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Barolo L, Gigante Y, Mautone L, Ghirga S, Soloperto A, Giorgi A, Ghirga F, Pitea M, Incocciati A, Mura F, Ruocco G, Boffi A, Baiocco P, Di Angelantonio S. Ferritin nanocage-enabled detection of pathological tau in living human retinal cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11533. [PMID: 38773170 PMCID: PMC11109090 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62188-8] [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: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease and Frontotemporal Dementia, are debilitating neurodegenerative disorders marked by cognitive decline. Despite extensive research, achieving effective treatments and significant symptom management remains challenging. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies, with hyperphosphorylated protein units and tau oligomers serving as reliable biomarkers for these conditions. This study introduces a novel approach using nanotechnology to enhance the diagnostic process for tauopathies. We developed humanized ferritin nanocages, a novel nanoscale delivery system, designed to encapsulate and transport a tau-specific fluorophore, BT1, into human retinal cells for detecting neurofibrillary tangles in retinal tissue, a key marker of tauopathies. The delivery of BT1 into living cells was successfully achieved through these nanocages, demonstrating efficient encapsulation and delivery into retinal cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Our experiments confirmed the colocalization of BT1 with pathological forms of tau in living retinal cells, highlighting the method's potential in identifying tauopathies. Using ferritin nanocages for BT1 delivery represents a significant contribution to nanobiotechnology, particularly in neurodegenerative disease diagnostics. This method offers a promising tool for the early detection of tau tangles in retinal tissue, with significant implications for improving the diagnosis and management of tauopathies. This study exemplifies the integration of nanotechnology with biomedical science, expanding the frontiers of nanomedicine and diagnostic techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Barolo
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Ylenia Gigante
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
- D-Tails Srl BC, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenza Mautone
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Ghirga
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
- D-Tails Srl BC, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Soloperto
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Giorgi
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Ghirga
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Sapienza-University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Pitea
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
- D-Tails Srl BC, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Incocciati
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Mura
- Research Center on Nanotechnologies Applied to Engineering of Sapienza (CNIS), Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Ruocco
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Boffi
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
- D-Tails Srl BC, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Baiocco
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy.
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy.
- D-Tails Srl BC, 00165, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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2
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Hsieh Y, Augur ZM, Arbery M, Ashour N, Barrett K, Pearse RV, Tio ES, Duong DM, Felsky D, De Jager PL, Bennett DA, Seyfried NT, Young‐Pearse TL. Person-specific differences in ubiquitin-proteasome mediated proteostasis in human neurons. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:2952-2967. [PMID: 38470006 PMCID: PMC11032531 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13680] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) has been implicated in abnormal protein accumulation in Alzheimer's disease. It remains unclear if genetic variation affects the intrinsic properties of neurons that render some individuals more vulnerable to UPS impairment. METHODS Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons were generated from over 50 genetically variant and highly characterized participants of cohorts of aging. Proteomic profiling, proteasome activity assays, and Western blotting were employed to examine neurons at baseline and in response to UPS perturbation. RESULTS Neurons with lower basal UPS activity were more vulnerable to tau accumulation following mild UPS inhibition. Chronic reduction in proteasome activity in human neurons induced compensatory elevation of regulatory proteins involved in proteostasis and several proteasome subunits. DISCUSSION These findings reveal that genetic variation influences basal UPS activity in human neurons and differentially sensitizes them to external factors perturbing the UPS, leading to the accumulation of aggregation-prone proteins such as tau. HIGHLIGHTS Polygenic risk score for AD is associated with the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in neurons. Basal proteasome activity correlates with aggregation-prone protein levels in neurons. Genetic variation affects the response to proteasome inhibition in neurons. Neuronal proteasome perturbation induces an elevation in specific proteins involved in proteostasis. Low basal proteasome activity leads to enhanced tau accumulation with UPS challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi‐Chen Hsieh
- Ann Romney Centerfor Neurologic DiseasesDepartment of NeurologyBrigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Zachary M. Augur
- Ann Romney Centerfor Neurologic DiseasesDepartment of NeurologyBrigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Mason Arbery
- Ann Romney Centerfor Neurologic DiseasesDepartment of NeurologyBrigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Nancy Ashour
- Ann Romney Centerfor Neurologic DiseasesDepartment of NeurologyBrigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Katharine Barrett
- Ann Romney Centerfor Neurologic DiseasesDepartment of NeurologyBrigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Richard V. Pearse
- Ann Romney Centerfor Neurologic DiseasesDepartment of NeurologyBrigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Earvin S. Tio
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Medical ScienceUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Duc M. Duong
- Department of BiochemistryEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Daniel Felsky
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Medical ScienceUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Krembil Centre for NeuroinformaticsCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Philip L. De Jager
- Center for Translational and Computational NeuroimmunologyDepartment of Neurology and the Taub Institute for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging BrainColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - David A. Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease CenterRush University Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Nicholas T. Seyfried
- Department of BiochemistryEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
- Department of NeurologyEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Tracy L. Young‐Pearse
- Ann Romney Centerfor Neurologic DiseasesDepartment of NeurologyBrigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Stem Cell InstituteHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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3
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Ferguson R, van Es MA, van den Berg LH, Subramanian V. Neural stem cell homeostasis is affected in cortical organoids carrying a mutation in Angiogenin. J Pathol 2024; 262:410-426. [PMID: 38180358 DOI: 10.1002/path.6244] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Mutations in Angiogenin (ANG) and TARDBP encoding the 43 kDa transactive response DNA binding protein (TDP-43) are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (ALS-FTD). ANG is neuroprotective and plays a role in stem cell dynamics in the haematopoietic system. We obtained skin fibroblasts from members of an ALS-FTD family, one with mutation in ANG, one with mutation in both TARDBP and ANG, and one with neither mutation. We reprogrammed these fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and generated cortical organoids as well as induced stage-wise differentiation of the iPSCs to neurons. Using these two approaches we investigated the effects of FTD-associated mutations in ANG and TARDBP on neural precursor cells, neural differentiation, and response to stress. We observed striking neurodevelopmental defects such as abnormal and persistent rosettes in the organoids accompanied by increased self-renewal of neural precursor cells. There was also a propensity for differentiation to later-born neurons. In addition, cortical neurons showed increased susceptibility to stress, which is exacerbated in neurons carrying mutations in both ANG and TARDBP. The cortical organoids and neurons generated from patient-derived iPSCs carrying ANG and TARDBP gene variants recapitulate dysfunctions characteristic of frontotemporal lobar degeneration observed in FTD patients. These dysfunctions were ameliorated upon treatment with wild type ANG. In addition to its well-established role during the stress response of mature neurons, ANG also appears to play a role in neural progenitor dynamics. This has implications for neurogenesis and may indicate that subtle developmental defects play a role in disease susceptibility or onset. © 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross Ferguson
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Michael A van Es
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Bahnassawy L, Nicolaisen N, Untucht C, Mielich-Süss B, Reinhardt L, Ried JS, Morawe MP, Geist D, Finck A, Käfer E, Korffmann J, Townsend M, Ravikumar B, Lakics V, Cik M, Reinhardt P. Establishment of a high-content imaging assay for tau aggregation in hiPSC-derived neurons differentiated from two protocols to routinely evaluate compounds and genetic perturbations. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2024; 29:100137. [PMID: 38128829 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant protein aggregation is a pathological cellular hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), where the tau protein is aggregating, forming neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and propagating from neuron to neuron. These processes have been linked to disease progression and a decline in cognitive function. Various therapeutic approaches aim at the prevention or reduction of tau aggregates in neurons. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are a very valuable tool in neuroscience discovery, as they offer access to potentially unlimited amounts of cell types that are affected in disease, including cortical neurons, for in vitro studies. We have generated an in vitro model for tau aggregation that uses hiPSC - derived neurons expressing an aggregation prone, fluorescently tagged version of the human tau protein after lentiviral transduction. Upon addition of tau seeds in the form of recombinant sonicated paired helical filaments (sPHFs), the neurons show robust, disease-like aggregation of the tau protein. The model was developed as a plate-based high content screening assay coupled with an image analysis algorithm to evaluate the impact of small molecules or genetic perturbations on tau. We show that the assay can be used to evaluate small molecules or screen targeted compound libraries. Using siRNA-based gene knockdown, genes of interest can be evaluated, and we could show that a targeted gene library can be screened, by screening nearly 100 deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) in that assay. The assay uses an imaging-based readout, a relatively short timeline, quantifies the extent of tau aggregation, and also allows the assessment of cell viability. Furthermore, it can be easily adapted to different hiPSC lines or neuronal subtypes. Taken together, this complex and highly relevant approach can be routinely applied on a weekly basis in the screening funnels of several projects and generates data with a turnaround time of approximately five weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamiaa Bahnassawy
- Neuroscience Discovery, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Nathalie Nicolaisen
- Neuroscience Discovery, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Christopher Untucht
- Neuroscience Discovery, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Benjamin Mielich-Süss
- Neuroscience Discovery, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Lydia Reinhardt
- Neuroscience Discovery, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Janina S Ried
- Genomics Research Center, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Martina P Morawe
- Neuroscience Discovery, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Daniela Geist
- Neuroscience Discovery, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Anja Finck
- Neuroscience Discovery, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Elke Käfer
- Neuroscience Discovery, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Jürgen Korffmann
- Neuroscience Discovery, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Matthew Townsend
- Cambridge Research Center, AbbVie Inc., 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Brinda Ravikumar
- Cambridge Research Center, AbbVie Inc., 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Viktor Lakics
- Neuroscience Discovery, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Miroslav Cik
- Neuroscience Discovery, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany.
| | - Peter Reinhardt
- Neuroscience Discovery, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany.
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5
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Marei HE, Khan MUA, Hasan A. Potential use of iPSCs for disease modeling, drug screening, and cell-based therapy for Alzheimer's disease. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2023; 28:98. [PMID: 38031028 PMCID: PMC10687886 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00504-2] [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: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic illness marked by increasing cognitive decline and nervous system deterioration. At this time, there is no known medication that will stop the course of Alzheimer's disease; instead, most symptoms are treated. Clinical trial failure rates for new drugs remain high, highlighting the urgent need for improved AD modeling for improving understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of disease and improving drug development. The development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has made it possible to model neurological diseases like AD, giving access to an infinite number of patient-derived cells capable of differentiating neuronal fates. This advance will accelerate Alzheimer's disease research and provide an opportunity to create more accurate patient-specific models of Alzheimer's disease to support pathophysiological research, drug development, and the potential application of stem cell-based therapeutics. This review article provides a complete summary of research done to date on the potential use of iPSCs from AD patients for disease modeling, drug discovery, and cell-based therapeutics. Current technological developments in AD research including 3D modeling, genome editing, gene therapy for AD, and research on familial (FAD) and sporadic (SAD) forms of the disease are discussed. Finally, we outline the issues that need to be elucidated and future directions for iPSC modeling in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hany E Marei
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35116, Egypt.
| | - Muhammad Umar Aslam Khan
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Anwarul Hasan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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6
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Lo CH, Zeng J. Defective lysosomal acidification: a new prognostic marker and therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. Transl Neurodegener 2023; 12:29. [PMID: 37287072 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-023-00362-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Lysosomal acidification dysfunction has been implicated as a key driving factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Multiple genetic factors have been linked to lysosomal de-acidification through impairing the vacuolar-type ATPase and ion channels on the organelle membrane. Similar lysosomal abnormalities are also present in sporadic forms of neurodegeneration, although the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are unclear and remain to be investigated. Importantly, recent studies have revealed early occurrence of lysosomal acidification impairment before the onset of neurodegeneration and late-stage pathology. However, there is a lack of methods for organelle pH monitoring in vivo and a dearth of lysosome-acidifying therapeutic agents. Here, we summarize and present evidence for the notion of defective lysosomal acidification as an early indicator of neurodegeneration and urge the critical need for technological advancement in developing tools for lysosomal pH monitoring and detection both in vivo and for clinical applications. We further discuss current preclinical pharmacological agents that modulate lysosomal acidification, including small molecules and nanomedicine, and their potential clinical translation into lysosome-targeting therapies. Both timely detection of lysosomal dysfunction and development of therapeutics that restore lysosomal function represent paradigm shifts in targeting neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih Hung Lo
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 308232, Singapore.
| | - Jialiu Zeng
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 308232, Singapore.
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7
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Bowles KR, Pugh DA, Pedicone C, Oja L, Weitzman SA, Liu Y, Chen JL, Disney MD, Goate AM. Development of MAPT S305 mutation models exhibiting elevated 4R tau expression, resulting in altered neuronal and astrocytic function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.02.543224. [PMID: 37333200 PMCID: PMC10274740 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.02.543224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Due to the importance of 4R tau in the pathogenicity of primary tauopathies, it has been challenging to model these diseases in iPSC-derived neurons, which express very low levels of 4R tau. To address this problem we have developed a panel of isogenic iPSC lines carrying the MAPT splice-site mutations S305S, S305I or S305N, derived from four different donors. All three mutations significantly increased the proportion of 4R tau expression in iPSC-neurons and astrocytes, with up to 80% 4R transcripts in S305N neurons from as early as 4 weeks of differentiation. Transcriptomic and functional analyses of S305 mutant neurons revealed shared disruption in glutamate signaling and synaptic maturity, but divergent effects on mitochondrial bioenergetics. In iPSC-astrocytes, S305 mutations induced lysosomal disruption and inflammation and exacerbated internalization of exogenous tau that may be a precursor to the glial pathologies observed in many tauopathies. In conclusion, we present a novel panel of human iPSC lines that express unprecedented levels of 4R tau in neurons and astrocytes. These lines recapitulate previously characterized tauopathy-relevant phenotypes, but also highlight functional differences between the wild type 4R and mutant 4R proteins. We also highlight the functional importance of MAPT expression in astrocytes. These lines will be highly beneficial to tauopathy researchers enabling a more complete understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying 4R tauopathies across different cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- KR Bowles
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - DA Pugh
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - C Pedicone
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - L Oja
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - SA Weitzman
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Y Liu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - JL Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, United States of America
| | - MD Disney
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, United States of America
| | - AM Goate
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
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8
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Batenburg KL, Sestito C, Cornelissen-Steijger P, van Weering JRT, Price LS, Heine VM, Scheper W. A 3D human co-culture to model neuron-astrocyte interactions in tauopathies. Biol Proced Online 2023; 25:4. [PMID: 36814189 PMCID: PMC9948470 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-023-00194-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intraneuronal tau aggregation is the major pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative tauopathies. It is now generally acknowledged that tau aggregation also affects astrocytes in a cell non-autonomous manner. However, mechanisms involved are unclear, partly because of the lack of models that reflect the situation in the human tauopathy brain. To accurately model neuron-astrocyte interaction in tauopathies, there is a need for a model that contains both human neurons and human astrocytes, intraneuronal tau pathology and mimics the three-dimensional architecture of the brain. RESULTS Here we established a novel 100-200 µm thick 3D human neuron/astrocyte co-culture model of tau pathology, comprising homogenous populations of hiPSC-derived neurons and primary human astrocytes in microwell format. Using confocal, electron and live microscopy, we validate the procedures by showing that neurons in the 3D co-culture form pre- and postsynapses and display spontaneous calcium transients within 4 weeks. Astrocytes in the 3D co-culture display bipolar and stellate morphologies with extensive processes that ensheath neuronal somas, spatially align with axons and dendrites and can be found perisynaptically. The complex morphology of astrocytes and the interaction with neurons in the 3D co-culture mirrors that in the human brain, indicating the model's potential to study physiological and pathological neuron-astrocyte interaction in vitro. Finally, we successfully implemented a methodology to introduce seed-independent intraneuronal tau aggregation in the 3D co-culture, enabling study of neuron-astrocyte interaction in early tau pathogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, these data provide proof-of-concept for the utility of this rapid, miniaturized, and standardized 3D model for cell type-specific manipulations, such as the intraneuronal pathology that is associated with neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin L. Batenburg
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience - Neurodegeneration, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia Sestito
- Crown Bioscience Netherlands B.V. (Formerly OcellO B.V.), Leiden, The Netherlands ,grid.484519.5Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paulien Cornelissen-Steijger
- grid.484519.5Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.484519.5Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan R. T. van Weering
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience - Neurodegeneration, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.484519.5Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Neuroscience - Neurodegeneration, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leo S. Price
- Crown Bioscience Netherlands B.V. (Formerly OcellO B.V.), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vivi M. Heine
- grid.484519.5Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.484519.5Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wiep Scheper
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience - Neurodegeneration, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Neuroscience - Neurodegeneration, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Minaya MA, Mahali S, Iyer AK, Eteleeb AM, Martinez R, Huang G, Budde J, Temple S, Nana AL, Seeley WW, Spina S, Grinberg LT, Harari O, Karch CM. Conserved gene signatures shared among MAPT mutations reveal defects in calcium signaling. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1051494. [PMID: 36845551 PMCID: PMC9948093 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1051494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: More than 50 mutations in the MAPT gene result in heterogeneous forms of frontotemporal lobar dementia with tau inclusions (FTLD-Tau). However, early pathogenic events that lead to disease and the degree to which they are common across MAPT mutations remain poorly understood. The goal of this study is to determine whether there is a common molecular signature of FTLD-Tau. Methods: We analyzed genes differentially expressed in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons (iPSC-neurons) that represent the three major categories of MAPT mutations: splicing (IVS10 + 16), exon 10 (p.P301L), and C-terminal (p.R406W) compared with isogenic controls. The genes that were commonly differentially expressed in MAPT IVS10 + 16, p.P301L, and p.R406W neurons were enriched in trans-synaptic signaling, neuronal processes, and lysosomal function. Many of these pathways are sensitive to disruptions in calcium homeostasis. One gene, CALB1, was significantly reduced across the three MAPT mutant iPSC-neurons and in a mouse model of tau accumulation. We observed a significant reduction in calcium levels in MAPT mutant neurons compared with isogenic controls, pointing to a functional consequence of this disrupted gene expression. Finally, a subset of genes commonly differentially expressed across MAPT mutations were also dysregulated in brains from MAPT mutation carriers and to a lesser extent in brains from sporadic Alzheimer disease and progressive supranuclear palsy, suggesting that molecular signatures relevant to genetic and sporadic forms of tauopathy are captured in a dish. The results from this study demonstrate that iPSC-neurons capture molecular processes that occur in human brains and can be used to pinpoint common molecular pathways involving synaptic and lysosomal function and neuronal development, which may be regulated by disruptions in calcium homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Minaya
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Sidhartha Mahali
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Abhirami K. Iyer
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Abdallah M. Eteleeb
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Rita Martinez
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Guangming Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - John Budde
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Sally Temple
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Alissa L. Nana
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - William W. Seeley
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Salvatore Spina
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Lea T. Grinberg
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Pathology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Oscar Harari
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Celeste M. Karch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
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10
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Transition from Animal-Based to Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)-Based Models of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Opportunities and Challenges. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040538. [PMID: 36831205 PMCID: PMC9954744 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) arise from the disruption of highly coordinated mechanisms underlying brain development, which results in impaired sensory, motor and/or cognitive functions. Although rodent models have offered very relevant insights to the field, the translation of findings to clinics, particularly regarding therapeutic approaches for these diseases, remains challenging. Part of the explanation for this failure may be the genetic differences-some targets not being conserved between species-and, most importantly, the differences in regulation of gene expression. This prompts the use of human-derived models to study NDDS. The generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSCs) added a new suitable alternative to overcome species limitations, allowing for the study of human neuronal development while maintaining the genetic background of the donor patient. Several hIPSC models of NDDs already proved their worth by mimicking several pathological phenotypes found in humans. In this review, we highlight the utility of hIPSCs to pave new paths for NDD research and development of new therapeutic tools, summarize the challenges and advances of hIPSC-culture and neuronal differentiation protocols and discuss the best way to take advantage of these models, illustrating this with examples of success for some NDDs.
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11
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Towards a Mechanistic Model of Tau-Mediated Pathology in Tauopathies: What Can We Learn from Cell-Based In Vitro Assays? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911527. [PMID: 36232835 PMCID: PMC9570106 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911527] [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: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the hyperphosphorylation and deposition of tau proteins in the brain. In Alzheimer’s disease, and other related tauopathies, the pattern of tau deposition follows a stereotypical progression between anatomically connected brain regions. Increasing evidence suggests that tau behaves in a “prion-like” manner, and that seeding and spreading of pathological tau drive progressive neurodegeneration. Although several advances have been made in recent years, the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms involved remain largely unknown. Since there are no effective therapies for any tauopathy, there is a growing need for reliable experimental models that would provide us with better knowledge and understanding of their etiology and identify novel molecular targets. In this review, we will summarize the development of cellular models for modeling tau pathology. We will discuss their different applications and contributions to our current understanding of the “prion-like” nature of pathological tau.
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12
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Capano LS, Sato C, Ficulle E, Yu A, Horie K, Kwon JS, Burbach KF, Barthélemy NR, Fox SG, Karch CM, Bateman RJ, Houlden H, Morimoto RI, Holtzman DM, Duff KE, Yoo AS. Recapitulation of endogenous 4R tau expression and formation of insoluble tau in directly reprogrammed human neurons. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:918-932.e8. [PMID: 35659876 PMCID: PMC9176216 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-binding protein expressed in neurons, and the equal ratios between 4-repeat (4R) and 3-repeat (3R) isoforms are maintained in normal adult brain function. Dysregulation of 3R:4R ratio causes tauopathy, and human neurons that recapitulate tau isoforms in health and disease will provide a platform for elucidating pathogenic processes involving tau pathology. We carried out extensive characterizations of tau isoforms expressed in human neurons derived by microRNA-induced neuronal reprogramming of adult fibroblasts. Transcript and protein analyses showed that miR neurons expressed all six isoforms with the 3R:4R isoform ratio equivalent to that detected in human adult brains. Also, miR neurons derived from familial tauopathy patients with a 3R:4R ratio altering mutation showed increased 4R tau and the formation of insoluble tau with seeding activity. Our results collectively demonstrate the utility of miRNA-induced neuronal reprogramming to recapitulate endogenous tau regulation comparable with the adult brain in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia S Capano
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Chihiro Sato
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Elena Ficulle
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Anan Yu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Rice Institute for Biomedical Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Kanta Horie
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ji-Sun Kwon
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Program in Computational and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kyle F Burbach
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Program in Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Nicolas R Barthélemy
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Susan G Fox
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Rice Institute for Biomedical Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Celeste M Karch
- Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight ADRC, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Randall J Bateman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight ADRC, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Henry Houlden
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Richard I Morimoto
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Rice Institute for Biomedical Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - David M Holtzman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight ADRC, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Karen E Duff
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Andrew S Yoo
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight ADRC, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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13
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Miguel L, Rovelet-Lecrux A, Chambon P, Joly-Helas G, Rousseau S, Wallon D, Epelbaum S, Frébourg T, Campion D, Nicolas G, Lecourtois M. Generation of 17q21.31 duplication iPSC-derived neurons as a model for primary tauopathies. Stem Cell Res 2022; 61:102762. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2022.102762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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14
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Udayar V, Chen Y, Sidransky E, Jagasia R. Lysosomal dysfunction in neurodegeneration: emerging concepts and methods. Trends Neurosci 2022; 45:184-199. [PMID: 35034773 PMCID: PMC8854344 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The understanding of lysosomes has come a long way since the initial discovery of their role in degrading cellular waste. The lysosome is now recognized as a highly dynamic organelle positioned at the crossroads of cell signaling, transcription, and metabolism. Underscoring its importance is the observation that, in addition to rare monogenic lysosomal storage disorders, genes regulating lysosomal function are implicated in common sporadic neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Developing therapies for these disorders is particularly challenging, largely due to gaps in knowledge of the underlying molecular and cellular processes. In this review, we discuss technological advances that have propelled deeper understanding of the lysosome in neurodegeneration, from elucidating the functions of lysosome-related disease risk variants at the level of the organelle, cell, and tissue, to the development of disease-specific biological models that recapitulate disease manifestations. Finally, we identify key questions to be addressed to successfully bridge the gap to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinod Udayar
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yu Chen
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ellen Sidransky
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Ravi Jagasia
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases Discovery & Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland.
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15
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Manos JD, Preiss CN, Venkat N, Tamm J, Reinhardt P, Kwon T, Wu J, Winter AD, Jahn TR, Yanamandra K, Titterton K, Karran E, Langlois X. Uncovering specificity of endogenous TAU aggregation in a human iPSC-neuron TAU seeding model. iScience 2022; 25:103658. [PMID: 35072001 PMCID: PMC8761709 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau pathobiology has emerged as a key component underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression; however, human neuronal in vitro models have struggled to recapitulate tau phenomena observed in vivo. Here, we aimed to define the minimal requirements to achieve endogenous tau aggregation in functional neurons utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology. Optimized hiPSC-derived cortical neurons seeded with AD brain-derived competent tau species or recombinant tau fibrils displayed increases in insoluble, endogenous tau aggregates. Importantly, MAPT-wild type and MAPT-mutant hiPSC-neurons exhibited unique propensities for aggregation dependent on the seed strain rather than the repeat domain identity, suggesting that successful templating of the recipient tau may be driven by the unique conformation of the seed. The in vitro model presented here represents the first successful demonstration of combining human neurons, endogenous tau expression, and AD brain-derived competent tau species, offering a more physiologically relevant platform to study tau pathobiology. Seeded tau aggregation in hiPSC-neurons does not require tau overexpression Tau aggregation is concentration, time, and maturation dependent Successful templating requires compatibility between neuronal tau and added seeds Endogenous tau aggregates exhibit properties consistent with pathological tau
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine D Manos
- Abbvie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Christina N Preiss
- Abbvie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Nandini Venkat
- Abbvie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Joseph Tamm
- Abbvie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Peter Reinhardt
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Neuroscience Research, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Taekyung Kwon
- Abbvie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jessica Wu
- Abbvie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Allison D Winter
- Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas R Jahn
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Neuroscience Research, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Kiran Yanamandra
- Abbvie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Katherine Titterton
- Abbvie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Eric Karran
- Abbvie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Xavier Langlois
- Abbvie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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16
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Ezerskiy LA, Schoch KM, Sato C, Beltcheva M, Horie K, Rigo F, Martynowicz R, Karch CM, Bateman RJ, Miller TM. Astrocytic 4R tau expression drives astrocyte reactivity and dysfunction. JCI Insight 2022; 7:152012. [PMID: 34874917 PMCID: PMC8765054 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.152012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein tau and its isoforms are associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, many of which are characterized by greater deposition of the 4-repeat (4R) tau isoform; however, the role of 4R tau in disease pathogenesis remains unclear. We created antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that alter the ratio of 3R to 4R tau to investigate the role of specific tau isoforms in disease. Preferential expression of 4R tau in human tau-expressing (hTau-expressing) mice was previously shown to increase seizure severity and phosphorylated tau deposition without neuronal or synaptic loss. In this study, we observed strong colocalization of 4R tau within reactive astrocytes and increased expression of pan-reactive and neurotoxic genes following 3R to 4R tau splicing ASO treatment in hTau mice. Increasing 4R tau levels in primary astrocytes provoked a similar response, including a neurotoxic genetic profile and diminished homeostatic function, which was replicated in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived (iPSC-derived) astrocytes harboring a mutation that exhibits greater 4R tau. Healthy neurons cultured with 4R tau-expressing human iPSC-derived astrocytes exhibited a higher firing frequency and hypersynchrony, which could be prevented by lowering tau expression. These findings support a potentially novel pathway by which astrocytic 4R tau mediates reactivity and dysfunction and suggest that astrocyte-targeted therapeutics against 4R tau may mitigate neurodegenerative disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mariana Beltcheva
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | | | - Celeste M. Karch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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17
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Gene Editing in Pluripotent Stem Cells and Their Derived Organoids. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:8130828. [PMID: 34887928 PMCID: PMC8651378 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8130828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid rise in gene-editing technology, pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and their derived organoids have increasingly broader and practical applications in regenerative medicine. Gene-editing technologies, from large-scale nucleic acid endonucleases to CRISPR, have ignited a global research and development boom with significant implications in regenerative medicine. The development of regenerative medicine technologies, regardless of whether it is PSCs or gene editing, is consistently met with controversy. Are the tools for rewriting the code of life a boon to humanity or a Pandora's box? These technologies raise concerns regarding ethical issues, unexpected mutations, viral infection, etc. These concerns remain even as new treatments emerge. However, the potential negatives cannot obscure the virtues of PSC gene editing, which have, and will continue to, benefit mankind at an unprecedented rate. Here, we briefly introduce current gene-editing technology and its application in PSCs and their derived organoids, while addressing ethical concerns and safety risks and discussing the latest progress in PSC gene editing. Gene editing in PSCs creates visualized in vitro models, providing opportunities for examining mechanisms of known and unknown mutations and offering new possibilities for the treatment of cancer, genetic diseases, and other serious or refractory disorders. From model construction to treatment exploration, the important role of PSCs combined with gene editing in basic and clinical medicine studies is illustrated. The applications, characteristics, and existing challenges are summarized in combination with our lab experiences in this field in an effort to help gene-editing technology better serve humans in a regulated manner. Current preclinical and clinical trials have demonstrated initial safety and efficacy of PSC gene editing; however, for better application in clinical settings, additional investigation is warranted.
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18
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Kühn R, Mahajan A, Canoll P, Hargus G. Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Models of Frontotemporal Dementia With Tau Pathology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:766773. [PMID: 34858989 PMCID: PMC8631302 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.766773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative dementias are the most common group of neurodegenerative diseases affecting more than 40 million people worldwide. One of these diseases is frontotemporal dementia (FTD), an early onset dementia and one of the leading causes of dementia in people under the age of 60. FTD is a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders with pathological accumulation of particular proteins in neurons and glial cells including the microtubule-associated protein tau, which is deposited in its hyperphosphorylated form in about half of all patients with FTD. As for other patients with dementia, there is currently no cure for patients with FTD and thus several lines of research focus on the characterization of underlying pathogenic mechanisms with the goal to identify therapeutic targets. In this review, we provide an overview of reported disease phenotypes in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons and glial cells from patients with tau-associated FTD with the aim to highlight recent progress in this fast-moving field of iPSC disease modeling. We put a particular focus on genetic forms of the disease that are linked to mutations in the gene encoding tau and summarize mutation-associated changes in FTD patient cells related to tau splicing and tau phosphorylation, microtubule function and cell metabolism as well as calcium homeostasis and cellular stress. In addition, we discuss challenges and limitations but also opportunities using differentiated patient-derived iPSCs for disease modeling and biomedical research on neurodegenerative diseases including FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Kühn
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aayushi Mahajan
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Peter Canoll
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gunnar Hargus
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
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19
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McTague A, Rossignoli G, Ferrini A, Barral S, Kurian MA. Genome Editing in iPSC-Based Neural Systems: From Disease Models to Future Therapeutic Strategies. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:630600. [PMID: 34713254 PMCID: PMC8525405 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.630600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic advances for neurological disorders are challenging due to limited accessibility of the human central nervous system and incomplete understanding of disease mechanisms. Many neurological diseases lack precision treatments, leading to significant disease burden and poor outcome for affected patients. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology provides human neuronal cells that facilitate disease modeling and development of therapies. The use of genome editing, in particular CRISPR-Cas9 technology, has extended the potential of iPSCs, generating new models for a number of disorders, including Alzheimers and Parkinson Disease. Editing of iPSCs, in particular with CRISPR-Cas9, allows generation of isogenic pairs, which differ only in the disease-causing mutation and share the same genetic background, for assessment of phenotypic differences and downstream effects. Moreover, genome-wide CRISPR screens allow high-throughput interrogation for genetic modifiers in neuronal phenotypes, leading to discovery of novel pathways, and identification of new therapeutic targets. CRISPR-Cas9 has now evolved beyond altering gene expression. Indeed, fusion of a defective Cas9 (dCas9) nuclease with transcriptional repressors or activation domains allows down-regulation or activation of gene expression (CRISPR interference, CRISPRi; CRISPR activation, CRISPRa). These new tools will improve disease modeling and facilitate CRISPR and cell-based therapies, as seen for epilepsy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Genome engineering holds huge promise for the future understanding and treatment of neurological disorders, but there are numerous barriers to overcome. The synergy of iPSC-based model systems and gene editing will play a vital role in the route to precision medicine and the clinical translation of genome editing-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy McTague
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giada Rossignoli
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arianna Ferrini
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Serena Barral
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Manju A Kurian
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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20
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Strauß T, Marvian-Tayaranian A, Sadikoglou E, Dhingra A, Wegner F, Trümbach D, Wurst W, Heutink P, Schwarz SC, Höglinger GU. iPS Cell-Based Model for MAPT Haplotype as a Risk Factor for Human Tauopathies Identifies No Major Differences in TAU Expression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:726866. [PMID: 34532319 PMCID: PMC8438159 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.726866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The H1 haplotype of the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) gene is a common genetic risk factor for some neurodegenerative diseases such as progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and Parkinson's disease. The molecular mechanism causing the increased risk for the named diseases, however, remains unclear. In this paper, we present a valuable tool of eight small molecule neural precursor cell lines (smNPC) homozygous for the MAPT haplotypes (four H1/H1 and four H2/H2 cell lines), which can be used to identify MAPT-dependent phenotypes. The employed differentiation protocol is fast due to overexpression of NEUROGENIN-2 and therefore suitable for high-throughput approaches. A basic characterization of all human cell lines was performed, and their TAU and α-SYNUCLEIN profiles were compared during a differentiation time of 30 days. We could identify higher levels of conformationally altered TAU in cell lines carrying the H2 haplotype. Additionally, we found increased expression levels of α-SYNUCLEIN in H1/H1 cells. With this resource, we aim to fill a gap in neurodegenerative disease modeling with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) for sporadic tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabea Strauß
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Amir Marvian-Tayaranian
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eldem Sadikoglou
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ashutosh Dhingra
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Florian Wegner
- Department of Neurology, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
| | - Dietrich Trümbach
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wurst
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Peter Heutink
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
- Department for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sigrid C. Schwarz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Geriatric Clinic Haag, Haag in Oberbayern, Germany
| | - Günter U. Höglinger
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
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21
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Bowles KR, Silva MC, Whitney K, Bertucci T, Berlind JE, Lai JD, Garza JC, Boles NC, Mahali S, Strang KH, Marsh JA, Chen C, Pugh DA, Liu Y, Gordon RE, Goderie SK, Chowdhury R, Lotz S, Lane K, Crary JF, Haggarty SJ, Karch CM, Ichida JK, Goate AM, Temple S. ELAVL4, splicing, and glutamatergic dysfunction precede neuron loss in MAPT mutation cerebral organoids. Cell 2021; 184:4547-4563.e17. [PMID: 34314701 PMCID: PMC8635409 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) because of MAPT mutation causes pathological accumulation of tau and glutamatergic cortical neuronal death by unknown mechanisms. We used human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cerebral organoids expressing tau-V337M and isogenic corrected controls to discover early alterations because of the mutation that precede neurodegeneration. At 2 months, mutant organoids show upregulated expression of MAPT, glutamatergic signaling pathways, and regulators, including the RNA-binding protein ELAVL4, and increased stress granules. Over the following 4 months, mutant organoids accumulate splicing changes, disruption of autophagy function, and build-up of tau and P-tau-S396. By 6 months, tau-V337M organoids show specific loss of glutamatergic neurons as seen in individuals with FTD. Mutant neurons are susceptible to glutamate toxicity, which can be rescued pharmacologically by the PIKFYVE kinase inhibitor apilimod. Our results demonstrate a sequence of events that precede neurodegeneration, revealing molecular pathways associated with glutamate signaling as potential targets for therapeutic intervention in FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn R Bowles
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - M Catarina Silva
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Kristen Whitney
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Pathology, Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research Core, ISMMS, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Joshua E Berlind
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jesse D Lai
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Amgen Research, One Amgen Center Dr., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Jacob C Garza
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Sidhartha Mahali
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kevin H Strang
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Pathology, Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research Core, ISMMS, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jacob A Marsh
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Cynthia Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Derian A Pugh
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yiyuan Liu
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ronald E Gordon
- Department of Pathology, Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research Core, ISMMS, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | | | - Steven Lotz
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Keith Lane
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - John F Crary
- Department of Pathology, Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research Core, ISMMS, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Center for Genomic Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Celeste M Karch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Justin K Ichida
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Alison M Goate
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY 10029, USA.
| | - Sally Temple
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.
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22
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Kopach O, Esteras N, Wray S, Abramov AY, Rusakov DA. Genetically engineered MAPT 10+16 mutation causes pathophysiological excitability of human iPSC-derived neurons related to 4R tau-induced dementia. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:716. [PMID: 34274950 PMCID: PMC8286258 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04007-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Human iPSC lines represent a powerful translational model of tauopathies. We have recently described a pathophysiological phenotype of neuronal excitability of human cells derived from the patients with familial frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism (FTDP-17) caused by the MAPT 10+16 splice-site mutation. This mutation leads to the increased splicing of 4R tau isoforms. However, the role of different isoforms of tau protein in initiating neuronal dementia-related dysfunction, and the causality between the MAPT 10+16 mutation and altered neuronal activity have remained unclear. Here, we employed genetically engineered cells, in which the IVS10+16 mutation was introduced into healthy donor iPSCs to increase the expression of 4R tau isoform in exon 10, aiming to explore key physiological traits of iPSC-derived MAPT IVS10+16 neurons using patch-clamp electrophysiology and multiphoton fluorescent imaging techniques. We found that during late in vitro neurogenesis (from ~180 to 230 days) iPSC-derived cortical neurons of the control group (parental wild-type tau) exhibited membrane properties compatible with "mature" neurons. In contrast, MAPT IVS10+16 neurons displayed impaired excitability, as reflected by a depolarized resting membrane potential, an increased input resistance, and reduced voltage-gated Na+- and K+-channel-mediated currents. The mutation changed the channel properties of fast-inactivating Nav and decreased the Nav1.6 protein level. MAPT IVS10+16 neurons exhibited reduced firing accompanied by a changed action potential waveform and severely disturbed intracellular Ca2+ dynamics, both in the soma and dendrites, upon neuronal depolarization. These results unveil a causal link between the MAPT 10+16 mutation, hence overproduction of 4R tau, and a dysfunction of human cells, identifying a biophysical basis of changed neuronal activity in 4R tau-triggered dementia. Our study lends further support to using iPSC lines as a suitable platform for modelling tau-induced human neuropathology in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Kopach
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
| | - Noemí Esteras
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Selina Wray
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Andrey Y Abramov
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Dmitri A Rusakov
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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23
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Esteras N, Kopach O, Maiolino M, Lariccia V, Amoroso S, Qamar S, Wray S, Rusakov DA, Jaganjac M, Abramov AY. Mitochondrial ROS control neuronal excitability and cell fate in frontotemporal dementia. Alzheimers Dement 2021; 18:318-338. [PMID: 34057756 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The second most common form of early-onset dementia-frontotemporal dementia (FTD)-is often characterized by the aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Here we studied the mechanism of tau-induced neuronal dysfunction in neurons with the FTD-related 10+16 MAPT mutation. METHODS Live imaging, electrophysiology, and redox proteomics were used in 10+16 induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons and a model of tau spreading in primary cultures. RESULTS Overproduction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in 10+16 neurons alters the trafficking of specific glutamate receptor subunits via redox regulation. Increased surface expression of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors containing GluA1 and NR2B subunits leads to impaired glutamatergic signaling, calcium overload, and excitotoxicity. Mitochondrial antioxidants restore the altered response and prevent neuronal death. Importantly, extracellular 4R tau induces the same pathological response in healthy neurons, thus proposing a mechanism for disease propagation. DISCUSSION These results demonstrate mitochondrial ROS modulate glutamatergic signaling in FTD, and suggest a new therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemí Esteras
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Olga Kopach
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Marta Maiolino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, School of Medicine, University "Politecnica delle Marche,", Ancona, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Lariccia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, School of Medicine, University "Politecnica delle Marche,", Ancona, Italy
| | - Salvatore Amoroso
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, School of Medicine, University "Politecnica delle Marche,", Ancona, Italy
| | - Seema Qamar
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Selina Wray
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Dmitri A Rusakov
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Morana Jaganjac
- Qatar Analytics & BioResearch Lab, Anti-Doping Lab Qatar, Doha, Qatar.,Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andrey Y Abramov
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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24
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The Potential of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Treat and Model Alzheimer's Disease. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:5511630. [PMID: 34122554 PMCID: PMC8172295 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5511630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An estimated 6.2 million Americans aged 65 or older are currently living with Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disease that disrupts an individual's ability to function independently through the degeneration of key regions in the brain, including but not limited to the hippocampus, the prefrontal cortex, and the motor cortex. The cause of this degeneration is not known, but research has found two proteins that undergo posttranslational modifications: tau, a protein concentrated in the axons of neurons, and amyloid precursor protein (APP), a protein concentrated near the synapse. Through mechanisms that have yet to be elucidated, the accumulation of these two proteins in their abnormal aggregate forms leads to the neurodegeneration that is characteristic of AD. Until the invention of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in 2006, the bulk of research was carried out using transgenic animal models that offered little promise in their ability to translate well from benchtop to bedside, creating a bottleneck in the development of therapeutics. However, with iPSC, patient-specific cell cultures can be utilized to create models based on human cells. These human cells have the potential to avoid issues in translatability that have plagued animal models by providing researchers with a model that closely resembles and mimics the neurons found in humans. By using human iPSC technology, researchers can create more accurate models of AD ex vivo while also focusing on regenerative medicine using iPSC in vivo. The following review focuses on the current uses of iPSC and how they have the potential to regenerate damaged neuronal tissue, in the hopes that these technologies can assist in getting through the bottleneck of AD therapeutic research.
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25
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Habekost M, Qvist P, Denham M, Holm IE, Jørgensen AL. Directly Reprogrammed Neurons Express MAPT and APP Splice Variants Pertinent to Ageing and Neurodegeneration. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:2075-2087. [PMID: 33415685 PMCID: PMC8018937 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02258-w] [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: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neurons produced by reprogramming of other cell types are used to study cellular mechanisms of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. To model Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies, it is essential that alternative splicing of the MAPT transcript in these neurons produces the relevant tau isoforms. Human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, however, express tau isoform compositions characteristic of foetal neurons rather than of adult neurons unless cultured in vitro for extended time periods. In this study, we characterised the dynamics of the MAPT and APP alternative splicing during a developmental time-course of porcine and murine cerebral cortices. We found age-dependent and species-specific isoform composition of MAPT, including 3R and 4R isoforms in the porcine adult brain similar to that of the adult human brain. We converted adult and embryonic fibroblasts directly into induced neurons and found similar developmental patterns of isoform composition, notably, the 3R and 4R isoforms relevant to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Also, we observed cell-type-specific isoform expression of APP transcripts during the conversion. The approach was further used to generate induced neurons from transgenic pigs carrying Alzheimer's disease-causing mutations. We show that such neurons authentically model the first crucial steps in AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Habekost
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Per Qvist
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- iPSYCH, Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mark Denham
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ida E Holm
- Department of Pathology, Randers Hospital, 8930, Randers, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
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26
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Veys L, Van Houcke J, Aerts J, Van Pottelberge S, Mahieu M, Coens A, Melki R, Moechars D, De Muynck L, De Groef L. Absence of Uptake and Prion-Like Spreading of Alpha-Synuclein and Tau After Intravitreal Injection of Preformed Fibrils. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 12:614587. [PMID: 33519421 PMCID: PMC7843377 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.614587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although very different in etiology and symptoms, numerous neurodegenerative diseases can be classified as proteinopathies. More so, evidence indicates that the key misfolded proteins at the basis of different neuropathies might share common mechanisms of propagation. As such, the prion-like spreading of protein aggregates through the neural network is subject of intensive research focus and requires adequate models. Here, we made use of the well-defined architecture and large accessibility of the visual system, of which the retinotopic connections represent a simple route of anterograde signaling and an elegant model to investigate transsynaptic, prion-like spreading. In two independent studies, uptake and seeding of alpha-synuclein and tau were examined after intravitreal injection of preformed fibrils. However, extracellular matrix components in the vitreous space and at the vitreoretinal surface appeared to act as a barrier for the entry of both fibrils into the retina. These results show that further experimental refinement is needed to fully realize the potential of the visual system as a model for studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of anterograde, transsynaptic spreading of prion-like proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Veys
- Laboratory Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jessie Van Houcke
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Aerts
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Sophie Van Pottelberge
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Michel Mahieu
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Audrey Coens
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute François Jacob, MIRCen, CEA-CNRS, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Ronald Melki
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute François Jacob, MIRCen, CEA-CNRS, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Dieder Moechars
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Louis De Muynck
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Lies De Groef
- Laboratory Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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27
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Modelling frontotemporal dementia using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. Mol Cell Neurosci 2020; 109:103553. [PMID: 32956830 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2020.103553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) describes a group of clinically heterogeneous conditions that frequently affect people under the age of 65 (Le Ber et al., 2013). There are multiple genetic causes of FTD, including coding or splice-site mutations in MAPT, GRN mutations that lead to haploinsufficiency of progranulin protein, and a hexanucleotide GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9ORF72. Pathologically, FTD is characterised by abnormal protein accumulations in neurons and glia. These aggregates can be composed of the microtubule-associated protein tau (observed in FTD with MAPT mutations), the DNA/RNA-binding protein TDP-43 (seen in FTD with mutations in GRN or C9ORF72 repeat expansions) or dipeptide proteins generated by repeat associated non-ATG translation of the C9ORF72 repeat expansion. There are currently no disease-modifying therapies for FTD and the availability of in vitro models that recapitulate pathologies in a disease-relevant cell type would accelerate the development of novel therapeutics. It is now possible to generate patient-specific stem cells through the reprogramming of somatic cells from a patient with a genotype/phenotype of interest into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). iPSCs can subsequently be differentiated into a plethora of cell types including neurons, astrocytes and microglia. Using this approach has allowed researchers to generate in vitro models of genetic FTD in human cell types that are largely inaccessible during life. In this review we explore the recent progress in the use of iPSCs to model FTD, and consider the merits, limitations and future prospects of this approach.
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28
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Wiersma VI, Hoozemans JJM, Scheper W. Untangling the origin and function of granulovacuolar degeneration bodies in neurodegenerative proteinopathies. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:153. [PMID: 32883341 PMCID: PMC7469111 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-00996-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the brains of tauopathy patients, tau pathology coincides with the presence of granulovacuolar degeneration bodies (GVBs) both at the regional and cellular level. Recently, it was shown that intracellular tau pathology causes GVB formation in experimental models thus explaining the strong correlation between these neuropathological hallmarks in the human brain. These novel models of GVB formation provide opportunities for future research into GVB biology, but also urge reevaluation of previous post-mortem observations. Here, we review neuropathological data on GVBs in tauopathies and other neurodegenerative proteinopathies. We discuss the possibility that intracellular aggregates composed of proteins other than tau are also able to induce GVB formation. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms of GVB formation and the downstream functional implications hereof are outlined in view of the current available data. In addition, we provide guidelines for the identification of GVBs in tissue and cell models that will help to facilitate and streamline research towards the elucidation of the role of these enigmatic and understudied structures in neurodegeneration.
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29
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Proukakis C. Somatic mutations in neurodegeneration: An update. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 144:105021. [PMID: 32712267 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosaicism, the presence of genomic differences between cells due to post-zygotic somatic mutations, is widespread in the human body, including within the brain. A role for this in neurodegenerative diseases has long been hypothesised, and technical developments are now allowing the question to be addressed in detail. The rapidly accumulating evidence is discussed in this review, with a focus on recent developments. Somatic mutations of numerous types may occur, including single nucleotide variants (SNVs), copy number variants (CNVs), and retrotransposon insertions. They could act as initiators or risk factors, especially if they arise in development, although they could also result from the disease process, potentially contributing to progression. In common sporadic neurodegenerative disorders, relevant mutations have been reported in synucleinopathies, comprising somatic gains of SNCA in Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy, and in Alzheimer's disease, where a novel recombination mechanism leading to somatic variants of APP, as well as an excess of somatic SNVs affecting tau phosphorylation, have been reported. In Mendelian repeat expansion disorders, mosaicism due to somatic instability, first detected 25 years ago, has come to the forefront. Brain somatic SNVs occur in DNA repair disorders, and there is evidence for a role of several ALS genes in DNA repair. While numerous challenges, and need for further validation, remain, this new, or perhaps rediscovered, area of research has the potential to transform our understanding of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Proukakis
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
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30
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Kopach O, Esteras N, Wray S, Rusakov DA, Abramov AY. Maturation and phenotype of pathophysiological neuronal excitability of human cells in tau-related dementia. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:jcs241687. [PMID: 32299835 PMCID: PMC7272359 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.241687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism (FTDP-17) caused by the 10+16 splice-site mutation in the gene encoding microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) provides an established platform to model tau-related dementia in vitro Neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been shown to recapitulate the neurodevelopmental profile of tau pathology during in vitro corticogenesis, as in the adult human brain. However, the neurophysiological phenotype of these cells has remained unknown, leaving unanswered questions regarding the functional relevance and the gnostic power of this disease model. In this study, we used electrophysiology to explore the membrane properties and intrinsic excitability of the generated neurons and found that human cells mature by ∼150 days of neurogenesis to become compatible with matured cortical neurons. In earlier FTDP-17, however, neurons exhibited a depolarized resting membrane potential associated with increased resistance and reduced voltage-gated Na+- and K+-channel-mediated conductance. Expression of the Nav1.6 protein was reduced in FTDP-17. These effects led to reduced cell capability of induced firing and changed the action potential waveform in FTDP-17. The revealed neuropathology might thus contribute to the clinicopathological profile of the disease. This sheds new light on the significance of human in vitro models of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Kopach
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Noemí Esteras
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Selina Wray
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Dmitri A Rusakov
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Andrey Y Abramov
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
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31
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Sui Y, Zhang W, Tang T, Gao L, Cao T, Zhu H, You Q, Yu B, Yang T. Insulin-like growth factor-II overexpression accelerates parthenogenetic stem cell differentiation into cardiomyocytes and improves cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction in mice. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:86. [PMID: 32102690 PMCID: PMC7045450 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-1575-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parthenogenetic stem cells (PSCs) are a promising source of regenerated cardiomyocytes; however, their application may be limited without a paternal genome. Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II), a paternally expressed growth hormone, is critical in embryonic differentiation. This study investigated whether forced expression of IGF-II in PSCs can accelerate their differentiation. Methods Overexpression and re-knockdown of IGF-II in PSCs were performed to investigate the role of IGF-II in PSC differentiation. The derivatives of PSCs with different IGF-II manipulations were transplanted into infarcted murine hearts to investigate the role of IGF-II in cardiomyocyte differentiation in vivo. Results Data showed that the expression of cardiac troponin T and troponin I in IGF-II-PSC outgrowths preceded that of parental PSC outgrowths, suggesting that IGF-II can accelerate PSC differentiation into cardiac lineage. Overexpression of IGF-II accelerated PSC differentiation towards cardiomyocytes while inhibiting PSC proliferation via the IGF-II/IGF1R signaling. Similar to that observed in cardiac marker expression, on differentiation day 24, IGF-II-PSCs showed PCNA and cyclin D2 expression comparable to juvenile mouse cardiomyocytes, showing that IGF-II-PSCs at this stage possess differential and proliferative properties similar to those of juvenile cardiomyocytes. Moreover, the expression pattern of cardiac markers in IGF-II-overexpressing PSC derivatives resembled that of juvenile mouse cardiomyocytes. After transplantation into the infarcted mouse hearts, IGF-II-PSC-derived cardiomyocytes displayed significant characteristics of mature cardiomyocytes, and IGF-II-depletion by shRNA significantly reversed these effects, suggesting the critical role of IGF-II in promoting cardiomyocyte maturation in vivo. Furthermore, IGF-II-overexpressing PSC derivatives reduced collagen deposition and mitochondrial damage in the infarcted areas and improved cardiac function. The re-knockdown of IGF-II could counteract these favorable effects of IGF-II. Conclusions These findings suggest that the ectopic expression of IGF-II accelerates PSC differentiation into the cardiac lineage and promotes cardiomyocyte maturation. The underlying process includes the IGF-II/IGF1R signaling, which is involved in the suppressive effect of IGF-II on PSC proliferation. Moreover, transplanting IGF-II-overexpressing PSC derivatives into the infarcted heart could reduce collagen deposition and improve mitochondria biogenesis and measurements of cardiac function, highlighting the importance of IGF-II in the application of PSCs in cardiac regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Sui
- Department of Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050200, China
| | - Tao Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lili Gao
- Center for Medical Research and Innovation, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Ting Cao
- Center for Medical Research and Innovation, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Hongbo Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Qinghua You
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, 201399, China.
| | - Tao Yang
- Center for Medical Research and Innovation, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, 201399, China.
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Lin LC, Nana AL, Hepker M, Hwang JHL, Gaus SE, Spina S, Cosme CG, Gan L, Grinberg LT, Geschwind DH, Coppola G, Rosen HJ, Miller BL, Seeley WW. Preferential tau aggregation in von Economo neurons and fork cells in frontotemporal lobar degeneration with specific MAPT variants. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:159. [PMID: 31640778 PMCID: PMC6805408 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0809-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [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: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau aggregation is a hallmark feature in a subset of patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Early and selective loss of von Economo neurons (VENs) and fork cells within the frontoinsular (FI) and anterior cingulate cortices (ACC) is observed in patients with sporadic behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD) due to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), including FTLD with tau inclusions (FTLD-tau). Recently, we further showed that these specialized neurons show preferential aggregation of TDP-43 in FTLD-TDP. Whether VENs and fork cells are prone to tau accumulation in FTLD-tau remains unclear, and no previous studies of these neurons have focused on patients with pathogenic variants in the gene encoding microtubule-associated protein tau (FTLD-tau/MAPT). Here, we examined regional profiles of tau aggregation and neurodegeneration in 40 brain regions in 8 patients with FTLD-tau/MAPT and 7 with Pick's disease (PiD), a sporadic form of FTLD-tau that often presents with bvFTD. We further qualitatively assessed the cellular patterns of frontoinsular tau aggregation in FTLD-tau/MAPT using antibodies specific for tau hyperphosphorylation, acetylation, or conformational change. ACC and mid-insula were among the regions most affected by neurodegeneration and tau aggregation in FTLD-tau/MAPT and PiD. In these two forms of FTLD-tau, severity of regional neurodegeneration and tau protein aggregation were highly correlated across regions. In FTLD-tau/MAPT, VENs and fork cells showed disproportionate tau protein aggregation in patients with V337 M, A152T, and IVS10 + 16 variants, but not in patients with the P301L variant. As seen in FTLD-TDP, our data suggest that VENs and fork cells represent preferentially vulnerable neuron types in most, but not all of the MAPT variants we studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Chun Lin
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Alissa L. Nana
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Mackenzie Hepker
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Ji-Hye Lee Hwang
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Stephanie E. Gaus
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Salvatore Spina
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Celica G. Cosme
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Li Gan
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, 1650 Owens St, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Lea T. Grinberg
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California, 513 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143 USA
| | - Daniel H. Geschwind
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology and Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Giovanni Coppola
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology and Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Howard J. Rosen
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Bruce L. Miller
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - William W. Seeley
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California, 513 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143 USA
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Miguel L, Rovelet-Lecrux A, Feyeux M, Frebourg T, Nassoy P, Campion D, Lecourtois M. Detection of all adult Tau isoforms in a 3D culture model of iPSC-derived neurons. Stem Cell Res 2019; 40:101541. [PMID: 31522011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2019.101541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the presence of pathological intracellular deposits of Tau proteins. Six isoforms of Tau are expressed in the adult human brain, resulting from alternative splicing of the MAPT gene. Tau splicing is developmentally regulated such that only the smallest Tau isoform is expressed in fetal brain, contrary to the adult brain showing the expression of all 6 isoforms. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) technology has opened up new perspectives in human disease modeling, including tauopathies. However, a major challenge to in vitro recapitulation of Tau pathology in iPSC-derived neurons is their relative immaturity. In this study, we examined the switch in Tau splicing from fetal-only to all adult Tau isoforms during the differentiation of iPSC-derived neurons in a new 3D culture system. First, we showed that iPSC-induced neurons inside Matrigel-coated alginate capsules were able to differentiate into cortical neurons. Then, using a new assay that allowed both the qualitative and the quantitative analysis of all adult MAPT mRNA isoforms individually, we demonstrated that BrainPhys-maintained neurons expressed the 6 adult MAPT mRNA transcripts from 25 weeks of maturation, making this model highly suitable for modeling Tau pathology and therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Miguel
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245 and Rouen University Hospital, Department of Genetics and CNR-MAJ, F 76000, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Rouen, France
| | - Anne Rovelet-Lecrux
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245 and Rouen University Hospital, Department of Genetics and CNR-MAJ, F 76000, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Rouen, France
| | - Maxime Feyeux
- Université de Bordeaux, Laboratoire Photonique Numérique et Nanosciences, CNRS UMR 5298, Institut d'Optique, Talence, France
| | - Thierry Frebourg
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245 and Rouen University Hospital, Department of Genetics and CNR-MAJ, F 76000, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Rouen, France; Department of Genetics, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Pierre Nassoy
- Université de Bordeaux, Laboratoire Photonique Numérique et Nanosciences, CNRS UMR 5298, Institut d'Optique, Talence, France
| | - Dominique Campion
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245 and Rouen University Hospital, Department of Genetics and CNR-MAJ, F 76000, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Rouen, France; Centre Hospitalier du Rouvray, Sotteville-Lès-Rouen, France
| | - Magalie Lecourtois
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245 and Rouen University Hospital, Department of Genetics and CNR-MAJ, F 76000, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Rouen, France.
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Mishima T, Fujioka S, Fukae J, Yuasa-Kawada J, Tsuboi Y. Modeling Parkinson's Disease and Atypical Parkinsonian Syndromes Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123870. [PMID: 30518093 PMCID: PMC6321610 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) and atypical parkinsonian syndromes are age-dependent multifactorial neurodegenerative diseases, which are clinically characterized by bradykinesia, tremor, muscle rigidity and postural instability. Although these diseases share several common clinical phenotypes, their pathophysiological aspects vary among the disease categories. Extensive animal-based approaches, as well as postmortem studies, have provided important insights into the disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. However, the exact pathological mechanisms triggering such diseases still remain elusive. Furthermore, the effects of drugs observed in animal models are not always reproduced in human clinical trials. By using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, it has become possible to establish patient-specific iPSCs from their somatic cells and to effectively differentiate these iPSCs into different types of neurons, reproducing some key aspects of the disease phenotypes in vitro. In this review, we summarize recent findings from iPSC-based modeling of PD and several atypical parkinsonian syndromes including multiple system atrophy, frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 and Perry syndrome. Furthermore, we discuss future challenges and prospects for modeling and understanding PD and atypical parkinsonian syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayasu Mishima
- Department of Neurology, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.
| | - Shinsuke Fujioka
- Department of Neurology, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.
| | - Jiro Fukae
- Department of Neurology, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.
| | | | - Yoshio Tsuboi
- Department of Neurology, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.
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Minimalistic in vitro systems for investigating tau pathology. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 319:69-76. [PMID: 30278185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibrillary tangles, formed of hyperphosphorylated, misfolded tau accumulations, are a pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia. The neuroanatomical localisation of tau pathology in AD brains of different disease stages suggests that tau tangle pathology is spreading throughout the brain along connected neuronal circuits. Pathogenic tau can act as a prion-like seed, inducing the misfolding of native tau and leading to disease propagation throughout the brain. However, it is not yet fully understood how tau spreads between individual neurons or brain regions. Here, we review the models for investigating tau propagation in vitro, and summarise the findings from key studies into the mechanisms of tau pathology propagation in disease.
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