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Pradeepan KS, McCready FP, Wei W, Khaki M, Zhang W, Salter MW, Ellis J, Martinez-Trujillo J. Calcium-Dependent Hyperexcitability in Human Stem Cell-Derived Rett Syndrome Neuronal Networks. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:100290. [PMID: 38420187 PMCID: PMC10899066 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Mutations in MECP2 predominantly cause Rett syndrome and can be modeled in vitro using human stem cell-derived neurons. Patients with Rett syndrome have signs of cortical hyperexcitability, such as seizures. Human stem cell-derived MECP2 null excitatory neurons have smaller soma size and reduced synaptic connectivity but are also hyperexcitable due to higher input resistance. Paradoxically, networks of MECP2 null neurons show a decrease in the frequency of network bursts consistent with a hypoconnectivity phenotype. Here, we examine this issue. Methods We reanalyzed multielectrode array data from 3 isogenic MECP2 cell line pairs recorded over 6 weeks (n = 144). We used a custom burst detection algorithm to analyze network events and isolated a phenomenon that we termed reverberating super bursts (RSBs). To probe potential mechanisms of RSBs, we conducted pharmacological manipulations using bicuculline, EGTA-AM, and DMSO on 1 cell line (n = 34). Results RSBs, often misidentified as single long-duration bursts, consisted of a large-amplitude initial burst followed by several high-frequency, low-amplitude minibursts. Our analysis revealed that MECP2 null networks exhibited increased frequency of RSBs, which produced increased bursts compared with isogenic controls. Bicuculline or DMSO treatment did not affect RSBs. EGTA-AM selectively eliminated RSBs and rescued network burst dynamics. Conclusions During early development, MECP2 null neurons are hyperexcitable and produce hyperexcitable networks. This may predispose them to the emergence of hypersynchronic states that potentially translate into seizures. Network hyperexcitability depends on asynchronous neurotransmitter release that is likely driven by presynaptic Ca2+ and can be rescued by EGTA-AM to restore typical network dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartik S. Pradeepan
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fraser P. McCready
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wei Wei
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Milad Khaki
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wenbo Zhang
- Neuroscience & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael W. Salter
- Neuroscience & Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Ellis
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julio Martinez-Trujillo
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, and Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Bu Q, Dai Y, Zhang H, Li M, Liu H, Huang Y, Zeng A, Qin F, Jiang L, Wang L, Chen Y, Li H, Wang X, Zhao Y, Qin M, Zhao Y, Zhang N, Kuang W, Zhao Y, Cen X. Neurodevelopmental defects in human cortical organoids with N-acetylneuraminic acid synthase mutation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf2772. [PMID: 38000033 PMCID: PMC10672180 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf2772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Biallelic genetic variants in N-acetylneuraminic acid synthase (NANS), a critical enzyme in endogenous sialic acid biosynthesis, are clinically associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the mechanism underlying the neuropathological consequences has remained elusive. Here, we found that NANS mutation resulted in the absence of both sialic acid and protein polysialylation in the cortical organoids and notably reduced the proliferation and expansion of neural progenitors. NANS mutation dysregulated neural migration and differentiation, disturbed synapse formation, and weakened neuronal activity. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that NANS loss of function markedly altered transcriptional programs involved in neuronal differentiation and ribosomal biogenesis in various neuronal cell types. Similarly, Nans heterozygous mice exhibited impaired cortical neurogenesis and neurobehavioral deficits. Collectively, our findings reveal a crucial role of NANS-mediated endogenous sialic acid biosynthesis in regulating multiple features of human cortical development, thus linking NANS mutation with its clinically relevant neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Bu
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory of Sichuan Provincial Education office, Institute of Systems Epidemiology, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yanping Dai
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Huaqin Zhang
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Min Li
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Haxiaoyu Liu
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory of Sichuan Provincial Education office, Institute of Systems Epidemiology, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ailing Zeng
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Feng Qin
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Linhong Jiang
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yaxing Chen
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Hongchun Li
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xiaojie Wang
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Meng Qin
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Ni Zhang
- Mental Health Center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Weihong Kuang
- Mental Health Center of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yinglan Zhao
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xiaobo Cen
- Mental Health Center and National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
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Alasmar S, Huang J, Chopra K, Baumann E, Aylsworth A, Hewitt M, Sandhu JK, Tauskela JS, Ben RN, Jezierski A. Improved Cryopreservation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) and iPSC-derived Neurons Using Ice-Recrystallization Inhibitors. Stem Cells 2023; 41:1006-1021. [PMID: 37622655 PMCID: PMC10631806 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxad059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-derived neurons (iPSC-Ns) represent a differentiated modality toward developing novel cell-based therapies for regenerative medicine. However, the successful application of iPSC-Ns in cell-replacement therapies relies on effective cryopreservation. In this study, we investigated the role of ice recrystallization inhibitors (IRIs) as novel cryoprotectants for iPSCs and terminally differentiated iPSC-Ns. We found that one class of IRIs, N-aryl-D-aldonamides (specifically 2FA), increased iPSC post-thaw viability and recovery with no adverse effect on iPSC pluripotency. While 2FA supplementation did not significantly improve iPSC-N cell post-thaw viability, we observed that 2FA cryopreserved iPSC-Ns re-established robust neuronal network activity and synaptic function much earlier compared to CS10 cryopreserved controls. The 2FA cryopreserved iPSC-Ns retained expression of key neuronal specific and terminally differentiated markers and displayed functional electrophysiological and neuropharmacological responses following treatment with neuroactive agonists and antagonists. We demonstrate how optimizing cryopreservation media formulations with IRIs represents a promising strategy to improve functional cryopreservation of iPSCs and post-mitotic iPSC-Ns, the latter of which have been challenging to achieve. Developing IRI enabling technologies to support an effective cryopreservation and an efficiently managed cryo-chain is fundamental to support the delivery of successful iPSC-derived therapies to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salma Alasmar
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Science, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jez Huang
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Karishma Chopra
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Science, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ewa Baumann
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Amy Aylsworth
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Melissa Hewitt
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jagdeep K Sandhu
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, , Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Joseph S Tauskela
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Robert N Ben
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Science, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Anna Jezierski
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, , Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Lv S, He E, Luo J, Liu Y, Liang W, Xu S, Zhang K, Yang Y, Wang M, Song Y, Wu Y, Cai X. Using Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Neurons on Microelectrode Arrays to Model Neurological Disease: A Review. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301828. [PMID: 37863819 PMCID: PMC10667858 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
In situ physiological signals of in vitro neural disease models are essential for studying pathogenesis and drug screening. Currently, an increasing number of in vitro neural disease models are established using human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) derived neurons (hiPSC-DNs) to overcome interspecific gene expression differences. Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) can be readily interfaced with two-dimensional (2D), and more recently, three-dimensional (3D) neural stem cell-derived in vitro models of the human brain to monitor their physiological activity in real time. Therefore, MEAs are emerging and useful tools to model neurological disorders and disease in vitro using human iPSCs. This is enabling a real-time window into neuronal signaling at the network scale from patient derived. This paper provides a comprehensive review of MEA's role in analyzing neural disease models established by hiPSC-DNs. It covers the significance of MEA fabrication, surface structure and modification schemes for hiPSC-DNs culturing and signal detection. Additionally, this review discusses advances in the development and use of MEA technology to study in vitro neural disease models, including epilepsy, autism spectrum developmental disorder (ASD), and others established using hiPSC-DNs. The paper also highlights the application of MEAs combined with hiPSC-DNs in detecting in vitro neurotoxic substances. Finally, the future development and outlook of multifunctional and integrated devices for in vitro medical diagnostics and treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiya Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer TechnologyAerospace Information Research InstituteChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Enhui He
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer TechnologyAerospace Information Research InstituteChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
- The State Key Lab of Brain‐Machine IntelligenceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou321100China
| | - Jinping Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer TechnologyAerospace Information Research InstituteChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yaoyao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer TechnologyAerospace Information Research InstituteChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Wei Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer TechnologyAerospace Information Research InstituteChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Shihong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer TechnologyAerospace Information Research InstituteChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Kui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer TechnologyAerospace Information Research InstituteChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer TechnologyAerospace Information Research InstituteChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Mixia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer TechnologyAerospace Information Research InstituteChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yilin Song
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer TechnologyAerospace Information Research InstituteChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yirong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer TechnologyAerospace Information Research InstituteChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Xinxia Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer TechnologyAerospace Information Research InstituteChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
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5
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Sullivan MA, Lane S, Volkerling A, Engel M, Werry EL, Kassiou M. Three-dimensional bioprinting of stem cell-derived central nervous system cells enables astrocyte growth, vasculogenesis, and enhances neural differentiation/function. Biotechnol Bioeng 2023; 120:3079-3091. [PMID: 37395340 PMCID: PMC10953436 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Current research tools for preclinical drug development such as rodent models and two-dimensional immortalized monocultures have failed to serve as effective translational models for human central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Recent advancements in the development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and three-dimensional (3D) culturing can improve the in vivo-relevance of preclinical models, while generating 3D cultures though novel bioprinting technologies can offer increased scalability and replicability. As such, there is a need to develop platforms that combine iPSC-derived cells with 3D bioprinting to produce scalable, tunable, and biomimetic cultures for preclinical drug discovery applications. We report a biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol)-based matrix which incorporates Arg-Gly-Asp and Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg peptide motifs and full-length collagen IV at a stiffness similar to the human brain (1.5 kPa). Using a high-throughput commercial bioprinter we report the viable culture and morphological development of monocultured iPSC-derived astrocytes, brain microvascular endothelial-like cells, neural progenitors, and neurons in our novel matrix. We also show that this system supports endothelial-like vasculogenesis and enhances neural differentiation and spontaneous activity. This platform forms a foundation for more complex, multicellular models to facilitate high-throughput translational drug discovery for CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Sullivan
- School of Medical Sciences, The Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Samuel Lane
- School of Chemistry, The Faculty of ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Martin Engel
- Inventia Life Science Operations Pty Ltd.AlexandriaNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Eryn L. Werry
- School of Chemistry, The Faculty of ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Michael Kassiou
- School of Chemistry, The Faculty of ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Muzzi L, Di Lisa D, Falappa M, Pepe S, Maccione A, Pastorino L, Martinoia S, Frega M. Human-Derived Cortical Neurospheroids Coupled to Passive, High-Density and 3D MEAs: A Valid Platform for Functional Tests. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10040449. [PMID: 37106636 PMCID: PMC10136157 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10040449] [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: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
With the advent of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and differentiation protocols, methods to create in-vitro human-derived neuronal networks have been proposed. Although monolayer cultures represent a valid model, adding three-dimensionality (3D) would make them more representative of an in-vivo environment. Thus, human-derived 3D structures are becoming increasingly used for in-vitro disease modeling. Achieving control over the final cell composition and investigating the exhibited electrophysiological activity is still a challenge. Thence, methodologies to create 3D structures with controlled cellular density and composition and platforms capable of measuring and characterizing the functional aspects of these samples are needed. Here, we propose a method to rapidly generate neurospheroids of human origin with control over cell composition that can be used for functional investigations. We show a characterization of the electrophysiological activity exhibited by the neurospheroids by using micro-electrode arrays (MEAs) with different types (i.e., passive, C-MOS, and 3D) and number of electrodes. Neurospheroids grown in free culture and transferred on MEAs exhibited functional activity that can be chemically and electrically modulated. Our results indicate that this model holds great potential for an in-depth study of signal transmission to drug screening and disease modeling and offers a platform for in-vitro functional testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Muzzi
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy
| | - Donatella Di Lisa
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy
| | - Matteo Falappa
- 3Brain AG, 8808 Pfäffikon, Switzerland
- Corticale Srl., 16145 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sara Pepe
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Laura Pastorino
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sergio Martinoia
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy
| | - Monica Frega
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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7
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Goshi N, Kim H, Girardi G, Gardner A, Seker E. Electrophysiological Activity of Primary Cortical Neuron-Glia Mixed Cultures. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050821. [PMID: 36899957 PMCID: PMC10001406 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation plays a central role in many neurological disorders, ranging from traumatic brain injuries to neurodegeneration. Electrophysiological activity is an essential measure of neuronal function, which is influenced by neuroinflammation. In order to study neuroinflammation and its electrophysiological fingerprints, there is a need for in vitro models that accurately capture the in vivo phenomena. In this study, we employed a new tri-culture of primary rat neurons, astrocytes, and microglia in combination with extracellular electrophysiological recording techniques using multiple electrode arrays (MEAs) to determine the effect of microglia on neural function and the response to neuroinflammatory stimuli. Specifically, we established the tri-culture and its corresponding neuron-astrocyte co-culture (lacking microglia) counterpart on custom MEAs and monitored their electrophysiological activity for 21 days to assess culture maturation and network formation. As a complementary assessment, we quantified synaptic puncta and averaged spike waveforms to determine the difference in excitatory to inhibitory neuron ratio (E/I ratio) of the neurons. The results demonstrate that the microglia in the tri-culture do not disrupt neural network formation and stability and may be a better representation of the in vivo rat cortex due to its more similar E/I ratio as compared to more traditional isolated neuron and neuron-astrocyte co-cultures. In addition, only the tri-culture displayed a significant decrease in both the number of active channels and spike frequency following pro-inflammatory lipopolysaccharide exposure, highlighting the critical role of microglia in capturing electrophysiological manifestations of a representative neuroinflammatory insult. We expect the demonstrated technology to assist in studying various brain disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Goshi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California—Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Hyehyun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California—Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Gregory Girardi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California—Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Alexander Gardner
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California—Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Erkin Seker
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California—Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Correspondence:
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Pré D, Wooten AT, Zhou H, Neil A, Bang AG. Assaying Chemical Long-Term Potentiation in Human iPSC-Derived Neuronal Networks. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2683:275-289. [PMID: 37300783 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3287-1_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Impairment of long-term potentiation (LTP) is a common feature of many preclinical models of neurological disorders. Modeling LTP on human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) enables the investigation of this critical plasticity process in disease-specific genetic backgrounds. Here, we describe a method to chemically induce LTP across entire networks of hiPSC-derived neurons on multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) and investigate effects on neuronal network activity and associated molecular changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Pré
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alexander T Wooten
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Haowen Zhou
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ashley Neil
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anne G Bang
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Hörberg CJ, Englund Johansson U, Johansson F, O'Carroll D. Spontaneous Cell Cluster Formation in Human iPSC-Derived Neuronal Spheroid Networks Influences Network Activity. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0143-22.2022. [PMID: 36216508 PMCID: PMC9581577 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0143-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional neuronal culture systems such as spheroids, organoids, and assembloids constitute a branch of neuronal tissue engineering that has improved our ability to model the human brain in the laboratory. However, the more elaborate the brain model, the more difficult it becomes to study functional properties such as electrical activity at the neuronal level, similar to the challenges of studying neurophysiology in vivo We describe a simple approach to generate self-assembled three-dimensional neuronal spheroid networks with defined human cell composition on microelectrode arrays. Such spheroid networks develop a highly three-dimensional morphology with cell clusters up to 60 µm in thickness and are interconnected by pronounced bundles of neuronal fibers and glial processes. We could reliably record from up to hundreds of neurons simultaneously per culture for ≤90 d. By quantifying the formation of these three-dimensional structures over time, while regularly monitoring electrical activity, we were able to establish a strong link between spheroid morphology and network activity. In particular, the formation of cell clusters accelerates formation and maturation of correlated network activity. Astrocytes both influence electrophysiological network activity as well as accelerate the transition from single cell layers to cluster formation. Higher concentrations of astrocytes also have a strong effect of modulating synchronized network activity. This approach thus represents a practical alternative to often complex and heterogeneous organoids, providing easy access to activity within a brain-like 3D environment.Significance StatementNeuronal "organoid" cultures with multiple cell types grown on elaborate three-dimensional scaffolds have become popular tools to generate brain-like properties in vitro but bring with them similar problems concerning access to physiological function as real brain tissue. Here, we developed a new approach to form simple brain-like spheroid networks from human neurons, but using the normal supporting cells of the brain, astrocytes, as the scaffold. By growing these cultures on conventional microelectrode arrays, we were able to observe development of complex patterns of electrical activity for months. Our results highlight how formation of three-dimensional structures accelerated the formation of synchronized neuronal network activity and provide a promising new simple model system for studying interactions between known human cell types in vitro.
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10
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Pré D, Wooten AT, Biesmans S, Hinckley S, Zhou H, Sherman SP, Kakad P, Gearhart J, Bang AG. Development of a platform to investigate long-term potentiation in human iPSC-derived neuronal networks. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:2141-2155. [PMID: 35985330 PMCID: PMC9481914 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Impairment of long-term potentiation (LTP) is a common feature of many pre-clinical models of neurological disorders; however, studies in humans are limited by the inaccessibility of the brain. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a unique opportunity to study LTP in disease-specific genetic backgrounds. Here we describe a multi-electrode array (MEA)-based assay to investigate chemically induced LTP (cLTP) across entire networks of hiPSC-derived midbrain dopaminergic (DA) and cortical neuronal populations that lasts for days, allowing studies of the late phases of LTP and enabling detection of associated molecular changes. We show that cLTP on midbrain DA neuronal networks is largely independent of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and partially dependent on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Finally, we describe activity-regulated gene expression induced by cLTP. This cLTP-MEA assay platform will enable phenotype discovery and higher-throughput analyses of synaptic plasticity on hiPSC-derived neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Pré
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Alexander T Wooten
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Steven Biesmans
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sandy Hinckley
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Haowen Zhou
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sean P Sherman
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Priyanka Kakad
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jeffrey Gearhart
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine on Contract to USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
| | - Anne G Bang
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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11
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Kapucu FE, Vinogradov A, Hyvärinen T, Ylä-Outinen L, Narkilahti S. Comparative microelectrode array data of the functional development of hPSC-derived and rat neuronal networks. Sci Data 2022; 9:120. [PMID: 35354837 PMCID: PMC8969177 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01242-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a dataset of microelectrode array (MEA) recordings from human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived and rat embryonic cortical neurons during their in vitro maturation. The data were prepared to assess extracellularly recorded spontaneous activity and to compare the functional development of these neuronal networks. In addition to recordings of spontaneous activity, we provide pharmacological responses of hPSC-derived and rat cortical cultures at their mature stage. Together with the recorded electrode raw data, we share the analysis code to form a comprehensive dataset including spike times, spike waveforms, burst activity and network synchronization metrics calculated with two different connectivity estimators. Moreover, we provide the analysis code that produced the key scientific findings published previously with this dataset. This large dataset enables investigation of the functional aspects of maturing cortical neuronal networks and provides substantial parameters to assess the differences and similarities between hPSC-derived and rat cortical networks in vitro. This publicly available dataset will be beneficial, especially for experimental and computational neuroscientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fikret Emre Kapucu
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Andrey Vinogradov
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Tanja Hyvärinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Laura Ylä-Outinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Susanna Narkilahti
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
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12
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Functional Characterization of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Models of the Brain with Microelectrode Arrays. Cells 2021; 11:cells11010106. [PMID: 35011667 PMCID: PMC8750870 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neuron cultures have emerged as models of electrical activity in the human brain. Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) measure changes in the extracellular electric potential of cell cultures or tissues and enable the recording of neuronal network activity. MEAs have been applied to both human subjects and hPSC-derived brain models. Here, we review the literature on the functional characterization of hPSC-derived two- and three-dimensional brain models with MEAs and examine their network function in physiological and pathological contexts. We also summarize MEA results from the human brain and compare them to the literature on MEA recordings of hPSC-derived brain models. MEA recordings have shown network activity in two-dimensional hPSC-derived brain models that is comparable to the human brain and revealed pathology-associated changes in disease models. Three-dimensional hPSC-derived models such as brain organoids possess a more relevant microenvironment, tissue architecture and potential for modeling the network activity with more complexity than two-dimensional models. hPSC-derived brain models recapitulate many aspects of network function in the human brain and provide valid disease models, but certain advancements in differentiation methods, bioengineering and available MEA technology are needed for these approaches to reach their full potential.
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13
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Electrophysiological- and Neuropharmacological-Based Benchmarking of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived and Primary Rodent Neurons. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 18:259-277. [PMID: 34687385 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10263-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons are of interest for studying neurological disease mechanisms, developing potential therapies and deepening our understanding of the human nervous system. However, compared to an extensive history of practice with primary rodent neuron cultures, human iPSC-neurons still require more robust characterization of expression of neuronal receptors and ion channels and functional and predictive pharmacological responses. In this study, we differentiated human amniotic fluid-derived iPSCs into a mixed population of neurons (AF-iNs). Functional assessments were performed by evaluating electrophysiological (patch-clamp) properties and the effect of a panel of neuropharmacological agents on spontaneous activity (multi-electrode arrays; MEAs). These electrophysiological data were benchmarked relative to commercially sourced human iPSC-derived neurons (CNS.4U from Ncardia), primary human neurons (ScienCell™) and primary rodent cortical/hippocampal neurons. Patch-clamp whole-cell recordings showed that mature AF-iNs generated repetitive firing of action potentials in response to depolarizations, similar to that of primary rodent cortical/hippocampal neurons, with nearly half of the neurons displaying spontaneous post-synaptic currents. Immunochemical and MEA-based analyses indicated that AF-iNs were composed of functional glutamatergic excitatory and inhibitory GABAergic neurons. Principal component analysis of MEA data indicated that human AF-iN and rat neurons exhibited distinct pharmacological and electrophysiological properties. Collectively, this study establishes a necessary prerequisite for AF-iNs as a human neuron culture model suitable for pharmacological studies.
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14
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Mossink B, Verboven AHA, van Hugte EJH, Klein Gunnewiek TM, Parodi G, Linda K, Schoenmaker C, Kleefstra T, Kozicz T, van Bokhoven H, Schubert D, Nadif Kasri N, Frega M. Human neuronal networks on micro-electrode arrays are a highly robust tool to study disease-specific genotype-phenotype correlations in vitro. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2182-2196. [PMID: 34329594 PMCID: PMC8452490 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Micro-electrode arrays (MEAs) are increasingly used to characterize neuronal network activity of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons. Despite their gain in popularity, MEA recordings from hiPSC-derived neuronal networks are not always used to their full potential in respect to experimental design, execution, and data analysis. Therefore, we benchmarked the robustness of MEA-derived neuronal activity patterns from ten healthy individual control lines, and uncover comparable network phenotypes. To achieve standardization, we provide recommendations on experimental design and analysis. With such standardization, MEAs can be used as a reliable platform to distinguish (disease-specific) network phenotypes. In conclusion, we show that MEAs are a powerful and robust tool to uncover functional neuronal network phenotypes from hiPSC-derived neuronal networks, and provide an important resource to advance the hiPSC field toward the use of MEAs for disease phenotyping and drug discovery. MEAs are a robust tool to model neuronal network functioning Neuronal networks from different healthy donors show comparable network activity MEAs are able to distinguish disease-specific neuronal network phenotypes We provide recommendations to standardize neuronal network recordings on MEA
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Affiliation(s)
- Britt Mossink
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Anouk H A Verboven
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboudumc, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Eline J H van Hugte
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; ACE Kempenhaeghe, Department of Epileptology, 5591 VE Heeze, the Netherlands
| | - Teun M Klein Gunnewiek
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Giulia Parodi
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Katrin Linda
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Chantal Schoenmaker
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Tjitske Kleefstra
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Tamas Kozicz
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Hans van Bokhoven
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dirk Schubert
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Nael Nadif Kasri
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Monica Frega
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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15
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A human stem cell-derived test system for agents modifying neuronal N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor Ca 2+-signalling. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:1703-1722. [PMID: 33713149 PMCID: PMC8113295 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03024-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Methods to assess neuronal receptor functions are needed in toxicology and for drug development. Human-based test systems that allow studies on glutamate signalling are still scarce. To address this issue, we developed and characterized pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based neural cultures capable of forming a functional network. Starting from a stably proliferating neuroepithelial stem cell (NESC) population, we generate “mixed cortical cultures” (MCC) within 24 days. Characterization by immunocytochemistry, gene expression profiling and functional tests (multi-electrode arrays) showed that MCC contain various functional neurotransmitter receptors, and in particular, the N-methyl-d-aspartate subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors (NMDA-R). As this important receptor is found neither on conventional neural cell lines nor on most stem cell-derived neurons, we focused here on the characterization of rapid glutamate-triggered Ca2+ signalling. Changes of the intracellular free calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) were measured by fluorescent imaging as the main endpoint, and a method to evaluate and quantify signals in hundreds of cells at the same time was developed. We observed responses to glutamate in the low µM range. MCC responded to kainate and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), and a subpopulation of 50% had functional NMDA-R. The receptor was modulated by Mg2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ in the expected ways, and various toxicologically relevant agonists (quinolinic acid, ibotenic acid, domoic acid) triggered [Ca2+]i responses in MCC. Antagonists, such as phencyclidine, ketamine and dextromethorphan, were also readily identified. Thus, the MCC developed here may fill an important gap in the panel of test systems available to characterize the effects of chemicals on neurotransmitter receptors.
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16
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An efficient neuron-astrocyte differentiation protocol from human embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitors to assess chemical-induced developmental neurotoxicity. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 98:107-116. [PMID: 32931842 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cell neuronal differentiation models provide promising in vitro tools for the prediction of developmental neurotoxicity of chemicals. Such models mimic essential elements of human relevant neuronal development, including the differentiation of a variety of brain cell types and their neuronal network formation as evidenced by specific gene and protein biomarkers. However, the reproducibility and lengthy culture duration of cell models present drawbacks and delay regulatory implementation. Here we present a relatively short and robust protocol to differentiate H9-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) into a neuron-astrocyte co-culture. When frozen-stored NPCs were re-cultured and induced into neuron-astrocyte differentiation, they showed gene- and protein expression typical for these cells, and most notably they exhibited spontaneous electrical activity within three days of culture as measured by a multi-well micro-electrode array. Modulating the ratio of astrocytes and neurons through different growth factors including glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) did not compromise the ability to develop spontaneous electrical activity. This robust neuronal differentiation model may serve as a functional component of a testing strategy for unravelling mechanisms of developmental neurotoxicity.
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17
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Silva MC, Haggarty SJ. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived models and drug screening in CNS precision medicine. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1471:18-56. [PMID: 30875083 PMCID: PMC8193821 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Development of effective therapeutics for neurological disorders has historically been challenging partly because of lack of accurate model systems in which to investigate disease etiology and test new therapeutics at the preclinical stage. Human stem cells, particularly patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) upon differentiation, have the ability to recapitulate aspects of disease pathophysiology and are increasingly recognized as robust scalable systems for drug discovery. We review advances in deriving cellular models of human central nervous system (CNS) disorders using iPSCs along with strategies for investigating disease-relevant phenotypes, translatable biomarkers, and therapeutic targets. Given their potential to identify novel therapeutic targets and leads, we focus on phenotype-based, small-molecule screens employing human stem cell-derived models. Integrated efforts to assemble patient iPSC-derived cell models with deeply annotated clinicopathological data, along with molecular and drug-response signatures, may aid in the stratification of patients, diagnostics, and clinical trial success, shifting translational science and precision medicine approaches. A number of remaining challenges, including the optimization of cost-effective, large-scale culture of iPSC-derived cell types, incorporation of aging into neuronal models, as well as robustness and automation of phenotypic assays to support quantitative drug efficacy, toxicity, and metabolism testing workflows, are covered. Continued advancement of the field is expected to help fully humanize the process of CNS drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Catarina Silva
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
| | - Stephen J. Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
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18
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Abstract
Modulation of cellular electrophysiology helps develop an understanding of cellular development and function in healthy and diseased states. We modulate the electrophysiology of neuronal cells in two-dimensional (2D) and 3D assemblies with subcellular precision via photothermal stimulation using a multiscale fuzzy graphene nanostructure. Nanowire (NW)-templated 3D fuzzy graphene (NT-3DFG) nanostructures enable remote, nongenetic photothermal stimulation with laser energies as low as subhundred nanojoules without generating cellular stress. NT-3DFG serves as a powerful toolset for studies of cell signaling within and between in vitro 3D models (human-based organoids and spheroids) and can enable therapeutic interventions. The ability to modulate cellular electrophysiology is fundamental to the investigation of development, function, and disease. Currently, there is a need for remote, nongenetic, light-induced control of cellular activity in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) platforms. Here, we report a breakthrough hybrid nanomaterial for remote, nongenetic, photothermal stimulation of 2D and 3D neural cellular systems. We combine one-dimensional (1D) nanowires (NWs) and 2D graphene flakes grown out-of-plane for highly controlled photothermal stimulation at subcellular precision without the need for genetic modification, with laser energies lower than a hundred nanojoules, one to two orders of magnitude lower than Au-, C-, and Si-based nanomaterials. Photothermal stimulation using NW-templated 3D fuzzy graphene (NT-3DFG) is flexible due to its broadband absorption and does not generate cellular stress. Therefore, it serves as a powerful toolset for studies of cell signaling within and between tissues and can enable therapeutic interventions.
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19
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Aydin O, Passaro AP, Elhebeary M, Pagan-Diaz GJ, Fan A, Nuethong S, Bashir R, Stice SL, Saif MTA. Development of 3D neuromuscular bioactuators. APL Bioeng 2020; 4:016107. [PMID: 32161837 PMCID: PMC7064368 DOI: 10.1063/1.5134477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal control of skeletal muscle bioactuators represents a critical milestone toward the realization of future biohybrid machines that may generate complex motor patterns and autonomously navigate through their environment. Animals achieve these feats using neural networks that generate robust firing patterns and coordinate muscle activity through neuromuscular units. Here, we designed a versatile 3D neuron-muscle co-culture platform to serve as a test-bed for neuromuscular bioactuators. We used our platform in conjunction with microelectrode array electrophysiology to study the roles of synergistic interactions in the co-development of neural networks and muscle tissues. Our platform design enables co-culture of a neuronal cluster with up to four target muscle actuators, as well as quantification of muscle contraction forces. Using engineered muscle tissue targets, we first demonstrated the formation of functional neuromuscular bioactuators. We then investigated possible roles of long-range interactions in neuronal outgrowth patterns and observed preferential outgrowth toward muscles compared to the acellular matrix or fibroblasts, indicating muscle-specific chemotactic cues acting on motor neurons. Next, we showed that co-cultured muscle strips exhibited significantly higher spontaneous contractility as well as improved sarcomere assembly compared to muscles cultured alone. Finally, we performed microelectrode array measurements on neuronal cultures, which revealed that muscle-conditioned medium enhances overall neural firing rates and the emergence of synchronous bursting patterns. Overall, our study illustrates the significance of neuron-muscle cross talk for the in vitro development of neuromuscular bioactuators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Aydin
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801,
USA
| | | | - Mohamed Elhebeary
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801,
USA
| | - Gelson J. Pagan-Diaz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Anthony Fan
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801,
USA
| | - Sittinon Nuethong
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801,
USA
| | - Rashid Bashir
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | | | - M. Taher A. Saif
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801,
USA
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20
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Pagan-Diaz GJ, Ramos-Cruz KP, Sam R, Kandel ME, Aydin O, Saif MTA, Popescu G, Bashir R. Engineering geometrical 3-dimensional untethered in vitro neural tissue mimic. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:25932-25940. [PMID: 31796592 PMCID: PMC6926042 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1916138116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Formation of tissue models in 3 dimensions is more effective in recapitulating structure and function compared to their 2-dimensional (2D) counterparts. Formation of 3D engineered tissue to control shape and size can have important implications in biomedical research and in engineering applications such as biological soft robotics. While neural spheroids routinely are created during differentiation processes, further geometric control of in vitro neural models has not been demonstrated. Here, we present an approach to form functional in vitro neural tissue mimic (NTM) of different shapes using stem cells, a fibrin matrix, and 3D printed molds. We used murine-derived embryonic stem cells for optimizing cell-seeding protocols, characterization of the resulting internal structure of the construct, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix, as well as validation of electrophysiological activity. Then, we used these findings to biofabricate these constructs using neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells. This method can provide a large degree of design flexibility for development of in vitro functional neural tissue models of varying forms for therapeutic biomedical research, drug discovery, and disease modeling, and engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gelson J Pagan-Diaz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Karla P Ramos-Cruz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Richard Sam
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Mikhail E Kandel
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Onur Aydin
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - M Taher A Saif
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Gabriel Popescu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Rashid Bashir
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801;
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21
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Hyvärinen T, Hyysalo A, Kapucu FE, Aarnos L, Vinogradov A, Eglen SJ, Ylä-Outinen L, Narkilahti S. Functional characterization of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical networks differentiated on laminin-521 substrate: comparison to rat cortical cultures. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17125. [PMID: 31748598 PMCID: PMC6868015 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53647-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neurons provide exciting opportunities for in vitro modeling of neurological diseases and for advancing drug development and neurotoxicological studies. However, generating electrophysiologically mature neuronal networks from hPSCs has been challenging. Here, we report the differentiation of functionally active hPSC-derived cortical networks on defined laminin-521 substrate. We apply microelectrode array (MEA) measurements to assess network events and compare the activity development of hPSC-derived networks to that of widely used rat embryonic cortical cultures. In both of these networks, activity developed through a similar sequence of stages and time frames; however, the hPSC-derived networks showed unique patterns of bursting activity. The hPSC-derived networks developed synchronous activity, which involved glutamatergic and GABAergic inputs, recapitulating the classical cortical activity also observed in rodent counterparts. Principal component analysis (PCA) based on spike rates, network synchronization and burst features revealed the segregation of hPSC-derived and rat network recordings into different clusters, reflecting the species-specific and maturation state differences between the two networks. Overall, hPSC-derived neural cultures produced with a defined protocol generate cortical type network activity, which validates their applicability as a human-specific model for pharmacological studies and modeling network dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Hyvärinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and BioMediTech, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anu Hyysalo
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and BioMediTech, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Fikret Emre Kapucu
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Laura Aarnos
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and BioMediTech, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Andrey Vinogradov
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and BioMediTech, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Stephen J Eglen
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Ylä-Outinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and BioMediTech, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Susanna Narkilahti
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and BioMediTech, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
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Wang Y, Graham ES, Unsworth CP. First observations of spontaneous bursting in human hNT neurons with a customised neural chip platform. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2019. [DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/ab4b24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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23
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Aydin O, Zhang X, Nuethong S, Pagan-Diaz GJ, Bashir R, Gazzola M, Saif MTA. Neuromuscular actuation of biohybrid motile bots. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:19841-19847. [PMID: 31527266 PMCID: PMC6778261 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1907051116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The integration of muscle cells with soft robotics in recent years has led to the development of biohybrid machines capable of untethered locomotion. A major frontier that currently remains unexplored is neuronal actuation and control of such muscle-powered biohybrid machines. As a step toward this goal, we present here a biohybrid swimmer driven by on-board neuromuscular units. The body of the swimmer consists of a free-standing soft scaffold, skeletal muscle tissue, and optogenetic stem cell-derived neural cluster containing motor neurons. Myoblasts embedded in extracellular matrix self-organize into a muscle tissue guided by the geometry of the scaffold, and the resulting muscle tissue is cocultured in situ with a neural cluster. Motor neurons then extend neurites selectively toward the muscle and innervate it, developing functional neuromuscular units. Based on this initial construct, we computationally designed, optimized, and implemented light-sensitive flagellar swimmers actuated by these neuromuscular units. Cyclic muscle contractions, induced by neural stimulation, drive time-irreversible flagellar dynamics, thereby providing thrust for untethered forward locomotion of the swimmer. Overall, this work demonstrates an example of a biohybrid robot implementing neuromuscular actuation and illustrates a path toward the forward design and control of neuron-enabled biohybrid machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Aydin
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Sittinon Nuethong
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Gelson J Pagan-Diaz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Rashid Bashir
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Mattia Gazzola
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801;
- National Center for Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - M Taher A Saif
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801;
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
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24
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Kizner V, Naujock M, Fischer S, Jäger S, Reich S, Schlotthauer I, Zuckschwerdt K, Geiger T, Hildebrandt T, Lawless N, Macartney T, Dorner-Ciossek C, Gillardon F. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Knockout of the Neuropsychiatric Risk Gene KCTD13 Causes Developmental Deficits in Human Cortical Neurons Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 57:616-634. [PMID: 31402430 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01727-1] [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] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The human KCTD13 gene is located within the 16p11.2 locus and copy number variants of this locus are associated with a high risk for neuropsychiatric diseases including autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Studies in zebrafish point to a role of KCTD13 in proliferation of neural precursor cells which may contribute to macrocephaly in 16p11.2 deletion carriers. KCTD13 is highly expressed in the fetal human brain and in mouse cortical neurons, but its contribution to the development and function of mammalian neurons is not completely understood. In the present study, we deleted the KCTD13 gene in human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using CRISPR/Cas9 nickase. Following neural differentiation of KCTD13 deficient and isogenic control iPSC lines, we detected a moderate but significant inhibition of DNA synthesis and proliferation in KCTD13 deficient human neural precursor cells. KCTD13 deficient cortical neurons derived from iPSCs showed decreased neurite formation and reduced spontaneous network activity. RNA-sequencing and pathway analysis pointed to a role for ERBB signaling in these phenotypic changes. Consistently, activating and inhibiting ERBB kinases rescued and aggravated, respectively, impaired neurite formation. In contrast to findings in non-neuronal human HeLa cells, we did not detect an accumulation of the putative KCTD13/Cullin-3 substrate RhoA, and treatment with inhibitors of RhoA signaling did not rescue decreased neurite formation in human KCTD13 knockout neurons. Taken together, our data provide insight into the role of KCTD13 in neurodevelopmental disorders, and point to ERBB signaling as a potential target for neuropsychiatric disorders associated with KCTD13 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Kizner
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Maximilian Naujock
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Sandra Fischer
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Stefan Jäger
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Selina Reich
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Ines Schlotthauer
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Kai Zuckschwerdt
- Target Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Tobias Geiger
- Cardio-metabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Tobias Hildebrandt
- Target Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Nathan Lawless
- Target Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Thomas Macartney
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, Sir James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Cornelia Dorner-Ciossek
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Frank Gillardon
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, 88397, Biberach an der Riss, Germany.
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25
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Li J, Settivari R, LeBaron MJ, Marty MS. An industry perspective: A streamlined screening strategy using alternative models for chemical assessment of developmental neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology 2019; 73:17-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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26
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Kinome-Wide RNA Interference Screening Identifies Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases and Phosphatidylinositol Metabolism as Key Factors for Rabies Virus Infection. mSphere 2019; 4:4/3/e00047-19. [PMID: 31118297 PMCID: PMC6531879 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00047-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabies virus relies on cellular machinery for its replication while simultaneously evading the host immune response. Despite their importance, little is known about the key host factors required for rabies virus infection. Here, we focused on the human kinome, at the core of many cellular pathways, to unveil a new understanding of the rabies virus infectious cycle and to discover new potential therapeutic targets in a small interfering RNA screening. The mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and phosphatidylinositol metabolism were identified as prominent factors involved in rabies virus infection, and those findings were further confirmed in human neurons. While bringing a new insight into rabies virus biology, we also provide a new list of host factors involved in rabies virus infection. Throughout the rabies virus (RABV) infectious cycle, host-virus interactions define its capacity to replicate, escape the immune response, and spread. As phosphorylation is a key regulatory mechanism involved in most cellular processes, kinases represent a target of choice to identify host factors required for viral replication. A kinase and phosphatase small interfering RNA (siRNA) high-content screening was performed on a fluorescent protein-recombinant field isolate (Tha RABV). We identified 57 high-confidence key host factors important for RABV replication with a readout set at 18 h postinfection and 73 with a readout set at 36 h postinfection, including 24 common factors at all stages of the infection. Amongst them, gene clusters of the most prominent pathways were determined. Up to 15 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and effectors, including MKK7 (associated with Jun N-terminal protein kinase [JNK] signalization) and DUSP5, as well as 17 phosphatidylinositol (PI)-related proteins, including PIP5K1C and MTM1, were found to be involved in the later stage of RABV infection. The importance of these pathways was further validated, as small molecules Ro 31-8820 and PD 198306 inhibited RABV replication in human neurons. IMPORTANCE Rabies virus relies on cellular machinery for its replication while simultaneously evading the host immune response. Despite their importance, little is known about the key host factors required for rabies virus infection. Here, we focused on the human kinome, at the core of many cellular pathways, to unveil a new understanding of the rabies virus infectious cycle and to discover new potential therapeutic targets in a small interfering RNA screening. The mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and phosphatidylinositol metabolism were identified as prominent factors involved in rabies virus infection, and those findings were further confirmed in human neurons. While bringing a new insight into rabies virus biology, we also provide a new list of host factors involved in rabies virus infection.
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27
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Izsak J, Seth H, Andersson M, Vizlin-Hodzic D, Theiss S, Hanse E, Ågren H, Funa K, Illes S. Robust Generation of Person-Specific, Synchronously Active Neuronal Networks Using Purely Isogenic Human iPSC-3D Neural Aggregate Cultures. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:351. [PMID: 31068774 PMCID: PMC6491690 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproducibly generating human induced pluripotent stem cell-based functional neuronal circuits, solely obtained from single individuals, poses particular challenges to achieve personalized and patient specific functional neuronal in vitro models. A hallmark of functional neuronal assemblies, synchronous neuronal activity, can be non-invasively studied by microelectrode array (MEA) technology, reliably capturing physiological and pathophysiological aspects of human brain function. In our here presented manuscript, we demonstrate a procedure to generate 3D neural aggregates comprising astrocytes, oligodendroglial cells, and neurons obtained from the same human tissue sample. Moreover, we demonstrate the robust ability of those neurons to create a highly synchronously active neuronal network within 3 weeks in vitro, without additionally applied astrocytes. The fusion of MEA-technology with functional neuronal circuits solely obtained from one individual's cells represent isogenic person-specific human neuronal sensor chips that pave the way for specific personalized in vitro neuronal networks as well as neurological and neuropsychiatric disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Izsak
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Seth
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mats Andersson
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dzeneta Vizlin-Hodzic
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stephan Theiss
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Result Medical GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eric Hanse
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hans Ågren
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Section of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Keiko Funa
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Oncology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Illes
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
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28
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Lee SY, George JH, Nagel DA, Ye H, Kueberuwa G, Seymour LW. Optogenetic control of iPS cell-derived neurons in 2D and 3D culture systems using channelrhodopsin-2 expression driven by the synapsin-1 and calcium-calmodulin kinase II promoters. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2019; 13:369-384. [PMID: 30550638 PMCID: PMC6492196 DOI: 10.1002/term.2786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Development of an optogenetically controllable human neural network model in three-dimensional (3D) cultures can provide an investigative system that is more physiologically relevant and better able to mimic aspects of human brain function. Light-sensitive neurons were generated by transducing channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) into human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) derived neural progenitor cells (Axol) using lentiviruses and cell-type specific promoters. A mixed population of human iPSC-derived cortical neurons, astrocytes and progenitor cells were obtained (Axol-ChR2) upon neural differentiation. Pan-neuronal promoter synapsin-1 (SYN1) and excitatory neuron-specific promoter calcium-calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) were used to drive reporter gene expression in order to assess the differentiation status of the targeted cells. Expression of ChR2 and characterisation of subpopulations in differentiated Axol-ChR2 cells were evaluated using flow cytometry and immunofluorescent staining. These cells were transferred from 2D culture to 3D alginate hydrogel functionalised with arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) and small molecules (Y-27632). Improved RGD-alginate hydrogel was physically characterised and assessed for cell viability to serve as a generic 3D culture system for human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and neuronal cells. Prior to cell encapsulation, neural network activities of Axol-ChR2 cells and primary neurons were investigated using calcium imaging. Results demonstrate that functional activities were successfully achieved through expression of ChR2- by both the CaMKII and SYN1 promoters. The RGD-alginate hydrogel system supports the growth of differentiated Axol-ChR2 cells whilst allowing detection of ChR2 expression upon light stimulation. This allows precise and non-invasive control of human neural networks in 3D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yuen Lee
- Department of Oncology, Old Road Campus Research Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Old Road Campus Research Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Julian H George
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Old Road Campus Research Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David A Nagel
- School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Aston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Hua Ye
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Old Road Campus Research Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Gray Kueberuwa
- Department of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Leonard W Seymour
- Department of Oncology, Old Road Campus Research Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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29
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Abstract
'Bursting', defined as periods of high-frequency firing of a neuron separated by periods of quiescence, has been observed in various neuronal systems, both in vitro and in vivo. It has been associated with a range of neuronal processes, including efficient information transfer and the formation of functional networks during development, and has been shown to be sensitive to genetic and pharmacological manipulations. Accurate detection of periods of bursting activity is thus an important aspect of characterising both spontaneous and evoked neuronal network activity. A wide variety of computational methods have been developed to detect periods of bursting in spike trains recorded from neuronal networks. In this chapter, we review several of the most popular and successful of these methods.
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30
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Ylä-Outinen L, Tanskanen JMA, Kapucu FE, Hyysalo A, Hyttinen JAK, Narkilahti S. Advances in Human Stem Cell-Derived Neuronal Cell Culturing and Analysis. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2019; 22:299-329. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-11135-9_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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31
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Ryynänen T, Toivanen M, Salminen T, Ylä-Outinen L, Narkilahti S, Lekkala J. Ion Beam Assisted E-Beam Deposited TiN Microelectrodes-Applied to Neuronal Cell Culture Medium Evaluation. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:882. [PMID: 30568570 PMCID: PMC6290344 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Microelectrode material and cell culture medium have significant roles in the signal-to-noise ratio and cell well-being in in vitro electrophysiological studies. Here, we report an ion beam assisted e-beam deposition (IBAD) based process as an alternative titanium nitride (TiN) deposition method for sputtering in the fabrication of state-of-the-art TiN microelectrode arrays (MEAs). The effects of evaporation and nitrogen flow rates were evaluated while developing the IBAD TiN deposition process. Moreover, the produced IBAD TiN microelectrodes were characterized by impedance, charge transfer capacity (CTC) and noise measurements for electrical properties, AFM and SEM for topological imaging, and EDS for material composition. The impedance (at 1 kHz) of brand new 30 μm IBAD TiN microelectrodes was found to be double but still below 100 kΩ compared with commercial reference MEAs with sputtered TiN microelectrodes of the same size. On the contrary, the noise level of IBAD TiN MEAs was lower compared with that of commercial sputtered TiN MEAs in equal conditions. In CTC IBAD TiN electrodes (3.3 mC/cm2) also outperformed the sputtered counterparts (2.0 mC/cm2). To verify the suitability of IBAD TiN microelectrodes for cell measurements, human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neuronal networks were cultured on IBAD TiN MEAs and commercial sputtered TiN MEAs in two different media: neural differentiation medium (NDM) and BrainPhys (BPH). The effect of cell culture media to hPSC derived neuronal networks was evaluated to gain more stable and more active networks. Higher spontaneous activity levels were measured from the neuronal networks cultured in BPH compared with those in NDM in both MEA types. However, BPH caused more problems in cell survival in long-term cultures by inducing neuronal network retraction and clump formation after 1–2 weeks. In addition, BPH was found to corrode the Si3N4 insulator layer more than NDM medium. The developed IBAD TiN process gives MEA manufacturers more choices to choose which method to use to deposit TiN electrodes and the medium evaluation results remind that not only electrode material but also insulator layer and cell culturing medium have crucial role in successful long term MEA measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomi Ryynänen
- BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Maria Toivanen
- NeuroGroup, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Turkka Salminen
- Laboratory of Photonics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Laura Ylä-Outinen
- NeuroGroup, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Susanna Narkilahti
- NeuroGroup, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Jukka Lekkala
- BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
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32
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Seidel D, Jahnke HG, Englich B, Girard M, Robitzki AA. In vitro field potential monitoring on a multi-microelectrode array for the electrophysiological long-term screening of neural stem cell maturation. Analyst 2018; 142:1929-1937. [PMID: 28484750 DOI: 10.1039/c6an02713j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Due to the lack of appropriate cell models as well as automated electrophysiology monitoring technologies, the standardized identification of neurotoxic or protective effects in vitro remains a major problem in today's pharmaceutical ingredient development. Over the past few years, in vivo-like human pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal networks have turned out to be a promising physiological cell source, if the establishment of robust and time-saving functional maturation strategies based on stable and expandable neural progenitor populations can be achieved. Here, we describe a multi-microelectrode array (MMEA)-based bioelectronics platform that was optimized for long-term electrophysiological activity monitoring of neuronal networks via field potential measurements. Differentiation of small molecule-based neuronal progenitors on MMEAs led to functional neurons within 15 days. More strikingly, these functional neuronal cultures could remain electrophysiologically stable on the MMEAs for more than four weeks. The observed electrophysiological properties correlated with the expression of typical neuron subtype markers and were further validated by specific neurotransmitter applications. With our established monitoring platform, we could show for the first time the long-term stability of the neural stem cell-like progenitor population to differentiate to electrophysiologically active dopaminergic neuronal networks for more than 80 passages. In conclusion, we provide a comprehensive long-term stable field potential monitoring platform based on stem cell-derived human neuronal networks that can be automated and up-scaled for standardized high-content screening applications e.g. in the field of neurotoxic and neuroprotective therapeutics identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Seidel
- Centre for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BBZ), University of Leipzig, Division of Molecular Biological-Biochemical Processing Technology, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Heinz-Georg Jahnke
- Centre for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BBZ), University of Leipzig, Division of Molecular Biological-Biochemical Processing Technology, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Beate Englich
- Centre for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BBZ), University of Leipzig, Division of Molecular Biological-Biochemical Processing Technology, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Mathilde Girard
- CECS, I-STEM, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, Genopole Campus 1, 5 rue Henri Desbruères, 91030 Evry Cedex, France
| | - Andrea A Robitzki
- Centre for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BBZ), University of Leipzig, Division of Molecular Biological-Biochemical Processing Technology, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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33
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Effects of inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-6 on the viability and functionality of human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural cells. J Neuroimmunol 2018; 331:36-45. [PMID: 30195439 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2018.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory neurodegenerative disease, where neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation has been suggested as a potential neuroprotective therapeutic strategy. Since the effect of inflammation on NPCs is poorly known, their effect on the survival and functionality of human NPCs were studied. Treatment with interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ did not induced cytotoxicity, but IFN-γ treatment showed decreased proliferation and neuronal migration. By contrast, increased proliferation and inhibition of electrical activity were detected after TNF-α treatment. Treatments induced secretion of inflammatory factors. Inflammatory cytokines appear to modulate proliferation as well as the cellular and functional properties of human NPCs.
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34
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Chronic Electrical Stimulation Promotes the Excitability and Plasticity of ESC-derived Neurons following Glutamate-induced Inhibition In vitro. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10957. [PMID: 30026496 PMCID: PMC6053382 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29069-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is rapidly gaining traction as a therapeutic tool for mediating the repair and recovery of the injured central nervous system (CNS). However, the underlying mechanisms and impact of these stimulation paradigms at a molecular, cellular and network level remain largely unknown. In this study, we used embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived neuron and glial co-cultures to investigate network maturation following acute administration of L-glutamate, which is a known mediator of excitotoxicity following CNS injury. We then modulated network maturation using chronic low frequency stimulation (LFS) and direct current stimulation (DCS) protocols. We demonstrated that L-glutamate impaired the rate of maturation of ESC-derived neurons and glia immediately and over a week following acute treatment. The administration of chronic LFS and DCS protocols individually following L-glutamate infusion significantly promoted the excitability of neurons as well as network synchrony, while the combination of LFS/DCS did not. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that LFS and DCS alone significantly up-regulated the expression of excitability and plasticity-related transcripts encoding N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit (NR2A), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Ras-related protein (RAB3A). In contrast, the simultaneous administration of LFS/DCS down-regulated BDNF and RAB3A expression. Our results demonstrate that LFS and DCS stimulation can modulate network maturation excitability and synchrony following the acute administration of an inhibitory dose of L-glutamate, and upregulate NR2A, BDNF and RAB3A gene expression. Our study also provides a novel framework for investigating the effects of electrical stimulation on neuronal responses and network formation and repair after traumatic brain injury.
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35
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Mäkinen MEL, Ylä-Outinen L, Narkilahti S. GABA and Gap Junctions in the Development of Synchronized Activity in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Networks. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:56. [PMID: 29559893 PMCID: PMC5845705 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The electrical activity of the brain arises from single neurons communicating with each other. However, how single neurons interact during early development to give rise to neural network activity remains poorly understood. We studied the emergence of synchronous neural activity in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural networks simultaneously on a single-neuron level and network level. The contribution of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and gap junctions to the development of synchronous activity in hPSC-derived neural networks was studied with GABA agonist and antagonist and by blocking gap junctional communication, respectively. We characterized the dynamics of the network-wide synchrony in hPSC-derived neural networks with high spatial resolution (calcium imaging) and temporal resolution microelectrode array (MEA). We found that the emergence of synchrony correlates with a decrease in very strong GABA excitation. However, the synchronous network was found to consist of a heterogeneous mixture of synchronously active cells with variable responses to GABA, GABA agonists and gap junction blockers. Furthermore, we show how single-cell distributions give rise to the network effect of GABA, GABA agonists and gap junction blockers. Finally, based on our observations, we suggest that the earliest form of synchronous neuronal activity depends on gap junctions and a decrease in GABA induced depolarization but not on GABAA mediated signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meeri Eeva-Liisa Mäkinen
- NeuroGroup Laboratory, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Laura Ylä-Outinen
- NeuroGroup Laboratory, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Susanna Narkilahti
- NeuroGroup Laboratory, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
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Effect of prolonged differentiation on functional maturation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal cultures. Stem Cell Res 2018; 27:151-161. [PMID: 29414606 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2018.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term neural differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is associated with enhanced neuronal maturation, which is a necessity for creation of representative in vitro models. It also induces neurogenic-to-gliogenic fate switch, increasing proportion of endogenous astrocytes formed from the common neural progenitors. However, the significance of prolonged differentiation on the neural cell type composition and functional development of hPSC-derived neuronal cells has not been well characterized. Here, we studied two hPSC lines, both of which initially showed good neuronal differentiation capacity. However, the propensity for endogenous astrogenesis and maturation state after extended differentiation varied. Live cell calcium imaging revealed that prolonged differentiation facilitated maturation of GABAergic signaling. According to extracellular recordings with microelectrode array (MEA), neuronal activity was limited to fewer areas of the culture, which expressed more frequent burst activity. Efficient maturation after prolonged differentiation also promoted organization of spontaneous activity by burst compaction. These results suggest that although prolonged neural differentiation can be challenging, it has beneficial effect on functional maturation, which can also improve transition to different neural in vitro models and applications.
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Hofrichter M, Nimtz L, Tigges J, Kabiri Y, Schröter F, Royer-Pokora B, Hildebrandt B, Schmuck M, Epanchintsev A, Theiss S, Adjaye J, Egly JM, Krutmann J, Fritsche E. Comparative performance analysis of human iPSC-derived and primary neural progenitor cells (NPC) grown as neurospheres in vitro. Stem Cell Res 2017; 25:72-82. [PMID: 29112887 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2017.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) testing performed in rats is resource-intensive (costs, time, animals) and bears the issue of species extrapolation. Thus, reliable alternative human-based approaches are needed for predicting neurodevelopmental toxicity. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) represent a basis for an alternative method possibly being part of an alternative DNT testing strategy. Here, we compared two hiPSC neural induction protocols resulting in 3D neurospheres: one using noggin and one cultivating cells in neural induction medium (NIM protocol). Performance of Nestin+/SOX2+ hiPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) was compared to primary human NPCs. Generally, primary hNPCs first differentiate into Nestin+ and/or GFAP+ radial glia-like cells, while the hiPSC-derived NPCs (hiPSC-NPC) first differentiate into βIII-Tubulin+ neurons suggesting an earlier developmental stage of hiPSC-NPC. In the 'Neurosphere Assay', NIM generated hiPSC-NPC produced neurons with higher performance than with the noggin protocol. After long-term differentiation, hiPSC-NPC form neuronal networks, which become electrically active on microelectrode arrays after 85days. Finally, methylmercury chloride inhibits hiPSC-NPC and hNPC migration with similar potencies. hiPSC-NPCs-derived neurospheres seem to be useful for DNT evaluation representing early neural development in vitro. More system characterization by compound testing is needed to gain higher confidence in this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxi Hofrichter
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Laura Nimtz
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Tigges
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Yaschar Kabiri
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Friederike Schröter
- Institute for Stem Cell Research & Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Brigitte Royer-Pokora
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Barbara Hildebrandt
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Martin Schmuck
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexey Epanchintsev
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire: IGBMC, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, INSERUM, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Stephan Theiss
- Institute of clinical neuroscience and medical psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - James Adjaye
- Institute for Stem Cell Research & Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Jean-Marc Egly
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire: IGBMC, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, INSERUM, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean Krutmann
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany; Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany; Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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38
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Hyysalo A, Ristola M, Mäkinen MEL, Häyrynen S, Nykter M, Narkilahti S. Laminin α5 substrates promote survival, network formation and functional development of human pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons in vitro. Stem Cell Res 2017; 24:118-127. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
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Electrophysiological investigation of human embryonic stem cell derived neurospheres using a novel spike detection algorithm. Biosens Bioelectron 2017; 100:462-468. [PMID: 28963963 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Microelectrode array (MEA) technology in combination with three-dimensional (3D) neuronal cell models derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) provide an excellent tool for neurotoxicity screening. Yet, there are significant challenges in terms of data processing and analysis, since neuronal signals have very small amplitudes and the 3D structure enhances the level of background noise. Thus, neuronal signal analysis requires the application of highly sophisticated algorithms. In this study, we present a new approach optimized for the detection of spikes recorded from 3D neurospheres (NS) with a very low signal-to-noise ratio. This was achieved by extending simple threshold-based spike detection utilizing a highly sensitive algorithm named SWTTEO. This analysis procedure was applied to data obtained from hESC-derived NS grown on MEA chips. Specifically, we examined changes in the activity pattern occurring within the first ten days of electrical activity. We further analyzed the response of NS to the GABA receptor antagonist bicuculline. With this new algorithm method we obtained more reliable results compared to the simple threshold-based spike detection.
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40
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Nagy J, Kobolák J, Berzsenyi S, Ábrahám Z, Avci HX, Bock I, Bekes Z, Hodoscsek B, Chandrasekaran A, Téglási A, Dezső P, Koványi B, Vörös ET, Fodor L, Szél T, Németh K, Balázs A, Dinnyés A, Lendvai B, Lévay G, Román V. Altered neurite morphology and cholinergic function of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons from a patient with Kleefstra syndrome and autism. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1179. [PMID: 28742076 PMCID: PMC5538124 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to establish an in vitro Kleefstra syndrome (KS) disease model using the human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology. Previously, an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patient with Kleefstra syndrome (KS-ASD) carrying a deleterious premature termination codon mutation in the EHMT1 gene was identified. Patient specific hiPSCs generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the KS-ASD patient were differentiated into post-mitotic cortical neurons. Lower levels of EHMT1 mRNA as well as protein expression were confirmed in these cells. Morphological analysis on neuronal cells differentiated from the KS-ASD patient-derived hiPSC clones showed significantly shorter neurites and reduced arborization compared to cells generated from healthy controls. Moreover, density of dendritic protrusions of neuronal cells derived from KS-ASD hiPSCs was lower than that of control cells. Synaptic connections and spontaneous neuronal activity measured by live cell calcium imaging could be detected after 5 weeks of differentiation, when KS-ASD cells exhibited higher sensitivity of calcium responses to acetylcholine stimulation indicating a lower nicotinic cholinergic tone at baseline condition in KS-ASD cells. In addition, gene expression profiling of differentiated neuronal cells from the KS-ASD patient revealed higher expression of proliferation-related genes and lower mRNA levels of genes involved in neuronal maturation and migration. Our data demonstrate anomalous neuronal morphology, functional activity and gene expression in KS-ASD patient-specific hiPSC-derived neuronal cultures, which offers an in vitro system that contributes to a better understanding of KS and potentially other neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Nagy
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary,Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Gedeon Richter Plc. Gyömrői út 19-21., Budapest 1103, Hungary. E-mail:
| | | | - S Berzsenyi
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Z Ábrahám
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - H X Avci
- BioTalentum Ltd., Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - I Bock
- BioTalentum Ltd., Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Z Bekes
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - B Hodoscsek
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | - P Dezső
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - B Koványi
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - E T Vörös
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - L Fodor
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - T Szél
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - K Németh
- Autism Foundation, Budapest, Hungary
| | - A Balázs
- Autism Foundation, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - B Lendvai
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - G Lévay
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - V Román
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
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41
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Lead field theory provides a powerful tool for designing microelectrode array impedance measurements for biological cell detection and observation. Biomed Eng Online 2017; 16:85. [PMID: 28651645 PMCID: PMC5485748 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-017-0372-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Our aim is to introduce a method to enhance the design process of microelectrode array (MEA) based electric bioimpedance measurement systems for improved detection and viability assessment of living cells and tissues. We propose the application of electromagnetic lead field theory and reciprocity for MEA design and measurement result interpretation. Further, we simulated impedance spectroscopy (IS) with two- and four-electrode setups and a biological cell to illustrate the tool in the assessment of the capabilities of given MEA electrode constellations for detecting cells on or in the vicinity of the microelectrodes. Results The results show the power of the lead field theory in electromagnetic simulations of cell–microelectrode systems depicting the fundamental differences of two- and four-electrode IS measurement configurations to detect cells. Accordingly, the use in MEA system design is demonstrated by assessing the differences between the two- and four-electrode IS configurations. Further, our results show how cells affect the lead fields in these MEA system, and how we can utilize the differences of the two- and four-electrode setups in cell detection. The COMSOL simulator model is provided freely in public domain as open source. Conclusions Lead field theory can be successfully applied in MEA design for the IS based assessment of biological cells providing the necessary visualization and insight for MEA design. The proposed method is expected to enhance the design and usability of automated cell and tissue manipulation systems required for bioreactors, which are intended for the automated production of cell and tissue grafts for medical purposes. MEA systems are also intended for toxicology to assess the effects of chemicals on living cells. Our results demonstrate that lead field concept is expected to enhance also the development of such methods and devices.
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42
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Välkki IA, Lenk K, Mikkonen JE, Kapucu FE, Hyttinen JAK. Network-Wide Adaptive Burst Detection Depicts Neuronal Activity with Improved Accuracy. Front Comput Neurosci 2017; 11:40. [PMID: 28620291 PMCID: PMC5450420 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2017.00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal networks are often characterized by their spiking and bursting statistics. Previously, we introduced an adaptive burst analysis method which enhances the analysis power for neuronal networks with highly varying firing dynamics. The adaptation is based on single channels analyzing each element of a network separately. Such kind of analysis was adequate for the assessment of local behavior, where the analysis focuses on the neuronal activity in the vicinity of a single electrode. However, the assessment of the whole network may be hampered, if parts of the network are analyzed using different rules. Here, we test how using multiple channels and measurement time points affect adaptive burst detection. The main emphasis is, if network-wide adaptive burst detection can provide new insights into the assessment of network activity. Therefore, we propose a modification to the previously introduced inter-spike interval (ISI) histogram based cumulative moving average (CMA) algorithm to analyze multiple spike trains simultaneously. The network size can be freely defined, e.g., to include all the electrodes in a microelectrode array (MEA) recording. Additionally, the method can be applied on a series of measurements on the same network to pool the data for statistical analysis. Firstly, we apply both the original CMA-algorithm and our proposed network-wide CMA-algorithm on artificial spike trains to investigate how the modification changes the burst detection. Thereafter, we use the algorithms on MEA data of spontaneously active chemically manipulated in vitro rat cortical networks. Moreover, we compare the synchrony of the detected bursts introducing a new burst synchrony measure. Finally, we demonstrate how the bursting statistics can be used to classify networks by applying k-means clustering to the bursting statistics. The results show that the proposed network wide adaptive burst detection provides a method to unify the burst definition in the whole network and thus improves the assessment and classification of the neuronal activity, e.g., the effects of different pharmaceuticals. The results indicate that the novel method is adaptive enough to be usable on networks with different dynamics, and it is especially feasible when comparing the behavior of differently spiking networks, for example in developing networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inkeri A Välkki
- BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Tampere University of TechnologyTampere, Finland
| | - Kerstin Lenk
- BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Tampere University of TechnologyTampere, Finland
| | - Jarno E Mikkonen
- Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, University of JyväskyläJyväskylä, Finland
| | - Fikret E Kapucu
- BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Tampere University of TechnologyTampere, Finland.,Pervasive Computing, Faculty of Computing and Electrical Engineering, Tampere University of TechnologyTampere, Finland
| | - Jari A K Hyttinen
- BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Tampere University of TechnologyTampere, Finland
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43
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Henningson M, Illes S. Analysis and Modeling of Subthreshold Neural Multi-Electrode Array Data by Statistical Field Theory. Front Comput Neurosci 2017; 11:26. [PMID: 28458635 PMCID: PMC5394179 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2017.00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-electrode arrays (MEA) are increasingly used to investigate spontaneous neuronal network activity. The recorded signals comprise several distinct components: Apart from artifacts without biological significance, one can distinguish between spikes (action potentials) and subthreshold fluctuations (local fields potentials). Here we aim to develop a theoretical model that allows for a compact and robust characterization of subthreshold fluctuations in terms of a Gaussian statistical field theory in two spatial and one temporal dimension. What is usually referred to as the driving noise in the context of statistical physics is here interpreted as a representation of the neural activity. Spatial and temporal correlations of this activity give valuable information about the connectivity in the neural tissue. We apply our methods on a dataset obtained from MEA-measurements in an acute hippocampal brain slice from a rat. Our main finding is that the empirical correlation functions indeed obey the logarithmic behavior that is a general feature of theoretical models of this kind. We also find a clear correlation between the activity and the occurrence of spikes. Another important insight is the importance of correctly separating out certain artifacts from the data before proceeding with the analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Måns Henningson
- Division of Biological Physics, Department of Physics, Chalmers University of TechnologyGöteborg, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Illes
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgGöteborg, Sweden
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44
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Cell culture chamber with gas supply for prolonged recording of human neuronal cells on microelectrode array. J Neurosci Methods 2017; 280:27-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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45
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Magown P, Rafuse VF, Brownstone RM. Microcircuit formation following transplantation of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived neurons in peripheral nerve. J Neurophysiol 2017; 117:1683-1689. [PMID: 28148646 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00943.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Motoneurons derived from embryonic stem cells can be transplanted in the tibial nerve, where they extend axons to functionally innervate target muscle. Here, we studied spontaneous muscle contractions in these grafts 3 mo following transplantation. One-half of the transplanted grafts generated rhythmic muscle contractions of variable patterns, either spontaneously or in response to brief electrical stimulation. Activity generated by transplanted embryonic stem cell-derived neurons was driven by glutamate and was modulated by muscarinic and GABAergic/glycinergic transmission. Furthermore, rhythmicity was promoted by the same transmitter combination that evokes rhythmic locomotor activity in spinal cord circuits. These results demonstrate that there is a degree of self-assembly of microcircuits in these peripheral grafts involving embryonic stem cell-derived motoneurons and interneurons. Such spontaneous activity is reminiscent of embryonic circuit development in which spontaneous activity is essential for proper connectivity and function and may be necessary for the grafts to form functional connections with muscle.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This manuscript demonstrates that, following peripheral transplantation of neurons derived from embryonic stem cells, the grafts are spontaneously active. The activity is produced and modulated by a number of transmitter systems, indicating that there is a degree of self-assembly of circuits in the grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Magown
- Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Surgery (Neurosurgery), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Victor F Rafuse
- Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Medicine (Neurology), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; and
| | - Robert M Brownstone
- Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; .,Department of Surgery (Neurosurgery), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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46
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Frega M, van Gestel SHC, Linda K, van der Raadt J, Keller J, Van Rhijn JR, Schubert D, Albers CA, Nadif Kasri N. Rapid Neuronal Differentiation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Measuring Network Activity on Micro-electrode Arrays. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28117798 PMCID: PMC5407693 DOI: 10.3791/54900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons derived from human induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) provide a promising new tool for studying neurological disorders. In the past decade, many protocols for differentiating hiPSCs into neurons have been developed. However, these protocols are often slow with high variability, low reproducibility, and low efficiency. In addition, the neurons obtained with these protocols are often immature and lack adequate functional activity both at the single-cell and network levels unless the neurons are cultured for several months. Partially due to these limitations, the functional properties of hiPSC-derived neuronal networks are still not well characterized. Here, we adapt a recently published protocol that describes production of human neurons from hiPSCs by forced expression of the transcription factor neurogenin-212. This protocol is rapid (yielding mature neurons within 3 weeks) and efficient, with nearly 100% conversion efficiency of transduced cells (>95% of DAPI-positive cells are MAP2 positive). Furthermore, the protocol yields a homogeneous population of excitatory neurons that would allow the investigation of cell-type specific contributions to neurological disorders. We modified the original protocol by generating stably transduced hiPSC cells, giving us explicit control over the total number of neurons. These cells are then used to generate hiPSC-derived neuronal networks on micro-electrode arrays. In this way, the spontaneous electrophysiological activity of hiPSC-derived neuronal networks can be measured and characterized, while retaining interexperimental consistency in terms of cell density. The presented protocol is broadly applicable, especially for mechanistic and pharmacological studies on human neuronal networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Frega
- Department of Cognitive Neurosciences, Radboudumc; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University
| | | | - Katrin Linda
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University; Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc
| | | | - Jason Keller
- Department of Cognitive Neurosciences, Radboudumc; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University
| | - Jon-Ruben Van Rhijn
- Department of Cognitive Neurosciences, Radboudumc; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University
| | - Dirk Schubert
- Department of Cognitive Neurosciences, Radboudumc; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University
| | - Cornelis A Albers
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University; Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc; Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud University;
| | - Nael Nadif Kasri
- Department of Cognitive Neurosciences, Radboudumc; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University; Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc;
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47
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Modeling psychiatric disorders: from genomic findings to cellular phenotypes. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:1167-79. [PMID: 27240529 PMCID: PMC4995546 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Major programs in psychiatric genetics have identified >150 risk loci for psychiatric disorders. These loci converge on a small number of functional pathways, which span conventional diagnostic criteria, suggesting a partly common biology underlying schizophrenia, autism and other psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, the cellular phenotypes that capture the fundamental features of psychiatric disorders have not yet been determined. Recent advances in genetics and stem cell biology offer new prospects for cell-based modeling of psychiatric disorders. The advent of cell reprogramming and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) provides an opportunity to translate genetic findings into patient-specific in vitro models. iPSC technology is less than a decade old but holds great promise for bridging the gaps between patients, genetics and biology. Despite many obvious advantages, iPSC studies still present multiple challenges. In this expert review, we critically review the challenges for modeling of psychiatric disorders, potential solutions and how iPSC technology can be used to develop an analytical framework for the evaluation and therapeutic manipulation of fundamental disease processes.
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48
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Lenk K, Priwitzer B, Ylä-Outinen L, Tietz LHB, Narkilahti S, Hyttinen JAK. Simulation of developing human neuronal cell networks. Biomed Eng Online 2016; 15:105. [PMID: 27576323 PMCID: PMC5006268 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-016-0226-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Microelectrode array (MEA) is a widely used technique to study for example the functional properties of neuronal networks derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC-NN). With hESC-NN, we can investigate the earliest developmental stages of neuronal network formation in the human brain. Methods In this paper, we propose an in silico model of maturating hESC-NNs based on a phenomenological model called INEX. We focus on simulations of the development of bursts in hESC-NNs, which are the main feature of neuronal activation patterns. The model was developed with data from developing hESC-NN recordings on MEAs which showed increase in the neuronal activity during the investigated six measurement time points in the experimental and simulated data. Results Our simulations suggest that the maturation process of hESC-NN, resulting in the formation of bursts, can be explained by the development of synapses. Moreover, spike and burst rate both decreased at the last measurement time point suggesting a pruning of synapses as the weak ones are removed. Conclusions To conclude, our model reflects the assumption that the interaction between excitatory and inhibitory neurons during the maturation of a neuronal network and the spontaneous emergence of bursts are due to increased connectivity caused by the forming of new synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Lenk
- Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, BioMediTech, PL100, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Barbara Priwitzer
- Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Platz der Deutschen Einheit 1, 03046, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Laura Ylä-Outinen
- NeuroGroup, Institute of Biomedical Technology, University of Tampere, BioMediTech, PL100, Tampere, Finland
| | - Lukas H B Tietz
- Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, BioMediTech, PL100, Tampere, Finland
| | - Susanna Narkilahti
- NeuroGroup, Institute of Biomedical Technology, University of Tampere, BioMediTech, PL100, Tampere, Finland
| | - Jari A K Hyttinen
- Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, BioMediTech, PL100, Tampere, Finland
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49
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Hansen SK, Stummann TC, Borland H, Hasholt LF, Tümer Z, Nielsen JE, Rasmussen MA, Nielsen TT, Daechsel JCA, Fog K, Hyttel P. Induced pluripotent stem cell - derived neurons for the study of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. Stem Cell Res 2016; 17:306-317. [PMID: 27596958 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is caused by a CAG-repeat expansion in the ATXN3 gene. In this study, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines were established from two SCA3 patients. Dermal fibroblasts were reprogrammed using an integration-free method and the resulting SCA3 iPSCs were differentiated into neurons. These neuronal lines harbored the disease causing mutation, expressed comparable levels of several neuronal markers and responded to the neurotransmitters, glutamate/glycine, GABA and acetylcholine. Additionally, all neuronal cultures formed networks displaying synchronized spontaneous calcium oscillations within 28days of maturation, and expressed the mature neuronal markers NeuN and Synapsin 1 implying a relatively advanced state of maturity, although not comparable to that of the adult human brain. Interestingly, we were not able to recapitulate the glutamate-induced ataxin-3 aggregation shown in a previously published iPSC-derived SCA3 model. In conclusion, we have generated a panel of SCA3 patient iPSCs and a robust protocol to derive neurons of relatively advanced maturity, which could potentially be valuable for the study of SCA3 disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne K Hansen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Groennegårdsvej 7, 1870 Frb C, Denmark; H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, Valby 2500, Denmark.
| | | | | | - Lis F Hasholt
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 N, Denmark
| | - Zeynep Tümer
- Applied Human Molecular Genetics, Kennedy Center, Department of Clinical Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Gl. Landevej 7, Glostrup 2600, Denmark
| | - Jørgen E Nielsen
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 N, Denmark; Neurogenetics Clinic & Research Laboratory, Danish Dementia Research Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel A Rasmussen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Groennegårdsvej 7, 1870 Frb C, Denmark
| | - Troels T Nielsen
- Neurogenetics Clinic & Research Laboratory, Danish Dementia Research Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Karina Fog
- H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, Valby 2500, Denmark
| | - Poul Hyttel
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Groennegårdsvej 7, 1870 Frb C, Denmark
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Enright HA, Felix SH, Fischer NO, Mukerjee EV, Soscia D, Mcnerney M, Kulp K, Zhang J, Page G, Miller P, Ghetti A, Wheeler EK, Pannu S. Long-term non-invasive interrogation of human dorsal root ganglion neuronal cultures on an integrated microfluidic multielectrode array platform. Analyst 2016; 141:5346-57. [PMID: 27351032 DOI: 10.1039/c5an01728a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Scientific studies in drug development and toxicology rely heavily on animal models, which often inaccurately predict the true response for human exposure. This may lead to unanticipated adverse effects or misidentified risks that result in, for example, drug candidate elimination. The utilization of human cells and tissues for in vitro physiological platforms has become a growing area of interest to bridge this gap and to more accurately predict human responses to drugs and toxins. The effects of new drugs and toxins on the peripheral nervous system are often investigated with neurons isolated from dorsal root ganglia (DRG), typically with one-time measurement techniques such as patch clamping. Here, we report the use of our multi-electrode array (MEA) platform for long-term noninvasive assessment of human DRG cell health and function. In this study, we acquired simultaneous optical and electrophysiological measurements from primary human DRG neurons upon chemical stimulation repeatedly through day in vitro (DIV) 23. Distinct chemical signatures were noted for the cellular responses evoked by each chemical stimulus. Additionally, the cell viability and function of the human DRG neurons were consistent through DIV 23. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on long-term measurements of the cell health and function of human DRG neurons on a MEA platform. Future generations will include higher electrode numbers in customized arrangements as well as integration with different tissue types on a single device. This platform will provide a valuable testing tool for both rodent and human cells, enabling a more comprehensive risk assessment for drug candidates and toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- H A Enright
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
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