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Rosser AE, Busse ME, Gray WP, Badin RA, Perrier AL, Wheelock V, Cozzi E, Martin UP, Salado-Manzano C, Mills LJ, Drew C, Goldman SA, Canals JM, Thompson LM. Translating cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases: Huntington's disease as a model disorder. Brain 2022; 145:1584-1597. [PMID: 35262656 PMCID: PMC9166564 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been substantial progress in the development of regenerative medicine strategies for CNS disorders over the last decade, with progression to early clinical studies for some conditions. However, there are multiple challenges along the translational pipeline, many of which are common across diseases and pertinent to multiple donor cell types. These include defining the point at which the preclinical data are sufficiently compelling to permit progression to the first clinical studies; scaling-up, characterization, quality control and validation of the cell product; design, validation and approval of the surgical device; and operative procedures for safe and effective delivery of cell product to the brain. Furthermore, clinical trials that incorporate principles of efficient design and disease-specific outcomes are urgently needed (particularly for those undertaken in rare diseases, where relatively small cohorts are an additional limiting factor), and all processes must be adaptable in a dynamic regulatory environment. Here we set out the challenges associated with the clinical translation of cell therapy, using Huntington's disease as a specific example, and suggest potential strategies to address these challenges. Huntington's disease presents a clear unmet need, but, importantly, it is an autosomal dominant condition with a readily available gene test, full genetic penetrance and a wide range of associated animal models, which together mean that it is a powerful condition in which to develop principles and test experimental therapeutics. We propose that solving these challenges in Huntington's disease would provide a road map for many other neurological conditions. This white paper represents a consensus opinion emerging from a series of meetings of the international translational platforms Stem Cells for Huntington's Disease and the European Huntington's Disease Network Advanced Therapies Working Group, established to identify the challenges of cell therapy, share experience, develop guidance and highlight future directions, with the aim to expedite progress towards therapies for clinical benefit in Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E Rosser
- Cardiff University Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK.,Cardiff University Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Life Sciences Building, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK.,Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics (B.R.A.I.N.) Biomedical Research Unit, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4EP, UK
| | - Monica E Busse
- Cardiff University Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences Cardiff University, 4th Floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4YS, UK
| | - William P Gray
- Cardiff University Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK.,Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics (B.R.A.I.N.) Biomedical Research Unit, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4EP, UK.,University Hospital of Wales Healthcare NHS Trust, Department of Neurosurgery, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK
| | - Romina Aron Badin
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, Molecular Imaging Research Center, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Anselme L Perrier
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, Molecular Imaging Research Center, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Vicki Wheelock
- University of California Davis, Department of Neurology, 95817 Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Emanuele Cozzi
- Transplant Immunology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Padua University Hospital-Ospedale Giustinianeo, Padova, Italy
| | - Unai Perpiña Martin
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Creatio-Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Salado-Manzano
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Creatio-Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura J Mills
- Cardiff University Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences Cardiff University, 4th Floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4YS, UK
| | - Cheney Drew
- Cardiff University Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences Cardiff University, 4th Floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4YS, UK
| | - Steven A Goldman
- Centre for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester, 14642 Rochester, NY, USA.,University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, DK-2200 Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Josep M Canals
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Creatio-Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leslie M Thompson
- University of California Irvine, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior and the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Center, 92697 Irvine, CA, USA
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Muñoz Y, Cuevas-Pacheco F, Quesseveur G, Murai KK. Light microscopic and heterogeneity analysis of astrocytes in the common marmoset brain. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:3121-3147. [PMID: 34716617 PMCID: PMC9541330 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes are abundant cells of the central nervous system (CNS) and are involved in processes including synapse formation/function, ion homeostasis, neurotransmitter uptake, and neurovascular coupling. Recent evidence indicates that astrocytes show diverse molecular, structural, and physiological properties within the CNS. This heterogeneity is reflected in differences in astrocyte structure, gene expression, functional properties, and responsiveness to injury/pathological conditions. Deeper investigation of astrocytic heterogeneity is needed to understand how astrocytes are configured to enable diverse roles in the CNS. While much has been learned about astrocytic heterogeneity in rodents, much less is known about astrocytic heterogeneity in the primate brain where astrocytes have greater size and complexity. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a promising non‐human primate model because of similarities between marmosets and humans with respect to genetics, brain anatomy, and cognition/behavior. Here, we investigated the molecular and structural heterogeneity of marmoset astrocytes using an array of astrocytic markers, multi‐label confocal microscopy, and quantitative analysis. We used male and female marmosets and found that marmoset astrocytes show differences in expression of astrocytic markers in cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. These differences were accompanied by intra‐regional variation in expression of markers for glutamate/GABA transporters, and potassium and water channels. Differences in astrocyte structure were also found, along with complex interactions with blood vessels, microglia, and neurons. This study contributes to our knowledge of the cellular and molecular features of marmoset astrocytes and is useful for understanding the complex properties of astrocytes in the primate CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yorka Muñoz
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Francisco Cuevas-Pacheco
- Department of Mathematics, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa Maria, Valparaiso, Chile.,Advanced Center for Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa Maria, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Gaël Quesseveur
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Keith K Murai
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Quantitative Life Sciences Graduate Program, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Huang M, Yang J, Li P, Chen Y. Embryo-Engineered Nonhuman Primate Models: Progress and Gap to Translational Medicine. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2021; 2021:9898769. [PMID: 34549187 PMCID: PMC8404551 DOI: 10.34133/2021/9898769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Animal models of human diseases are vital in better understanding the mechanism of pathogenesis and essential for evaluating and validating potential therapeutic interventions. As close relatives of humans, nonhuman primates (NHPs) play an increasingly indispensable role in advancing translational medicine research. In this review, we summarized the progress of NHP models generated by embryo engineering, analyzed their unique advantages in mimicking clinical patients, and discussed the remaining gap between basic research of NHP models to translational medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Huang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Jiao Yang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Peng Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yongchang Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
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