1
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Bellon A. Comparing stem cells, transdifferentiation and brain organoids as tools for psychiatric research. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:127. [PMID: 38418498 PMCID: PMC10901833 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02780-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The inaccessibility of neurons coming directly from patients has hindered our understanding of mental illnesses at the cellular level. To overcome this obstacle, six different cellular approaches that carry the genetic vulnerability to psychiatric disorders are currently available: Olfactory Neuroepithelial Cells, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Pluripotent Monocytes, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, Induced Neuronal cells and more recently Brain Organoids. Here we contrast advantages and disadvantages of each of these six cell-based methodologies. Neuronal-like cells derived from pluripotent monocytes are presented in more detail as this technique was recently used in psychiatry for the first time. Among the parameters used for comparison are; accessibility, need for reprograming, time to deliver differentiated cells, differentiation efficiency, reproducibility of results and cost. We provide a timeline on the discovery of these cell-based methodologies, but, our main goal is to assist researchers selecting which cellular approach is best suited for any given project. This manuscript also aims to help readers better interpret results from the published literature. With this goal in mind, we end our work with a discussion about the differences and similarities between cell-based techniques and postmortem research, the only currently available tools that allow the study of mental illness in neurons or neuronal-like cells coming directly from patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Bellon
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Hershey, PA, USA.
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology, Hershey, PA, USA.
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2
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Malachowski T, Chandradoss KR, Boya R, Zhou L, Cook AL, Su C, Pham K, Haws SA, Kim JH, Ryu HS, Ge C, Luppino JM, Nguyen SC, Titus KR, Gong W, Wallace O, Joyce EF, Wu H, Rojas LA, Phillips-Cremins JE. Spatially coordinated heterochromatinization of long synaptic genes in fragile X syndrome. Cell 2023; 186:5840-5858.e36. [PMID: 38134876 PMCID: PMC10794044 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Short tandem repeat (STR) instability causes transcriptional silencing in several repeat expansion disorders. In fragile X syndrome (FXS), mutation-length expansion of a CGG STR represses FMR1 via local DNA methylation. Here, we find megabase-scale H3K9me3 domains on autosomes and encompassing FMR1 on the X chromosome in FXS patient-derived iPSCs, iPSC-derived neural progenitors, EBV-transformed lymphoblasts, and brain tissue with mutation-length CGG expansion. H3K9me3 domains connect via inter-chromosomal interactions and demarcate severe misfolding of TADs and loops. They harbor long synaptic genes replicating at the end of S phase, replication-stress-induced double-strand breaks, and STRs prone to stepwise somatic instability. CRISPR engineering of the mutation-length CGG to premutation length reverses H3K9me3 on the X chromosome and multiple autosomes, refolds TADs, and restores gene expression. H3K9me3 domains can also arise in normal-length iPSCs created with perturbations linked to genome instability, suggesting their relevance beyond FXS. Our results reveal Mb-scale heterochromatinization and trans interactions among loci susceptible to instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Malachowski
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Keerthivasan Raanin Chandradoss
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ravi Boya
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Linda Zhou
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ashley L Cook
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chuanbin Su
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kenneth Pham
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Spencer A Haws
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ji Hun Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Han-Seul Ryu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chunmin Ge
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer M Luppino
- Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Son C Nguyen
- Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katelyn R Titus
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wanfeng Gong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Owen Wallace
- Fulcrum Therapeutics Incorporated, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Eric F Joyce
- Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hao Wu
- Fulcrum Therapeutics Incorporated, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Jennifer E Phillips-Cremins
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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3
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Li Y, Zeng PM, Wu J, Luo ZG. Advances and Applications of Brain Organoids. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1703-1716. [PMID: 37222855 PMCID: PMC10603019 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01065-2] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the fundamental processes of human brain development and diseases is of great importance for our health. However, existing research models such as non-human primate and mouse models remain limited due to their developmental discrepancies compared with humans. Over the past years, an emerging model, the "brain organoid" integrated from human pluripotent stem cells, has been developed to mimic developmental processes of the human brain and disease-associated phenotypes to some extent, making it possible to better understand the complex structures and functions of the human brain. In this review, we summarize recent advances in brain organoid technologies and their applications in brain development and diseases, including neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, psychiatric diseases, and brain tumors. Finally, we also discuss current limitations and the potential of brain organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Peng-Ming Zeng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Jian Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Zhen-Ge Luo
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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Edwards N, Combrinck C, McCaughey-Chapman A, Connor B. Directly reprogrammed fragile X syndrome dorsal forebrain precursor cells generate cortical neurons exhibiting impaired neuronal maturation. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1254412. [PMID: 37810261 PMCID: PMC10552551 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1254412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The neurodevelopmental disorder fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common monogenic cause of intellectual disability associated with autism spectrum disorder. Inaccessibility to developing human brain cells is a major barrier to studying FXS. Direct-to-neural precursor reprogramming provides a unique platform to investigate the developmental profile of FXS-associated phenotypes throughout neural precursor and neuron generation, at a temporal resolution not afforded by post-mortem tissue and in a patient-specific context not represented in rodent models. Direct reprogramming also circumvents the protracted culture times and low efficiency of current induced pluripotent stem cell strategies. Methods We have developed a chemically modified mRNA (cmRNA) -based direct reprogramming protocol to generate dorsal forebrain precursors (hiDFPs) from FXS patient-derived fibroblasts, with subsequent differentiation to glutamatergic cortical neurons and astrocytes. Results We observed differential expression of mature neuronal markers suggesting impaired neuronal development and maturation in FXS- hiDFP-derived neurons compared to controls. FXS- hiDFP-derived cortical neurons exhibited dendritic growth and arborization deficits characterized by reduced neurite length and branching consistent with impaired neuronal maturation. Furthermore, FXS- hiDFP-derived neurons exhibited a significant decrease in the density of pre- and post- synaptic proteins and reduced glutamate-induced calcium activity, suggesting impaired excitatory synapse development and functional maturation. We also observed a reduced yield of FXS- hiDFP-derived neurons with a significant increase in FXS-affected astrocytes. Discussion This study represents the first reported derivation of FXS-affected cortical neurons following direct reprogramming of patient fibroblasts to dorsal forebrain precursors and subsequently neurons that recapitulate the key molecular hallmarks of FXS as it occurs in human tissue. We propose that direct to hiDFP reprogramming provides a unique platform for further study into the pathogenesis of FXS as well as the identification and screening of new drug targets for the treatment of FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bronwen Connor
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Salmanzadeh H, Poojari A, Rabiee A, Zeitlin BD, Halliwell RF. Neuropharmacology of human TERA2.cl.SP12 stem cell-derived neurons in ultra-long-term culture for antiseizure drug discovery. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1182720. [PMID: 37397467 PMCID: PMC10308080 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1182720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Modeling the complex and prolonged development of the mammalian central nervous system in vitro remains a profound challenge. Most studies of human stem cell derived neurons are conducted over days to weeks and may or may not include glia. Here we have utilized a single human pluripotent stem cell line, TERA2.cl.SP12 to derive both neurons and glial cells and determined their differentiation and functional maturation over 1 year in culture together with their ability to display epileptiform activity in response to pro-convulsant agents and to detect antiseizure drug actions. Our experiments show that these human stem cells differentiate in vitro into mature neurons and glia cells and form inhibitory and excitatory synapses and integrated neural circuits over 6-8 months, paralleling early human neurogenesis in vivo; these neuroglia cultures display complex electrochemical signaling including high frequency trains of action potentials from single neurons, neural network bursts and highly synchronized, rhythmical firing patterns. Neural activity in our 2D neuron-glia circuits is modulated by a variety of voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channel acting drugs and these actions were consistent in both young and highly mature neuron cultures. We also show for the first time that spontaneous and epileptiform activity is modulated by first, second and third generation antiseizure agents consistent with animal and human studies. Together, our observations strongly support the value of long-term human stem cell-derived neuroglial cultures in disease modeling and neuropsychiatric drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Salmanzadeh
- Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, United States
| | - Ankita Poojari
- Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, United States
| | - Atefeh Rabiee
- Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin D. Zeitlin
- Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Robert F. Halliwell
- Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, United States
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6
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Ren B, Burkovetskaya M, Jung Y, Bergdolt L, Totusek S, Martinez-Cerdeno V, Stauch K, Korade Z, Dunaevsky A. Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism, aberrant excitability and altered cell cycle of astrocytes in fragile X syndrome. Glia 2023; 71:1176-1196. [PMID: 36594399 PMCID: PMC10023374 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most prevalent heritable form of intellectual disability, is caused by the transcriptional silencing of the FMR1 gene. While neuronal contribution to FXS has been extensively studied in both animal and human-based models of FXS, the roles of astrocytes, a type of glial cells in the brain, are largely unknown. Here, we generated a human-based FXS model via differentiation of astrocytes from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and characterized their development, function, and proteomic profiles. We identified shortened cell cycle, enhanced Ca2+ signaling, impaired sterol biosynthesis, and pervasive alterations in the proteome of FXS astrocytes. Our work identified astrocytic impairments that could contribute to the pathogenesis of FXS and highlight astrocytes as a novel therapeutic target for FXS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiyan Ren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Maria Burkovetskaya
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Yoosun Jung
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Lara Bergdolt
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Steven Totusek
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, MIND Institute, and Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at UC Davis School of Medicine, and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Kelly Stauch
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Zeljka Korade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, CHRI, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Anna Dunaevsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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Zhu W, Xu L, Li X, Hu H, Lou S, Liu Y. iPSCs-Derived Neurons and Brain Organoids from Patients. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023; 281:59-81. [PMID: 37306818 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_657] [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] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be differentiated into specific neurons and brain organoids by adding induction factors and small molecules in vitro, which carry human genetic information and recapitulate the development process of human brain as well as physiological, pathological, and pharmacological characteristics. Hence, iPSC-derived neurons and organoids hold great promise for studying human brain development and related nervous system diseases in vitro, and provide a platform for drug screening. In this chapter, we summarize the development of the differentiation techniques for neurons and brain organoids from iPSCs, and their applications in studying brain disease, drug screening, and transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanying Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinrui Li
- School of Pharmacy, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuning Lou
- School of Pharmacy, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Caballero M, Ge T, Rebelo AR, Seo S, Kim S, Brooks K, Zuccaro M, Kanagaraj R, Vershkov D, Kim D, Smogorzewska A, Smolka M, Benvenisty N, West SC, Egli D, Mace EM, Koren A. Comprehensive analysis of DNA replication timing across 184 cell lines suggests a role for MCM10 in replication timing regulation. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:2899-2917. [PMID: 35394024 PMCID: PMC9433724 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular proliferation depends on the accurate and timely replication of the genome. Several genetic diseases are caused by mutations in key DNA replication genes; however, it remains unclear whether these genes influence the normal program of DNA replication timing. Similarly, the factors that regulate DNA replication dynamics are poorly understood. To systematically identify trans-acting modulators of replication timing, we profiled replication in 184 cell lines from three cell types, encompassing 60 different gene knockouts or genetic diseases. Through a rigorous approach that considers the background variability of replication timing, we concluded that most samples displayed normal replication timing. However, mutations in two genes showed consistently abnormal replication timing. The first gene was RIF1, a known modulator of replication timing. The second was MCM10, a highly conserved member of the pre-replication complex. Cells from a single patient carrying MCM10 mutations demonstrated replication timing variability comprising 46% of the genome and at different locations than RIF1 knockouts. Replication timing alterations in the mutated MCM10 cells were predominantly comprised of replication delays and initiation site gains and losses. Taken together, this study demonstrates the remarkable robustness of the human replication timing program and reveals MCM10 as a novel candidate modulator of DNA replication timing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison Caballero
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Tiffany Ge
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ana Rita Rebelo
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Seungmae Seo
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sean Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Kayla Brooks
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Michael Zuccaro
- Department of Pediatrics and Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Columbia University Stem Cell Initiative, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Dan Vershkov
- The Azrieli Center for Stem Cells and Genetic Research, Department of Genetics, Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Dongsung Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Agata Smogorzewska
- Laboratory of Genome Maintenance, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marcus Smolka
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Nissim Benvenisty
- The Azrieli Center for Stem Cells and Genetic Research, Department of Genetics, Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | | | - Dieter Egli
- Department of Pediatrics and Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Columbia University Stem Cell Initiative, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Emily M Mace
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Amnon Koren
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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9
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Kuznitsov-Yanovsky L, Shapira G, Gildin L, Shomron N, Ben-Yosef D. Transcriptomic Analysis of Human Fragile X Syndrome Neurons Reveals Neurite Outgrowth Modulation by the TGFβ/BMP Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169278. [PMID: 36012539 PMCID: PMC9409179 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the main genetic reason for intellectual disability and is caused by the silencing of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an RNA-binding protein regulating the translation of many neuronal mRNAs. Neural differentiation of FX human embryonic stem cells (hESC) mimics the neurodevelopment of FXS fetuses and thus serves as a good model to explore the mechanisms underlining the development of FXS. Isogenic hESC clones with and without the FX mutation that share the same genetic background were in vitro differentiated into neurons, and their transcriptome was analyzed by RNA sequencing. FX neurons inactivating FMR1 expression presented delayed neuronal development and maturation, concomitant with dysregulation of the TGFβ/BMP signaling pathway, and genes related to the extracellular matrix. Migration assay showed decreased neurite outgrowth in FX neurons that was rescued by inhibition of the TGFβ/BMP signaling pathway. Our results provide new insights into the molecular pathway by which loss of FMRP affects neuronal network development. In FX neurons, the lack of FMRP dysregulates members of the BMP signaling pathway associated with ECM organization which, in a yet unknown mechanism, reduces the guidance of axonal growth cones, probably leading to the aberrant neuronal network function seen in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liron Kuznitsov-Yanovsky
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Guy Shapira
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Lital Gildin
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Correspondence:
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10
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Lee A, Xu J, Wen Z, Jin P. Across Dimensions: Developing 2D and 3D Human iPSC-Based Models of Fragile X Syndrome. Cells 2022; 11:1725. [PMID: 35681419 PMCID: PMC9179297 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. FXS is caused by a cytosine-guanine-guanine (CGG) trinucleotide repeat expansion in the untranslated region of the FMR1 gene leading to the functional loss of the gene's protein product FMRP. Various animal models of FXS have provided substantial knowledge about the disorder. However, critical limitations exist in replicating the pathophysiological mechanisms. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a unique means of studying the features and processes of both normal and abnormal human neurodevelopment in large sample quantities in a controlled setting. Human iPSC-based models of FXS have offered a better understanding of FXS pathophysiology specific to humans. This review summarizes studies that have used hiPSC-based two-dimensional cellular models of FXS to reproduce the pathology, examine altered gene expression and translation, determine the functions and targets of FMRP, characterize the neurodevelopmental phenotypes and electrophysiological features, and, finally, to reactivate FMR1. We also provide an overview of the most recent studies using three-dimensional human brain organoids of FXS and end with a discussion of current limitations and future directions for FXS research using hiPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azalea Lee
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- MD/PhD Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jie Xu
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Zhexing Wen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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11
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Pollara L, Sottile V, Valente EM. Patient-derived cellular models of primary ciliopathies. J Med Genet 2022; 59:517-527. [DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2021-108315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Primary ciliopathies are rare inherited disorders caused by structural or functional defects in the primary cilium, a subcellular organelle present on the surface of most cells. Primary ciliopathies show considerable clinical and genetic heterogeneity, with disruption of over 100 genes causing the variable involvement of several organs, including the central nervous system, kidneys, retina, skeleton and liver. Pathogenic variants in one and the same gene may associate with a wide range of ciliopathy phenotypes, supporting the hypothesis that the individual genetic background, with potential additional variants in other ciliary genes, may contribute to a mutational load eventually determining the phenotypic manifestations of each patient. Functional studies in animal models have uncovered some of the pathophysiological mechanisms linking ciliary gene mutations to the observed phenotypes; yet, the lack of reliable human cell models has previously limited preclinical research and the development of new therapeutic strategies for primary ciliopathies. Recent technical advances in the generation of patient-derived two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cellular models give a new spur to this research, allowing the study of pathomechanisms while maintaining the complexity of the genetic background of each patient, and enabling the development of innovative treatments to target specific pathways. This review provides an overview of available models for primary ciliopathies, from existing in vivo models to more recent patient-derived 2D and 3D in vitro models. We highlight the advantages of each model in understanding the functional basis of primary ciliopathies and facilitating novel regenerative medicine, gene therapy and drug testing strategies for these disorders.
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Impaired Functional Connectivity Underlies Fragile X Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042048. [PMID: 35216162 PMCID: PMC8878121 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common form of inherited intellectual disability, is caused by a developmentally regulated silencing of the FMR1 gene, but its effect on human neuronal network development and function is not fully understood. Here, we isolated isogenic human embryonic stem cell (hESC) subclones—one with a full FX mutation and one that is free of the mutation (control) but shares the same genetic background—differentiated them into induced neurons (iNs) by forced expression of NEUROG-1, and compared the functional properties of the derived neuronal networks. High-throughput image analysis demonstrates that FX-iNs have significantly smaller cell bodies and reduced arborizations than the control. Both FX- and control-neurons can discharge repetitive action potentials, and FX neuronal networks are also able to generate spontaneous excitatory synaptic currents with slight differences from the control, demonstrating that iNs generate more mature neuronal networks than the previously used protocols. MEA analysis demonstrated that FX networks are hyperexcitable with significantly higher spontaneous burst-firing activity compared to the control. Most importantly, cross-correlation analysis enabled quantification of network connectivity to demonstrate that the FX neuronal networks are significantly less synchronous than the control, which can explain the origin of the development of intellectual dysfunction associated with FXS.
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Hunt JFV, Li M, Risgaard R, Ananiev GE, Wildman S, Zhang F, Bugni TS, Zhao X, Bhattacharyya A. High Throughput Small Molecule Screen for Reactivation of FMR1 in Fragile X Syndrome Human Neural Cells. Cells 2021; 11:cells11010069. [PMID: 35011630 PMCID: PMC8750025 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited cause of autism and intellectual disability. The majority of FXS cases are caused by transcriptional repression of the FMR1 gene due to epigenetic changes that are not recapitulated in current animal disease models. FXS patient induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived gene edited reporter cell lines enable novel strategies to discover reactivators of FMR1 expression in human cells on a much larger scale than previously possible. Here, we describe the workflow using FXS iPSC-derived neural cell lines to conduct a massive, unbiased screen for small molecule activators of the FMR1 gene. The proof-of-principle methodology demonstrates the utility of human stem-cell-based methodology for the untargeted discovery of reactivators of the human FMR1 gene that can be applied to other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack F. V. Hunt
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (J.F.V.H.); (M.L.); (R.R.)
| | - Meng Li
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (J.F.V.H.); (M.L.); (R.R.)
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Ryan Risgaard
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (J.F.V.H.); (M.L.); (R.R.)
| | - Gene E. Ananiev
- Carbone Cancer Center Drug Discovery Core, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (G.E.A.); (S.W.)
| | - Scott Wildman
- Carbone Cancer Center Drug Discovery Core, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (G.E.A.); (S.W.)
| | - Fan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (F.Z.); (T.S.B.)
| | - Tim S. Bugni
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (F.Z.); (T.S.B.)
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (J.F.V.H.); (M.L.); (R.R.)
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (A.B.); Tel.: +1-(608)-263-9906 (X.Z.); +1-(608)-265-6142 (A.B.)
| | - Anita Bhattacharyya
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (J.F.V.H.); (M.L.); (R.R.)
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (A.B.); Tel.: +1-(608)-263-9906 (X.Z.); +1-(608)-265-6142 (A.B.)
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Optimization of Neurite Tracing and Further Characterization of Human Monocyte-Derived-Neuronal-like Cells. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11111372. [PMID: 34827371 PMCID: PMC8615477 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficits in neuronal structure are consistently associated with neurodevelopmental illnesses such as autism and schizophrenia. Nonetheless, the inability to access neurons from clinical patients has limited the study of early neurostructural changes directly in patients’ cells. This obstacle has been circumvented by differentiating stem cells into neurons, although the most used methodologies are time consuming. Therefore, we recently developed a relatively rapid (~20 days) protocol for transdifferentiating human circulating monocytes into neuronal-like cells. These monocyte-derived-neuronal-like cells (MDNCs) express several genes and proteins considered neuronal markers, such as MAP-2 and PSD-95. In addition, these cells conduct electrical activity. We have also previously shown that the structure of MDNCs is comparable with that of human developing neurons (HDNs) after 5 days in culture. Moreover, the neurostructure of MDNCs responds similarly to that of HDNs when exposed to colchicine and dopamine. In this manuscript, we expanded our characterization of MDNCs to include the expression of 12 neuronal genes, including tau. Following, we compared three different tracing approaches (two semi-automated and one automated) that enable tracing using photographs of live cells. This comparison is imperative for determining which neurite tracing method is more efficient in extracting neurostructural data from MDNCs and thus allowing researchers to take advantage of the faster yield provided by these neuronal-like cells. Surprisingly, it was one of the semi-automated methods that was the fastest, consisting of tracing only the longest primary and the longest secondary neurite. This tracing technique also detected more structural deficits. The only automated method tested, Volocity, detected MDNCs but failed to trace the entire neuritic length. Other advantages and disadvantages of the three tracing approaches are also presented and discussed.
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15
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De Serres-Bérard T, Pierre M, Chahine M, Puymirat J. Deciphering the mechanisms underlying brain alterations and cognitive impairment in congenital myotonic dystrophy. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 160:105532. [PMID: 34655747 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic and heterogeneous disorder caused by the expansion of CTG repeats in the 3' UTR of the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) gene. There is a congenital form (CDM1) of the disease characterized by severe hypotonia, respiratory insufficiency as well as developmental delays and intellectual disabilities. CDM1 infants manifest important brain structure abnormalities present from birth while, in contrast, older patients with adult-onset DM1 often present neurodegenerative features and milder progressive cognitive deficits. Promising therapies targeting central molecular mechanisms contributing to the symptoms of adult-onset DM1 are currently in development, but their relevance for treating cognitive impairment in CDM1, which seems to be a partially distinct neurodevelopmental disorder, remain to be elucidated. Here, we provide an update on the clinical presentation of CDM1 and review recent in vitro and in vivo models that have provided meaningful insights on its consequences in development, with a particular focus on the brain. We discuss how enhanced toxic gain-of-function of the mutated DMPK transcripts with larger CUG repeats and the resulting dysregulation of RNA-binding proteins may affect the developing cortex in utero. Because the methylation of CpG islets flanking the trinucleotide repeats has emerged as a strong biomarker of CDM1, we highlight the need to investigate the tissue-specific impacts of these chromatin modifications in the brain. Finally, we outline promising potential therapeutic treatments for CDM1 and propose future in vitro and in vivo models with great potential to shed light on this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiéry De Serres-Bérard
- LOEX, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, Canada; CERVO Brain Research Center, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Marion Pierre
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Mohamed Chahine
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Quebec City, Canada; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada.
| | - Jack Puymirat
- LOEX, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, Canada; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
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De Los Angeles A, Fernando MB, Hall NAL, Brennand KJ, Harrison PJ, Maher BJ, Weinberger DR, Tunbridge EM. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Psychiatry: An Overview and Critical Perspective. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:362-372. [PMID: 34176589 PMCID: PMC8375580 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
A key challenge in psychiatry research is the development of high-fidelity model systems that can be experimentally manipulated to explore and test pathophysiological mechanisms of illness. In this respect, the emerging capacity to derive neural cells and circuits from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has generated significant excitement. This review aims to provide a critical appraisal of the potential for iPSCs in illuminating pathophysiological mechanisms in the context of other available technical approaches. We discuss the selection of iPSC phenotypes relevant to psychiatry, the information that researchers can draw on to help guide these decisions, and how researchers choose between the use of 2-dimensional cultures and the use of more complex 3-dimensional model systems. We discuss the strengths and limitations of current models and the challenges and opportunities that they present. Finally, we discuss the potential of iPSC-based model systems for clarifying the mechanisms underlying genetic risk for psychiatry and the steps that will be needed to ensure that robust and reliable conclusions can be drawn. We argue that while iPSC-based models are ideally placed to study fundamental processes occurring within and between neural cells, they are often less well suited for case-control studies, given issues relating to statistical power and the challenges in identifying which cellular phenotypes are meaningful at the level of the whole individual. Our aim is to highlight the importance of considering the hypotheses of a given study to guide decisions about which, if any, iPSC-based system is most appropriate to address it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro De Los Angeles
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michael B Fernando
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Nicola A L Hall
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Paul J Harrison
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Brady J Maher
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniel R Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth M Tunbridge
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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17
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Nobile V, Pucci C, Chiurazzi P, Neri G, Tabolacci E. DNA Methylation, Mechanisms of FMR1 Inactivation and Therapeutic Perspectives for Fragile X Syndrome. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020296. [PMID: 33669384 PMCID: PMC7920310 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the inherited causes of intellectual disability and autism, Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most frequent form, for which there is currently no cure. In most FXS patients, the FMR1 gene is epigenetically inactivated following the expansion over 200 triplets of a CGG repeat (FM: full mutation). FMR1 encodes the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP), which binds several mRNAs, mainly in the brain. When the FM becomes methylated at 10-12 weeks of gestation, the FMR1 gene is transcriptionally silent. The molecular mechanisms involved in the epigenetic silencing are not fully elucidated. Among FXS families, there is a rare occurrence of males carrying a FM, which remains active because it is not methylated, thus ensuring enough FMRPs to allow for an intellectual development within normal range. Which mechanisms are responsible for sparing these individuals from being affected by FXS? In order to answer this critical question, which may have possible implications for FXS therapy, several potential epigenetic mechanisms have been described. Here, we focus on current knowledge about the role of DNA methylation and other epigenetic modifications in FMR1 gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Nobile
- Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (V.N.); (C.P.); (P.C.); (G.N.)
| | - Cecilia Pucci
- Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (V.N.); (C.P.); (P.C.); (G.N.)
| | - Pietro Chiurazzi
- Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (V.N.); (C.P.); (P.C.); (G.N.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Genetica Medica, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Neri
- Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (V.N.); (C.P.); (P.C.); (G.N.)
- Greenwood Genetic Center, JC Self Research Institute, Greenwood, SC 29646, USA
| | - Elisabetta Tabolacci
- Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (V.N.); (C.P.); (P.C.); (G.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-30154606
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18
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Fell CW, Nagy V. Cellular Models and High-Throughput Screening for Genetic Causality of Intellectual Disability. Trends Mol Med 2021; 27:220-230. [PMID: 33397633 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Intellectual disabilities (ID) are a type of neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD). They can have a genetic cause, including an emerging class of ID centring around Rho GTPases, such as Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1). Guidelines for establishing genetic causality include the use of cellular models, which often have morphological aberrations, a long-standing hallmark of ID. Disease cellular models can facilitate high-throughput screening (HTS) of chemical or genetic perturbations, which can provide translatable biological insight. Here, we discuss a class of IDs centring around RAC1. We review novel and established cellular models of ID, including mouse and human primary cells and reprogrammed or induced neurons. Finally, we review progress and remaining challenges in the adoption of HTS methodologies by the community studying neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Fell
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases (LBI-RUD), 1090 Vienna, Austria; Research Centre for Molecular Medicine (CeMM) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna (MUW), 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Vanja Nagy
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases (LBI-RUD), 1090 Vienna, Austria; Research Centre for Molecular Medicine (CeMM) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna (MUW), 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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19
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Sabitha KR, Shetty AK, Upadhya D. Patient-derived iPSC modeling of rare neurodevelopmental disorders: Molecular pathophysiology and prospective therapies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 121:201-219. [PMID: 33370574 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The pathological alterations that manifest during the early embryonic development due to inherited and acquired factors trigger various neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Besides major NDDs, there are several rare NDDs, exhibiting specific characteristics and varying levels of severity triggered due to genetic and epigenetic anomalies. The rarity of subjects, paucity of neural tissues for detailed analysis, and the unavailability of disease-specific animal models have hampered detailed comprehension of rare NDDs, imposing heightened challenge to the medical and scientific community until a decade ago. The generation of functional neurons and glia through directed differentiation protocols for patient-derived iPSCs, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and 3D brain organoid models have provided an excellent opportunity and vibrant resource for decoding the etiology of brain development for rare NDDs caused due to monogenic as well as polygenic disorders. The present review identifies cellular and molecular phenotypes demonstrated from patient-derived iPSCs and possible therapeutic opportunities identified for these disorders. New insights to reinforce the existing knowledge of the pathophysiology of these disorders and prospective therapeutic applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- K R Sabitha
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Ashok K Shetty
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - Dinesh Upadhya
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India.
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Nakayama Y, Adachi K, Shioda N, Maeta S, Nanba E, Kugoh H. Establishment of FXS-A9 panel with a single human X chromosome from fragile X syndrome-associated individual. Exp Cell Res 2020; 398:112419. [PMID: 33296661 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112419] [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] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inheritable form of intellectual disability. FMR1, the gene responsible for FXS, is located on human chromosome Xq27.3 and contains a stretch of CGG trinucleotide repeats in its 5' untranslated region. FXS is caused by CGG repeats that expand beyond 200, resulting in FMR1 silencing via promoter hypermethylation. The molecular mechanism underlying CGG repeat expansion, a fundamental cause of FXS, remains poorly understood, partly due to a lack of experimental systems. Accumulated evidence indicates that the large chromosomal region flanking a CGG repeat is critical for repeat dynamics. In the present study, we isolated and introduced whole human X chromosomes from healthy, FXS premutation carriers, or FXS patients who carried disease condition-associated CGG repeat lengths, into mouse A9 cells via microcell-mediated chromosome transfer. The CGG repeat length-associated methylation status and human FMR1 expression in these monochromosomal hybrid cells mimicked those in humans. Thus, this set of A9 cells containing CGG repeats from three different origins (FXS-A9 panel) may provide a valuable resource for investigating a series of genetic and epigenetic CGG repeat dynamics during FXS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Nakayama
- Division of Radioisotope Science, Research Initiative Center, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori, 683-8503, Japan
| | - Kaori Adachi
- Division of Genomic Science, Research Initiative Center, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori, 683-8503, Japan
| | - Nofirifumi Shioda
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Shoya Maeta
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Graduate School of Medical Science, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori, 683-8503, Japan
| | - Eiji Nanba
- Office for Research Strategy, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori, 683-8503, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kugoh
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Graduate School of Medical Science, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori, 683-8503, Japan; Chromosome Engineering Research Center, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori, 683-8503, Japan.
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21
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Roth JG, Muench KL, Asokan A, Mallett VM, Gai H, Verma Y, Weber S, Charlton C, Fowler JL, Loh KM, Dolmetsch RE, Palmer TD. 16p11.2 microdeletion imparts transcriptional alterations in human iPSC-derived models of early neural development. eLife 2020; 9:58178. [PMID: 33169669 PMCID: PMC7695459 DOI: 10.7554/elife.58178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microdeletions and microduplications of the 16p11.2 chromosomal locus are associated with syndromic neurodevelopmental disorders and reciprocal physiological conditions such as macro/microcephaly and high/low body mass index. To facilitate cellular and molecular investigations into these phenotypes, 65 clones of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) were generated from 13 individuals with 16p11.2 copy number variations (CNVs). To ensure these cell lines were suitable for downstream mechanistic investigations, a customizable bioinformatic strategy for the detection of random integration and expression of reprogramming vectors was developed and leveraged towards identifying a subset of ‘footprint’-free hiPSC clones. Transcriptomic profiling of cortical neural progenitor cells derived from these hiPSCs identified alterations in gene expression patterns which precede morphological abnormalities reported at later neurodevelopmental stages. Interpreting clinical information—available with the cell lines by request from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative—with this transcriptional data revealed disruptions in gene programs related to both nervous system function and cellular metabolism. As demonstrated by these analyses, this publicly available resource has the potential to serve as a powerful medium for probing the etiology of developmental disorders associated with 16p11.2 CNVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien G Roth
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Kristin L Muench
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Aditya Asokan
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Victoria M Mallett
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Hui Gai
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Yogendra Verma
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Stephen Weber
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Carol Charlton
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Jonas L Fowler
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Kyle M Loh
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Ricardo E Dolmetsch
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Theo D Palmer
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
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22
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Prem S, Millonig JH, DiCicco-Bloom E. Dysregulation of Neurite Outgrowth and Cell Migration in Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2020; 25:109-153. [PMID: 32578146 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-45493-7_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of study, elucidation of the underlying etiology of complex developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia (SCZ), intellectual disability (ID), and bipolar disorder (BPD) has been hampered by the inability to study human neurons, the heterogeneity of these disorders, and the relevance of animal model systems. Moreover, a majority of these developmental disorders have multifactorial or idiopathic (unknown) causes making them difficult to model using traditional methods of genetic alteration. Examination of the brains of individuals with ASD and other developmental disorders in both post-mortem and MRI studies shows defects that are suggestive of dysregulation of embryonic and early postnatal development. For ASD, more recent genetic studies have also suggested that risk genes largely converge upon the developing human cerebral cortex between weeks 8 and 24 in utero. Yet, an overwhelming majority of studies in autism rodent models have focused on postnatal development or adult synaptic transmission defects in autism related circuits. Thus, studies looking at early developmental processes such as proliferation, cell migration, and early differentiation, which are essential to build the brain, are largely lacking. Yet, interestingly, a few studies that did assess early neurodevelopment found that alterations in brain structure and function associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) begin as early as the initial formation and patterning of the neural tube. By the early to mid-2000s, the derivation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and later induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) allowed us to study living human neural cells in culture for the first time. Specifically, iPSCs gave us the unprecedented ability to study cells derived from individuals with idiopathic disorders. Studies indicate that iPSC-derived neural cells, whether precursors or "matured" neurons, largely resemble cortical cells of embryonic humans from weeks 8 to 24. Thus, these cells are an excellent model to study early human neurodevelopment, particularly in the context of genetically complex diseases. Indeed, since 2011, numerous studies have assessed developmental phenotypes in neurons derived from individuals with both genetic and idiopathic forms of ASD and other NDDs. However, while iPSC-derived neurons are fetal in nature, they are post-mitotic and thus cannot be used to study developmental processes that occur before terminal differentiation. Moreover, it is important to note that during the 8-24-week window of human neurodevelopment, neural precursor cells are actively undergoing proliferation, migration, and early differentiation to form the basic cytoarchitecture of the brain. Thus, by studying NPCs specifically, we could gain insight into how early neurodevelopmental processes contribute to the pathogenesis of NDDs. Indeed, a few studies have explored NPC phenotypes in NDDs and have uncovered dysregulations in cell proliferation. Yet, few studies have explored migration and early differentiation phenotypes of NPCs in NDDs. In this chapter, we will discuss cell migration and neurite outgrowth and the role of these processes in neurodevelopment and NDDs. We will begin by reviewing the processes that are important in early neurodevelopment and early cortical development. We will then delve into the roles of neurite outgrowth and cell migration in the formation of the brain and how errors in these processes affect brain development. We also provide review of a few key molecules that are involved in the regulation of neurite outgrowth and migration while discussing how dysregulations in these molecules can lead to abnormalities in brain structure and function thereby highlighting their contribution to pathogenesis of NDDs. Then we will discuss whether neurite outgrowth, migration, and the molecules that regulate these processes are associated with ASD. Lastly, we will review the utility of iPSCs in modeling NDDs and discuss future goals for the study of NDDs using this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smrithi Prem
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - James H Millonig
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology/Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
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23
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Turner TJ, Zourray C, Schorge S, Lignani G. Recent advances in gene therapy for neurodevelopmental disorders with epilepsy. J Neurochem 2020; 157:229-262. [PMID: 32880951 PMCID: PMC8436749 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders can be caused by mutations in neuronal genes fundamental to brain development. These disorders have severe symptoms ranging from intellectually disability, social and cognitive impairments, and a subset are strongly linked with epilepsy. In this review, we focus on those neurodevelopmental disorders that are frequently characterized by the presence of epilepsy (NDD + E). We loosely group the genes linked to NDD + E with different neuronal functions: transcriptional regulation, intrinsic excitability and synaptic transmission. All these genes have in common a pivotal role in defining the brain architecture and function during early development, and when their function is altered, symptoms can present in the first stages of human life. The relationship with epilepsy is complex. In some NDD + E, epilepsy is a comorbidity and in others seizures appear to be the main cause of the pathology, suggesting that either structural changes (NDD) or neuronal communication (E) can lead to these disorders. Furthermore, grouping the genes that cause NDD + E, we review the uses and limitations of current models of the different disorders, and how different gene therapy strategies are being developed to treat them. We highlight where gene replacement may not be a treatment option, and where innovative therapeutic tools, such as CRISPR‐based gene editing, and new avenues of delivery are required. In general this group of genetically defined disorders, supported increasing knowledge of the mechanisms leading to neurological dysfunction serve as an excellent collection for illustrating the translational potential of gene therapy, including newly emerging tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Turner
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Clara Zourray
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, London, UK
| | | | - Gabriele Lignani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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24
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Mishra A, Mohan KV, Nagarajan P, Iyer S, Kesarwani A, Nath M, Moksha L, Bhattacharjee J, Das B, Jain K, Sahu P, Sinha P, Velapandian T, Upadhyay P. Peripheral blood-derived monocytes show neuronal properties and integration in immune-deficient rd1 mouse model upon phenotypic differentiation and induction with retinal growth factors. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:412. [PMID: 32967734 PMCID: PMC7510317 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01925-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell therapy is one of the most promising therapeutic interventions for retinitis pigmentosa. In the current study, we aimed to assess if peripheral blood-derived monocytes which are highly abundant and accessible could be utilized as a potential candidate for phenotypic differentiation into neuron-like cells. METHODS The peripheral blood-derived monocytes were reconditioned phenotypically using extrinsic growth factors to induce pluripotency and proliferation. The reconditioned monocytes (RM) were further incubated with a cocktail of growth factors involved in retinal development and growth to induce retinal neuron-like properties. These cells, termed as retinal neuron-like cells (RNLCs) were characterized for their morphological, molecular and functional behaviour in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS The monocytes de-differentiated in vitro and acquired pluripotency with the expression of prominent stem cell markers. Treatment of RM with retinal growth factors led to an upregulation of neuronal and retinal lineage markers and downregulation of myeloid markers. These cells show morphological alterations resembling retinal neuron-like cells and expressed photoreceptor (PR) markers. The induced RNLCs also exhibited relative membrane potential change upon light exposure suggesting that they have gained some neuronal characteristics. Further studies showed that RNLCs could also integrate in an immune-deficient retinitis pigmentosa mouse model NOD.SCID-rd1 upon sub-retinal transplantation. The RNLCs engrafted in the inner nuclear layer (INL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) of the RP afflicted retina. Mice transplanted with RNLCs showed improvement in depth perception, exploratory behaviour and the optokinetic response. CONCLUSIONS This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that reconditioned monocytes can be induced to acquire retinal neuron-like properties through differentiation using a defined growth media and can be a potential candidate for cell therapy-based interventions and disease modelling for ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaknanda Mishra
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - K Varsha Mohan
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Perumal Nagarajan
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Srikanth Iyer
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Ashwani Kesarwani
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Madhu Nath
- Department of Ocular Pharmacology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Laxmi Moksha
- Department of Ocular Pharmacology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | | | - Barun Das
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Kshama Jain
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Parul Sahu
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Prakriti Sinha
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - T Velapandian
- Department of Ocular Pharmacology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Pramod Upadhyay
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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25
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Carter JL, Halmai JANM, Fink KD. The iNs and Outs of Direct Reprogramming to Induced Neurons. Front Genome Ed 2020; 2:7. [PMID: 34713216 PMCID: PMC8525349 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2020.00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding of cell-type specific transcription factors has promoted progress in methods for cellular reprogramming, such as directly reprogramming somatic cells to induced neurons (iN). Methods for direct reprogramming require neuronal-fate determining gene activation via neuron-specific microRNAs, chemical modulation of key neuronal signaling pathways or overexpression via viral vectors, with some reprogramming strategies requiring a combination of these methods to induce the neuronal-cell fate. These methods have been employed in a multitude of cell types, including fibroblasts, hepatocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear, and T cells. The ability to create iN from skin biopsies and blood samples coupled with recent advancements in artificially inducing age- and disease-associated phenotypes are accelerating the development of disease models for late-onset neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we review how activation of the neuronal transcriptome alters the epigenetic landscape of the donor cell to facilitate reprogramming to neurons. We also discuss the advantages of using DNA binding domains such as CRISPR/dCas9 to overcome epigenetic barriers to induce neuronal-cell fate by activating endogenous neuronal cell-fate determining genes.
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26
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Silva MC, Haggarty SJ. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived models and drug screening in CNS precision medicine. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1471:18-56. [PMID: 30875083 PMCID: PMC8193821 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Development of effective therapeutics for neurological disorders has historically been challenging partly because of lack of accurate model systems in which to investigate disease etiology and test new therapeutics at the preclinical stage. Human stem cells, particularly patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) upon differentiation, have the ability to recapitulate aspects of disease pathophysiology and are increasingly recognized as robust scalable systems for drug discovery. We review advances in deriving cellular models of human central nervous system (CNS) disorders using iPSCs along with strategies for investigating disease-relevant phenotypes, translatable biomarkers, and therapeutic targets. Given their potential to identify novel therapeutic targets and leads, we focus on phenotype-based, small-molecule screens employing human stem cell-derived models. Integrated efforts to assemble patient iPSC-derived cell models with deeply annotated clinicopathological data, along with molecular and drug-response signatures, may aid in the stratification of patients, diagnostics, and clinical trial success, shifting translational science and precision medicine approaches. A number of remaining challenges, including the optimization of cost-effective, large-scale culture of iPSC-derived cell types, incorporation of aging into neuronal models, as well as robustness and automation of phenotypic assays to support quantitative drug efficacy, toxicity, and metabolism testing workflows, are covered. Continued advancement of the field is expected to help fully humanize the process of CNS drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Catarina Silva
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
| | - Stephen J. Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
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27
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Pernia C, Tobe BTD, O'Donnell R, Snyder EY. The Evolution of Stem Cells, Disease Modeling, and Drug Discovery for Neurological Disorders. Stem Cells Dev 2020; 29:1131-1141. [PMID: 32024446 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2019.0217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human neurological disorders are among the most challenging areas of translational research. The difficulty of acquiring human neural samples or specific representative animal models has necessitated a multifaceted approach to understanding disease pathology and drug discovery. The dedifferentiation of somatic cells to human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) for the generation of neural derivatives has broadened the capability of biomedical research to study human cell types in neurological disorders. The initial zeal for the potential of hiPSCs for immediate biomedical breakthroughs has evolved to more reasonable expectations. Over the past decade, hiPSC technology has demonstrated the capacity to successfully establish "disease in a dish" models of complex neurological disorders and to identify possible novel therapeutics. However, as hiPSCs are used more broadly, an increased understanding of the limitations of hiPSC studies is becoming more evident. In this study, we review the challenges of studying neurological disorders, the current limitations of stem cell-based disease modeling, and the degrees to which hiPSC studies to date have demonstrated the capacity to fill essential gaps in neurological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Pernia
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Brian T D Tobe
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Administration Medical Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ryan O'Donnell
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Evan Y Snyder
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
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28
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Seranova E, Palhegyi AM, Verma S, Dimova S, Lasry R, Naama M, Sun C, Barrett T, Rosenstock TR, Kumar D, Cohen MA, Buganim Y, Sarkar S. Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Models of Neurodegenerative Disorders for Studying the Biomedical Implications of Autophagy. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:2754-2798. [PMID: 32044344 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is an intracellular degradation process that is essential for cellular survival, tissue homeostasis, and human health. The housekeeping functions of autophagy in mediating the clearance of aggregation-prone proteins and damaged organelles are vital for post-mitotic neurons. Improper functioning of this process contributes to the pathology of myriad human diseases, including neurodegeneration. Impairment in autophagy has been reported in several neurodegenerative diseases where pharmacological induction of autophagy has therapeutic benefits in cellular and transgenic animal models. However, emerging studies suggest that the efficacy of autophagy inducers, as well as the nature of the autophagy defects, may be context-dependent, and therefore, studies in disease-relevant experimental systems may provide more insights for clinical translation to patients. With the advancements in human stem cell technology, it is now possible to establish disease-affected cellular platforms from patients for investigating disease mechanisms and identifying candidate drugs in the appropriate cell types, such as neurons that are otherwise not accessible. Towards this, patient-derived human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have demonstrated considerable promise in constituting a platform for effective disease modeling and drug discovery. Multiple studies have utilized hiPSC models of neurodegenerative diseases to study autophagy and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of autophagy inducers in neuronal cells. This review provides an overview of the regulation of autophagy, generation of hiPSCs via cellular reprogramming, and neuronal differentiation. It outlines the findings in various neurodegenerative disorders where autophagy has been studied using hiPSC models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Seranova
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Adina Maria Palhegyi
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Surbhi Verma
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Cellular Immunology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Simona Dimova
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Lasry
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Moriyah Naama
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Congxin Sun
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy Barrett
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Tatiana Rosado Rosenstock
- Department of Physiological Science, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, SP, 01221-020, Brazil
| | - Dhiraj Kumar
- Cellular Immunology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Malkiel A Cohen
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Yosef Buganim
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Sovan Sarkar
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
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29
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Argentati C, Tortorella I, Bazzucchi M, Morena F, Martino S. Harnessing the Potential of Stem Cells for Disease Modeling: Progress and Promises. J Pers Med 2020; 10:E8. [PMID: 32041088 PMCID: PMC7151621 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ex vivo cell/tissue-based models are an essential step in the workflow of pathophysiology studies, assay development, disease modeling, drug discovery, and development of personalized therapeutic strategies. For these purposes, both scientific and pharmaceutical research have adopted ex vivo stem cell models because of their better predictive power. As matter of a fact, the advancing in isolation and in vitro expansion protocols for culturing autologous human stem cells, and the standardization of methods for generating patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells has made feasible to generate and investigate human cellular disease models with even greater speed and efficiency. Furthermore, the potential of stem cells on generating more complex systems, such as scaffold-cell models, organoids, or organ-on-a-chip, allowed to overcome the limitations of the two-dimensional culture systems as well as to better mimic tissues structures and functions. Finally, the advent of genome-editing/gene therapy technologies had a great impact on the generation of more proficient stem cell-disease models and on establishing an effective therapeutic treatment. In this review, we discuss important breakthroughs of stem cell-based models highlighting current directions, advantages, and limitations and point out the need to combine experimental biology with computational tools able to describe complex biological systems and deliver results or predictions in the context of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Argentati
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (C.A.); (I.T.); (M.B.); (F.M.)
| | - Ilaria Tortorella
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (C.A.); (I.T.); (M.B.); (F.M.)
| | - Martina Bazzucchi
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (C.A.); (I.T.); (M.B.); (F.M.)
| | - Francesco Morena
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (C.A.); (I.T.); (M.B.); (F.M.)
| | - Sabata Martino
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (C.A.); (I.T.); (M.B.); (F.M.)
- CEMIN, Center of Excellence on Nanostructured Innovative Materials, Via del Giochetto, 06126 Perugia, Italy
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30
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Graef JD, Wu H, Ng C, Sun C, Villegas V, Qadir D, Jesseman K, Warren ST, Jaenisch R, Cacace A, Wallace O. Partial FMRP expression is sufficient to normalize neuronal hyperactivity in Fragile X neurons. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 51:2143-2157. [PMID: 31880363 PMCID: PMC7318714 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common genetic form of intellectual disability caused by a CGG repeat expansion in the 5′‐UTR of the Fragile X mental retardation gene FMR1, triggering epigenetic silencing and the subsequent absence of the protein, FMRP. Reactivation of FMR1 represents an attractive therapeutic strategy targeting the genetic root cause of FXS. However, largely missing in the FXS field is an understanding of how much FMR1 reactivation is required to rescue FMRP‐dependent mutant phenotypes. Here, we utilize FXS patient‐derived excitatory neurons to model FXS in vitro and confirm that the absence of FMRP leads to neuronal hyperactivity. We further determined the levels of FMRP and the percentage of FMRP‐positive cells necessary to correct this phenotype utilizing a mixed and mosaic neuronal culture system and a combination of CRISPR, antisense and expression technologies to titrate FMRP in FXS and WT neurons. Our data demonstrate that restoration of greater than 5% of overall FMRP expression levels or greater than 20% FMRP‐expressing neurons in a mosaic pattern is sufficient to normalize a FMRP‐dependent, hyperactive phenotype in FXS iPSC‐derived neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hao Wu
- Fulcrum Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Carrie Ng
- Fulcrum Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Stephen T Warren
- Departments of Human Genetics, Biochemistry, and Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rudolf Jaenisch
- Department of Biology, MIT, 9 Cambridge Center, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
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31
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Dion C, Roche S, Laberthonnière C, Broucqsault N, Mariot V, Xue S, Gurzau AD, Nowak A, Gordon CT, Gaillard MC, El-Yazidi C, Thomas M, Schlupp-Robaglia A, Missirian C, Malan V, Ratbi L, Sefiani A, Wollnik B, Binetruy B, Salort Campana E, Attarian S, Bernard R, Nguyen K, Amiel J, Dumonceaux J, Murphy JM, Déjardin J, Blewitt ME, Reversade B, Robin JD, Magdinier F. SMCHD1 is involved in de novo methylation of the DUX4-encoding D4Z4 macrosatellite. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:2822-2839. [PMID: 30698748 PMCID: PMC6451109 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA methylation epigenetic signature is a key determinant during development. Rules governing its establishment and maintenance remain elusive especially at repetitive sequences, which account for the majority of methylated CGs. DNA methylation is altered in a number of diseases including those linked to mutations in factors that modify chromatin. Among them, SMCHD1 (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes Hinge Domain Containing 1) has been of major interest following identification of germline mutations in Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy (FSHD) and in an unrelated developmental disorder, Bosma Arhinia Microphthalmia Syndrome (BAMS). By investigating why germline SMCHD1 mutations lead to these two different diseases, we uncovered a role for this factor in de novo methylation at the pluripotent stage. SMCHD1 is required for the dynamic methylation of the D4Z4 macrosatellite upon reprogramming but seems dispensable for methylation maintenance. We find that FSHD and BAMS patient's cells carrying SMCHD1 mutations are both permissive for DUX4 expression, a transcription factor whose regulation has been proposed as the main trigger for FSHD. These findings open new questions as to what is the true aetiology for FSHD, the epigenetic events associated with the disease thus calling the current model into question and opening new perspectives for understanding repetitive DNA sequences regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Dion
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM MMG, Nerve and Muscle Department, Marseille, France
| | - Stéphane Roche
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM MMG, Nerve and Muscle Department, Marseille, France
| | | | - Natacha Broucqsault
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM MMG, Nerve and Muscle Department, Marseille, France
| | - Virginie Mariot
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Shifeng Xue
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore. Institute of Medical Biology, A*STAR, Singapore
| | - Alexandra D Gurzau
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia; The Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Agnieszka Nowak
- Institut de Génétique Humaine UMR9002 CNRS-Université de Montpellier. France
| | - Christopher T Gordon
- Laboratory of Embryology and Genetics of Human Malformation, INSERM UMR 1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | | | - Claire El-Yazidi
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM MMG, Nerve and Muscle Department, Marseille, France
| | - Morgane Thomas
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM MMG, Nerve and Muscle Department, Marseille, France
| | - Andrée Schlupp-Robaglia
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM MMG, Nerve and Muscle Department, Marseille, France.,Département de Génétique Médicale et Biologie Cellulaire, AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone enfants, Marseille, France.,Centre de ressources biologiques, AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone enfants, Marseille, France
| | - Chantal Missirian
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM MMG, Nerve and Muscle Department, Marseille, France.,Département de Génétique Médicale et Biologie Cellulaire, AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone enfants, Marseille, France
| | - Valérie Malan
- Laboratory of Embryology and Genetics of Human Malformation, INSERM UMR 1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France.,Département de Génétique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Liham Ratbi
- Centre de Génomique Humaine et Genopath, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Université Mohammed V, 10100 Rabat, Morocco
| | - Abdelaziz Sefiani
- Centre de Génomique Humaine et Genopath, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Université Mohammed V, 10100 Rabat, Morocco
| | - Bernd Wollnik
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Campus Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bernard Binetruy
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM MMG, Nerve and Muscle Department, Marseille, France
| | - Emmanuelle Salort Campana
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM MMG, Nerve and Muscle Department, Marseille, France.,Centre de références pour les maladies neuromusculaires et la SLA, AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Shahram Attarian
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM MMG, Nerve and Muscle Department, Marseille, France.,Centre de références pour les maladies neuromusculaires et la SLA, AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Rafaelle Bernard
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM MMG, Nerve and Muscle Department, Marseille, France.,Département de Génétique Médicale et Biologie Cellulaire, AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone enfants, Marseille, France
| | - Karine Nguyen
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM MMG, Nerve and Muscle Department, Marseille, France.,Département de Génétique Médicale et Biologie Cellulaire, AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone enfants, Marseille, France
| | - Jeanne Amiel
- Laboratory of Embryology and Genetics of Human Malformation, INSERM UMR 1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Institut Imagine, Paris, France.,Département de Génétique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Julie Dumonceaux
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - James M Murphy
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia; The Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jérôme Déjardin
- Institut de Génétique Humaine UMR9002 CNRS-Université de Montpellier. France
| | - Marnie E Blewitt
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia; The Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bruno Reversade
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore. Institute of Medical Biology, A*STAR, Singapore.,Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Medical Genetics Department, Koç University School of Medicine (KUSOM), Istanbul, Turkey.,Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Academic Medical Center (AMC), Amsterdam-Zuidoost, The Netherlands
| | - Jérôme D Robin
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM MMG, Nerve and Muscle Department, Marseille, France
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32
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Lybrand ZR, Goswami S, Hsieh J. Stem cells: A path towards improved epilepsy therapies. Neuropharmacology 2019; 168:107781. [PMID: 31539537 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Despite the immense growth of new anti-seizure drugs (ASDs), approximately one-third of epilepsy patients remain resistant to current treatment options. Advancements in whole genome sequencing technology continues to identify an increasing number of epilepsy-associated genes at a rate that is outpacing the development of in vivo animal models. Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) show promise in providing a platform for modeling genetic epilepsies, high throughput drug screening, and personalized medicine. This is largely due to the ease of collecting donor cells for iPSC reprogramming, and their ability to be maintained in vitro, while preserving the patient's genetic background. In this review, we summarize the current state of iPSC research in epilepsy and closely related syndromes, discuss the growing need for high-throughput drug screening (HTS), and review the use of stem cell technology for the purpose of autologous transplantation for epilepsy stem cell therapy. Although the use of iPSC technology, as it applies to ASD discovery, is in its infancy, we highlight the significant progress that has been made in phenotype and assay development to facilitate systematic HTS for personalized medicine. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'New Epilepsy Therapies for the 21st Century - From Antiseizure Drugs to Prevention, Modification and Cure of Epilepsy'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zane R Lybrand
- Department of Biology and Brain Health Consortium, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Sonal Goswami
- Department of Biology and Brain Health Consortium, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jenny Hsieh
- Department of Biology and Brain Health Consortium, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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33
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Yasen A, Tuxun T, Apaer S, Li W, Maimaitinijiati Y, Wang H, Aisan M, Aji T, Shao Y, Hao W. Fetal liver stem cell transplantation for liver diseases. Regen Med 2019; 14:703-714. [PMID: 31393226 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2018-0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell transplantation exhibited a promising lifesaving therapy for various end-stage liver diseases and could serve as a salvaging bridge until curative methods can be performed. In past decades, mature hepatocytes, liver progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells have been practiced in above settings. However, long-term survival rates and continuous proliferation ability of these cells in vivo are unsatisfactory, whereas, fetal liver stem cells (FLSCs), given their unique superiority, may be the best candidate for stem cell transplantation technique. Recent studies have revealed that FLSCs could be used as an attractive genetic therapy or regenerative treatments for inherited metabolic or other hepatic disorders. In this study, we reviewed current status and advancements of FLSCs-based treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimaiti Yasen
- Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China.,State Key Laboratory on Pathogenesis, Prevention & Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Xinjiang Medical University, 393 Xin Yi Road, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China.,Department of Liver & Laparoscopic Surgery, Digestive & Vascular Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Hydatid Disease, Digestive and Vascular Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China
| | - Tuerhongjiang Tuxun
- Department of Liver & Laparoscopic Surgery, Digestive & Vascular Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China
| | - Shadike Apaer
- State Key Laboratory on Pathogenesis, Prevention & Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Xinjiang Medical University, 393 Xin Yi Road, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China.,Department of Liver & Laparoscopic Surgery, Digestive & Vascular Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China
| | - Wending Li
- Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China.,State Key Laboratory on Pathogenesis, Prevention & Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Xinjiang Medical University, 393 Xin Yi Road, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China.,Department of Liver & Laparoscopic Surgery, Digestive & Vascular Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China
| | - Yusufukadier Maimaitinijiati
- Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China.,State Key Laboratory on Pathogenesis, Prevention & Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Xinjiang Medical University, 393 Xin Yi Road, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Hydatid Disease, Digestive and Vascular Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory on Pathogenesis, Prevention & Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Xinjiang Medical University, 393 Xin Yi Road, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China
| | - Meiheriayi Aisan
- Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China
| | - Tuerganaili Aji
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Hydatid Disease, Digestive and Vascular Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China
| | - Yingmei Shao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Hydatid Disease, Digestive and Vascular Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China
| | - Wen Hao
- State Key Laboratory on Pathogenesis, Prevention & Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Xinjiang Medical University, 393 Xin Yi Road, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Hydatid Disease, Digestive and Vascular Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China
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34
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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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35
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Elitt MS, Barbar L, Tesar PJ. Drug screening for human genetic diseases using iPSC models. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:R89-R98. [PMID: 29771306 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) enable the generation of previously unattainable, scalable quantities of disease-relevant tissues from patients suffering from essentially any genetic disorder. This cellular material has proven instrumental for drug screening efforts on these disorders, and has facilitated the identification of novel therapeutics for patients. Here we will review the foundational technologies that have enabled iPSCs, the power and limitations of iPSC-based compound screens along with screening guidelines, and recent examples of screening efforts. Additionally we will provide a brief commentary on the future scientific roadmap using pluripotent- and 3D organoid-based, combinatorial approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Elitt
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lilianne Barbar
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Paul J Tesar
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
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36
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Pal R, Bhattacharya A. Modelling Protein Synthesis as A Biomarker in Fragile X Syndrome Patient-Derived Cells. Brain Sci 2019; 9:E59. [PMID: 30862080 PMCID: PMC6468675 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9030059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The most conserved molecular phenotype of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is aberrant protein synthesis. This has been validated in a variety of experimental model systems from zebrafish to rats, patient-derived lymphoblasts and fibroblasts. With the advent of personalized medicine paradigms, patient-derived cells and their derivatives are gaining more translational importance, not only to model disease in a dish, but also for biomarker discovery. Here we review past and current practices of measuring protein synthesis in FXS, studies in patient derived cells and the inherent challenges in measuring protein synthesis in them to offer usable avenues of modeling this important metabolic metric for further biomarker development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakhi Pal
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, GKVK Post, Bellary Road, Bengaluru 560065, India.
| | - Aditi Bhattacharya
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, GKVK Post, Bellary Road, Bengaluru 560065, India.
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37
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Vershkov D, Fainstein N, Suissa S, Golan-Lev T, Ben-Hur T, Benvenisty N. FMR1 Reactivating Treatments in Fragile X iPSC-Derived Neural Progenitors In Vitro and In Vivo. Cell Rep 2019; 26:2531-2539.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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Abu Diab M, Eiges R. The Contribution of Pluripotent Stem Cell (PSC)-Based Models to the Study of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9020042. [PMID: 30769941 PMCID: PMC6406836 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9020042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common heritable form of cognitive impairment. It results from a deficiency in the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) due to a CGG repeat expansion in the 5′-UTR of the X-linked FMR1 gene. When CGGs expand beyond 200 copies, they lead to epigenetic gene silencing of the gene. In addition, the greater the allele size, the more likely it will become unstable and exhibit mosaicism for expansion size between and within tissues in affected individuals. The timing and mechanisms of FMR1 epigenetic gene silencing and repeat instability are far from being understood given the lack of appropriate cellular and animal models that can fully recapitulate the molecular features characteristic of the disease pathogenesis in humans. This review summarizes the data collected to date from mutant human embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and hybrid fusions, and discusses their contribution to the investigation of FXS, their key limitations, and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manar Abu Diab
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 91031, Israel.
- School of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel.
| | - Rachel Eiges
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 91031, Israel.
- School of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel.
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Kumari D, Gazy I, Usdin K. Pharmacological Reactivation of the Silenced FMR1 Gene as a Targeted Therapeutic Approach for Fragile X Syndrome. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9020039. [PMID: 30759772 PMCID: PMC6406686 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9020039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
More than ~200 CGG repeats in the 5′ untranslated region of the FMR1 gene results in transcriptional silencing and the absence of the FMR1 encoded protein, FMRP. FMRP is an RNA-binding protein that regulates the transport and translation of a variety of brain mRNAs in an activity-dependent manner. The loss of FMRP causes dysregulation of many neuronal pathways and results in an intellectual disability disorder, fragile X syndrome (FXS). Currently, there is no effective treatment for FXS. In this review, we discuss reactivation of the FMR1 gene as a potential approach for FXS treatment with an emphasis on the use of small molecules to inhibit the pathways important for gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daman Kumari
- Section on Gene Structure and Disease, Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Inbal Gazy
- Section on Gene Structure and Disease, Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Karen Usdin
- Section on Gene Structure and Disease, Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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40
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Kaindl J, Winner B. Disease Modeling of Neuropsychiatric Brain Disorders Using Human Stem Cell-Based Neural Models. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2019; 42:159-183. [PMID: 31407242 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2019_111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem (PS) cells are a relevant platform to model human-specific neurological disorders. In this chapter, we focus on human stem cell models for neuropsychiatric disorders including induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived neural precursor cells (NPCs), neurons and cerebral organoids. We discuss crucial steps for planning human disease modeling experiments. We introduce the different strategies of human disease modeling including transdifferentiation, human embryonic stem (ES) cell-based models, iPS cell-based models and genome editing options. Analysis of disease-relevant phenotypes is discussed. In more detail, we provide exemplary insight into modeling of the neurodevelopmental defects in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the process of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Besides monogenic diseases, iPS cell-derived models also generated data from idiopathic and sporadic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Kaindl
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Beate Winner
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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41
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Telias M. Fragile X Syndrome Pre-Clinical Research: Comparing Mouse- and Human-Based Models. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1942:155-162. [PMID: 30900183 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9080-1_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite almost 30 years of biomedical research, a treatment or cure for fragile X syndrome (FXS) is not yet available. The reasons behind this are varied, and among them are discrepancies in both research methodologies and research models. For many years, the fmr1 knockout mouse model dominated the field, and was used to draw important conclusions. The establishment of FXS-human cellular models called these conclusions into question, showing conflicting evidence. Discrepancies in FXS research, between mouse and human, might arise from differences inherent to each species, and from the use of different methodologies. This chapter summarizes these discrepancies and evaluates their impact on the current status of clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Telias
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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42
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Kuznitsov-Yanovsky L, Mayshar Y, Ben-Yosef D. Modeling FXS: Human Pluripotent Stem Cells and In Vitro Neural Differentiation. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1942:89-100. [PMID: 30900178 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9080-1_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In fragile X syndrome (FXS) embryos FMRP is widely expressed during early stages of embryogenesis however it is inactivated by the end of the first trimester. In the same manner, human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines from FXS blastocysts, bearing the full CGG expansion mutation, express FMRP in their pluripotent stage and in neurons derived following in vitro differentiation, FMR1 is completely silenced. Therefore, in vitro neural differentiation of FX-hESC lines serves as a uniquely valuable model system to study the developmental mechanisms underlying FXS, together with the proper differentiation protocol to mimic the neurodevelopmental process occurs in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liron Kuznitsov-Yanovsky
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit at Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoav Mayshar
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit at Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit at Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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43
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Pacitti D, Privolizzi R, Bax BE. Organs to Cells and Cells to Organoids: The Evolution of in vitro Central Nervous System Modelling. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:129. [PMID: 31024259 PMCID: PMC6465581 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
With 100 billion neurons and 100 trillion synapses, the human brain is not just the most complex organ in the human body, but has also been described as "the most complex thing in the universe." The limited availability of human living brain tissue for the study of neurogenesis, neural processes and neurological disorders has resulted in more than a century-long strive from researchers worldwide to model the central nervous system (CNS) and dissect both its striking physiology and enigmatic pathophysiology. The invaluable knowledge gained with the use of animal models and post mortem human tissue remains limited to cross-species similarities and structural features, respectively. The advent of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) and 3-D organoid technologies has revolutionised the approach to the study of human brain and CNS in vitro, presenting great potential for disease modelling and translational adoption in drug screening and regenerative medicine, also contributing beneficially to clinical research. We have surveyed more than 100 years of research in CNS modelling and provide in this review an historical excursus of its evolution, from early neural tissue explants and organotypic cultures, to 2-D patient-derived cell monolayers, to the latest development of 3-D cerebral organoids. We have generated a comprehensive summary of CNS modelling techniques and approaches, protocol refinements throughout the course of decades and developments in the study of specific neuropathologies. Current limitations and caveats such as clonal variation, developmental stage, validation of pluripotency and chromosomal stability, functional assessment, reproducibility, accuracy and scalability of these models are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Pacitti
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George’s, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- College of Medicine and Health, St Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Riccardo Privolizzi
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bridget E. Bax
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George’s, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Bridget E. Bax,
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44
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Direct generation of human naive induced pluripotent stem cells from somatic cells in microfluidics. Nat Cell Biol 2018; 21:275-286. [DOI: 10.1038/s41556-018-0254-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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45
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Shahjalal HM, Abdal Dayem A, Lim KM, Jeon TI, Cho SG. Generation of pancreatic β cells for treatment of diabetes: advances and challenges. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:355. [PMID: 30594258 PMCID: PMC6310974 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-1099-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) are considered attractive sources of pancreatic β cells and islet organoids. Recently, several reports presented that hESC/iPSC-derived cells enriched with specific transcription factors can form glucose-responsive insulin-secreting cells in vitro and transplantation of these cells ameliorates hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. However, the glucose-stimulated insulin-secreting capacity of these cells is lower than that of endogenous islets, suggesting the need to improve induction procedures. One of the critical problems facing in vivo maturation of hESC/iPSC-derived cells is their low survival rate after transplantation, although this rate increases when the implanted pancreatic cells are encapsulated to avoid the immune response. Several groups have also reported on the generation of hESC/iPSC-derived islet-like organoids, but development of techniques for complete islet structures with the eventual generation of vascularized constructs remains a major challenge to their application in regenerative therapies. Many issues also need to be addressed before the successful clinical application of hESC/iPSC-derived cells or islet organoids. In this review, we summarize advances in the generation of hESC/iPSC-derived pancreatic β cells or islet organoids and discuss the limitations and challenges for their successful therapeutic application in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussain Md. Shahjalal
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biotechnology and IDASI (Incurable Disease Animal model & Stem cell Institute), Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029 South Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, 1342 Bangladesh
| | - Ahmed Abdal Dayem
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biotechnology and IDASI (Incurable Disease Animal model & Stem cell Institute), Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029 South Korea
| | - Kyung Min Lim
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biotechnology and IDASI (Incurable Disease Animal model & Stem cell Institute), Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029 South Korea
| | - Tak-il Jeon
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biotechnology and IDASI (Incurable Disease Animal model & Stem cell Institute), Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029 South Korea
| | - Ssang-Goo Cho
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biotechnology and IDASI (Incurable Disease Animal model & Stem cell Institute), Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029 South Korea
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46
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Zhao X, Bhattacharyya A. Human Models Are Needed for Studying Human Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 103:829-857. [PMID: 30526865 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of animal models of neurological disease has been instrumental in furthering our understanding of neurodevelopment and brain diseases. However, animal models are limited in revealing some of the most fundamental aspects of development, genetics, pathology, and disease mechanisms that are unique to humans. These shortcomings are exaggerated in disorders that affect the brain, where the most significant differences between humans and animal models exist, and could underscore failures in targeted therapeutic interventions in affected individuals. Human pluripotent stem cells have emerged as a much-needed model system for investigating human-specific biology and disease mechanisms. However, questions remain regarding whether these cell-culture-based models are sufficient or even necessary. In this review, we summarize human-specific features of neurodevelopment and the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, present discrepancies between animal models and human diseases, demonstrate how human stem cell models can provide meaningful information, and discuss the challenges that exist in our pursuit to understand distinctively human aspects of neurodevelopment and brain disease. This information argues for a more thoughtful approach to disease modeling through consideration of the valuable features and limitations of each model system, be they human or animal, to mimic disease characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhao
- Waisman Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53705, USA.
| | - Anita Bhattacharyya
- Waisman Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53705, USA; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53705, USA.
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47
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Jung-Klawitter S, Opladen T. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as model to study inherited defects of neurotransmission in inborn errors of metabolism. J Inherit Metab Dis 2018; 41:1103-1116. [PMID: 29980968 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-018-0225-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The ability to reprogram somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has revolutionized the way of modeling human disease. Especially for the modeling of rare human monogenetic diseases with limited numbers of patients available worldwide and limited access to the mostly affected tissues, iPSCs have become an invaluable tool. To study rare diseases affecting neurotransmitter biosynthesis and neurotransmission, stem cell models carrying patient-specific mutations have become highly important as most of the cell types present in the human brain and the central nervous system (CNS), including motoneurons, neurons, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglia, can be differentiated from iPSCs following distinct developmental programs. Differentiation can be performed using classical 2D differentiation protocols, thereby generating specific subtypes of neurons or glial cells in a dish. On the other side, 3D differentiation into "organoids" opened new ways to study misregulated developmental processes associated with rare neurological and neurometabolic diseases. For the analysis of defects in neurotransmission associated with rare neurometabolic diseases, different types of brain organoids have been made available during the last years including forebrain, midbrain and cerebral organoids. In this review, we illustrate reprogramming of somatic cells to iPSCs, differentiation in 2D and 3D, as well as already available disease-specific iPSC models, and discuss current and future applications of these techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Jung-Klawitter
- Department of General Pediatrics, Division of Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 669, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Opladen
- Department of General Pediatrics, Division of Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 669, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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48
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Bellon A, Wegener A, Lescallette AR, Valente M, Yang SK, Gardette R, Matricon J, Mouaffak F, Watts P, Vimeux L, Yun JK, Kawasawa YI, Clawson GA, Blandin E, Chaumette B, Jay TM, Krebs MO, Feuillet V, Hosmalin A. Transdifferentiation of Human Circulating Monocytes Into Neuronal-Like Cells in 20 Days and Without Reprograming. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:323. [PMID: 30760979 PMCID: PMC6156467 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite progress, our understanding of psychiatric and neurological illnesses remains poor, at least in part due to the inability to access neurons directly from patients. Currently, there are in vitro models available but significant work remains, including the search for a less invasive, inexpensive and rapid method to obtain neuronal-like cells with the capacity to deliver reproducible results. Here, we present a new protocol to transdifferentiate human circulating monocytes into neuronal-like cells in 20 days and without the need for viral insertion or reprograming. We have thoroughly characterized these monocyte-derived-neuronal-like cells (MDNCs) through various approaches including immunofluorescence (IF), flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, single cell mRNA sequencing, electrophysiology and pharmacological techniques. These MDNCs resembled human neurons early in development, expressed a variety of neuroprogenitor and neuronal genes as well as several neuroprogenitor and neuronal proteins and also presented electrical activity. In addition, when these neuronal-like cells were exposed to either dopamine or colchicine, they responded similarly to neurons by retracting their neuronal arborizations. More importantly, MDNCs exhibited reproducible differentiation rates, arborizations and expression of dopamine 1 receptors (DR1) on separate sequential samples from the same individual. Differentiation efficiency measured by cell morphology was on average 11.9 ± 1.4% (mean, SEM, n = 38,819 cells from 15 donors). To provide context and help researchers decide which in vitro model of neuronal development is best suited to address their scientific question,we compared our results with those of other in vitro models currently available and exposed advantages and disadvantages of each paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Bellon
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Hershey, PA, United States.,Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology, Hershey, PA, United States.,INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR894, Center for Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Paris, France.,Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire-S14, Paris, France
| | - Amelie Wegener
- INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR894, Center for Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Paris, France
| | - Adam R Lescallette
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Michael Valente
- INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France
| | - Seung-Kwon Yang
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR894, Center for Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Paris, France
| | - Robert Gardette
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR894, Center for Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Paris, France
| | - Julien Matricon
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR894, Center for Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Paris, France
| | - Faycal Mouaffak
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR894, Center for Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Paris, France.,Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire-S14, Paris, France
| | - Paula Watts
- Sky Ridge Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Lone Tree, CO, United States
| | - Lene Vimeux
- INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France
| | - Jong K Yun
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Yuka Imamura Kawasawa
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology, Hershey, PA, United States.,Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Personalized Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Gary A Clawson
- Gittlen Cancer Research Laboratories, Department of Pathology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Elisabeta Blandin
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Hershey, PA, United States.,Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Neural & Behavioral Sciences, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Boris Chaumette
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR894, Center for Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Paris, France.,Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire-S14, Paris, France.,Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Therese M Jay
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR894, Center for Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Odile Krebs
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR894, Center for Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Paris, France.,Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire-S14, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Feuillet
- INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France
| | - Anne Hosmalin
- INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France
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Current Strategies to Generate Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro. Stem Cells Int 2018; 2018:6726185. [PMID: 30224922 PMCID: PMC6129345 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6726185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are heterogeneous multipotent stem cells that are involved in the development of mesenchyme-derived evolving structures and organs during ontogeny. In the adult organism, reservoirs of MSCs can be found in almost all tissues where MSCs contribute to the maintenance of organ integrity. The use of these different MSCs for cell-based therapies has been extensively studied over the past years, which highlights the use of MSCs as a promising option for the treatment of various diseases including autoimmune and cardiovascular disorders. However, the proportion of MSCs contained in primary isolates of adult tissue biopsies is rather low and, thus, vigorous ex vivo expansion is needed especially for therapies that may require extensive and repetitive cell substitution. Therefore, more easily and accessible sources of MSCs are needed. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the different strategies to generate human MSCs in vitro as an alternative method for their applications in regenerative therapy.
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Genomics in neurodevelopmental disorders: an avenue to personalized medicine. Exp Mol Med 2018; 50:1-7. [PMID: 30089840 PMCID: PMC6082867 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-018-0129-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the remarkable number of scientific breakthroughs of the last 100 years, the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability) remains a great challenge. Recent advancements in genomics, such as whole-exome or whole-genome sequencing, have enabled scientists to identify numerous mutations underlying neurodevelopmental disorders. Given the few hundred risk genes that have been discovered, the etiological variability and the heterogeneous clinical presentation, the need for genotype—along with phenotype-based diagnosis of individual patients has become a requisite. In this review we look at recent advancements in genomic analysis and their translation into clinical practice. The identification of genetic mutations associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) along with routine diagnosis based on patients’ characteristics is aiding the delivery of personalized therapies. Dora Tarlungeanu and Gaia Novarino at the Institute of Science and Technology in Klosterneuburg, Austria, review recent advances in genetic technologies, such as whole exome sequencing, that can lead to early intervention, guide choice of treatment and prompt genetic counseling. Introducing the mutations associated with NDDs into model organisms or stem cells is revealing some of the mechanisms underlying NDDs and enabling the evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies that target core symptoms of the disorders. To accelerate the implementation of individualized treatments for NDD the authors highlight the need to adopt interdisciplinary research approaches and to keep clinical staff updated on the latest findings in NDD genetics.
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