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Choi MS, Park SM, Kim S, Jegal H, Lee HA, Han HY, Yoon S, Kim SK, Oh JH. Enhanced electrophysiological activity and neurotoxicity screening of environmental chemicals using 3D neurons from human neural precursor cells purified with PSA-NCAM. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 280:116516. [PMID: 38820819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
The assessment of neurotoxicity for environmental chemicals is of utmost importance in ensuring public health and environmental safety. Multielectrode array (MEA) technology has emerged as a powerful tool for assessing disturbances in the electrophysiological activity. Although human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived neurons have been used in MEA for neurotoxicity screening, obtaining a substantial and sufficiently active population of neurons from hESCs remains challenging. In this study, we successfully differentiated neurons from a large population of human neuronal precursor cells (hNPC) purified using a polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM), referred to as hNPCPSA-NCAM+. The functional characterization demonstrated that hNPCPSA-NCAM+-derived neurons improve functionality by enhancing electrophysiological activity compared to total hNPC-derived neurons. Furthermore, three-dimensional (3D) neurons derived from hNPCPSA-NCAM+ exhibited reduced maturation time and enhanced electrophysiological activity on MEA. We employed subdivided population analysis of active mean firing rate (MFR) based on electrophysiological intensity to characterize the electrophysiological properties of hNPCPSA-NCAM+-3D neurons. Based on electrophysiological activity including MFR and burst parameters, we evaluated the sensitivity of hNPCPSA-NCAM+-3D neurons on MEA to screen both inhibitory and excitatory neuroactive environmental chemicals. Intriguingly, electrophysiologically active hNPCPSA-NCAM+-3D neurons demonstrated good sensitivity to evaluate neuroactive chemicals, particularly in discriminating excitatory chemicals. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of MEA approaches using hNPCPSA-NCAM+-3D neurons in the assessment of neurotoxicity associated with environmental chemicals. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate signal intensity thresholds to enhance neurotoxicity prediction and screening of environmental chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Sun Choi
- Department of predictive toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Daejeon, the Republic of Korea; College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, the Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Myo Park
- Department of predictive toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Daejeon, the Republic of Korea
| | - Soojin Kim
- Department of predictive toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Daejeon, the Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jegal
- Department of predictive toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Daejeon, the Republic of Korea; Department of Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, the Republic of Korea
| | - Hyang-Ae Lee
- Department of predictive toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Daejeon, the Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung-Yun Han
- Department of predictive toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Daejeon, the Republic of Korea; Department of Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, the Republic of Korea
| | - Seokjoo Yoon
- Department of predictive toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Daejeon, the Republic of Korea; Department of Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, the Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Kyum Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, the Republic of Korea.
| | - Jung-Hwa Oh
- Department of predictive toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Daejeon, the Republic of Korea; Department of Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, the Republic of Korea.
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Kanungo J, Sorkin BC, Krzykwa J, Mitchell CA, Embry M, Spencer P, Harry GJ, Cannon J, Liu F, McPherson CA, Gafner S, Westerink RHS. Screening tools to evaluate the neurotoxic potential of botanicals: building a strategy to assess safety. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2024; 20:629-646. [PMID: 38984683 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2024.2378895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
AREAS COVERED This paper outlines the selection of NAMs, including in vitro assays using primary rat cortical neurons, zebrafish embryos, and Caenorhabditis elegans. These assays aim to assess neurotoxic endpoints such as neuronal activity and behavioral responses. Microelectrode array recordings of rat cortical neurons provide insights into the impact of botanical extracts on neuronal function, while the zebrafish embryos and C. elegans assays evaluate neurobehavioral responses. The paper also provides an account of the selection of botanical case studies based on expert judgment and existing neuroactivity/toxicity information. The proposed battery of assays will be tested with these case studies to evaluate their utility for neurotoxicity screening. EXPERT OPINION The complexity of botanicals necessitates the use of multiple NAMs for effective neurotoxicity screening. This paper discusses the evaluation of methodologies to develop a robust framework for evaluating botanical safety, including complex neuronal models and key neurodevelopmental process assays. It aims to establish a comprehensive screening framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotshna Kanungo
- Division of Neurotoxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Barbara C Sorkin
- Office of Dietary Supplements, Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, U.S. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Julie Krzykwa
- Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Michelle Embry
- Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Peter Spencer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - G Jean Harry
- Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jason Cannon
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Fang Liu
- Division of Neurotoxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Christopher A McPherson
- Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Remco H S Westerink
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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3
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van Melis LVJ, Peerdeman AM, Huiberts EHW, van Kleef RGDM, de Groot A, Westerink RHS. Effects of acute insecticide exposure on neuronal activity in vitro in rat cortical cultures. Neurotoxicology 2024; 102:58-67. [PMID: 38599286 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to pesticides, such as carbamates, organophosphates, organochlorines and pyrethroids, has been linked to various health problems, including neurotoxicity. Although most in vivo studies use only male rodents, some studies have shown in vivo sex-specific effects after acute exposure. Since in vivo studies are costly and require a large number of animals, in vitro assays that take sex-specific effects into account are urgently needed. We therefore assessed the acute effects of exposure to different carbamates (methomyl, aldicarb and carbaryl), organophosphates (chlorpyrifos (CPF), chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPO) and 3,5,6-trichloropyridinol), organochlorines (endosulfan, dieldrin and lindane) and pyrethroids (permethrin, alpha-cypermethrin and 3-phenoxy-benzoic acid (3-PBA)) on neuronal network function in sex-separated rat primary cortical cultures using micro-electrode array (MEA) recordings. Our results indicate that exposure to the carbamate carbaryl and the organophosphates CPF and CPO decreased neuronal activity, with CPO being the most potent. Notably, (network) burst patterns differed between CPF and CPO, with CPO inducing fewer, but more intense (network) bursts. Exposure to low micromolar levels of endosulfan induced a hyperexcitation, most likely due to the antagonistic effects on GABA receptors. Interestingly, females were more sensitive to endosulfan than males. Exposure to dieldrin and lindane also increased neuronal activity, albeit less than endosulfan and without sex-specific effects. Exposure to type I pyrethroid permethrin increased neuronal activity, while exposure to type II pyrethroid alpha-cypermethrin strongly decreased neuronal activity. The increase seen after permethrin exposure was more pronounced in males than in females. Together, these results show that acute exposure to different classes of pesticides exerts differential effects on neuronal activity. Moreover, it shows that MEA recordings are suited to detect sex-specific neurotoxic effects in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennart V J van Melis
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.177, TD, Utrecht NL-3508, the Netherlands
| | - Anneloes M Peerdeman
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.177, TD, Utrecht NL-3508, the Netherlands
| | - Eva H W Huiberts
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.177, TD, Utrecht NL-3508, the Netherlands
| | - Regina G D M van Kleef
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.177, TD, Utrecht NL-3508, the Netherlands
| | - Aart de Groot
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.177, TD, Utrecht NL-3508, the Netherlands
| | - Remco H S Westerink
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.177, TD, Utrecht NL-3508, the Netherlands..
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Ishibashi Y, Nagafuku N, Kanda Y, Suzuki I. Evaluation of neurotoxicity for pesticide-related compounds in human iPS cell-derived neurons using microelectrode array. Toxicol In Vitro 2023; 93:105668. [PMID: 37633473 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
In vivo evaluations of chemicals in neurotoxicity have certain limitations due to the considerable time and cost required, necessity of extrapolation from rodents to humans, and limited information on toxicity mechanisms. To address this issue, the development of in vitro test methods using new approach methodologies (NAMs) is important to evaluate the chemicals in neurotoxicity. Microelectrode array (MEA) allows the assessment of changes in neural network activity caused by compound administration. However, studies on compound evaluation criteria are scarce. In this study, we evaluated the impact of pesticides on neural activity using MEA measurements of human iPSC-derived neurons. A principal component analysis was performed on the electrical physiological parameters obtained by MEA measurements, and the influence of excessive neural activity due to compound addition was defined using the standard deviation of neural activity with solvent addition as the reference. By using known seizurogenic compounds as positive controls for neurotoxicity in MEA and evaluating pesticides with insufficient verification of their neurotoxicity in humans, we demonstrated that these pesticides exhibit neurotoxicity in humans. In conclusion, our data suggest that the neurotoxicity evaluation method in human iPSC neurons using MEA measurements could be one of the in vitro neurotoxicity test methods that could replace animal experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Ishibashi
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 982-8577, Japan
| | - Nami Nagafuku
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 982-8577, Japan
| | - Yasunari Kanda
- Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
| | - Ikuro Suzuki
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 982-8577, Japan.
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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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Colombo S, Reddy HP, Petri S, Williams DJ, Shalomov B, Dhindsa RS, Gelfman S, Krizay D, Bera AK, Yang M, Peng Y, Makinson CD, Boland MJ, Frankel WN, Goldstein DB, Dascal N. Epilepsy in a mouse model of GNB1 encephalopathy arises from altered potassium (GIRK) channel signaling and is alleviated by a GIRK inhibitor. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1175895. [PMID: 37275776 PMCID: PMC10232839 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1175895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
De novo mutations in GNB1, encoding the Gβ1 subunit of G proteins, cause a neurodevelopmental disorder with global developmental delay and epilepsy, GNB1 encephalopathy. Here, we show that mice carrying a pathogenic mutation, K78R, recapitulate aspects of the disorder, including developmental delay and generalized seizures. Cultured mutant cortical neurons also display aberrant bursting activity on multi-electrode arrays. Strikingly, the antiepileptic drug ethosuximide (ETX) restores normal neuronal network behavior in vitro and suppresses spike-and-wave discharges (SWD) in vivo. ETX is a known blocker of T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and G protein-coupled potassium (GIRK) channels. Accordingly, we present evidence that K78R results in a gain-of-function (GoF) effect by increasing the activation of GIRK channels in cultured neurons and a heterologous model (Xenopus oocytes)-an effect we show can be potently inhibited by ETX. This work implicates a GoF mechanism for GIRK channels in epilepsy, identifies a new mechanism of action for ETX in preventing seizures, and establishes this mouse model as a pre-clinical tool for translational research with predicative value for GNB1 encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Colombo
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Haritha P. Reddy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Sabrina Petri
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Damian J. Williams
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Boris Shalomov
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ryan S. Dhindsa
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sahar Gelfman
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Daniel Krizay
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Amal K. Bera
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Mu Yang
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Mouse NeuroBehavior Core Facility, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yueqing Peng
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Christopher D. Makinson
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michael J. Boland
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Wayne N. Frankel
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - David B. Goldstein
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nathan Dascal
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Hartmann J, Henschel N, Bartmann K, Dönmez A, Brockerhoff G, Koch K, Fritsche E. Molecular and Functional Characterization of Different BrainSphere Models for Use in Neurotoxicity Testing on Microelectrode Arrays. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091270. [PMID: 37174670 PMCID: PMC10177384 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091270] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The currently accepted methods for neurotoxicity (NT) testing rely on animal studies. However, high costs and low testing throughput hinder their application for large numbers of chemicals. To overcome these limitations, in vitro methods are currently being developed based on human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) that allow higher testing throughput at lower costs. We applied six different protocols to generate 3D BrainSphere models for acute NT evaluation. These include three different media for 2D neural induction and two media for subsequent 3D differentiation resulting in self-organized, organotypic neuron/astrocyte microtissues. All induction protocols yielded nearly 100% NESTIN-positive hiPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (hiNPCs), though with different gene expression profiles concerning regional patterning. Moreover, gene expression and immunocytochemistry analyses revealed that the choice of media determines neural differentiation patterns. On the functional level, BrainSpheres exhibited different levels of electrical activity on microelectrode arrays (MEA). Spike sorting allowed BrainSphere functional characterization with the mixed cultures consisting of GABAergic, glutamatergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic neurons. A test method for acute NT testing, the human multi-neurotransmitter receptor (hMNR) assay, was proposed to apply such MEA-based spike sorting. These models are promising tools not only in toxicology but also for drug development and disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hartmann
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Noah Henschel
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Kristina Bartmann
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- DNTOX GmbH, Gurlittstraße 53, 40223 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Arif Dönmez
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- DNTOX GmbH, Gurlittstraße 53, 40223 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gabriele Brockerhoff
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Katharina Koch
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- DNTOX GmbH, Gurlittstraße 53, 40223 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- DNTOX GmbH, Gurlittstraße 53, 40223 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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de Leeuw VC, van Oostrom CTM, Wackers PFK, Pennings JLA, Hodemaekers HM, Piersma AH, Hessel EVS. Neuronal differentiation pathways and compound-induced developmental neurotoxicity in the human neural progenitor cell test (hNPT) revealed by RNA-seq. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 304:135298. [PMID: 35700809 PMCID: PMC9247748 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
There is an increased awareness that the use of animals for compound-induced developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) testing has limitations. Animal-free innovations, especially the ones based on human stem cell-based models are pivotal in studying DNT since they can mimic processes relevant to human brain development. Here we present the human neural progenitor test (hNPT), a 10-day protocol in which neural progenitor cells differentiate into a neuron-astrocyte co-culture. The study aimed to characterise differentiation over time and to find neurodevelopmental processes sensitive to compound exposure using transcriptomics. 3992 genes regulated in unexposed control cultures (p ≤ 0.001, log2FC ≥ 1) showed Gene Ontology (GO-) term enrichment for neuronal and glial differentiation, neurite extension, synaptogenesis, and synaptic transmission. Exposure to known or suspected DNT compounds (acrylamide, chlorpyrifos, fluoxetine, methyl mercury, or valproic acid) at concentrations resulting in 95% cell viability each regulated unique combinations of GO-terms relating to neural progenitor proliferation, neuronal and glial differentiation, axon development, synaptogenesis, synaptic transmission, and apoptosis. Investigation of the GO-terms 'neuron apoptotic process' and 'axon development' revealed common genes that were responsive across compounds, and might be used as biomarkers for DNT. The GO-term 'synaptic signalling', on the contrary, whilst also responsive to all compounds tested, showed little overlap in gene expression regulation patterns between the conditions. This GO-term may articulate compound-specific effects that may be relevant for revealing differences in mechanism of toxicity. Given its focus on neural progenitor cell to mature multilineage neuronal cell maturation and its detailed molecular readout based on gene expression analysis, hNPT might have added value as a tool for neurodevelopmental toxicity testing in vitro. Further assessment of DNT-specific biomarkers that represent these processes needs further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria C de Leeuw
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Conny T M van Oostrom
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Paul F K Wackers
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen L A Pennings
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Hennie M Hodemaekers
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Aldert H Piersma
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ellen V S Hessel
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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9
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Moser VC, Morris-Schaffer K, Richardson JR, Li AA. Glyphosate and neurological outcomes: A systematic literature review of animal studies. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2022; 25:162-209. [PMID: 35676826 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2022.2083739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Studies of nervous system effects of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, have not been critically examined. The aim of this paper was to systematically review glyphosate-induced neurotoxicity literature to determine its usefulness in regulatory decision-making. The review was restricted to mammalian studies of behavior, neuropathology, and neuropharmacology; in vitro and other biochemical studies were considered supplementary information. Glyphosate formulation studies were also considered, despite uncertainties regarding toxicities of the formulated products; no studies used a formulation vehicle as the control. Inclusion criteria were developed a priori to ensure consistent evaluation of studies, and in vivo investigations were also ranked using ToxRTool software to determine reliability. There were 27 in vivo studies (open literature and available regulatory reports), but 11 studies were considered unreliable (mostly due to critical methodological deficiencies). There were only seven acceptable investigations on glyphosate alone. Studies differed in terms of dosing scenarios, experimental designs, test species, and commercial product. Limitations included using only one dose and/or one test time, small sample sizes, limited data presentation, and/or overtly toxic doses. While motor activity was the most consistently affected endpoint (10 of 12 studies), there were considerable differences in outcomes. In six investigations, there were no marked neuropathological changes in the central or peripheral nervous system. Other neurological effects were less consistent, and some outcomes were less convincing due to influences including high variability and small effect sizes. Taken together, these studies do not demonstrate a consistent impact of glyphosate on the structure or function of the mammalian nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Keith Morris-Schaffer
- Exponent Inc, Center for Chemical Regulation and Food Safety, Sacramento, California
| | - Jason R Richardson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel School of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Abby A Li
- Exponent Inc, Center for Health Sciences, Oakland, CA, United States
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10
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Dobreniecki S, Mendez E, Lowit A, Freudenrich TM, Wallace K, Carpenter A, Wetmore BA, Kreutz A, Korol-Bexell E, Friedman KP, Shafer TJ. Integration of toxicodynamic and toxicokinetic new approach methods into a weight-of-evidence analysis for pesticide developmental neurotoxicity assessment: A case-study with DL- and L-glufosinate. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2022; 131:105167. [PMID: 35413399 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2022.105167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
DL-glufosinate ammonium (DL-GLF) is a registered herbicide for which a guideline Developmental Neurotoxicity (DNT) study has been conducted. Offspring effects included altered brain morphometrics, decreased body weight, and increased motor activity. Guideline DNT studies are not available for its enriched isomers L-GLF acid and L-GLF ammonium; conducting one would be time consuming, resource-intensive, and possibly redundant given the existing DL-GLF DNT. To support deciding whether to request a guideline DNT study for the L-GLF isomers, DL-GLF and the L-GLF isomers were screened using in vitro assays for network formation and neurite outgrowth. DL-GLF and L-GLF isomers were without effects in both assays. DL-GLF and L-GLF (1-100 μM) isomers increased mean firing rate of mature networks to 120-140% of baseline. In vitro toxicokinetic assessments were used to derive administered equivalent doses (AEDs) for the in vitro testing concentrations. The AED for L-GLF was ∼3X higher than the NOAEL from the DL-GLF DNT indicating that the available guideline study would be protective of potential DNT due to L-GLF exposure. Based in part on the results of these in vitro studies, EPA is not requiring L-GLF isomer guideline DNT studies, thereby providing a case study for a useful application of DNT screening assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anna Lowit
- Office of Pesticide Programs USEPA, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Theresa M Freudenrich
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development. US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Kathleen Wallace
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development. US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Amy Carpenter
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Barbara A Wetmore
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development. US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Anna Kreutz
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | | | - Katie Paul Friedman
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development. US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Timothy J Shafer
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development. US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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11
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Matsuda N, Odawara A, Kinoshita K, Okamura A, Shirakawa T, Suzuki I. Raster plots machine learning to predict the seizure liability of drugs and to identify drugs. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2281. [PMID: 35145132 PMCID: PMC8831568 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05697-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro microelectrode array (MEA) assessment using human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons holds promise as a method of seizure and toxicity evaluation. However, there are still issues surrounding the analysis methods used to predict seizure and toxicity liability as well as drug mechanisms of action. In the present study, we developed an artificial intelligence (AI) capable of predicting the seizure liability of drugs and identifying drugs using deep learning based on raster plots of neural network activity. The seizure liability prediction AI had a prediction accuracy of 98.4% for the drugs used to train it, classifying them correctly based on their responses as either seizure-causing compounds or seizure-free compounds. The AI also made concentration-dependent judgments of the seizure liability of drugs that it was not trained on. In addition, the drug identification AI implemented using the leave-one-sample-out scheme could distinguish among 13 seizure-causing compounds as well as seizure-free compound responses, with a mean accuracy of 99.9 ± 0.1% for all drugs. These AI prediction models are able to identify seizure liability concentration-dependence, rank the level of seizure liability based on the seizure liability probability, and identify the mechanism of the action of compounds. This holds promise for the future of in vitro MEA assessment as a powerful, high-accuracy new seizure liability prediction method.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Matsuda
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 982-8577, Japan
| | - A Odawara
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 982-8577, Japan
| | - K Kinoshita
- Drug Safety Research Labs, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8585, Japan
| | - A Okamura
- Drug Safety Research Labs, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8585, Japan
| | - T Shirakawa
- Drug Safety Research Labs, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8585, Japan
| | - I Suzuki
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 982-8577, Japan.
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12
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Yokoi R, Shigemoto-Kuroda T, Matsuda N, Odawara A, Suzuki I. Electrophysiological responses to seizurogenic compounds dependent on E/I balance in human iPSC-derived cortical neural networks. J Pharmacol Sci 2022; 148:267-278. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Abstract
Neuroelectrophysiology is an old science, dating to the 18th century when electrical activity in nerves was discovered. Such discoveries have led to a variety of neurophysiological techniques, ranging from basic neuroscience to clinical applications. These clinical applications allow assessment of complex neurological functions such as (but not limited to) sensory perception (vision, hearing, somatosensory function), and muscle function. The ability to use similar techniques in both humans and animal models increases the ability to perform mechanistic research to investigate neurological problems. Good animal to human homology of many neurophysiological systems facilitates interpretation of data to provide cause-effect linkages to epidemiological findings. Mechanistic cellular research to screen for toxicity often includes gaps between cellular and whole animal/person neurophysiological changes, preventing understanding of the complete function of the nervous system. Building Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) will allow us to begin to identify brain regions, timelines, neurotransmitters, etc. that may be Key Events (KE) in the Adverse Outcomes (AO). This requires an integrated strategy, from in vitro to in vivo (and hypothesis generation, testing, revision). Scientists need to determine intermediate levels of nervous system organization that are related to an AO and work both upstream and downstream using mechanistic approaches. Possibly more than any other organ, the brain will require networks of pathways/AOPs to allow sufficient predictive accuracy. Advancements in neurobiological techniques should be incorporated into these AOP-base neurotoxicological assessments, including interactions between many regions of the brain simultaneously. Coupled with advancements in optogenetic manipulation, complex functions of the nervous system (such as acquisition, attention, sensory perception, etc.) can be examined in real time. The integration of neurophysiological changes with changes in gene/protein expression can begin to provide the mechanistic underpinnings for biological changes. Establishment of linkages between changes in cellular physiology and those at the level of the AO will allow construction of biological pathways (AOPs) and allow development of higher throughput assays to test for changes to critical physiological circuits. To allow mechanistic/predictive toxicology of the nervous system to be protective of human populations, neuroelectrophysiology has a critical role in our future.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Herr
- Neurological and Endocrine Toxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, CPHEA/ORD, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, NC, United States
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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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15
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Ishibashi Y, Odawara A, Kinoshita K, Okamura A, Shirakawa T, Suzuki I. Principal Component Analysis to Distinguish Seizure Liability of Drugs in Human iPS Cell-Derived Neurons. Toxicol Sci 2021; 184:265-275. [PMID: 34570236 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Screening for drug discovery targeting the central nervous system requires the establishment of efficient and highly accurate toxicity test methods that can reduce costs and time while maintaining high throughput using the function of an in vitro neural network. In particular, an evaluation system using a human-derived neural network is desirable in terms of species difference. Despite the attention the microelectrode array (MEA) is attracting among the evaluation systems that can measure in vitro neural activity, an effective analysis method for evaluation of toxicity and mechanism of action has not yet been established. Here we established analytical parameters and multivariate analysis method capable of detecting seizure liability of drugs using MEA measurement of human iPS cell-derived neurons. Using the spike time series data of all drugs, we established periodicity as a new analytical parameter. Periodicity has facilitated the detection of responses to seizurogenic drugs, previously difficult to detect with conventional analytical parameters. By constructing a multivariate analytical method that identifies a parameter set that achieves an arbitrary condition, we found that the parameter set comprising total spikes, maximum frequency, inter maximum frequency interval, coefficient of variance of inter maximum frequency interval, and periodicity can uniformly detect the seizure liability of seizurogenic drugs with different mechanisms of action. Seizurogenic drugs were suggested to increase the regularity of the network burst in MEA measurements in human iPS cell-derived neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Ishibashi
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 982-8577, Japan
| | - A Odawara
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 982-8577, Japan
| | - K Kinoshita
- Drug Safety Research Labs, Astellas Pharma Inc, 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0841, Japan
| | - A Okamura
- Drug Safety Research Labs, Astellas Pharma Inc, 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0841, Japan
| | - T Shirakawa
- Drug Safety Research Labs, Astellas Pharma Inc, 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0841, Japan
| | - I Suzuki
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 982-8577, Japan
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16
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Tukker AM, Westerink RHS. Novel test strategies for in vitro seizure liability assessment. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2021; 17:923-936. [PMID: 33595380 PMCID: PMC8367052 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2021.1876026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The increasing incidence of mental illnesses and neurodegenerative diseases results in a high demand for drugs targeting the central nervous system (CNS). These drugs easily reach the CNS, have a high affinity for CNS targets, and are prone to cause seizures as an adverse drug reaction. Current seizure liability assessment heavily depends on in vivo or ex vivo animal models and is therefore ethically debated, labor intensive, expensive, and not always predictive for human risk. AREAS COVERED The demand for CNS drugs urges the development of alternative safety assessment strategies. Yet, the complexity of the CNS hampers reliable detection of compound-induced seizures. This review provides an overview of the requirements of in vitro seizure liability assays and highlights recent advances, including micro-electrode array (MEA) recordings using rodent and human cell models. EXPERT OPINION Successful and cost-effective replacement of in vivo and ex vivo models for seizure liability screening can reduce animal use for drug development, while increasing the predictive value of the assays, particularly if human cell models are used. However, these novel test strategies require further validation and standardization as well as additional refinements to better mimic the human in vivo situation and increase their predictive value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke M. Tukker
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, Hall for Discovery and Learning Research (DLR 339), INUSA
| | - Remco H. S. Westerink
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Toxicology Division, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, TD Utrecht, The Netherlands
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17
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Gerber LS, van Melis LVJ, van Kleef RGDM, de Groot A, Westerink RHS. Culture of Rat Primary Cortical Cells for Microelectrode Array (MEA) Recordings to Screen for Acute and Developmental Neurotoxicity. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e158. [PMID: 34152700 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Neurotoxicity testing of chemicals, drug candidates, and environmental pollutants still relies on extensive in vivo studies that are very costly, time-consuming, and ethically debated due to the large number of animals typically used. Currently, rat primary cortical cultures are widely used for in vitro neurotoxicity studies, as they closely resemble the in vitro brain with respect to the diversity of cell types, their physiological functions, and the pathological processes that they undergo. Common in vitro assays for neurotoxicity screening often focus on very target-specific endpoints such as morphological, biochemical, or electrophysiological changes, and such narrow focus can hamper translation and interpretation. Microelectrode array (MEA) recordings provide a non-invasive platform for extracellular recording of electrical activity of cultured neuronal cells, thereby enabling the evaluation of changes in neuronal (network) function as a sensitive and integrated endpoint for neurotoxicity screening. Here, we describe an in vitro approach for assessing changes in neuronal network function as a measure for neurotoxicity, using rat primary cortical cultures grown on MEAs. We provide a detailed protocol for the culture of rat primary cortical cells, and describe several experimental procedures to address acute, subchronic, and chronic exposure scenarios. We additionally describe the steps for processing and analyzing MEA and cell viability data. © 2021 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Isolation and culture of rat primary cortical cells on 48-well MEA plates Support Protocol 1: Pretreatment and washing of 48-well MEA plates before first use or for re-use Support Protocol 2: Coating of 48-well MEA plates with 0.1% PEI solution Basic Protocol 2: MEA measurements during acute exposure Alternate Protocol 1: MEA measurements during subchronic exposure Alternate Protocol 2: MEA measurements during chronic exposure Support Protocol 3: Determination of cell viability after MEA experiments Basic Protocol 3: MEA data processing Basic Protocol 4: Analyzing MEA experiments after acute and subchronic exposure Alternate Protocol 3: Analyzing MEA experiments after chronic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lora-Sophie Gerber
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Toxicology Division, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lennart V J van Melis
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Toxicology Division, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Regina G D M van Kleef
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Toxicology Division, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aart de Groot
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Toxicology Division, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Remco H S Westerink
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Toxicology Division, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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18
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Yu Y, Chen H, Hua X, Wang Z, Li L, Li Z, Xiang M, Ding P. Long-term toxicity of lindane through oxidative stress and cell apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 272:116036. [PMID: 33218777 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Lindane persists in the environment and bioaccumulates as an organochlorine pesticide and can pose risks to ecological environments and human health. To explore the long-term toxicity and underlying mechanisms of lindane, Caenorhabditis elegans was chosen as an animal model for toxicological study. The indicators of physiological, oxidative stress and cell apoptosis were examined in nematodes chronically exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of lindane (0.01-100 ng/L). The data suggested that exposure to lindane at doses above 0.01 ng/L induced adverse physiological effects in C. elegans. Significant increases of ROS production and lipofuscin accumulation were observed in 100 ng/L of lindane-exposed nematodes, suggesting that lindane exposure induced oxidative stress in nematodes. Exposure to 10-100 ng/L of lindane also significantly increased the average number of germ cell corpses, which indicated cell apoptosis induced by lindane in C. elegans. Moreover, chronic exposure to 100 ng/L lindane significantly influenced the expression of genes related to oxidative stress and cell apoptosis (e.g., isp-1, sod-3, ced-3, and cep-1 genes). These results indicated that oxidative stress and cell apoptosis could play an important role in toxicity induced by lindane in nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjiang Yu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China.
| | - Haibo Chen
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China; Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Xin Hua
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Zhengdong Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Liangzhong Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Zongrui Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Mingdeng Xiang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Ping Ding
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
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Shore AN, Colombo S, Tobin WF, Petri S, Cullen ER, Dominguez S, Bostick CD, Beaumont MA, Williams D, Khodagholy D, Yang M, Lutz CM, Peng Y, Gelinas JN, Goldstein DB, Boland MJ, Frankel WN, Weston MC. Reduced GABAergic Neuron Excitability, Altered Synaptic Connectivity, and Seizures in a KCNT1 Gain-of-Function Mouse Model of Childhood Epilepsy. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108303. [PMID: 33113364 PMCID: PMC7712469 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gain-of-function (GOF) variants in K+ channels cause severe childhood epilepsies, but there are no mechanisms to explain how increased K+ currents lead to network hyperexcitability. Here, we introduce a human Na+-activated K+ (KNa) channel variant (KCNT1-Y796H) into mice and, using a multiplatform approach, find motor cortex hyperexcitability and early-onset seizures, phenotypes strikingly similar to those of human patients. Although the variant increases KNa currents in cortical excitatory and inhibitory neurons, there is an increase in the KNa current across subthreshold voltages only in inhibitory neurons, particularly in those with non-fast-spiking properties, resulting in inhibitory-neuron-specific impairments in excitability and action potential (AP) generation. We further observe evidence of synaptic rewiring, including increases in homotypic synaptic connectivity, accompanied by network hyperexcitability and hypersynchronicity. These findings support inhibitory-neuron-specific mechanisms in mediating the epileptogenic effects of KCNT1 channel GOF, offering cell-type-specific currents and effects as promising targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy N Shore
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Sophie Colombo
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - William F Tobin
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Sabrina Petri
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Erin R Cullen
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Soledad Dominguez
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Michael A Beaumont
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Axion BioSystems, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
| | - Damian Williams
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Dion Khodagholy
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Mu Yang
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Yueqing Peng
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jennifer N Gelinas
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - David B Goldstein
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Michael J Boland
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Wayne N Frankel
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Matthew C Weston
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
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20
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Yu Y, Hua X, Chen H, Wang Y, Li Z, Han Y, Xiang M. Toxicity of lindane induced by oxidative stress and intestinal damage in Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 264:114731. [PMID: 32416425 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Lindane, a lipophilic pollutant, may be toxic to organisms. To explore the toxic effects of lindane and the underlying mechanisms of this toxicity, the animal model Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was exposed to lindane for 3 d at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.01-100 ng/L) and the physiological, biochemical, and molecular indices were evaluated. Subacute exposure to 10-100 ng/L of lindane caused adverse physiological effects on the development, reproduction, and locomotion behaviors in C. elegans. Exposure to 1-100 ng/L of lindane increased the accumulation of Nile red and blue food dye, which suggested high permeability of the intestine in nematodes. Lindane exposure also significantly influenced the expression of genes related to intestinal development (e.g., mtm-6 and opt-2). Moreover, reactive oxygen species production, lipofuscin accumulation, and expression of oxidation resistance genes (e.g., sod-5 and isp-1) were significantly increased in C. elegans exposed to 10-100 ng/L of lindane, which indicated that lindane exposure induced oxidative stress. According to Pearson correlation analyses, oxidative stress and intestinal damage were significantly correlated with the adverse physiological effects of lindane. Therefore, the adverse effects of lindane may have been induced by intestinal damage and oxidative stress, and mtm-6, opt-2, sod-5, isp-1, and mev-1 might play important roles in the toxicity of lindane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjiang Yu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China.
| | - Xin Hua
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China; School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Haibo Chen
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China; Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Ya'e Wang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Zongrui Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Yajing Han
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Mingdeng Xiang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
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21
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Amador A, Bostick CD, Olson H, Peters J, Camp CR, Krizay D, Chen W, Han W, Tang W, Kanber A, Kim S, Teoh J, Sah M, Petri S, Paek H, Kim A, Lutz CM, Yang M, Myers SJ, Bhattacharya S, Yuan H, Goldstein DB, Poduri A, Boland MJ, Traynelis SF, Frankel WN. Modelling and treating GRIN2A developmental and epileptic encephalopathy in mice. Brain 2020; 143:2039-2057. [PMID: 32577763 PMCID: PMC7363493 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
NMDA receptors play crucial roles in excitatory synaptic transmission. Rare variants in GRIN2A encoding the GluN2A subunit are associated with a spectrum of disorders, ranging from mild speech and language delay to intractable neurodevelopmental disorders, including but not limited to developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. A de novo missense variant, p.Ser644Gly, was identified in a child with this disorder, and Grin2a knock-in mice were generated to model and extend understanding of this intractable childhood disease. Homozygous and heterozygous mutant mice exhibited altered hippocampal morphology at 2 weeks of age, and all homozygotes exhibited lethal tonic-clonic seizures by mid-third week. Heterozygous adults displayed susceptibility to induced generalized seizures, hyperactivity, repetitive and reduced anxiety behaviours, plus several unexpected features, including significant resistance to electrically-induced limbic seizures and to pentylenetetrazole induced tonic-clonic seizures. Multielectrode recordings of neuronal networks revealed hyperexcitability and altered bursting and synchronicity. In heterologous cells, mutant receptors had enhanced NMDA receptor agonist potency and slow deactivation following rapid removal of glutamate, as occurs at synapses. NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents in heterozygous hippocampal slices also showed a prolonged deactivation time course. Standard anti-epileptic drug monotherapy was ineffective in the patient. Introduction of NMDA receptor antagonists was correlated with a decrease in seizure burden. Chronic treatment of homozygous mouse pups with NMDA receptor antagonists significantly delayed the onset of lethal seizures but did not prevent them. These studies illustrate the power of using multiple experimental modalities to model and test therapies for severe neurodevelopmental disorders, while revealing significant biological complexities associated with GRIN2A developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Amador
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Heather Olson
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jurrian Peters
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chad R Camp
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Daniel Krizay
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wenjuan Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Wei Han
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Weiting Tang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Ayla Kanber
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sukhan Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - JiaJie Teoh
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Megha Sah
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sabrina Petri
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hunki Paek
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ana Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cathleen M Lutz
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mu Yang
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott J Myers
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants (CFERV), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | | | - Hongjie Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants (CFERV), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - David B Goldstein
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Annapurna Poduri
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael J Boland
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen F Traynelis
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Functional Evaluation of Rare Variants (CFERV), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Wayne N Frankel
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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22
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Shirakawa T, Suzuki I. Approach to Neurotoxicity using Human iPSC Neurons: Consortium for Safety Assessment using Human iPS Cells. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2020; 21:780-786. [DOI: 10.2174/1389201020666191129103730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Neurotoxicity, as well as cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, resulting from administration of
a test article is considered a major adverse effect both pre-clinically and clinically. Among the different
types of neurotoxicity occurring during the drug development process, seizure is one of the most serious
one. Seizure occurrence is usually assessed using in vivo animal models, the Functional Observational
Battery, the Irwin test or electroencephalograms. In in vitro studies, a number of assessments can
be performed using animal organs/cells. Interestingly, recent developments in stem cell biology, especially
the development of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells, are enabling the assessment of
neurotoxicity in human iPS cell-derived neurons. Further, a Multi-Electrode Array (MEA) using rodent
neurons is a useful tool for identifying seizure-inducing compounds. The Consortium for Safety Assessment
using Human iPS Cells (CSAHi; http://csahi.org/en/) was established in 2013 by the Japan
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) to verify the application of human iPS cell-derived
neuronal cells to drug safety evaluation. The Neuro Team of CSAHi has been attempting to evaluate the
seizure risk of compounds using the MEA platform. Here, we review the current status of neurotoxicity
and recent work, including problems related to the use of the MEA assay with human iPS neuronal
cell-derived neurons, and future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takafumi Shirakawa
- Consortium for Safety Assessment using Human iPS Cells (CSAHi), Neuro Team, Japan
| | - Ikuro Suzuki
- Consortium for Safety Assessment using Human iPS Cells (CSAHi), Neuro Team, Japan
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23
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Cadena J, Sales AP, Lam D, Enright HA, Wheeler EK, Fischer NO. Modeling the temporal network dynamics of neuronal cultures. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1007834. [PMID: 32453727 PMCID: PMC7274455 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons form complex networks that evolve over multiple time scales. In order to thoroughly characterize these networks, time dependencies must be explicitly modeled. Here, we present a statistical model that captures both the underlying structural and temporal dynamics of neuronal networks. Our model combines the class of Stochastic Block Models for community formation with Gaussian processes to model changes in the community structure as a smooth function of time. We validate our model on synthetic data and demonstrate its utility on three different studies using in vitro cultures of dissociated neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Cadena
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
| | - Ana Paula Sales
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
| | - Doris Lam
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
| | - Heather A. Enright
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth K. Wheeler
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
| | - Nicholas O. Fischer
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
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24
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Mayer M, Arrizabalaga O, Ciba M, Schroeder IS, Ritter S, Thielemann C. Novel in vitro assay to investigate radiation induced changes in the functionality of human embryonic stem cell-derived neurospheres. Neurotoxicology 2020; 79:40-47. [PMID: 32320710 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.04.003] [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: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation (IR) is increasingly used for diagnostics and therapy of severe brain diseases. However, IR also has adverse effects on the healthy brain tissue, particularly on the neuronal network. This is true for adults but even more pronounced in the developing brain of unborn and pediatric patients. Epidemiological studies on children receiving radiotherapy showed an increased risk for cognitive decline ranging from mild deficits in academic functioning to severe late effects in intellectual ability and language as a consequence of altered neuronal development and connectivity. To provide a comprehensive approach for the analysis of radiation-induced alterations in human neuronal functionality, we developed an in vitro assay by combining microelectrode array (MEA) analyses and human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derived three-dimensional neurospheres (NS). In our proof of principle study, we irradiated hESC with 1 Gy X-rays and let them spontaneously differentiate into neurons within NS. After the onset of neuronal activity, we recorded and analyzed the activity pattern of the developing neuronal networks. The network activity in NS derived from irradiated hESC was significantly reduced, whereas no differences in molecular endpoints such as cell proliferation and transcript or protein expression analyses were found. Thus, the combination of MEA analysis with a 3D model for neuronal functionality revealed radiation sequela that otherwise would not have been detected. We therefore strongly suggest combining traditional biomolecular methods with the new functional assay presented in this work to improve the risk assessment for IR-induced effects on the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot Mayer
- TH Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences, BioMEMS Lab, Aschaffenburg, Germany.
| | - Onetsine Arrizabalaga
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Biophysics Division, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Manuel Ciba
- TH Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences, BioMEMS Lab, Aschaffenburg, Germany.
| | - Insa S Schroeder
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Biophysics Division, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Sylvia Ritter
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Biophysics Division, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Christiane Thielemann
- TH Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences, BioMEMS Lab, Aschaffenburg, Germany.
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25
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Characterization and application of electrically active neuronal networks established from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells for neurotoxicity evaluation. Stem Cell Res 2020; 45:101761. [PMID: 32244191 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2020.101761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotoxicity is mediated by a variety of modes-of-actions leading to disturbance of neuronal function. In order to screen larger numbers of compounds for their neurotoxic potential, in vitro functional neuronal networks (NN) might be helpful tools. We established and characterized human NN (hNN) from hiPSC-derived neural progenitor cells by comparing hNN formation with two different differentiation media: in presence (CINDA) and absence (neural differentiation medium (NDM)) of maturation-supporting factors. As a NN control we included differentiating rat NN (rNN) in the study. Gene/protein expression and electrical activity from in vitro developing NN were assessed at multiple time points. Transcriptomes of 5, 14 and 28 days in vitro CINDA-grown hNN were compared to gene expression profiles of in vivo human developing brains. Molecular expression analyses as well as measures of electrical activity indicate that NN mature into neurons of different subtypes and astrocytes over time. In contrast to rNN, hNN are less electrically active within the same period of differentiation time, yet hNN grown in CINDA medium develop higher firing rates than hNN without supplements. Challenge of NN with neuronal receptor stimulators and inhibitors demonstrate presence of inhibitory, GABAergic neurons, whereas glutamatergic responses are limited. hiPSC-derived GABAergic hNN grown in CINDA medium might be a useful tool as part of an in vitro battery for assessing neurotoxicity.
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26
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Kosnik MB, Strickland JD, Marvel SW, Wallis DJ, Wallace K, Richard AM, Reif DM, Shafer TJ. Concentration-response evaluation of ToxCast compounds for multivariate activity patterns of neural network function. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:469-484. [PMID: 31822930 PMCID: PMC7371233 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02636-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The US Environmental Protection Agency's ToxCast program has generated toxicity data for thousands of chemicals but does not adequately assess potential neurotoxicity. Networks of neurons grown on microelectrode arrays (MEAs) offer an efficient approach to screen compounds for neuroactivity and distinguish between compound effects on firing, bursting, and connectivity patterns. Previously, single concentrations of the ToxCast Phase II library were screened for effects on mean firing rate (MFR) in rat primary cortical networks. Here, we expand this approach by retesting 384 of those compounds (including 222 active in the previous screen) in concentration-response across 43 network activity parameters to evaluate neural network function. Using hierarchical clustering and machine learning methods on the full suite of chemical-parameter response data, we identified 15 network activity parameters crucial in characterizing activity of 237 compounds that were response actives ("hits"). Recognized neurotoxic compounds in this network function assay were often more potent compared to other ToxCast assays. Of these chemical-parameter responses, we identified three k-means clusters of chemical-parameter activity (i.e., multivariate MEA response patterns). Next, we evaluated the MEA clusters for enrichment of chemical features using a subset of ToxPrint chemotypes, revealing chemical structural features that distinguished the MEA clusters. Finally, we assessed distribution of neurotoxicants with known pharmacology within the clusters and found that compounds segregated differentially. Collectively, these results demonstrate that multivariate MEA activity patterns can efficiently screen for diverse chemical activities relevant to neurotoxicity, and that response patterns may have predictive value related to chemical structural features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa B Kosnik
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jenna D Strickland
- Axion Biosystems, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Skylar W Marvel
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Dylan J Wallis
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Kathleen Wallace
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, MD B105-05, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA
| | - Ann M Richard
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, MD B105-05, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA
| | - David M Reif
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Timothy J Shafer
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, MD B105-05, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA.
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27
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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: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [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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28
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Differential effects of fluoxetine and venlafaxine in the neural embryonic stem cell test (ESTn) revealed by a cell lineage map. Neurotoxicology 2019; 76:1-9. [PMID: 31593710 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.09.014] [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: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
There is a need for in vitro tests for the evaluation of chemicals and pharmaceuticals that may cause developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) in humans. The neural embryonic stem cell test (ESTn) is such an in vitro test that mimics early neural differentiation. The aim of this study was to define the biological domain of ESTn based on the expression of selective markers for certain cell types, and to investigate the effects of two antidepressants, fluoxetine (FLX) and venlafaxine (VNX), on neural differentiation. A cell lineage map was made to track neural differentiation and the effects of FLX and VNX in ESTn. Whole transcriptome analysis revealed differentiation from an embryonic stem cell population to a mixed culture of neural progenitors, neurons and neural crest cells 7 days into differentiation. Maturing neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were present after 13 days. Exposure to FLX or VNX led to different expression patterns between compounds at both time points. On day 7, both compounds upregulated most of the stem cell- and immature neuron markers, but had distinct effects on neural subtype markers. FLX downregulated glycinergic markers and upregulated cholinergic markers, while VNX had the opposite effect. On day 13, FLX and VNX affected their specific therapeutic targets, represented by mainly serotonergic markers by FLX- and dopaminergic and noradrenergic markers in VNX-exposed cultures, as well as oligodendrocyte and glycinergic neuron markers. This proof of concept study shows the added value of assessing DNT in ESTn through a cell lineage map and gives mechanistic insight in the potential neurodevelopmental effects of FLX and VNX. More compounds should be tested to further evaluate the use of the cell lineage map.
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29
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Richardson JR, Fitsanakis V, Westerink RHS, Kanthasamy AG. Neurotoxicity of pesticides. Acta Neuropathol 2019; 138:343-362. [PMID: 31197504 PMCID: PMC6826260 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-02033-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pesticides are unique environmental contaminants that are specifically introduced into the environment to control pests, often by killing them. Although pesticide application serves many important purposes, including protection against crop loss and against vector-borne diseases, there are significant concerns over the potential toxic effects of pesticides to non-target organisms, including humans. In many cases, the molecular target of a pesticide is shared by non-target species, leading to the potential for untoward effects. Here, we review the history of pesticide usage and the neurotoxicity of selected classes of pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, to humans and experimental animals. Specific emphasis is given to linkages between exposure to pesticides and risk of neurological disease and dysfunction in humans coupled with mechanistic findings in humans and animal models. Finally, we discuss emerging techniques and strategies to improve translation from animal models to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason R Richardson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel School of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
| | - Vanessa Fitsanakis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Remco H S Westerink
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Toxicology Division, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anumantha G Kanthasamy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Iowa Center for Advanced Neurotoxicology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
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30
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Effect fingerprints of antipsychotic drugs on neural networks in vitro. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 126:1363-1371. [PMID: 31321550 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02050-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
We compared the acute effect of typical (haloperidol) and atypical (aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine) antipsychotic drugs (APDs) on spontaneous electrophysiological activity of in vitro neuronal networks cultured on microelectrode arrays (MEAs). Network burst analysis revealed a "regularizing" effect of all APDs at therapeutic concentrations, i.e., an increase of network-wide temporal synchronization. At supratherapeutic concentrations, all APDs but olanzapine mediated a decrease of burst and spike rates, burst duration, number of spikes in bursts, and network synchrony. The rank order of potency of APDs was: haloperidol > aripiprazole > clozapine > olanzapine (no suppression). Disruption of network function was not due to enhanced cell death as assessed by trypan blue staining. APDs promoted distinct concentration-dependent alterations yielding acute effect fingerprints of the tested compounds. These effects were rather characteristic for individual compounds than distinctive for typical vs. atypical APDs. Thus, this dichotomy may be of value in distinguishing clinical features but has no apparent basis on the network or local circuitry level.
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31
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Niu W, Parent JM. Modeling genetic epilepsies in a dish. Dev Dyn 2019; 249:56-75. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Niu
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Graduate ProgramUniversity of Michigan Medical Center and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Ann Arbor Michigan
| | - Jack M. Parent
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Graduate ProgramUniversity of Michigan Medical Center and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Ann Arbor Michigan
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32
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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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33
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Lam D, Enright HA, Cadena J, Peters SKG, Sales AP, Osburn JJ, Soscia DA, Kulp KS, Wheeler EK, Fischer NO. Tissue-specific extracellular matrix accelerates the formation of neural networks and communities in a neuron-glia co-culture on a multi-electrode array. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4159. [PMID: 30858401 PMCID: PMC6411890 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40128-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain’s extracellular matrix (ECM) is a macromolecular network composed of glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and fibrous proteins. In vitro studies often use purified ECM proteins for cell culture coatings, however these may not represent the molecular complexity and heterogeneity of the brain’s ECM. To address this, we compared neural network activity (over 30 days in vitro) from primary neurons co-cultured with glia grown on ECM coatings from decellularized brain tissue (bECM) or MaxGel, a non-tissue-specific ECM. Cells were grown on a multi-electrode array (MEA) to enable noninvasive long-term interrogation of neuronal networks. In general, the presence of ECM accelerated the formation of networks without affecting the inherent network properties. However, specific features of network activity were dependent on the type of ECM: bECM enhanced network activity over a greater region of the MEA whereas MaxGel increased network burst rate associated with robust synaptophysin expression. These differences in network activity were not attributable to cellular composition, glial proliferation, or astrocyte phenotypes, which remained constant across experimental conditions. Collectively, the addition of ECM to neuronal cultures represents a reliable method to accelerate the development of mature neuronal networks, providing a means to enhance throughput for routine evaluation of neurotoxins and novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Lam
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Heather A Enright
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Jose Cadena
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Sandra K G Peters
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Ana Paula Sales
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Joanne J Osburn
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - David A Soscia
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Kristen S Kulp
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth K Wheeler
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas O Fischer
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA.
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Pérez-Gómez A, Cabrera-García D, Warm D, Marini AM, Salas Puig J, Fernández-Sánchez MT, Novelli A. From the Cover: Selective Enhancement of Domoic Acid Toxicity in Primary Cultures of Cerebellar Granule Cells by Lowering Extracellular Na+ Concentration. Toxicol Sci 2019; 161:103-114. [PMID: 29029261 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Domoic acid (DOM) is an excitatory amino acid analog of kainic acid (KA) that acts through glutamic acid (GLU) receptors, inducing a fast and potent neurotoxic response. Here, we present evidence for an enhancement of excitotoxicity following exposure of cultured cerebellar granule cells to DOM in the presence of lower than physiological Na+ concentrations. The concentration of DOM that reduced by 50% neuronal survival was approximately 3 µM in Na+-free conditions and 16 µM in presence of a physiological concentration of extracellular Na+. The enhanced neurotoxic effect of DOM was fully prevented by AMPA/KA receptor antagonist, while N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor-mediated neurotoxicity did not seem to be involved, as the absence of extracellular Na+ failed to potentiate GLU excitotoxicity under the same experimental conditions. Lowering of extracellular Na+ concentration to 60 mM eliminated extracellular recording of spontaneous electrophysiological activity from cultured neurons grown on a multi electrode array and prevented DOM stimulation of the electrical activity. Although changes in the extracellular Na+ concentration did not alter the magnitude of the rapid increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels associated to DOM exposure, they did change significantly the contribution of voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VScaCs) and the recovery time to baseline. The prevention of Ca2+ influx via VSCaCs by nifedipine failed to prevent DOM toxicity at any extracellular Na+ concentration, while the reduction of extracellular Ca2+ concentration ameliorated DOM toxicity only in the absence of extracellular Na+, enhancing it in physiological conditions. Our data suggest a crucial role for extracellular Na+ concentration in determining excitotoxicity by DOM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabel Pérez-Gómez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - David Cabrera-García
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Davide Warm
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ann M Marini
- Department of Neurology and Program in Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
| | - Javier Salas Puig
- Unit of Epilepsy, Vall d'Hebrón Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University Autonoma of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Teresa Fernández-Sánchez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.,University Institute of Biotechnology
| | - Antonello Novelli
- University Institute of Biotechnology.,Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
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35
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Mendis GDC, Berecki G, Morrisroe E, Pachernegg S, Li M, Varney M, Osborne PB, Reid CA, Halgamuge S, Petrou S. Discovering the pharmacodynamics of conolidine and cannabidiol using a cultured neuronal network based workflow. Sci Rep 2019; 9:121. [PMID: 30644434 PMCID: PMC6333801 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37138-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Determining the mechanism of action (MOA) of novel or naturally occurring compounds mostly relies on assays tailored for individual target proteins. Here we explore an alternative approach based on pattern matching response profiles obtained using cultured neuronal networks. Conolidine and cannabidiol are plant-derivatives with known antinociceptive activity but unknown MOA. Application of conolidine/cannabidiol to cultured neuronal networks altered network firing in a highly reproducible manner and created similar impact on network properties suggesting engagement with a common biological target. We used principal component analysis (PCA) and multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) to compare network activity profiles of conolidine/cannabidiol to a series of well-studied compounds with known MOA. Network activity profiles evoked by conolidine and cannabidiol closely matched that of ω-conotoxin CVIE, a potent and selective Cav2.2 calcium channel blocker with proposed antinociceptive action suggesting that they too would block this channel. To verify this, Cav2.2 channels were heterologously expressed, recorded with whole-cell patch clamp and conolidine/cannabidiol was applied. Remarkably, conolidine and cannabidiol both inhibited Cav2.2, providing a glimpse into the MOA that could underlie their antinociceptive action. These data highlight the utility of cultured neuronal network-based workflows to efficiently identify MOA of drugs in a highly scalable assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- G D C Mendis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - G Berecki
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - E Morrisroe
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - S Pachernegg
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - M Li
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - M Varney
- Neurolixis, Inc, Dana Point, CA, 92629, USA
| | - P B Osborne
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - C A Reid
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - S Halgamuge
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.,Research School of Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia
| | - S Petrou
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia. .,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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36
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Shafer TJ. Application of Microelectrode Array Approaches to Neurotoxicity Testing and Screening. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2019; 22:275-297. [PMID: 31073941 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-11135-9_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neurotoxicity can be defined by the ability of a drug or chemical to alter the physiology, biochemistry, or structure of the nervous system in a manner that may negatively impact the health or function of the individual. Electrophysiological approaches have been utilized to study the mechanisms underlying neurotoxic actions of drugs and chemicals for over 50 years, and in more recent decades, high-throughput patch-clamp approaches have been utilized by the pharmaceutical industry for drug development. The use of microelectrode array recordings to study neural network electrophysiology is a relatively newer approach, with commercially available systems becoming available only in the early 2000s. However, MEAs have been rapidly adopted as a useful approach for neurotoxicity testing. In this chapter, I will review the use of MEA approaches as they have been applied to the field of neurotoxicity testing, especially as they have been applied to the need to screen large numbers of chemicals for neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity. In addition, I will also identify challenges for the field that when addressed will improve the utility of MEA approaches for toxicity testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Shafer
- Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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37
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Gelfman S, Wang Q, Lu YF, Hall D, Bostick CD, Dhindsa R, Halvorsen M, McSweeney KM, Cotterill E, Edinburgh T, Beaumont MA, Frankel WN, Petrovski S, Allen AS, Boland MJ, Goldstein DB, Eglen SJ. meaRtools: An R package for the analysis of neuronal networks recorded on microelectrode arrays. PLoS Comput Biol 2018; 14:e1006506. [PMID: 30273353 PMCID: PMC6181426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we present an open-source R package 'meaRtools' that provides a platform for analyzing neuronal networks recorded on Microelectrode Arrays (MEAs). Cultured neuronal networks monitored with MEAs are now being widely used to characterize in vitro models of neurological disorders and to evaluate pharmaceutical compounds. meaRtools provides core algorithms for MEA spike train analysis, feature extraction, statistical analysis and plotting of multiple MEA recordings with multiple genotypes and treatments. meaRtools functionality covers novel solutions for spike train analysis, including algorithms to assess electrode cross-correlation using the spike train tiling coefficient (STTC), mutual information, synchronized bursts and entropy within cultured wells. Also integrated is a solution to account for bursts variability originating from mixed-cell neuronal cultures. The package provides a statistical platform built specifically for MEA data that can combine multiple MEA recordings and compare extracted features between different genetic models or treatments. We demonstrate the utilization of meaRtools to successfully identify epilepsy-like phenotypes in neuronal networks from Celf4 knockout mice. The package is freely available under the GPL license (GPL> = 3) and is updated frequently on the CRAN web-server repository. The package, along with full documentation can be downloaded from: https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/meaRtools/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Gelfman
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Quanli Wang
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Simcere Diagnostics Co, Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi-Fan Lu
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America
| | - Diana Hall
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Christopher D. Bostick
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Ryan Dhindsa
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Matt Halvorsen
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - K. Melodi McSweeney
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ellese Cotterill
- Cambridge Computational Biology Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Edinburgh
- Cambridge Computational Biology Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michael A. Beaumont
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Axion BioSystems, Inc., Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Wayne N. Frankel
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Slavé Petrovski
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health and Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew S. Allen
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Boland
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - David B. Goldstein
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Stephen J. Eglen
- Cambridge Computational Biology Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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38
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Tukker AM, Wijnolts FMJ, de Groot A, Westerink RHS. Human iPSC-derived neuronal models for in vitro neurotoxicity assessment. Neurotoxicology 2018; 67:215-225. [PMID: 29909083 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Neurotoxicity testing still relies on ethically debated, expensive and time consuming in vivo experiments, which are unsuitable for high-throughput toxicity screening. There is thus a clear need for a rapid in vitro screening strategy that is preferably based on human-derived neurons to circumvent interspecies translation. Recent availability of commercially obtainable human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons and astrocytes holds great promise in assisting the transition from the current standard of rat primary cortical cultures to an animal-free alternative. We therefore composed several hiPSC-derived neuronal models with different ratios of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the presence or absence of astrocytes. Using immunofluorescent stainings and multi-well micro-electrode array (mwMEA) recordings we demonstrate that these models form functional neuronal networks that become spontaneously active. The differences in development of spontaneous neuronal activity and bursting behavior as well as spiking patterns between our models confirm the importance of the presence of astrocytes. Preliminary neurotoxicity assessment demonstrates that these cultures can be modulated with known seizurogenic compounds, such as picrotoxin (PTX) and endosulfan, and the neurotoxicant methylmercury (MeHg). However, the chemical-induced effects on different parameters for neuronal activity, such as mean spike rate (MSR) and mean burst rate (MBR), may depend on the ratio of inhibitory and excitatory neurons. Our results thus indicate that hiPSC-derived neuronal models must be carefully designed and characterized prior to large-scale use in neurotoxicity screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke M Tukker
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Toxicology and Pharmacology Division, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.177, NL-3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fiona M J Wijnolts
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Toxicology and Pharmacology Division, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.177, NL-3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aart de Groot
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Toxicology and Pharmacology Division, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.177, NL-3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Remco H S Westerink
- Neurotoxicology Research Group, Toxicology and Pharmacology Division, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.177, NL-3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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39
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Köhler T, Wölfel M, Ciba M, Bochtler U, Thielemann C. Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) exposure of neuronal in vitro networks. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 162:1-7. [PMID: 29272813 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) is a worldwide common mobile communication standard, used by authorities and organizations with security tasks. Previous studies reported on health effects of TETRA, with focus on the specific pulse frequency of 17.64Hz, which affects calcium efflux in neuronal cells. Likewise among others, it was reported that TETRA affects heart rate variability, neurophysiology and leads to headaches. In contrast, other studies conclude that TETRA does not affect calcium efflux of cells and has no effect on people's health. In the present study we examine whether TETRA short- and long-term exposure could affect the electrophysiology of neuronal in vitro networks. Experiments were performed with a carrier frequency of 395MHz, a pulse frequency of 17.64Hz and a differential quaternary phase-shift keying (π/4 DQPSK) modulation. Specific absorption rates (SAR) of 1.17W/kg and 2.21W/kg were applied. In conclusion, the present results do not indicate any effect of TETRA exposure on electrophysiology of neuronal in vitro networks, neither for short-term nor long-term exposure. This applies to the examined parameters spike rate, burst rate, burst duration and network synchrony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Köhler
- BioMEMS Lab, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Würzburger Straße 45, D-63743 Aschaffenburg, Germany.
| | - Maximilian Wölfel
- Laboratory for EMC, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Würzburger Straße 45, D-63743 Aschaffenburg, Germany.
| | - Manuel Ciba
- BioMEMS Lab, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Würzburger Straße 45, D-63743 Aschaffenburg, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Bochtler
- Laboratory for EMC, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Würzburger Straße 45, D-63743 Aschaffenburg, Germany.
| | - Christiane Thielemann
- BioMEMS Lab, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Würzburger Straße 45, D-63743 Aschaffenburg, Germany.
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40
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Strickland JD, Martin MT, Richard AM, Houck KA, Shafer TJ. Screening the ToxCast phase II libraries for alterations in network function using cortical neurons grown on multi-well microelectrode array (mwMEA) plates. Arch Toxicol 2018; 92:487-500. [PMID: 28766123 PMCID: PMC6438628 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-017-2035-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Methods are needed for rapid screening of environmental compounds for neurotoxicity, particularly ones that assess function. To demonstrate the utility of microelectrode array (MEA)-based approaches as a rapid neurotoxicity screening tool, 1055 chemicals from EPA's phase II ToxCast library were evaluated for effects on neural function and cell health. Primary cortical networks were grown on multi-well microelectrode array (mwMEA) plates. On day in vitro 13, baseline activity (40 min) was recorded prior to exposure to each compound (40 µM). Changes in spontaneous network activity [mean firing rate (MFR)] and cell viability (lactate dehydrogenase and CellTiter Blue) were assessed within the same well following compound exposure. Following exposure, 326 compounds altered (increased or decreased) normalized MFR beyond hit thresholds based on 2× the median absolute deviation of DMSO-treated wells. Pharmaceuticals, pesticides, fungicides, chemical intermediates, and herbicides accounted for 86% of the hits. Further, changes in MFR occurred in the absence of cytotoxicity, as only eight compounds decreased cell viability. ToxPrint chemotype analysis identified several structural domains (e.g., biphenyls and alkyl phenols) significantly enriched with MEA actives relative to the total test set. The top 5 enriched ToxPrint chemotypes were represented in 26% of the MEA hits, whereas the top 11 ToxPrints were represented in 34% of MEA hits. These results demonstrate that large-scale functional screening using neural networks on MEAs can fill a critical gap in assessment of neurotoxicity potential in ToxCast assay results. Further, a data-mining approach identified ToxPrint chemotypes enriched in the MEA-hit subset, which define initial structure-activity relationship inferences, establish potential mechanistic associations to other ToxCast assay endpoints, and provide working hypotheses for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna D Strickland
- Axion Biosystems, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Matthew T Martin
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MD D143-02, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA
- Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT, USA
| | - Ann M Richard
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MD D143-02, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA
| | - Keith A Houck
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MD D143-02, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA
| | - Timothy J Shafer
- Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MD105-05, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA.
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41
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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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42
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Frank CL, Brown JP, Wallace K, Mundy WR, Shafer TJ. From the Cover: Developmental Neurotoxicants Disrupt Activity in Cortical Networks on Microelectrode Arrays: Results of Screening 86 Compounds During Neural Network Formation. Toxicol Sci 2017; 160:121-135. [DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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43
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Recurrently connected and localized neuronal communities initiate coordinated spontaneous activity in neuronal networks. PLoS Comput Biol 2017; 13:e1005672. [PMID: 28749937 PMCID: PMC5549760 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing neuronal systems intrinsically generate coordinated spontaneous activity that propagates by involving a large number of synchronously firing neurons. In vivo, waves of spikes transiently characterize the activity of developing brain circuits and are fundamental for activity-dependent circuit formation. In vitro, coordinated spontaneous spiking activity, or network bursts (NBs), interleaved within periods of asynchronous spikes emerge during the development of 2D and 3D neuronal cultures. Several studies have investigated this type of activity and its dynamics, but how a neuronal system generates these coordinated events remains unclear. Here, we investigate at a cellular level the generation of network bursts in spontaneously active neuronal cultures by exploiting high-resolution multielectrode array recordings and computational network modelling. Our analysis reveals that NBs are generated in specialized regions of the network (functional neuronal communities) that feature neuronal links with high cross-correlation peak values, sub-millisecond lags and that share very similar structural connectivity motifs providing recurrent interactions. We show that the particular properties of these local structures enable locally amplifying spontaneous asynchronous spikes and that this mechanism can lead to the initiation of NBs. Through the analysis of simulated and experimental data, we also show that AMPA currents drive the coordinated activity, while NMDA and GABA currents are only involved in shaping the dynamics of NBs. Overall, our results suggest that the presence of functional neuronal communities with recurrent local connections allows a neuronal system to generate spontaneous coordinated spiking activity events. As suggested by the rules used for implementing our computational model, such functional communities might naturally emerge during network development by following simple constraints on distance-based connectivity. Coordinated spontaneous spiking activity is fundamental for the normal formation of brain circuits during development. However, how ensembles of neurons generate these events remains unclear. To address this question, in the present study, we investigated the network properties that might be required to a neuronal system for the generation of these spontaneous waves of spikes. We performed our study on spontaneously active neuronal cell cultures using high-resolution electrical recordings and a computational network model developed to reproduce our experimental data both quantitatively and qualitatively. Through the analysis of both experimental and simulated data, we found that network bursts are initiated in regions of the network, or “functional communities”, characterized by particular local connectivity properties. We also found that these regions can amplify the background asynchronous spiking activity preceding a network burst and, in this way, can give rise to coordinated spiking events. As a whole, our results suggest the presence of functional communities of neurons in a developing neuronal system that might naturally emerge by following simple constraints on distance-based connectivity. These regions are most likely required for the generation of the spontaneous coordinated activity that can drive activity-dependent circuit formation.
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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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Duarte DJ, Rutten JM, van den Berg M, Westerink RH. In vitro neurotoxic hazard characterization of different tricresyl phosphate (TCP) isomers and mixtures. Neurotoxicology 2017; 59:222-230. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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46
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Dingemans MM, Schütte MG, Wiersma DM, de Groot A, van Kleef RG, Wijnolts FM, Westerink RH. Chronic 14-day exposure to insecticides or methylmercury modulates neuronal activity in primary rat cortical cultures. Neurotoxicology 2016; 57:194-202. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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47
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Kapucu FE, Välkki I, Mikkonen JE, Leone C, Lenk K, Tanskanen JMA, Hyttinen JAK. Spectral Entropy Based Neuronal Network Synchronization Analysis Based on Microelectrode Array Measurements. Front Comput Neurosci 2016; 10:112. [PMID: 27803660 PMCID: PMC5068339 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2016.00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Synchrony and asynchrony are essential aspects of the functioning of interconnected neuronal cells and networks. New information on neuronal synchronization can be expected to aid in understanding these systems. Synchronization provides insight in the functional connectivity and the spatial distribution of the information processing in the networks. Synchronization is generally studied with time domain analysis of neuronal events, or using direct frequency spectrum analysis, e.g., in specific frequency bands. However, these methods have their pitfalls. Thus, we have previously proposed a method to analyze temporal changes in the complexity of the frequency of signals originating from different network regions. The method is based on the correlation of time varying spectral entropies (SEs). SE assesses the regularity, or complexity, of a time series by quantifying the uniformity of the frequency spectrum distribution. It has been previously employed, e.g., in electroencephalogram analysis. Here, we revisit our correlated spectral entropy method (CorSE), providing evidence of its justification, usability, and benefits. Here, CorSE is assessed with simulations and in vitro microelectrode array (MEA) data. CorSE is first demonstrated with a specifically tailored toy simulation to illustrate how it can identify synchronized populations. To provide a form of validation, the method was tested with simulated data from integrate-and-fire model based computational neuronal networks. To demonstrate the analysis of real data, CorSE was applied on in vitro MEA data measured from rat cortical cell cultures, and the results were compared with three known event based synchronization measures. Finally, we show the usability by tracking the development of networks in dissociated mouse cortical cell cultures. The results show that temporal correlations in frequency spectrum distributions reflect the network relations of neuronal populations. In the simulated data, CorSE unraveled the synchronizations. With the real in vitro MEA data, CorSE produced biologically plausible results. Since CorSE analyses continuous data, it is not affected by possibly poor spike or other event detection quality. We conclude that CorSE can reveal neuronal network synchronization based on in vitro MEA field potential measurements. CorSE is expected to be equally applicable also in the analysis of corresponding in vivo and ex vivo data analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fikret E Kapucu
- Department of Pervasive Computing, Tampere University of TechnologyTampere, Finland; Computational Biophysics and Imaging Group, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, BioMediTech, Tampere University of TechnologyTampere, Finland
| | - Inkeri Välkki
- Computational Biophysics and Imaging Group, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, BioMediTech, Tampere University of Technology Tampere, Finland
| | - Jarno E Mikkonen
- Department of Psychology, Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Research, University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Chiara Leone
- Department of Management and Production Engineering, Politecnico di Torino Torino, Italy
| | - Kerstin Lenk
- Computational Biophysics and Imaging Group, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, BioMediTech, Tampere University of Technology Tampere, Finland
| | - Jarno M A Tanskanen
- Computational Biophysics and Imaging Group, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, BioMediTech, Tampere University of Technology Tampere, Finland
| | - Jari A K Hyttinen
- Computational Biophysics and Imaging Group, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, BioMediTech, Tampere University of Technology Tampere, Finland
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Mohana Krishnan B, Prakhya BM. In vitro evaluation of pyrethroid-mediated changes on neuronal burst parameters using microelectrode arrays. Neurotoxicology 2016; 57:270-281. [PMID: 27746124 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Effects of pyrethroids (beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and permethrin) on the burst parameters (mean burst rate [MBR], percent spikes in burst [PSB], mean burst duration [MBD], mean spikes in burst [MSB], mean interspike interval in burst [MISIB], and mean interburst interval [MIBI]) have been investigated using the microelectrode array technique. Rat cortical neuronal networks (between 24 and 35 DIV) were exposed to the five accumulative concentrations of pyrethroids (0.01μM, 0.1μM, 1μM, 10μM, and 100μM) after initially recording the baseline activity. When compared to the baseline, the burst parameter that had undergone the most change (either increase/decrease) at the initial concentrations was MBR, followed by MIBI and PSB. The other burst parameters (MSB, MBD, and MISIB) did not undergo much change (either increase/decrease) by the pyrethroids at the initial concentrations when compared to the baseline. The MBR of all pyrethroids rose at initial concentrations followed by decrease at higher concentrations. A drop in the MIBI accompanied the rise in the MBR. The rank orders of relative potency of pyrethroids on the IC50 of different burst parameters clearly distinguish type-1 pyrethroids (bifenthrin, permethrin) from the type-2 pyrethroids (beta-cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin), with type-2 being more potent. The rank order of relative potency of pyrethroids based on the IC50 of MBR was beta-cyfluthrin>lambda-cyhalothrin>deltamethrin>cypermethrin>bifenthrin>permethrin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baskar Mohana Krishnan
- Department of Toxicology, International Institute of Biotechnology and Toxicology (IIBAT), Padappai-601301, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Balakrishna Murthy Prakhya
- Department of Toxicology, International Institute of Biotechnology and Toxicology (IIBAT), Padappai-601301, Tamil Nadu, India.
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McSweeney KM, Gussow AB, Bradrick SS, Dugger SA, Gelfman S, Wang Q, Petrovski S, Frankel WN, Boland MJ, Goldstein DB. Inhibition of microRNA 128 promotes excitability of cultured cortical neuronal networks. Genome Res 2016; 26:1411-1416. [PMID: 27516621 PMCID: PMC5052052 DOI: 10.1101/gr.199828.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cultured neuronal networks monitored with microelectrode arrays (MEAs) have been used widely to evaluate pharmaceutical compounds for potential neurotoxic effects. A newer application of MEAs has been in the development of in vitro models of neurological disease. Here, we directly evaluated the utility of MEAs to recapitulate in vivo phenotypes of mature microRNA-128 (miR-128) deficiency, which causes fatal seizures in mice. We show that inhibition of miR-128 results in significantly increased neuronal activity in cultured neuronal networks derived from primary mouse cortical neurons. These results support the utility of MEAs in developing in vitro models of neuroexcitability disorders, such as epilepsy, and further suggest that MEAs provide an effective tool for the rapid identification of microRNAs that promote seizures when dysregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Melodi McSweeney
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Ayal B Gussow
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Shelton S Bradrick
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA
| | - Sarah A Dugger
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Sahar Gelfman
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Quanli Wang
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Slavé Petrovski
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Wayne N Frankel
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Michael J Boland
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - David B Goldstein
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
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50
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Hiolski EM, Ito S, Beggs JM, Lefebvre KA, Litke AM, Smith DR. Domoic acid disrupts the activity and connectivity of neuronal networks in organotypic brain slice cultures. Neurotoxicology 2016; 56:215-224. [PMID: 27506300 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Domoic acid is a neurotoxin produced by algae and is found in seafood during harmful algal blooms. As a glutamate agonist, domoic acid inappropriately stimulates excitatory activity in neurons. At high doses, this leads to seizures and brain lesions, but it is unclear how lower, asymptomatic exposures disrupt neuronal activity. Domoic acid has been detected in an increasing variety of species across a greater geographical range than ever before, making it critical to understand the potential health impacts of low-level exposure on vulnerable marine mammal and human populations. To determine whether prolonged domoic acid exposure altered neuronal activity in hippocampal networks, we used a custom-made 512 multi-electrode array with high spatial and temporal resolution to record extracellular potentials (spikes) in mouse organotypic brain slice cultures. We identified individual neurons based on spike waveform and location, and measured the activity and functional connectivity within the neuronal networks of brain slice cultures. Domoic acid exposure significantly altered neuronal spiking activity patterns, and increased functional connectivity within exposed cultures, in the absence of overt cellular or neuronal toxicity. While the overall spiking activity of neurons in domoic acid-exposed cultures was comparable to controls, exposed neurons spiked significantly more often in bursts. We also identified a subset of neurons that were electrophysiologically silenced in exposed cultures, and putatively identified those neurons as fast-spiking inhibitory neurons. These results provide evidence that domoic acid affects neuronal activity in the absence of cytotoxicity, and suggest that neurodevelopmental exposure to domoic acid may alter neurological function in the absence of clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Hiolski
- Department of Microbiology & Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - S Ito
- Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - J M Beggs
- Department of Physics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - K A Lefebvre
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - A M Litke
- Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - D R Smith
- Department of Microbiology & Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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