1
|
Cooper JN, Mittal J, Sangadi A, Klassen DL, King AM, Zalta M, Mittal R, Eshraghi AA. Landscape of NRXN1 Gene Variants in Phenotypic Manifestations of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2067. [PMID: 38610832 PMCID: PMC11012327 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13072067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication challenges and repetitive behaviors. Recent research has increasingly focused on the genetic underpinnings of ASD, with the Neurexin 1 (NRXN1) gene emerging as a key player. This comprehensive systematic review elucidates the contribution of NRXN1 gene variants in the pathophysiology of ASD. Methods: The protocol for this systematic review was designed a priori and was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023450418). A risk of bias analysis was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. We examined various studies that link NRXN1 gene disruptions with ASD, discussing both the genotypic variability and the resulting phenotypic expressions. Results: Within this review, there was marked heterogeneity observed in ASD genotypic and phenotypic manifestations among individuals with NRXN1 mutations. The presence of NRXN1 mutations in this population emphasizes the gene's role in synaptic function and neural connectivity. Conclusion: This review not only highlights the role of NRXN1 in the pathophysiology of ASD but also highlights the need for further research to unravel the complex genetic underpinnings of the disorder. A better knowledge about the multifaceted role of NRXN1 in ASD can provide crucial insights into the neurobiological foundations of autism and pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaimee N. Cooper
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (J.N.C.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (D.L.K.); (A.M.K.); (M.Z.); (R.M.)
- School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Jeenu Mittal
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (J.N.C.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (D.L.K.); (A.M.K.); (M.Z.); (R.M.)
| | - Akhila Sangadi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (J.N.C.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (D.L.K.); (A.M.K.); (M.Z.); (R.M.)
| | - Delany L. Klassen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (J.N.C.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (D.L.K.); (A.M.K.); (M.Z.); (R.M.)
| | - Ava M. King
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (J.N.C.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (D.L.K.); (A.M.K.); (M.Z.); (R.M.)
| | - Max Zalta
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (J.N.C.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (D.L.K.); (A.M.K.); (M.Z.); (R.M.)
| | - Rahul Mittal
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (J.N.C.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (D.L.K.); (A.M.K.); (M.Z.); (R.M.)
| | - Adrien A. Eshraghi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research and Communication Disorders Laboratory, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (J.N.C.); (J.M.); (A.S.); (D.L.K.); (A.M.K.); (M.Z.); (R.M.)
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Maussion G, Rocha C, Abdian N, Yang D, Turk J, Carrillo Valenzuela D, Pimentel L, You Z, Morquette B, Nicouleau M, Deneault E, Higgins S, Chen CXQ, Reintsch WE, Ho S, Soubannier V, Lépine S, Modrusan Z, Lund J, Stephenson W, Schubert R, Durcan TM. Transcriptional Dysregulation and Impaired Neuronal Activity in FMR1 Knock-Out and Fragile X Patients' iPSC-Derived Models. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14926. [PMID: 37834379 PMCID: PMC10573568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by a repression of the FMR1 gene that codes the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an RNA binding protein involved in processes that are crucial for proper brain development. To better understand the consequences of the absence of FMRP, we analyzed gene expression profiles and activities of cortical neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurons obtained from FXS patients' induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) and IPSC-derived cells from FMR1 knock-out engineered using CRISPR-CAS9 technology. Multielectrode array recordings revealed in FMR1 KO and FXS patient cells, decreased mean firing rates; activities blocked by tetrodotoxin application. Increased expression of presynaptic mRNA and transcription factors involved in the forebrain specification and decreased levels of mRNA coding AMPA and NMDA subunits were observed using RNA sequencing on FMR1 KO neurons and validated using quantitative PCR in both models. Intriguingly, 40% of the differentially expressed genes were commonly deregulated between NPCs and differentiating neurons with significant enrichments in FMRP targets and autism-related genes found amongst downregulated genes. Our findings suggest that the absence of FMRP affects transcriptional profiles since the NPC stage, and leads to impaired activity and neuronal differentiation over time, which illustrates the critical role of FMRP protein in neuronal development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Maussion
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Cecilia Rocha
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Narges Abdian
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Dimitri Yang
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Julien Turk
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Dulce Carrillo Valenzuela
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Luisa Pimentel
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Zhipeng You
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Barbara Morquette
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Michael Nicouleau
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Eric Deneault
- Regulatory Research Division, Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Samuel Higgins
- Roche Sequencing, Computational Science and Informatics, Roche Molecular Systems, Santa Clara, CA 95050, USA
| | - Carol X.-Q. Chen
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Wolfgang E. Reintsch
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Stanley Ho
- Research and Early Development, Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA
| | - Vincent Soubannier
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Sarah Lépine
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Rajib Schubert
- Research and Early Development, Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA
| | - Thomas M. Durcan
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hettige NC, Fleming P, Semenak A, Zhang X, Peng H, Hagel MD, Théroux JF, Zhang Y, Ni A, Jefri M, Antonyan L, Alsuwaidi S, Schuppert A, Stumpf PS, Ernst C. FOXG1 targets BMP repressors and cell cycle inhibitors in human neural progenitor cells. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:2511-2522. [PMID: 37216650 PMCID: PMC10360395 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
FOXG1 is a critical transcription factor in human brain where loss-of-function mutations cause a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, while increased FOXG1 expression is frequently observed in glioblastoma. FOXG1 is an inhibitor of cell patterning and an activator of cell proliferation in chordate model organisms but different mechanisms have been proposed as to how this occurs. To identify genomic targets of FOXG1 in human neural progenitor cells (NPCs), we engineered a cleavable reporter construct in endogenous FOXG1 and performed chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing. We also performed deep RNA sequencing of NPCs from two females with loss-of-function mutations in FOXG1 and their healthy biological mothers. Integrative analyses of RNA and ChIP sequencing data showed that cell cycle regulation and Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP) repression gene ontology categories were over-represented as FOXG1 targets. Using engineered brain cell lines, we show that FOXG1 specifically activates SMAD7 and represses CDKN1B. Activation of SMAD7 which inhibits BMP signaling may be one way that FOXG1 patterns the forebrain, while repression of cell cycle regulators such as CDKN1B may be one way that FOXG1 expands the NPC pool to ensure proper brain size. Our data reveal novel mechanisms on how FOXG1 may control forebrain patterning and cell proliferation in human brain development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nuwan C Hettige
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Peter Fleming
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Amelia Semenak
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Xin Zhang
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Huashan Peng
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Marc-Daniel Hagel
- Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | | | - Ying Zhang
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Anjie Ni
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Malvin Jefri
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Lilit Antonyan
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Shaima Alsuwaidi
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Andreas Schuppert
- Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Patrick S Stumpf
- Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Carl Ernst
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jefri M, Zhang X, Stumpf PS, Zhang L, Peng H, Hettige N, Theroux JF, Aouabed Z, Wilson K, Deshmukh S, Antonyan L, Ni A, Alsuwaidi S, Zhang Y, Jabado N, Garcia BA, Schuppert A, Bjornsson HT, Ernst C. Kabuki syndrome stem cell models reveal locus specificity of histone methyltransferase 2D (KMT2D/MLL4). Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:3715-3728. [PMID: 35640156 PMCID: PMC9616574 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Kabuki syndrome is frequently caused by loss-of-function mutations in one allele of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferase KMT2D and is associated with problems in neurological, immunological and skeletal system development. We generated heterozygous KMT2D knockout and Kabuki patient-derived cell models to investigate the role of reduced dosage of KMT2D in stem cells. We discovered chromosomal locus-specific alterations in gene expression, specifically a 110 Kb region containing Synaptotagmin 3 (SYT3), C-Type Lectin Domain Containing 11A (CLEC11A), Chromosome 19 Open Reading Frame 81 (C19ORF81) and SH3 And Multiple Ankyrin Repeat Domains 1 (SHANK1), suggesting locus-specific targeting of KMT2D. Using whole genome histone methylation mapping, we confirmed locus-specific changes in H3K4 methylation patterning coincident with regional decreases in gene expression in Kabuki cell models. Significantly reduced H3K4 peaks aligned with regions of stem cell maps of H3K27 and H3K4 methylation suggesting KMT2D haploinsufficiency impact bivalent enhancers in stem cells. Preparing the genome for subsequent differentiation cues may be of significant importance for Kabuki-related genes. This work provides a new insight into the mechanism of action of an important gene in bone and brain development and may increase our understanding of a specific function of a human disease-relevant H3K4 methyltransferase family member.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malvin Jefri
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Xin Zhang
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Patrick S Stumpf
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52056, Germany
| | - Li Zhang
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Huashan Peng
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Nuwan Hettige
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Jean-Francois Theroux
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Zahia Aouabed
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Khadija Wilson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Shriya Deshmukh
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Lilit Antonyan
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Anjie Ni
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Shaima Alsuwaidi
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Ying Zhang
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Nada Jabado
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University and The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Andreas Schuppert
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52056, Germany
| | - Hans T Bjornsson
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA,Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland,Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Landspitali University Hospital, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Carl Ernst
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, 6875 LaSalle boulevard, Frank Common building, Room 2101.2 Verdun, QC H4H 1R3, Canada. Tel: +1 514-761-6131 ext 3382; Fax: +1 514-762-3023;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hettige NC, Peng H, Wu H, Zhang X, Yerko V, Zhang Y, Jefri M, Soubannier V, Maussion G, Alsuwaidi S, Ni A, Rocha C, Krishnan J, McCarty V, Antonyan L, Schuppert A, Turecki G, Fon EA, Durcan TM, Ernst C. FOXG1 dose tunes cell proliferation dynamics in human forebrain progenitor cells. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:475-488. [PMID: 35148845 PMCID: PMC9040178 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in Forkhead box G1 (FOXG1), a uniquely brain-expressed gene, cause microcephaly, seizures, and severe intellectual disability, whereas increased FOXG1 expression is frequently observed in glioblastoma. To investigate the role of FOXG1 in forebrain cell proliferation, we modeled FOXG1 syndrome using cells from three clinically diagnosed cases with two sex-matched healthy parents and one unrelated sex-matched control. Cells with heterozygous FOXG1 loss showed significant reduction in cell proliferation, increased ratio of cells in G0/G1 stage of the cell cycle, and increased frequency of primary cilia. Engineered loss of FOXG1 recapitulated this effect, while isogenic repair of a patient mutation reverted output markers to wild type. An engineered inducible FOXG1 cell line derived from a FOXG1 syndrome case demonstrated that FOXG1 dose-dependently affects all cell proliferation outputs measured. These findings provide strong support for the critical importance of FOXG1 levels in controlling human brain cell growth in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nuwan C Hettige
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada; Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Huashan Peng
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Hanrong Wu
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Xin Zhang
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Volodymyr Yerko
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Ying Zhang
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Malvin Jefri
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Vincent Soubannier
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Gilles Maussion
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Shaima Alsuwaidi
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada; Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Anjie Ni
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada; Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Cecilia Rocha
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Jeyashree Krishnan
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 19, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Vincent McCarty
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada; Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Lilit Antonyan
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada; Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Andreas Schuppert
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 19, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Edward A Fon
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Carl Ernst
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada; Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Auto-qPCR; a python-based web app for automated and reproducible analysis of qPCR data. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21293. [PMID: 34716395 PMCID: PMC8556264 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99727-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantifying changes in DNA and RNA levels is essential in numerous molecular biology protocols. Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) techniques have evolved to become commonplace, however, data analysis includes many time-consuming and cumbersome steps, which can lead to mistakes and misinterpretation of data. To address these bottlenecks, we have developed an open-source Python software to automate processing of result spreadsheets from qPCR machines, employing calculations usually performed manually. Auto-qPCR is a tool that saves time when computing qPCR data, helping to ensure reproducibility of qPCR experiment analyses. Our web-based app (https://auto-q-pcr.com/) is easy to use and does not require programming knowledge or software installation. Using Auto-qPCR, we provide examples of data treatment, display and statistical analyses for four different data processing modes within one program: (1) DNA quantification to identify genomic deletion or duplication events; (2) assessment of gene expression levels using an absolute model, and relative quantification (3) with or (4) without a reference sample. Our open access Auto-qPCR software saves the time of manual data analysis and provides a more systematic workflow, minimizing the risk of errors. Our program constitutes a new tool that can be incorporated into bioinformatic and molecular biology pipelines in clinical and research labs.
Collapse
|
7
|
Sabitha KR, Shetty AK, Upadhya D. Patient-derived iPSC modeling of rare neurodevelopmental disorders: Molecular pathophysiology and prospective therapies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 121:201-219. [PMID: 33370574 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The pathological alterations that manifest during the early embryonic development due to inherited and acquired factors trigger various neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Besides major NDDs, there are several rare NDDs, exhibiting specific characteristics and varying levels of severity triggered due to genetic and epigenetic anomalies. The rarity of subjects, paucity of neural tissues for detailed analysis, and the unavailability of disease-specific animal models have hampered detailed comprehension of rare NDDs, imposing heightened challenge to the medical and scientific community until a decade ago. The generation of functional neurons and glia through directed differentiation protocols for patient-derived iPSCs, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and 3D brain organoid models have provided an excellent opportunity and vibrant resource for decoding the etiology of brain development for rare NDDs caused due to monogenic as well as polygenic disorders. The present review identifies cellular and molecular phenotypes demonstrated from patient-derived iPSCs and possible therapeutic opportunities identified for these disorders. New insights to reinforce the existing knowledge of the pathophysiology of these disorders and prospective therapeutic applications are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K R Sabitha
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Ashok K Shetty
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - Dinesh Upadhya
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ernst C. A roadmap for neurodevelopmental disease modeling for non-stem cell biologists. Stem Cells Transl Med 2020; 9:567-574. [PMID: 32052596 PMCID: PMC7180294 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.19-0344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem and derivative cells induced from somatic tissues are a critical tool for disease modeling but significant technical hurdles hamper their use. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of pitfalls and mitigation strategies for the nonstem cell biologist using induced pluripotent stem cells and investigating neurodevelopmental disorders. What sample sizes are reasonable? What derivation and purification protocols should be used to make human neurons? In what way should gene editing technologies be used to support discoveries? What kinds of preclinical studies are the most feasible? It is hoped that this roadmap will provide the necessary details for experimental planning and execution for those less familiar in the area of stem cell disease modeling. High-quality human preclinical models will allow for the discovery of molecular and cellular phenotypes specific to different neurodevelopmental disorders, and may provide the assays to advance translational medicine for unmet medical needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carl Ernst
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang AYL, Loh CYY. Episomal Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Functional and Potential Therapeutic Applications. Cell Transplant 2019; 28:112S-131S. [PMID: 31722555 PMCID: PMC7016470 DOI: 10.1177/0963689719886534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The term episomal induced pluripotent stem cells (EiPSCs) refers to somatic cells that are reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using non-integrative episomal vector methods. This reprogramming process has a better safety profile compared with integrative methods using viruses. There is a current trend toward using episomal plasmid reprogramming to generate iPSCs because of the improved safety profile. Clinical reports of potential human cell sources that have been successfully reprogrammed into EiPSCs are increasing, but no review or summary has been published. The functional applications of EiPSCs and their potential uses in various conditions have been described, and these may be applicable to clinical scenarios. This review summarizes the current direction of EiPSC research and the properties of these cells with the aim of explaining their potential role in clinical applications and functional restoration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aline Yen Ling Wang
- Center for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,*Both the authors contributed equally to this article
| | - Charles Yuen Yung Loh
- St Andrew's Center for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Chelmsford, United Kingdom.,*Both the authors contributed equally to this article
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Atkinson SP. A Preview of Selected Articles. Stem Cells 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/stem.3047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
|
11
|
Bell S, Rousseau J, Peng H, Aouabed Z, Priam P, Theroux JF, Jefri M, Tanti A, Wu H, Kolobova I, Silviera H, Manzano-Vargas K, Ehresmann S, Hamdan FF, Hettige N, Zhang X, Antonyan L, Nassif C, Ghaloul-Gonzalez L, Sebastian J, Vockley J, Begtrup AG, Wentzensen IM, Crunk A, Nicholls RD, Herman KC, Deignan JL, Al-Hertani W, Efthymiou S, Salpietro V, Miyake N, Makita Y, Matsumoto N, Østern R, Houge G, Hafström M, Fassi E, Houlden H, Klein Wassink-Ruiter JS, Nelson D, Goldstein A, Dabir T, van Gils J, Bourgeron T, Delorme R, Cooper GM, Martinez JE, Finnila CR, Carmant L, Lortie A, Oegema R, van Gassen K, Mehta SG, Huhle D, Abou Jamra R, Martin S, Brunner HG, Lindhout D, Au M, Graham JM, Coubes C, Turecki G, Gravel S, Mechawar N, Rossignol E, Michaud JL, Lessard J, Ernst C, Campeau PM. Mutations in ACTL6B Cause Neurodevelopmental Deficits and Epilepsy and Lead to Loss of Dendrites in Human Neurons. Am J Hum Genet 2019; 104:815-834. [PMID: 31031012 PMCID: PMC6507050 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2019.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We identified individuals with variations in ACTL6B, a component of the chromatin remodeling machinery including the BAF complex. Ten individuals harbored bi-allelic mutations and presented with global developmental delay, epileptic encephalopathy, and spasticity, and ten individuals with de novo heterozygous mutations displayed intellectual disability, ambulation deficits, severe language impairment, hypotonia, Rett-like stereotypies, and minor facial dysmorphisms (wide mouth, diastema, bulbous nose). Nine of these ten unrelated individuals had the identical de novo c.1027G>A (p.Gly343Arg) mutation. Human-derived neurons were generated that recaptured ACTL6B expression patterns in development from progenitor cell to post-mitotic neuron, validating the use of this model. Engineered knock-out of ACTL6B in wild-type human neurons resulted in profound deficits in dendrite development, a result recapitulated in two individuals with different bi-allelic mutations, and reversed on clonal genetic repair or exogenous expression of ACTL6B. Whole-transcriptome analyses and whole-genomic profiling of the BAF complex in wild-type and bi-allelic mutant ACTL6B neural progenitor cells and neurons revealed increased genomic binding of the BAF complex in ACTL6B mutants, with corresponding transcriptional changes in several genes including TPPP and FSCN1, suggesting that altered regulation of some cytoskeletal genes contribute to altered dendrite development. Assessment of bi-alleic and heterozygous ACTL6B mutations on an ACTL6B knock-out human background demonstrated that bi-allelic mutations mimic engineered deletion deficits while heterozygous mutations do not, suggesting that the former are loss of function and the latter are gain of function. These results reveal a role for ACTL6B in neurodevelopment and implicate another component of chromatin remodeling machinery in brain disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Bell
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Justine Rousseau
- CHU-Sainte Justine Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Huashan Peng
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Zahia Aouabed
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Pierre Priam
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Jean-Francois Theroux
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Malvin Jefri
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Arnaud Tanti
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Hanrong Wu
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Ilaria Kolobova
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Heika Silviera
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Karla Manzano-Vargas
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Sophie Ehresmann
- CHU-Sainte Justine Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Fadi F Hamdan
- CHU-Sainte Justine Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Nuwan Hettige
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Xin Zhang
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Lilit Antonyan
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Christina Nassif
- CHU-Sainte Justine Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Lina Ghaloul-Gonzalez
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jessica Sebastian
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jerry Vockley
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Robert D Nicholls
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kristin C Herman
- University of California at Davis Medical Center, Section of Medical Genomics, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Joshua L Deignan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Walla Al-Hertani
- Departments of Medical Genetics and Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital and University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Canada
| | - Stephanie Efthymiou
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, WC1N 3BG London, UK
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, WC1N 3BG London, UK
| | - Noriko Miyake
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yoshio Makita
- Education Center, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Naomichi Matsumoto
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Rune Østern
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Postbox 3250, Sluppen 7006 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Gunnar Houge
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Maria Hafström
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Postbox 3250, Sluppen 7006 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Emily Fassi
- Division of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, WC1N 3BG London, UK
| | - Jolien S Klein Wassink-Ruiter
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Dominic Nelson
- McGill University, Department of Human Genetics, Montreal, QC H3G 0B1, Canada
| | - Amy Goldstein
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Tabib Dabir
- Northern Ireland Regional Genetics Centre, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AB, UK
| | - Julien van Gils
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Paris 75015, France
| | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Human Genetics and Cognitive Functions, Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, University Paris Diderot, Paris 75015, France
| | - Richard Delorme
- Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Robert Debré Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Paris, France
| | - Gregory M Cooper
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA
| | | | | | - Lionel Carmant
- Children's Rehabilitation Service, Mobile, AL 36604, USA
| | - Anne Lortie
- Department of Neurology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Renske Oegema
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 AB Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Koen van Gassen
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 AB Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sarju G Mehta
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Dagmar Huhle
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Rami Abou Jamra
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sonja Martin
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Han G Brunner
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen 6500 GA, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics and School for Oncology & Developmental Biology (GROW), Maastricht University Medical Center, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Dick Lindhout
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht & Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, the Netherlands
| | - Margaret Au
- Medical Genetics, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - John M Graham
- Medical Genetics, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Christine Coubes
- Service de génétique clinique, Département de génétique médicale, Maladies rares et médecine personnalisée, Centre de Référence Anomalies du développement et Syndromes malformatifs du Sud-Ouest Occitanie Réunion, CHU de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Simon Gravel
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Naguib Mechawar
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Elsa Rossignol
- CHU-Sainte Justine Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Jacques L Michaud
- CHU-Sainte Justine Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Julie Lessard
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Carl Ernst
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada.
| | - Philippe M Campeau
- CHU-Sainte Justine Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Logan S, Arzua T, Canfield SG, Seminary ER, Sison SL, Ebert AD, Bai X. Studying Human Neurological Disorders Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: From 2D Monolayer to 3D Organoid and Blood Brain Barrier Models. Compr Physiol 2019; 9:565-611. [PMID: 30873582 PMCID: PMC6705133 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c180025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurological disorders have emerged as a predominant healthcare concern in recent years due to their severe consequences on quality of life and prevalence throughout the world. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these diseases and the interactions between different brain cell types is essential for the development of new therapeutics. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are invaluable tools for neurological disease modeling, as they have unlimited self-renewal and differentiation capacity. Mounting evidence shows: (i) various brain cells can be generated from iPSCs in two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cultures; and (ii) further advances in 3D culture systems have led to the differentiation of iPSCs into organoids with multiple brain cell types and specific brain regions. These 3D organoids have gained widespread attention as in vitro tools to recapitulate complex features of the brain, and (iii) complex interactions between iPSC-derived brain cell types can recapitulate physiological and pathological conditions of blood-brain barrier (BBB). As iPSCs can be generated from diverse patient populations, researchers have effectively applied 2D, 3D, and BBB models to recapitulate genetically complex neurological disorders and reveal novel insights into molecular and genetic mechanisms of neurological disorders. In this review, we describe recent progress in the generation of 2D, 3D, and BBB models from iPSCs and further discuss their limitations, advantages, and future ventures. This review also covers the current status of applications of 2D, 3D, and BBB models in drug screening, precision medicine, and modeling a wide range of neurological diseases (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases, neurodevelopmental disorders, brain injury, and neuropsychiatric disorders). © 2019 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 9:565-611, 2019.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Logan
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Thiago Arzua
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Scott G. Canfield
- Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, IU School of Medicine-Terre Haute, Terre Haute, IN, USA
| | - Emily R. Seminary
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Samantha L. Sison
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Allison D. Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Xiaowen Bai
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bell S, Hettige NC, Silveira H, Peng H, Wu H, Jefri M, Antonyan L, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Ernst C. Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) into an Effective Model of Forebrain Neural Progenitor Cells and Mature Neurons. Bio Protoc 2019; 9:e3188. [PMID: 33654990 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) are pluripotent stem cells that can be generated from somatic cells, and provide a way to model the development of neural tissues in vitro. One particularly interesting application of iPSCs is the development of neurons analogous to those found in the human forebrain. Forebrain neurons play a central role in cognition and sensory processing, and deficits in forebrain neuronal activity contributes to a host of conditions, including epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia. Here, we present our protocol for differentiating iPSCs into forebrain neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurons, whereby neural rosettes are generated from stem cells without dissociation and NPCs purified from rosettes based on their adhesion, resulting in a more rapid generation of pure NPC cultures. Neural progenitor cells can be maintained as long-term cultures, or differentiated into forebrain neurons. This protocol provides a simplified and fast methodology of generating forebrain NPCs and neurons, and enables researchers to generate effective in vitro models to study forebrain disease and neurodevelopment. This protocol can also be easily adapted to generate other neural lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Bell
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Nuwan C Hettige
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Heika Silveira
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Huashan Peng
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Hanrong Wu
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Malvin Jefri
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Lilit Antonyan
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Ying Zhang
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Xin Zhang
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Carl Ernst
- Psychiatric Genetics Group, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Increased expression of BDNF mRNA in the frontal cortex of autistic patients. Behav Brain Res 2019; 359:903-909. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
15
|
Bell S, Maussion G, Jefri M, Peng H, Theroux JF, Silveira H, Soubannier V, Wu H, Hu P, Galat E, Torres-Platas SG, Boudreau-Pinsonneault C, O'Leary LA, Galat V, Turecki G, Durcan TM, Fon EA, Mechawar N, Ernst C. Disruption of GRIN2B Impairs Differentiation in Human Neurons. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 11:183-196. [PMID: 29937144 PMCID: PMC6067152 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in GRIN2B, a subunit of the NMDA receptor, cause intellectual disability and language impairment. We developed clonal models of GRIN2B deletion and loss-of-function mutations in a region coding for the glutamate binding domain in human cells and generated neurons from a patient harboring a missense mutation in the same domain. Transcriptome analysis revealed extensive increases in genes associated with cell proliferation and decreases in genes associated with neuron differentiation, a result supported by extensive protein analyses. Using electrophysiology and calcium imaging, we demonstrate that NMDA receptors are present on neural progenitor cells and that human mutations in GRIN2B can impair calcium influx and membrane depolarization even in a presumed undifferentiated cell state, highlighting an important role for non-synaptic NMDA receptors. It may be this function, in part, which underlies the neurological disease observed in patients with GRIN2B mutations. Non-synaptic NMDA receptors are crucial for development of forebrain neural stem cells Mutations in GRIN2B impair neuronal differentiation Engineered patient repair restores cell differentiation Pharmacological blockade of NMDA receptors impairs differentiation
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Bell
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Gilles Maussion
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Malvin Jefri
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Huashan Peng
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Jean-Francois Theroux
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Heika Silveira
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Vincent Soubannier
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Hanrong Wu
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Peng Hu
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Ekaterina Galat
- Department of Pediatrics, Developmental Biology Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - S Gabriela Torres-Platas
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Camille Boudreau-Pinsonneault
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Liam A O'Leary
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Vasiliy Galat
- Department of Pediatrics, Developmental Biology Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Edward A Fon
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Naguib Mechawar
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Carl Ernst
- McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hettige NC, Manzano-Vargas K, Jefri M, Ernst C. Strategies to Advance Drug Discovery in Rare Monogenic Intellectual Disability Syndromes. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2017; 21:201-206. [PMID: 29040584 PMCID: PMC5836272 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyx090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Some intellectual disability syndromes are caused by a mutation in a single gene and have been the focus of therapeutic intervention attempts, such as Fragile X and Rett Syndrome, albeit with limited success. The rate at which new drugs are discovered and tested in humans for intellectual disability is progressing at a relatively slow pace. This is particularly true for rare diseases where so few patients make high-quality clinical trials challenging. We discuss how new advances in human stem cell reprogramming and gene editing can facilitate preclinical study design and we propose new workflows for how the preclinical to clinical trajectory might proceed given the small number of subjects available in rare monogenic intellectual disability syndromes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nuwan C Hettige
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Karla Manzano-Vargas
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Malvin Jefri
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Carl Ernst
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,Correspondence: Carl Ernst, PhD, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 Boulevard LaSalle, Montreal, QC, Canada H4H 1R3 ()
| |
Collapse
|