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Tusnim J, Kutuzov P, Grasman JM. In Vitro Models for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2401605. [PMID: 39324286 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202401605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) resulting in lesions is highly prevalent clinically, but current therapeutic approaches fail to provide satisfactory outcomes in many patients. While peripheral nerves have intrinsic regenerative capacity, the regenerative capabilities of peripheral nerves are often insufficient to restore full functionality. This highlights an unmet need for developing more effective strategies to repair damaged peripheral nerves and improve regenerative success. Consequently, researchers are actively exploring a variety of therapeutic strategies, encompassing the local delivery of trophic factors or bioactive molecules, the design of advanced biomaterials that interact with regenerating axons, and augmentation with nerve guidance conduits or complex prostheses. However, clinical translation of these technologies remains limited, emphasizing the need for continued research on peripheral nerve regeneration modalities that can enhance functional restoration. Experimental models that accurately recapitulate key aspects of peripheral nerve injury and repair biology can accelerate therapeutic development by enabling systematic testing of new techniques. Advancing regenerative therapies for PNI requires bridging the gap between basic science discoveries and clinical application. This review discusses different in vitro models of peripheral nerve injury and repair, including their advantages, limitations, and potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarin Tusnim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Peter Kutuzov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Jonathan M Grasman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
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2
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Silvestri B, Mochi M, Mawrie D, de Turris V, Colantoni A, Borhy B, Medici M, Anderson EN, Garone MG, Zammerilla CP, Pandey UB, Rosa A. HuD (ELAVL4) gain-of-function impairs neuromuscular junctions and induces apoptosis in in vitro and in vivo models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.22.554258. [PMID: 38464028 PMCID: PMC10925158 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.22.554258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Early defects at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) are among the first hallmarks of the progressive neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). According to the "dying back" hypothesis, disruption of the NMJ not only precedes, but is also a trigger for the subsequent degeneration of the motoneuron in both sporadic and familial ALS, including ALS caused by the severe FUS pathogenic variant P525L. However, the mechanisms linking genetic and environmental factors to NMJ defects remain elusive. By taking advantage of co-cultures of motoneurons and skeletal muscle derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we show that the neural RNA binding protein HuD (ELAVL4) may underlie NMJ defects and apoptosis in FUS-ALS. HuD overexpression in motoneurons phenocopies the severe FUSP525L mutation, while HuD knockdown in FUSP525L co-cultures produces phenotypic rescue. We validated these findings in vivo in a Drosophila FUS-ALS model. Neuronal-restricted overexpression of the HuD-related gene, elav, produces per se a motor phenotype, while neuronal-restricted elav knockdown significantly rescues motor dysfunction caused by FUS. Finally, we show that HuD levels increase upon oxidative stress in human motoneurons and in sporadic ALS patients with an oxidative stress signature. On these bases, we propose HuD as an important player downstream of FUS mutation in familial ALS, with potential implications for sporadic ALS related to oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Silvestri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano-& Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Mochi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Darilang Mawrie
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA, USA
| | - Valeria de Turris
- Center for Life Nano-& Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano-& Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Borhy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita Medici
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eric Nathaniel Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA, USA
| | - Maria Giovanna Garone
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Udai Bhan Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA, USA
- Children's Neuroscience Institute, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano-& Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
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3
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Gazzola M, Martinat C. Unlocking the Complexity of Neuromuscular Diseases: Insights from Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neuromuscular Junctions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15291. [PMID: 37894969 PMCID: PMC10607237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, the use of pluripotent stem cells to mimic the complexities of the human neuromuscular junction has received much attention. Deciphering the key mechanisms underlying the establishment and maturation of this complex synapse has been driven by the dual goals of addressing developmental questions and gaining insight into neuromuscular disorders. This review aims to summarise the evolution and sophistication of in vitro neuromuscular junction models developed from the first differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into motor neurons to recent neuromuscular organoids. We also discuss the potential offered by these models to decipher different neuromuscular diseases characterised by defects in the presynaptic compartment, the neuromuscular junction, and the postsynaptic compartment. Finally, we discuss the emerging field that considers the use of these techniques in drug screening assay and the challenges they will face in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Gazzola
- INSERM U861, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
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Leng Y, Li X, Zheng F, Liu H, Wang C, Wang X, Liao Y, Liu J, Meng K, Yu J, Zhang J, Wang B, Tan Y, Liu M, Jia X, Li D, Li Y, Gu Z, Fan Y. Advances in In Vitro Models of Neuromuscular Junction: Focusing on Organ-on-a-Chip, Organoids, and Biohybrid Robotics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2211059. [PMID: 36934404 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202211059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a peripheral synaptic connection between presynaptic motor neurons and postsynaptic skeletal muscle fibers that enables muscle contraction and voluntary motor movement. Many traumatic, neurodegenerative, and neuroimmunological diseases are classically believed to mainly affect either the neuronal or the muscle side of the NMJ, and treatment options are lacking. Recent advances in novel techniques have helped develop in vitro physiological and pathophysiological models of the NMJ as well as enable precise control and evaluation of its functions. This paper reviews the recent developments in in vitro NMJ models with 2D or 3D cultures, from organ-on-a-chip and organoids to biohybrid robotics. Related derivative techniques are introduced for functional analysis of the NMJ, such as the patch-clamp technique, microelectrode arrays, calcium imaging, and stimulus methods, particularly optogenetic-mediated light stimulation, microelectrode-mediated electrical stimulation, and biochemical stimulation. Finally, the applications of the in vitro NMJ models as disease models or for drug screening related to suitable neuromuscular diseases are summarized and their future development trends and challenges are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubing Leng
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaorui Li
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Fuyin Zheng
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Xudong Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yulong Liao
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jiangyue Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Kaiqi Meng
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jiaheng Yu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jingyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Binyu Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yingjun Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Meili Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaoling Jia
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Deyu Li
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yinghui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Zhongze Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yubo Fan
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
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Lin YL, Nhieu J, Lerdall T, Milbauer L, Wei CW, Lee DJ, Oh SH, Thayer S, Wei LN. A novel 3D bilayer hydrogel tri-culture system for studying functional motor units. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:168. [PMID: 37700376 PMCID: PMC10496371 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01115-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A motor unit (MU) is formed by a single alpha motor neuron (MN) and the muscle fibers it innervates. The MU is essential for all voluntary movements. Functional deficits in the MU result in neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). The pathological mechanisms underlying most NMDs remain poorly understood, in part due to the lack of in vitro models that can comprehensively recapitulate multistage intercellular interactions and physiological function of the MU. RESULTS We have designed a novel three-dimensional (3D) bilayer hydrogel tri-culture system where architecturally organized MUs can form in vitro. A sequential co-culture procedure using the three cell types of a MU, MN, myoblast, and Schwann cell was designed to construct a co-differentiating tri-culture on a bilayer hydrogel matrix. We utilized a µ-molded hydrogel with an additional Matrigel layer to form the bilayer hydrogel device. The µ-molded hydrogel layer provides the topological cues for myoblast differentiation. The Matrigel layer, with embedded Schwann cells, not only separates the MNs from myoblasts but also provides a proper micro-environment for MU development. The completed model shows key MU features including an organized MU structure, myelinated nerves, aligned myotubes innervated on clustered neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), MN-driven myotube contractions, and increases in cytosolic Ca2+ upon stimulation. CONCLUSIONS This organized and functional in vitro MU model provides an opportunity to study pathological events involved in NMDs and peripheral neuropathies, and can serve as a platform for physiological and pharmacological studies such as modeling and drug screening. Technically, the rational of this 3D bilayer hydrogel co-culture system exploits multiple distinct properties of hydrogels, facilitating effective and efficient co-culturing of diverse cell types for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lung Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Sciences and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jennifer Nhieu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Thomas Lerdall
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Liming Milbauer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Chin-Wen Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Dong Jun Lee
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Sang-Hyun Oh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Stanley Thayer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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Rupar MJ, Sasserath T, Smith E, Comiter B, Sriram N, Long CJ, McAleer CW, Hickman JJ. Development of a human malaria-on-a-chip disease model for drug efficacy and off-target toxicity evaluation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10509. [PMID: 37380653 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35694-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A functional, multi-organ, serum-free system was developed for the culture of P. falciparum in an attempt to establish innovative platforms for therapeutic drug development. It contains 4 human organ constructs including hepatocytes, splenocytes, endothelial cells, as well as recirculating red blood cells which allow for infection with the parasite. Two strains of P. falciparum were used: the 3D7 strain, which is sensitive to chloroquine; and the W2 strain, which is resistant to chloroquine. The maintenance of functional cells was successfully demonstrated both in healthy and diseased conditions for 7 days in the recirculating microfluidic model. To demonstrate an effective platform for therapeutic development, systems infected with the 3D7 strain were treated with chloroquine which significantly decreased parasitemia, with recrudescence observed after 5 days. Conversely, when the W2 systems were dosed with chloroquine, parasitemia levels were moderately decreased when compared to the 3D7 model. The system also allows for the concurrent evaluation of off-target toxicity for the anti-malarial treatment in a dose dependent manner which indicates this model could be utilized for therapeutic index determination. The work described here establishes a new approach to the evaluation of anti-malarial therapeutics in a realistic human model with recirculating blood cells for 7 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Rupar
- Hesperos, Inc., 12501 Research Parkway, Suite 100, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | - Trevor Sasserath
- Hesperos, Inc., 12501 Research Parkway, Suite 100, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | - Ethan Smith
- Hesperos, Inc., 12501 Research Parkway, Suite 100, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | - Brandon Comiter
- Hesperos, Inc., 12501 Research Parkway, Suite 100, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | - Narasimhan Sriram
- Hesperos, Inc., 12501 Research Parkway, Suite 100, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | - Christopher J Long
- Hesperos, Inc., 12501 Research Parkway, Suite 100, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | | | - James J Hickman
- Hesperos, Inc., 12501 Research Parkway, Suite 100, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA.
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7
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Choi Y, Nam YH, Jeong S, Lee HY, Choi SY, Park S, Jung SC. Biochemical and functional characterization of skeletal muscle cells differentiated from tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Muscle Nerve 2023. [PMID: 37243484 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Human tonsils are a readily accessible source of stem cells for the potential treatment of skeletal muscle disorders. We reported previously that tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) can differentiate into skeletal muscle cells (SKMCs), which renders TMSCs promising candidates for cell therapy for skeletal muscle disorders. However, the functional properties of the myocytes differentiated from mesenchymal stem cells have not been clearly evaluated. In this study we investigated whether myocytes differentiated from TMSCs (skeletal muscle cells derived from tonsil mesenchymal stem cells [TMSC-SKMCs]) exhibit the functional characteristics of SKMCs. METHODS To test the insulin reactivity of TMSC-SKMCs, the expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt was analyzed after the cells were treated for 30 minutes with 100 nmol/L insulin in normal or high-glucose medium. We also examined whether these cells formed a neuromuscular junction (NMJ) when cocultured with motor neurons, and whether they were stimulated by electrical signals using whole-cell patch clamping. RESULTS Skeletal muscle cells derived from tonsil mesenchymal stem cells expressed SKMC markers, such as MYOD, MYH3, MYH8, TNNI1, and TTN, at high levels, and exhibited a multinucleated cell morphology and a myotube-like shape. The expression of the acetylcholine receptor and GLUT4 was confirmed in TMSC-SKMCs. In addition, these cells exhibited insulin-mediated glucose uptake, NMJ formation, and transient changes in cell membrane action potential, all of which are representative functions of human SKMCs. DISCUSSION Tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells can be functionally differentiated into SKMCs and may have potential for clinical application for the treatment of skeletal muscle disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeonzi Choi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Hwa Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeon Jeong
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Yoon Lee
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Young Choi
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Saeyoung Park
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Chul Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Trossmann VT, Scheibel T. Design of Recombinant Spider Silk Proteins for Cell Type Specific Binding. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202660. [PMID: 36565209 PMCID: PMC11468868 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cytophilic (cell-adhesive) materials are very important for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, for engineering hierarchically organized tissue structures comprising different cell types, cell-specific attachment and guidance are decisive. In this context, materials made of recombinant spider silk proteins are promising scaffolds, since they exhibit high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and the underlying proteins can be genetically functionalized. Here, previously established spider silk variants based on the engineered Araneus diadematus fibroin 4 (eADF4(C16)) are genetically modified with cell adhesive peptide sequences from extracellular matrix proteins, including IKVAV, YIGSR, QHREDGS, and KGD. Interestingly, eADF4(C16)-KGD as one of 18 tested variants is cell-selective for C2C12 mouse myoblasts, one out of 11 tested cell lines. Co-culturing with B50 rat neuronal cells confirms the cell-specificity of eADF4(C16)-KGD material surfaces for C2C12 mouse myoblast adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Tanja Trossmann
- Chair of BiomaterialsEngineering FacultyUniversity of BayreuthProf.‐Rüdiger‐Bormann‐Straße 195447BayreuthGermany
| | - Thomas Scheibel
- Chair of BiomaterialsEngineering FacultyUniversity of BayreuthProf.‐Rüdiger‐Bormann‐Straße 195447BayreuthGermany
- Bayreuth Center for Colloids and Interfaces (BZKG)Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI)Bayreuth Center for Molecular Biosciences (BZMB)Bayreuth Center for Material Science (BayMAT)University of BayreuthUniversitätsstraße 3095447BayreuthGermany
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9
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Xu HJ, Yao Y, Yao F, Chen J, Li M, Yang X, Li S, Lu F, Hu P, He S, Peng G, Jing N. Generation of functional posterior spinal motor neurons from hPSCs-derived human spinal cord neural progenitor cells. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 12:15. [PMID: 36949352 PMCID: PMC10033800 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-023-00159-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Spinal motor neurons deficiency results in a series of devastating disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and spinal cord injury (SCI). These disorders are currently incurable, while human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs)-derived spinal motor neurons are promising but suffered from inappropriate regional identity and functional immaturity for the study and treatment of posterior spinal cord related injuries. In this study, we have established human spinal cord neural progenitor cells (hSCNPCs) via hPSCs differentiated neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) and demonstrated the hSCNPCs can be continuously expanded up to 40 passages. hSCNPCs can be rapidly differentiated into posterior spinal motor neurons with high efficiency. The functional maturity has been examined in detail. Moreover, a co-culture scheme which is compatible for both neural and muscular differentiation is developed to mimic the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) formation in vitro. Together, these studies highlight the potential avenues for generating clinically relevant spinal motor neurons and modeling neuromuscular diseases through our defined hSCNPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Jax Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fenyong Yao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Jiehui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meishi Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Xianfa Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Guangzhou Laboratory/Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510005, China
| | - Sheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20023, China
| | - Fangru Lu
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Ping Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Guangzhou Laboratory/Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510005, China
- Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20023, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shuijin He
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Guangdun Peng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Center for Cell Lineage and Atlas, Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510005, China.
| | - Naihe Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Guangzhou Laboratory/Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510005, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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10
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Limone F, Guerra San Juan I, Mitchell JM, Smith JLM, Raghunathan K, Meyer D, Ghosh SD, Couto A, Klim JR, Joseph BJ, Gold J, Mello CJ, Nemesh J, Smith BM, Verhage M, McCarroll SA, Pietiläinen O, Nehme R, Eggan K. Efficient generation of lower induced motor neurons by coupling Ngn2 expression with developmental cues. Cell Rep 2023; 42:111896. [PMID: 36596304 PMCID: PMC10117176 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are a powerful tool for disease modeling of hard-to-access tissues (such as the brain). Current protocols either direct neuronal differentiation with small molecules or use transcription-factor-mediated programming. In this study, we couple overexpression of transcription factor Neurogenin2 (Ngn2) with small molecule patterning to differentiate hPSCs into lower induced motor neurons (liMoNes/liMNs). This approach induces canonical MN markers including MN-specific Hb9/MNX1 in more than 95% of cells. liMNs resemble bona fide hPSC-derived MN, exhibit spontaneous electrical activity, express synaptic markers, and can contact muscle cells in vitro. Pooled, multiplexed single-cell RNA sequencing on 50 hPSC lines reveals reproducible populations of distinct subtypes of cervical and brachial MNs that resemble their in vivo, embryonic counterparts. Combining small molecule patterning with Ngn2 overexpression facilitates high-yield, reproducible production of disease-relevant MN subtypes, which is fundamental in propelling our knowledge of MN biology and its disruption in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Limone
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Leiden University Medical Center, LUMC, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Irune Guerra San Juan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jana M Mitchell
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Janell L M Smith
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Kavya Raghunathan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Daniel Meyer
- Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sulagna Dia Ghosh
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexander Couto
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Joseph R Klim
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Brian J Joseph
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - John Gold
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Curtis J Mello
- Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James Nemesh
- Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Brittany M Smith
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Matthijs Verhage
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Steven A McCarroll
- Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Olli Pietiläinen
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ralda Nehme
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kevin Eggan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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11
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Strickland JB, Davis-Anderson K, Micheva-Viteva S, Twary S, Iyer R, Harris JF, Solomon EA. Optimization of Application-Driven Development of In Vitro Neuromuscular Junction Models. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2022; 28:1180-1191. [PMID: 35018825 PMCID: PMC9805869 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2021.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are specialized synapses responsible for signal transduction between motor neurons (MNs) and skeletal muscle tissue. Malfunction at this site can result from developmental disorders, toxic environmental exposures, and neurodegenerative diseases leading to severe neurological dysfunction. Exploring these conditions in human or animal subjects is restricted by ethical concerns and confounding environmental factors. Therefore, in vitro NMJ models provide exciting opportunities for advancements in tissue engineering. In the last two decades, multiple NMJ prototypes and platforms have been reported, and each model system design is strongly tied to a specific application: exploring developmental physiology, disease modeling, or high-throughput screening. Directing the differentiation of stem cells into mature MNs and/or skeletal muscle for NMJ modeling has provided critical cues to recapitulate early-stage development. Patient-derived inducible pluripotent stem cells provide a personalized approach to investigating NMJ disease, especially when disease etiology cannot be resolved down to a specific gene mutation. Having reproducible NMJ culture replicates is useful for high-throughput screening to evaluate drug toxicity and determine the impact of environmental threat exposures. Cutting-edge bioengineering techniques have propelled this field forward with innovative microfabrication and design approaches allowing both two-dimensional and three-dimensional NMJ culture models. Many of these NMJ systems require further validation for broader application by regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and the general research community. In this summary, we present a comprehensive review on the current state-of-art research in NMJ models and discuss their ability to provide valuable insight into cell and tissue interactions. Impact statement In vitro neuromuscular junction (NMJ) models reveal the specialized mechanisms of communication between neurons and muscle tissue. This site can be disrupted by developmental disorders, toxic environmental exposures, or neurodegenerative diseases, which often lead to fatal outcomes and is therefore of critical importance to the medical community. Many bioengineering approaches for in vitro NMJ modeling have been designed to mimic development and disease; other approaches include in vitro NMJ models for high-throughput toxicology screening, providing a platform to limit or replace animal testing. This review describes various NMJ applications and the bioengineering advancements allowing for human NMJ characteristics to be more accurately recapitulated. While the extensive range of NMJ device structures has hindered standardization attempts, there is still a need to harmonize these devices for broader application and to continue advancing the field of NMJ modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie B. Strickland
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - Katie Davis-Anderson
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | | | - Scott Twary
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - Rashi Iyer
- Information System and Modeling, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | | | - Emilia A. Solomon
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA.,Address correspondence to: Emilia A. Solomon, PhD, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, PO Box 1663 MS M888, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
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12
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Alignment of Skeletal Muscle Cells Facilitates Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering and Neuromuscular Junction Formation with Co-Cultured Human iPSC-Derived Motor Neurons. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233760. [PMID: 36497020 PMCID: PMC9738074 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro neuromuscular junction (NMJ) models are powerful tools for studying neuromuscular disorders. Although linearly patterned culture surfaces have been reported to be useful for the formation of in vitro NMJ models using mouse motor neuron (MNs) and skeletal muscle (SkM) myotubes, it is unclear how the linearly patterned culture surface increases acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering, one of the steps in the process of NMJ formation, and whether this increases the in vitro NMJ formation efficiency of co-cultured human MNs and SkM myotubes. In this study, we investigated the effects of a linearly patterned culture surface on AChR clustering in myotubes and examined the possible mechanism of the increase in AChR clustering using gene expression analysis, as well as the effects of the patterned surface on the efficiency of NMJ formation between co-cultured human SkM myotubes and human iPSC-derived MNs. Our results suggest that better differentiation of myotubes on the patterned surface, compared to the flat surface, induced gene expression of integrin α7 and AChR ε-subunit, thereby increasing AChR clustering. Furthermore, we found that the number of NMJs between human SkM cells and MNs increased upon co-culture on the linearly patterned surface, suggesting the usefulness of the patterned surface for creating in vitro human NMJ models.
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13
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Weber T, Wiest J, Oredsson S, Bieback K. Case Studies Exemplifying the Transition to Animal Component-free Cell Culture. Altern Lab Anim 2022; 50:330-338. [PMID: 35983799 DOI: 10.1177/02611929221117999] [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] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Cell culture techniques are strongly connected with modern scientific laboratories and production facilities. Thus, choosing the most suitable medium for the cells involved is vital, not only directly to optimise cell viability but also indirectly to maximise the reliability of the experiments performed with the cells. Fetal bovine or calf serum (FBS or FCS, respectively) is the most commonly used cell culture medium supplement, providing various nutritional factors and macromolecules essential for cell growth. Yet, the use of FBS encompasses a number of disadvantages. Scientifically, one of the most severe disadvantages is the lot-to-lot variability of animal sera that hampers reproducibility. Therefore, transitioning from the use of these ill-defined, component-variable, inconsistent, xenogenic, ethically questionable and even potentially infectious media supplements, is key to achieving better data reproducibility and thus better science. To demonstrate that the transition to animal component-free cell culture is possible and achievable, we highlight three different scenarios and provide some case studies of each, namely: i) the adaptation of single cell lines to animal component-free culture conditions by the replacement of FBS and trypsin; ii) the adaptation of multicellular models to FBS-free conditions; and (iii) the replacement of FBS with human platelet lysate (hPL) for the generation of primary stem/stromal cell cultures for clinical purposes. By highlighting these examples, we aim to foster and support the global movement towards more consistent science and provide evidence that it is indeed possible to step out of the currently smouldering scientific reproducibility crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilo Weber
- 84510Animal Welfare Academy of the German Animal Welfare Federation, Neubiberg, Germany
| | | | - Stina Oredsson
- Department of Biology, 5193Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karen Bieback
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, Medical Faculty Mannheim, 99045Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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14
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Ding Q, Kesavan K, Lee KM, Wimberger E, Robertson T, Gill M, Power D, Chang J, Fard AT, Mar JC, Henderson RD, Heggie S, McCombe PA, Jeffree RL, Colditz MJ, Hilliard MA, Ng DCH, Steyn FJ, Phillips WD, Wolvetang EJ, Ngo ST, Noakes PG. Impaired signaling for neuromuscular synaptic maintenance is a feature of Motor Neuron Disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:61. [PMID: 35468848 PMCID: PMC9040261 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01360-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A central event in the pathogenesis of motor neuron disease (MND) is the loss of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), yet the mechanisms that lead to this event in MND remain to be fully elucidated. Maintenance of the NMJ relies upon neural agrin (n-agrin) which, when released from the nerve terminal, activates the postsynaptic Muscle Specific Kinase (MuSK) signaling complex to stabilize clusters of acetylcholine receptors. Here, we report that muscle from MND patients has an increased proportion of slow fibers and muscle fibers with smaller diameter. Muscle cells cultured from MND biopsies failed to form large clusters of acetylcholine receptors in response to either non-MND human motor axons or n-agrin. Furthermore, levels of expression of MuSK, and MuSK-complex components: LRP4, Caveolin-3, and Dok7 differed between muscle cells cultured from MND patients compared to those from non-MND controls. To our knowledge, this is the first time a fault in the n-agrin-LRP4-MuSK signaling pathway has been identified in muscle from MND patients. Our results highlight the n-agrin-LRP4-MuSK signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target to prolong muscle function in MND.
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15
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Lynch E, Peek E, Reilly M, FitzGibbons C, Robertson S, Suzuki M. Current Progress in the Creation, Characterization, and Application of Human Stem Cell-derived in Vitro Neuromuscular Junction Models. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:768-780. [PMID: 34212303 PMCID: PMC8720113 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10201-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are of great value for studying developmental processes, disease modeling, and drug testing. One area in which the use of human PSCs has become of great interest in recent years is for in vitro models of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The NMJ is a synapse at which a motor neuron releases acetylcholine to bind to skeletal muscle and stimulate contraction. Degeneration of the NMJ and subsequent loss of muscle function is a common feature of many neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis, spinal muscular atrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In order to develop new therapies for patients with neuromuscular diseases, it is essential to understand mechanisms taking place at the NMJ. However, we have limited ability to study the NMJ in living human patients, and animal models are limited by physiological relevance. Therefore, an in vitro model of the NMJ consisting of human cells is of great value. The use of stem cells for in vitro NMJ models is still in progress and requires further optimization in order to yield reliable, reproducible results. The objective of this review is (1) to outline the current progress towards fully PSC-derived in vitro co-culture models of the human NMJ and (2) to discuss future directions and challenges that must be overcome in order to create reproducible fully PSC-derived models that can be used for developmental studies, disease modeling, and drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Lynch
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Emma Peek
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Megan Reilly
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Claire FitzGibbons
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Samantha Robertson
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Masatoshi Suzuki
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA,Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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16
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Takahashi H, Oikawa F, Takeda N, Shimizu T. Contraction Control of Aligned Myofiber Sheet Tissue by Parallel Oriented iPS Cell-derived Neurons. Tissue Eng Part A 2022; 28:661-671. [PMID: 35057641 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2021.0202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fabrication and application of engineered complex tissues composed of different types of cells is a crucial milestone in the next phase of tissue engineering. The delicate organization structure of each tissue component and their physiological connections enable all the functions in the human body. In this study, cell sheet-based engineering allowed us to fabricate a complex myofiber sheet tissue using motor neurons derived from human iPS cells. In contrast with previous studies of other groups, a myofiber sheet with a biomimetic aligned structure was produced from human myoblasts using a striped-patterned thermoresponsive dish, which enabled manipulation of the sheet tissue by simply lowering the culture temperature. The myofiber sheet was transferred onto a gel that promotes functional maturation of human myofibers, resulting in production of contractile human muscle tissue. Just by seeding motor neurons onto the sheet tissue, all the neurons physically contacted to the aligned myofibers, and autonomously elongated in parallel to the myofiber orientation. In addition, the neurite outgrowth was enlarged by co-culturing on the myofiber sheet. The presence of the neurons enhanced clustering of myofiber acetylcholine receptors (AChR), typically found at the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Consequently, contraction behaviors of the myofiber sheet were regulated by neuronal signal transduction through NMJs. Muscle contraction was induced when the motor neurons were stimulated by glutamic acid, and effectively blocked by administration of d-tubocurarine as an antagonistic inhibitor for the AChR. The fibrin-based gel was useful as a culture environment for tissue maturation and as a favorable substrate for unobstructed contractions. Our neuron-muscle sheet tissue will be scalable by simply enlarging the micropatterned substrate and manipulable three-dimensionally; fabrication of a thick tissue and a bundle-like structured tissue will be possible just by layering multiple sheets or rolling up the sheet. Simplified control over self-orientation of neurite elongation will be advantageous for fabrication of such a large and complex tissue. Therefore, our methodology, established in this study, will be instrumental in future applications of regenerative medicine for locomotion apparatus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fumiko Oikawa
- Waseda University, 13148, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan;
| | - Naoya Takeda
- Waseda University, 13148, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan;
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17
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Arjmand B, Kokabi Hamidpour S, Rabbani Z, Tayanloo-Beik A, Rahim F, Aghayan HR, Larijani B. Organ on a Chip: A Novel in vitro Biomimetic Strategy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Modeling. Front Neurol 2022; 12:788462. [PMID: 35111126 PMCID: PMC8802668 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.788462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a pernicious neurodegenerative disorder that is associated with the progressive degeneration of motor neurons, the disruption of impulse transmission from motor neurons to muscle cells, and the development of mobility impairments. Clinically, muscle paralysis can spread to other parts of the body. Hence it may have adverse effects on swallowing, speaking, and even breathing, which serves as major problems facing these patients. According to the available evidence, no definite treatment has been found for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that results in a significant outcome, although some pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are currently applied that are accompanied by some positive effects. In other words, available therapies are only used to relieve symptoms without any significant treatment effects that highlight the importance of seeking more novel therapies. Unfortunately, the process of discovering new drugs with high therapeutic potential for ALS treatment is fraught with challenges. The lack of a broad view of the disease process from early to late-stage and insufficiency of preclinical studies for providing validated results prior to conducting clinical trials are other reasons for the ALS drug discovery failure. However, increasing the combined application of different fields of regenerative medicine, especially tissue engineering and stem cell therapy can be considered as a step forward to develop more novel technologies. For instance, organ on a chip is one of these technologies that can provide a platform to promote a comprehensive understanding of neuromuscular junction biology and screen candidate drugs for ALS in combination with pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). The structure of this technology is based on the use of essential components such as iPSC- derived motor neurons and iPSC-derived skeletal muscle cells on a single miniaturized chip for ALS modeling. Accordingly, an organ on a chip not only can mimic ALS complexities but also can be considered as a more cost-effective and time-saving disease modeling platform in comparison with others. Hence, it can be concluded that lab on a chip can make a major contribution as a biomimetic micro-physiological system in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Arjmand
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Babak Arjmand
| | - Shayesteh Kokabi Hamidpour
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Rabbani
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Tayanloo-Beik
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fakher Rahim
- Health Research Institute, Thalassemia, and Hemoglobinopathies Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Aghayan
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bagher Larijani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Bagher Larijani
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18
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de Lamotte JD, Polentes J, Roussange F, Lesueur L, Feurgard P, Perrier A, Nicoleau C, Martinat C. Optogenetically controlled human functional motor endplate for testing botulinum neurotoxins. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:599. [PMID: 34865655 PMCID: PMC8647380 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02665-3] [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: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The lack of physiologically relevant and predictive cell-based assays is one of the major obstacles for testing and developing botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) therapeutics. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derivatives now offer the opportunity to improve the relevance of cellular models and thus the translational value of preclinical data. Methods We investigated the potential of hiPSC-derived motor neurons (hMNs) optical stimulation combined with calcium imaging in cocultured muscle cells activity to investigate BoNT-sensitivity of an in vitro model of human muscle-nerve system. Results Functional muscle-nerve coculture system was developed using hMNs and human immortalized skeletal muscle cells. Our results demonstrated that hMNs can innervate myotubes and induce contractions and calcium transient in muscle cells, generating an in vitro human motor endplate showing dose-dependent sensitivity to BoNTs intoxication. The implementation of optogenetics combined with live calcium imaging allows to monitor the impact of BoNTs intoxication on synaptic transmission in human motor endplate model. Conclusions Altogether, our findings demonstrate the promise of optogenetically hiPSC-derived controlled muscle-nerve system for pharmaceutical BoNTs testing and development. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02665-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Duchesne de Lamotte
- IPSEN Innovation, 5 avenue du Canada, 91940, Les Ulis, France.,Université Evry-Paris Saclay/INSERM UMR861, Institut Des Cellules Souches Pour Le Traitement Et L'étude Des Maladies Monogéniques (I-Stem), 2 rue Henri Auguste Desbruères, 91100, Corbeil-Essonne, France
| | - Jérôme Polentes
- Université Evry-Paris Saclay/INSERM UMR861, Institut Des Cellules Souches Pour Le Traitement Et L'étude Des Maladies Monogéniques (I-Stem), 2 rue Henri Auguste Desbruères, 91100, Corbeil-Essonne, France
| | - Florine Roussange
- Université Evry-Paris Saclay/INSERM UMR861, Institut Des Cellules Souches Pour Le Traitement Et L'étude Des Maladies Monogéniques (I-Stem), 2 rue Henri Auguste Desbruères, 91100, Corbeil-Essonne, France
| | - Léa Lesueur
- Université Evry-Paris Saclay/INSERM UMR861, Institut Des Cellules Souches Pour Le Traitement Et L'étude Des Maladies Monogéniques (I-Stem), 2 rue Henri Auguste Desbruères, 91100, Corbeil-Essonne, France
| | - Pauline Feurgard
- Université Evry-Paris Saclay/INSERM UMR861, Institut Des Cellules Souches Pour Le Traitement Et L'étude Des Maladies Monogéniques (I-Stem), 2 rue Henri Auguste Desbruères, 91100, Corbeil-Essonne, France
| | - Anselme Perrier
- Université Evry-Paris Saclay/INSERM UMR861, Institut Des Cellules Souches Pour Le Traitement Et L'étude Des Maladies Monogéniques (I-Stem), 2 rue Henri Auguste Desbruères, 91100, Corbeil-Essonne, France.,Laboratoire Des Maladies Neurodégénératives: Mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, Université Paris Saclay/CEA/CNRS UMR9199, MIRCen, Bâtiment 61, CEA-Fontenay-Aux-Roses, 18 route du Panorama, 92265, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | | | - Cécile Martinat
- Université Evry-Paris Saclay/INSERM UMR861, Institut Des Cellules Souches Pour Le Traitement Et L'étude Des Maladies Monogéniques (I-Stem), 2 rue Henri Auguste Desbruères, 91100, Corbeil-Essonne, France.
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19
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Smith VM, Nguyen H, Rumsey JW, Long CJ, Shuler ML, Hickman JJ. A Functional Human-on-a-Chip Autoimmune Disease Model of Myasthenia Gravis for Development of Therapeutics. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:745897. [PMID: 34881241 PMCID: PMC8645836 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.745897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic and progressive neuromuscular disease where autoantibodies target essential proteins such as the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) causing muscle fatigue and weakness. Autoantibodies directed against nAChRs are proposed to work by three main pathological mechanisms of receptor disruption: blocking, receptor internalization, and downregulation. Current in vivo models using experimental autoimmune animal models fail to recapitulate the disease pathology and are limited in clinical translatability due to disproportionate disease severity and high animal death rates. The development of a highly sensitive antibody assay that mimics human disease pathology is desirable for clinical advancement and therapeutic development. To address this lack of relevant models, an NMJ platform derived from human iPSC differentiated motoneurons and primary skeletal muscle was used to investigate the ability of an anti-nAChR antibody to induce clinically relevant MG pathology in the serum-free, spatially organized, functionally mature NMJ platform. Treatment of the NMJ model with the anti-nAChR antibody revealed decreasing NMJ stability as measured by the number of NMJs before and after the synchrony stimulation protocol. This decrease in NMJ stability was dose-dependent over a concentration range of 0.01-20 μg/mL. Immunocytochemical (ICC) analysis was used to distinguish between pathological mechanisms of antibody-mediated receptor disruption including blocking, receptor internalization and downregulation. Antibody treatment also activated the complement cascade as indicated by complement protein 3 deposition near the nAChRs. Additionally, complement cascade activation significantly altered other readouts of NMJ function including the NMJ fidelity parameter as measured by the number of muscle contractions missed in response to increasing motoneuron stimulation frequencies. This synchrony readout mimics the clinical phenotype of neurological blocking that results in failure of muscle contractions despite motoneuron stimulations. Taken together, these data indicate the establishment of a relevant disease model of MG that mimics reduction of functional nAChRs at the NMJ, decreased NMJ stability, complement activation and blocking of neuromuscular transmission. This system is the first functional human in vitro model of MG to be used to simulate three potential disease mechanisms as well as to establish a preclinical platform for evaluation of disease modifying treatments (etiology).
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia M. Smith
- Hybrid Systems Lab, NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
- Hesperos, Inc., Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Huan Nguyen
- Hybrid Systems Lab, NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | | | | | | | - James J. Hickman
- Hybrid Systems Lab, NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
- Hesperos, Inc., Orlando, FL, United States
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20
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Fralish Z, Lotz EM, Chavez T, Khodabukus A, Bursac N. Neuromuscular Development and Disease: Learning From in vitro and in vivo Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:764732. [PMID: 34778273 PMCID: PMC8579029 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.764732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialized cholinergic synaptic interface between a motor neuron and a skeletal muscle fiber that translates presynaptic electrical impulses into motor function. NMJ formation and maintenance require tightly regulated signaling and cellular communication among motor neurons, myogenic cells, and Schwann cells. Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) can result in loss of NMJ function and motor input leading to paralysis or even death. Although small animal models have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the NMJ structure and function, the complexities of studying this multi-tissue system in vivo and poor clinical outcomes of candidate therapies developed in small animal models has driven the need for in vitro models of functional human NMJ to complement animal studies. In this review, we discuss prevailing models of NMDs and highlight the current progress and ongoing challenges in developing human iPSC-derived (hiPSC) 3D cell culture models of functional NMJs. We first review in vivo development of motor neurons, skeletal muscle, Schwann cells, and the NMJ alongside current methods for directing the differentiation of relevant cell types from hiPSCs. We further compare the efficacy of modeling NMDs in animals and human cell culture systems in the context of five NMDs: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, and Pompe disease. Finally, we discuss further work necessary for hiPSC-derived NMJ models to function as effective personalized NMD platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Fralish
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ethan M Lotz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Taylor Chavez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Alastair Khodabukus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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21
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Tamáš M, Pankratova S, Schjerling P, Soendenbroe C, Yeung CC, Pennisi CP, Jakobsen JR, Krogsgaard MR, Kjaer M, Mackey AL. Mutual stimulatory signaling between human myogenic cells and rat cerebellar neurons. Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e15077. [PMID: 34713978 PMCID: PMC8554775 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15077] [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: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Insight into the bidirectional signaling between primary human myogenic cells and neurons is lacking. For this purpose, human myogenic cells were derived from the semitendinosus and gracilis muscles of five healthy individuals and co-cultured with cerebellar granule neurons from two litters of 7-day-old Wistar rat pups, in muscle medium or neural medium, alongside monocultures of myogenic cells or neurons. RT-PCR was performed to determine human mRNA levels of GAPDH, Ki67, myogenin, and MUSK, and the acetylcholine receptor subtypes CHRNA1, CHRNB1, CHRNG, CHRND, and CHRNE, and rat mRNA levels of GAPDH, Fth1, Rack1, vimentin, Cdh13, and Ppp1r1a. Immunocytochemistry was used to evaluate neurite outgrowth (GAP43) in the presence and absence of myogenic cells. Co-culture with primary neurons lead to higher myogenic cell gene expression levels of GAPDH, myogenin, MUSK, CHRNA1, CHRNG, and CHRND, compared to myogenic cells cultured alone. It appeared that neurons preferentially attached to myotubes and that neurite outgrowth was enhanced when neurons were cultured with myogenic cells compared to monoculture. In neural medium, rat mRNA levels of GAPDH, vimentin, Cdh13, and Ppp1r1a were greater in co-culture, versus monoculture, whereas in muscle medium co-culture lead to lower levels of Fth1, Rack1, vimentin, and Cdh13 than monoculture. These findings demonstrate mutually beneficial stimulatory signaling between rat cerebellar granule neurons and human myogenic cells, providing support for an active role for both the neuron and the muscle cell in stimulating neurite growth and myogenesis. Bidirectional muscle nerve signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Tamáš
- Institute of Sports Medicine CopenhagenDepartment of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Healthy AgingDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Stanislava Pankratova
- Laboratory of Neural PlasticityDepartment of NeuroscienceUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Comparative Pediatrics and NutritionDepartment of Veterinary and Animal SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Peter Schjerling
- Institute of Sports Medicine CopenhagenDepartment of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Healthy AgingDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Casper Soendenbroe
- Institute of Sports Medicine CopenhagenDepartment of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Healthy AgingDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- XlabDepartment of Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Ching‐Yan Chloé Yeung
- Institute of Sports Medicine CopenhagenDepartment of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Healthy AgingDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Cristian Pablo Pennisi
- Regenerative Medicine GroupDepartment of Health Science and TechnologyAalborg UniversityAalborgDenmark
| | - Jens R. Jakobsen
- Section for Sports Traumatology M51Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Michael R. Krogsgaard
- Section for Sports Traumatology M51Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Michael Kjaer
- Institute of Sports Medicine CopenhagenDepartment of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Healthy AgingDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Abigail L. Mackey
- Institute of Sports Medicine CopenhagenDepartment of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Healthy AgingDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- XlabDepartment of Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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22
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Duc P, Vignes M, Hugon G, Sebban A, Carnac G, Malyshev E, Charlot B, Rage F. Human neuromuscular junction on micro-structured microfluidic devices implemented with a custom micro electrode array (MEA). LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:4223-4236. [PMID: 34559171 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00497b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In the neuromuscular system, signal transmission from motor neurons (MNs) to innervated muscle fibers is crucial for their synaptic function, viability, and maintenance. In order to better understand human neuromuscular junction (hNMJ) functionality, it is important to develop on-a-chip devices with human cells. To investigate this cell network, microfluidic platforms are useful to grow different cell types in isolated compartments. Such devices have already been developed to study in vitro neuronal circuitry. Here, we combined microfluidics with two techniques: soft lithography and custom microelectrodes array (MEA). Our goal was to create hNMJs on a specific pattern of electrodes to stimulate pre-synaptic axons and record post-synaptic muscle activity. Micromachining was used to create structurations to guide muscle growth above electrodes, without impairing axon propagation, therefore optimizing the effectiveness of activity recording. Electrodes were also arranged to be aligned with the microfluidic chambers in order to specifically stimulate axons that were growing between the two compartments. Isolation of the two cell types allows for the selective treatment of neurons or muscle fibers to assess NMJ functionality hallmarks. Altogether, this microfluidic/microstructured/MEA platform allowed mature and functional in vitro hNMJ modelling. We demonstrate that electrical activation of MNs can trigger recordable extracellular muscle action potentials. This study provides evidence for a physiologically relevant model to mimic a hNMJ that will in the future be a powerful tool, more sensitive than calcium imaging, to better understand and characterize NMJs and their disruption in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Duc
- IGMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
| | - Michel Vignes
- IBMM UMR5247, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Gérald Hugon
- PhyMedExp, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR9214, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Audrey Sebban
- IES, CNRS University of Montpellier, Montpellier 34095, France
| | - Gilles Carnac
- PhyMedExp, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR9214, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Eugene Malyshev
- IES, CNRS University of Montpellier, Montpellier 34095, France
| | - Benoît Charlot
- IES, CNRS University of Montpellier, Montpellier 34095, France
| | - Florence Rage
- IGMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
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23
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Araf Y, Galib M, Naser IB, Promon SK. Prospects of 3D Bioprinting as a Possible Treatment for Cancer Cachexia. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS 2021. [DOI: 10.29333/jcei/11289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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24
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Malik M, Yang Y, Fathi P, Mahler GJ, Esch MB. Critical Considerations for the Design of Multi-Organ Microphysiological Systems (MPS). Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:721338. [PMID: 34568333 PMCID: PMC8459628 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.721338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification and approval of new drugs for use in patients requires extensive preclinical studies and clinical trials. Preclinical studies rely on in vitro experiments and animal models of human diseases. The transferability of drug toxicity and efficacy estimates to humans from animal models is being called into question. Subsequent clinical studies often reveal lower than expected efficacy and higher drug toxicity in humans than that seen in animal models. Microphysiological systems (MPS), sometimes called organ or human-on-chip models, present a potential alternative to animal-based models used for drug toxicity screening. This review discusses multi-organ MPS that can be used to model diseases and test the efficacy and safety of drug candidates. The translation of an in vivo environment to an in vitro system requires physiologically relevant organ scaling, vascular dimensions, and appropriate flow rates. Even small changes in those parameters can alter the outcome of experiments conducted with MPS. With many MPS devices being developed, we have outlined some established standards for designing MPS devices and described techniques to validate the devices. A physiologically realistic mimic of the human body can help determine the dose response and toxicity effects of a new drug candidate with higher predictive power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mridu Malik
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
- Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group, Physical Measurement Laboratory, Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
| | - Yang Yang
- Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group, Physical Measurement Laboratory, Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Parinaz Fathi
- Department of Bioengineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Gretchen J. Mahler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, United States
| | - Mandy B. Esch
- Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group, Physical Measurement Laboratory, Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
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25
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Rimington RP, Fleming JW, Capel AJ, Wheeler PC, Lewis MP. Bioengineered model of the human motor unit with physiologically functional neuromuscular junctions. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11695. [PMID: 34083648 PMCID: PMC8175425 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91203-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigations of the human neuromuscular junction (NMJ) have predominately utilised experimental animals, model organisms, or monolayer cell cultures that fail to represent the physiological complexity of the synapse. Consequently, there remains a paucity of data regarding the development of the human NMJ and a lack of systems that enable investigation of the motor unit. This work addresses this need, providing the methodologies to bioengineer 3D models of the human motor unit. Spheroid culture of iPSC derived motor neuron progenitors augmented the transcription of OLIG2, ISLET1 and SMI32 motor neuron mRNAs ~ 400, ~ 150 and ~ 200-fold respectively compared to monolayer equivalents. Axon projections of adhered spheroids exceeded 1000 μm in monolayer, with transcription of SMI32 and VACHT mRNAs further enhanced by addition to 3D extracellular matrices in a type I collagen concentration dependent manner. Bioengineered skeletal muscles produced functional tetanic and twitch profiles, demonstrated increased acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering and transcription of MUSK and LRP4 mRNAs, indicating enhanced organisation of the post-synaptic membrane. The number of motor neuron spheroids, or motor pool, required to functionally innervate 3D muscle tissues was then determined, generating functional human NMJs that evidence pre- and post-synaptic membrane and motor nerve axon co-localisation. Spontaneous firing was significantly elevated in 3D motor units, confirmed to be driven by the motor nerve via antagonistic inhibition of the AChR. Functional analysis outlined decreased time to peak twitch and half relaxation times, indicating enhanced physiology of excitation contraction coupling in innervated motor units. Our findings provide the methods to maximise the maturity of both iPSC motor neurons and primary human skeletal muscle, utilising cell type specific extracellular matrices and developmental timelines to bioengineer the human motor unit for the study of neuromuscular junction physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan P. Rimington
- grid.6571.50000 0004 1936 8542National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU Leicestershire UK
| | - Jacob W. Fleming
- grid.6571.50000 0004 1936 8542National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU Leicestershire UK
| | - Andrew J. Capel
- grid.6571.50000 0004 1936 8542National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU Leicestershire UK
| | - Patrick C. Wheeler
- grid.6571.50000 0004 1936 8542National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU Leicestershire UK
| | - Mark P. Lewis
- grid.6571.50000 0004 1936 8542National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU Leicestershire UK
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26
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Saini J, Faroni A, Reid AJ, Mouly V, Butler-Browne G, Lightfoot AP, McPhee JS, Degens H, Al-Shanti N. Cross-talk between motor neurons and myotubes via endogenously secreted neural and muscular growth factors. Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e14791. [PMID: 33931983 PMCID: PMC8087923 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular junction (NMJ) research is vital to advance the understanding of neuromuscular patho‐physiology and development of novel therapies for diseases associated with NM dysfunction. In vivo, the micro‐environment surrounding the NMJ has a significant impact on NMJ formation and maintenance via neurotrophic and differentiation factors that are secreted as a result of cross‐talk between muscle fibers and motor neurons. Recently we showed the formation of functional NMJs in vitro in a co‐culture of immortalized human myoblasts and motor neurons from rat‐embryo spinal‐cord explants, using a culture medium free from serum and neurotrophic or growth factors. The aim of this study was to assess how functional NMJs were established in this co‐culture devoid of exogenous neural growth factors. To investigate this, an ELISA‐based microarray was used to compare the composition of soluble endogenously secreted growth factors in this co‐culture with an a‐neural muscle culture. The levels of seven neurotrophic factors brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial‐cell‐line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3), insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3), neurotrophin‐4 (NT‐4), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were higher (p < 0.05) in the supernatant of NMJ culture compared to those in the supernatant of the a‐neural muscle culture. This indicates that the cross‐talk between muscle and motor neurons promotes the secretion of soluble growth factors contributing to the local microenvironment thereby providing a favourable regenerative niche for NMJs formation and maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasdeep Saini
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Alessandro Faroni
- Blond McIndoe Laboratories, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.,Dept. of Plastic Surgery & Burns, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Adam J Reid
- Blond McIndoe Laboratories, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.,Dept. of Plastic Surgery & Burns, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université-INSERM, Paris, France
| | | | - Adam P Lightfoot
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Jamie S McPhee
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Hans Degens
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK.,Lithuanian Sports University, Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Nasser Al-Shanti
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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27
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Stoklund Dittlau K, Krasnow EN, Fumagalli L, Vandoorne T, Baatsen P, Kerstens A, Giacomazzi G, Pavie B, Rossaert E, Beckers J, Sampaolesi M, Van Damme P, Van Den Bosch L. Human motor units in microfluidic devices are impaired by FUS mutations and improved by HDAC6 inhibition. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2213-2227. [PMID: 33891869 PMCID: PMC8452598 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) ensure communication between motor neurons (MNs) and muscle; however, in MN disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), NMJs degenerate resulting in muscle atrophy. The aim of this study was to establish a versatile and reproducible in vitro model of a human motor unit to investigate the effects of ALS-causing mutations. Therefore, we generated a co-culture of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived MNs and human primary mesoangioblast-derived myotubes in microfluidic devices. A chemotactic and volumetric gradient facilitated the growth of MN neurites through microgrooves resulting in the interaction with myotubes and the formation of NMJs. We observed that ALS-causing FUS mutations resulted in reduced neurite outgrowth as well as an impaired neurite regrowth upon axotomy. NMJ numbers were likewise reduced in the FUS-ALS model. Interestingly, the selective HDAC6 inhibitor, Tubastatin A, improved the neurite outgrowth, regrowth, and NMJ morphology, prompting HDAC6 inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy for ALS. Human motor units with functional NMJs can be generated using microfluidic devices FUS-ALS motor units display impaired neurite regrowth, outgrowth and NMJ numbers HDAC6 inhibition alleviate FUS-ALS motor unit pathology in vitro
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Stoklund Dittlau
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emily N Krasnow
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Fumagalli
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tijs Vandoorne
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Baatsen
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Research Group Molecular Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven - University of Leuven, VIB Bio Imaging Core, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Axelle Kerstens
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Research Group Molecular Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven - University of Leuven, VIB Bio Imaging Core, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giorgia Giacomazzi
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benjamin Pavie
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Research Group Molecular Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven - University of Leuven, VIB Bio Imaging Core, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elisabeth Rossaert
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jimmy Beckers
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium; University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium.
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28
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de Jongh R, Spijkers XM, Pasteuning-Vuhman S, Vulto P, Pasterkamp RJ. Neuromuscular junction-on-a-chip: ALS disease modeling and read-out development in microfluidic devices. J Neurochem 2021; 157:393-412. [PMID: 33382092 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons with no cure available. Clinical and animal studies reveal that the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), a synaptic connection between motor neurons and skeletal muscle fibers, is highly vulnerable in ALS and suggest that NMJ defects may occur at the early stages of the disease. However, mechanistic insight into how NMJ dysfunction relates to the onset and progression of ALS is incomplete, which hampers therapy development. This is, in part, caused by a lack of robust in vitro models. The ability to combine microfluidic and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies has opened up new avenues for studying molecular and cellular ALS phenotypes in vitro. Microfluidic devices offer several advantages over traditional culture approaches when modeling the NMJ, such as the spatial separation of different cell types and increased control over the cellular microenvironment. Moreover, they are compatible with 3D cell culture, which enhances NMJ functionality and maturity. Here, we review how microfluidic technology is currently being employed to develop more reliable in vitro NMJ models. To validate and phenotype such models, various morphological and functional read-outs have been developed. We describe and discuss the relevance of these read-outs and specifically illustrate how these read-outs have enhanced our understanding of NMJ pathology in ALS. Finally, we share our view on potential future directions and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne de Jongh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Xandor M Spijkers
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Mimetas B.V., Organ-on-a-chip Company, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Svetlana Pasteuning-Vuhman
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Vulto
- Mimetas B.V., Organ-on-a-chip Company, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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29
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Gupta D, Santoso JW, McCain ML. Characterization of Gelatin Hydrogels Cross-Linked with Microbial Transglutaminase as Engineered Skeletal Muscle Substrates. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:bioengineering8010006. [PMID: 33418892 PMCID: PMC7825108 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered in vitro models of skeletal muscle are essential for efficiently screening drug safety and efficacy. However, conventional culture substrates poorly replicate physical features of native muscle and do not support long-term culture, which limits tissue maturity. Micromolded gelatin hydrogels cross-linked with microbial transglutaminase (gelatin-MTG hydrogels) have previously been shown to induce C21C2 myotube alignment and improve culture longevity. However, several properties of gelatin-MTG hydrogels have not been systematically characterized, such as changes in elastic modulus during incubation in culture-like conditions and their ability to support sarcomere maturation. In this study, various gelatin-MTG hydrogels were fabricated and incubated in ambient or culture-like conditions. Elastic modulus, mass, and transmittance were measured over a one- or two-week period. Compared to hydrogels in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or ambient air, hydrogels in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) and 5% CO2 demonstrated the most stable elastic modulus. A subset of gelatin-MTG hydrogels was micromolded and seeded with C2C12 or primary chick myoblasts, which aligned and fused into multinucleated myotubes with relatively mature sarcomeres. These data are important for fabricating gelatin-MTG hydrogels with predictable and stable mechanical properties and highlight their advantages as culture substrates for engineering relatively mature and stable muscle tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Gupta
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, 1042 Downey Way, DRB 140, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (D.G.); (J.W.S.)
| | - Jeffrey W. Santoso
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, 1042 Downey Way, DRB 140, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (D.G.); (J.W.S.)
| | - Megan L. McCain
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, 1042 Downey Way, DRB 140, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (D.G.); (J.W.S.)
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1975 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Correspondence:
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30
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Besser RR, Bowles AC, Alassaf A, Carbonero D, Maciel R, Saporta M, Agarwal A. A Chemically Defined Common Medium for Culture of C2C12 Skeletal Muscle and Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Spinal Spheroids. Cell Mol Bioeng 2020; 13:605-619. [PMID: 33281990 PMCID: PMC7704992 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-020-00624-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multicellular platforms and linked multi organ on chip devices are powerful tools for drug discovery, and basic mechanistic studies. Often, a critical constraint is defining a culture medium optimal for all cells present in the system. In this study, we focused on the key cells of the neuromuscular junction i.e., skeletal muscle and motor neurons. METHODS Formulation of a chemically defined medium for the co-culture of C2C12 skeletal muscle cells and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) derived spinal spheroids (SpS) was optimized. C2C12 cells in 10 experimental media conditions and 2 topographies were evaluated over a 14-day maturation period to determine the ideal medium formulation for skeletal muscle tissue development. RESULTS During early maturation, overexpression of genes for myogenesis and myopathy was observed for several media conditions, corresponding to muscle delamination and death. Together, we identified 3 media formulations that allowed for more controlled differentiation, healthier muscle tissue, and long-term culture duration. This evidence was then used to select media formulations to culture SpS and subsequently assessed axonal growth. As axonal growth in SpS cultures was comparable in all selected media conditions, our data suggest that the neuronal basal medium with no added supplements is the ideal medium formulation for both cell types. CONCLUSIONS Optimization using both topographical cues and culture media formulations provides a comprehensive analyses of culture conditions that are vital to future applications for in vitro NMJ models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R. Besser
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Dr, MEA 203, Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA
| | - Annie C. Bowles
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Dr, MEA 203, Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA
| | - Ahmad Alassaf
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Dr, MEA 203, Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA
- Department of Medical Equipment Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, 11952 Saudi Arabia
| | - Daniel Carbonero
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Dr, MEA 203, Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA
| | - Renata Maciel
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th St, Suite 1310, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Mario Saporta
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th St, Suite 1310, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Ashutosh Agarwal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Dr, MEA 203, Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA
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31
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Barbeau S, Tahraoui-Bories J, Legay C, Martinat C. Building neuromuscular junctions in vitro. Development 2020; 147:147/22/dev193920. [PMID: 33199350 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) has been the model of choice to understand the principles of communication at chemical synapses. Following groundbreaking experiments carried out over 60 years ago, many studies have focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and physiology of these synapses. This Review summarizes the progress made to date towards obtaining faithful models of NMJs in vitro We provide a historical approach discussing initial experiments investigating NMJ development and function from Xenopus to mice, the creation of chimeric co-cultures, in vivo approaches and co-culture methods from ex vivo and in vitro derived cells, as well as the most recent developments to generate human NMJs. We discuss the benefits of these techniques and the challenges to be addressed in the future for promoting our understanding of development and human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susie Barbeau
- Université de Paris, CNRS, SPPIN - Saints-Pères Paris Institute for the Neurosciences, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Julie Tahraoui-Bories
- INSERM/UEPS UMR 861, Paris Saclay Université, I-STEM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Claire Legay
- Université de Paris, CNRS, SPPIN - Saints-Pères Paris Institute for the Neurosciences, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Martinat
- INSERM/UEPS UMR 861, Paris Saclay Université, I-STEM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
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Lee Y, Choi JJ, Ahn SI, Lee NH, Han WM, Mohiuddin M, Shin EJ, Wood L, Park KD, Kim Y, Jang YC. Engineered Heterochronic Parabiosis in 3D Microphysiological System for Identification of Muscle Rejuvenating Factors. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2020; 30:2002924. [PMID: 38053980 PMCID: PMC10697693 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202002924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure of aged mice to a young systemic milieu revealed remarkable rejuvenation effects on aged tissues, including skeletal muscle. Although some candidate factors have been identified, the exact identity and the underlying mechanisms of putative rejuvenating factors remain elusive, mainly due to the complexity of in vivo parabiosis. Here, we present an in vitro muscle parabiosis system that integrates young- and old-muscle stem cell vascular niche on a three-dimensional microfluidic platform designed to recapitulate key features of native muscle stem cell microenvironment. This innovative system enables mechanistic studies of cellular dynamics and molecular interactions within the muscle stem cell niche, especially in response to conditional extrinsic stimuli of local and systemic factors. We demonstrate that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling from endothelial cells and myotubes synergistically contribute to the rejuvenation of the aged muscle stem cell function. Moreover, with the adjustable on-chip system, we can mimic both blood transfusion and parabiosis and detect the time-varying effects of anti-geronic and pro-geronic factors in a single organ or multi-organ systems. Our unique approach presents a complementary in vitro model to supplement in vivo parabiosis for identifying potential anti-geronic factors responsible for revitalizing aging organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunki Lee
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Jeongmoon J. Choi
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Song Ih Ahn
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Nan Hee Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Woojin M. Han
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Mahir Mohiuddin
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Eun Jung Shin
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Levi Wood
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Ki Dong Park
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - YongTae Kim
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Young C. Jang
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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Guo X, Badu-Mensah A, Thomas MC, McAleer CW, Hickman JJ. Characterization of Functional Human Skeletal Myotubes and Neuromuscular Junction Derived-From the Same Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Source. Bioengineering (Basel) 2020; 7:E133. [PMID: 33105732 PMCID: PMC7712960 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering7040133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro generation of functional neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) utilizing the same induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) source for muscle and motoneurons would be of great value for disease modeling and tissue engineering. Although, differentiation and characterization of iPSC-derived motoneurons are well established, and iPSC-derived skeletal muscle (iPSC-SKM) has been reported, there is a general lack of systemic and functional characterization of the iPSC-SKM. This study performed a systematic characterization of iPSC-SKM differentiated using a serum-free, small molecule-directed protocol. Morphologically, the iPSC-SKM demonstrated the expression and appropriate distribution of acetylcholine, ryanodine and dihydropyridine receptors. Fiber type analysis revealed a mixture of human fast (Type IIX, IIA) and slow (Type I) muscle types and the absence of animal Type IIB fibers. Functionally, the iPSC-SKMs contracted synchronously upon electrical stimulation, with the contraction force comparable to myofibers derived from primary myoblasts. Most importantly, when co-cultured with human iPSC-derived motoneurons from the same iPSC source, the myofibers contracted in response to motoneuron stimulation indicating the formation of functional NMJs. By demonstrating comparable structural and functional capacity to primary myoblast-derived myofibers, this defined, iPSC-SKM system, as well as the personal NMJ system, has applications for patient-specific drug testing and investigation of muscle physiology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufang Guo
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA; (X.G.); (A.B.-M.); (M.C.T.)
| | - Agnes Badu-Mensah
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA; (X.G.); (A.B.-M.); (M.C.T.)
- Biomolecular Science Center, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - Michael C. Thomas
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA; (X.G.); (A.B.-M.); (M.C.T.)
| | | | - James J. Hickman
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA; (X.G.); (A.B.-M.); (M.C.T.)
- Biomolecular Science Center, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
- Hesperos Inc., 12501 Research Pkwy, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32826, USA;
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34
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Castellanos-Montiel MJ, Velasco I, Escobedo-Avila I. Modeling the neuromuscular junction in vitro: an approach to study neuromuscular junction disorders. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1488:3-15. [PMID: 33040338 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialized structure that works as an interface to translate the action potential of the presynaptic motor neuron (MN) in the contraction of the postsynaptic myofiber. The design of appropriate experimental models is essential to have efficient and reliable approaches to study NMJ development and function, but also to generate conditions that recapitulate distinct features of diseases. Initial studies relied on the use of tissue slices maintained under the same environment and in which single motor axons were difficult to trace. Later, MNs and muscle cells were obtained from primary cultures or differentiation of progenitors and cocultured as monolayers; however, the tissue architecture was lost. Current approaches include self-assembling 3D structures or the incorporation of biomaterials with cells to generate engineered tissues, although the incorporation of Schwann cells remains a challenge. Thus, numerous investigations have established different NMJ models, some of which are quite complex and challenging. Our review summarizes the in vitro models that have emerged in recent years to coculture MNs and skeletal muscle, trying to mimic the healthy and diseased NMJ. We expect our review may serve as a reference for choosing the appropriate experimental model for the required purposes of investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Castellanos-Montiel
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular-Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Iván Velasco
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular-Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico.,Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Itzel Escobedo-Avila
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular-Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
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35
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Saini J, Faroni A, Reid AJ, Mamchaoui K, Mouly V, Butler-Browne G, Lightfoot AP, McPhee JS, Degens H, Al-Shanti N. A Novel Bioengineered Functional Motor Unit Platform to Study Neuromuscular Interaction. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9103238. [PMID: 33050427 PMCID: PMC7599749 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9103238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In many neurodegenerative and muscular disorders, and loss of innervation in sarcopenia, improper reinnervation of muscle and dysfunction of the motor unit (MU) are key pathogenic features. In vivo studies of MUs are constrained due to difficulties isolating and extracting functional MUs, so there is a need for a simplified and reproducible system of engineered in vitro MUs. Objective: to develop and characterise a functional MU model in vitro, permitting the analysis of MU development and function. Methods: an immortalised human myoblast cell line was co-cultured with rat embryo spinal cord explants in a serum-free/growth fact media. MUs developed and the morphology of their components (neuromuscular junction (NMJ), myotubes and motor neurons) were characterised using immunocytochemistry, phase contrast and confocal microscopy. The function of the MU was evaluated through live observations and videography of spontaneous myotube contractions after challenge with cholinergic antagonists and glutamatergic agonists. Results: blocking acetylcholine receptors with α-bungarotoxin resulted in complete, cessation of myotube contractions, which was reversible with tubocurarine. Furthermore, myotube activity was significantly higher with the application of L-glutamic acid. All these observations indicate the formed MU are functional. Conclusion: a functional nerve-muscle co-culture model was established that has potential for drug screening and pathophysiological studies of neuromuscular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasdeep Saini
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK; (J.S.); (A.P.L.); (H.D.)
| | - Alessandro Faroni
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Blond McIndoe Laboratories, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, UK; (A.F.); (A.J.R.)
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Department of Plastic Surgery & Burns, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - Adam J. Reid
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Blond McIndoe Laboratories, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, UK; (A.F.); (A.J.R.)
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Department of Plastic Surgery & Burns, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - Kamel Mamchaoui
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université-INSERM, 75013 Paris, France; (K.M.); (V.M.); (G.B.-B.)
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université-INSERM, 75013 Paris, France; (K.M.); (V.M.); (G.B.-B.)
| | - Gillian Butler-Browne
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université-INSERM, 75013 Paris, France; (K.M.); (V.M.); (G.B.-B.)
| | - Adam P. Lightfoot
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK; (J.S.); (A.P.L.); (H.D.)
| | - Jamie S. McPhee
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK;
| | - Hans Degens
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK; (J.S.); (A.P.L.); (H.D.)
- Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Nasser Al-Shanti
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK; (J.S.); (A.P.L.); (H.D.)
- Correspondence:
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Abstract
Organs-on-chips are broadly defined as microfabricated surfaces or devices designed to engineer cells into microscale tissues with native-like features and then extract physiologically relevant readouts at scale. Because they are generally compatible with patient-derived cells, these technologies can address many of the human relevance limitations of animal models. As a result, organs-on-chips have emerged as a promising new paradigm for patient-specific disease modeling and drug development. Because neuromuscular diseases span a broad range of rare conditions with diverse etiology and complex pathophysiology, they have been especially challenging to model in animals and thus are well suited for organ-on-chip approaches. In this Review, we first briefly summarize the challenges in neuromuscular disease modeling with animal models. Next, we describe a variety of existing organ-on-chip approaches for neuromuscular tissues, including a survey of cell sources for both muscle and nerve, and two- and three-dimensional neuromuscular tissue-engineering techniques. Although researchers have made tremendous advances in modeling neuromuscular diseases on a chip, the remaining challenges in cell sourcing, cell maturity, tissue assembly and readout capabilities limit their integration into the drug development pipeline today. However, as the field advances, models of healthy and diseased neuromuscular tissues on a chip, coupled with animal models, have vast potential as complementary tools for modeling multiple aspects of neuromuscular diseases and identifying new therapeutic strategies. Summary: Modeling neuromuscular diseases is challenging due to their complex etiology and pathophysiology. Here, we review the cell sources and tissue-engineering procedures that are being integrated as emerging neuromuscular disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W Santoso
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Megan L McCain
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA .,Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Das S, Browne KD, Laimo FA, Maggiore JC, Hilman MC, Kaisaier H, Aguilar CA, Ali ZS, Mourkioti F, Cullen DK. Pre-innervated tissue-engineered muscle promotes a pro-regenerative microenvironment following volumetric muscle loss. Commun Biol 2020; 3:330. [PMID: 32587337 PMCID: PMC7316777 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-1056-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Volumetric muscle loss (VML) is the traumatic or surgical loss of skeletal muscle beyond the inherent regenerative capacity of the body, generally leading to severe functional deficit. Formation of appropriate somato-motor innervations remains one of the biggest challenges for both autologous grafts as well as tissue-engineered muscle constructs. We aim to address this challenge by developing pre-innervated tissue-engineered muscle comprised of long aligned networks of spinal motor neurons and skeletal myocytes on aligned nanofibrous scaffolds. Motor neurons led to enhanced differentiation and maturation of skeletal myocytes in vitro. These pre-innervated tissue-engineered muscle constructs when implanted in a rat VML model significantly increased satellite cell density, neuromuscular junction maintenance, graft revascularization, and muscle volume over three weeks as compared to myocyte-only constructs and nanofiber scaffolds alone. These pro-regenerative effects may enhance functional neuromuscular regeneration following VML, thereby improving the levels of functional recovery following these devastating injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suradip Das
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kevin D Browne
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Franco A Laimo
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph C Maggiore
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Melanie C Hilman
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Halimulati Kaisaier
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Carlos A Aguilar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Zarina S Ali
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Foteini Mourkioti
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Musculoskeletal Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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38
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Mohamed NV, Larroquette F, Beitel LK, Fon EA, Durcan TM. One Step Into the Future: New iPSC Tools to Advance Research in Parkinson's Disease and Neurological Disorders. JOURNAL OF PARKINSONS DISEASE 2020; 9:265-281. [PMID: 30741685 PMCID: PMC6597965 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-181515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Studying Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the laboratory presents many challenges, the main one being the limited availability of human cells and tissue from affected individuals. As PD is characterized by a loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the brain, it is nearly impossible for researchers to access and extract these cells from living patients. Thus, in the past PD research has focused on the use of patients’ post-mortem tissues, animal models, or immortalized cell lines to dissect cellular pathways of interest. While these strategies deepened our knowledge of pathological mechanisms in PD, they failed to faithfully capture key mechanisms at play in the human brain. The emergence of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology is revolutionizing PD research, as it allows for the differentiation and growth of human DA neurons in vitro, holding immense potential not only for modelling PD, but also for identifying novel therapies. However, to reproduce the complexity of the brain’s environment, researchers are recognizing the need to further develop and refine iPSC-based tools. In this review, we provide an overview of different systems now available for the study of PD, with a particular emphasis on the potential and limitations of iPSC as research tools to generate more relevant models of PD pathophysiology and advance the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen-Vi Mohamed
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Frédérique Larroquette
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lenore K Beitel
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Edward A Fon
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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39
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Yoshioka K, Ito A, Kawabe Y, Kamihira M. Novel neuromuscular junction model in 2D and 3D myotubes co-cultured with induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons. J Biosci Bioeng 2020; 129:486-493. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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40
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Gilbert-Honick J, Grayson W. Vascularized and Innervated Skeletal Muscle Tissue Engineering. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e1900626. [PMID: 31622051 PMCID: PMC6986325 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201900626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Volumetric muscle loss (VML) is a devastating loss of muscle tissue that overwhelms the native regenerative properties of skeletal muscle and results in lifelong functional deficits. There are currently no treatments for VML that fully recover the lost muscle tissue and function. Tissue engineering presents a promising solution for VML treatment and significant research has been performed using tissue engineered muscle constructs in preclinical models of VML with a broad range of defect locations and sizes, tissue engineered construct characteristics, and outcome measures. Due to the complex vascular and neural anatomy within skeletal muscle, regeneration of functional vasculature and nerves is vital for muscle recovery following VML injuries. This review aims to summarize the current state of the field of skeletal muscle tissue engineering using 3D constructs for VML treatment with a focus on studies that have promoted vascular and neural regeneration within the muscle tissue post-VML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordana Gilbert-Honick
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Warren Grayson
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Material Sciences & Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology (INBT), Johns Hopkins University School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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41
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Vila OF, Qu Y, Vunjak-Novakovic G. In vitro models of neuromuscular junctions and their potential for novel drug discovery and development. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 15:307-317. [PMID: 31846349 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1700225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Neuromuscular Junctions (NMJs) are the synapses between motor neurons and skeletal muscle fibers, and they are responsible for voluntary motor function. NMJs are affected at early stages of numerous neurodegenerative and neuroimmunological diseases. Due to the difficulty of systematically studying and manipulating NMJs in live subjects, in vitro systems with human tissue models would provide a powerful complement to simple cell cultures and animal models for mechanistic and drug development studies.Areas covered: The authors review the latest advances in in vitro models of NMJs, from traditional cell co-culture systems to novel tissue culture approaches, with focus on disease modeling and drug testing.Expert opinion: In recent years, more sophisticated in vitro models of human NMJs have been established. The combination of human stem cell technology with advanced tissue culture systems has resulted in systems that better recapitulate the human NMJ structure and function, and thereby allow for high-throughput quantitative functional measurements under both healthy and diseased conditions. Although they still have limitations, these advanced systems are increasingly demonstrating their utility for evaluating new therapies for motoneuron and autoimmune neuromuscular diseases, and we expect them to become an integral part of the drug discovery process in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaia F Vila
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yihuai Qu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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42
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Najjar SA, Smith AST, Long CJ, McAleer CW, Cai Y, Srinivasan B, Martin C, Vandenburgh HH, Hickman JJ. A multiplexed in vitro assay system for evaluating human skeletal muscle functionality in response to drug treatment. Biotechnol Bioeng 2019; 117:736-747. [PMID: 31758543 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27231] [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: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In vitro systems that mimic organ functionality have become increasingly important tools in drug development studies. Systems that measure the functional properties of skeletal muscle are beneficial to compound screening studies and also for integration into multiorgan devices. To date, no studies have investigated human skeletal muscle responses to drug treatments at the single myotube level in vitro. This report details a microscale cantilever chip-based assay system for culturing individual human myotubes. The cantilevers, along with a laser and photo-detector system, enable measurement of myotube contractions in response to broad-field electrical stimulation. This system was used to obtain baseline functional parameters for untreated human myotubes, including peak contractile force and time-to-fatigue data. The cultured myotubes were then treated with known myotoxic compounds and the resulting functional changes were compared to baseline measurements as well as known physiological responses in vivo. The collected data demonstrate the system's capacity for screening direct effects of compound action on individual human skeletal myotubes in a reliable, reproducible, and noninvasive manner. Furthermore, it has the potential to be utilized for high-content screening, disease modeling, and exercise studies of human skeletal muscle performance utilizing iPSCs derived from specific patient populations such as the muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Najjar
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Alexander S T Smith
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Christopher J Long
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | | | - Yunqing Cai
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Balaji Srinivasan
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Candace Martin
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Herman H Vandenburgh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - James J Hickman
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
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Lin CY, Yoshida M, Li LT, Ikenaka A, Oshima S, Nakagawa K, Sakurai H, Matsui E, Nakahata T, Saito MK. iPSC-derived functional human neuromuscular junctions model the pathophysiology of neuromuscular diseases. JCI Insight 2019; 4:124299. [PMID: 31534050 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.124299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The control of voluntary skeletal muscle contraction relies on action potentials, which send signals from the motor neuron through the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Although dysfunction of the NMJ causes various neuromuscular diseases, a reliable in vitro system for disease modeling is currently unavailable. Here, we present a potentially novel 2-step, self-organizing approach for generating in vitro human NMJs from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Our simple and robust approach results in a complex NMJ structure that includes functional connectivity, recapitulating in vivo synapse formation. We used these in vitro NMJs to model the pathological features of spinal muscular atrophy, revealing the developmental and functional defects of NMJ formation and NMJ-dependent muscular contraction. Our differentiation system is therefore useful for investigating and understanding the physiology and pathology of human NMJs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang-Yu Lin
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Michiko Yoshida
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Li-Tzu Li
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Akihiro Ikenaka
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shiori Oshima
- Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc., Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Hidetoshi Sakurai
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Eriko Matsui
- Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsutoshi Nakahata
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Megumu K Saito
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Oleaga C, Jalilvand G, Legters G, Martin C, Ekman G, McAleer CW, Long CJ, Hickman JJ. A human in vitro platform for the evaluation of pharmacology strategies in cardiac ischemia. APL Bioeng 2019; 3:036103. [PMID: 31431939 PMCID: PMC6692160 DOI: 10.1063/1.5089237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac ischemic events increase the risk for arrhythmia, heart attack, heart failure, and death and are the leading mortality condition globally. Reperfusion therapy is the first line of treatment for this condition, and although it significantly reduces mortality, cardiac ischemia remains a significant threat. New therapeutic strategies are under investigation to improve the ischemia survival rate; however, the current preclinical models to validate these fail to predict the human outcome. We report the development of a functional human cardiac in vitro system for the study of conduction velocity under ischemic conditions. The system is a bioMEMs platform formed by human iPSC derived cardiomyocytes patterned on microelectrode arrays and maintained in serum-free conditions. Electrical activity changes of conduction velocity, beat frequency, and QT interval (the QT-interval measures the period from onset of depolarization to the completion of repolarization) or action potential length can be evaluated over time and under the stress of ischemia. The optimized protocol induces >80% reduction in conduction velocity, after a 4 h depletion period, and a partial recovery after 72 h of oxygen and nutrient reintroduction. The sensitivity of the platform for pharmacological interventions was challenged with a gap junction modulator (ZP1609), known to prevent or delay the depression of conduction velocity induced by ischemic metabolic stress. ZP1609 significantly improved the drastic drop in conduction velocity and enabled a greater recovery. This model represents a new preclinical platform for studying cardiac ischemia with human cells, which does not rely on biomarker analysis and has the potential for screening novel cardioprotective drugs with readouts that are closer to the measured clinical parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlota Oleaga
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway Suite 400, Orlando, Florida 32826, USA
| | - Golareh Jalilvand
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway Suite 400, Orlando, Florida 32826, USA
| | - Gregg Legters
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway Suite 400, Orlando, Florida 32826, USA
| | - Candace Martin
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway Suite 400, Orlando, Florida 32826, USA
| | - Gail Ekman
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway Suite 400, Orlando, Florida 32826, USA
| | | | | | - James J. Hickman
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:. Tel.: +1 407-823-1925
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45
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Natarajan A, Sethumadhavan A, Krishnan UM. Toward Building the Neuromuscular Junction: In Vitro Models To Study Synaptogenesis and Neurodegeneration. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:12969-12977. [PMID: 31460423 PMCID: PMC6682064 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b00973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a unique, specialized chemical synapse that plays a crucial role in transmitting and amplifying information from spinal motor neurons to skeletal muscles. NMJ complexity ensures closely intertwined interactions between numerous synaptic vesicles, signaling molecules, ion channels, motor neurons, glia, and muscle fibers, making it difficult to dissect the underlying mechanisms and factors affecting neurodegeneration and muscle loss. Muscle fiber or motor neuron cell death followed by rapid axonal degeneration due to injury or disease has a debilitating effect on movement and behavior, which adversely affects the quality of life. It thus becomes imperative to study the synapse and intercellular signaling processes that regulate plasticity at the NMJ and elucidate mechanisms and pathways at the cellular level. Studies using in vitro 2D cell cultures have allowed us to gain a fundamental understanding of how the NMJ functions. However, they do not provide information on the intricate signaling networks that exist between NMJs and the biological environment. The advent of 3D cell cultures and microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technologies has opened whole new avenues to explore the NMJ. In this perspective, we look at the challenges involved in building a functional NMJ and the progress made in generating models for studying the NMJ, highlighting the current and future applications of these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupama Natarajan
- Centre
for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials (CeNTAB), School of Chemical
& Biotechnology, and School of Arts, Science & Humanities, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur 613 401, India
| | - Anjali Sethumadhavan
- Centre
for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials (CeNTAB), School of Chemical
& Biotechnology, and School of Arts, Science & Humanities, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur 613 401, India
| | - Uma Maheswari Krishnan
- Centre
for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials (CeNTAB), School of Chemical
& Biotechnology, and School of Arts, Science & Humanities, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur 613 401, India
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46
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Myasthenia Gravis: Pathogenic Effects of Autoantibodies on Neuromuscular Architecture. Cells 2019; 8:cells8070671. [PMID: 31269763 PMCID: PMC6678492 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Autoantibodies target key molecules at the NMJ, such as the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), muscle-specific kinase (MuSK), and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (Lrp4), that lead by a range of different pathogenic mechanisms to altered tissue architecture and reduced densities or functionality of AChRs, reduced neuromuscular transmission, and therefore a severe fatigable skeletal muscle weakness. In this review, we give an overview of the history and clinical aspects of MG, with a focus on the structure and function of myasthenic autoantigens at the NMJ and how they are affected by the autoantibodies' pathogenic mechanisms. Furthermore, we give a short overview of the cells that are implicated in the production of the autoantibodies and briefly discuss diagnostic challenges and treatment strategies.
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47
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Fang A, Li D, Hao Z, Wang L, Pan B, Gao L, Qu X, He J. Effects of astrocyte on neuronal outgrowth in a layered 3D structure. Biomed Eng Online 2019; 18:74. [PMID: 31215491 PMCID: PMC6582480 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-019-0694-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human brain models and pharmacological models of brain diseases are in high demand for drug screening because animal models have been found to be less than ideal for fully representing the human brain and are likely to fail during drug screening and testing; therefore, the construction of brain-like tissues is necessary. Due to the complexity of cortical tissue, the in vitro construction of brain-like tissue models has been restricted to mostly two-dimensional (2D) models and, on a limited scale, three-dimensional (3D) models. Methods In this study, 3D tissue blocks encapsulating neurons and astrocytes were constructed and cultured in vitro to mimic the cortex of the brain and to investigate the effects of astrocytes on the growth of neurons in a 3D culture. Results The results indicated that such methodology can provide a 3D culture environment suitable for neurons and astrocytes to live and function. When both cells were evenly mixed and cultured in a 3D manner, the astrocytes, which showed better outgrowth and a higher proliferation rate, benefited more than the neurons. On the other hand, the neurons benefited, showing longer axons and a denser network of dendrites, when they were accompanied by astrocytes at a certain distance. Conclusion In conclusion, astrocytes stimulated the outgrowth of neurons in a 3D culture environment in vitro. Regardless, the spatial relationship between both types of cells should be controlled. Thus, culturing cells in a 3D manner is necessary to investigate the correlations between them. This study provides a foundation for biofabricating 3D neurons’ cultures to allow for a deeper insight into the relationship between astrocytes or other glial cells and neurons in a 3D culture that is similar to the natural environment of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao Fang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China.,State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Dichen Li
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China.,State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Zhiyan Hao
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China.,State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Ling Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China. .,State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China.
| | - Binglei Pan
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China.,State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Lin Gao
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China.,State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Xiaoli Qu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China.,State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Jiankang He
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China.,State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
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Afshar Bakooshli M, Lippmann ES, Mulcahy B, Iyer N, Nguyen CT, Tung K, Stewart BA, van den Dorpel H, Fuehrmann T, Shoichet M, Bigot A, Pegoraro E, Ahn H, Ginsberg H, Zhen M, Ashton RS, Gilbert PM. A 3D culture model of innervated human skeletal muscle enables studies of the adult neuromuscular junction. eLife 2019; 8:44530. [PMID: 31084710 PMCID: PMC6516829 DOI: 10.7554/elife.44530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) human skeletal muscle fiber cultures are ill-equipped to support the contractile properties of maturing muscle fibers. This limits their application to the study of adult human neuromuscular junction (NMJ) development, a process requiring maturation of muscle fibers in the presence of motor neuron endplates. Here we describe a three-dimensional (3D) co-culture method whereby human muscle progenitors mixed with human pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons self-organize to form functional NMJ connections. Functional connectivity between motor neuron endplates and muscle fibers is confirmed with calcium imaging and electrophysiological recordings. Notably, we only observed epsilon acetylcholine receptor subunit protein upregulation and activity in 3D co-cultures. Further, 3D co-culture treatments with myasthenia gravis patient sera shows the ease of studying human disease with the system. Hence, this work offers a simple method to model and evaluate adult human NMJ de novo development or disease in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Afshar Bakooshli
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ethan S Lippmann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States.,Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States
| | - Ben Mulcahy
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nisha Iyer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States.,Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States
| | - Christine T Nguyen
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kayee Tung
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Bryan A Stewart
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
| | - Hubrecht van den Dorpel
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Tobias Fuehrmann
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Molly Shoichet
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Anne Bigot
- INSERM, Association Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Sorbonne Universite, Paris, France
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Henry Ahn
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Howard Ginsberg
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mei Zhen
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Randolph Scott Ashton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States.,Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States
| | - Penney M Gilbert
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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49
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Arifuzzaman M, Ito A, Ikeda K, Kawabe Y, Kamihira M. Fabricating Muscle–Neuron Constructs with Improved Contractile Force Generation. Tissue Eng Part A 2019; 25:563-574. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2018.0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Md Arifuzzaman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Akira Ito
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kazushi Ikeda
- Graduate School of Systems Life Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Kawabe
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masamichi Kamihira
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Graduate School of Systems Life Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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50
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Yamaoka N, Shimizu K, Imaizumi Y, Ito T, Okada Y, Honda H. Open-Chamber Co-Culture Microdevices for Single-Cell Analysis of Skeletal Muscle Myotubes and Motor Neurons with Neuromuscular Junctions. BIOCHIP JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s13206-018-3202-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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