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Rogujski P, Lukomska B, Janowski M, Stanaszek L. Glial-restricted progenitor cells: a cure for diseased brain? Biol Res 2024; 57:8. [PMID: 38475854 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-024-00486-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is home to neuronal and glial cells. Traditionally, glia was disregarded as just the structural support across the brain and spinal cord, in striking contrast to neurons, always considered critical players in CNS functioning. In modern times this outdated dogma is continuously repelled by new evidence unravelling the importance of glia in neuronal maintenance and function. Therefore, glia replacement has been considered a potentially powerful therapeutic strategy. Glial progenitors are at the center of this hope, as they are the source of new glial cells. Indeed, sophisticated experimental therapies and exciting clinical trials shed light on the utility of exogenous glia in disease treatment. Therefore, this review article will elaborate on glial-restricted progenitor cells (GRPs), their origin and characteristics, available sources, and adaptation to current therapeutic approaches aimed at various CNS diseases, with particular attention paid to myelin-related disorders with a focus on recent progress and emerging concepts. The landscape of GRP clinical applications is also comprehensively presented, and future perspectives on promising, GRP-based therapeutic strategies for brain and spinal cord diseases are described in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Rogujski
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Lukomska
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Miroslaw Janowski
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Luiza Stanaszek
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
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2
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Stoklund Dittlau K, Van Den Bosch L. Why should we care about astrocytes in a motor neuron disease? FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2023; 3:1047540. [PMID: 39086676 PMCID: PMC11285655 DOI: 10.3389/fmmed.2023.1047540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease in adults, causing progressive degeneration of motor neurons, which results in muscle atrophy, respiratory failure and ultimately death of the patients. The pathogenesis of ALS is complex, and extensive efforts have focused on unravelling the underlying molecular mechanisms with a large emphasis on the dying motor neurons. However, a recent shift in focus towards the supporting glial population has revealed a large contribution and influence in ALS, which stresses the need to explore this area in more detail. Especially studies into astrocytes, the residential homeostatic supporter cells of neurons, have revealed a remarkable astrocytic dysfunction in ALS, and therefore could present a target for new and promising therapeutic entry points. In this review, we provide an overview of general astrocyte function and summarize the current literature on the role of astrocytes in ALS by categorizing the potentially underlying molecular mechanisms. We discuss the current efforts in astrocyte-targeted therapy, and highlight the potential and shortcomings of available models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Stoklund Dittlau
- KU Leuven—University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven—University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
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3
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Yeon GB, Shin WH, Yoo SH, Kim D, Jeon BM, Park WU, Bae Y, Park JY, You S, Na D, Kim DS. NFIB induces functional astrocytes from human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural precursor cells mimicking in vivo astrogliogenesis. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:7625-7641. [PMID: 33949692 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The ability to generate astrocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offers a promising cellular model to study the development and physiology of human astrocytes. The extant methods for generating functional astrocytes required long culture periods and there remained much ambiguity on whether such paradigms follow the innate developmental program. In this report, we provided an efficient and rapid method for generating physiologically functional astrocytes from hPSCs. Overexpressing the nuclear factor IB in hPSC-derived neural precursor cells induced a highly enriched astrocyte population in 2 weeks. RNA sequencing and functional analyses demonstrated progressive transcriptomic and physiological changes in the cells, resembling in vivo astrocyte development. Further analyses substantiated previous results and established the MAPK pathway necessary for astrocyte differentiation. Hence, this differentiation paradigm provides a prospective in vitro model for human astrogliogenesis studies and the pathophysiology of neurological diseases concerning astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyu-Bum Yeon
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won-Ho Shin
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seo Hyun Yoo
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dongyun Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Won-Ung Park
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeonju Bae
- School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Yong Park
- School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seungkwon You
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dokyun Na
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dae-Sung Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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4
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Franklin H, Clarke BE, Patani R. Astrocytes and microglia in neurodegenerative diseases: Lessons from human in vitro models. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 200:101973. [PMID: 33309801 PMCID: PMC8052192 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes and microglia key fulfil homeostatic and immune functions in the CNS. Dysfunction of these cell types is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding cellular autonomy and early pathogenic changes is a key goal. New human iPSC models will inform on disease mechanisms and therapy development.
Both astrocytes and microglia fulfil homeostatic and immune functions in the healthy CNS. Dysfunction of these cell types have been implicated in the pathomechanisms of several neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the cellular autonomy and early pathological changes in these cell types may inform drug screening and therapy development. While animal models and post-mortem tissue have been invaluable in understanding disease processes, the advent of human in vitro models provides a unique insight into disease biology as a manipulable model system obtained directly from patients. Here, we discuss the different human in vitro models of astrocytes and microglia and outline the phenotypes that have been recapitulated in these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Franklin
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Benjamin E Clarke
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Rickie Patani
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.
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5
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Filipi T, Hermanova Z, Tureckova J, Vanatko O, Anderova M. Glial Cells-The Strategic Targets in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E261. [PMID: 31963681 PMCID: PMC7020059 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9010261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disease, which is characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the motor cortex and the spinal cord and subsequently by muscle atrophy. To date, numerous gene mutations have been linked to both sporadic and familial ALS, but the effort of many experimental groups to develop a suitable therapy has not, as of yet, proven successful. The original focus was on the degenerating motor neurons, when researchers tried to understand the pathological mechanisms that cause their slow death. However, it was soon discovered that ALS is a complicated and diverse pathology, where not only neurons, but also other cell types, play a crucial role via the so-called non-cell autonomous effect, which strongly deteriorates neuronal conditions. Subsequently, variable glia-based in vitro and in vivo models of ALS were established and used for brand-new experimental and clinical approaches. Such a shift towards glia soon bore its fruit in the form of several clinical studies, which more or less successfully tried to ward the unfavourable prognosis of ALS progression off. In this review, we aimed to summarize current knowledge regarding the involvement of each glial cell type in the progression of ALS, currently available treatments, and to provide an overview of diverse clinical trials covering pharmacological approaches, gene, and cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Filipi
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.F.); (Z.H.); (J.T.); (O.V.)
- 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Hermanova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.F.); (Z.H.); (J.T.); (O.V.)
- 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Tureckova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.F.); (Z.H.); (J.T.); (O.V.)
| | - Ondrej Vanatko
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.F.); (Z.H.); (J.T.); (O.V.)
| | - Miroslava Anderova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.F.); (Z.H.); (J.T.); (O.V.)
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6
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Crane AT, Aravalli RN, Asakura A, Grande AW, Krishna VD, Carlson DF, Cheeran MCJ, Danczyk G, Dutton JR, Hackett PB, Hu WS, Li L, Lu WC, Miller ZD, O'Brien TD, Panoskaltsis-Mortari A, Parr AM, Pearce C, Ruiz-Estevez M, Shiao M, Sipe CJ, Toman NG, Voth J, Xie H, Steer CJ, Low WC. Interspecies Organogenesis for Human Transplantation. Cell Transplant 2019; 28:1091-1105. [PMID: 31426664 PMCID: PMC6767879 DOI: 10.1177/0963689719845351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocyst complementation combined with gene editing is an emerging approach in the
field of regenerative medicine that could potentially solve the worldwide problem of organ
shortages for transplantation. In theory, blastocyst complementation can generate fully
functional human organs or tissues, grown within genetically engineered livestock animals.
Targeted deletion of a specific gene(s) using gene editing to cause deficiencies in organ
development can open a niche for human stem cells to occupy, thus generating human
tissues. Within this review, we will focus on the pancreas, liver, heart, kidney, lung,
and skeletal muscle, as well as cells of the immune and nervous systems. Within each of
these organ systems, we identify and discuss (i) the common causes of organ failure; (ii)
the current state of regenerative therapies; and (iii) the candidate genes to knockout and
enable specific exogenous organ development via the use of blastocyst complementation. We
also highlight some of the current barriers limiting the success of blastocyst
complementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Crane
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Rajagopal N Aravalli
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Atsushi Asakura
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Andrew W Grande
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | | | | | - Maxim C-J Cheeran
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, USA
| | - Georgette Danczyk
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - James R Dutton
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.,Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Perry B Hackett
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Wei-Shou Hu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Wei-Cheng Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Zachary D Miller
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Timothy D O'Brien
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.,Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, USA
| | | | - Ann M Parr
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Clairice Pearce
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | | | - Maple Shiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | | | - Nikolas G Toman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Joseph Voth
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Hui Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Clifford J Steer
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.,Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Walter C Low
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
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7
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Oksanen M, Lehtonen S, Jaronen M, Goldsteins G, Hämäläinen RH, Koistinaho J. Astrocyte alterations in neurodegenerative pathologies and their modeling in human induced pluripotent stem cell platforms. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:2739-2760. [PMID: 31016348 PMCID: PMC6588647 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03111-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the brain. They were long considered only as passive support for neuronal cells. However, recent data have revealed many active roles for these cells both in maintenance of the normal physiological homeostasis in the brain as well as in neurodegeneration and disease. Moreover, human astrocytes have been found to be much more complex than their rodent counterparts, and to date, astrocytes are known to actively participate in a multitude of processes such as neurotransmitter uptake and recycling, gliotransmitter release, neuroenergetics, inflammation, modulation of synaptic activity, ionic balance, maintenance of the blood-brain barrier, and many other crucial functions of the brain. This review focuses on the role of astrocytes in human neurodegenerative disease and the potential of the novel stem cell-based platforms in modeling astrocytic functions in health and in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Oksanen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sarka Lehtonen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, PO. Box 63, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Merja Jaronen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Gundars Goldsteins
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Riikka H Hämäläinen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland.
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, PO. Box 63, 00290, Helsinki, Finland.
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8
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Risk Factors and Emerging Therapies in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112616. [PMID: 31141951 PMCID: PMC6600314 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by a permanent degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons. Many different genes and pathophysiological processes contribute to this disease, however its exact cause remains unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to understand this heterogeneity to find effective treatments. In this review, we focus on selected environmental and genetic risk factors predisposing to ALS and highlight emerging treatments in ALS therapy. Of numerous defective genes associated with ALS, we focus on four principal genes that have been identified as definite causes of ALS: the SOD1 gene, C9orf72, TDP-43, as well as the recently identified TBK1. We also provide up-to-date information on selected environmental factors that have historically been considered as key players in ALS development and pathogenesis. In parallel to our survey of known risk factors, we also discuss emerging ALS stem cell therapies and experimental medicines currently undergoing phase II and III clinical trials.
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9
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Epperly MW, Fisher R, Rigatti L, Watkins S, Zhang X, Hou W, Shields D, Franicola D, Bayir H, Wang H, Thermozier S, Henderson A, Donnelly C, Wipf P, Greenberger JS. Amelioration of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in SOD1 G93A Mice by M 2 Microglia from Transplanted Marrow. In Vivo 2019; 33:675-688. [PMID: 31028184 PMCID: PMC6559904 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background/Aim: The cause of fatal neuromuscular amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is not known. Materials and Methods: Ninety-day-old superoxide-dismutase-1 G93A (SOD1 G93A ) mice demonstrating level 1 paralysis, received 9.0 Gy total body irradiation (TBI) from a cesium source at 340 cGy per minute, and intravenous transplantation with 1×10 6 C57BL/6 green fluorescent protein (GFP)+ donor bone marrow cells. Results: Paralysis-free survival was prolonged in TBI and bone marrow-transplanted SOD1 G93A mice from 100 to over 250 days (p=0.0018). Other mice transplanted with SOD1 G93A marrow or marrow treated with the free-radical scavenger MMS350 showed no therapeutic effect. GFP+ macrophage-2 (M2) microglial cells of bone marrow origin, were seen at sites of degenerating anterior horn motor neurons. SOD1 G93A mice had a disruption in the blood-brain barrier permeability which was reversed by marrow transplant from C57BL/6 mice. SOD1 G93A marrow showed unexpected robust hematopoiesis in vitro, and radioresistance. Conclusion: After TBI, M2 microglial cells from transplanted donor marrow extended the paralysis-free interval in SOD1 G93A mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Epperly
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Renee Fisher
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Lora Rigatti
- Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Simon Watkins
- Department of Cell Biology and Center for Images, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Xichen Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Wen Hou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Donna Shields
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Darcy Franicola
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Hulya Bayir
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Stephanie Thermozier
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Andrew Henderson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | | | - Peter Wipf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A
| | - Joel S Greenberger
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A.
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10
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Richard JP, Hussain U, Gross S, Taga A, Kouser M, Almad A, Campanelli JT, Bulte JWM, Maragakis NJ. Perfluorocarbon Labeling of Human Glial-Restricted Progenitors for 19 F Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Stem Cells Transl Med 2019; 8:355-365. [PMID: 30618148 PMCID: PMC6431733 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.18-0094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the fundamental limitations in assessing potential efficacy in Central Nervous System (CNS) transplantation of stem cells is the capacity for monitoring cell survival and migration noninvasively and longitudinally. Human glial‐restricted progenitor (hGRP) cells (Q‐Cells) have been investigated for their utility in providing neuroprotection following transplantation into models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and have been granted a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational New Drug (IND) for intraspinal transplantation in ALS patients. Furthermore, clinical development of these cells for therapeutic use will rely on the ability to track the cells using noninvasive imaging methodologies as well as the verification that the transplanted GRPs have disease‐relevant activity. As a first step in development, we investigated the use of a perfluorocarbon (PFC) dual‐modal (19F magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and fluorescence) tracer agent to label Q‐Cells in culture and following spinal cord transplantation. PFCs have a number of potential benefits that make them appealing for clinical use. They are quantitative, noninvasive, biologically inert, and highly specific. In this study, we developed optimized PFC labeling protocols for Q‐Cells and demonstrate that PFCs do not significantly alter the glial identity of Q‐Cells. We also show that PFCs do not interfere with the capacity for differentiation into astrocytes either in vitro or following transplantation into the ventral horn of the mouse spinal cord, and can be visualized in vivo by hot spot 19F MRI. These studies provide a foundation for further preclinical development of PFCs within the context of evaluating Q‐Cell transplantation in the brain and spinal cord of future ALS patients using 19F MRI. stem cells translational medicine2019;8:355–365
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Richard
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Uzma Hussain
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sarah Gross
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Arens Taga
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mehreen Kouser
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Akshata Almad
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Jeff W M Bulte
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicholas J Maragakis
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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11
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Liang Y, Zhang J, Walczak P, Bulte JWM. Quantification of motor neuron loss and muscular atrophy in ricin-induced focal nerve injury. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 308:142-150. [PMID: 30056087 PMCID: PMC6251705 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrasciatic nerve injection of the Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA or ricin) causes degeneration of motor neurons (MNs) with functional deficits, such as those that occur in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The objective of this study was to develop a new comprehensive platform for quantitative evaluation of MN loss, muscular atrophy and behavioral deficits using different ricin injection regimens. NEW METHOD Fluorogold (FG)-guided stereological quantification of MNs, in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of muscular atrophy, and CatWalk behavioral testing were used to evaluate the outcome of rats treated with different ricin regimens (RCA60 0.5 μg, RCA60 3 μg, and RCA120 6 μg) as animal models of MN degeneration. RESULTS FG-guided stereological counting of MNs enabled identification, dissection and robust quantification of ricin-induced MN loss. The RCA60 0.5 μg and RCA120 6 μg regimens were found to be best suited as preclinical MN depletion models, with a low mortality and a reproducible MN loss, accompanied by muscle atrophy and functional deficits evaluated by MRI and the CatWalk method, respectively. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS 1) Fluorogold neuronal tracing provides a robust and straightforward means for quantifying MN loss in the spinal cord; 2) MRI is well-suited to non-invasively assess muscle atrophy; and 3) The CatWalk method is more flexible than rotarod test for studying motor deficits. CONCLUSION Intrasciatic injection of RCA60 or RCA120 induces nerve injury and muscle atrophy, which can be properly evaluated by a comprehensive platform using FG-guided quantitative 3D topographic histological analysis, MRI and the CatWalk behavioral test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Liang
- Russell H. Morgan Dept. of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA; Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jiangyang Zhang
- Russell H. Morgan Dept. of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Piotr Walczak
- Russell H. Morgan Dept. of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA; Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Jeff W M Bulte
- Russell H. Morgan Dept. of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA; Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA; Dept. of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA; Dept. of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA; Dept of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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12
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Pehar M, Harlan BA, Killoy KM, Vargas MR. Role and Therapeutic Potential of Astrocytes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Curr Pharm Des 2017; 23:5010-5021. [PMID: 28641533 PMCID: PMC5740017 DOI: 10.2174/1381612823666170622095802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 06/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord, brain stem, and motor cortex. The molecular mechanism underlying the progressive degeneration of motor neuron remains uncertain but involves a non-cell autonomous process. In acute injury or degenerative diseases astrocytes adopt a reactive phenotype known as astrogliosis. Astrogliosis is a complex remodeling of astrocyte biology and most likely represents a continuum of potential phenotypes that affect neuronal function and survival in an injury-specific manner. In ALS patients, reactive astrocytes surround both upper and lower degenerating motor neurons and play a key role in the pathology. It has become clear that astrocytes play a major role in ALS pathology. Through loss of normal function or acquired new characteristics, astrocytes are able to influence motor neuron fate and the progression of the disease. The use of different cell culture models indicates that ALS-astrocytes are able to induce motor neuron death by secreting a soluble factor(s). Here, we discuss several pathogenic mechanisms that have been proposed to explain astrocyte-mediated motor neuron death in ALS. In addition, examples of strategies that revert astrocyte-mediated motor neuron toxicity are reviewed to illustrate the therapeutic potential of astrocytes in ALS. Due to the central role played by astrocytes in ALS pathology, therapies aimed at modulating astrocyte biology may contribute to the development of integral therapeutic approaches to halt ALS progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Pehar
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Benjamin A. Harlan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kelby M. Killoy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Marcelo R. Vargas
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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13
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Srivastava AK, Gross SK, Almad AA, Bulte CA, Maragakis NJ, Bulte JWM. Serial in vivo imaging of transplanted allogeneic neural stem cell survival in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Exp Neurol 2016; 289:96-102. [PMID: 28038988 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 11/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are being investigated as a possible treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through intraspinal transplantation, but no longitudinal imaging studies exist that describe the survival of engrafted cells over time. Allogeneic firefly luciferase-expressing murine NSCs (Luc+-NSCs) were transplanted bilaterally (100,000 cells/2μl) into the cervical spinal cord (C5) parenchyma of pre-symptomatic (63day-old) SOD1G93A ALS mice (n=14) and wild-type age-matched littermates (n=14). Six control SOD1G93A ALS mice were injected with saline. Mice were immunosuppressed using a combination of tacrolimus+sirolimus (1mg/kg each, i.p.) daily. Compared to saline-injected SOD1G93A ALS control mice, a transient improvement (p<0.05) in motor performance (rotarod test) was observed after NSC transplantation only at the early disease stage (weeks 2 and 3 post-transplantation). Compared to day one post-transplantation, there was a significant decline in bioluminescent imaging (BLI) signal in SOD1G93A ALS mice at the time of disease onset (71.7±17.9% at 4weeks post-transplantation, p<0.05), with a complete loss of BLI signal at endpoint (120day-old mice). In contrast, BLI signal intensity was observed in wild-type littermates throughout the entire study period, with only a 41.4±8.7% decline at the endpoint. In SOD1G93A ALS mice, poor cell survival was accompanied by accumulation of mature macrophages and the presence of astrogliosis and microgliosis. We conclude that the disease progression adversely affects the survival of engrafted murine Luc+-NSCs in SOD1G93A ALS mice as a result of the hostile ALS spinal cord microenvironment, further emphasizing the challenges that face successful cell therapy of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit K Srivastava
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sarah K Gross
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Akshata A Almad
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Camille A Bulte
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Nicholas J Maragakis
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jeff W M Bulte
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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14
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Mao Z, Zhang S, Chen H. Stem cell therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. CELL REGENERATION 2015; 4:11. [PMID: 26594318 PMCID: PMC4653876 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-015-0026-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of motor neurons. Currently, no effective therapy is available to treat ALS, except for Riluzole, which has only limited clinical benefits. Stem-cell-based therapy has been intensively and extensively studied as a potential novel treatment strategy for ALS and has been shown to be effective, at least to some extent. In this article, we will review the current state of research on the use of stem cell therapy in the treatment of ALS and discuss the most promising stem cells for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijuan Mao
- Department of Neurology of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Suming Zhang
- Department of Neurology of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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15
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Current status of neuronal cell xenotransplantation. Int J Surg 2015; 23:267-272. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2015.09.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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