min, followed by exposure to GW9662 (20 μM) and DEHP (200 μg/ml) for 120 h to observe the underlying mechanism of DEHP's embryotoxicity. [RESULTS]: DEHP inhibited H9-hESC cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 165.78 μg/ml. FCM results showed that DEHP could markedly induce cell cycle arrest and increase apoptosis. Gene microarray and QPG array analyses indicated that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) was an apparent target for DEHP. We further demonstrated that DEHP could activate the PPARγ and upregulate the expression of PTEN downstream genes, and then play a negative role in the AKT signaling pathway. Cells pretreated with PPARγ inhibitor, GW9662, were shown to restore the effect of DEHP on the PPARγ/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway, and induce the recovery of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. [CONCLUSION]: DEHP inhibited cell proliferation, promoted cell cycle arrest, and induced apoptosis through the PPARγ/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway in differentiated human embryonic stem cells. It suggested that DEHP exposure possibly cause reproductive or developmental toxicity in humans through the PPARγ signaling pathway.
Collapse
|
9
|
In vitro differentiation of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells into functioning hepatocytes. ALEXANDRIA JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajme.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
|
10
|
Suga M, Furue MK. Neural Crest Cell Models of Development and Toxicity: Cytotoxicity Assay Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cranial Neural Crest Cell Model. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1965:35-48. [PMID: 31069667 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9182-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Cranial neural crest cells (NCCs) migrate to the branchial arches and give rise to the majority of cranial mesenchyme that eventually differentiates into odontoblasts, cartilage, craniofacial bone, and connective tissue; a subset of these cells differentiate into cranial ganglia. Here we present a protocol that describes directed differentiation method of human pluripotent stem cells into cranial NCC-like cells and a cytotoxicity assay using hPSC-derived cranial NCC-like cells. This cell-based assay system allows for high-sensitive cytotoxicity detection of test chemicals. These methods can be applied to predict drug/chemical toxicity effect on early craniofacial development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mika Suga
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Cultures, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Miho K Furue
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Cultures, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Ibaraki, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abd Al Samid M, McPhee JS, Saini J, McKay TR, Fitzpatrick LM, Mamchaoui K, Bigot A, Mouly V, Butler-Browne G, Al-Shanti N. A functional human motor unit platform engineered from human embryonic stem cells and immortalized skeletal myoblasts. STEM CELLS AND CLONING-ADVANCES AND APPLICATIONS 2018; 11:85-93. [PMID: 30519053 PMCID: PMC6233953 DOI: 10.2147/sccaa.s178562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Although considerable research on neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) has been conducted, the prospect of in vivo NMJ studies is limited and these studies are challenging to implement. Therefore, there is a clear unmet need to develop a feasible, robust, and physiologically relevant in vitro NMJ model. Objective We aimed to establish a novel functional human NMJs platform, which is serum and neural complex media/neural growth factor-free, using human immortalized myoblasts and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) that can be used to understand the mechanisms of NMJ development and degeneration. Methods Immortalized human myoblasts were co-cultured with hESCs derived committed NPCs. Over the course of the 7 days myoblasts differentiated into myotubes and NPCs differentiated into motor neurons. Results Neuronal axon sprouting branched to form multiple NMJ innervation sites along the myotubes and the myotubes showed extensive, spontaneous contractile activity. Choline acetyltransferase and βIII-tubulin immunostaining confirmed that the NPCs had matured into cholinergic motor neurons. Postsynaptic site of NMJs was further characterized by staining dihydropyridine receptors, ryanodine receptors, and acetylcholine receptors by α-bungarotoxin. Conclusion We established a functional human motor unit platform for in vitro investigations. Thus, this co-culture system can be used as a novel platform for 1) drug discovery in the treatment of neuromuscular disorders, 2) deciphering vital features of NMJ formation, regulation, maintenance, and repair, and 3) exploring neuromuscular diseases, age-associated degeneration of the NMJ, muscle aging, and diabetic neuropathy and myopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marwah Abd Al Samid
- Healthcare Science Research Institute, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
| | - Jamie S McPhee
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Jasdeep Saini
- Healthcare Science Research Institute, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
| | - Tristan R McKay
- Healthcare Science Research Institute, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
| | - Lorna M Fitzpatrick
- Healthcare Science Research Institute, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
| | - Kamel Mamchaoui
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université-INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Anne Bigot
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université-INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université-INSERM, Paris, France
| | | | - Nasser Al-Shanti
- Healthcare Science Research Institute, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Al Samid MA, Al-Shanti N, Odeh M. Motor Neuron-Skeletal Muscle Co Culture Model: A Potential Novel in Vitro and Computaional Platform to Investigate Cancer Cachexia. 2018 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CANCER CARE INFORMATICS (CCI) 2018. [DOI: 10.1109/cancercare.2018.8618261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
|
13
|
Ekerdt BL, Fuentes CM, Lei Y, Adil MM, Ramasubramanian A, Segalman RA, Schaffer DV. Thermoreversible Hyaluronic Acid-PNIPAAm Hydrogel Systems for 3D Stem Cell Culture. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1800225. [PMID: 29717823 PMCID: PMC6289514 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201800225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offer considerable potential for biomedical applications including drug screening and cell replacement therapies. Clinical translation of hPSCs requires large quantities of high quality cells, so scalable methods for cell culture are needed. However, current methods are limited by scalability, the use of animal-derived components, and/or low expansion rates. A thermoresponsive 3D hydrogel for scalable hPSC expansion and differentiation into several defined lineages is recently reported. This system would benefit from increased control over material properties to further tune hPSC behavior, and here a scalable 3D biomaterial with the capacity to tune both the chemical and the mechanical properties is demonstrated to promote hPSC expansion under defined conditions. This 3D biomaterial, comprised of hyaluronic acid and poly(N-isopropolyacrylamide), has thermoresponsive properties that readily enable mixing with cells at low temperatures, physical encapsulation within the hydrogel upon elevation at 37 °C, and cell recovery upon cooling and reliquefaction. After optimization, the resulting biomaterial supports hPSC expansion over long cell culture periods while maintaining cell pluripotency. The capacity to modulate the mechanical and chemical properties of the hydrogel provides a new avenue to expand hPSCs for future therapeutic application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara L. Ekerdt
- Department of Chemical and Biolomolecular Engineering, 274 Stanley Hall University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA,
| | - Christina M. Fuentes
- Department of Bioengineering, 274 Stanley Hall University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA,
| | - Yuguo Lei
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 207 Othmer, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Maroof M. Adil
- Department of Chemical and Biolomolecular Engineering, 274 Stanley Hall University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA,
| | - Anusuya Ramasubramanian
- Department of Bioengineering, 274 Stanley Hall University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA,
| | - Rachel A. Segalman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, 3333 Engineering IIUniversity of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - David V. Schaffer
- Department of Chemical and Biolomolecular Engineering, 274 Stanley Hall University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA,
- Department of Bioengineering, 274 Stanley Hall University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA,
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, 274 Stanley Hall University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA,
- The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, 274 Stanley Hall University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA,
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ghosheh N, Küppers-Munther B, Asplund A, Edsbagge J, Ulfenborg B, Andersson TB, Björquist P, Andersson CX, Carén H, Simonsson S, Sartipy P, Synnergren J. Comparative transcriptomics of hepatic differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells and adult human liver tissue. Physiol Genomics 2017; 49:430-446. [DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00007.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC-HEP) have the potential to replace presently used hepatocyte sources applied in liver disease treatment and models of drug discovery and development. Established hepatocyte differentiation protocols are effective and generate hepatocytes, which recapitulate some key features of their in vivo counterparts. However, generating mature hPSC-HEP remains a challenge. In this study, we applied transcriptomics to investigate the progress of in vitro hepatic differentiation of hPSCs at the developmental stages, definitive endoderm, hepatoblasts, early hPSC-HEP, and mature hPSC-HEP, to identify functional targets that enhance efficient hepatocyte differentiation. Using functional annotation, pathway and protein interaction network analyses, we observed the grouping of differentially expressed genes in specific clusters representing typical developmental stages of hepatic differentiation. In addition, we identified hub proteins and modules that were involved in the cell cycle process at early differentiation stages. We also identified hub proteins that differed in expression levels between hPSC-HEP and the liver tissue controls. Moreover, we identified a module of genes that were expressed at higher levels in the liver tissue samples than in the hPSC-HEP. Considering that hub proteins and modules generally are essential and have important roles in the protein-protein interactions, further investigation of these genes and their regulators may contribute to a better understanding of the differentiation process. This may suggest novel target pathways and molecules for improvement of hPSC-HEP functionality, having the potential to finally bring this technology to a wider use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nidal Ghosheh
- School of Bioscience, Systems Biology Research Center, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Transfusion Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Benjamin Ulfenborg
- School of Bioscience, Systems Biology Research Center, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Tommy B. Andersson
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section of Pharmacogenetics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Helena Carén
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; and
| | - Stina Simonsson
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Transfusion Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter Sartipy
- School of Bioscience, Systems Biology Research Center, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
- AstraZeneca Research and Development, Global Medicines Development Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Global Medicines Development Unit, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Jane Synnergren
- School of Bioscience, Systems Biology Research Center, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Huang H, Yu Y, Hu Y, He X, Usta OB, Yarmush ML. Generation and manipulation of hydrogel microcapsules by droplet-based microfluidics for mammalian cell culture. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:1913-1932. [PMID: 28509918 PMCID: PMC5548188 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00262a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogel microcapsules provide miniaturized and biocompatible niches for three-dimensional (3D) in vitro cell culture. They can be easily generated by droplet-based microfluidics with tunable size, morphology, and biochemical properties. Therefore, microfluidic generation and manipulation of cell-laden microcapsules can be used for 3D cell culture to mimic the in vivo environment towards applications in tissue engineering and high throughput drug screening. In this review of recent advances mainly since 2010, we will first introduce general characteristics of droplet-based microfluidic devices for cell encapsulation with an emphasis on the fluid dynamics of droplet breakup and internal mixing as they directly influence microcapsule's size and structure. We will then discuss two on-chip manipulation strategies: sorting and extraction from oil into aqueous phase, which can be integrated into droplet-based microfluidics and significantly improve the qualities of cell-laden hydrogel microcapsules. Finally, we will review various applications of hydrogel microencapsulation for 3D in vitro culture on cell growth and proliferation, stem cell differentiation, tissue development, and co-culture of different types of cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haishui Huang
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital,
Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
02114, United States
| | - Yin Yu
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital,
Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
02114, United States
| | - Yong Hu
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital,
Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
02114, United States
| | - Xiaoming He
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University,
Columbus, USA
| | - O. Berk Usta
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital,
Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
02114, United States
| | - Martin L. Yarmush
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital,
Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
02114, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University,
Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Mesenchymal Stem and Progenitor Cells in Regeneration: Tissue Specificity and Regenerative Potential. Stem Cells Int 2017; 2017:5173732. [PMID: 28286525 PMCID: PMC5327785 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5173732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
It has always been an ambitious goal in medicine to repair or replace morbid tissues for regaining the organ functionality. This challenge has recently gained momentum through considerable progress in understanding the biological concept of the regenerative potential of stem cells. Routine therapeutic procedures are about to shift towards the use of biological and molecular armamentarium. The potential use of embryonic stem cells and invention of induced pluripotent stem cells raised hope for clinical regenerative purposes; however, the use of these interventions for regenerative therapy showed its dark side, as many health concerns and ethical issues arose in terms of using these cells in clinical applications. In this regard, adult stem cells climbed up to the top list of regenerative tools and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) showed promise for regenerative cell therapy with a rather limited level of risk. MSC have been successfully isolated from various human tissues and they have been shown to offer the possibility to establish novel therapeutic interventions for a variety of hard-to-noncurable diseases. There have been many elegant studies investigating the impact of MSC in regenerative medicine. This review provides compact information on the role of stem cells, in particular, MSC in regeneration.
Collapse
|
17
|
Shroff G, Vatsa D. Cell Viability of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Stored for a Period of 9 Years. EXP CLIN TRANSPLANT 2016; 15:344-349. [PMID: 27938317 DOI: 10.6002/ect.2016.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Human embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cell lines usually derived from human blastocysts. Their potential critically depends on long-term proliferative capacity, developmental potential after prolonged culture, and karyotypic stability. Cell viability is an important parameter for assessing cell sample quality. Here, we elaborate the stored human embryonic stem cell lines' viability in a ready to use form for a period of 9 years (from 2007 to 2015). MATERIALS AND METHODS Spare pre implantation stage in vitro fertilized ovum-derived cell lines were cultured in suitable media. Thereafter, they were centrifuged at 1000 revolutions/min over 5 minutes, and pellets were suspended in normal saline. Next, they were tested for viability from storage at -20°C. After being allowed to thaw slowly, the cells were stained with propidium iodide and analyzed using flow cytometry. Images of cells were taken at ×40 and ×100 magnification. RESULTS At ×100 magnification, cell population size ranged from 0.2 to 2 μm. The percentage of live cells was more than 95% throughout the 9 years. Cells frozen in 2015 showed cell viability of 96.8%. CONCLUSIONS We observed high cell viability in our cell lines for 9 years. Human embryonic stem cell lines in a ready-to-use form can be preserved for long-term purposes. Thus, they could be made available globally.
Collapse
|
18
|
High Content Analysis of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Hepatocytes Reveals Drug Induced Steatosis and Phospholipidosis. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:2475631. [PMID: 26880940 PMCID: PMC4736406 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2475631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatotoxicity is one of the most cited reasons for withdrawal of approved drugs from the market. The use of nonclinically relevant in vitro and in vivo testing systems contributes to the high attrition rates. Recent advances in differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into pure cultures of hepatocyte-like cells expressing functional drug metabolizing enzymes open up possibilities for novel, more relevant human cell based toxicity models. The present study aimed to investigate the use of hiPSC derived hepatocytes for conducting mechanistic toxicity testing by image based high content analysis (HCA). The hiPSC derived hepatocytes were exposed to drugs known to cause hepatotoxicity through steatosis and phospholipidosis, measuring several endpoints representing different mechanisms involved in drug induced hepatotoxicity. The hiPSC derived hepatocytes were benchmarked to the HepG2 cell line and generated robust HCA data with low imprecision between plates and batches. The different parameters measured were detected at subcytotoxic concentrations and the order of which the compounds were categorized (as severe, moderate, mild, or nontoxic) based on the degree of injury at isomolar concentration corresponded to previously published data. Taken together, the present study shows how hiPSC derived hepatocytes can be used as a platform for screening drug induced hepatotoxicity by HCA.
Collapse
|
19
|
Faulkner-Jones A, Fyfe C, Cornelissen DJ, Gardner J, King J, Courtney A, Shu W. Bioprinting of human pluripotent stem cells and their directed differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells for the generation of mini-livers in 3D. Biofabrication 2015; 7:044102. [DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/7/4/044102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 300] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
20
|
Wang W, Lee Y, Lee CH. Effects of nitric oxide on stem cell therapy. Biotechnol Adv 2015; 33:1685-96. [PMID: 26394194 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The use of stem cells as a research tool and a therapeutic vehicle has demonstrated their great potential in the treatment of various diseases. With unveiling of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) universally present at various levels in nearly all types of body tissues, the potential therapeutic implication of nitric oxide (NO) has been magnified, and thus scientists have explored new treatment strategies involved with stem cells and NO against various diseases. As the functionality of NO encompasses cardiovascular, neuronal and immune systems, NO is involved in stem cell differentiation, epigenetic regulation and immune suppression. Stem cells trigger cellular responses to external signals on the basis of both NO specific pathways and concerted action with endogenous compounds including stem cell regulators. As potency and interaction of NO with stem cells generally depend on the concentrations of NO and the presence of the cofactors at the active site, the suitable carriers for NO delivery is integral for exerting maximal efficacy of stem cells. The innovative utilization of NO functionality and involved mechanisms would invariably alter the paradigm of therapeutic application of stem cells. Future prospects in NO-involved stem cell research which promises to enhance drug discovery efforts by opening new era to improve drug efficacy, reduce drug toxicity and understand disease mechanisms and pathways, were also addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wuchen Wang
- School of Pharmacy University of Missouri, Kansas City, USA
| | - Yugyung Lee
- School of Computing and Engineering, University of Missouri, Kansas City, USA
| | - Chi H Lee
- School of Pharmacy University of Missouri, Kansas City, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Neural Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells for Nontherapeutic Applications: Toxicology, Pharmacology, and In Vitro Disease Modeling. Stem Cells Int 2015; 2015:105172. [PMID: 26089911 PMCID: PMC4454762 DOI: 10.1155/2015/105172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) derived from either blastocyst stage embryos (hESCs) or reprogrammed somatic cells (iPSCs) can provide an abundant source of human neuronal lineages that were previously sourced from human cadavers, abortuses, and discarded surgical waste. In addition to the well-known potential therapeutic application of these cells in regenerative medicine, these are also various promising nontherapeutic applications in toxicological and pharmacological screening of neuroactive compounds, as well as for in vitro modeling of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Compared to alternative research models based on laboratory animals and immortalized cancer-derived human neural cell lines, neuronal cells differentiated from hPSCs possess the advantages of species specificity together with genetic and physiological normality, which could more closely recapitulate in vivo conditions within the human central nervous system. This review critically examines the various potential nontherapeutic applications of hPSC-derived neuronal lineages and gives a brief overview of differentiation protocols utilized to generate these cells from hESCs and iPSCs.
Collapse
|
22
|
Assessment of different sample preparation routes for mass spectrometric monitoring and imaging of lipids in bone cells via ToF-SIMS. Biointerphases 2015; 10:019016. [PMID: 25791294 DOI: 10.1116/1.4915263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In ToF-SIMS analysis, the experimental outcome from cell experiments is to a great extent influenced by the sample preparation routine. In order to better judge this critical influence in the case of lipid analysis, a detailed comparison of different sample preparation routines is performed-aiming at an optimized preparation routine for systematic lipid imaging of cell cultures. For this purpose, human mesenchymal stem cells were analyzed: (a) as chemically fixed, (b) freeze-dried, and (c) frozen-hydrated. For chemical fixation, different fixatives, i.e., glutaraldehyde, paraformaldehyde, and a mixture of both, were tested with different postfixative handling procedures like storage in phosphate buffered saline, water or critical point drying. Furthermore, secondary lipid fixation via osmium tetroxide was taken into account and the effect of an ascending alcohol series with and without this secondary lipid fixation was evaluated. Concerning freeze-drying, three different postprocessing possibilities were examined. One can be considered as a pure cryofixation technique while the other two routes were based on chemical fixation. Cryofixation methods known from literature, i.e., freeze-fracturing and simple frozen-hydrated preparation, were also evaluated to complete the comparison of sample preparation techniques. Subsequent data evaluation of SIMS spectra in both, positive and negative, ion mode was performed via principal component analysis by use of peak sets representative for lipids. For freeze-fracturing, these experiments revealed poor reproducibility making this preparation route unsuitable for systematic investigations and statistic data evaluation. Freeze-drying after cryofixation showed improved reproducibility and well preserved lipid contents while the other freeze-drying procedures showed drawbacks in one of these criteria. In comparison, chemical fixation techniques via glutar- and/or paraformaldehyde proved most suitable in terms of reproducibility and preserved lipid contents, while alcohol and osmium treatment led to the extraction of lipids and are therefore not recommended.
Collapse
|
23
|
Smith AST, Long CJ, McAleer C, Guo X, Esch M, Prot JM, Shuler ML, Hickman JJ. ‘Body-on-a-Chip’ Technology and Supporting Microfluidics. HUMAN-BASED SYSTEMS FOR TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/9781782620136-00132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
In order to effectively streamline current drug development protocols, there is a need to generate high information content preclinical screens capable of generating data with a predictive power in relation to the activity of novel therapeutics in humans. Given the poor predictive power of animal models, and the lack of complexity and interconnectivity of standard in vitro culture methodologies, many investigators are now moving toward the development of physiologically and functionally accurate culture platforms composed of human cells to investigate cellular responses to drug compounds in high-throughput preclinical studies. The generation of complex, multi-organ in vitro platforms, built to recapitulate physiological dimensions, flow rates and shear stresses, is being investigated as the logical extension of this drive. Production and application of a biologically accurate multi-organ platform, or ‘body-on-a-chip’, would facilitate the correct modelling of the dynamic and interconnected state of living systems for high-throughput drug studies as well as basic and applied biomolecular research. This chapter will discuss current technologies aimed at producing ‘body-on-a-chip’ models, as well as highlighting recent advances and important challenges still to be met in the development of biomimetic single-organ systems for drug development purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A. S. T. Smith
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32826 USA
| | - C. J. Long
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32826 USA
| | - C. McAleer
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32826 USA
| | - X. Guo
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32826 USA
| | - M. Esch
- Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
| | - J. M. Prot
- Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
| | - M. L. Shuler
- Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
| | - J. J. Hickman
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32826 USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Mournetas V, Nunes QM, Murray PA, Sanderson CM, Fernig DG. Network based meta-analysis prediction of microenvironmental relays involved in stemness of human embryonic stem cells. PeerJ 2014; 2:e618. [PMID: 25374775 PMCID: PMC4217173 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass of in vitro fertilised blastocysts, which can either be maintained in an undifferentiated state or committed into lineages under determined culture conditions. These cells offer great potential for regenerative medicine, but at present, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate hESC stemness; in particular, the role of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions remain relatively unexplored. Methods and Results. In this study we have performed an in silico analysis of cell-microenvironment interactions to identify novel proteins that may be responsible for the maintenance of hESC stemness. A hESC transcriptome of 8,934 mRNAs was assembled using a meta-analysis approach combining the analysis of microarrays and the use of databases for annotation. The STRING database was utilised to construct a protein-protein interaction network focused on extracellular and transcription factor components contained within the assembled transcriptome. This interactome was structurally studied and filtered to identify a short list of 92 candidate proteins, which may regulate hESC stemness. Conclusion. We hypothesise that this list of proteins, either connecting extracellular components with transcriptional networks, or with hub or bottleneck properties, may contain proteins likely to be involved in determining stemness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Mournetas
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool , Liverpool , United Kingdom ; Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool , Liverpool , United Kingdom
| | - Quentin M Nunes
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool , Liverpool , United Kingdom ; NIHR Liverpool Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool , Liverpool , United Kingdom
| | - Patricia A Murray
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool , Liverpool , United Kingdom
| | - Christopher M Sanderson
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool , Liverpool , United Kingdom
| | - David G Fernig
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool , Liverpool , United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Hong EJ, Jeung EB. Assessment of Developmental Toxicants using Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Toxicol Res 2014; 29:221-7. [PMID: 24578791 PMCID: PMC3936173 DOI: 10.5487/tr.2013.29.4.221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Revised: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) cells have potential for use in evaluation of developmental toxicity because they are generated in large numbers and differentiate into three germ layers following formation of embryoid bodies (EBs). In earlier study, embryonic stem cell test (EST) was established for assessment of the embryotoxic potential of compounds. Using EBs indicating the onset of differentiation of mouse ES cells, many toxicologists have refined the developmental toxicity of a variety of compounds. However, due to some limitation of the EST method resulting from species-specific differences between humans and mouse, it is an incomplete approach. In this regard, we examined the effects of several developmental toxic chemicals on formation of EBs using human ES cells. Although human ES cells are fastidious in culture and differentiation, we concluded that the relevancy of our experimental method is more accurate than that of EST using mouse ES cells. These types of studies could extend our understanding of how human ES cells could be used for monitoring developmental toxicity and its relevance in relation to its differentiation progress. In addition, this concept will be used as a model system for screening for developmental toxicity of various chemicals. This article might update new information about the usage of embryonic stem cells in the context of their possible ability in the toxicological fields.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eui-Ju Hong
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Eui-Bae Jeung
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Darkins CL, Mandenius CF. Design of large-scale manufacturing of induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes. Chem Eng Res Des 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2013.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
27
|
Jung EM, Choi YU, Kang HS, Yang H, Hong EJ, An BS, Yang JY, Choi KH, Jeung EB. Evaluation of developmental toxicity using undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. J Appl Toxicol 2014; 35:205-18. [PMID: 24737281 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Revised: 02/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
An embryonic stem cell test (EST) has been developed to evaluate the embryotoxic potential of chemicals with an in vitro system. In the present study, novel methods to screen toxic chemicals during the developmental process were evaluated using undifferentiated human embryonic stem (hES) cells. By using surface marker antigens (SSEA-4, TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81), we confirmed undifferentiated conditions of the used hES cells by immunocytochemistry. We assessed the developmental toxicity of embryotoxic chemicals, 5-fluorouracil, indomethacin and non-embryotoxic penicillin G in different concentrations for up to 7 days. While expressions of the surface markers were not significantly affected, the embryotoxic chemicals influenced their response to pluripotent ES cell markers, such as OCT-4, NANOG, endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB), secreted frizzled related protein 2 (SFRP2), teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor 1 (TDGF1), and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Most of the pluripotent ES cell markers were down-regulated in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with embryotoxic chemicals. After treatment with 5-fluorouracil, indomethacin and penicillin G, we observed a remarkable convergence in the degree of up-regulation of development, cell cycle and apoptosis-related genes by gene expression profiles using an Affymetrix GeneChips. Taken together, these results suggest that embryotoxic chemicals have cytotoxic effects, and modulate the expression of ES cell markers as well as development-, cell cycle- and apoptosis-related genes that have pivotal roles in undifferentiated hES cells. Therefore, we suggest that hES cells may be useful for testing the toxic effects of chemicals that could impact the embryonic developmental stage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eui-Man Jung
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 361-763, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kopras E, Potluri V, Bermudez ML, Williams K, Belcher S, Kasper S. Actions of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on stem/progenitor cells during development and disease. Endocr Relat Cancer 2014; 21:T1-12. [PMID: 24280134 PMCID: PMC11037424 DOI: 10.1530/erc-13-0360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Development and fate of the stem cell are regulated by extrinsic signals from the environment. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals which perturb hormonal signaling in utero and during early childhood may cause deregulation of multiple developmental processes, ranging from breakdown of stem cell niche architecture, developmental reprograming and altered stem cell fate to impaired organ and gonad development and sexual differentiation. Therefore, study of the environmental effects on stem cell integrity and normal development is a new and emerging focus for developmental biologists and cell toxicologists. When combined with new human and mouse stem cell-based models, stem cell differentiation dynamics can be studied in more biologically relevant ways. In this study, we review the current status of our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which endocrine disruptors alter embryonic stem cell and adult stem/progenitor cell fate, organ development, cancer stem cell activity, and tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Kopras
- Department of Environmental Heath, University of Cincinnati, 3223 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0056, USA Department of Pharmacology and Cell Biophysics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0575, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Kinney MA, Saeed R, McDevitt TC. Mesenchymal morphogenesis of embryonic stem cells dynamically modulates the biophysical microtissue niche. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4290. [PMID: 24598818 PMCID: PMC3944369 DOI: 10.1038/srep04290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell fate and function are dynamically modulated by the interdependent relationships between biochemical and biophysical signals constituting the local 3D microenvironment. While approaches to recapitulate the stem cell niche have been explored for directing stem cell differentiation, a quantitative relationship between embryonic stem cell (ESC) morphogenesis and intrinsic biophysical cues within three-dimensional microtissues has not been established. In this study, we demonstrate that mesenchymal embryonic microtissues induced by BMP4 exhibited increased stiffness and viscosity accompanying differentiation, with cytoskeletal tension significantly contributing to multicellular stiffness. Perturbation of the cytoskeleton during ESC differentiation led to modulation of the biomechanical and gene expression profiles, with the resulting cell phenotype and biophysical properties being highly correlated by multivariate analyses. Together, this study elucidates the dynamics of biophysical and biochemical signatures within embryonic microenvironments, with broad implications for monitoring tissue dynamics, modeling pathophysiological and embryonic morphogenesis and directing stem cell patterning and differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Kinney
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rabbia Saeed
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Todd C McDevitt
- 1] The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA [2] The Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Subramanian K, Owens DJ, Raju R, Firpo M, O'Brien TD, Verfaillie CM, Hu WS. Spheroid culture for enhanced differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to hepatocyte-like cells. Stem Cells Dev 2013; 23:124-31. [PMID: 24020366 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2013.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells hold great potential for the treatment of liver disease and for drug toxicity screening. The success of these applications hinges on the generation of differentiated cells with high liver specific activities. Many protocols have been developed to guide human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to differentiate to the hepatic lineage. Here we report cultivation of hESCs as three-dimensional aggregates that enhances their differentiation to hepatocyte-like cells. Differentiation was first carried out in monolayer culture for 20 days. Subsequently cells were allowed to self-aggregate into spheroids. Significantly higher expression of liver-specific transcripts and proteins, including Albumin, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 was observed. The differentiated phenotype was sustained for more than 2 weeks in the three-dimensional spheroid culture system, significantly longer than in monolayer culture. Cells in spheroids exhibit morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of primary hepatocytes by scanning and transmission electron microscopy in addition to mature functions, such as biliary excretion of metabolic products and cytochrome P450 activities. This three-dimensional spheroid culture system may be appropriate for generating high quality, functional hepatocyte-like cells from ESCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kartik Subramanian
- 1 Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Enhancing stem cell survival in vivo for tissue repair. Biotechnol Adv 2013; 31:736-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2012.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2012] [Revised: 11/01/2012] [Accepted: 11/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
32
|
Abstract
Regenerative Medicine (RM) has the promise to revolutionize the treatment of many debilitating diseases for which the current therapies are inadequate. To realize the full potential of RM, a pragmatic approach needs to be taken by all stakeholders keeping in mind the lessons learnt from recombinant protein manufacturing, gene therapy trials, etc., to develop novel service delivery models for economic viability and regulatory processes in the absence of long-term data. In this chapter, we focus on the three main drivers of RM field and discuss the potential pitfalls and possible ways to mitigate them in order to move the field closer to clinical implementation.
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
Human somatic cells can be reprogrammed to the pluripotent state to become human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC). This reprogramming is achieved by activating signaling pathways that are expressed during early development. These pathways can be induced by ectopic expression of four transcription factors-Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc. Although there are many ways to deliver these transcription factors into the somatic cells, this chapter will provide protocols that can be used to generate hiPSC from lentiviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Moore
- Rutgers NIMH Stem Cell Center and Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Nelson Biological Laboratory, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ellerström C, Strehl R, Hyllner J. Labeled stem cells as disease models and in drug discovery. Methods Mol Biol 2013; 997:239-51. [PMID: 23546761 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-348-0_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells provide unique possibilities for in vitro studies of human cells in basic research, disease modeling as well as in industrial applications. By introducing relevant genome engineering technology, and thereby creating, for example, reporter cell lines, one will facilitate and improve safety pharmacology, toxicity testing, and can help the scientists to better understand pathological processes in humans. This review discusses how the merger of these two fields, human pluripotent stem cells and genome engineering, form extremely powerful tools and how they have been implemented already within the scientific community. In sharp contrast to immortalized human cell lines, which are both easy to expand and very simple to transfect, the genetically modified pluripotent stem cell line can be directed to a specific cell lineage and provide the user with highly relevant information. We highlight some of the challenges the field had to solve and how new technology advancements has removed the early bottlenecks.
Collapse
|
35
|
Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Regen Med 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-5690-8_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
|
36
|
Desbordes SC, Studer L. Adapting human pluripotent stem cells to high-throughput and high-content screening. Nat Protoc 2012; 8:111-30. [DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2012.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
37
|
Emerging strategies for spatiotemporal control of stem cell fate and morphogenesis. Trends Biotechnol 2012; 31:78-84. [PMID: 23219200 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2012.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2012] [Revised: 11/05/2012] [Accepted: 11/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell differentiation is regulated by the complex interplay of multiple parameters, including adhesive intercellular interactions, cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix remodeling, and gradients of agonists and antagonists that individually and collectively vary as a function of spatial locale and temporal stages of development. Current approaches to direct stem cell differentiation focus on systematically understanding the relative influences of microenvironmental perturbations and simultaneously engineering platforms aimed at recapitulating physicochemical aspects of tissue morphogenesis. This review focuses on novel approaches to control the spatiotemporal dynamics of stem cell signaling and morphogenic remodeling to direct the differentiation of stem cells and develop functional tissues for in vitro screening and regenerative medicine technologies.
Collapse
|
38
|
Mandenius CF. Biomechatronics for designing bioprocess monitoring and control systems: Application to stem cell production. J Biotechnol 2012; 162:430-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2012.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2012] [Revised: 07/23/2012] [Accepted: 09/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
39
|
Abstract
Ion channels are targets of many therapeutically useful agents, and worldwide sales of ion channel-targeted drugs are estimated to be approximately US$12 billion. Nevertheless, considering that over 400 genes encoding ion channel subunits have been identified, ion channels remain significantly under-exploited as therapeutic targets. This is at least partly due to limitations in high-throughput assay technologies that support screening and lead optimization. Will the recent developments in automated electrophysiology rectify this situation? What are the other major limitations and can they be overcome? In this article, we review the status of ion channel drug discovery, discuss current challenges and propose alternative approaches that may facilitate the discovery of new drugs in the future.
Collapse
|
40
|
Malpique R, Tostões R, Beier AFJ, Serra M, Brito C, Schulz JC, Björquist P, Zimmermann H, Alves PM. Surface-based cryopreservation strategies for human embryonic stem cells: a comparative study. Biotechnol Prog 2012; 28:1079-87. [PMID: 22718690 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.1572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2012] [Revised: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) hold tremendous potential in the emerging fields of gene and cell therapy as well as in basic scientific research. One of the major challenges regarding their application is the development of efficient cryopreservation protocols for hESC since current methods present poor recovery rates and/or technical difficulties which impair the development of effective processes that can handle bulk quantities of pluripotent cells. The main focus of this work was to compare different strategies for the cryopreservation of adherent hESC colonies. Slow-rate freezing protocols using intact hESC colonies was evaluated and compared with a surface-based vitrification approach. Entrapment within ultra-high viscous alginate was investigated as the main strategy to avoid the commonly observed loss of viability and colony fragmentation during slow-rate freezing. Our results indicate that entrapment beneath a layer of ultra-high viscous alginate does not provide further protection to hESC cryopreserved through slow-rate freezing, irrespectively of the cryomedium used. Vitrification of adherent hESC colonies on culture dishes yielded significantly higher recovery rates when compared to the slow-rate freezing approaches investigated. The pluripotency of hESC was not changed after a vitrification/thawing cycle and during further propagation in culture. In conclusion, from the cryopreservation methods investigated in this study, surface-based vitrification of hESC has proven to be the most efficient for the cryopreservation of intact hESC colonies, reducing the time required to amplify frozen stocks thus supporting the widespread use of these cells in research and clinical applications.
Collapse
|
41
|
Tsuchiya H, Matsunaga T, Aikawa K, Kamada N, Nakamura K, Ichikawa H, Sasaki K, Ohmori S. Evaluation of human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells for detection of CYP1A inducers. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2012; 27:598-604. [PMID: 22673034 DOI: 10.2133/dmpk.dmpk-12-rg-017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There is a great deal of interest in differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into hepatocyte-like cells for application in pharmaceutical screening. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A is involved in the metabolic activation of procarcinogenic compounds as well as in detoxification of drugs. We differentiated hESCs into hepatocyte-like cells (hESC-derived hepatocyte-like cells) and examined whether CYP1A was induced in these cells by typical inducers of CYP1A. hESC-derived hepatocyte-like cells expressed albumin, α-fetoprotein, CYP3A4, CYP3A7, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and UDP-glucuronyl transferase (UGT) 1A1 mRNA. The levels of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and UGT1A1 mRNA expression were increased by omeprazole and 3-methylcholanthrene. Furthermore, the enzyme activity of CYP1A was also increased by these compounds. In conclusion, hESC-derived hepatocyte-like cells are available for the detection of CYP1A inducers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Tsuchiya
- Department of Pharmacy, Shinshu University Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Ho PJ, Yen ML, Yet SF, Yen BL. Current Applications of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: Possibilities and Challenges. Cell Transplant 2012; 21:801-14. [DOI: 10.3727/096368911x627507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cells are self-renewable cells with the differentiation capacity to develop into somatic cells with biological functions. This ability to sustain a renewable source of multi- and/or pluripotential differentiation has brought new hope to the field of regenerative medicine in terms of cell therapy and tissue engineering. Moreover, stem cells are invaluable tools as in vitro models for studying diverse fields, from basic scientific questions such as developmental processes and lineage commitment, to practical application including drug screening and testing. The stem cells with widest differentiation potential are pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), which are rare cells with the ability to generate somatic cells from all three germ layers. PSCs are considered the most optimal choice for therapeutic potential of stem cells, bringing new impetus to the field of regenerative medicine. In this article, we discuss the therapeutic potential of human PSCs (hPSCs) including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), reviewing the current preclinical and clinical data using these stem cells. We describe the classification of different sources of hPSCs, ongoing research, and currently encountered clinical obstacles of these novel and versatile human stem cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pai-Jiun Ho
- Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Men-Luh Yen
- Departmant of Primary Medicine and Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shaw-Fang Yet
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - B. Linju Yen
- Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Serra M, Brito C, Correia C, Alves PM. Process engineering of human pluripotent stem cells for clinical application. Trends Biotechnol 2012; 30:350-9. [PMID: 22541338 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2012.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Revised: 03/14/2012] [Accepted: 03/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, constitute an extremely attractive tool for cell therapy. However, flexible platforms for the large-scale production and storage of hPSCs in tightly controlled conditions are necessary to deliver high-quality cells in relevant quantities to satisfy clinical demands. Here we discuss the main principles for the bioprocessing of hPSCs, highlighting the impact of environmental factors, novel 3D culturing approaches and integrated bioreactor strategies for controlling hPSC culture outcome. Knowledge on hPSC bioprocessing accumulated during recent years provides important insights for the establishment of more robust production platforms and should potentiate the implementation of novel hPSC-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Serra
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Mandenius CF, Björkman M. Scale-up of cell culture bioreactors using biomechatronic design. Biotechnol J 2012; 7:1026-39. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201100463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2011] [Revised: 02/19/2012] [Accepted: 03/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
|
45
|
Stefanova VT, Grifo JA, Hansis C. Derivation of novel genetically diverse human embryonic stem cell lines. Stem Cells Dev 2012; 21:1559-70. [PMID: 22204497 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2011.0642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the potential to revolutionize many biomedical fields ranging from basic research to disease modeling, regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and toxicity testing. A multitude of hESC lines have been derived worldwide since the first 5 lines by Thomson et al. 13 years ago, but many of these are poorly characterized, unavailable, or do not represent desired traits, thus making them unsuitable for application purposes. In order to provide the scientific community with better options, we have derived 12 new hESC lines at New York University from discarded genetically normal and abnormal embryos using the latest techniques. We examined the genetic status of the NYUES lines in detail as well as their molecular and cellular features and DNA fingerprinting profile. Furthermore, we differentiated our hESCs into the tissues most affected by a specific condition or into clinically desired cell types. To our knowledge, a number of characteristics of our hESCs have not been previously reported, for example, mutation for alpha thalassemia X-linked mental retardation syndrome, linkage to conditions with a genetic component such as asthma or poor sperm morphology, and novel combinations of ethnic backgrounds. Importantly, all of our undifferentiated euploid female lines tested to date did not show X chromosome inactivation, believed to result in superior potency. We continue to derive new hESC lines and add them to the NIH registry and other registries. This should facilitate the use of our hESCs and lead to advancements for patient-benefitting applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina T Stefanova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the control of cell differentiation during embryonic development is currently one of the main objectives of developmental biology. This knowledge will provide a basis for the development of new strategies in the field of regenerative medicine, one of the most promising weapons to fight many human diseases. Cell differentiation during embryonic development is controlled primarily by epigenetic factors, that is, mechanisms involved in the regulation of chromatin structure and gene expression. Here we describe the best known epigenetic modifications, and pathways, mainly focused on DNA methylation and histone modifications, and try to depict the state of art in our knowledge about epigenetic regulation of embryonic stem cell maintenance and differentiation.
Collapse
|
47
|
Bissonnette CJ, Lyass L, Bhattacharyya BJ, Belmadani A, Miller RJ, Kessler JA. The controlled generation of functional basal forebrain cholinergic neurons from human embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells 2011; 29:802-11. [PMID: 21381151 DOI: 10.1002/stem.626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
An early substantial loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN) is a constant feature of Alzheimer's disease and is associated with deficits in spatial learning and memory. The ability to selectively control the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into BFCN would be a significant step toward a cell replacement therapy. We demonstrate here a method for the derivation of a predominantly pure population of BFCN from hESC cells using diffusible ligands present in the forebrain at developmentally relevant time periods. Overexpression of two relevant human transcription factors in hESC-derived neural progenitors also generates BFCN. These neurons express only those markers characteristic of BFCN, generate action potentials, and form functional cholinergic synapses in murine hippocampal slice cultures. siRNA-mediated knockdown of the transcription factors blocks BFCN generation by the diffusible ligands, clearly demonstrating the factors both necessary and sufficient for the controlled derivation of this neuronal population. The ability to selectively control the differentiation of hESCs into BFCN is a significant step both for understanding mechanisms regulating BFCN lineage commitment and for the development of both cell transplant-mediated therapeutic interventions for Alzheimer's disease and high-throughput screening for agents that promote BFCN survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Bissonnette
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Sartipy P, Björquist P. Concise review: Human pluripotent stem cell-based models for cardiac and hepatic toxicity assessment. Stem Cells 2011; 29:744-8. [PMID: 21433222 DOI: 10.1002/stem.631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Considering the costs associated with drug development, there are billions of dollars to be saved by reducing late-stage attrition in the pharmaceutical industries. Reports on the use of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and their functional derivatives in applications for safety assessment of drugs have begun to appear in the scientific literature. These reports are encouraging and fuel further developments of improved human cellular models that may increase the clinical relevance and reduce the need of experimental animals in preclinical drug discovery. However, a few factors still limit the general and wide-spread industry implementation of these new stem cell-based models, including cost of manufacture, level of functionality of the differentiated cells, assay validation, verification of human relevance, and benchmarking to conventional models. This review discusses the emerging field of hPSC-based models for drug discovery and development with a focus on cardiac and hepatic toxicity testing and how these approaches may improve current applications used in the pharmaceutical industry. Although much research remains to make hPSC-based models mainstream tools in the industry, importantly, this review highlights currently available opportunities. In addition, a forward looking discussion on novel applications using tissue preparations generated from hPSCs illustrates the opportunities to create complex models in vitro with the aim of simulating the systemic response of a drug in vivo.
Collapse
|
49
|
Guo X, Gonzalez M, Stancescu M, Vandenburgh HH, Hickman JJ. Neuromuscular junction formation between human stem cell-derived motoneurons and human skeletal muscle in a defined system. Biomaterials 2011; 32:9602-11. [PMID: 21944471 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2011] [Accepted: 09/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Functional in vitro models composed of human cells will constitute an important platform in the next generation of system biology and drug discovery. This study reports a novel human-based in vitro Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ) system developed in a defined serum-free medium and on a patternable non-biological surface. The motoneurons and skeletal muscles were derived from fetal spinal stem cells and skeletal muscle stem cells. The motoneurons and skeletal myotubes were completely differentiated in the co-culture based on morphological analysis and electrophysiology. NMJ formation was demonstrated by phase contrast microscopy, immunocytochemistry and the observation of motoneuron-induced muscle contractions utilizing time-lapse recordings and their subsequent quenching by d-Tubocurarine. Generally, functional human based systems would eliminate the issue of species variability during the drug development process and its derivation from stem cells bypasses the restrictions inherent with utilization of primary human tissue. This defined human-based NMJ system is one of the first steps in creating functional in vitro systems and will play an important role in understanding NMJ development, in developing high information content drug screens and as test beds in preclinical studies for spinal or muscular diseases/injuries such as muscular dystrophy, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal cord repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiufang Guo
- Hybrid Systems Lab, NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Yildirimman R, Brolén G, Vilardell M, Eriksson G, Synnergren J, Gmuender H, Kamburov A, Ingelman-Sundberg M, Castell J, Lahoz A, Kleinjans J, van Delft J, Björquist P, Herwig R. Human embryonic stem cell derived hepatocyte-like cells as a tool for in vitro hazard assessment of chemical carcinogenicity. Toxicol Sci 2011; 124:278-90. [PMID: 21873647 PMCID: PMC3216410 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfr225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte-like cells derived from the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hES-Hep) have potential to provide a human relevant in vitro test system in which to evaluate the carcinogenic hazard of chemicals. In this study, we have investigated this potential using a panel of 15 chemicals classified as noncarcinogens, genotoxic carcinogens, and nongenotoxic carcinogens and measured whole-genome transcriptome responses with gene expression microarrays. We applied an ANOVA model that identified 592 genes highly discriminative for the panel of chemicals. Supervised classification with these genes achieved a cross-validation accuracy of > 95%. Moreover, the expression of the response genes in hES-Hep was strongly correlated with that in human primary hepatocytes cultured in vitro. In order to infer mechanistic information on the consequences of chemical exposure in hES-Hep, we developed a computational method that measures the responses of biochemical pathways to the panel of treatments and showed that these responses were discriminative for the three toxicity classes and linked to carcinogenesis through p53, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and apoptosis pathway modules. It could further be shown that the discrimination of toxicity classes was improved when analyzing the microarray data at the pathway level. In summary, our results demonstrate, for the first time, the potential of human embryonic stem cell--derived hepatic cells as an in vitro model for hazard assessment of chemical carcinogenesis, although it should be noted that more compounds are needed to test the robustness of the assay.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reha Yildirimman
- Department of Vertebrate Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|