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Chen Y, Mu W, Wu Y, Xu J, Li X, Hu H, Wang S, Wang D, Hui B, Wang L, Dong Y, Chen W. Optogenetically modified human embryonic stem cell-derived otic neurons establish functional synaptic connection with cochlear nuclei. J Tissue Eng 2024; 15:20417314241265198. [PMID: 39092452 PMCID: PMC11292720 DOI: 10.1177/20417314241265198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Spiral ganglia neurons (SGNs) impairment can cause deafness. One important therapeutic approach involves utilizing stem cells to restore impaired auditory circuitry. Nevertheless, the inadequate implementation of research methodologies poses a challenge in accurately assessing the functionality of derived cells within the circuit. Here, we describe a novel method for converting human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into otic neurons (ONs) and assess their functional connectivity using an optogenetic approach with cells or an organotypic slice of rat cochlear nucleus (CN) in coculture. Embryonic stem cell-derived otic neurons (eONs) exhibited SGN marker expression and generated functional synaptic connection when cocultured with cochlear nucleus neurons (CNNs). Synapsin 1 and VGLUT expression are found in the cochlear nucleus of brain slices, where eONs projected processes during the coculture of eONs and CN brain slices. Action potential spikes and INa+/IK+ of CNNs increased in tandem with light stimulations to eONs. These findings provide further evidence that eONs may be a candidate source to treat SGN-deafness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanni Chen
- Institute of Translational Medicine, and Children’s Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
- College of Public Health, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai China
- Institute of Wound Prevention and Treatment, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenbo Mu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, and Children’s Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
- College of Public Health, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai China
- Institute of Wound Prevention and Treatment, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongkang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiake Xu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Hu
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Bioengineering, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Siqi Wang
- College of Public Health, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai China
| | - Dali Wang
- Center for Clinical and Translational Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Hui
- College of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medical & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lang Wang
- Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Dong
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Institute of Translational Medicine, and Children’s Hospital Affiliated and Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Neonatal Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
- College of Public Health, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai China
- Institute of Wound Prevention and Treatment, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Function and Pharmacology of Jilin Province, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
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Gonmanee T, Sritanaudomchai H, Vongsavan K, Faisaikarm T, Songsaad A, White KL, Thonabulsombat C. Neuronal differentiation of dental pulp stem cells from human permanent and deciduous teeth following coculture with rat auditory brainstem slices. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2020; 303:2931-2946. [PMID: 31930687 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss is a common disability found worldwide which is associated with a degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons (SGN). It is a challenge to restore SGN due to the permanent degeneration and viability of SGN is requisite for patients to receive an advantage from hearing aid devices. Human dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) are self-renewing stem cells that originate from the neural crest during development. These stem cells have a high potential for neuronal differentiation. This is primarily due to their multilineage differentiation potential and their relative ease of access. Previously, we have shown the ability of these stem cell types to differentiate into spiral ganglion neuron-like cells. In this study, we induced the cells into neural precursor cells (NPC) and cocultured with auditory brainstem slice (ABS) encompassing cochlear nucleus by the Stoppini method. We also investigated their ability to differentiate after 2 weeks and 4 weeks in coculture. Neuronal differentiation of DPSC-NPC and SHED-NPC was higher expression of specific markers to SGN, TrkB, and Gata3, compared to monoculture. The cells also highly expressed synaptic vesicle protein (SV2A) and exhibited intracellular calcium oscillations. Our findings demonstrated the possibility of using DPSCs and SHEDs as an autologous stem cell-based therapy for sensorineural hearing loss patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanasup Gonmanee
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Kutkao Vongsavan
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, International College of Dentistry, Walailak University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tassanee Faisaikarm
- Reproductive Research Group, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Anupong Songsaad
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kenneth L White
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
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Organotypic Cocultures of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived-Neurons with Mammalian Inner Ear Hair Cells and Cochlear Nucleus Slices. Stem Cells Int 2019; 2019:8419493. [PMID: 31827535 PMCID: PMC6886346 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8419493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells have been touted as a source of potential replacement neurons for inner ear degeneration for almost two decades now; yet to date, there are few studies describing the use of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) for this purpose. If stem cell therapies are to be used clinically, it is critical to validate the usefulness of hPSC lines in vitro and in vivo. Here, we present the first quantitative evidence that differentiated hPSC-derived neurons that innervate both the inner ear hair cells and cochlear nucleus neurons in coculture, with significantly more new synaptic contacts formed on target cell types. Nascent contacts between stem cells and hair cells were immunopositive for both synapsin I and VGLUT1, closely resembling expression of these puncta in endogenous postnatal auditory neurons and control cocultures. When hPSCs were cocultured with cochlear nucleus brainstem slice, significantly greater numbers of VGLUT1 puncta were observed in comparison to slice alone. New VGLUT1 puncta in cocultures with cochlear nucleus slice were not significantly different in size, only in quantity. This experimentation describes new coculture models for assessing auditory regeneration using well-characterised hPSC-derived neurons and highlights useful methods to quantify the extent of innervation on different cell types in the inner ear and brainstem.
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Kaiser A, Kale A, Novozhilova E, Olivius P. The Effects of Matrigel® on the Survival and Differentiation of a Human Neural Progenitor Dissociated Sphere Culture. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2019; 303:441-450. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.24131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kaiser
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and TechnologyKarolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge Sweden
| | - Ajay Kale
- Department for Surgical Sciences, ENT‐UnitAkademiska Hospital Uppsala Sweden
- Center for Clinical Research Sormland Eskilstuna Sweden
| | - Ekaterina Novozhilova
- Department for Surgical Sciences, ENT‐UnitAkademiska Hospital Uppsala Sweden
- Center for Clinical Research Sormland Eskilstuna Sweden
| | - Petri Olivius
- Department for Surgical Sciences, ENT‐UnitAkademiska Hospital Uppsala Sweden
- Center for Clinical Research Sormland Eskilstuna Sweden
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5
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Differentiation of stem cells from human deciduous and permanent teeth into spiral ganglion neuron-like cells. Arch Oral Biol 2018; 88:34-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Forsberg D, Thonabulsombat C, Jäderstad J, Jäderstad LM, Olivius P, Herlenius E. Functional Stem Cell Integration into Neural Networks Assessed by Organotypic Slice Cultures. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 42:2D.13.1-2D.13.30. [PMID: 28806855 DOI: 10.1002/cpsc.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Re-formation or preservation of functional, electrically active neural networks has been proffered as one of the goals of stem cell-mediated neural therapeutics. A primary issue for a cell therapy approach is the formation of functional contacts between the implanted cells and the host tissue. Therefore, it is of fundamental interest to establish protocols that allow us to delineate a detailed time course of grafted stem cell survival, migration, differentiation, integration, and functional interaction with the host. One option for in vitro studies is to examine the integration of exogenous stem cells into an existing active neural network in ex vivo organotypic cultures. Organotypic cultures leave the structural integrity essentially intact while still allowing the microenvironment to be carefully controlled. This allows detailed studies over time of cellular responses and cell-cell interactions, which are not readily performed in vivo. This unit describes procedures for using organotypic slice cultures as ex vivo model systems for studying neural stem cell and embryonic stem cell engraftment and communication with CNS host tissue. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Forsberg
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charoensri Thonabulsombat
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Section of Otorhinolaryngology, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Center for Hearing and Communication Research, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Johan Jäderstad
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda Maria Jäderstad
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Petri Olivius
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Section of Otorhinolaryngology, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Center for Hearing and Communication Research, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eric Herlenius
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Miller AP, Shah AS, Aperi BV, Kurpad SN, Stemper BD, Glavaski-Joksimovic A. Acute death of astrocytes in blast-exposed rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0173167. [PMID: 28264063 PMCID: PMC5338800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Blast traumatic brain injury (bTBI) affects civilians, soldiers, and veterans worldwide and presents significant health concerns. The mechanisms of neurodegeneration following bTBI remain elusive and current therapies are largely ineffective. It is important to better characterize blast-evoked cellular changes and underlying mechanisms in order to develop more effective therapies. In the present study, our group utilized rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHCs) as an in vitro system to model bTBI. OHCs were exposed to either 138 ± 22 kPa (low) or 273 ± 23 kPa (high) overpressures using an open-ended helium-driven shock tube, or were assigned to sham control group. At 2 hours (h) following injury, we have characterized the astrocytic response to a blast overpressure. Immunostaining against the astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) revealed acute shearing and morphological changes in astrocytes, including clasmatodendrosis. Moreover, overlap of GFAP immunostaining and propidium iodide (PI) indicated astrocytic death. Quantification of the number of dead astrocytes per counting area in the hippocampal cornu Ammonis 1 region (CA1), demonstrated a significant increase in dead astrocytes in the low- and high-blast, compared to sham control OHCs. However only a small number of GFAP-expressing astrocytes were co-labeled with the apoptotic marker Annexin V, suggesting necrosis as the primary type of cell death in the acute phase following blast exposure. Moreover, western blot analyses revealed calpain mediated breakdown of GFAP. The dextran exclusion additionally indicated membrane disruption as a potential mechanism of acute astrocytic death. Furthermore, although blast exposure did not evoke significant changes in glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) expression, loss of GLT-1-expressing astrocytes suggests dysregulation of glutamate uptake following injury. Our data illustrate the profound effect of blast overpressure on astrocytes in OHCs at 2 h following injury and suggest increased calpain activity and membrane disruption as potential underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna P. Miller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Alok S. Shah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Brandy V. Aperi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Shekar N. Kurpad
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Brian D. Stemper
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Aleksandra Glavaski-Joksimovic
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
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8
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Innervation of Cochlear Hair Cells by Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neurons In Vitro. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:1781202. [PMID: 26966437 PMCID: PMC4761396 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1781202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may serve as an autologous source of replacement neurons in the injured cochlea, if they can be successfully differentiated and reconnected with residual elements in the damaged auditory system. Here, we explored the potential of hiPSC-derived neurons to innervate early postnatal hair cells, using established in vitro assays. We compared two hiPSC lines against a well-characterized hESC line. After ten days' coculture in vitro, hiPSC-derived neural processes contacted inner and outer hair cells in whole cochlear explant cultures. Neural processes from hiPSC-derived neurons also made contact with hair cells in denervated sensory epithelia explants and expressed synapsin at these points of contact. Interestingly, hiPSC-derived neurons cocultured with hair cells at an early stage of differentiation formed synapses with a higher number of hair cells, compared to hiPSC-derived neurons cocultured at a later stage of differentiation. Notable differences in the innervation potentials of the hiPSC-derived neurons were also observed and variations existed between the hiPSC lines in their innervation efficiencies. Collectively, these data illustrate the promise of hiPSCs for auditory neuron replacement and highlight the need to develop methods to mitigate variabilities observed amongst hiPSC lines, in order to achieve reliable clinical improvements for patients.
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Rak K, Völker J, Jürgens L, Völker C, Frenz S, Scherzad A, Schendzielorz P, Jablonka S, Mlynski R, Radeloff A, Hagen R. Cochlear nucleus whole mount explants promote the differentiation of neuronal stem cells from the cochlear nucleus in co-culture experiments. Brain Res 2015; 1616:58-70. [PMID: 25960344 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.04.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Revised: 04/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The cochlear nucleus is the first brainstem nucleus to receive sensory input from the cochlea. Depriving this nucleus of auditory input leads to cellular and molecular disorganization which may potentially be counteracted by the activation or application of stem cells. Neuronal stem cells (NSCs) have recently been identified in the neonatal cochlear nucleus and a persistent neurogenic niche was demonstrated in this brainstem nucleus until adulthood. The present work investigates whether the neurogenic environment of the cochlear nucleus can promote the survival of engrafted NSCs and whether cochlear nucleus-derived NSCs can differentiate into neurons and glia in brain tissue. Therefore, cochlear nucleus whole-mount explants were co-cultured with NSCs extracted from either the cochlear nucleus or the hippocampus and compared to a second environment using whole-mount explants from the hippocampus. Factors that are known to induce neuronal differentiation were also investigated in these NSC-explant experiments. NSCs derived from the cochlear nucleus engrafted in the brain tissue and differentiated into all cells of the neuronal lineage. Hippocampal NSCs also immigrated in cochlear nucleus explants and differentiated into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Laminin expression was up-regulated in the cochlear nucleus whole-mounts and regulated the in vitro differentiation of NSCs from the cochlear nucleus. These experiments confirm a neurogenic environment in the cochlear nucleus and the capacity of cochlear nucleus-derived NSCs to differentiate into neurons and glia. Consequently, the presented results provide a first step for the possible application of stem cells to repair the disorganization of the cochlear nucleus, which occurs after hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Rak
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery and the Comprehensive Hearing Center, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - Johannes Völker
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery and the Comprehensive Hearing Center, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Jürgens
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery and the Comprehensive Hearing Center, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Christine Völker
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery and the Comprehensive Hearing Center, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Silke Frenz
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery and the Comprehensive Hearing Center, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Agmal Scherzad
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery and the Comprehensive Hearing Center, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Schendzielorz
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery and the Comprehensive Hearing Center, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Sibylle Jablonka
- Institute for Clinical Neurobiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Robert Mlynski
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery "Otto Körner", Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Andreas Radeloff
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery and the Comprehensive Hearing Center, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Rudolf Hagen
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery and the Comprehensive Hearing Center, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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Miller AP, Shah AS, Aperi BV, Budde MD, Pintar FA, Tarima S, Kurpad SN, Stemper BD, Glavaski-Joksimovic A. Effects of blast overpressure on neurons and glial cells in rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. Front Neurol 2015; 6:20. [PMID: 25729377 PMCID: PMC4325926 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to recent involvement in military conflicts, and an increase in the use of explosives, there has been an escalation in the incidence of blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) among US military personnel. Having a better understanding of the cellular and molecular cascade of events in bTBI is prerequisite for the development of an effective therapy that currently is unavailable. The present study utilized organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHCs) exposed to blast overpressures of 150 kPa (low) and 280 kPa (high) as an in vitro bTBI model. Using this model, we further characterized the cellular effects of the blast injury. Blast-evoked cell death was visualized by a propidium iodide (PI) uptake assay as early as 2 h post-injury. Quantification of PI staining in the cornu Ammonis 1 and 3 (CA1 and CA3) and the dentate gyrus regions of the hippocampus at 2, 24, 48, and 72 h following blast exposure revealed significant time dependent effects. OHCs exposed to 150 kPa demonstrated a slow increase in cell death plateauing between 24 and 48 h, while OHCs from the high-blast group exhibited a rapid increase in cell death already at 2 h, peaking at ~24 h post-injury. Measurements of lactate dehydrogenase release into the culture medium also revealed a significant increase in cell lysis in both low- and high-blast groups compared to sham controls. OHCs were fixed at 72 h post-injury and immunostained for markers against neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. Labeling OHCs with PI, neuronal, and glial markers revealed that the blast-evoked extensive neuronal death and to a lesser extent loss of glial cells. Furthermore, our data demonstrated activation of astrocytes and microglial cells in low- and high-blasted OHCs, which reached a statistically significant difference in the high-blast group. These data confirmed that our in vitro bTBI model is a useful tool for studying cellular and molecular changes after blast exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna P Miller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Milwaukee, WI , USA
| | - Alok S Shah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Milwaukee, WI , USA
| | - Brandy V Aperi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Milwaukee, WI , USA
| | - Matthew D Budde
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Milwaukee, WI , USA
| | - Frank A Pintar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Milwaukee, WI , USA
| | - Sergey Tarima
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute for Health and Society, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA
| | - Shekar N Kurpad
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Milwaukee, WI , USA
| | - Brian D Stemper
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Milwaukee, WI , USA
| | - Aleksandra Glavaski-Joksimovic
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA ; Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Milwaukee, WI , USA
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BDNF increases survival and neuronal differentiation of human neural precursor cells cotransplanted with a nanofiber gel to the auditory nerve in a rat model of neuronal damage. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:356415. [PMID: 25243135 PMCID: PMC4160623 DOI: 10.1155/2014/356415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Revised: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. To study possible nerve regeneration of a damaged auditory nerve by the use of stem cell transplantation. Methods. We transplanted HNPCs to the rat AN trunk by the internal auditory meatus (IAM). Furthermore, we studied if addition of BDNF affects survival and phenotypic differentiation of the grafted HNPCs. A bioactive nanofiber gel (PA gel), in selected groups mixed with BDNF, was applied close to the implanted cells. Before transplantation, all rats had been deafened by a round window niche application of β-bungarotoxin. This neurotoxin causes a selective toxic destruction of the AN while keeping the hair cells intact. Results. Overall, HNPCs survived well for up to six weeks in all groups. However, transplants receiving the BDNF-containing PA gel demonstrated significantly higher numbers of HNPCs and neuronal differentiation. At six weeks, a majority of the HNPCs had migrated into the brain stem and differentiated. Differentiated human cells as well as neurites were observed in the vicinity of the cochlear nucleus. Conclusion. Our results indicate that human neural precursor cells (HNPC) integration with host tissue benefits from additional brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) treatment and that these cells appear to be good candidates for further regenerative studies on the auditory nerve (AN).
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Kaiser A, Kale A, Novozhilova E, Siratirakun P, Aquino JB, Thonabulsombat C, Ernfors P, Olivius P. Brain stem slice conditioned medium contains endogenous BDNF and GDNF that affect neural crest boundary cap cells in co-culture. Brain Res 2014; 1566:12-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2013] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Herlenius E, Thonabulsombat C, Forsberg D, Jäderstad J, Jäderstad LM, Björk L, Olivius P. Functional stem cell integration assessed by organotypic slice cultures. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; Chapter 2:Unit 2D.13. [PMID: 23154935 DOI: 10.1002/9780470151808.sc02d13s23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Re-formation or preservation of functional, electrically active neural networks has been proffered as one of the goals of stem cell-mediated neural therapeutics. A primary issue for a cell therapy approach is the formation of functional contacts between the implanted cells and the host tissue. Therefore, it is of fundamental interest to establish protocols that allow us to delineate a detailed time course of grafted stem cell survival, migration, differentiation, integration, and functional interaction with the host. One option for in vitro studies is to examine the integration of exogenous stem cells into an existing active neuronal network in ex vivo organotypic cultures. Organotypic cultures leave the structural integrity essentially intact while still allowing the microenvironment to be carefully controlled. This allows detailed studies over time of cellular responses and cell-cell interactions, which are not readily performed in vivo. This unit describes procedures for using organotypic slice cultures as ex vivo model systems for studying neural stem cell and embryonic stem cell engraftment and communication with CNS host tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Herlenius
- Neonatal Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Novozhilova E, Olivius P, Siratirakun P, Lundberg C, Englund-Johansson U. Neuronal differentiation and extensive migration of human neural precursor cells following co-culture with rat auditory brainstem slices. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57301. [PMID: 23505423 PMCID: PMC3591396 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 01/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital or acquired hearing loss is often associated with a progressive degeneration of the auditory nerve (AN) in the inner ear. The AN is composed of processes and axons of the bipolar spiral ganglion neurons (SGN), forming the connection between the hair cells in the inner ear cochlea and the cochlear nuclei (CN) in the brainstem (BS). Therefore, replacement of SGNs for restoring the AN to improve hearing function in patients who receive a cochlear implantation or have severe AN malfunctions is an attractive idea. A human neural precursor cell (HNPC) is an appropriate donor cell to investigate, as it can be isolated and expanded in vitro with maintained potential to form neurons and glia. We recently developed a post-natal rodent in vitro auditory BS slice culture model including the CN and the central part of the AN for initial studies of candidate cells. Here we characterized the survival, distribution, phenotypic differentiation, and integration capacity of HNPCs into the auditory circuitry in vitro. HNPC aggregates (spheres) were deposited adjacent to or on top of the BS slices or as a monoculture (control). The results demonstrate that co-cultured HNPCs compared to monocultures (1) survive better, (2) distribute over a larger area, (3) to a larger extent and in a shorter time-frame form mature neuronal and glial phenotypes. HNPC showed the ability to extend neurites into host tissue. Our findings suggest that the HNPC-BS slice co-culture is appropriate for further investigations on the integration capacity of HNPCs into the auditory circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Novozhilova
- Division of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Hearing and Communication Research, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section of Otorhinolaryngology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Petri Olivius
- Department of ENT—Head and Neck Surgery, UHL, County Council of Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Hearing and Communication Research, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section of Otorhinolaryngology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Piyaporn Siratirakun
- Center for Hearing and Communication Research, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section of Otorhinolaryngology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Lundberg
- CNS Gene Therapy Unit, Dept. of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulrica Englund-Johansson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institution of Clinical Sciences in Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Needham K, Minter RL, Shepherd RK, Nayagam BA. Challenges for stem cells to functionally repair the damaged auditory nerve. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2013; 13:85-101. [PMID: 23094991 PMCID: PMC3543850 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2013.728583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the auditory system, a specialized subset of sensory neurons are responsible for correctly relaying precise pitch and temporal cues to the brain. In individuals with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing impairment these sensory auditory neurons can be directly stimulated by a cochlear implant, which restores sound input to the brainstem after the loss of hair cells. This neural prosthesis therefore depends on a residual population of functional neurons in order to function effectively. AREAS COVERED In severe cases of sensorineural hearing loss where the numbers of auditory neurons are significantly depleted, the benefits derived from a cochlear implant may be minimal. One way in which to restore function to the auditory nerve is to replace these lost neurons using differentiated stem cells, thus re-establishing the neural circuit required for cochlear implant function. Such a therapy relies on producing an appropriate population of electrophysiologically functional neurons from stem cells, and on these cells integrating and reconnecting in an appropriate manner in the deaf cochlea. EXPERT OPINION Here we review progress in the field to date, including some of the key functional features that stem cell-derived neurons would need to possess and how these might be enhanced using electrical stimulation from a cochlear implant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Needham
- University of Melbourne, Department of Otolaryngology, East Melbourne, Australia.
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Purcell EK, Yang A, Liu L, Velkey JM, Morales MM, Duncan RK. BDNF profoundly and specifically increases KCNQ4 expression in neurons derived from embryonic stem cells. Stem Cell Res 2012; 10:29-35. [PMID: 23089626 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2012.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2012] [Revised: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 08/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons resembling the spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) of the auditory nerve can be generated from embryonic stem cells through induced overexpression of the transcription factor Neurogenin-1 (Neurog1). While recapitulating this developmental pathway produces glutamatergic, bipolar neurons reminiscent of SGNs, these neurons are functionally immature, being characterized by a depolarized resting potential and limited excitability. We explored the effects of two neurotrophins known to be present in the inner ear, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), on the electrophysiology of neurons following Neurog1 induction. Our data reveal a significant reduction in resting membrane potential (RMP) following neurotrophin exposure, with BDNF producing a more robust effect than NT-3. This effect was accompanied by a profound and specific upregulation of the KCNQ4 subtype, where a 9-fold increase was observed with quantitative PCR. The other neuronally expressed KCNQ subtypes (2, 3, and 5) exhibited upregulation which was 3-fold or less in magnitude. Quantitative immunohistochemistry confirmed the increase in KCNQ4 expression at the protein level. The present data show a novel link between BDNF and KCNQ4 expression, yielding insight into the restricted expression pattern of a channel known to play special roles in setting the resting potential of auditory cells and in the etiology of progressive high-frequency hearing loss.
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Palmgren B, Jiao Y, Novozhilova E, Stupp SI, Olivius P. Survival, migration and differentiation of mouse tau-GFP embryonic stem cells transplanted into the rat auditory nerve. Exp Neurol 2012; 235:599-609. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Revised: 02/18/2012] [Accepted: 03/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Jiao Y, Novozhilova E, Karlén A, Muhr J, Olivius P. Olfactory ensheathing cells promote neurite outgrowth from co-cultured brain stem slice. Exp Neurol 2010; 229:65-71. [PMID: 20974131 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2010.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2010] [Revised: 09/19/2010] [Accepted: 10/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cell therapy aiming at the replacement of degenerated neurons is a very attractive approach. By using an established in vitro organotypic brain stem (BS) slice culture we screen for candidate donor cells, some of them being further functionally assessed in in vivo models of sensorineural hearing loss. Both in vitro and in vivo systems show that implanted cells face challenges of survival, targeted migration, differentiation and functional integration with the host tissue. Low success rates are possibly due to the lack of necessary neurotrophic factors, adhesion molecules and guiding cues. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) have been shown to express a number of neurotrophic factors and to promote axonal growth through cell to cell interactions. In the present study we co-cultured OECs with organotypic BS slice in order to see if OECs can serve as a facilitator when screening candidate donor cells in an organotypic culture setup. Here we show that OECs when co-cultured with the auditory BS slice not only promote neurite outgrowth from the cochlear nucleus (CN) region of the BS slice but also support cells by having BS slice axons growing along their processes. These findings further suggest that OECs may enhance survival and targeted migration of candidate donor cells suitable for cell therapy in vitro and in vivo. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Understanding olfactory ensheathing glia and their prospect for nervous system repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jiao
- Center for Hearing and Communication Research, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Goodson HV, Dzurisin JS, Wadsworth P. Methods for expressing and analyzing GFP-tubulin and GFP-microtubule-associated proteins. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2010; 2010:pdb.top85. [PMID: 20810643 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Important advances in our understanding of the organization and dynamics of the cytoskeleton have been made by direct observations of fluorescently tagged cytoskeletal proteins in living cells. In early experiments, the cytoskeletal protein of interest was purified, covalently modified with a fluorescent dye, and microinjected into living cells. In the mid-1990s, a powerful new technology arose: Researchers developed methods for expressing chimeric proteins consisting of the gene of interest fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP). This approach has become a standard method for characterizing protein localization and dynamics. More recently, a profusion of "XFP" (spectral variants of GFP) has been developed, allowing researchers straightforwardly to perform experiments ranging from simultaneous co-observation of protein dynamics to fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and subresolution techniques such as stimulated emission-depletion microscopy (STED) and photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM). In this article, the methods used to express and analyze GFP- and/or XFP-tagged tubulin and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) are discussed. Although some details may be system-specific, the methods and considerations outlined here can be adapted to a wide variety of proteins and organisms.
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