1
|
Xue H, Gate S, Gentry E, Losert W, Cao K. Development of an accelerated cellular model for early changes in Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18384. [PMID: 37884611 PMCID: PMC10603068 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45826-5] [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: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Current cellular models for AD often require several months to exhibit phenotypic features due to the lack of an aging environment in vitro. Lamin A is a key component of the nuclear lamina. Progerin, a truncated protein resulting from specific lamin A mutations, causes Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), a disease that prematurely ages individuals. Studies have reported that lamin A expression is induced in the brains of AD patients, and overlapping cellular phenotypes have been observed between HGPS and AD cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of exogenous progerin expression on neural progenitor cells carrying familial AD mutations (FAD). Within three to four weeks of differentiation, these cells exhibited robust AD phenotypes, including increased tau phosphorylation, amyloid plaque accumulation, and an elevated Aβ42 to Aβ40 ratio. Additionally, progerin expression significantly increased AD cellular phenotypes such as cell death and cell cycle re-entry. Our results suggest that progerin expression could be used to create an accelerated model for AD development and drug screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huijing Xue
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Sylvester Gate
- Institute of Physical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Emma Gentry
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Wolfgang Losert
- Institute of Physical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Kan Cao
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Prajapati A, Mehan S, Khan Z. The role of Smo-Shh/Gli signaling activation in the prevention of neurological and ageing disorders. Biogerontology 2023:10.1007/s10522-023-10034-1. [PMID: 37097427 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10034-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling is an essential central nervous system (CNS) pathway involved during embryonic development and later life stages. Further, it regulates cell division, cellular differentiation, and neuronal integrity. During CNS development, Smo-Shh signaling is significant in the proliferation of neuronal cells such as oligodendrocytes and glial cells. The initiation of the downstream signalling cascade through the 7-transmembrane protein Smoothened (Smo) promotes neuroprotection and restoration during neurological disorders. The dysregulation of Smo-Shh is linked to the proteolytic cleavage of GLI (glioma-associated homolog) into GLI3 (repressor), which suppresses target gene expression, leading to the disruption of cell growth processes. Smo-Shh aberrant signalling is responsible for several neurological complications contributing to physiological alterations like increased oxidative stress, neuronal excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis. Moreover, activating Shh receptors in the brain promotes axonal elongation and increases neurotransmitters released from presynaptic terminals, thereby exerting neurogenesis, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and autophagy responses. Smo-Shh activators have been shown in preclinical and clinical studies to help prevent various neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Redox signalling has been found to play a critical role in regulating the activity of the Smo-Shh pathway and influencing downstream signalling events. In the current study ROS, a signalling molecule, was also essential in modulating the SMO-SHH gli signaling pathway in neurodegeneration. As a result of this investigation, dysregulation of the pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD).Thus, Smo-Shh signalling activators could be a potential therapeutic intervention to treat neurocomplications of brain disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aradhana Prajapati
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, 142001, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, 142001, India.
| | - Zuber Khan
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, 142001, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Young JE, Goldstein LSB. Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (hiPSC)-Derived Neurons and Glia for the Elucidation of Pathogenic Mechanisms in Alzheimer's Disease. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2561:105-133. [PMID: 36399267 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2655-9_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder and a mechanistically complex disease. For the last decade, human models of AD using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have emerged as a powerful way to understand disease pathogenesis in relevant human cell types. In this review, we summarize the state of the field and how this technology can apply to studies of both familial and sporadic studies of AD. We discuss patient-derived iPSCs, genome editing, differentiation of neural cell types, and three-dimensional organoids, and speculate on the future of this type of work for increasing our understanding of, and improving therapeutic development for, this devastating disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E Young
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. .,Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Lawrence S B Goldstein
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sengupta D, Sengupta K. Lamin A and telomere maintenance in aging: Two to Tango. Mutat Res 2022; 825:111788. [PMID: 35687934 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2022.111788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Lamin proteins which constitute the nuclear lamina in almost all higher eukaryotes, are mainly of two types A & B encoded by LMNA and LMNB1/B2 genes respectively. While lamin A remains the principal product of LMNA gene, variants like lamin C, C2 and A∆10 are also formed as alternate splice products. Role of lamin A in aging has been highlighted in recent times due to its association with progeroid or premature aging syndromes which is classified as a type of laminopathy. Progeria caused by accelerated accumulation of lamin A Δ50 or progerin occurs due to a mutation in this LMNA gene leading to defects in post translational modification of lamin A. One of the most common and severe symptoms of progeroid laminopathy is accelerated cellular senescence or aging along with bone resorption, muscle weakness, lipodystrophy and cardiovascular disorders. On the other hand, progerin accumulation and telomere dysfunction merge as common traits in the process of chronological aging. Two major hallmarks of physiological aging in humans include loss of genomic integrity and telomere attrition which can result from defective laminar organization leading to deformed nuclear architecture and culminates into replicative senescence. This also adversely affects epigenetic landscape, mitochondrial dysfunction and several signalling pathways like DNA repair, mTOR, MAPK, TGFβ. In this review, we discuss the telomere-lamina interplay in the context of physiological aging and progeria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duhita Sengupta
- Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, West Bengal, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Kaushik Sengupta
- Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, West Bengal, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Puranik N, Arukha AP, Yadav SK, Yadav D, Jin JO. Exploring the Role of Stem Cell Therapy in Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases: Challenges and Current Perspectives. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 17:113-125. [DOI: 10.2174/1574888x16666210810103838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
:
Several human neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease,
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and brain
stroke, are caused by the injury to neurons or glial cells. The recent years have witnessed the successful
generation of neurons and glia cells driving efforts to develop stem-cell-based therapies for
patients to combat a broad spectrum of human neurological diseases. The inadequacy of suitable
cell types for cell replacement therapy in patients suffering from neurological disorders has hampered
the development of this promising therapeutic approach. Attempts are thus being made to reconstruct
viable neurons and glial cells from different stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells,
mesenchymal stem cells, and neural stem cells. Dedicated research to cultivate stem cell-based
brain transplantation therapies has been carried out. We aim at compiling the breakthroughs in the
field of stem cell-based therapy for the treatment of neurodegenerative maladies, emphasizing the
shortcomings faced, victories achieved, and the future prospects of the therapy in clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Puranik
- Department of Biological Science, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu-641046, India
| | - Ananta Prasad Arukha
- Comparative Diagnostic
and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville- 32608, U.S.A
| | - Shiv Kumar Yadav
- Department of Botany, Government Lal Bahadur Shastri PG college, Sironj, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Dhananjay Yadav
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712-749, Korea
| | - Jun O. Jin
- Department
of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712-749, Korea
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bednarski IA, Ciążyńska M, Kabziński J, Majsterek I, Sobolewska-Sztychny D, Narbutt J, Lesiak A. More Than Skin Deep - the Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Cathepsin K and Progerin Expression in Cultured Dermal Fibroblasts. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2021; 14:1561-1568. [PMID: 34737595 PMCID: PMC8558101 DOI: 10.2147/ccid.s318707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Photoaging is a premature skin aging developing secondarily to the excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Due to its complexity, an exact mechanism of photoaging has not been found yet; however, recent research has shown two new emerging players in this process – cathepsin K and progerin. Aim To evaluate how different wavelengths of ultraviolet radiation (UVA, narrowband UVB and broadband UVB) influence cathepsin K and progerin protein and mRNA expression in dermal cultured fibroblasts. Materials and Methods Primary human dermal fibroblasts (Detroit 551, ATCC CCL-110) were cultured and irradiated with UVA, narrowband UVB (UVBnb) and broadband UVB (UVBwb). Fibroblasts were irradiated with 2 protocols: single high-dose exposure to UVR with protein/mRNA extraction immediately after exposure, 24 h after exposure and 48 h after exposure, and repeated (0 h, 24 h and 48 h) low-dose exposure to UVR with protein/mRNA extraction 48 h after first exposure. Results Single high doses of UVA, UVBwb and UVBnb resulted in decreased expression of cathepsin K and progerin protein/mRNA in all subsequent time points. Repeated exposure to low doses of UVA results in significant increase of progerin mRNA and significant decrease of progerin protein after 48 h, but repeated exposure to UVBwb and UVBnb resulted in decreased progerin mRNA and protein expression. Repeated exposure to UVA, UVBwb and UVBnb resulted in decreased cathepsin K protein and mRNA expression. Conclusion The results suggest that there could be another progerin/cathepsin K regulatory pathway, which has not been described yet. Being contradictory with previous research, the influence of ultraviolet radiation on progerin and cathepsin K needs to be further elucidated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Igor Aleksander Bednarski
- Department of Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology and Dermatological Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, 91-347, Poland
| | - Magdalena Ciążyńska
- Nicolaus Copernicus Multidisciplinary Centre for Oncology and Traumatology, Lodz, 93-513, Poland
| | - Jacek Kabziński
- Department of Chemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, 90-136, Poland
| | - Ireneusz Majsterek
- Department of Chemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, 90-136, Poland
| | - Dorota Sobolewska-Sztychny
- Department of Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology and Dermatological Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, 91-347, Poland
| | - Joanna Narbutt
- Department of Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology and Dermatological Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, 91-347, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Lesiak
- Department of Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology and Dermatological Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, 91-347, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chan KY, Li X, Ortega J, Gu L, Li GM. DNA polymerase θ promotes CAG•CTG repeat expansions in Huntington's disease via insertion sequences of its catalytic domain. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101144. [PMID: 34473992 PMCID: PMC8463855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD), a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive dementia, psychiatric problems, and chorea, is known to be caused by CAG repeat expansions in the HD gene HTT. However, the mechanism of this pathology is not fully understood. The translesion DNA polymerase θ (Polθ) carries a large insertion sequence in its catalytic domain, which has been shown to allow DNA loop-outs in the primer strand. As a result of high levels of oxidative DNA damage in neural cells and Polθ's subsequent involvement in base excision repair of oxidative DNA damage, we hypothesized that Polθ contributes to CAG repeat expansion while repairing oxidative damage within HTT. Here, we performed Polθ-catalyzed in vitro DNA synthesis using various CAG•CTG repeat DNA substrates that are similar to base excision repair intermediates. We show that Polθ efficiently extends (CAG)n•(CTG)n hairpin primers, resulting in hairpin retention and repeat expansion. Polθ also triggers repeat expansions to pass the threshold for HD when the DNA template contains 35 repeats upward. Strikingly, Polθ depleted of the catalytic insertion fails to induce repeat expansions regardless of primers and templates used, indicating that the insertion sequence is responsible for Polθ's error-causing activity. In addition, the level of chromatin-bound Polθ in HD cells is significantly higher than in non-HD cells and exactly correlates with the degree of CAG repeat expansion, implying Polθ's involvement in triplet repeat instability. Therefore, we have identified Polθ as a potent factor that promotes CAG•CTG repeat expansions in HD and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kara Y Chan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA; Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Xueying Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Janice Ortega
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Liya Gu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Guo-Min Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA; Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Monk R, Connor B. Cell Reprogramming to Model Huntington's Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071565. [PMID: 34206228 PMCID: PMC8306243 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive decline of motor, cognitive, and psychiatric functions. HD results from an autosomal dominant mutation that causes a trinucleotide CAG repeat expansion and the production of mutant Huntingtin protein (mHTT). This results in the initial selective and progressive loss of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the striatum before progressing to involve the whole brain. There are currently no effective treatments to prevent or delay the progression of HD as knowledge into the mechanisms driving the selective degeneration of MSNs has been hindered by a lack of access to live neurons from individuals with HD. The invention of cell reprogramming provides a revolutionary technique for the study, and potential treatment, of neurological conditions. Cell reprogramming technologies allow for the generation of live disease-affected neurons from patients with neurological conditions, becoming a primary technique for modelling these conditions in vitro. The ability to generate HD-affected neurons has widespread applications for investigating the pathogenesis of HD, the identification of new therapeutic targets, and for high-throughput drug screening. Cell reprogramming also offers a potential autologous source of cells for HD cell replacement therapy. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the use of cell reprogramming to model HD and a discussion on recent advancements in cell reprogramming technologies that will benefit the HD field.
Collapse
|
9
|
Monk R, Lee K, Jones KS, Connor B. Directly reprogrammed Huntington's disease neural precursor cells generate striatal neurons exhibiting aggregates and impaired neuronal maturation. STEM CELLS (DAYTON, OHIO) 2021; 39:1410-1422. [PMID: 34028139 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of striatal medium spiny neurons. Using a highly efficient protocol for direct reprogramming of adult human fibroblasts with chemically modified mRNA, we report the first generation of HD induced neural precursor cells (iNPs) expressing striatal lineage markers that differentiated into DARPP32+ neurons from individuals with adult-onset HD (41-57 CAG). While no transcriptional differences between normal and HD reprogrammed neurons were detected by NanoString nCounter analysis, a subpopulation of HD reprogrammed neurons contained ubiquitinated polyglutamine aggregates. Importantly, reprogrammed HD neurons exhibited impaired neuronal maturation, displaying altered neurite morphology and more depolarized resting membrane potentials. Reduced BDNF protein expression in reprogrammed HD neurons correlated with increased CAG repeat lengths and earlier symptom onset. This model represents a platform for investigating impaired neuronal maturation and screening for neuronal maturation modifiers to treat HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Monk
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kathryn S Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bronwen Connor
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Depression patient-derived cortical neurons reveal potential biomarkers for antidepressant response. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:201. [PMID: 33795631 PMCID: PMC8016835 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01319-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is highly prevalent worldwide and has been affecting an increasing number of people each year. Current first line antidepressants show merely 37% remission, and physicians are forced to use a trial-and-error approach when choosing a single antidepressant out of dozens of available medications. We sought to identify a method of testing that would provide patient-specific information on whether a patient will respond to a medication using in vitro modeling. Patient-derived lymphoblastoid cell lines from the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression study were used to rapidly generate cortical neurons and screen them for bupropion effects, for which the donor patients showed remission or non-remission. We provide evidence for biomarkers specific for bupropion response, including synaptic connectivity and morphology changes as well as specific gene expression alterations. These biomarkers support the concept of personalized antidepressant treatment based on in vitro platforms and could be utilized as predictors to patient response in the clinic.
Collapse
|
11
|
Current State-of-the-Art and Unresolved Problems in Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Dopamine Neurons for Parkinson's Disease Drug Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073381. [PMID: 33806103 PMCID: PMC8037675 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have the potential to give rise to a new era in Parkinson's disease (PD) research. As a unique source of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons, iPS cells provide unparalleled capabilities for investigating the pathogenesis of PD, the development of novel anti-parkinsonian drugs, and personalized therapy design. Significant progress in developmental biology of midbrain DA neurons laid the foundation for their efficient derivation from iPS cells. The introduction of 3D culture methods to mimic the brain microenvironment further expanded the vast opportunities of iPS cell-based research of the neurodegenerative diseases. However, while the benefits for basic and applied studies provided by iPS cells receive widespread coverage in the current literature, the drawbacks of this model in its current state, and in particular, the aspects of differentiation protocols requiring further refinement are commonly overlooked. This review summarizes the recent data on general and subtype-specific features of midbrain DA neurons and their development. Here, we review the current protocols for derivation of DA neurons from human iPS cells and outline their general weak spots. The associated gaps in the contemporary knowledge are considered and the possible directions for future research that may assist in improving the differentiation conditions and increase the efficiency of using iPS cell-derived neurons for PD drug development are discussed.
Collapse
|
12
|
Sorek M, Oweis W, Nissim-Rafinia M, Maman M, Simon S, Hession CC, Adiconis X, Simmons SK, Sanjana NE, Shi X, Lu C, Pan JQ, Xu X, Pouladi MA, Ellerby LM, Zhang F, Levin JZ, Meshorer E. Pluripotent stem cell-derived models of neurological diseases reveal early transcriptional heterogeneity. Genome Biol 2021; 22:73. [PMID: 33663567 PMCID: PMC7934477 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02301-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many neurodegenerative diseases develop only later in life, when cells in the nervous system lose their structure or function. In many forms of neurodegenerative diseases, this late-onset phenomenon remains largely unexplained. RESULTS Analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Huntington's disease (HD) patients, we find increased transcriptional heterogeneity in disease-state neurons. We hypothesize that transcriptional heterogeneity precedes neurodegenerative disease pathologies. To test this idea experimentally, we use juvenile forms (72Q; 180Q) of HD iPSCs, differentiate them into committed neuronal progenitors, and obtain single-cell expression profiles. We show a global increase in gene expression variability in HD. Autophagy genes become more stable, while energy and actin-related genes become more variable in the mutant cells. Knocking down several differentially variable genes results in increased aggregate formation, a pathology associated with HD. We further validate the increased transcriptional heterogeneity in CHD8+/- cells, a model for autism spectrum disorder. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results suggest that although neurodegenerative diseases develop over time, transcriptional regulation imbalance is present already at very early developmental stages. Therefore, an intervention aimed at this early phenotype may be of high diagnostic value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matan Sorek
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Edmond and Lily Center for Brain Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Walaa Oweis
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Malka Nissim-Rafinia
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Moria Maman
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shahar Simon
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Cynthia C Hession
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xian Adiconis
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sean K Simmons
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Neville E Sanjana
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- New York Genome Center and Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xi Shi
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Congyi Lu
- New York Genome Center and Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jen Q Pan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xiaohong Xu
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, 613 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Lisa M Ellerby
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd, Novato, CA, 94945, USA
| | - Feng Zhang
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Joshua Z Levin
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Eran Meshorer
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel.
- The Edmond and Lily Center for Brain Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Vieira de Sá R, Cañizares Luna M, Pasterkamp RJ. Advances in Central Nervous System Organoids: A Focus on Organoid-Based Models for Motor Neuron Disease. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2021; 27:213-224. [PMID: 33446055 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2020.0337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite their large societal burden, the development of therapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) has been relatively unsuccessful. This is, in part, due to a lack of representative experimental models that reveal fundamental aspects of human brain pathology. Recently, assays for in vitro modeling of the human central nervous system (CNS) have significantly improved with the development of brain and spinal cord organoids. Coupled with induced-pluripotent stem cell and genome editing technologies, CNS organoids are a promising tool for studying neurodegeneration in a patient-specific manner. An extensive array of protocols for the generation of organoids for different brain regions has been developed and used for studying neurodegenerative and other brain diseases. However, their application in the field of motor neuron disease (MND) has been limited due to a lack of adequate organoid models. The development of protocols to derive spinal cord and trunk organoids and progress in the field of assembloids are providing new opportunities for modeling MND. In this study here we review recent advances in the development of CNS organoid models, their application in NDDs, and technical limitations. Finally, we discuss future perspectives for the development of organoid-based systems for MND and provide a framework for their development. Impact statement Animal models and two-dimensional cultures are currently the main platforms for studying neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). However, central nervous system (CNS) organoid technology offers novel possibilities for studying these diseases. Organoid modeling in combination with emerging organ-on-a-chip approaches, induced-pluripotent stem cell technology, and genome editing render in vitro modeling of NDDs more robust and physiologically relevant. In this study, we review the principles underlying CNS organoid generation, their use in NDD research, and future perspectives in organoid technology. Finally, we discuss how advances in different fields could be combined to generate a multisystem organoid-on-a-chip model to investigate a specific class of NDDs, motor neuron diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renata Vieira de Sá
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marta Cañizares Luna
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|