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Rosser AE, Busse ME, Gray WP, Badin RA, Perrier AL, Wheelock V, Cozzi E, Martin UP, Salado-Manzano C, Mills LJ, Drew C, Goldman SA, Canals JM, Thompson LM. Translating cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases: Huntington's disease as a model disorder. Brain 2022; 145:1584-1597. [PMID: 35262656 PMCID: PMC9166564 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been substantial progress in the development of regenerative medicine strategies for CNS disorders over the last decade, with progression to early clinical studies for some conditions. However, there are multiple challenges along the translational pipeline, many of which are common across diseases and pertinent to multiple donor cell types. These include defining the point at which the preclinical data are sufficiently compelling to permit progression to the first clinical studies; scaling-up, characterization, quality control and validation of the cell product; design, validation and approval of the surgical device; and operative procedures for safe and effective delivery of cell product to the brain. Furthermore, clinical trials that incorporate principles of efficient design and disease-specific outcomes are urgently needed (particularly for those undertaken in rare diseases, where relatively small cohorts are an additional limiting factor), and all processes must be adaptable in a dynamic regulatory environment. Here we set out the challenges associated with the clinical translation of cell therapy, using Huntington's disease as a specific example, and suggest potential strategies to address these challenges. Huntington's disease presents a clear unmet need, but, importantly, it is an autosomal dominant condition with a readily available gene test, full genetic penetrance and a wide range of associated animal models, which together mean that it is a powerful condition in which to develop principles and test experimental therapeutics. We propose that solving these challenges in Huntington's disease would provide a road map for many other neurological conditions. This white paper represents a consensus opinion emerging from a series of meetings of the international translational platforms Stem Cells for Huntington's Disease and the European Huntington's Disease Network Advanced Therapies Working Group, established to identify the challenges of cell therapy, share experience, develop guidance and highlight future directions, with the aim to expedite progress towards therapies for clinical benefit in Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E Rosser
- Cardiff University Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK.,Cardiff University Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Life Sciences Building, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK.,Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics (B.R.A.I.N.) Biomedical Research Unit, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4EP, UK
| | - Monica E Busse
- Cardiff University Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences Cardiff University, 4th Floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4YS, UK
| | - William P Gray
- Cardiff University Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK.,Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics (B.R.A.I.N.) Biomedical Research Unit, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4EP, UK.,University Hospital of Wales Healthcare NHS Trust, Department of Neurosurgery, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK
| | - Romina Aron Badin
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, Molecular Imaging Research Center, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Anselme L Perrier
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, Molecular Imaging Research Center, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Vicki Wheelock
- University of California Davis, Department of Neurology, 95817 Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Emanuele Cozzi
- Transplant Immunology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Padua University Hospital-Ospedale Giustinianeo, Padova, Italy
| | - Unai Perpiña Martin
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Creatio-Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Salado-Manzano
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Creatio-Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura J Mills
- Cardiff University Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences Cardiff University, 4th Floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4YS, UK
| | - Cheney Drew
- Cardiff University Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences Cardiff University, 4th Floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4YS, UK
| | - Steven A Goldman
- Centre for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester, 14642 Rochester, NY, USA.,University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, DK-2200 Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Josep M Canals
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Creatio-Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leslie M Thompson
- University of California Irvine, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior and the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Center, 92697 Irvine, CA, USA
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Drew CJG, Busse M. Considerations for clinical trial design and conduct in the evaluation of novel advanced therapeutics in neurodegenerative disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2022; 166:235-279. [PMID: 36424094 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.09.006] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The recent advances in the development of potentially disease modifying cell and gene therapies for neurodegenerative disease has resulted in the production of a number of promising novel therapies which are now moving forward to clinical evaluation. The robust evaluation of these therapies pose a significant number of challenges when compared to more traditional evaluations of pharmacotherapy, which is the current mainstay of neurodegenerative disease symptom management. Indeed, there is an inherent complexity in the design and conduct of these trials at multiple levels. Here we discuss specific aspects requiring consideration in the context of investigating novel cell and gene therapies for neurodegenerative disease. This extends to overarching trial designs that could be employed and the factors that underpin design choices such outcome assessments, participant selection and methods for delivery of cell and gene therapies. We explore methods of data collection that may improve efficiency in trials of cell and gene therapy to maximize data sharing and collaboration. Lastly, we explore some of the additional context beyond efficacy evaluations that should be considered to ensure implementation across relevant healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheney J G Drew
- Centre For Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics Unit (BRAIN), College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
| | - Monica Busse
- Centre For Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics Unit (BRAIN), College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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3
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Subthalamic beta oscillations correlate with dopaminergic degeneration in experimental parkinsonism. Exp Neurol 2020; 335:113513. [PMID: 33148526 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Excessive beta activity has been shown in local field potential recordings from the cortico-basal ganglia loop of Parkinson's disease patients and in its various animal models. Recent evidence suggests that enhanced beta oscillations may play a central role in the pathophysiology of the disorder and that beta activity may be directly linked to the motor impairment. However, the temporal evolution of exaggerated beta oscillations during the ongoing dopaminergic neurodegeneration and its relation to the motor impairment and histological changes are still unknown. We investigated motor behavioral, in-vivo electrophysiological (subthalamic nucleus, motor cortex) and histological changes (striatum, substantia nigra compacta) 2, 5, 10 and 20-30 days after a 6-hydroxydopamine injection into the medial forebrain bundle in Wistar rats. We found strong correlations between subthalamic beta power and motor impairment. No correlation was found for beta power in the primary motor cortex. Only subthalamic but not cortical beta power was strongly correlated with the histological markers of the dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Significantly increased subthalamic beta oscillations could be detected before this increase was found in primary motor cortex. At the latest observation time point, a significantly higher percentage of long beta bursts was found. Our study is the first to show a strong relation between subthalamic beta power and the dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Thus, we provide additional evidence for an important pathophysiological role of subthalamic beta oscillations and prolonged beta bursts in Parkinson's disease.
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Differential effects of levodopa and apomorphine on neuronal population oscillations in the cortico-basal ganglia loop circuit in vivo in experimental parkinsonism. Exp Neurol 2017; 298:122-133. [PMID: 28893517 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The current pharmacotherapy of Parkinson's disease (PD) is primarily based on two classes of drugs: dopamine precursors, namely levodopa, and dopamine receptor agonists, such as apomorphine. Although both types of agents exert their beneficial clinical effects on motor and non-motor symptoms in PD via dopamine receptors, clinical efficiency and side effects differ substantially between levodopa and apomorphine. Levodopa can provide a greater symptomatic relief than dopamine receptor agonists. However, because long-term levodopa use is associated with early debilitating motor fluctuations, dopamine receptor agonists are often recommended in younger patients. The pharmacodynamic basis of these profound differences is incompletely understood. It has been hypothesized that levodopa and dopamine receptor agonists may have diverging effects on beta and gamma oscillations that have been shown to be of importance for the pathophysiology of PD. Here, we used electrophysiological recordings in anesthetized dopamine-intact and dopamine-depleted rats to systemically compare the impact of levodopa or apomorphine on neuronal population oscillations in three nodes of the cortico-basal ganglia loop circuit. Our results showed that levodopa had a higher potency than apomorphine to suppress the abnormal beta oscillations often associated with bradykinesia while simultaneously enhancing the gamma oscillations often associated with increased movement. Our data suggests that the higher clinical efficacy of levodopa as well as some of its side effects, as e.g. dyskinesias may be based on its characteristic ability to modulate beta-/gamma-oscillation dynamics in the cortico-basal ganglia loop circuit.
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Adil MM, Vazin T, Ananthanarayanan B, Rodrigues GMC, Rao AT, Kulkarni RU, Miller EW, Kumar S, Schaffer DV. Engineered hydrogels increase the post-transplantation survival of encapsulated hESC-derived midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Biomaterials 2017; 136:1-11. [PMID: 28505596 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cell replacement therapies have broad biomedical potential; however, low cell survival and poor functional integration post-transplantation are major hurdles that hamper clinical benefit. For example, following striatal transplantation of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), only 1-5% of the neurons typically survive in preclinical models and in clinical trials. In general, resource-intensive generation and implantation of larger numbers of cells are used to compensate for the low post-transplantation cell-survival. Poor graft survival is often attributed to adverse biochemical, mechanical, and/or immunological stress that cells experience during and after implantation. To address these challenges, we developed a functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogel for in vitro maturation and central nervous system (CNS) transplantation of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural progenitors. Specifically, we functionalized the HA hydrogel with RGD and heparin (hep) via click-chemistry and tailored its stiffness to encourage neuronal maturation, survival, and long-term maintenance of the desired mDA phenotype. Importantly, ∼5 times more hydrogel-encapsulated mDA neurons survived after transplantation in the rat striatum, compared to unencapsulated neurons harvested from commonly used 2D surfaces. This engineered biomaterial may therefore increase the therapeutic potential and reduce the manufacturing burden for successful neuronal implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maroof M Adil
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Tandis Vazin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Gonçalo M C Rodrigues
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Antara T Rao
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Evan W Miller
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - David V Schaffer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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Beck MH, Haumesser JK, Kühn J, Altschüler J, Kühn AA, van Riesen C. Short- and long-term dopamine depletion causes enhanced beta oscillations in the cortico-basal ganglia loop of parkinsonian rats. Exp Neurol 2016; 286:124-136. [PMID: 27743915 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Abnormally enhanced beta oscillations have been found in deep brain recordings from human Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and in animal models of PD. Recent correlative evidence suggests that beta oscillations are related to disease-specific symptoms such as akinesia and rigidity. However, this hypothesis has also been repeatedly questioned by studies showing no changes in beta power in animal models using an acute pharmacologic dopamine blockade. To further investigate the temporal dynamics of exaggerated beta synchrony in PD, we investigated the reserpine model, which is characterized by an acute and stable disruption of dopamine transmission, and compared it to the chronic progressive 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model. Using simultaneous electrophysiological recordings in urethane anesthetized rats from the primary motor cortex, the subthalamic nucleus and the reticulate part of the substantia, we found evidence for enhanced beta oscillations in the basal ganglia of both animal models during the activated network state. In contrast to 6-OHDA, reserpine treated animals showed no involvement of primary motor cortex. Notably, beta coherence levels between primary motor cortex and basal ganglia nuclei were elevated in both models. Although both models exhibited elevated beta power and coherence levels, they differed substantially in respect to their mean peak frequency: while the 6-OHDA peak was located in the low beta range (17Hz), the reserpine peak was centered at higher beta frequencies (27Hz). Our results further support the hypothesis of an important pathophysiological relation between enhanced beta activity and akinesia in parkinsonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian H Beck
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens K Haumesser
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna Kühn
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jennifer Altschüler
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea A Kühn
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph van Riesen
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Berlin, Germany.
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Büchele F, Döbrössy M, Hackl C, Jiang W, Papazoglou A, Nikkhah G. Two-step grafting significantly enhances the survival of foetal dopaminergic transplants and induces graft-derived vascularisation in a 6-OHDA model of Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 68:112-25. [PMID: 24780496 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 04/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Following transplantation of foetal primary dopamine (DA)-rich tissue for neurorestaurative treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), only 5-10% of the functionally relevant DAergic cells survive both in experimental models and in clinical studies. The current work tested how a two-step grafting protocol could have a positive impact on graft survival. DAergic tissue is divided in two portions and grafted in two separate sessions into the same target area within a defined time interval. We hypothesized that the first graft creates a "DAergic" microenvironment or "nest" similar to the perinatal substantia nigra that stimulates and protects the second graft. 6-OHDA-lesioned rats were sequentially transplanted with wild-type (GFP-, first graft) and transgenic (GFP+, second graft) DAergic cells in time interims of 2, 5 or 9days. Each group was further divided into two sub-groups receiving either 200k (low cell number groups: 2dL, 5dL, 9dL) or 400k cells (high cell number groups: 2dH, 5dH, 9dH) as first graft. During the second transplantation, all groups received the same amount of 200k GFP+ cells. Controls received either low or high cell numbers in one single session (standard protocol). Drug-induced rotations, at 2 and 6weeks after grafting, showed significant improvement compared to the baseline lesion levels without significant differences between the groups. Rats were sacrificed 8weeks after transplantation for post-mortem histological assessment. Both two-step groups with the time interval of 2days (2dL and 2dH) showed a significantly higher survival of DAergic cells compared to their respective standard control group (2dL, +137%; 2dH, +47%). Interposing longer intervals of 5 or 9days resulted in the loss of statistical significance, neutralising the beneficial two-step grafting effect. Furthermore, the transplants in the 2dL and 2dH groups had higher graft volume and DA-fibre-density values compared to all other two-step groups. They also showed intense growth of GFP+ vessels - completely absent in control grafts - in regions where the two grafts overlap, indicating second-graft derived angiogenesis. In summary, the study shows that two-step grafting with a 2days time interval significantly increases DAergic cell survival compared to the standard protocol. Furthermore, our results demonstrate, for the first time, a donor-derived neoangiogenesis, leading to a new understanding of graft survival and development in the field of cell-replacement therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Büchele
- Laboratory of Stereotaxy and Interventional Neurosciences, Department of Stereotactic Neurosurgery, General Neurosurgery, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Máté Döbrössy
- Laboratory of Stereotaxy and Interventional Neurosciences, Department of Stereotactic Neurosurgery, General Neurosurgery, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christina Hackl
- Laboratory of Stereotaxy and Interventional Neurosciences, Department of Stereotactic Neurosurgery, General Neurosurgery, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany; Department of Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wei Jiang
- Laboratory of Stereotaxy and Interventional Neurosciences, Department of Stereotactic Neurosurgery, General Neurosurgery, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany; Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Anna Papazoglou
- Laboratory of Stereotaxy and Interventional Neurosciences, Department of Stereotactic Neurosurgery, General Neurosurgery, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany; Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, Cellular and Systemic Neurophysiology, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Guido Nikkhah
- Stereotactical Neurosurgery, University Hospital Clinics, Erlangen, Germany
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Development of a stereotaxic device for low impact implantation of neural constructs or pieces of neural tissues into the mammalian brain. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:651236. [PMID: 24587986 PMCID: PMC3920921 DOI: 10.1155/2014/651236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Implanting pieces of tissue or scaffolding material into the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) is wrought with difficulties surrounding the size of tools needed to conduct such implants and the ability to maintain the orientation and integrity of the constructs during and after their transplantation. Here, novel technology has been developed that allows for the implantation of neural constructs or intact pieces of neural tissue into the CNS with low trauma. By “laying out” (instead of forcibly expelling) the implantable material from a thin walled glass capillary, this technology has the potential to enhance neural transplantation procedures by reducing trauma to the host brain during implantation and allowing for the implantation of engineered/dissected tissues or constructs in such a way that their orientation and integrity are maintained in the host. Such technology may be useful for treating various CNS disorders which require the reestablishment of point-to-point contacts (e.g., Parkinson's disease) across the adult CNS, an environment which is not normally permissive to axonal growth.
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Watmuff B, Pouton CW, Haynes JM. In vitro maturation of dopaminergic neurons derived from mouse embryonic stem cells: implications for transplantation. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31999. [PMID: 22384125 PMCID: PMC3285205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 01/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The obvious motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease result from a loss of dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra. Embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitor or precursor cells, adult neurons and fetal midbrain tissue have all been used to replace dying dopaminergic neurons. Transplanted cell survival is compromised by factors relating to the new environment, for example; hypoxia, mechanical trauma and excitatory amino acid toxicity. In this study we investigate, using live-cell fluorescence Ca2+ and Cl− imaging, the functional properties of catecholaminergic neurons as they mature. We also investigate whether GABA has the capacity to act as a neurotoxin early in the development of these neurons. From day 13 to day 21 of differentiation [Cl−]i progressively dropped in tyrosine hydroxylase positive (TH+) neurons from 56.0 (95% confidence interval, 55.1, 56.9) mM to 6.9 (6.8, 7.1) mM. At days 13 and 15 TH+ neurons responded to GABA (30 µM) with reductions in intracellular Cl− ([Cl−]i); from day 21 the majority of neurons responded to GABA (30 µM) with elevations of [Cl−]i. As [Cl−]i reduced, the ability of GABA (30 µM) to elevate intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) did also. At day 13 of differentiation a three hour exposure to GABA (30 µM) or L-glutamate (30 µM) increased the number of midbrain dopaminergic (TH+ and Pitx3+) neurons labeled with the membrane-impermeable nuclear dye TOPRO-3. By day 23 cultures were resistant to the effects of both GABA and L-glutamate. We believe that neuronal susceptibility to amino acid excitotoxicity is dependent upon neuronal maturity, and this should be considered when isolating cells for transplantation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Colin W. Pouton
- Stem Cell Biology Group, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (CWP); (JMH)
| | - John M. Haynes
- Stem Cell Biology Group, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (CWP); (JMH)
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Tamariz E, Wan ACA, Pek YS, Giordano M, Hernández-Padrón G, Varela-Echavarría A, Velasco I, Castaño VM. Delivery of chemotropic proteins and improvement of dopaminergic neuron outgrowth through a thixotropic hybrid nano-gel. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE. MATERIALS IN MEDICINE 2011; 22:2097-2109. [PMID: 21744103 DOI: 10.1007/s10856-011-4385-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2011] [Accepted: 06/25/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Chemotropic proteins guide neuronal projections to their final target during embryo development and are useful to guide axons of neurons used in transplantation therapies. Site-specific delivery of the proteins however is needed for their application in the brain to avoid degradation and pleiotropic affects. In the present study we report the use of Poly (ethylene glycol)-Silica (PEG-Si) nanocomposite gel with thixotropic properties that make it injectable and suitable for delivery of the chemotropic protein semaphorin 3A. PEG-Si gel forms a functional gradient of semaphorin that enhances axon outgrowth of dopaminergic neurons from rat embryos or differentiated from stem cells in culture. It is not cytotoxic and its properties allowed its injection into the striatum without inflammatory response in the short term. Long term implantation however led to an increase in macrophages and glial cells. The inflammatory response could have resulted from non-degraded silica particles, as observed in biodegradation assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Tamariz
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, VER, México.
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Jiang W, Büchele F, Papazoglou A, Döbrössy M, Nikkhah G. Multitract microtransplantation increases the yield of DARPP-32-positive embryonic striatal cells in a rodent model of Huntington's disease. Cell Transplant 2010; 20:1515-27. [PMID: 21176402 DOI: 10.3727/096368910x547435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic striatal graft-mediated functional recovery in the rodent lesion model of Huntington's disease (HD) has been shown to correlate with the proportion of dopamine- and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-regulated phosphoprotein with a molecular weight of 32 kDa (DARPP-32)-positive neurons in the graft. The current study investigated the impact of graft distribution on the yield of DARPP-32-positive cells in the grafts following either single-tract or multitract cell delivery protocols using the microtransplantation approach. Cells derived from the whole ganglionic eminence of E15 rat embryos, ubiquitously expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP), were implanted into unilaterally QA-lesioned rat striatum either as 2 × 1.8 μl macrodeposits in a single tract, or as 18 × 0.2 μl microdeposits disseminated over six needle, multitract, penetrations. For both groups, an ultrathin glass capillary with an outer diameter of 50 μm was used. Histological assessment at 4 months after transplantation showed nearly twofold increase of DARRP-32-positive striatal-like neurons in the multitract compared to the single-tract group. However, the cellular make-up of the grafts did not translate into functional differences as tested in a basic spontaneous behavior test. Furthermore, the volumetric values for overall volume, DARPP-32-positive patches, and dopaminergic projection zones were similar between both groups. The results show that distribution of fetal striatal tissue in multiple submicroliter deposits provides for an increased yield of striatal-like neurons, potentially due to the enlargement of the graft-host border area intensifying the graft's exposure to host-derived factors. Furthermore, the use of embryonic tissue from GFP donors was validated in cell-based therapy studies in the HD model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jiang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurosurgery, Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Neurocentre, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Nikkhah G, Rosenthal C, Falkenstein G, Roedter A, Papazoglou A, Brandis A. Microtransplantation of Dopaminergic Cell Suspensions: Further Characterization and Optimization of Grafting Parameters. Cell Transplant 2009; 18:119-33. [DOI: 10.3727/096368909788341324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracerebral transplantation of dopaminergic (DA) cells is currently further explored as a potential restorative therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, before they can be considered for a more widespread clinical use a number of critical issues have to be resolved, including an optimized transplantation protocol. This study has been performed in a rat 6-hydroxydopamine model of PD and is based on the microtransplantation approach. The results demonstrate a reduced survival (threefold) for a single cell suspension of E14 rat ventral mesencephalon compared to a fragment suspension when a metal cannula is used for implantation. However, fragment suspensions result in a more variable graft survival and ectopically placed cells along the implantation tract. When a glass capillary is used for implantation, the survival of the single cell suspension (so-called “micrograft”) improved by fourfold (vs. single cells/metal cannula) and is superior to the combination of the metal cannula and fragment suspension (+40%). The micrografts show a reduced variability in DA neuron survival as well as fewer ectopically placed cells. Moreover, the implantation time can significantly be reduced from 19 to 7 min in micrografted animals without a compromise in DA graft survival and functional behavioral outcome. Using the microtransplantation approach graft size can be tailored effectively by varying the density of the final cell suspension at least between 11,000 and 320,000 cells/μl, resulting in comparable survival of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons in the range of 2–4%. With this approach no more than 100 surviving TH-positive neurons are necessary to produce functional effects in the amphetamine-induced rotation test. Interestingly, we found that DA micrografts into lesion striatum present 20% higher survival rates of TH neurons in comparison to the intact striatum. In summary, these results provide further evidence for the usefulness of the microtransplantation approach and allow for a more precise and tailored adaptation of the implantation parameters for further studies on DA, and possibly also other neural-, glial-, and stem cell-derived grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Nikkhah
- Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Laboratory of Molecular Neurosurgery, Neurocenter, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Rosenthal
- Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Laboratory of Molecular Neurosurgery, Neurocenter, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gero Falkenstein
- Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Laboratory of Molecular Neurosurgery, Neurocenter, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexandra Roedter
- Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Laboratory of Molecular Neurosurgery, Neurocenter, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anna Papazoglou
- Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Laboratory of Molecular Neurosurgery, Neurocenter, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Almuth Brandis
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical School Hanover, Hanover, Germany
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