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Hennegan J, Bryant AH, Griffiths L, Trigano M, Bartley OJ, Bartlett JJ, Minahan C, Abreu de Oliveira WA, Yutuc E, Ntikas S, Bartsocas CS, Markouri M, Antoniadou E, Laina I, Howell OW, Li M, Wang Y, Griffiths WJ, Lane EL, Lelos MJ, Theofilopoulos S. Inhibition of 7α,26-dihydroxycholesterol biosynthesis promotes midbrain dopaminergic neuron development. iScience 2024; 27:108670. [PMID: 38155767 PMCID: PMC10753067 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism has been linked to neurodegeneration. We previously found that free, non-esterified, 7α,(25R)26-dihydroxycholesterol (7α,26-diHC), was significantly elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study we investigated the role of 7α,26-diHC in midbrain dopamine (mDA) neuron development and survival. We report that 7α,26-diHC induces apoptosis and reduces the number of mDA neurons in hESC-derived cultures and in mouse progenitor cultures. Voriconazole, an oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7B1) inhibitor, increases the number of mDA neurons and prevents the loss of mDA neurons induced by 7α,26-diHC. These effects are specific since neither 7α,26-diHC nor voriconazole alter the number of Islet1+ oculomotor neurons. Furthermore, our results suggest that elevated 24(S),25-epoxycholesterol, which has been shown to promote mDA neurogenesis, may be partially responsible for the effect of voriconazole on mDA neurons. These findings suggest that voriconazole, and/or other azole CYP7B1 inhibitors may have implications in PD therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Hennegan
- Regenerative Neurobiology Laboratory, Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science 1, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Aled H. Bryant
- Regenerative Neurobiology Laboratory, Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science 1, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Lauren Griffiths
- Regenerative Neurobiology Laboratory, Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science 1, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
- Oxysterol Research Group, Swansea University Medical School, ILS1 Building, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Group, Swansea University Medical School, ILS1 Building, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Matthieu Trigano
- Dementia Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Oliver J.M. Bartley
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Joanna J. Bartlett
- Regenerative Neurobiology Laboratory, Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science 1, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Carys Minahan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Willy Antoni Abreu de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eylan Yutuc
- Oxysterol Research Group, Swansea University Medical School, ILS1 Building, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Sotirios Ntikas
- Regenerative Neurobiology Laboratory, Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science 1, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Owain W. Howell
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Group, Swansea University Medical School, ILS1 Building, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Meng Li
- Dementia Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Yuqin Wang
- Oxysterol Research Group, Swansea University Medical School, ILS1 Building, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - William J. Griffiths
- Oxysterol Research Group, Swansea University Medical School, ILS1 Building, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Emma L. Lane
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Mariah J. Lelos
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Spyridon Theofilopoulos
- Regenerative Neurobiology Laboratory, Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science 1, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
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López-Ornelas A, Escobedo-Avila I, Ramírez-García G, Lara-Rodarte R, Meléndez-Ramírez C, Urrieta-Chávez B, Barrios-García T, Cáceres-Chávez VA, Flores-Ponce X, Carmona F, Reynoso CA, Aguilar C, Kerik NE, Rocha L, Verdugo-Díaz L, Treviño V, Bargas J, Ramos-Mejía V, Fernández-Ruiz J, Campos-Romo A, Velasco I. Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Immature Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Transplanted in Parkinsonian Monkeys. Cells 2023; 12:2738. [PMID: 38067166 PMCID: PMC10706241 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiate into specialized cells, including midbrain dopaminergic neurons (DANs), and Non-human primates (NHPs) injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine develop some alterations observed in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Here, we obtained well-characterized DANs from hESCs and transplanted them into two parkinsonian monkeys to assess their behavioral and imaging changes. DANs from hESCs expressed dopaminergic markers, generated action potentials, and released dopamine (DA) in vitro. These neurons were transplanted bilaterally into the putamen of parkinsonian NHPs, and using magnetic resonance imaging techniques, we calculated the fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), both employed for the first time for these purposes, to detect in vivo axonal and cellular density changes in the brain. Likewise, positron-emission tomography scans were performed to evaluate grafted DANs. Histological analyses identified grafted DANs, which were quantified stereologically. After grafting, animals showed signs of partially improved motor behavior in some of the HALLWAY motor tasks. Improvement in motor evaluations was inversely correlated with increases in bilateral FA. MD did not correlate with behavior but presented a negative correlation with FA. We also found higher 11C-DTBZ binding in positron-emission tomography scans associated with grafts. Higher DA levels measured by microdialysis after stimulation with a high-potassium solution or amphetamine were present in grafted animals after ten months, which has not been previously reported. Postmortem analysis of NHP brains showed that transplanted DANs survived in the putamen long-term, without developing tumors, in immunosuppressed animals. Although these results need to be confirmed with larger groups of NHPs, our molecular, behavioral, biochemical, and imaging findings support the integration and survival of human DANs in this pre-clinical PD model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo López-Ornelas
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular—Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.L.-O.); (I.E.-A.); (R.L.-R.); (C.M.-R.); (B.U.-C.); (V.A.C.-C.); (X.F.-P.); (J.B.)
- Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
- División de Investigación, Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City 07760, Mexico
| | - Itzel Escobedo-Avila
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular—Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.L.-O.); (I.E.-A.); (R.L.-R.); (C.M.-R.); (B.U.-C.); (V.A.C.-C.); (X.F.-P.); (J.B.)
- Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (L.V.-D.); (J.F.-R.)
- Unidad Periférica de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico;
| | - Gabriel Ramírez-García
- Unidad Periférica de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico;
| | - Rolando Lara-Rodarte
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular—Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.L.-O.); (I.E.-A.); (R.L.-R.); (C.M.-R.); (B.U.-C.); (V.A.C.-C.); (X.F.-P.); (J.B.)
- Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
| | - César Meléndez-Ramírez
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular—Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.L.-O.); (I.E.-A.); (R.L.-R.); (C.M.-R.); (B.U.-C.); (V.A.C.-C.); (X.F.-P.); (J.B.)
- Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
| | - Beetsi Urrieta-Chávez
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular—Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.L.-O.); (I.E.-A.); (R.L.-R.); (C.M.-R.); (B.U.-C.); (V.A.C.-C.); (X.F.-P.); (J.B.)
- Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
| | - Tonatiuh Barrios-García
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64710, Mexico; (T.B.-G.); (V.T.)
| | - Verónica A. Cáceres-Chávez
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular—Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.L.-O.); (I.E.-A.); (R.L.-R.); (C.M.-R.); (B.U.-C.); (V.A.C.-C.); (X.F.-P.); (J.B.)
| | - Xóchitl Flores-Ponce
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular—Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.L.-O.); (I.E.-A.); (R.L.-R.); (C.M.-R.); (B.U.-C.); (V.A.C.-C.); (X.F.-P.); (J.B.)
- Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
| | - Francia Carmona
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Cinvestav), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (F.C.); (L.R.)
| | - Carlos Alberto Reynoso
- Molecular Imaging PET-CT Unit, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico; (C.A.R.); (C.A.); (N.E.K.)
| | - Carlos Aguilar
- Molecular Imaging PET-CT Unit, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico; (C.A.R.); (C.A.); (N.E.K.)
| | - Nora E. Kerik
- Molecular Imaging PET-CT Unit, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico; (C.A.R.); (C.A.); (N.E.K.)
| | - Luisa Rocha
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Cinvestav), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (F.C.); (L.R.)
| | - Leticia Verdugo-Díaz
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (L.V.-D.); (J.F.-R.)
| | - Víctor Treviño
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64710, Mexico; (T.B.-G.); (V.T.)
| | - José Bargas
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular—Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.L.-O.); (I.E.-A.); (R.L.-R.); (C.M.-R.); (B.U.-C.); (V.A.C.-C.); (X.F.-P.); (J.B.)
| | - Verónica Ramos-Mejía
- Gene Regulation, Stem Cells, and Development Group, GENYO-Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, PTS, 18016 Granada, Spain;
| | - Juan Fernández-Ruiz
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (L.V.-D.); (J.F.-R.)
| | - Aurelio Campos-Romo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (L.V.-D.); (J.F.-R.)
- Unidad Periférica de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico;
| | - Iván Velasco
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular—Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.L.-O.); (I.E.-A.); (R.L.-R.); (C.M.-R.); (B.U.-C.); (V.A.C.-C.); (X.F.-P.); (J.B.)
- Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
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Lelos MJ. Investigating cell therapies in animal models of Parkinson's and Huntington's disease: Current challenges and considerations. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2022; 166:159-189. [PMID: 36424091 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell therapeutics have entered into an exciting era, with first-in-person clinical trials underway for Parkinson's disease and novel cell therapies in development for other neurodegenerative diseases. In the hope of ensuring successful translation of these novel cell products to the clinic, a significant amount of preclinical work continues to be undertaken. Rodent models of neural transplantation are required to thoroughly assess the survival, safety and efficacy of novel therapeutics. It is critical to produce robust and reliable preclinical data, in order to increase the likelihood of clinical success. As a result, significant effort has been driven into generating ever more relevant model systems, from genetically modified disease models to mice with humanized immune systems. Despite this, several challenges remain in the quest to assess human cells in the rodent brain long-term. Here, with a focus on models of Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, we discuss key considerations for choosing an appropriate rodent model for neural transplantation. We also consider the challenges associated with long-term survival and assessment of functional efficacy in these models, as well as the need to consider the clinical relevance of the model. While the choice of model will be dependent on the scientific question, by considering the caveats associated with each model, we identify opportunities to optimize the preclinical assessment and generate reliable data on our novel cell therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah J Lelos
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
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Lane EL, Lelos MJ. Defining the unknowns for cell therapies in Parkinson's disease. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:276886. [PMID: 36165848 PMCID: PMC9555765 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
First-in-human clinical trials have commenced to test the safety and efficacy of cell therapies for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Proof of concept that this neural repair strategy is efficacious is based on decades of preclinical studies and clinical trials using primary foetal cells, as well as a significant literature exploring more novel stem cell-derived products. Although several measures of efficacy have been explored, including the successful in vitro differentiation of stem cells to dopamine neurons and consistent alleviation of motor dysfunction in rodent models, many unknowns still remain regarding the long-term clinical implications of this treatment strategy. Here, we consider some of these outstanding questions, including our understanding of the interaction between anti-Parkinsonian medication and the neural transplant, the impact of the cell therapy on cognitive or neuropsychiatric symptoms of PD, the role of neuroinflammation in the therapeutic process and the development of graft-induced dyskinesias. We identify questions that are currently pertinent to the field that require further exploration, and pave the way for a more holistic understanding of this neural repair strategy for treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Lane
- Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Mariah J Lelos
- School of Biosciences, Museum Avenue, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
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