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Yang H, Hao D, Liu C, Huang D, Chen B, Fan H, Liu C, Zhang L, Zhang Q, An J, Zhao J. Generation of functional dopaminergic neurons from human spermatogonial stem cells to rescue parkinsonian phenotypes. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:195. [PMID: 31248447 PMCID: PMC6598262 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1294-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent progress in the induced generation of dopaminergic (DA) neurons from different types of stem cells or reprogrammed somatic cells holds tremendous potential for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the lack of a reliable source for cell replacement therapy remains a major limitation in the treatment of human neurological disorders. Additionally, the current protocols for in vitro differentiation or cell reprogramming to generate human DA neurons are laborious, time-consuming, and expensive, and efficient conversion of human spermatogonial stem cells (hSSCs) to functional DA neurons has not yet been achieved. Methods Primary hSSCs from testicular tissues of patients were exposed to an improved induction system, which consisted mainly of olfactory ensheathing cell conditioned culture medium (OECCM) and a set of defined cell-extrinsic factors and small molecules. Morphological changes were assessed, along with the expression of various DA neuron phenotypic markers (e.g., Tuj-1, TH, Nurr1, DAT) and several critical pro-DA neurogenesis effectors (e.g., EN-1, Pitx3, Foxa2, Lmx1a, Lmx1b, and OTX2). In addition, transcriptome analysis was used to further evaluate the genetic similarity between the artificially differentiated DA neurons and genuine ones. Concomitantly, the functional properties of converted DA neurons including synapse formation, dopamine release, electrophysiological activity, and neuron-specific Ca2+ signaling images were determined. Finally, hSSCs in the early stage of induction were evaluated for survival, differentiation, migration, tumorigenicity in the mouse striatum, and improvement of functional deficits in MPTP-induced PD animals. Results The hSSC-derived neurons not only acquired neuronal morphological features but also expressed various phenotypic genes and protein characteristic of DA neurons and several effectors critical for pro-DA neurogenesis. Strikingly, as the period of induction was prolonged, expression of the critical molecules for DA neuron epigenetic status gradually increased while hSSC-specific markers sharply decreased. After 3 weeks of induction, the transdifferentiation efficiency reached 21%. In addition, hierarchical clustering analysis showed that the differentiated DA neurons closely resembled genuine ones. Furthermore, the hSSC-derived neurons gained sophisticated functional properties of wild-type DA neurons, and pro-induced hSSCs efficiently survived, migrated, and differentiated into DA neurons without tumorigenesis after transplantation into mouse striatum, leading to improvement of functional deficits in PD animals. Conclusions The results showed that, using the present improved straightforward approach, hSSCs could acquire DA neuron morphological features and functional properties and rescue parkinsonian phenotypes. Our strategy for the conversion of hSSCs into DA neurons is very efficient and thus may provide an alternative approach suitable for clinical cell therapy to treat neurodegenerative diseases including PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yang
- Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China.
| | - Dingjun Hao
- Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China.,Department of Spine Surgery, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Department of Foot and Ankle Surge, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Dageng Huang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Hong Fan
- Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Cuicui Liu
- Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Jing An
- Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Jingjing Zhao
- Translational Medicine Center, Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
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Breger LS, Lane EL. L-DOPA and graft-induced dyskinesia: different treatment, same story? Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2013; 238:725-32. [PMID: 23828589 DOI: 10.1177/1535370213488478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the well-recognized problems of long-term L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) therapy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease is the development of L-DOPA induced dyskinesia. These abnormal movements cause significant disability and narrow the therapeutic window of L-DOPA. Cell transplantation is one of the most promising upcoming therapies for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, and may help alleviate or avoid L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. However, the more recently acknowledged phenomenon of graft-induced dyskinesia is posing a major obstacle to the success of this treatment. This motor side-effect closely resembles abnormal movements induced by chronic L-DOPA treatment, yet they remain after withdrawal of the medication indicating their origins lie in the transplant. In this review, we compare these two therapy-induced adverse effects, from the way they manifest in patients to the possible mechanisms underlying their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludivine S Breger
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, UK
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