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Pesti I, Légrádi Á, Farkas E. Primary microglia cell cultures in translational research: Strengths and limitations. J Biotechnol 2024; 386:10-18. [PMID: 38519034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2024.03.005] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Microglia are the resident macrophages in the central nervous system, accounting for 10-15% of the cell mass in the brain. Next to their physiological role in development, monitoring neuronal function and the maintenance of homeostasis, microglia are crucial in the brain's immune defense. Brain injury and chronic neurological disorders are associated with neuroinflammation, in which microglia activation is a central element. Microglia acquire a wide spectrum of activation states in the diseased or injured brain, some of which are neurotoxic. The investigation of microglia (patho)physiology and therapeutic interventions targeting neuroinflammation is a substantial challenge. In addition to in vivo approaches, the application of in vitro model systems has gained significant ground and is essential to complement in vivo work. Primary microglia cultures have proved to be a useful tool. Microglia cultures have offered the opportunity to explore the mechanistic, molecular elements of microglia activation, the microglia secretome, and the efficacy of therapeutic treatments against neuroinflammation. As all model systems, primary microglia cultures have distinct strengths and limitations to be weighed when experiments are designed and when data are interpreted. Here, we set out to provide a succinct overview of the advantages and pitfalls of the use of microglia cultures, which instructs the refinement and further development of this technique to remain useful in the toolbox of microglia researchers. Since there is no conclusive therapy to combat neurotoxicity linked to neuroinflammation in acute brain injury or neurodegenerative disorders, these research tools remain essential to explore therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- István Pesti
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine - University of Szeged Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism Research Group, Somogyi u 4, Szeged 6720, Hungary; Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School and Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Somogyi u 4, Szeged 6720, Hungary
| | - Ádám Légrádi
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School and Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Somogyi u 4, Szeged 6720, Hungary
| | - Eszter Farkas
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine - University of Szeged Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism Research Group, Somogyi u 4, Szeged 6720, Hungary; Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School and Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Somogyi u 4, Szeged 6720, Hungary.
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Ihnatovych I, Saddler RA, Sule N, Szigeti K. Translational implications of CHRFAM7A, an elusive human-restricted fusion gene. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:1020-1032. [PMID: 38200291 PMCID: PMC11176066 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02389-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Genes restricted to humans may contribute to human-specific traits and provide a different context for diseases. CHRFAM7A is a uniquely human fusion gene and a negative regulator of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). The α7 nAChR has been a promising target for diseases affecting cognition and higher cortical functions, however, the treatment effect observed in animal models failed to translate into human clinical trials. As CHRFAM7A was not accounted for in preclinical drug screens it may have contributed to the translational gap. Understanding the complex genetic architecture of the locus, deciphering the functional impact of CHRFAM7A on α7 nAChR neurobiology and utilizing human-relevant models may offer novel approaches to explore α7 nAChR as a drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivanna Ihnatovych
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Ruth-Ann Saddler
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Norbert Sule
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Kinga Szigeti
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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Michalski C, Wen Z. Leveraging iPSC technology to assess neuro-immune interactions in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1291115. [PMID: 38025464 PMCID: PMC10672983 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1291115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Communication between the immune and the nervous system is essential for human brain development and homeostasis. Disruption of this intricately regulated crosstalk can lead to neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, or neurodegenerative disorders. While animal models have been essential in characterizing the role of neuroimmunity in development and disease, they come with inherent limitations due to species specific differences, particularly with regard to microglia, the major subset of brain resident immune cells. The advent of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology now allows the development of clinically relevant models of the central nervous system that adequately reflect human genetic architecture. This article will review recent publications that have leveraged iPSC technology to assess neuro-immune interactions. First, we will discuss the role of environmental stressors such as neurotropic viruses or pro-inflammatory cytokines on neuronal and glial function. Next, we will review how iPSC models can be used to study genetic risk factors in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Lastly, we will evaluate current challenges and future potential for iPSC models in the field of neuroimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Michalski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zhexing Wen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Chen XX, Tao T, Liu XZ, Wu W, Wang JW, Yue TT, Li XJ, Zhou Y, Gao S, Sheng B, Peng Z, Xu HJ, Ding PF, Wu LY, Zhang DD, Lu Y, Hang CH, Li W. P38-DAPK1 axis regulated LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) of microglia in an in vitro subarachnoid hemorrhage model. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:175. [PMID: 37480108 PMCID: PMC10362611 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01173-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The phagocytosis and homeostasis of microglia play an important role in promoting blood clearance and improving prognosis after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). LC3-assocaited phagocytosis (LAP) contributes to the microglial phagocytosis and homeostasis via autophagy-related components. With RNA-seq sequencing, we found potential signal pathways and genes which were important for the LAP of microglia. METHODS We used an in vitro model of oxyhemoglobin exposure as SAH model in the study. RNA-seq sequencing was performed to seek critical signal pathways and genes in regulating LAP. Bioparticles were used to access the phagocytic ability of microglia. Western blot (WB), immunoprecipitation, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the expression change of LAP-related components and investigate the potential mechanisms. RESULTS In vitro SAH model, there were increased inflammation and decreased phagocytosis in microglia. At the same time, we found that the LAP of microglia was inhibited in all stages. RNA-seq sequencing revealed the importance of P38 MAPK signal pathway and DAPK1 in regulating microglial LAP. P38 was found to regulate the expression of DAPK1, and P38-DAPK1 axis was identified to regulate the LAP and homeostasis of microglia after SAH. Finally, we found that P38-DAPK1 axis regulated expression of BECN1, which indicated the potential mechanism of P38-DAPK1 axis regulating microglial LAP. CONCLUSION P38-DAPK1 axis regulated the LAP of microglia via BECN1, affecting the phagocytosis and homeostasis of microglia in vitro SAH model. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Xin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tao Tao
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xun-Zhi Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jin-Wei Wang
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Jiangsu University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ting-Ting Yue
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiao-Jian Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Sen Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bin Sheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zheng Peng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hua-Jie Xu
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Peng-Fei Ding
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ling-Yun Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ding-Ding Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yue Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Chun-Hua Hang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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