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Ma Q, Chen G, Li Y, Guo Z, Zhang X. The molecular genetics of PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway in the malformations of cortical development. Genes Dis 2024; 11:101021. [PMID: 39006182 PMCID: PMC11245990 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Malformations of cortical development (MCD) are a group of developmental disorders characterized by abnormal cortical structures caused by genetic or harmful environmental factors. Many kinds of MCD are caused by genetic variation. MCD is the common cause of intellectual disability and intractable epilepsy. With rapid advances in imaging and sequencing technologies, the diagnostic rate of MCD has been increasing, and many potential genes causing MCD have been successively identified. However, the high genetic heterogeneity of MCD makes it challenging to understand the molecular pathogenesis of MCD and to identify effective targeted drugs. Thus, in this review, we outline important events of cortical development. Then we illustrate the progress of molecular genetic studies about MCD focusing on the PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway. Finally, we briefly discuss the diagnostic methods, disease models, and therapeutic strategies for MCD. The information will facilitate further research on MCD. Understanding the role of the PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway in MCD could lead to a novel strategy for treating MCD-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Ma
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, China
| | - Guang Chen
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, China
| | - Ying Li
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, China
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, China
| | - Zhenming Guo
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, China
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Filan C, Charles S, Casteleiro Costa P, Niu W, Cheng BF, Wen Z, Lu H, Robles FE. Non-Invasive Label-free Analysis Pipeline for In Situ Characterization of Differentiation in 3D Brain Organoid Models. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4049577. [PMID: 38645145 PMCID: PMC11030508 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4049577/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Brain organoids provide a unique opportunity to model organ development in a system similar to human organogenesis in vivo. Brain organoids thus hold great promise for drug screening and disease modeling. Conventional approaches to organoid characterization predominantly rely on molecular analysis methods, which are expensive, time-consuming, labor-intensive, and involve the destruction of the valuable 3D architecture of the organoids. This reliance on end-point assays makes it challenging to assess cellular and subcellular events occurring during organoid development in their 3D context. As a result, the long developmental processes are not monitored nor assessed. The ability to perform non-invasive assays is critical for longitudinally assessing features of organoid development during culture. In this paper, we demonstrate a label-free high-content imaging approach for observing changes in organoid morphology and structural changes occurring at the cellular and subcellular level. Enabled by microfluidic-based culture of 3D cell systems and a novel 3D quantitative phase imaging method, we demonstrate the ability to perform non-destructive high-resolution imaging of the organoid. The highlighted results demonstrated in this paper provide a new approach to performing live, non-destructive monitoring of organoid systems during culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Filan
- Georgia Institute of Technology, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Atlanta, GA, 30318, USA
| | - Seleipiri Charles
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Paloma Casteleiro Costa
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Weibo Niu
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Brian F. Cheng
- Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Atlanta, GA, 30318, USA
| | - Zhexing Wen
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Departments of Cell Biology and Neurology, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA
| | - Hang Lu
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | - Francisco E. Robles
- Georgia Institute of Technology, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Atlanta, GA, 30318, USA
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Atlanta, GA, 30318, USA
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Niu W, Siciliano B, Wen Z. Modeling tuberous sclerosis complex with human induced pluripotent stem cells. World J Pediatr 2024; 20:208-218. [PMID: 35759110 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-022-00576-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder with a birth incidence of 1:6000 in the United States that is characterized by the growth of non-cancerous tumors in multiple organ systems including the brain, kidneys, lungs, and skin. Importantly, TSC is also associated with significant neurological manifestations including epilepsy, TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders, intellectual disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder. Mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes are well-established causes of TSC, which lead to TSC1/TSC2 deficiency in organs and hyper-activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. Animal models have been widely used to study the effect of TSC1/2 genes on the development and function of the brain. Despite considerable progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying TSC in animal models, a human-specific model is urgently needed to investigate the effects of TSC1/2 mutations that are unique to human neurodevelopment. DATA SOURCES Literature reviews and research articles were published in PubMed-indexed journals. RESULTS Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which capture risk alleles that are identical to their donors and have the capacity to differentiate into virtually any cell type in the human body, pave the way for the empirical study of previously inaccessible biological systems such as the developing human brain. CONCLUSIONS In this review, we present an overview of the recent progress in modeling TSC with human iPSC models, the existing limitations, and potential directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibo Niu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Whitehead Research Building 447, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Benjamin Siciliano
- The Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Zhexing Wen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Whitehead Research Building 447, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Whitehead Research Building 447, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Whitehead Research Building 447, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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Aksoylu IS, Martin P, Robert F, Szkop KJ, Redmond NE, Bhattacharyya S, Wang J, Chen S, Beauchamp RL, Nobeli I, Pelletier J, Larsson O, Ramesh V. Translatome analysis of tuberous sclerosis complex 1 patient-derived neural progenitor cells reveals rapamycin-dependent and independent alterations. Mol Autism 2023; 14:39. [PMID: 37880800 PMCID: PMC10601155 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00572-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an inherited neurocutaneous disorder caused by mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, with patients often exhibiting neurodevelopmental (ND) manifestations termed TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND) including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability. Hamartin (TSC1) and tuberin (TSC2) proteins form a complex inhibiting mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. Loss of TSC1 or TSC2 activates mTORC1 that, among several targets, controls protein synthesis by inhibiting translational repressor eIF4E-binding proteins. Using TSC1 patient-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs), we recently reported early ND phenotypic changes, including increased cell proliferation and altered neurite outgrowth in TSC1-null NPCs, which were unaffected by the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin. METHODS Here, we used polysome profiling, which quantifies changes in mRNA abundance and translational efficiencies at a transcriptome-wide level, to compare CRISPR-edited TSC1-null with CRISPR-corrected TSC1-WT NPCs generated from one TSC donor (one clone/genotype). To assess the relevance of identified gene expression alterations, we performed polysome profiling in postmortem brains from ASD donors and age-matched controls. We further compared effects on translation of a subset of transcripts and rescue of early ND phenotypes in NPCs following inhibition of mTORC1 using the allosteric inhibitor rapamycin versus a third-generation bi-steric, mTORC1-selective inhibitor RMC-6272. RESULTS Polysome profiling of NPCs revealed numerous TSC1-associated alterations in mRNA translation that were largely recapitulated in human ASD brains. Moreover, although rapamycin treatment partially reversed the TSC1-associated alterations in mRNA translation, most genes related to neural activity/synaptic regulation or ASD were rapamycin-insensitive. In contrast, treatment with RMC-6272 inhibited rapamycin-insensitive translation and reversed TSC1-associated early ND phenotypes including proliferation and neurite outgrowth that were unaffected by rapamycin. CONCLUSIONS Our work reveals ample mRNA translation alterations in TSC1 patient-derived NPCs that recapitulate mRNA translation in ASD brain samples. Further, suppression of TSC1-associated but rapamycin-insensitive translation and ND phenotypes by RMC-6272 unveils potential implications for more efficient targeting of mTORC1 as a superior treatment strategy for TAND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inci S Aksoylu
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pauline Martin
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Francis Robert
- Department of Biochemistry and Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, PQ, H3G1Y6, Canada
| | - Krzysztof J Szkop
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicholas E Redmond
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Srirupa Bhattacharyya
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Jennifer Wang
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Shan Chen
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Roberta L Beauchamp
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Irene Nobeli
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences,, Birkbeck, University of London, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Jerry Pelletier
- Department of Biochemistry and Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, PQ, H3G1Y6, Canada
| | - Ola Larsson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Vijaya Ramesh
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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Meng X, Yao D, Imaizumi K, Chen X, Kelley KW, Reis N, Thete MV, Arjun McKinney A, Kulkarni S, Panagiotakos G, Bassik MC, Pașca SP. Assembloid CRISPR screens reveal impact of disease genes in human neurodevelopment. Nature 2023; 622:359-366. [PMID: 37758944 PMCID: PMC10567561 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06564-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The assembly of cortical circuits involves the generation and migration of interneurons from the ventral to the dorsal forebrain1-3, which has been challenging to study at inaccessible stages of late gestation and early postnatal human development4. Autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) have been associated with abnormal cortical interneuron development5, but which of these NDD genes affect interneuron generation and migration, and how they mediate these effects remains unknown. We previously developed a platform to study interneuron development and migration in subpallial organoids and forebrain assembloids6. Here we integrate assembloids with CRISPR screening to investigate the involvement of 425 NDD genes in human interneuron development. The first screen aimed at interneuron generation revealed 13 candidate genes, including CSDE1 and SMAD4. We subsequently conducted an interneuron migration screen in more than 1,000 forebrain assembloids that identified 33 candidate genes, including cytoskeleton-related genes and the endoplasmic reticulum-related gene LNPK. We discovered that, during interneuron migration, the endoplasmic reticulum is displaced along the leading neuronal branch before nuclear translocation. LNPK deletion interfered with this endoplasmic reticulum displacement and resulted in abnormal migration. These results highlight the power of this CRISPR-assembloid platform to systematically map NDD genes onto human development and reveal disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangling Meng
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David Yao
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kent Imaizumi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kevin W Kelley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Noah Reis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mayuri Vijay Thete
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Arpana Arjun McKinney
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Alper Center for Neural Development and Regeneration, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shravanti Kulkarni
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Georgia Panagiotakos
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Alper Center for Neural Development and Regeneration, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Sergiu P Pașca
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA.
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6
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Aksoylu IS, Martin P, Robert F, Szkop KJ, Redmond NE, Chen S, Beauchamp RL, Nobeli I, Pelletier J, Larsson O, Ramesh V. Translatome analysis of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex-1 patient-derived neural progenitor cells reveal rapamycin-dependent and independent alterations. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2702044. [PMID: 37034588 PMCID: PMC10081384 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2702044/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an inherited neurocutaneous disorder caused by mutations in TSC1 or TSC2 genes, with patients often exhibiting neurodevelopmental (ND) manifestations termed TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND) including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The hamartin-tuberin (TSC1-TSC2) protein complex inactivates mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling, leading to increased protein synthesis via inactivation of translational repressor eIF4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs). In TSC1-null neural progenitor cells (NPCs), we previously reported early ND phenotypic changes, including increased proliferation/altered neurite outgrowth, which were unaffected by mTORC1-inhibitor rapamycin. Here, using polysome-profiling to quantify translational efficiencies at a transcriptome-wide level, we observed numerous TSC1-dependent alterations in NPCs, largely recapitulated in post-mortem brains from ASD donors. Although rapamycin partially reversed TSC1-associated alterations, most neural activity/synaptic- or ASD-related genes remained insensitive but were inhibited by third-generation bi-steric, mTORC1-selective inhibitor RMC-6272, which also reversed altered ND phenotypes. Together these data reveal potential implications for treatment of TAND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inci S. Aksoylu
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Pauline Martin
- Ctr. for Genomic Med., Department of Neurology, Massachusetts Gen. Hosp., Boston, MA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Francis Robert
- Department of Biochem. and Goodman Cancer Res. Ctr., McGill Univ., Montreal, QC, Canada
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Krzysztof J. Szkop
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Nicholas E. Redmond
- Ctr. for Genomic Med., Department of Neurology, Massachusetts Gen. Hosp., Boston, MA
| | - Shan Chen
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Roberta L. Beauchamp
- Ctr. for Genomic Med., Department of Neurology, Massachusetts Gen. Hosp., Boston, MA
| | - Irene Nobeli
- Department of Biol. Sciences, Inst. of Structural and Mol. Biology, Birkbeck, Univ. of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jerry Pelletier
- Department of Biochem. and Goodman Cancer Res. Ctr., McGill Univ., Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ola Larsson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vijaya Ramesh
- Ctr. for Genomic Med., Department of Neurology, Massachusetts Gen. Hosp., Boston, MA
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Zhang J, Xu S, Liang K, Cao X, Ye Z, Huang W, Bai X, Zhang Y. LysM-positive neurons drive Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)-associated brain lesions. Cell Signal 2022; 100:110468. [PMID: 36115548 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mutations of Tsc1 or Tsc2 can lead to excessive activation of mTORC1 and cause Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), which is an autosomal dominant genetic disease prominently characterized by seizures, mental retardation and multiorgan hamartoma. In TSC, pathological changes in the central nervous system are the leading cause of death and disability. In decades, series of rodent models have been established by mutating Tsc1 or Tsc2 genes in diverse neural cell lineages to investigate the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, however, the cellular origin triggering neural pathological changes in TSC is undetermined. In this study, we generated a novel mouse model involving conditional deletion of Tsc1 in lysozyme 2 (Lyz2)-positive cells which replicated several features of brain lesions including epileptic seizures, megalencephaly, highly enlarged pS6-positive neurons and astrogliosis. In addition, we confirmed that bone marrow-derived myeloid cells including microglia with Tsc1 deficiency are not the decisive lineage in the cerebral pathologies in TSC. These histological assays in our murine model indicate an essential contribution of Lyz2-positive neurons to TSC progression. The Lyz2-positive neural population-specific onset of Tsc1 loss in murine postnatal brain might be the key to pathological phenotypes. Our findings thus provided evidences supporting new insights into the role of Lyz2-positive neurons in TSC events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahuan Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Song Xu
- Department of Arthroplasty, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Kangyan Liang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiong Cao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zhixin Ye
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wenlan Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaochun Bai
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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Damianidou E, Mouratidou L, Kyrousi C. Research models of neurodevelopmental disorders: The right model in the right place. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1031075. [PMID: 36340790 PMCID: PMC9630472 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1031075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a heterogeneous group of impairments that affect the development of the central nervous system leading to abnormal brain function. NDDs affect a great percentage of the population worldwide, imposing a high societal and economic burden and thus, interest in this field has widely grown in recent years. Nevertheless, the complexity of human brain development and function as well as the limitations regarding human tissue usage make their modeling challenging. Animal models play a central role in the investigation of the implicated molecular and cellular mechanisms, however many of them display key differences regarding human phenotype and in many cases, they partially or completely fail to recapitulate them. Although in vitro two-dimensional (2D) human-specific models have been highly used to address some of these limitations, they lack crucial features such as complexity and heterogeneity. In this review, we will discuss the advantages, limitations and future applications of in vivo and in vitro models that are used today to model NDDs. Additionally, we will describe the recent development of 3-dimensional brain (3D) organoids which offer a promising approach as human-specific in vitro models to decipher these complex disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Damianidou
- University Mental Health, Neurosciences and Precision Medicine Research Institute “Costas Stefanis”, Athens, Greece
| | - Lidia Mouratidou
- University Mental Health, Neurosciences and Precision Medicine Research Institute “Costas Stefanis”, Athens, Greece
- First Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Kyrousi
- University Mental Health, Neurosciences and Precision Medicine Research Institute “Costas Stefanis”, Athens, Greece
- First Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- *Correspondence: Christina Kyrousi,
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Jiang CC, Lin LS, Long S, Ke XY, Fukunaga K, Lu YM, Han F. Signalling pathways in autism spectrum disorder: mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:229. [PMID: 35817793 PMCID: PMC9273593 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01081-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent and complex neurodevelopmental disorder which has strong genetic basis. Despite the rapidly rising incidence of autism, little is known about its aetiology, risk factors, and disease progression. There are currently neither validated biomarkers for diagnostic screening nor specific medication for autism. Over the last two decades, there have been remarkable advances in genetics, with hundreds of genes identified and validated as being associated with a high risk for autism. The convergence of neuroscience methods is becoming more widely recognized for its significance in elucidating the pathological mechanisms of autism. Efforts have been devoted to exploring the behavioural functions, key pathological mechanisms and potential treatments of autism. Here, as we highlight in this review, emerging evidence shows that signal transduction molecular events are involved in pathological processes such as transcription, translation, synaptic transmission, epigenetics and immunoinflammatory responses. This involvement has important implications for the discovery of precise molecular targets for autism. Moreover, we review recent insights into the mechanisms and clinical implications of signal transduction in autism from molecular, cellular, neural circuit, and neurobehavioural aspects. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives are discussed with regard to novel strategies predicated on the biological features of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Chen Jiang
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses; Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Li-Shan Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Sen Long
- Department of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Mental Health Center Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310013, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Ke
- Child Mental Health Research Center, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Ying-Mei Lu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Feng Han
- International Joint Laboratory for Drug Target of Critical Illnesses; Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Institute of Brain Science, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215002, China.
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Connacher R, Williams M, Prem S, Yeung PL, Matteson P, Mehta M, Markov A, Peng C, Zhou X, McDermott CR, Pang ZP, Flax J, Brzustowicz L, Lu CW, Millonig JH, DiCicco-Bloom E. Autism NPCs from both idiopathic and CNV 16p11.2 deletion patients exhibit dysregulation of proliferation and mitogenic responses. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1380-1394. [PMID: 35623351 PMCID: PMC9214070 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural precursor cell (NPC) dysfunction has been consistently implicated in autism. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NPCs from two autism groups (three idiopathic [I-ASD] and two 16p11.2 deletion [16pDel]) were used to investigate if proliferation is commonly disrupted. All five individuals display defects, with all three macrocephalic individuals (two 16pDel, one I-ASD) exhibiting hyperproliferation and the other two I-ASD subjects displaying hypoproliferation. NPCs were challenged with bFGF, and all hyperproliferative NPCs displayed blunted responses, while responses were increased in hypoproliferative cells. mRNA expression studies suggest that different pathways can result in similar proliferation phenotypes. Since 16pDel deletes MAPK3, P-ERK was measured. P-ERK is decreased in hyperproliferative but increased in hypoproliferative NPCs. While these P-ERK changes are not responsible for the phenotypes, P-ERK and bFGF response are inversely correlated with the defects. Finally, we analyzed iPSCs and discovered that 16pDel displays hyperproliferation, while idiopathic iPSCs were normal. These data suggest that NPC proliferation defects are common in ASD. NPC proliferation defects are common in idiopathic and 16p11.2 CNV-deletion ASD All macrocephalic I-ASD and 16pDel individuals have hyperproliferative NPCs NPC proliferative responses to bFGF correlate inversely with P-ERK levels Both NPCs and IPSCs derived from 16pDel individuals exhibit hyperproliferation
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Connacher
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Madeline Williams
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Smrithi Prem
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Percy L Yeung
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Paul Matteson
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Monal Mehta
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Anna Markov
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Cynthia Peng
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Courtney R McDermott
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Zhiping P Pang
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Judy Flax
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | | | - Che-Wei Lu
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - James H Millonig
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
| | - Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
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11
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Wang Y, Hu S, Tan X, Sang Q, Shi P, Wang C, Sang D. Preliminary Screening of a Familial Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Pathogenic Gene. Int J Gen Med 2022; 15:5247-5252. [PMID: 35651675 PMCID: PMC9150785 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s359702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to screen the possible pathogenic genes of one family with tuberous sclerosis complexes (TSCs). Patients and Methods All family members were examined through detailed clinical evaluations, auxiliary examinations and CT. Then, we selected five members from this TSC family as the test samples. They were analysed by a new exon group sequencing method. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were screened by using databases, such as dbSNP and HAPMAP, and then the candidate genes were selected. Genes were analysed, and finally, the most likely mutation sites were screened. The results were examined by Sanger sequencing. Results In this TSC family, we identified c.913+2T>G, a splicing site mutation in the 9th intron region of TSC1. Family members without TSC did not have this mutation. Conclusion The mutations in the intron regions cannot be ruled out as a pathogenic factor for TSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Heifei, People’s Republic of China
| | - SongNian Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - XinYu Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingqing Sang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Shi
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chun Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Daoqian Sang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Daoqian Sang, Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, 287, Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233004, People’s Republic of China, Email
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12
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Weng OY, Li Y, Wang LY. Modeling Epilepsy Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells-Derived Neuronal Cultures Carrying Mutations in Ion Channels and the Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Pathway. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:810081. [PMID: 35359577 PMCID: PMC8960276 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.810081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects over 65 million people globally. It is characterized by periods of seizure activity of the brain as a result of excitation and inhibition (E/I) imbalance, which is regarded as the core underpinning of epileptic activity. Both gain- and loss-of-function (GOF and LOF) mutations of ion channels, synaptic proteins and signaling molecules along the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway have been linked to this imbalance. The pathogenesis of epilepsy often has its roots in the early stage of brain development. It remains a major challenge to extrapolate the findings from many animal models carrying these GOF or LOF mutations to the understanding of disease mechanisms in the developing human brain. Recent advent of the human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) technology opens up a new avenue to recapitulate patient conditions and to identify druggable molecular targets. In the following review, we discuss the progress, challenges and prospects of employing hPSCs-derived neural cultures to study epilepsy. We propose a tentative working model to conceptualize the possible impact of these GOF and LOF mutations in ion channels and mTOR signaling molecules on the morphological and functional remodeling of intrinsic excitability, synaptic transmission and circuits, ultimately E/I imbalance and behavioral phenotypes in epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavia Yifang Weng
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Sick Kids Research Institutes, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Sick Kids Research Institutes, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yun Li
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Sick Kids Research Institutes, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Yun Li,
| | - Lu-Yang Wang
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Sick Kids Research Institutes, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lu-Yang Wang,
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13
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Lu X, Yang J, Xiang Y. Modeling human neurodevelopmental diseases with brain organoids. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 11:1. [PMID: 34982276 PMCID: PMC8727646 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-021-00103-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Studying the etiology of human neurodevelopmental diseases has long been a challenging task due to the brain's complexity and its limited accessibility. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs)-derived brain organoids are capable of recapitulating various features and functionalities of the human brain, allowing the investigation of intricate pathogenesis of developmental abnormalities. Over the past years, brain organoids have facilitated identifying disease-associated phenotypes and underlying mechanisms for human neurodevelopmental diseases. Integrating with more cutting-edge technologies, particularly gene editing, brain organoids further empower human disease modeling. Here, we review the latest progress in modeling human neurodevelopmental disorders with brain organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiang Lu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Jiajie Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Yangfei Xiang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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14
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Girodengo M, Ultanir SK, Bateman JM. Mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling in human nervous system development and disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1005631. [PMID: 36226315 PMCID: PMC9549271 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1005631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase that regulates fundamental cellular processes including growth control, autophagy and metabolism. mTOR has key functions in nervous system development and mis-regulation of mTOR signaling causes aberrant neurodevelopment and neurological diseases, collectively called mTORopathies. In this mini review we discuss recent studies that have deepened our understanding of the key roles of the mTOR pathway in human nervous system development and disease. Recent advances in single-cell transcriptomics have been exploited to reveal specific roles for mTOR signaling in human cortical development that may have contributed to the evolutionary divergence from our primate ancestors. Cerebral organoid technology has been utilized to show that mTOR signaling is active in and regulates outer radial glial cells (RGCs), a population of neural stem cells that distinguish the human developing cortex. mTOR signaling has a well-established role in hamartoma syndromes such as tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and other mTORopathies. New ultra-sensitive techniques for identification of somatic mTOR pathway mutations have shed light on the neurodevelopmental origin and phenotypic heterogeneity seen in mTORopathy patients. These emerging studies suggest that mTOR signaling may facilitate developmental processes specific to human cortical development but also, when mis-regulated, cause cortical malformations and neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Girodengo
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.,King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sila K Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph M Bateman
- King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Vasic V, Jones MSO, Haslinger D, Knaus LS, Schmeisser MJ, Novarino G, Chiocchetti AG. Translating the Role of mTOR- and RAS-Associated Signalopathies in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Models, Mechanisms and Treatment. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12111746. [PMID: 34828352 PMCID: PMC8624393 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations affecting mTOR or RAS signaling underlie defined syndromes (the so-called mTORopathies and RASopathies) with high risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These syndromes show a broad variety of somatic phenotypes including cancers, skin abnormalities, heart disease and facial dysmorphisms. Less well studied are the neuropsychiatric symptoms such as ASD. Here, we assess the relevance of these signalopathies in ASD reviewing genetic, human cell model, rodent studies and clinical trials. We conclude that signalopathies have an increased liability for ASD and that, in particular, ASD individuals with dysmorphic features and intellectual disability (ID) have a higher chance for disruptive mutations in RAS- and mTOR-related genes. Studies on rodent and human cell models confirm aberrant neuronal development as the underlying pathology. Human studies further suggest that multiple hits are necessary to induce the respective phenotypes. Recent clinical trials do only report improvements for comorbid conditions such as epilepsy or cancer but not for behavioral aspects. Animal models show that treatment during early development can rescue behavioral phenotypes. Taken together, we suggest investigating the differential roles of mTOR and RAS signaling in both human and rodent models, and to test drug treatment both during and after neuronal development in the available model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verica Vasic
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (V.V.); (M.J.S.)
| | - Mattson S. O. Jones
- Autism Therapy and Research Center of Excellence, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (M.S.O.J.); (D.H.)
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe University Frankfurt, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Denise Haslinger
- Autism Therapy and Research Center of Excellence, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (M.S.O.J.); (D.H.)
- Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria; (L.S.K.); (G.N.)
| | - Lisa S. Knaus
- Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria; (L.S.K.); (G.N.)
| | - Michael J. Schmeisser
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (V.V.); (M.J.S.)
- Focus Program Translational Neurosciences (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Gaia Novarino
- Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria; (L.S.K.); (G.N.)
| | - Andreas G. Chiocchetti
- Autism Therapy and Research Center of Excellence, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (M.S.O.J.); (D.H.)
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe University Frankfurt, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-69-6301-80658
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16
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Gruber V, Lang J, Endmayr V, Diehm R, Pimpel B, Glatter S, Anink JJ, Bongaarts A, Luinenburg MJ, Reinten RJ, van der Wel N, Larsen P, Hainfellner JA, Rössler K, Aronica E, Scholl T, Mühlebner A, Feucht M. Impaired myelin production due to an intrinsic failure of oligodendrocytes in mTORpathies. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 47:812-825. [PMID: 34173252 PMCID: PMC8518586 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS We aim to evaluate if the myelin pathology observed in epilepsy-associated focal cortical dysplasia type 2B (FCD2B) and-histologically indistinguishable-cortical tubers of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is primarily related to the underlying malformation or constitutes a secondary phenomenon due to the toxic microenvironment created by epileptic seizures. We also aim to investigate the possible beneficial effect of the mTOR pathway regulator everolimus on white matter pathology. METHODS Primary mixed glial cell cultures derived from epilepsy surgery specimens of one TSC and seven FCD2B patients were grown on polycaprolactone fibre matrices and analysed using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Unaffected white matter from three age-matched epilepsy patients with mild malformations of cortical development (mMCD) and one with FCD3D served as controls. Additionally, TSC2 knock-out was performed using an oligodendroglial cell line. Myelination capacities of nanofibre grown cells in an inflammatory environment after mTOR-inhibitor treatment with everolimus were further investigated. RESULTS Reduced oligodendroglial turnover, directly related to a lower myelin content was found in the patients' primary cells. In our culture model of myelination dynamics, primary cells grown under 'inflammatory condition' showed decreased myelination, that was repaired by treatment with everolimus. CONCLUSIONS Results obtained in patient-derived primary oligodendroglial and TSC2 knock-out cells suggest that maturation of oligodendroglia and production of a proper myelin sheath seem to be impaired as a result of mTOR pathway disturbance. Hence, oligodendroglial pathology may reflect a more direct effect of the abnormal genetic programme rather than to be an inactive bystander of chronic epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria‐Elisabeth Gruber
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent MedicineMedical University of Vienna – Affiliated Partner of the ERN EpiCAREViennaAustria
| | - Judith Lang
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent MedicineMedical University of Vienna – Affiliated Partner of the ERN EpiCAREViennaAustria
| | - Verena Endmayr
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of NeurologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Robert Diehm
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent MedicineMedical University of Vienna – Affiliated Partner of the ERN EpiCAREViennaAustria
| | - Birgit Pimpel
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent MedicineMedical University of Vienna – Affiliated Partner of the ERN EpiCAREViennaAustria
| | - Sarah Glatter
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent MedicineMedical University of Vienna – Affiliated Partner of the ERN EpiCAREViennaAustria
| | - Jasper J. Anink
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Anika Bongaarts
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Mark J. Luinenburg
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Roy J. Reinten
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Nicole van der Wel
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Per Larsen
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Johannes A. Hainfellner
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of NeurologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Karl Rössler
- Department of NeurosurgeryMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN)HeemstedeThe Netherlands
| | - Theresa Scholl
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent MedicineMedical University of Vienna – Affiliated Partner of the ERN EpiCAREViennaAustria
| | - Angelika Mühlebner
- Department of PathologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Martha Feucht
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent MedicineMedical University of Vienna – Affiliated Partner of the ERN EpiCAREViennaAustria
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17
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Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Inactivation Increases Neuronal Network Activity by Enhancing Ca 2+ Influx via L-Type Ca 2+ Channels. J Neurosci 2021; 41:8134-8149. [PMID: 34417327 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1930-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem developmental disorder characterized by hamartomas in various organs, such as the brain, lungs, and kidneys. Epilepsy, along with autism and intellectual disability, is one of the neurologic impairments associated with TSC that has an intimate relationship with developmental outcomes and quality of life. Sustained activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) via TSC1 or TSC2 mutations is known to be involved in the onset of epilepsy in TSC. However, the mechanism by which mTOR causes seizures remains unknown. In this study, we showed that, human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived TSC2-deficient (TSC2 -/-) neurons exhibited elevated neuronal activity with highly synchronized Ca2+ spikes. Notably, TSC2 -/- neurons presented enhanced Ca2+ influx via L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs), which contributed to the abnormal neurite extension and sustained activation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), a critical mediator of synaptic plasticity. Expression of Cav1.3, a subtype of LTCCs, was increased in TSC2 -/- neurons, but long-term rapamycin treatment suppressed this increase and reversed the altered neuronal activity and neurite extensions. Thus, we identified Cav1.3 LTCC as a critical downstream component of TSC-mTOR signaling that would trigger enhanced neuronal network activity of TSC2 -/- neurons. We suggest that LTCCs could be potential novel targets for the treatment of epilepsy in TSC.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT There is a close relationship between elevated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity and epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). However, the underlying mechanism by which mTOR causes epilepsy remains unknown. In this study, using human TSC2 -/- neurons, we identified elevated Ca2+ influx via L-type Ca2+ channels as a critical downstream component of TSC-mTOR signaling and a potential cause of both elevated neuronal activity and neurite extension in TSC2 -/- neurons. Our findings demonstrate a previously unrecognized connection between sustained mTOR activation and elevated Ca2+ signaling via L-type Ca2+ channels in human TSC neurons, which could cause epilepsy in TSC.
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18
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Zhong J, Han C, Zhang X, Chen P, Liu R. scGET: Predicting Cell Fate Transition During Early Embryonic Development by Single-cell Graph Entropy. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2021; 19:461-474. [PMID: 34954425 PMCID: PMC8864248 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2020.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
During early embryonic development, cell fate commitment represents a critical transition or "tipping point" of embryonic differentiation, at which there is a drastic and qualitative shift of the cell populations. In this study, we presented a computational approach, scGET, to explore the gene-gene associations based on single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data for critical transition prediction. Specifically, by transforming the gene expression data to the local network entropy, the single-cell graph entropy (SGE) value quantitatively characterizes the stability and criticality of gene regulatory networks among cell populations and thus can be employed to detect the critical signal of cell fate or lineage commitment at the single-cell level. Being applied to five scRNA-seq datasets of embryonic differentiation, scGET accurately predicts all the impending cell fate transitions. After identifying the "dark genes" that are non-differentially expressed genes but sensitive to the SGE value, the underlying signaling mechanisms were revealed, suggesting that the synergy of dark genes and their downstream targets may play a key role in various cell development processes.The application in all five datasets demonstrates the effectiveness of scGET in analyzing scRNA-seq data from a network perspective and its potential to track the dynamics of cell differentiation. The source code of scGET is accessible at https://github.com/zhongjiayuna/scGET_Project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayuan Zhong
- School of Mathematics, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
| | - Chongyin Han
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
| | - Xuhang Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
| | - Pei Chen
- School of Mathematics, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
| | - Rui Liu
- School of Mathematics, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Pazhou Lab, Guangzhou 510330, PR China.
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19
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Tang X, Angst G, Haas M, Yang F, Wang C. The Characterization of a Subependymal Giant Astrocytoma-Like Cell Line from Murine Astrocyte with mTORC1 Hyperactivation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084116. [PMID: 33923449 PMCID: PMC8074262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder caused by inactivating mutations in TSC1 (hamartin) or TSC2 (tuberin), crucial negative regulators of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway. TSC affects multiple organs including the brain. The neurologic manifestation is characterized by cortical tubers, subependymal nodules (SEN), and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) in brain. SEGAs may result in hydrocephalus in TSC patients and mTORC1 inhibitors are the current recommended therapy for SEGA. Nevertheless, a major limitation in the research for SEGA is the lack of cell lines or animal models for mechanistic investigations and development of novel therapy. In this study, we generated TSC1-deficient neural cells from spontaneously immortalized mouse astrocytes in an attempt to mimic human SEGA. The TSC1-deficient cells exhibit mTORC1 hyperactivation and characteristics of transition from astrocytes to neural stem/progenitor cell phenotypes. Rapamycin efficiently decreased mTORC1 activity of these TSC1-deficient cells in vitro. In vivo, TSC1-deficient cells could form SEGA-like tumors and Rapamycin treatment decreased tumor growth. Collectively, our study generates a novel SEGA-like cell line that is invaluable for studying mTORC1-driven molecular and pathological alterations in neurologic tissue. These SEGA-like cells also provide opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic strategy for TSC patients with SEGA.
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20
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Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) and Cerebral Organoids for Drug Screening and Development in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Opportunities and Challenges. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13020280. [PMID: 33669772 PMCID: PMC7922555 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a group of neurodevelopmental diseases characterized by persistent deficits in social communication, interaction, and repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, and activities. The etiopathogenesis is multifactorial with complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. The clinical heterogeneity and complex etiology of this pediatric disorder have limited the development of pharmacological therapies. The major limit to ASD research remains a lack of relevant human disease models which can faithfully recapitulate key features of the human pathology and represent its genetic heterogeneity. Recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), reprogrammed from somatic cells of patients into all types of patient-specific neural cells, have provided a promising cellular tool for disease modeling and development of novel drug treatments. The iPSCs technology allowed not only a better investigation of the disease etiopathogenesis but also opened up the potential for personalized therapies and offered new opportunities for drug discovery, pharmacological screening, and toxicity assessment. Moreover, iPSCs can be differentiated and organized into three-dimensional (3D) organoids, providing a model which mimics the complexity of the brain’s architecture and more accurately recapitulates tissue- and organ-level disease pathophysiology. The aims of this review were to describe the current state of the art of the use of human patient-derived iPSCs and brain organoids in modeling ASD and developing novel therapeutic strategies and to discuss the opportunities and major challenges in this rapidly moving field.
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Neuron-Glia Interactions in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Affect the Synaptic Balance in 2D and Organoid Cultures. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010134. [PMID: 33445520 PMCID: PMC7826837 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disease affecting the brain. Neurological symptoms like epilepsy and neurodevelopmental issues cause a significant burden on patients. Both neurons and glial cells are affected by TSC mutations. Previous studies have shown changes in the excitation/inhibition balance (E/I balance) in TSC. Astrocytes are known to be important for neuronal development, and astrocytic dysfunction can cause changes in the E/I balance. We hypothesized that astrocytes affect the synaptic balance in TSC. TSC patient-derived stem cells were differentiated into astrocytes, which showed increased proliferation compared to control astrocytes. RNA sequencing revealed changes in gene expression, which were related to epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling and enriched for genes that coded for secreted or transmembrane proteins. Control neurons were cultured in astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) of TSC and control astrocytes. After culture in TSC ACM, neurons showed an altered synaptic balance, with an increase in the percentage of VGAT+ synapses. These findings were confirmed in organoids, presenting a spontaneous 3D organization of neurons and glial cells. To conclude, this study shows that TSC astrocytes are affected and secrete factors that alter the synaptic balance. As an altered E/I balance may underlie many of the neurological TSC symptoms, astrocytes may provide new therapeutic targets.
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Zhang X, Li Z, Liu Y, Gai Z. Great Expectations: Induced pluripotent stem cell technologies in neurodevelopmental impairments. Int J Med Sci 2021; 18:459-473. [PMID: 33390815 PMCID: PMC7757149 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.51842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic cells such as skin fibroblasts, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood, urinary epithelial cells, etc., are transformed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by reprogramming technology, a milestone in the stem-cell research field. IPSCs are similar to embryonic stem cells (ESCs), exhibiting the potential to differentiate into various somatic cells. Still, the former avoid problems of immune rejection and medical ethics in the study of ESCs and clinical trials. Neurodevelopmental disorders are chronic developmental brain dysfunctions that affect cognition, exercise, social adaptability, behavior, etc. Due to various inherited or acquired causes, they seriously affect the physical and psychological health of infants and children. These include generalized stunting / mental disability (GDD/ID), Epilepsy, autism spectrum disease (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Most neurodevelopmental disorders are challenging to cure. Establishing a neurodevelopmental disorder system model is essential for researching and treating neurodevelopmental disorders. At this stage, the scarcity of samples is a bigger problem for studying neurological diseases based on the donor, ethics, etc. Some iPSCs are reprogrammed from somatic cells that carry disease-causing mutations. They differentiate into nerve cells by induction, which has the original characteristics of diseases. Disease-specific iPSCs are used to study the mechanism and pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders. The process provided samples and the impetus for developing drugs and developing treatment plans for neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, this article mainly introduced the development of iPSCs, the currently established iPSCs disease models, and artificial organoids related to neurodevelopmental impairments. This technology will promote our understanding of neurodevelopmental impairments and bring great expectations to children with neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhang
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Jinan Pediatric Research Institute, Jinan Children's Hospital, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan 250033, China
| | - Zilong Li
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Jinan Pediatric Research Institute, Jinan Children's Hospital, Ji'nan 250022, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Jinan Pediatric Research Institute, Jinan Children's Hospital, Ji'nan 250022, China
| | - Zhongtao Gai
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Jinan Pediatric Research Institute, Jinan Children's Hospital, Ji'nan 250022, China
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23
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Wu Y, Li H, Yu X, Lin M, Chen Y. A Case of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex with Lymphangioleiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:12421-12426. [PMID: 33293833 PMCID: PMC7719313 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s276627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease affecting young women, which occurs sporadically or in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). The main manifestations of TSC in the kidney include cysts and angiomyolipoma (AML). Although renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is not a manifestation of TSC, it has a 2–4% incidence in TSC patients. Furthermore, LAM is rare in patients with RCC. Herein, we present a case of a 40-year-old woman with LAM and RCC in the right kidney. We checked for mutations in the TSC1 and TSC2 genes from both blood and kidney lesions and found a heterozygous mutation of c.1717–30G> A in intron 16 of TSC2 gene. In TSC patients, the diagnosis of RCC is challenging because the cancer is rare, and it is often difficult to distinguish it from AML with conventional imaging techniques. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with TSC undergo renal imaging follow-ups annually for kidney masses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongru Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoli Yu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Lin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yusheng Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, People's Republic of China
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Hirose S, Tanaka Y, Shibata M, Kimura Y, Ishikawa M, Higurashi N, Yamamoto T, Ichise E, Chiyonobu T, Ishii A. Application of induced pluripotent stem cells in epilepsy. Mol Cell Neurosci 2020; 108:103535. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2020.103535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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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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26
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Klofas LK, Short BP, Snow JP, Sinnaeve J, Rushing GV, Westlake G, Weinstein W, Ihrie RA, Ess KC, Carson RP. DEPDC5 haploinsufficiency drives increased mTORC1 signaling and abnormal morphology in human iPSC-derived cortical neurons. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 143:104975. [PMID: 32574724 PMCID: PMC7462127 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the DEPDC5 gene can cause epilepsy, including forms with and without brain malformations. The goal of this study was to investigate the contribution of DEPDC5 gene dosage to the underlying neuropathology of DEPDC5-related epilepsies. We generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from epilepsy patients harboring heterozygous loss of function mutations in DEPDC5. Patient iPSCs displayed increases in both phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 and proliferation rate, consistent with elevated mTORC1 activation. In line with these findings, we observed increased soma size in patient iPSC-derived cortical neurons that was rescued with rapamycin treatment. These data indicate that human cells heterozygous for DEPDC5 loss-of-function mutations are haploinsufficient for control of mTORC1 signaling. Our findings suggest that human pathology differs from mouse models of DEPDC5-related epilepsies, which do not show consistent phenotypic differences in heterozygous neurons, and support the need for human-based models to affirm and augment the findings from animal models of DEPDC5-related epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay K Klofas
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Brittany P Short
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - John P Snow
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Justine Sinnaeve
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Grant Westlake
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Will Weinstein
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rebecca A Ihrie
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kevin C Ess
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Robert P Carson
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Modeling Neurodevelopmental Deficits in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex with Stem Cell Derived Neural Precursors and Neurons. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 32578142 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-45493-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disorder that is caused by mutations in TSC1 or TSC2. TSC is a multi-organ disorder characterized by development of non-malignant cellular overgrowths, called hamartomas, in different organs of the body. TSC is also characterized as a neurodevelopmental disorder presenting with epilepsy and autism, and formation of cortical malformations ("tubers"), subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs), and subependymal nodules (SENs) in the patient's brain. In this chapter, we are going to give an overview of neural stem cell and neuronal development in TSC. In addition, we will also describe previously developed animal models of TSC that display seizures, autistic-like behaviors, and neuronal cell abnormalities in vivo, and we will compare them to disease phenotypes detected with human stem cell derived neuronal cells in vitro. We will describe the effects of TSC-mutations in different neural cell subtypes, and discuss the mitochondrial function, autophagy, and synaptic development and functional deficits in the neurons. Finally, we will review utilization of these human TSC-patient derived neuronal models for drug screening to develop new treatment options for the neurological phenotypes seen in TSC patients.
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28
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He R, Li H, Wang L, Li Y, Zhang Y, Chen M, Zhu Y, Zhang C. Engraftment of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived myogenic progenitors restores dystrophin in mice with duchenne muscular dystrophy. Biol Res 2020; 53:22. [PMID: 32430065 PMCID: PMC7238630 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-020-00288-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating genetic muscular disorder with no effective treatment that is caused by the loss of dystrophin. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer a promising unlimited resource for cell-based therapies of muscular dystrophy. However, their clinical applications are hindered by inefficient myogenic differentiation, and moreover, the engraftment of non-transgene hiPSC-derived myogenic progenitors has not been examined in the mdx mouse model of DMD. Methods We investigated the muscle regenerative potential of myogenic progenitors derived from hiPSCs in mdx mice. The hiPSCs were transfected with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) vector and defined as EGFP hiPSCs. Myogenic differentiation was performed on EGFP hiPSCs with supplementary of basic fibroblast growth factor, forskolin, 6-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime as well as horse serum. EGFP hiPSCs-derived myogenic progenitors were engrafted into mdx mice via both intramuscular and intravenous injection. The restoration of dystrophin expression, the ratio of central nuclear myofibers, and the transplanted cells-derived satellite cells were accessed after intramuscular and systemic transplantation. Results We report that abundant myogenic progenitors can be generated from hiPSCs after treatment with these three small molecules, with consequent terminal differentiation giving rise to mature myotubes in vitro. Upon intramuscular or systemic transplantation into mdx mice, these myogenic progenitors engrafted and contributed to human-derived myofiber regeneration in host muscles, restored dystrophin expression, ameliorated pathological lesions, and seeded the satellite cell compartment in dystrophic muscles. Conclusions This study demonstrates the muscle regeneration potential of myogenic progenitors derived from hiPSCs using non-transgenic induction methods. Engraftment of hiPSC-derived myogenic progenitors could be a potential future therapeutic strategy to treat DMD in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruojie He
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huan Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaqin Li
- Department of Neurology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Menglong Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuling Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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29
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Afshar Saber W, Sahin M. Recent advances in human stem cell-based modeling of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Mol Autism 2020; 11:16. [PMID: 32075691 PMCID: PMC7031912 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-0320-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by epilepsy, intellectual disability, and benign tumors of the brain, heart, skin, and kidney. Animal models have contributed to our understanding of normal and abnormal human brain development, but the construction of models that accurately recapitulate a human pathology remains challenging. Recent advances in stem cell biology with the derivation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from somatic cells from patients have opened new avenues to the study of TSC. This approach combined with gene-editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 offers the advantage of preserving patient-specific genetic background and the ability to generate isogenic controls by correcting a specific mutation. The patient cell line and the isogenic control can be differentiated into the cell type of interest to model various aspects of TSC. In this review, we discuss the remarkable capacity of these cells to be used as a model for TSC in two- and three-dimensional cultures, the potential variability in iPSC models, and highlight differences between findings reported to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wardiya Afshar Saber
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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30
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Martin P, Wagh V, Reis SA, Erdin S, Beauchamp RL, Shaikh G, Talkowski M, Thiele E, Sheridan SD, Haggarty SJ, Ramesh V. TSC patient-derived isogenic neural progenitor cells reveal altered early neurodevelopmental phenotypes and rapamycin-induced MNK-eIF4E signaling. Mol Autism 2020; 11:2. [PMID: 31921404 PMCID: PMC6945400 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-019-0311-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with frequent occurrence of epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), and tumors in multiple organs. The aberrant activation of mTORC1 in TSC has led to treatment with mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin as a lifelong therapy for tumors, but TSC-associated neurocognitive manifestations remain unaffected by rapamycin. Methods Here, we generated patient-specific, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a TSC patient with a heterozygous, germline, nonsense mutation in exon 15 of TSC1 and established an isogenic set of heterozygous (Het), null and corrected wildtype (Corr-WT) iPSCs using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing. We differentiated these iPSCs into neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and examined neurodevelopmental phenotypes, signaling and changes in gene expression by RNA-seq. Results Differentiated NPCs revealed enlarged cell size in TSC1-Het and Null NPCs, consistent with mTORC1 activation. TSC1-Het and Null NPCs also revealed enhanced proliferation and altered neurite outgrowth in a genotype-dependent manner, which was not reversed by rapamycin. Transcriptome analyses of TSC1-NPCs revealed differentially expressed genes that display a genotype-dependent linear response, i.e., genes upregulated/downregulated in Het were further increased/decreased in Null. In particular, genes linked to ASD, epilepsy, and ID were significantly upregulated or downregulated warranting further investigation. In TSC1-Het and Null NPCs, we also observed basal activation of ERK1/2, which was further activated upon rapamycin treatment. Rapamycin also increased MNK1/2-eIF4E signaling in TSC1-deficient NPCs. Conclusion MEK-ERK and MNK-eIF4E pathways regulate protein translation, and our results suggest that aberrant translation distinct in TSC1/2-deficient NPCs could play a role in neurodevelopmental defects. Our data showing upregulation of these signaling pathways by rapamycin support a strategy to combine a MEK or a MNK inhibitor with rapamycin that may be superior for TSC-associated CNS defects. Importantly, our generation of isogenic sets of NPCs from TSC patients provides a valuable platform for translatome and large-scale drug screening studies. Overall, our studies further support the notion that early developmental events such as NPC proliferation and initial process formation, such as neurite number and length that occur prior to neuronal differentiation, represent primary events in neurogenesis critical to disease pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Martin
- 1Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Vilas Wagh
- 2MERCK Research Laboratories, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Surya A Reis
- 1Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Serkan Erdin
- 1Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Roberta L Beauchamp
- 1Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Ghalib Shaikh
- 1Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Michael Talkowski
- 1Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA.,3Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Elizabeth Thiele
- 3Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Steven D Sheridan
- 1Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA.,4Center for Quantitative Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- 1Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA.,3Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Vijaya Ramesh
- 1Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA.,3Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA
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Biallelic Mutations in TSC2 Lead to Abnormalities Associated with Cortical Tubers in Human iPSC-Derived Neurons. J Neurosci 2019; 39:9294-9305. [PMID: 31591157 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0642-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in TSC1 or TSC2 Patients frequently have epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, and/or intellectual disability, as well as other systemic manifestations. In this study, we differentiated human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a female patient with TSC with one or two mutations in TSC2 into neurons using induced expression of NGN2 to examine neuronal dysregulation associated with the neurological symptoms in TSC. Using this method, neuronal differentiation was comparable between the three genotypes of iPSCs. We observed that TSC2 +/- neurons show mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) hyperactivation and associated increased cell body size and process outgrowth, as well as exacerbation of the abnormalities by loss of the second allele of TSC2 in TSC2 -/- neurons. Interestingly, iPSC-derived neurons with either a single or biallelic mutation in TSC2 demonstrated hypersynchrony and downregulation of FMRP targets. However, only neurons with biallelic mutations of TSC2 demonstrated hyperactivity and transcriptional dysregulation observed in cortical tubers. These data demonstrate that loss of one allele of TSC2 is sufficient to cause some morphological and physiological changes in human neurons but that biallelic mutations in TSC2 are necessary to induce gene expression dysregulation present in cortical tubers. Finally, we found that treatment of iPSC-derived neurons with rapamycin reduced neuronal activity and partially reversed gene expression abnormalities, demonstrating that mTOR dysregulation contributes to both phenotypes. Therefore, biallelic mutations in TSC2 and associated molecular dysfunction, including mTOR hyperactivation, may play a role in the development of cortical tubers.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In this study, we examined neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells with two, one, or no functional TSC2 (tuberous sclerosis complex 2) alleles and found that loss of one or both alleles of TSC2 results in mTORC1 hyperactivation and specific neuronal abnormalities. However, only biallelic mutations in TSC2 resulted in elevated neuronal activity and upregulation of cell adhesion genes that is also observed in cortical tubers. These data suggest that loss of heterozygosity of TSC1 or TSC2 may play an important role in the development of cortical tubers, and potentially epilepsy, in patients with TSC.
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Yang G, Shcheglovitov A. Probing disrupted neurodevelopment in autism using human stem cell-derived neurons and organoids: An outlook into future diagnostics and drug development. Dev Dyn 2019; 249:6-33. [PMID: 31398277 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) represent a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction, repetitive or restrictive behaviors, and problems with speech. According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 68 children in the US is diagnosed with ASDs. Although ASD-related diagnostics and the knowledge of ASD-associated genetic abnormalities have improved in recent years, our understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways disrupted in ASD remains very limited. As a result, no specific therapies or medications are available for individuals with ASDs. In this review, we describe the neurodevelopmental processes that are likely affected in the brains of individuals with ASDs and discuss how patient-specific stem cell-derived neurons and organoids can be used for investigating these processes at the cellular and molecular levels. Finally, we propose a discovery pipeline to be used in the future for identifying the cellular and molecular deficits and developing novel personalized therapies for individuals with idiopathic ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Yang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alex Shcheglovitov
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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33
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Zhang Z, Hou H, Yu S, Zhou C, Zhang X, Li N, Zhang S, Song K, Lu Y, Liu D, Lu H, Xu H. Inflammation-induced mammalian target of rapamycin signaling is essential for retina regeneration. Glia 2019; 68:111-127. [PMID: 31444939 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Upon retina injury, Müller glia in the zebrafish retina respond by generating multipotent progenitors to repair the retina. However, the complete mechanisms underlying retina regeneration remain elusive. Here we report inflammation-induced mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in the Müller glia is essential for retina regeneration in adult zebrafish. We show after a stab injury, mTOR is rapidly activated in Müller glia and later Müller glia-derived progenitor cells (MGPCs). Importantly, mTOR is required for Müller glia dedifferentiation, as well as the proliferation of Müller glia and MGPCs. Interestingly, transient mTOR inhibition by rapamycin only reversibly suppresses MGPC proliferation, while its longer suppression by knocking down Raptor significantly inhibits the regeneration of retinal neurons. We further show mTOR promotes retina regeneration by regulating the mRNA expression of key reprogramming factors ascl1a and lin-28a, cell cycle-related genes and critical cytokines. Surprisingly, we identify microglia/macrophage-mediated inflammation as an important upstream regulator of mTOR in the Müller glia and it promotes retina regeneration through mTOR. Our study not only demonstrates the important functions of mTOR but also reveals an interesting link between inflammation and the mTOR signaling during retina regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Haitao Hou
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shuguang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuiping Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shuqiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kaida Song
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Dong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hong Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu Province, China
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34
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Manoukian OS, Stratton S, Arul MR, Moskow J, Sardashti N, Yu X, Rudraiah S, Kumbar SG. Polymeric ionically conductive composite matrices and electrical stimulation strategies for nerve regeneration: In vitro characterization. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2019; 107:1792-1805. [PMID: 30419159 PMCID: PMC6511498 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.34272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell strategies and the use of electrical stimulation (ES) represent promising new frontiers for peripheral nerve regeneration. Composite matrices were fabricated by coating electrospun polycaprolactone/cellulose acetate micro-nanofibers with chitosan and ionically conductive (IC) polymers including, sulfonated polyaniline, and lignin sulfonate. These composite matrices were characterized for surface morphology, coating uniformity, ionic conductivity, and mechanical strength to explore as scaffold materials for nerve regeneration in conjunction with ES. Composite matrices measured conductivity in the range of 0.0049-0.0068 mS/m due to the uniform coating of sulfonated polymers on the micro-nanofibers. Thin films (2D) and composite fiber matrices (3D) of IC polymers seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were electrically stimulated at 0.5 V, 20 Hz for 1 h daily for 14 days to study the changes in cell viability, morphology, and expression of the neuronal-like phenotype. In vitro ES lead to changes in hMSCs' fibroblast morphology into elongated neurite-like structures with cell bodies for ES-treated and positive control growth factor-treated groups. Immunofluorescent staining revealed the presence of neuronal markers including β3-tubulin, microtubule-associated protein 2, and nestin in response to ES. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1792-1805, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ohan S. Manoukian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Scott Stratton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Michael R. Arul
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Joshua Moskow
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Naseem Sardashti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Xiaojun Yu
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, USA
| | - Swetha Rudraiah
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Saint Joseph, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Sangamesh G. Kumbar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
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35
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Abdelwahed M, Touraine R, Ben-Rhouma B, Dhieb D, Mars M, Kammoun K, Hachicha J, Triki C, Kamoun H, Keskes-Ammar L, Belguith N. A novel de novo splicing mutation c.1444-2A>T in the TSC2 gene causes exon skipping and premature termination in a patient with tuberous sclerosis syndrome. IUBMB Life 2019; 71:1937-1945. [PMID: 31317616 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) syndrome is a neurocutaneous syndrome that affects the brain, skin, and kidneys that has an adverse impact on the patient's health and quality of life. There have been several recent advances that elucidate the genetic complex of this disorder that will help understand the basic neurobiology of this disorder. We report a Tunisian patient with clinical manifestations of TSC syndrome. We investigated the causative molecular defect in this patient using PCR followed by direct sequencing. Subsequently, in silico studies and mRNA analysis were performed to study the pathogenicity of the new variation found in the TSC2. Bioinformatics tools predicted that the novel mutation c.1444-2A>T have pathogenic effects on splicing machinery. RT-PCR followed by sequencing revealed that the mutation c.1444-2A>T generates two aberrant transcripts. The first, with exon 15 skipping, is responsible for the loss of 52 amino acids, which causes the production of an aberrant protein isoform. The second, with the inclusion of 122 nucleotides of intron 14, is responsible for the creation of new premature termination codons (TGA), which causes the production of a truncated TSC2 protein. This study highlighted the clinical features of a Tunisian patient with TSC syndrome and revealed a splicing mutation c.1444-2A>T within intron 14 of TSC2 gene, which is present for the first time using Sanger sequencing approach, as a disease-causing mutation in a Tunisian patient with TSC syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayssa Abdelwahed
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Renaud Touraine
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, STB Reference Centre, Saint Etienne, France
| | - Bochra Ben-Rhouma
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Dhoha Dhieb
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Manel Mars
- Renal Pathology Unit, UR12ES14, Nephrology Department Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Khawla Kammoun
- Renal Pathology Unit, UR12ES14, Nephrology Department Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Jamil Hachicha
- Renal Pathology Unit, UR12ES14, Nephrology Department Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Chahnez Triki
- Child Neurology Department, CHU Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Hassen Kamoun
- Medical Genetics Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Leila Keskes-Ammar
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Neila Belguith
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.,Medical Genetics Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
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36
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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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37
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Russo FB, Brito A, de Freitas AM, Castanha A, de Freitas BC, Beltrão-Braga PCB. The use of iPSC technology for modeling Autism Spectrum Disorders. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 130:104483. [PMID: 31129084 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that influence social skills, involving communication, interaction, and behavior, usually with repetitive and restrictive manners. Due to the variety of genes involved in ASDs and several possible environmental factors influence, there is still no answer to what really causes syndromic and non-syndromic types of ASDs, usually affecting each individual in a unique way. However, we know that the mechanism underlying ASDs involves brain functioning. The human brain is a complex structure composed of close to 100 billion cells, which is a big challenge to study counting just with post mortem tissue investigation or genetic approaches. Therefore, human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) technology has been used as a tool to produce viable cells for understanding a working brain. Taking advantage of patient-derived stem cells, researchers are now able to generate neurons, glial cells and brain organoids in vitro to model ASDs. In this review we report data from different studies showing how iPSCs have been a critical tool to study the different phenotypes of ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiele Baldino Russo
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Anita Brito
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Andrelissa Castanha
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Beatriz C de Freitas
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Patricia Cristina Baleeiro Beltrão-Braga
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Obstetrics, School of Arts Sciences and Humanities, São Paulo, SP 03828-000, Brazil.
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38
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Blair JD, Bateup HS. New frontiers in modeling tuberous sclerosis with human stem cell-derived neurons and brain organoids. Dev Dyn 2019; 249:46-55. [PMID: 31070828 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in human stem cell and genome engineering have enabled the generation of genetically defined human cellular models for brain disorders. These models can be established from a patient's own cells and can be genetically engineered to generate isogenic, controlled systems for mechanistic studies. Given the challenges of obtaining and working with primary human brain tissue, these models fill a critical gap in our understanding of normal and abnormal human brain development and provide an important complement to animal models. Recently, there has been major progress in modeling the neuropathophysiology of the canonical "mTORopathy" tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) with such approaches. Studies using two- and three-dimensional cultures of human neurons and glia have provided new insights into how mutations in the TSC1 and TSC2 genes impact human neural development and function. Here we discuss recent progress in human stem cell-based modeling of TSC and highlight challenges and opportunities for further efforts in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Blair
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Helen S Bateup
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California.,Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California.,Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California
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39
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Nadadhur AG, Alsaqati M, Gasparotto L, Cornelissen-Steijger P, van Hugte E, Dooves S, Harwood AJ, Heine VM. Neuron-Glia Interactions Increase Neuronal Phenotypes in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Patient iPSC-Derived Models. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 12:42-56. [PMID: 30581017 PMCID: PMC6335594 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from autosomal dominant mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, leading to a hyperactivated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and gray and white matter defects in the brain. To study the involvement of neuron-glia interactions in TSC phenotypes, we generated TSC patient induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cortical neuronal and oligodendrocyte (OL) cultures. TSC neuron mono-cultures showed increased network activity, as measured by calcium transients and action potential firing, and increased dendritic branching. However, in co-cultures with OLs, neuronal defects became more apparent, showing cellular hypertrophy and increased axonal density. In addition, TSC neuron-OL co-cultures showed increased OL cell proliferation and decreased OL maturation. Pharmacological intervention with the mTOR regulator rapamycin suppressed these defects. Our patient iPSC-based model, therefore, shows a complex cellular TSC phenotype arising from the interaction of neuronal and glial cells and provides a platform for TSC disease modeling and drug development. TSC neuron mono-cultures show an increase in network activity and dendritic branching TSC co-cultures show hypertrophy and an increase in axonal length and OL proliferation mTOR regulators normalize TSC neuronal and glial phenotypes
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya G Nadadhur
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1081 HV, the Netherlands
| | - Mouhamed Alsaqati
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Lisa Gasparotto
- Pediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1081 HV, the Netherlands
| | - Paulien Cornelissen-Steijger
- Pediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1081 HV, the Netherlands
| | - Eline van Hugte
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1081 HV, the Netherlands
| | - Stephanie Dooves
- Pediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1081 HV, the Netherlands
| | - Adrian J Harwood
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Vivi M Heine
- Pediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1081 HV, the Netherlands; Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1081 HV, the Netherlands.
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40
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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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41
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Zucco AJ, Pozzo VD, Afinogenova A, Hart RP, Devinsky O, D'Arcangelo G. Neural progenitors derived from Tuberous Sclerosis Complex patients exhibit attenuated PI3K/AKT signaling and delayed neuronal differentiation. Mol Cell Neurosci 2018; 92:149-163. [PMID: 30144504 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a disease caused by autosomal dominant mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, and is characterized by tumor susceptibility, brain lesions, seizures and behavioral impairments. The TSC1 and TSC2 genes encode proteins forming a complex (TSC), which is a major regulator and suppressor of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a signaling complex that promotes cell growth and proliferation. TSC1/2 loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and the subsequent complete loss of TSC regulatory activity in null cells causes mTORC1 dysregulation and TSC-associated brain lesions or other tissue tumors. However, it is not clear whether TSC1/2 heterozygous brain cells are abnormal and contribute to TSC neuropathology. To investigate this issue, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from TSC patients and unaffected controls, and utilized these to obtain neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and differentiated neurons in vitro. These patient-derived TSC2 heterozygous NPCs were delayed in their ability to differentiate into neurons. Patient-derived progenitor cells also exhibited a modest activation of mTORC1 signaling downstream of TSC, and a marked attenuation of upstream PI3K/AKT signaling. We further show that pharmacologic PI3K or AKT inhibition, but not mTORC1 inhibition, causes a neuronal differentiation delay, mimicking the patient phenotype. Together these data suggest that heterozygous TSC2 mutations disrupt neuronal development, potentially contributing to the disease neuropathology, and that this defect may result from dysregulated PI3K/AKT signaling in neural progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avery J Zucco
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America; Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Valentina Dal Pozzo
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America; Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Alina Afinogenova
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Ronald P Hart
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America; Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, NYU Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Gabriella D'Arcangelo
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America; Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America.
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42
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Blair JD, Hockemeyer D, Bateup HS. Genetically engineered human cortical spheroid models of tuberous sclerosis. Nat Med 2018; 24:1568-1578. [PMID: 30127391 PMCID: PMC6261470 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-018-0139-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem developmental disorder caused by mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, whose protein products are negative regulators of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling. Hallmark pathologies of TSC are cortical tubers-regions of dysmorphic, disorganized neurons and glia in the cortex that are linked to epileptogenesis. To determine the developmental origin of tuber cells, we established human cellular models of TSC by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing of TSC1 or TSC2 in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Using heterozygous TSC2 hPSCs with a conditional mutation in the functional allele, we show that mosaic biallelic inactivation during neural progenitor expansion is necessary for the formation of dysplastic cells and increased glia production in three-dimensional cortical spheroids. Our findings provide support for the second-hit model of cortical tuber formation and suggest that variable developmental timing of somatic mutations could contribute to the heterogeneity in the neurological presentation of TSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Blair
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Dirk Hockemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Helen S Bateup
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA. .,Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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43
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Zhou R, Jiang G, Tian X, Wang X. Progress in the molecular mechanisms of genetic epilepsies using patient-induced pluripotent stem cells. Epilepsia Open 2018; 3:331-339. [PMID: 30187003 PMCID: PMC6119748 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Research findings on the molecular mechanisms of epilepsy almost always originate from animal experiments, and the development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology allows the use of human cells with genetic defects for studying the molecular mechanisms of genetic epilepsy (GE) for the first time. With iPSC technology, terminally differentiated cells collected from GE patients with specific genetic etiologies can be differentiated into many relevant cell subtypes that carry all of the GE patient's genetic information. iPSCs have opened up a new research field involving the pathogenesis of GE. Using this approach, studies have found that gene mutations induce GE by altering the balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition, which is associated. among other factors, with neuronal developmental disturbances, ion channel abnormalities, and synaptic dysfunction. Simultaneously, astrocyte activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and abnormal signaling pathway activity are also important factors in the molecular mechanisms of GE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijiao Zhou
- Department of Neurology the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology Chongqing China
| | - Guohui Jiang
- Department of Neurology Institute of Neurological Diseases Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College Nanchong China
| | - Xin Tian
- Department of Neurology the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology Chongqing China
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Neurology the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology Chongqing China
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44
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Zordan P, Cominelli M, Cascino F, Tratta E, Poliani PL, Galli R. Tuberous sclerosis complex-associated CNS abnormalities depend on hyperactivation of mTORC1 and Akt. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:1688-1706. [PMID: 29389670 DOI: 10.1172/jci96342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a dominantly inherited disease caused by hyperactivation of the mTORC1 pathway and characterized by the development of hamartomas and benign tumors, including in the brain. Among the neurological manifestations associated with TSC, the tumor progression of static subependymal nodules (SENs) into subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) is one of the major causes of morbidity and shortened life expectancy. To date, mouse modeling has failed in reproducing these 2 lesions. Here we report that simultaneous hyperactivation of mTORC1 and Akt pathways by codeletion of Tsc1 and Pten, selectively in postnatal neural stem cells (pNSCs), is required for the formation of bona fide SENs and SEGAs. Notably, both lesions closely recapitulate the pathognomonic morphological and molecular features of the corresponding human abnormalities. The establishment of long-term expanding pNSC lines from mouse SENs and SEGAs made possible the identification of mTORC2 as one of the mediators conferring tumorigenic potential to SEGA pNSCs. Notably, in spite of concurrent Akt hyperactivation in mouse brain lesions, single mTOR inhibition by rapamycin was sufficient to strongly impair mouse SEGA growth. This study provides evidence that, concomitant with mTORC1 hyperactivation, sustained activation of Akt and mTORC2 in pNSCs is a mandatory step for the induction of SENs and SEGAs, and, at the same time, makes available an unprecedented NSC-based in vivo/in vitro model to be exploited for identifying actionable targets in TSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Zordan
- Neural Stem Cell Biology Unit, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Cominelli
- Pathology Unit, Molecular and Translational Medicine Department, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Federica Cascino
- Neural Stem Cell Biology Unit, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Tratta
- Pathology Unit, Molecular and Translational Medicine Department, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Pietro L Poliani
- Pathology Unit, Molecular and Translational Medicine Department, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rossella Galli
- Neural Stem Cell Biology Unit, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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45
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Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) senses nutrients and growth factors to coordinate cell growth, metabolism and autophagy. Extensive research has mapped the signaling pathways regulated by mTOR that are involved in human diseases, such as cancer, and in diabetes and ageing. Recently, however, new studies have demonstrated important roles for mTOR in promoting the differentiation of adult stem cells, driving the growth and proliferation of stem and progenitor cells, and dictating the differentiation program of multipotent stem cell populations. Here, we review these advances, providing an overview of mTOR signaling and its role in murine and human stem and progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delong Meng
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.,Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.,Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Anderson R Frank
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.,Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.,Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jenna L Jewell
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA .,Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.,Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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46
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Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) give rise to the entire nervous system. Animal models suggest that defects in NSC proliferation and differentiation contribute to several brain disorders (e.g., microcephaly, macrocephaly, autism, schizophrenia, and Huntington's disease). However, animal models of such diseases do not fully recapitulate all disease-related phenotypes because of substantial differences in brain development between rodents and humans. Therefore, additional human-based evidence is required to understand the mechanisms that are involved in the development of neurological diseases that result from human NSC (hNSC) dysfunction. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells provide a new model to investigate the contribution of hNSCs to various neurological pathologies. In this chapter, we review the role of hNSCs in both neurodevelopment- and neurodegeneration-related human brain pathologies, with an emphasis on recent evidence that has been obtained using embryonic stem cell- or induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hNSCs and progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Liszewska
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Jacek Jaworski
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland.
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47
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Guo W, Fumagalli L, Prior R, Van Den Bosch L. Current Advances and Limitations in Modeling ALS/FTD in a Dish Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:671. [PMID: 29326542 PMCID: PMC5733489 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are two age-dependent multifactorial neurodegenerative disorders, which are typically characterized by the selective death of motor neurons and cerebral cortex neurons, respectively. These two diseases share many clinical, genetic and pathological aspects. During the past decade, cell reprogramming technologies enabled researchers to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells. This resulted in the unique opportunity to obtain specific neuronal and non-neuronal cell types from patients which could be used for basic research. Moreover, these in vitro models can mimic not only the familial forms of ALS/FTD, but also sporadic cases without known genetic cause. At present, there have been extensive technical advances in the generation of iPSCs, as well as in the differentiation procedures to obtain iPSC-derived motor neurons, cortical neurons and non-neuronal cells. The major challenge at this moment is to determine whether these iPSC-derived cells show relevant phenotypes that recapitulate complex diseases. In this review, we will summarize the work related to iPSC models of ALS and FTD. In addition, we will discuss potential drawbacks and solutions for establishing more trustworthy iPSC models for both ALS and FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Guo
- KU Leuven-Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Institute for Neuroscience and Disease, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB & KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Fumagalli
- KU Leuven-Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Institute for Neuroscience and Disease, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB & KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robert Prior
- KU Leuven-Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Institute for Neuroscience and Disease, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB & KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven-Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Institute for Neuroscience and Disease, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB & KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
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48
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Armstrong LC, Westlake G, Snow JP, Cawthon B, Armour E, Bowman AB, Ess KC. Heterozygous loss of TSC2 alters p53 signaling and human stem cell reprogramming. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:4629-4641. [PMID: 28973543 PMCID: PMC5886307 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a pediatric disorder of dysregulated growth and differentiation caused by loss of function mutations in either the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, which regulate mTOR kinase activity. To study aberrations of early development in TSC, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells using dermal fibroblasts obtained from patients with TSC. During validation, we found that stem cells generated from TSC patients had a very high rate of integration of the reprogramming plasmid containing a shRNA against TP53. We also found that loss of one allele of TSC2 in human fibroblasts is sufficient to increase p53 levels and impair stem cell reprogramming. Increased p53 was also observed in TSC2 heterozygous and homozygous mutant human stem cells, suggesting that the interactions between TSC2 and p53 are consistent across cell types and gene dosage. These results support important contributions of TSC2 heterozygous and homozygous mutant cells to the pathogenesis of TSC and the important role of p53 during reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Armstrong
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, D4105 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Grant Westlake
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, D4105 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - John P Snow
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, D4105 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Bryan Cawthon
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, D4105 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Eric Armour
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, D4105 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Aaron B Bowman
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, D4105 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Kevin C Ess
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, D4105 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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