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Pavlou A, Mulenge F, Gern OL, Busker LM, Greimel E, Waltl I, Kalinke U. Orchestration of antiviral responses within the infected central nervous system. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:943-958. [PMID: 38997413 PMCID: PMC11364666 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01181-7] [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: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Many newly emerging and re-emerging viruses have neuroinvasive potential, underscoring viral encephalitis as a global research priority. Upon entry of the virus into the CNS, severe neurological life-threatening conditions may manifest that are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The currently available therapeutic arsenal against viral encephalitis is rather limited, emphasizing the need to better understand the conditions of local antiviral immunity within the infected CNS. In this review, we discuss new insights into the pathophysiology of viral encephalitis, with a focus on myeloid cells and CD8+ T cells, which critically contribute to protection against viral CNS infection. By illuminating the prerequisites of myeloid and T cell activation, discussing new discoveries regarding their transcriptional signatures, and dissecting the mechanisms of their recruitment to sites of viral replication within the CNS, we aim to further delineate the complexity of antiviral responses within the infected CNS. Moreover, we summarize the current knowledge in the field of virus infection and neurodegeneration and discuss the potential links of some neurotropic viruses with certain pathological hallmarks observed in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Pavlou
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Felix Mulenge
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Olivia Luise Gern
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lena Mareike Busker
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Greimel
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Inken Waltl
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kalinke
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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2
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Cerneckis J, Cai H, Shi Y. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): molecular mechanisms of induction and applications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:112. [PMID: 38670977 PMCID: PMC11053163 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01809-0] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has transformed in vitro research and holds great promise to advance regenerative medicine. iPSCs have the capacity for an almost unlimited expansion, are amenable to genetic engineering, and can be differentiated into most somatic cell types. iPSCs have been widely applied to model human development and diseases, perform drug screening, and develop cell therapies. In this review, we outline key developments in the iPSC field and highlight the immense versatility of the iPSC technology for in vitro modeling and therapeutic applications. We begin by discussing the pivotal discoveries that revealed the potential of a somatic cell nucleus for reprogramming and led to successful generation of iPSCs. We consider the molecular mechanisms and dynamics of somatic cell reprogramming as well as the numerous methods available to induce pluripotency. Subsequently, we discuss various iPSC-based cellular models, from mono-cultures of a single cell type to complex three-dimensional organoids, and how these models can be applied to elucidate the mechanisms of human development and diseases. We use examples of neurological disorders, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and cancer to highlight the diversity of disease-specific phenotypes that can be modeled using iPSC-derived cells. We also consider how iPSC-derived cellular models can be used in high-throughput drug screening and drug toxicity studies. Finally, we discuss the process of developing autologous and allogeneic iPSC-based cell therapies and their potential to alleviate human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Cerneckis
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Hongxia Cai
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
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3
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Harding AT, Ocwieja K, Jeong M, Zhang Y, Leger V, Jhala N, Stankovic KM, Gehrke L. Human otic progenitor cell models of congenital hearing loss reveal potential pathophysiologic mechanisms of Zika virus and cytomegalovirus infections. mBio 2024; 15:e0019924. [PMID: 38440980 PMCID: PMC11005345 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00199-24] [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: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Congenital hearing loss is a common chronic condition affecting children in both developed and developing nations. Viruses correlated with congenital hearing loss include human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), which causes congenital Zika syndrome. The mechanisms by which HCMV and ZIKV infections cause hearing loss are poorly understood. It is challenging to study human inner ear cells because they are encased in bone and also scarce as autopsy samples. Recent advances in culturing human stem cell-derived otic progenitor cells (OPCs) have allowed us herein to describe successful in vitro infection of OPCs with HCMV and ZIKV, and also to propose potential mechanisms by which each viral infection could affect hearing. We find that ZIKV infection rapidly and significantly induces the expression of type I interferon and interferon-stimulated genes, while OPC viability declines, at least in part, from apoptosis. In contrast, HCMV infection did not appear to upregulate interferons or cause a reduction in cell viability, and instead disrupted expression of key genes and pathways associated with inner ear development and function, including Cochlin, nerve growth factor receptor, SRY-box transcription factor 11, and transforming growth factor-beta signaling. These findings suggest that ZIKV and HCMV infections cause congenital hearing loss through distinct pathways, that is, by inducing progenitor cell death in the case of ZIKV infection, and by disruption of critical developmental pathways in the case of HCMV infection. IMPORTANCE Congenital virus infections inflict substantial morbidity and devastating disease in neonates worldwide, and hearing loss is a common outcome. It has been difficult to study viral infections of the human hearing apparatus because it is embedded in the temporal bone of the skull. Recent technological advances permit the differentiation of otic progenitor cells (OPCs) from human-induced pluripotent stem cells. This paper is important for demonstrating that inner ear virus infections can be modeled in vitro using OPCs. We infected OPCs with two viruses associated with congenital hearing loss: human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a DNA virus, or Zika virus (ZIKV), an RNA virus. An important result is that the gene expression and cytokine production profiles of HCMV/ZIKV-infected OPCs are markedly dissimilar, suggesting that mechanisms of hearing loss are also distinct. The specific molecular regulatory pathways identified in this work could suggest important targets for therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred T. Harding
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karen Ocwieja
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Boston Childrens’ Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Minjin Jeong
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Yichen Zhang
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Valerie Leger
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nairuti Jhala
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Konstantina M. Stankovic
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Lee Gehrke
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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4
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Egilmezer E, Hamilton ST, Foster CSP, Marschall M, Rawlinson WD. Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) dysregulates neurodevelopmental pathways in cerebral organoids. Commun Biol 2024; 7:340. [PMID: 38504123 PMCID: PMC10951402 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05923-1] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the leading non-genetic aetiology of congenital malformation in developed countries, causing significant fetal neurological injury. This study investigated potential CMV pathogenetic mechanisms of fetal neural malformation using in vitro human cerebral organoids. Cerebral organoids were permissive to CMV replication, and infection dysregulated cellular pluripotency and differentiation pathways. Aberrant expression of dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinases (DYRK), sonic hedgehog (SHH), pluripotency, neurodegeneration, axon guidance, hippo signalling and dopaminergic synapse pathways were observed in CMV-infected organoids using immunofluorescence and RNA-sequencing. Infection with CMV resulted in dysregulation of 236 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)-related genes (p = 1.57E-05) and pathways. This notable observation suggests potential links between congenital CMV infection and ASD. Using DisGeNET databases, 103 diseases related to neural malformation or mental disorders were enriched in CMV-infected organoids. Cytomegalovirus infection-related dysregulation of key cerebral cellular pathways potentially provides important, modifiable pathogenetic mechanisms for congenital CMV-induced neural malformation and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ece Egilmezer
- Serology and Virology Division, Microbiology, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia
- School of Medical Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Stuart T Hamilton
- Serology and Virology Division, Microbiology, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Charles S P Foster
- Serology and Virology Division, Microbiology, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia
- School of Medical Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Manfred Marschall
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - William D Rawlinson
- Serology and Virology Division, Microbiology, NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia.
- School of Medical Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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5
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Chen X, Shi Y. Generating Homogeneous Brain Organoids from Human iPSCs. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2794:157-167. [PMID: 38630227 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3810-1_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
There is a high demand for the development of in vitro models for human brain development and diseases due to the inaccessibility of human brain tissues. The human iPSC-derived brain organoids provide a promising in vitro model for studying human brain development and disorders. However, it is challenging to generate a large number of brain organoids with high consistency for modeling human neurological diseases. Here, we describe a method for generating high-yield brain organoids with high consistency by combining large-scale embryoid body (EB) generation and incorporating a quality control screening step during differentiation. The method described in this chapter provides a robust way to generate brain organoids for studying human brain development and modeling neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianwei Chen
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
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6
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Adelman JW, Rosas-Rogers S, Schumacher ML, Mokry RL, Terhune SS, Ebert AD. Human cytomegalovirus induces significant structural and functional changes in terminally differentiated human cortical neurons. mBio 2023; 14:e0225123. [PMID: 37966250 PMCID: PMC10746155 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02251-23] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a highly prevalent viral pathogen that can cause serious neurological deficits in infants experiencing an in utero infection. Also, as a life-long infection, HCMV has been associated with several diseases in the adult brain. HCMV is known to infect early neural progenitor cells, but whether it also infects terminally differentiated neurons is still debated. Here, we differentiated human-induced pluripotent stem cells into neurons for 84-120 days to test the ability of HCMV to infect terminally differentiated neurons and assess the downstream functional consequences. We discovered that mature human neurons are highly permissive to HCMV infection, exhibited late replication hallmarks, and produced infectious virus. Moreover, infection in terminally differentiated neurons essentially eliminated neuron function. These results demonstrate that terminally differentiated human neurons are permissive to HCMV infection, which can significantly alter both structural and functional features of this mature neuron population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob W. Adelman
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Suzette Rosas-Rogers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Megan L. Schumacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Rebekah L. Mokry
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Scott S. Terhune
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Allison D. Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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7
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Feng L, Chao J, Zhang M, Pacquing E, Hu W, Shi Y. Developing a human iPSC-derived three-dimensional myelin spheroid platform for modeling myelin diseases. iScience 2023; 26:108037. [PMID: 37867939 PMCID: PMC10589867 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108037] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelin defects cause a collection of myelin disorders in the brain. The lack of human models has limited us from better understanding pathological mechanisms of myelin diseases. While human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived spheroids or organoids have been used to study brain development and disorders, it has been difficult to recapitulate mature myelination in these structures. Here, we have developed a method to generate three-dimensional (3D) myelin spheroids from hiPSCs in a robust and reproducible manner. Using this method, we generated myelin spheroids from patient iPSCs to model Canavan disease (CD), a demyelinating disorder. By using CD patient iPSC-derived myelin spheroids treated with N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), we were able to recapitulate key pathological features of the disease and show that high-level NAA is sufficient to induce toxicity on myelin sheaths. Our study has established a 3D human cellular platform to model human myelin diseases for mechanistic studies and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhao Feng
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Oujiang Laboratory, Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Jianfei Chao
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Mingzi Zhang
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Elizabeth Pacquing
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Weidong Hu
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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8
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Michalski C, Wen Z. Leveraging iPSC technology to assess neuro-immune interactions in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1291115. [PMID: 38025464 PMCID: PMC10672983 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1291115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Communication between the immune and the nervous system is essential for human brain development and homeostasis. Disruption of this intricately regulated crosstalk can lead to neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, or neurodegenerative disorders. While animal models have been essential in characterizing the role of neuroimmunity in development and disease, they come with inherent limitations due to species specific differences, particularly with regard to microglia, the major subset of brain resident immune cells. The advent of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology now allows the development of clinically relevant models of the central nervous system that adequately reflect human genetic architecture. This article will review recent publications that have leveraged iPSC technology to assess neuro-immune interactions. First, we will discuss the role of environmental stressors such as neurotropic viruses or pro-inflammatory cytokines on neuronal and glial function. Next, we will review how iPSC models can be used to study genetic risk factors in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Lastly, we will evaluate current challenges and future potential for iPSC models in the field of neuroimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Michalski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zhexing Wen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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9
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O'Brien BS, Mokry RL, Schumacher ML, Rosas-Rogers S, Terhune SS, Ebert AD. Neutralizing antibodies with neurotropic factor treatment maintain neurodevelopmental gene expression upon exposure to human cytomegalovirus. J Virol 2023; 97:e0069623. [PMID: 37796129 PMCID: PMC10653813 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00696-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is the leading cause of non-heritable birth defects worldwide. HCMV readily infects the early progenitor cell population of the developing brain, and we have found that infection leads to significantly downregulated expression of key neurodevelopmental transcripts. Currently, there are no approved therapies to prevent or mitigate the effects of congenital HCMV infection. Therefore, we used human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids and neural progenitor cells to elucidate the glycoproteins and receptors used in the viral entry process and whether antibody neutralization was sufficient to block viral entry and prevent disruption of neurodevelopmental gene expression. We found that blocking viral entry alone was insufficient to maintain the expression of key neurodevelopmental genes, but neutralization combined with neurotrophic factor treatment provided robust protection. Together, these studies offer novel insight into mechanisms of HCMV infection in neural tissues, which may aid future therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S. O'Brien
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Rebekah L. Mokry
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Megan L. Schumacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Suzette Rosas-Rogers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Scott S. Terhune
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Allison D. Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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10
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Li J, Wang J, Wang H. Emerging Landscape of Preclinical Models for Studying COVID-19 Neurologic Diseases. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:1323-1339. [PMID: 37854617 PMCID: PMC10580392 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and has globally infected 768 million people and caused over 6 million deaths. COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system but increasing reports of neurologic symptoms associated with COVID-19 have been reported in the literature. The exact mechanism behind COVID-19 neurologic pathophysiology remains poorly understood due to difficulty quantifying clinical neurologic symptoms in humans and correlating them to findings in human post-mortem samples and animal models. Thus, robust preclinical experimental models for COVID-19 neurologic manifestations are urgently needed. Here, we review recent advances in in vitro, in vivo, and other models and technologies for studying COVID-19 including primary cell cultures, pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons and organoids, rodents, nonhuman primates, 3D bioprinting, artificial intelligence, and multiomics. We specifically focus our discussion on the contribution, recent advancements, and limitations these preclinical models have on furthering our understanding of COVID-19's neuropathic physiology. We also discuss these models' roles in the screening and development of therapeutics, vaccines, antiviral drugs, and herbal medicine, and on future opportunities for COVID-19 neurologic research and clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Li
- Department
of Neurology, Indiana University School
of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Jing Wang
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University
of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Hu Wang
- Institute
of Cell Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore 21215, United States
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11
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Ribeiro JH, Altinisik N, Rajan N, Verslegers M, Baatout S, Gopalakrishnan J, Quintens R. DNA damage and repair: underlying mechanisms leading to microcephaly. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1268565. [PMID: 37881689 PMCID: PMC10597653 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1268565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA-damaging agents and endogenous DNA damage constantly harm genome integrity. Under genotoxic stress conditions, the DNA damage response (DDR) machinery is crucial in repairing lesions and preventing mutations in the basic structure of the DNA. Different repair pathways are implicated in the resolution of such lesions. For instance, the non-homologous DNA end joining and homologous recombination pathways are central cellular mechanisms by which eukaryotic cells maintain genome integrity. However, defects in these pathways are often associated with neurological disorders, indicating the pivotal role of DDR in normal brain development. Moreover, the brain is the most sensitive organ affected by DNA-damaging agents compared to other tissues during the prenatal period. The accumulation of lesions is believed to induce cell death, reduce proliferation and premature differentiation of neural stem and progenitor cells, and reduce brain size (microcephaly). Microcephaly is mainly caused by genetic mutations, especially genes encoding proteins involved in centrosomes and DNA repair pathways. However, it can also be induced by exposure to ionizing radiation and intrauterine infections such as the Zika virus. This review explains mammalian cortical development and the major DNA repair pathways that may lead to microcephaly when impaired. Next, we discuss the mechanisms and possible exposures leading to DNA damage and p53 hyperactivation culminating in microcephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Honorato Ribeiro
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nazlican Altinisik
- Laboratory for Centrosome and Cytoskeleton Biology, Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nicholas Rajan
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Mieke Verslegers
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jay Gopalakrishnan
- Laboratory for Centrosome and Cytoskeleton Biology, Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Roel Quintens
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
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12
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Cui Q, Jeyachandran AV, Garcia G, Qin C, Zhou Y, Zhang M, Wang C, Sun G, Liu W, Zhou T, Feng L, Palmer C, Li Z, Aziz A, Gomperts BN, Feng P, Arumugaswami V, Shi Y. The Apolipoprotein E neutralizing antibody inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection by blocking cellular entry of lipoviral particles. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e400. [PMID: 37822714 PMCID: PMC10563865 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causal agent for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although vaccines have helped to prevent uncontrolled viral spreading, our understanding of the fundamental biology of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains insufficient, which hinders effective therapeutic development. Here, we found that Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a lipid binding protein, is hijacked by SARS-CoV-2 for infection. Preincubation of SARS-CoV-2 with a neutralizing antibody specific to ApoE led to inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The ApoE neutralizing antibody efficiently blocked SARS-CoV-2 infection of human iPSC-derived astrocytes and air-liquid interface organoid models in addition to human ACE2-expressing HEK293T cells and Calu-3 lung cells. ApoE mediates SARS-CoV-2 entry through binding to its cellular receptors such as the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). LDLR knockout or ApoE mutations at the receptor binding domain or an ApoE mimetic peptide reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, we detected strong membrane LDLR expression on SARS-CoV-2 Spike-positive cells in human lung tissues, whereas no or low ACE2 expression was detected. This study provides a new paradigm for SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry through binding of ApoE on the lipoviral particles to host cell receptor(s). Moreover, this study suggests that ApoE neutralizing antibodies are promising antiviral therapies for COVID-19 by blocking entry of both parental virus and variants of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Cui
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseasesBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Gustavo Garcia
- Department of Molecular and Medical PharmacologyUCLALos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Chao Qin
- Section of Infection and ImmunityHerman Ostrow School of DentistryNorris Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yu Zhou
- Section of Infection and ImmunityHerman Ostrow School of DentistryNorris Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Mingzi Zhang
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseasesBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseasesBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Guihua Sun
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseasesBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseasesBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Tao Zhou
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseasesBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Lizhao Feng
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseasesBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Chance Palmer
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseasesBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Zhuo Li
- Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy CoreBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Adam Aziz
- Mattel Children's Hospital UCLADepartment of PediatricsDavid Geffen School of MedicineUCLAUCLA Children's Discovery and Innovation InstituteLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- UCLAMolecular Biology InstituteLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- UCLAJonsson Comprehensive Cancer CenterLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- UCLAEli and Edythe Broad Stem Cell Research CenterLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineDepartment of MedicineUCLADavid Geffen School of MedicineLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Brigitte N. Gomperts
- Mattel Children's Hospital UCLADepartment of PediatricsDavid Geffen School of MedicineUCLAUCLA Children's Discovery and Innovation InstituteLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- UCLAMolecular Biology InstituteLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- UCLAJonsson Comprehensive Cancer CenterLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- UCLAEli and Edythe Broad Stem Cell Research CenterLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineDepartment of MedicineUCLADavid Geffen School of MedicineLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Pinghui Feng
- Section of Infection and ImmunityHerman Ostrow School of DentistryNorris Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Vaithilingaraja Arumugaswami
- Department of Molecular and Medical PharmacologyUCLALos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- UCLAEli and Edythe Broad Stem Cell Research CenterLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseasesBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
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13
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Barreras P, Pamies D, Hartung T, Pardo CA. Human brain microphysiological systems in the study of neuroinfectious disorders. Exp Neurol 2023; 365:114409. [PMID: 37061175 PMCID: PMC10205672 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114409] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Microphysiological systems (MPS) are 2D or 3D multicellular constructs able to mimic tissue microenvironments. The latest models encompass a range of techniques, including co-culturing of various cell types, utilization of scaffolds and extracellular matrix materials, perfusion systems, 3D culture methods, 3D bioprinting, organ-on-a-chip technology, and examination of tissue structures. Several human brain 3D cultures or brain MPS (BMPS) have emerged in the last decade. These organoids or spheroids are 3D culture systems derived from induced pluripotent cells or embryonic stem cells that contain neuronal and glial populations and recapitulate structural and physiological aspects of the human brain. BMPS have been introduced recently in the study and modeling of neuroinfectious diseases and have proven to be useful in establishing neurotropism of viral infections, cell-pathogen interactions needed for infection, assessing cytopathological effects, genomic and proteomic profiles, and screening therapeutic compounds. Here we review the different methodologies of organoids used in neuroinfectious diseases including spheroids, guided and unguided protocols as well as microglia and blood-brain barrier containing models, their specific applications, and limitations. The review provides an overview of the models existing for specific infections including Zika, Dengue, JC virus, Japanese encephalitis, measles, herpes, SARS-CoV2, and influenza viruses among others, and provide useful concepts in the modeling of disease and antiviral agent screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Barreras
- Division of Neuroimmunology and Neurological Infections, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - David Pamies
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA; CAAT-Europe, University of Konstanz, Germany
| | - Carlos A Pardo
- Division of Neuroimmunology and Neurological Infections, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA; Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
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14
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D'Antoni C, Mautone L, Sanchini C, Tondo L, Grassmann G, Cidonio G, Bezzi P, Cordella F, Di Angelantonio S. Unlocking Neural Function with 3D In Vitro Models: A Technical Review of Self-Assembled, Guided, and Bioprinted Brain Organoids and Their Applications in the Study of Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10762. [PMID: 37445940 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the complexities of the human brain and its associated disorders poses a significant challenge in neuroscience. Traditional research methods have limitations in replicating its intricacies, necessitating the development of in vitro models that can simulate its structure and function. Three-dimensional in vitro models, including organoids, cerebral organoids, bioprinted brain models, and functionalized brain organoids, offer promising platforms for studying human brain development, physiology, and disease. These models accurately replicate key aspects of human brain anatomy, gene expression, and cellular behavior, enabling drug discovery and toxicology studies while providing insights into human-specific phenomena not easily studied in animal models. The use of human-induced pluripotent stem cells has revolutionized the generation of 3D brain structures, with various techniques developed to generate specific brain regions. These advancements facilitate the study of brain structure development and function, overcoming previous limitations due to the scarcity of human brain samples. This technical review provides an overview of current 3D in vitro models of the human cortex, their development, characterization, and limitations, and explores the state of the art and future directions in the field, with a specific focus on their applications in studying neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara D'Antoni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenza Mautone
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Sanchini
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Tondo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Greta Grassmann
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "Alessandro Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Cidonio
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Federica Cordella
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
- D-Tails s.r.l., 00165 Rome, Italy
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15
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Kilpatrick S, Irwin C, Singh KK. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) and organoid models of autism: opportunities and limitations. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:217. [PMID: 37344450 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02510-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder caused by genetic or environmental perturbations during early development. Diagnoses are dependent on the identification of behavioral abnormalities that likely emerge well after the disorder is established, leaving critical developmental windows uncharacterized. This is further complicated by the incredible clinical and genetic heterogeneity of the disorder that is not captured in most mammalian models. In recent years, advancements in stem cell technology have created the opportunity to model ASD in a human context through the use of pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), which can be used to generate 2D cellular models as well as 3D unguided- and region-specific neural organoids. These models produce profoundly intricate systems, capable of modeling the developing brain spatiotemporally to reproduce key developmental milestones throughout early development. When complemented with multi-omics, genome editing, and electrophysiology analysis, they can be used as a powerful tool to profile the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this complex disorder. In this review, we will explore the recent advancements in hPSC-based modeling, discuss present and future applications of the model to ASD research, and finally consider the limitations and future directions within the field to make this system more robust and broadly applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah Kilpatrick
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Courtney Irwin
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karun K Singh
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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16
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Ijezie EC, O'Dowd JM, Kuan MI, Faeth AR, Fortunato EA. HCMV Infection Reduces Nidogen-1 Expression, Contributing to Impaired Neural Rosette Development in Brain Organoids. J Virol 2023; 97:e0171822. [PMID: 37125912 PMCID: PMC10231252 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01718-22] [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: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a leading cause of birth defects in humans. These birth defects include microcephaly, sensorineural hearing loss, vision loss, and cognitive impairment. The process by which the developing fetus incurs these neurological defects is poorly understood. To elucidate some of these mechanisms, we have utilized HCMV-infected induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to generate in vitro brain organoids, modeling the first trimester of fetal brain development. Early during culturing, brain organoids generate neural rosettes. These structures are believed to model neural tube formation. Rosette formation was analyzed in HCMV-infected and mock-infected brain organoids at 17, 24, and 31 days postinfection. Histological analysis revealed fewer neural rosettes in HCMV-infected compared to mock-infected organoids. HCMV-infected organoid rosettes incurred multiple structural deficits, including increased lumen area, decreased ventricular zone depth, and decreased cell count. Immunofluorescent (IF) analysis found that nidogen-1 (NID1) protein expression in the basement membrane surrounding neural rosettes was greatly reduced by virus infection. IF analysis also identified a similar downregulation of laminin in basement membranes of HCMV-infected organoid rosettes. Knockdown of NID1 alone in brain organoids impaired their development, leading to the production of rosettes with increased lumen area, decreased structural integrity, and reduced laminin localization in the basement membrane, paralleling observations in HCMV-infected organoids. Our data strongly suggest that HCMV-induced downregulation of NID1 impairs neural rosette formation and integrity, likely contributing to many of HCMV's most severe birth defects. IMPORTANCE HCMV infection in pregnant women continues to be the leading cause of virus-induced neurologic birth defects. The mechanism through which congenital HCMV (cCMV) infection induces pathological changes to the developing fetal central nervous system (CNS) remains unclear. Our lab previously reproduced identified clinical defects in HCMV-infected infants using a three dimensional (3D) brain organoid model. In this new study, we have striven to discover very early HCMV-induced changes in developing brain organoids. We investigated the development of neural tube-like structures, neural rosettes. HCMV-infected rosettes displayed multiple structural abnormalities and cell loss. HCMV-infected rosettes displayed reduced expression of the key basement membrane protein, NID1. We previously found NID1 to be specifically targeted in HCMV-infected fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Brain organoids generated from NID1 knockdown iPSCs recapitulated the structural defects observed in HCMV-infected rosettes. Findings in this study revealed HCMV infection induced early and dramatic structural changes in 3D brain organoids. We believe our results suggest a major role for infection-induced NID1 downregulation in HCMV-induced CNS birth defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel C. Ijezie
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - John M. O'Dowd
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Man I Kuan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Alexandra R. Faeth
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Fortunato
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
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17
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Vandana JJ, Manrique C, Lacko LA, Chen S. Human pluripotent-stem-cell-derived organoids for drug discovery and evaluation. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:571-591. [PMID: 37146581 PMCID: PMC10775018 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and three-dimensional organoids have ushered in a new era for disease modeling and drug discovery. Over the past decade, significant progress has been in deriving functional organoids from hPSCs, which have been applied to recapitulate disease phenotypes. In addition, these advancements have extended the application of hPSCs and organoids for drug screening and clinical-trial safety evaluations. This review provides an overview of the achievements and challenges in using hPSC-derived organoids to conduct relevant high-throughput, high-contentscreens and drug evaluation. These studies have greatly enhanced our knowledge and toolbox for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Jeya Vandana
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Center for Genomic Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, The Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cassandra Manrique
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lauretta A Lacko
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Shuibing Chen
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Center for Genomic Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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18
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Suzuki I, Matsuda N, Han X, Noji S, Shibata M, Nagafuku N, Ishibashi Y. Large-Area Field Potential Imaging Having Single Neuron Resolution Using 236 880 Electrodes CMOS-MEA Technology. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023:e2207732. [PMID: 37088859 PMCID: PMC10369302 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202207732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The electrophysiological technology having a high spatiotemporal resolution at the single-cell level and noninvasive measurements of large areas provide insights on underlying neuronal function. Here, a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-microelectrode array (MEA) is used that uses 236 880 electrodes each with an electrode size of 11.22 × 11.22 µm and 236 880 covering a wide area of 5.5 × 5.9 mm in presenting a detailed and single-cell-level neural activity analysis platform for brain slices, human iPS cell-derived cortical networks, peripheral neurons, and human brain organoids. Propagation pattern characteristics between brain regions changes the synaptic propagation into compounds based on single-cell time-series patterns, classification based on single DRG neuron firing patterns and compound responses, axonal conduction characteristics and changes to anticancer drugs, and network activities and transition to compounds in brain organoids are extracted. This detailed analysis of neural activity at the single-cell level using the CMOS-MEA provides a new understanding of the basic mechanisms of brain circuits in vitro and ex vivo, on human neurological diseases for drug discovery, and compound toxicity assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikuro Suzuki
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 982-8577, Japan
| | - Naoki Matsuda
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 982-8577, Japan
| | - Xiaobo Han
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 982-8577, Japan
| | - Shuhei Noji
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 982-8577, Japan
| | - Mikako Shibata
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 982-8577, Japan
| | - Nami Nagafuku
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 982-8577, Japan
| | - Yuto Ishibashi
- Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku Institute of Technology, 35-1 Yagiyama Kasumicho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 982-8577, Japan
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19
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Niu D, Zhang X, Zhang S, Fan T, Zhou X, Wang H, Zhang X, Nan F, Jiang S, Liu F, Wang Y, Wang B. Human Cytomegalovirus IE2 Disrupts Neural Progenitor Development and Induces Microcephaly in Transgenic Mouse. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3883-3897. [PMID: 36991278 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03310-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a significant contributor to congenital birth defects. Limited by the lack of animal models, the pathogenesis of neurological damage in vivo caused by HCMV infection and the role of individual viral genes remain to be elucidated. Immediate early (IE2) protein may play a function in neurodevelopmental problems caused by HCMV infection. Here, this study intended to investigate IE2's long-term effects on development of the brain in IE2-expressing transgenic mice (Rosa26-LSL-IE2+/-, Camk2α-Cre) aimed to observe the phenotype of postnatal mice. The expression of IE2 in transgenic mice was confirmed by PCR and Western blot technology. We collected mouse brain tissue at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days postpartum to analyze the developmental process of neural stem cells by immunofluorescence. We discovered that transgenic mice (Rosa26-LSL-IE2+/-, Camk2α-Cre) can reliably produce IE2 in the brain at various postpartum phases. Furthermore, we also observed the symptoms of microcephaly in postnatal transgenic mice, and IE2 can damage the amount of neural stem cells, prevent them from proliferating and differentiating, and activate microglia and astrocytes, creating an unbalanced environment in the brain's neurons. In conclusion, we demonstrate that long-term expression of HCMV-IE2 can cause microcephaly through molecular mechanisms affecting the differentiation and development of neural stem cells in vivo. This work establishes a theoretical and experimental foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanism of fetal microcephaly brought by HCMV infection in throughout the period of neural development of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delei Niu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Xianjuan Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Shuyun Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Tianyu Fan
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Zhou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Special Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Xueming Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Fulong Nan
- Department of Special Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Shasha Jiang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Fengjun Liu
- Department of Special Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Yunyang Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China.
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China.
- Department of Special Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China.
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20
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Silva-Pedrosa R, Salgado AJ, Ferreira PE. Revolutionizing Disease Modeling: The Emergence of Organoids in Cellular Systems. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060930. [PMID: 36980271 PMCID: PMC10047824 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular models have created opportunities to explore the characteristics of human diseases through well-established protocols, while avoiding the ethical restrictions associated with post-mortem studies and the costs associated with researching animal models. The capability of cell reprogramming, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) technology, solved the complications associated with human embryonic stem cells (hESC) usage. Moreover, iPSCs made significant contributions for human medicine, such as in diagnosis, therapeutic and regenerative medicine. The two-dimensional (2D) models allowed for monolayer cellular culture in vitro; however, they were surpassed by the three-dimensional (3D) cell culture system. The 3D cell culture provides higher cell-cell contact and a multi-layered cell culture, which more closely respects cellular morphology and polarity. It is more tightly able to resemble conditions in vivo and a closer approach to the architecture of human tissues, such as human organoids. Organoids are 3D cellular structures that mimic the architecture and function of native tissues. They are generated in vitro from stem cells or differentiated cells, such as epithelial or neural cells, and are used to study organ development, disease modeling, and drug discovery. Organoids have become a powerful tool for understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying human physiology, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of cancer, metabolic diseases, and brain disorders. Although organoid technology is up-and-coming, it also has some limitations that require improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Silva-Pedrosa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), Department of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - António José Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Eduardo Ferreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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21
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Adelman JW, Rosas-Rogers S, Schumacher ML, Mokry RL, Terhune SS, Ebert AD. Human Cytomegalovirus Induces Significant Structural and Functional Changes in Terminally Differentiated Human Cortical Neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.03.531045. [PMID: 36945635 PMCID: PMC10028818 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.03.531045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a highly prevalent viral pathogen that typically presents asymptomatically in healthy individuals despite lifelong latency. However, in 10-15% of congenital cases, this beta-herpesvirus demonstrates direct effects on the central nervous system, including microcephaly, cognitive/learning delays, and hearing deficits. HCMV has been widely shown to infect neural progenitor cells, but the permissiveness of fully differentiated neurons to HCMV is controversial and chronically understudied, despite potential associations between HCMV infection with neurodegenerative conditions. Using a model system representative of the human forebrain, we demonstrate that induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived, excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic neurons are fully permissive to HCMV, demonstrating complete viral replication, competent virion production, and spread within the culture. Interestingly, while cell proliferation was not induced in these post-mitotic neurons, HCMV did increase expression of proliferative markers Ki67 and PCNA suggesting alterations in cell cycle machinery. These finding are consistent with previous HCMV-mediated changes in various cell types and implicate the virus' ability to alter proliferative pathways to promote virion production. HCMV also induces significant structural changes in forebrain neurons, such as the formation of syncytia and retraction of neurites. Finally, we demonstrate that HCMV disrupts calcium signaling and decreases neurotransmission, with action potential generation effectively silenced after 15 days post infection. Taken together, our data highlight the potential for forebrain neurons to be permissive to HCMV infection in the CNS, which could have significant implications on overall brain health and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob W. Adelman
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Suzette Rosas-Rogers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | | | - Rebekah L. Mokry
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Scott S. Terhune
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Allison D. Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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22
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Ng JH, Sun A, Je HS, Tan EK. Unravelling Pathophysiology of Neurological and Psychiatric Complications of COVID-19 Using Brain Organoids. Neuroscientist 2023; 29:30-40. [PMID: 34036855 PMCID: PMC9902967 DOI: 10.1177/10738584211015136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been increasingly recognized. However, the pathophysiology of COVID-19 in the central nervous system remains unclear. Brain organoid models derived from human pluripotent stem cells are potentially useful for the study of complex physiological and pathological processes associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as they recapitulate cellular heterogeneity and function of individual tissues. We identified brain organoid studies that provided insight into the neurotropic properties of SARS-CoV-2. While SARS-CoV-2 was able to infect neurons, the extent of neurotropism was relatively limited. Conversely, choroidal epithelial cells consistently showed a high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Brain organoid studies also elucidated potential mechanism for cellular entry, demonstrated viral replication, and highlighted downstream cellular effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Collectively, they suggest that the neuropsychiatric manifestations of COVID-19 may be contributed by both direct neuronal invasion and indirect consequences of neuroinflammation. The use of high throughput evaluation, patient-derived organoids, and advent of "assembloids" will provide a better understanding and functional characterization of the neuropsychiatric symptoms seen in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. With advancement of organoid technology, brain organoids offer a promising tool for unravelling pathophysiologic clues and potential therapeutic options for neuropsychiatric complications of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alfred Sun
- National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Eng-King Tan
- National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore,Eng-King Tan, National Neuroscience Institute, Duke NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore.
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23
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Li M, Gao L, Zhao L, Zou T, Xu H. Toward the next generation of vascularized human neural organoids. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:31-54. [PMID: 35993813 DOI: 10.1002/med.21922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Thanks to progress in the development of three-dimensional (3D) culture technologies, human central nervous system (CNS) development and diseases have been gradually deciphered by using organoids derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Selforganized neural organoids (NOs) have been used to mimic morphogenesis and functions of specific organs in vitro. Many NOs have been reproduced in vitro, such as those mimicking the human brain, retina, and spinal cord. However, NOs fail to capitulate to the maturation and complexity of in vivo neural tissues. The persistent issues with current NO cultivation protocols are inadequate oxygen supply and nutrient diffusion due to the absence of vascular networks. In vivo, the developing CNS is interpenetrated by vasculature that not only supplies oxygen and nutrients but also provides a structural template for neuronal growth. To address these deficiencies, recent studies have begun to couple NO culture with bioengineering techniques and methodologies, including genetic engineering, coculture, multidifferentiation, microfluidics and 3D bioprinting, and transplantation, which might promote NO maturation and create more functional NOs. These cutting-edge methods could generate an ever more reliable NO model in vitro for deciphering the codes of human CNS development, disease progression, and translational application. In this review, we will summarize recent technological advances in culture strategies to generate vascularized NOs (vNOs), with a special focus on cerebral- and retinal-organoid models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Li
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Lixiong Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Third Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Zou
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Haiwei Xu
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
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24
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A Comprehensive Update of Cerebral Organoids between Applications and Challenges. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:7264649. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/7264649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The basic technology of stem cells has been developed and created organoids, which have established a strong interest in regenerative medicine. Different cell types have been used to generate cerebral organoids, which include interneurons and oligodendrocytes (OLs). OLs are fundamental for brain development. Abundant studies have displayed that brain organoids can recapitulate fundamental and vital features of the human brain, such as cellular regulation and distribution, neuronal networks, electrical activities, and physiological structure. The organoids contain essential ventral brain domains and functional cortical interneurons, which are similar to the developing cortex and medial ganglionic eminence (MGE). So, brain organoids have provided a singular model to study and investigate neurological disorder mechanisms and therapeutics. Furthermore, the blood brain barrier (BBB) organoids modeling contributes to accelerate therapeutic discovery for the treatment of several neuropathologies. In this review, we summarized the advances of the brain organoids applications to investigate neurological disorder mechanisms such as neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, mental disorders, brain cancer, and cerebral viral infections. We discussed brain organoids’ therapeutic application as a potential therapeutic unique method and highlighted in detail the challenges and hurdles of organoid models.
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25
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Chien Y, Hsiao YJ, Chou SJ, Lin TY, Yarmishyn AA, Lai WY, Lee MS, Lin YY, Lin TW, Hwang DK, Lin TC, Chiou SH, Chen SJ, Yang YP. Nanoparticles-mediated CRISPR-Cas9 gene therapy in inherited retinal diseases: applications, challenges, and emerging opportunities. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:511. [DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01717-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractInherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs) are considered one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. However, the majority of them still lack a safe and effective treatment due to their complexity and genetic heterogeneity. Recently, gene therapy is gaining importance as an efficient strategy to address IRDs which were previously considered incurable. The development of the clustered regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has strongly empowered the field of gene therapy. However, successful gene modifications rely on the efficient delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 components into the complex three-dimensional (3D) architecture of the human retinal tissue. Intriguing findings in the field of nanoparticles (NPs) meet all the criteria required for CRISPR-Cas9 delivery and have made a great contribution toward its therapeutic applications. In addition, exploiting induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology and in vitro 3D retinal organoids paved the way for prospective clinical trials of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in treating IRDs. This review highlights important advances in NP-based gene therapy, the CRISPR-Cas9 system, and iPSC-derived retinal organoids with a focus on IRDs. Collectively, these studies establish a multidisciplinary approach by integrating nanomedicine and stem cell technologies and demonstrate the utility of retina organoids in developing effective therapies for IRDs.
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26
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Abstract
The current understanding of neurological diseases is derived mostly from direct analysis of patients and from animal models of disease. However, most patient studies do not capture the earliest stages of disease development and offer limited opportunities for experimental intervention, so rarely yield complete mechanistic insights. The use of animal models relies on evolutionary conservation of pathways involved in disease and is limited by an inability to recreate human-specific processes. In vitro models that are derived from human pluripotent stem cells cultured in 3D have emerged as a new model system that could bridge the gap between patient studies and animal models. In this Review, we summarize how such organoid models can complement classical approaches to accelerate neurological research. We describe our current understanding of neurodevelopment and how this process differs between humans and other animals, making human-derived models of disease essential. We discuss different methodologies for producing organoids and how organoids can be and have been used to model neurological disorders, including microcephaly, Zika virus infection, Alzheimer disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, and neurodevelopmental diseases, such as Timothy syndrome, Angelman syndrome and tuberous sclerosis. We also discuss the current limitations of organoid models and outline how organoids can be used to revolutionize research into the human brain and neurological diseases. In this Review, Eichmüller and Knoblich discuss how human brain organoids can recapitulate the unique processes that occur in human brain development and how they can complement classical approaches to revolutionize research into neurological diseases. Development of the human brain involves unique processes that are relevant to neurological disease but cannot be studied in animal models, so alternative model systems are required. Organoids are 3D human cell culture models that originate from pluripotent stem cells and recapitulate the hallmarks of human neurodevelopment, enabling studies of human brain development in vitro. Specific mutations can be introduced into organoids to study their effects on neurodevelopment; combined with high-throughput screening methods, this approach can determine the disease relevance of mutations in human tissue. To study specific diseases, brain organoids can be generated from induced pluripotent stem cells from individual patients, thereby preserving the specific genetic background of the individual and generating an insightful model. Through recapitulation of previously inaccessible periods of human brain development, brain organoids have enabled identification of novel mechanisms that underlie neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative and infectious diseases. Combining organoids, patient research and animal models enables us to take full advantage of each of these systems and will provide unprecedented insights into neurodevelopment and neurological diseases.
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27
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LaNoce E, Dumeng-Rodriguez J, Christian KM. Using 2D and 3D pluripotent stem cell models to study neurotropic viruses. FRONTIERS IN VIROLOGY 2022; 2:869657. [PMID: 36325520 PMCID: PMC9624474 DOI: 10.3389/fviro.2022.869657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the impact of viral pathogens on the human central nervous system (CNS) has been challenging due to the lack of viable human CNS models for controlled experiments to determine the causal factors underlying pathogenesis. Human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and, more recently, cellular reprogramming of adult somatic cells to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide opportunities for directed differentiation to neural cells that can be used to evaluate the impact of known and emerging viruses on neural cell types. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can be induced to neural lineages in either two- (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) cultures, each bearing distinct advantages and limitations for modeling viral pathogenesis and evaluating effective therapeutics. Here we review the current state of technology in stem cell-based modeling of the CNS and how these models can be used to determine viral tropism and identify cellular phenotypes to investigate virus-host interactions and facilitate drug screening. We focus on several viruses (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), Zika virus (ZIKV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), SARS-CoV-2, West Nile virus (WNV)) to illustrate key advantages, as well as challenges, of PSC-based models. We also discuss how human PSC-based models can be used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of therapeutic drugs by generating data that are complementary to existing preclinical models. Ultimately, these efforts could facilitate the movement towards personalized medicine and provide patients and physicians with an additional source of information to consider when evaluating available treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma LaNoce
- Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jeriel Dumeng-Rodriguez
- Developmental, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Program, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kimberly M. Christian
- Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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28
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Nitric Oxide Attenuates Human Cytomegalovirus Infection yet Disrupts Neural Cell Differentiation and Tissue Organization. J Virol 2022; 96:e0012622. [PMID: 35862705 PMCID: PMC9327702 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00126-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a prevalent betaherpesvirus that is asymptomatic in healthy individuals but can cause serious disease in immunocompromised patients. HCMV is also the leading cause of virus-mediated birth defects. Many of these defects manifest within the central nervous system and include microcephaly, sensorineural hearing loss, and cognitive developmental delays. Nitric oxide is a critical effector molecule produced as a component of the innate immune response during infection. Congenitally infected fetal brains show regions of brain damage, including necrotic foci with infiltrating macrophages and microglia, cell types that produce nitric oxide during infection. Using a 3-dimensional cortical organoid model, we demonstrate that nitric oxide inhibits HCMV spread and simultaneously disrupts neural rosette structures, resulting in tissue disorganization. Nitric oxide also attenuates HCMV replication in 2-dimensional cultures of neural progenitor cells (NPCs), a prominent cell type in cortical organoids that differentiate into neurons and glial cells. The multipotency factor SOX2 was decreased during nitric oxide exposure, suggesting that early neural differentiation is affected. Nitric oxide also reduced maximal mitochondrial respiration in both uninfected and infected NPCs. We determined that this reduction likely influences neural differentiation, as neurons (Tuj1+ GFAP- Nestin-) and glial populations (Tuj1- GFAP+ Nestin-) were reduced following differentiation. Our studies indicate a prominent, immunopathogenic role of nitric oxide in promoting developmental defects within the brain despite its antiviral activity during congenital HCMV infection. IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading cause of virus-mediated congenital birth defects. Congenitally infected infants can have a variety of symptoms manifesting within the central nervous system. The use of 3-dimensional (3-D) cortical organoids to model infection of the fetal brain has advanced the current understanding of development and allowed broader investigation of the mechanisms behind disease. However, the impact of the innate immune molecule nitric oxide during HCMV infection has not been explored in neural cells or cortical 3-D models. Here, we investigated the effect of nitric oxide on cortical development during HCMV infection. We demonstrate that nitric oxide plays an antiviral role during infection yet results in disorganized cortical tissue. Nitric oxide contributes to differentiation defects of neuron and glial cells from neural progenitor cells despite inhibiting viral replication. Our results indicate that immunopathogenic consequences of nitric oxide during congenital infection promote developmental defects that undermine its antiviral activity.
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29
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Zhang Z, O'Laughlin R, Song H, Ming GL. Patterning of brain organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 74:102536. [PMID: 35405627 PMCID: PMC9167774 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The emerging technology of brain organoids deriving from human pluripotent stem cells provides unprecedented opportunities to study human brain development and associated disorders. Various brain organoid protocols have been developed that can recapitulate some key features of cell type diversity, cytoarchitectural organization, developmental processes, functions, and pathologies of the developing human brain. In this review, we focus on patterning of human stem cell-derived brain organoids. We start with an overview of general procedures to generate brain organoids. We then highlight some recently developed brain organoid protocols and chemical cues involved in modeling development of specific human brain regions, subregions, and multiple regions together. We also discuss limitations and potential future improvements of human brain organoid technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijian Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Richard O'Laughlin
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; The Epigenetics Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. https://twitter.com/UPenn_SongMing
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School for Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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30
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Wedemann L, Flomm FJ, Bosse JB. The unconventional way out-Egress of HCMV through multiviral bodies. Mol Microbiol 2022; 117:1317-1323. [PMID: 35607767 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus and the leading cause of congenital disabilities as well as a significant cause of disease in immunocompromised patients. The envelopment and egress of HCMV particles is an essential step of the viral life cycle as it determines viral spread and potentially tropism. Here we review the current literature on HCMV envelopment and egress with a particular focus on the role of virus-containing multivesicular body-like vesicles for virus egress and spread. We discuss the difficulties of determining the cellular provenance of these structures in light of viral redistribution of cellular marker proteins and provide potential paths to illuminate their genesis. Finally, we discuss how divergent egress pathways could result in virions of different tropisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Wedemann
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Leibniz-Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Felix J Flomm
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Leibniz-Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jens B Bosse
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.,Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Leibniz-Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
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31
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O’Brien BS, Mokry RL, Schumacher ML, Pulakanti K, Rao S, Terhune SS, Ebert AD. Downregulation of neurodevelopmental gene expression in iPSC-derived cerebral organoids upon infection by human cytomegalovirus. iScience 2022; 25:104098. [PMID: 35391828 PMCID: PMC8980761 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a betaherpesvirus that can cause severe birth defects including vision and hearing loss, microcephaly, and seizures. Currently, no approved treatment options exist for in utero infections. Here, we aimed to determine the impact of HCMV infection on the transcriptome of developing neurons in an organoid model system. Cell populations isolated from organoids based on a marker for infection and transcriptomes were defined. We uncovered downregulation in key cortical, neurodevelopmental, and functional gene pathways which occurred regardless of the degree of infection. To test the contributions of specific HCMV immediate early proteins known to disrupt neural differentiation, we infected NPCs using a recombinant virus harboring a destabilization domain. Despite suppressing their expression, HCMV-mediated transcriptional downregulation still occurred. Together, our studies have revealed that HCMV infection causes a profound downregulation of neurodevelopmental genes and suggest a role for other viral factors in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S. O’Brien
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Rebekah L. Mokry
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Megan L. Schumacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | | | - Sridhar Rao
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Scott S. Terhune
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Allison D. Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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32
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Depla JA, Mulder LA, de Sá RV, Wartel M, Sridhar A, Evers MM, Wolthers KC, Pajkrt D. Human Brain Organoids as Models for Central Nervous System Viral Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030634. [PMID: 35337041 PMCID: PMC8948955 DOI: 10.3390/v14030634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenesis of viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) is poorly understood, and this is partly due to the limitations of currently used preclinical models. Brain organoid models can overcome some of these limitations, as they are generated from human derived stem cells, differentiated in three dimensions (3D), and can mimic human neurodevelopmental characteristics. Therefore, brain organoids have been increasingly used as brain models in research on various viruses, such as Zika virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, human cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus. Brain organoids allow for the study of viral tropism, the effect of infection on organoid function, size, and cytoarchitecture, as well as innate immune response; therefore, they provide valuable insight into the pathogenesis of neurotropic viral infections and testing of antivirals in a physiological model. In this review, we summarize the results of studies on viral CNS infection in brain organoids, and we demonstrate the broad application and benefits of using a human 3D model in virology research. At the same time, we describe the limitations of the studies in brain organoids, such as the heterogeneity in organoid generation protocols and age at infection, which result in differences in results between studies, as well as the lack of microglia and a blood brain barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josse A. Depla
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.A.M.); (A.S.); (K.C.W.); (D.P.)
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- UniQure Biopharma B.V., Department of Research & Development, Paasheuvelweg 25A, 1105 BE Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (R.V.d.S.); (M.W.); (M.M.E.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Lance A. Mulder
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.A.M.); (A.S.); (K.C.W.); (D.P.)
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Renata Vieira de Sá
- UniQure Biopharma B.V., Department of Research & Development, Paasheuvelweg 25A, 1105 BE Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (R.V.d.S.); (M.W.); (M.M.E.)
| | - Morgane Wartel
- UniQure Biopharma B.V., Department of Research & Development, Paasheuvelweg 25A, 1105 BE Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (R.V.d.S.); (M.W.); (M.M.E.)
| | - Adithya Sridhar
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.A.M.); (A.S.); (K.C.W.); (D.P.)
| | - Melvin M. Evers
- UniQure Biopharma B.V., Department of Research & Development, Paasheuvelweg 25A, 1105 BE Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (R.V.d.S.); (M.W.); (M.M.E.)
| | - Katja C. Wolthers
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.A.M.); (A.S.); (K.C.W.); (D.P.)
| | - Dasja Pajkrt
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (L.A.M.); (A.S.); (K.C.W.); (D.P.)
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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33
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Su X, Yue P, Kong J, Xu X, Zhang Y, Cao W, Fan Y, Liu M, Chen J, Liu A, Bao F. Human Brain Organoids as an In Vitro Model System of Viral Infectious Diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 12:792316. [PMID: 35087520 PMCID: PMC8786735 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.792316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain organoids, or brainoids, have shown great promise in the study of central nervous system (CNS) infection. Modeling Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in brain organoids may help elucidate the relationship between ZIKV infection and microcephaly. Brain organoids have been used to study the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HSV-1, and other viral infections of the CNS. In this review, we summarize the advances in the development of viral infection models in brain organoids and their potential application for exploring mechanisms of viral infections of the CNS and in new drug development. The existing limitations are further discussed and the prospects for the development and application of brain organs are prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Su
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Children Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Peng Yue
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jing Kong
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wenjing Cao
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yuxin Fan
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Meixiao Liu
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jingjing Chen
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Aihua Liu
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Fukai Bao
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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Cui Q, Garcia G, Zhang M, Wang C, Li H, Zhou T, Sun G, Arumugaswami V, Shi Y. Compound screen identifies the small molecule Q34 as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 infection. iScience 2022; 25:103684. [PMID: 34977495 PMCID: PMC8704726 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak poses a serious threat to global public health. Effective countermeasures and approved therapeutics are desperately needed. In this study, we screened a small molecule library containing the NCI-DTP compounds to identify molecules that can prevent SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry. By applying a luciferase assay-based screening using a pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2-mediated cell entry assay, we identified a small molecule compound Q34 that can efficiently block cellular entry of the pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 into human ACE2-expressing HEK293T cells, and inhibit the infection of the authentic SARS-CoV-2 in human ACE2-expressing HEK293T cells, human iPSC-derived neurons and astrocytes, and human lung Calu-3 cells. Importantly, the safety profile of the compound is favorable. There is no obvious toxicity observed in uninfected cells treated with the compound. Thus, this compound holds great potential as both prophylactics and therapeutics for COVID-19 and future pandemics by blocking the entry of SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses into human cells. A compound library was screened to identify inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry Small molecule Q34 is a potent inhibitor of cellular entry of pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 Compound Q34 inhibits authentic SARS-CoV-2 infection of human cells Compound Q34 is non-toxic to human cells without SARS-CoV-2 infection
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Cui
- Division of Stem Cell Biology Research, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Gustavo Garcia
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Mingzi Zhang
- Division of Stem Cell Biology Research, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Cheng Wang
- Division of Stem Cell Biology Research, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Hongzhi Li
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Tao Zhou
- Division of Stem Cell Biology Research, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Guihua Sun
- Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute at City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Vaithilingaraja Arumugaswami
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Division of Stem Cell Biology Research, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.,Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Bhattacharya A, Choi WWY, Muffat J, Li Y. Modeling Developmental Brain Diseases Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells-Derived Brain Organoids - Progress and Perspective. J Mol Biol 2021; 434:167386. [PMID: 34883115 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Developmental brain diseases encompass a group of conditions resulting from genetic or environmental perturbations during early development. Despite the increased research attention in recent years following recognition of the prevalence of these diseases, there is still a significant lack of knowledge of their etiology and treatment options. The genetic and clinical heterogeneity of these diseases, in addition to the limitations of experimental animal models, contribute to this difficulty. In this regard, the advent of brain organoid technology has provided a new means to study the cause and progression of developmental brain diseases in vitro. Derived from human pluripotent stem cells, brain organoids have been shown to recapitulate key developmental milestones of the early human brain. Combined with technological advancements in genome editing, tissue engineering, electrophysiology, and multi-omics analysis, brain organoids have expanded the frontiers of human neurobiology, providing valuable insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of normal and pathological brain development. This review will summarize the current progress of applying brain organoids to model human developmental brain diseases and discuss the challenges that need to be overcome to further advance their utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afrin Bhattacharya
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; The University of Toronto, Department of Molecular Genetics, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Wendy W Y Choi
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; The University of Toronto, Department of Molecular Genetics, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Julien Muffat
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; The University of Toronto, Department of Molecular Genetics, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Yun Li
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; The University of Toronto, Department of Molecular Genetics, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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36
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Yokoi R, Shibata M, Odawara A, Ishibashi Y, Nagafuku N, Matsuda N, Suzuki I. Analysis of signal components < 500 Hz in brain organoids coupled to microelectrode arrays: A reliable test-bed for preclinical seizure liability assessment of drugs and screening of antiepileptic drugs. Biochem Biophys Rep 2021; 28:101148. [PMID: 34693037 PMCID: PMC8517166 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2021.101148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain organoids with three-dimensional structure and tissue-like function are highly demanded for brain disease research and drug evaluation. However, to our knowledge, methods for measuring and analyzing brain organoid function have not been developed yet. This study focused on the frequency components of an obtained waveform below 500 Hz using planner microelectrode array (MEA) and evaluated the response to the convulsants pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and strychnine as well as the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) perampanel and phenytoin. Sudden and persistent seizure-like firing was observed with PTZ administration, displaying a concentration-dependent periodic activity with the frequency component enhanced even in one oscillation characteristic. On the other hand, in the administration of AEDs, the frequency of oscillation decreased in a concentration-dependent manner and the intensity of the frequency component in one oscillation also decreased. Interestingly, at low doses of phenytoin, a group of synchronized bursts was formed, which was different from the response to the perampanel. Frequency components contained information on cerebral organoid function, and MEA was proven useful in predicting the seizure liability of drugs and evaluating the effect of AEDs with a different mechanism of action. In addition, frequency component analysis of brain organoids using MEA is an important analysis method to perform in vitro to in vivo extrapolation in the future, which will help explore the function of the organoid itself, study human brain developments, and treat various brain diseases. Frequency analysis <500 Hz was performed in brain organoids coupled to planner microelectrode arrays (MEA). Concentration-dependent changes in frequency components were detected in responses to convulsants and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Analysis of signal components <500 Hz in brain organoids is a useful method for preclinical seizure liability assessment of drugs and screening of antiepileptic drugs.
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37
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Couch ACM, Berger T, Hanger B, Matuleviciute R, Srivastava DP, Thuret S, Vernon AC. Maternal immune activation primes deficiencies in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 97:410-422. [PMID: 34352366 PMCID: PMC8478664 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurogenesis, the process in which new neurons are generated, occurs throughout life in the mammalian hippocampus. Decreased adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) is a common feature across psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, depression- and anxiety-related behaviours, and is highly regulated by environmental influences. Epidemiological studies have consistently implicated maternal immune activation (MIA) during neurodevelopment as a risk factor for psychiatric disorders in adulthood. The extent to which the reduction of hippocampal neurogenesis in adulthood may be driven by early life exposures, such as MIA, is however unclear. We therefore reviewed the literature for evidence of the involvement of MIA in disrupting AHN. Consistent with our hypothesis, data from both in vivo murine and in vitro human models of AHN provide evidence for key roles of specific cytokines induced by MIA in the foetal brain in disrupting hippocampal neural progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation early in development. The precise molecular mechanisms however remain unclear. Nonetheless, these data suggest a potential latent vulnerability mechanism, whereby MIA primes dysfunction in the unique hippocampal pool of neural stem/progenitor cells. This renders offspring potentially more susceptible to additional environmental exposures later in life, such as chronic stress, resulting in the unmasking of psychopathology. We highlight the need for studies to test this hypothesis using validated animal models of MIA, but also to test the relevance of such data for human pathology at a molecular basis through the use of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) differentiated into hippocampal progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalie C M Couch
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Berger
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Bjørn Hanger
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Deepak P Srivastava
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sandrine Thuret
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony C Vernon
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK.
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Abstract
Organoids are self-organizing, expanding 3D cultures derived from stem cells. Using tissue derived from patients, these miniaturized models recapitulate various aspects of patient physiology and disease phenotypes including genetic profiles and drug sensitivities. As such, patient-derived organoid (PDO) platforms provide an unprecedented opportunity for improving preclinical drug discovery, clinical trial validation, and ultimately patient care. This article reviews the evolution and scope of organoid technology, highlights recent encouraging results using PDOs as potential patient "avatars" to predict drug response and outcomes, and discusses critical parameters for widespread clinical adoption. These include improvements in assay speed, reproducibility, standardization, and automation which are necessary to realize the translational potential of PDOs as clinical tools. The multiple entry points where PDOs may contribute valuable insights in drug discovery and lessen the risks associated with clinical trials are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shree Bose
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27705, USA
| | - Hans Clevers
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Oncode, Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Xiling Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27705, USA
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Xu J, Wen Z. Brain Organoids: Studying Human Brain Development and Diseases in a Dish. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:5902824. [PMID: 34539790 PMCID: PMC8448601 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5902824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid development of stem cell technology, the advent of three-dimensional (3D) cultured brain organoids has opened a new avenue for studying human neurodevelopment and neurological disorders. Brain organoids are stem-cell-derived 3D suspension cultures that self-assemble into an organized structure with cell types and cytoarchitectures recapitulating the developing brain. In recent years, brain organoids have been utilized in various aspects, ranging from basic biology studies, to disease modeling, and high-throughput screening of pharmaceutical compounds. In this review, we overview the establishment and development of brain organoid technology, its recent progress, and translational applications, as well as existing limitations and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xu
- The Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, GA 30322, USA
| | - Zhexing Wen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Chen X, Sun G, Tian E, Zhang M, Davtyan H, Beach TG, Reiman EM, Blurton‐Jones M, Holtzman DM, Shi Y. Modeling Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease in Human Brain Organoids under Serum Exposure. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2101462. [PMID: 34337898 PMCID: PMC8456220 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202101462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no cure. Huge efforts have been made to develop anti-AD drugs in the past decades. However, all drug development programs for disease-modifying therapies have failed. Possible reasons for the high failure rate include incomplete understanding of complex pathophysiology of AD, especially sporadic AD (sAD), and species difference between humans and animal models used in preclinical studies. In this study, sAD is modeled using human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived 3D brain organoids. Because the blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage is a well-known risk factor for AD, brain organoids are exposed to human serum to mimic the serum exposure consequence of BBB breakdown in AD patient brains. The serum-exposed brain organoids are able to recapitulate AD-like pathologies, including increased amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregates and phosphorylated microtubule-associated tau protein (p-Tau) level, synaptic loss, and impaired neural network. Serum exposure increases Aβ and p-Tau levels through inducing beta-secretase 1 (BACE) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 alpha / beta (GSK3α/β) levels, respectively. In addition, single-cell transcriptomic analysis of brain organoids reveals that serum exposure reduced synaptic function in both neurons and astrocytes and induced immune response in astrocytes. The human brain organoid-based sAD model established in this study can provide a powerful platform for both mechanistic study and therapeutic development in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianwei Chen
- Division of Stem Cell Biology ResearchDepartment of Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyBeckman Research Institute of City of Hope1500 E. Duarte RdDuarteCA91010USA
| | - Guoqiang Sun
- Division of Stem Cell Biology ResearchDepartment of Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyBeckman Research Institute of City of Hope1500 E. Duarte RdDuarteCA91010USA
| | - E Tian
- Division of Stem Cell Biology ResearchDepartment of Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyBeckman Research Institute of City of Hope1500 E. Duarte RdDuarteCA91010USA
| | - Mingzi Zhang
- Division of Stem Cell Biology ResearchDepartment of Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyBeckman Research Institute of City of Hope1500 E. Duarte RdDuarteCA91010USA
| | - Hayk Davtyan
- Institute for Memory Impairments & Neurological Disorders and Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research CenterUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Thomas G. Beach
- Banner Sun Health Research Institute105015 West Santa Fe DriveSun CityAZ85351USA
| | - Eric M. Reiman
- Banner Alzheimer Institute901 East Willetta StreetPhoenixAZ95006USA
| | - Mathew Blurton‐Jones
- Department of Neurobiology & BehaviorInstitute for Memory Impairments & Neurological Disorders and Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research CenterUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - David M. Holtzman
- Department of NeurologyHope Center for Neurological DisordersKnight Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMO63110USA
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Division of Stem Cell Biology ResearchDepartment of Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyBeckman Research Institute of City of Hope1500 E. Duarte RdDuarteCA91010USA
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Krenn V, Bosone C, Burkard TR, Spanier J, Kalinke U, Calistri A, Salata C, Rilo Christoff R, Pestana Garcez P, Mirazimi A, Knoblich JA. Organoid modeling of Zika and herpes simplex virus 1 infections reveals virus-specific responses leading to microcephaly. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:1362-1379.e7. [PMID: 33838105 PMCID: PMC7611471 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Viral infection in early pregnancy is a major cause of microcephaly. However, how distinct viruses impair human brain development remains poorly understood. Here we use human brain organoids to study the mechanisms underlying microcephaly caused by Zika virus (ZIKV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). We find that both viruses efficiently replicate in brain organoids and attenuate their growth by causing cell death. However, transcriptional profiling reveals that ZIKV and HSV-1 elicit distinct cellular responses and that HSV-1 uniquely impairs neuroepithelial identity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, although both viruses fail to potently induce the type I interferon system, the organoid defects caused by their infection can be rescued by distinct type I interferons. These phenotypes are not seen in 2D cultures, highlighting the superiority of brain organoids in modeling viral infections. These results uncover virus-specific mechanisms and complex cellular immune defenses associated with virus-induced microcephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Krenn
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Camilla Bosone
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Thomas R Burkard
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Julia Spanier
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, and the Hanover Medical School, Hanover 30625, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kalinke
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, and the Hanover Medical School, Hanover 30625, Germany; Cluster of Excellence - Resolving Infection Susceptibility (RESIST), Hanover Medical School, Hanover 30625, Germany
| | - Arianna Calistri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua 35121, Italy
| | - Cristiano Salata
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua 35121, Italy
| | - Raissa Rilo Christoff
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Patricia Pestana Garcez
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Ali Mirazimi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine (LABMED), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala 75189, Sweden
| | - Jürgen A Knoblich
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna 1030, Austria; Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1030, Austria.
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42
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Jalink P, Caiazzo M. Brain Organoids: Filling the Need for a Human Model of Neurological Disorder. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:740. [PMID: 34439972 PMCID: PMC8389592 DOI: 10.3390/biology10080740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neurological disorders are among the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for almost all onsets of dementia in the elderly, and are known to negatively affect motor ability, mental and cognitive performance, as well as overall wellbeing and happiness. Currently, most neurological disorders go untreated due to a lack of viable treatment options. The reason for this lack of options is s poor understanding of the disorders, primarily due to research models that do not translate well into the human in vivo system. Current models for researching neurological disorders, neurodevelopment, and drug interactions in the central nervous system include in vitro monolayer cell cultures, and in vivo animal models. These models have shortcomings when it comes to translating research about disorder pathology, development, and treatment to humans. Brain organoids are three-dimensional (3D) cultures of stem cell-derived neural cells that mimic the development of the in vivo human brain with high degrees of accuracy. Researchers have started developing these miniature brains to model neurodevelopment, and neuropathology. Brain organoids have been used to model a wide range of neurological disorders, including the complex and poorly understood neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we discuss the brain organoid technology, placing special focus on the different brain organoid models that have been developed, discussing their strengths, weaknesses, and uses in neurological disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Jalink
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, CG 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Massimiliano Caiazzo
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, CG 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands;
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
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43
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Agboola OS, Hu X, Shan Z, Wu Y, Lei L. Brain organoid: a 3D technology for investigating cellular composition and interactions in human neurological development and disease models in vitro. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:430. [PMID: 34332630 PMCID: PMC8325286 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02369-8] [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: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract The study of human brain physiology, including cellular interactions in normal and disease conditions, has been a challenge due to its complexity and unavailability. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) study is indispensable in the study of the pathophysiology of neurological disorders. Nevertheless, monolayer systems lack the cytoarchitecture necessary for cellular interactions and neurological disease modeling. Brain organoids generated from human pluripotent stem cells supply an ideal environment to model both cellular interactions and pathophysiology of the human brain. This review article discusses the composition and interactions among neural lineage and non-central nervous system cell types in brain organoids, current studies, and future perspectives in brain organoid research. Ultimately, the promise of brain organoids is to unveil previously inaccessible features of neurobiology that emerge from complex cellular interactions and to improve our mechanistic understanding of neural development and diseases. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02369-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwafemi Solomon Agboola
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical Science College, Harbin Medical University, 194 Xuefu Rd, Nangang District, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinglin Hu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical Science College, Harbin Medical University, 194 Xuefu Rd, Nangang District, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyan Shan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical Science College, Harbin Medical University, 194 Xuefu Rd, Nangang District, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanshuang Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical Science College, Harbin Medical University, 194 Xuefu Rd, Nangang District, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical Science College, Harbin Medical University, 194 Xuefu Rd, Nangang District, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150081, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Preservative of Human Genetic Resources and Disease Control in China, Harbin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Harbin, China.
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Abstract
Long-term effective use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people with HIV (PWH) has significantly reduced the burden of disease, yet a cure for HIV has not been universally achieved, likely due to the persistence of an HIV reservoir. The central nervous system (CNS) is an understudied HIV sanctuary. Importantly, due to viral persistence in the brain, cognitive disturbances persist to various degrees at high rates in PWH despite suppressive ART. Given the complexity and accessibility of the CNS compartment and that it is a physiologically and anatomically unique immune site, human studies to reveal molecular mechanisms of viral entry, reservoir establishment, and the cellular and structural interactions leading to viral persistence and brain injury to advance a cure and either prevent or limit cognitive impairments in PWH remain challenging. Recent advances in human brain organoids show that they can mimic the intercellular dynamics of the human brain and may recapitulate many of the events involved in HIV infection of the brain (neuroHIV). Human brain organoids can be produced, spontaneously or with addition of growth factors and at immature or mature states, and have become stronger models to study neurovirulent viral infections of the CNS. While organoids provide opportunities to study neuroHIV, obstacles such as the need to incorporate microglia need to be overcome to fully utilize this model. Here, we review the current achievements in brain organoid biology and their relevance to neuroHIV research efforts.
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Sarieva K, Mayer S. The Effects of Environmental Adversities on Human Neocortical Neurogenesis Modeled in Brain Organoids. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:686410. [PMID: 34250020 PMCID: PMC8264783 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.686410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated the impact of prenatal environmental adversity on the development of the human embryonic and fetal brain. Prenatal environmental adversity includes infectious agents, medication, and substances of use as well as inherently maternal factors, such as diabetes and stress. These adversities may cause long-lasting effects if occurring in sensitive time windows and, therefore, have high clinical relevance. However, our knowledge of their influence on specific cellular and molecular processes of in utero brain development remains scarce. This gap of knowledge can be partially explained by the restricted experimental access to the human embryonic and fetal brain and limited recapitulation of human-specific neurodevelopmental events in model organisms. In the past years, novel 3D human stem cell-based in vitro modeling systems, so-called brain organoids, have proven their applicability for modeling early events of human brain development in health and disease. Since their emergence, brain organoids have been successfully employed to study molecular mechanisms of Zika and Herpes simplex virus-associated microcephaly, as well as more subtle events happening upon maternal alcohol and nicotine consumption. These studies converge on pathological mechanisms targeting neural stem cells. In this review, we discuss how brain organoids have recently revealed commonalities and differences in the effects of environmental adversities on human neurogenesis. We highlight both the breakthroughs in understanding the molecular consequences of environmental exposures achieved using organoids as well as the on-going challenges in the field related to variability in protocols and a lack of benchmarking, which make cross-study comparisons difficult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kseniia Sarieva
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School, Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simone Mayer
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Jacob F, Schnoll JG, Song H, Ming GL. Building the brain from scratch: Engineering region-specific brain organoids from human stem cells to study neural development and disease. Curr Top Dev Biol 2021; 142:477-530. [PMID: 33706925 PMCID: PMC8363060 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2020.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human brain development is an intricate process that involves precisely timed coordination of cell proliferation, fate specification, neuronal differentiation, migration, and integration of diverse cell types. Understanding of these fundamental processes, however, has been largely constrained by limited access to fetal brain tissue and the inability to prospectively study neurodevelopment in humans at the molecular, cellular and system levels. Although non-human model organisms have provided important insights into mechanisms underlying brain development, these systems do not fully recapitulate many human-specific features that often relate to disease. To address these challenges, human brain organoids, self-assembled three-dimensional neural aggregates, have been engineered from human pluripotent stem cells to model the architecture and cellular diversity of the developing human brain. Recent advancements in neural induction and regional patterning using small molecules and growth factors have yielded protocols for generating brain organoids that recapitulate the structure and neuronal composition of distinct brain regions. Here, we first provide an overview of early mammalian brain development with an emphasis on molecular cues that guide region specification. We then focus on recent efforts in generating human brain organoids that model the development of specific brain regions and highlight endeavors to enhance the cellular complexity to better mimic the in vivo developing human brain. We also provide examples of how organoid models have enhanced our understanding of human neurological diseases and conclude by discussing limitations of brain organoids with our perspectives on future advancements to maximize their potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Jacob
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Medical Scientist Training Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jordan G Schnoll
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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47
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Ahmad Mulyadi Lai HI, Chou SJ, Chien Y, Tsai PH, Chien CS, Hsu CC, Jheng YC, Wang ML, Chiou SH, Chou YB, Hwang DK, Lin TC, Chen SJ, Yang YP. Expression of Endogenous Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Organoids. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1320. [PMID: 33525682 PMCID: PMC7865454 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) was identified as the main host cell receptor for the entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its subsequent infection. In some coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, it has been reported that the nervous tissues and the eyes were also affected. However, evidence supporting that the retina is a target tissue for SARS-CoV-2 infection is still lacking. This present study aimed to investigate whether ACE2 expression plays a role in human retinal neurons during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived retinal organoids and monolayer cultures derived from dissociated retinal organoids were generated. To validate the potential entry of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the retina, we showed that hiPSC-derived retinal organoids and monolayer cultures endogenously express ACE2 and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) on the mRNA level. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed the protein expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in retinal organoids and monolayer cultures. Furthermore, using the SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus spike protein with GFP expression system, we found that retinal organoids and monolayer cultures can potentially be infected by the SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. Collectively, our findings highlighted the potential of iPSC-derived retinal organoids as the models for ACE2 receptor-based SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henkie Isahwan Ahmad Mulyadi Lai
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (H.I.A.M.L.); (S.-J.C.); (P.-H.T.); (C.-S.C.); (S.-H.C.)
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Selangor, Shah Alam 40000, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Shih-Jie Chou
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (H.I.A.M.L.); (S.-J.C.); (P.-H.T.); (C.-S.C.); (S.-H.C.)
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (Y.C.); (Y.-C.J.); (M.-L.W.)
| | - Yueh Chien
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (Y.C.); (Y.-C.J.); (M.-L.W.)
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (C.-C.H.); (Y.-B.C.); (D.-K.H.)
| | - Ping-Hsing Tsai
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (H.I.A.M.L.); (S.-J.C.); (P.-H.T.); (C.-S.C.); (S.-H.C.)
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (Y.C.); (Y.-C.J.); (M.-L.W.)
| | - Chian-Shiu Chien
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (H.I.A.M.L.); (S.-J.C.); (P.-H.T.); (C.-S.C.); (S.-H.C.)
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (Y.C.); (Y.-C.J.); (M.-L.W.)
| | - Chih-Chien Hsu
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (C.-C.H.); (Y.-B.C.); (D.-K.H.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chun Jheng
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (Y.C.); (Y.-C.J.); (M.-L.W.)
- Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Mong-Lien Wang
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (Y.C.); (Y.-C.J.); (M.-L.W.)
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (C.-C.H.); (Y.-B.C.); (D.-K.H.)
- Institute of Food Safety and Health Risk Assessment, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hwa Chiou
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (H.I.A.M.L.); (S.-J.C.); (P.-H.T.); (C.-S.C.); (S.-H.C.)
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (Y.C.); (Y.-C.J.); (M.-L.W.)
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (C.-C.H.); (Y.-B.C.); (D.-K.H.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Bai Chou
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (C.-C.H.); (Y.-B.C.); (D.-K.H.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - De-Kuang Hwang
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (C.-C.H.); (Y.-B.C.); (D.-K.H.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Chi Lin
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (C.-C.H.); (Y.-B.C.); (D.-K.H.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jen Chen
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (C.-C.H.); (Y.-B.C.); (D.-K.H.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ping Yang
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (Y.C.); (Y.-C.J.); (M.-L.W.)
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; (C.-C.H.); (Y.-B.C.); (D.-K.H.)
- Institute of Food Safety and Health Risk Assessment, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
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48
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Wang C, Zhang M, Garcia G, Tian E, Cui Q, Chen X, Sun G, Wang J, Arumugaswami V, Shi Y. ApoE-Isoform-Dependent SARS-CoV-2 Neurotropism and Cellular Response. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:331-342.e5. [PMID: 33450186 PMCID: PMC7832490 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
ApoE4, a strong genetic risk factor for Alzheimer disease, has been associated with increased risk for severe COVID-19. However, it is unclear whether ApoE4 alters COVID-19 susceptibility or severity, and the role of direct viral infection in brain cells remains obscure. We tested the neurotropism of SARS-CoV2 in human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) models and observed low-grade infection of neurons and astrocytes that is boosted in neuron-astrocyte co-cultures and organoids. We then generated isogenic ApoE3/3 and ApoE4/4 hiPSCs and found an increased rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection in ApoE4/4 neurons and astrocytes. ApoE4 astrocytes exhibited enlarged size and elevated nuclear fragmentation upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. Finally, we show that remdesivir treatment inhibits SARS-CoV2 infection of hiPSC neurons and astrocytes. These findings suggest that ApoE4 may play a causal role in COVID-19 severity. Understanding how risk factors impact COVID-19 susceptibility and severity will help us understand the potential long-term effects in different patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Wang
- Division of Stem Cell Biology Research, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Mingzi Zhang
- Division of Stem Cell Biology Research, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Gustavo Garcia
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - E Tian
- Division of Stem Cell Biology Research, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Qi Cui
- Division of Stem Cell Biology Research, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Xianwei Chen
- Division of Stem Cell Biology Research, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Guihua Sun
- Department of Diabetes Complications & Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Jinhui Wang
- Integrative Genomics Core, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Vaithilingaraja Arumugaswami
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Division of Stem Cell Biology Research, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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49
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Willner MJ, Xiao Y, Kim HS, Chen X, Xu B, Leong KW. Modeling SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with opioid use disorder with brain organoids. J Tissue Eng 2021; 12:2041731420985299. [PMID: 33738089 PMCID: PMC7934045 DOI: 10.1177/2041731420985299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated a preexisting epidemic: the opioid crisis. Much literature has shown that the circumstances imposed by COVID-19, such as social distancing regulations, medical and financial instability, and increased mental health issues, have been detrimental to those with opioid use disorder (OUD). In addition, unexpected neurological sequelae in COVID-19 patients suggest that COVID-19 compromises neuroimmunity, induces hypoxia, and causes respiratory depression, provoking similar effects as those caused by opioid exposure. Combined conditions of COVID-19 and OUD could lead to exacerbated complications. With limited human in vivo options to study these complications, we suggest that iPSC-derived brain organoid models may serve as a useful platform to investigate the physiological connection between COVID-19 and OUD. This mini-review highlights the advances of brain organoids in other neuropsychiatric and infectious diseases and suggests their potential utility for investigating OUD and COVID-19, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe J Willner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hye Sung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
- Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Xuejing Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kam W Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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50
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Nikolakopoulou P, Rauti R, Voulgaris D, Shlomy I, Maoz BM, Herland A. Recent progress in translational engineered in vitro models of the central nervous system. Brain 2020; 143:3181-3213. [PMID: 33020798 PMCID: PMC7719033 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the human brain poses a substantial challenge for the development of models of the CNS. Current animal models lack many essential human characteristics (in addition to raising operational challenges and ethical concerns), and conventional in vitro models, in turn, are limited in their capacity to provide information regarding many functional and systemic responses. Indeed, these challenges may underlie the notoriously low success rates of CNS drug development efforts. During the past 5 years, there has been a leap in the complexity and functionality of in vitro systems of the CNS, which have the potential to overcome many of the limitations of traditional model systems. The availability of human-derived induced pluripotent stem cell technology has further increased the translational potential of these systems. Yet, the adoption of state-of-the-art in vitro platforms within the CNS research community is limited. This may be attributable to the high costs or the immaturity of the systems. Nevertheless, the costs of fabrication have decreased, and there are tremendous ongoing efforts to improve the quality of cell differentiation. Herein, we aim to raise awareness of the capabilities and accessibility of advanced in vitro CNS technologies. We provide an overview of some of the main recent developments (since 2015) in in vitro CNS models. In particular, we focus on engineered in vitro models based on cell culture systems combined with microfluidic platforms (e.g. 'organ-on-a-chip' systems). We delve into the fundamental principles underlying these systems and review several applications of these platforms for the study of the CNS in health and disease. Our discussion further addresses the challenges that hinder the implementation of advanced in vitro platforms in personalized medicine or in large-scale industrial settings, and outlines the existing differentiation protocols and industrial cell sources. We conclude by providing practical guidelines for laboratories that are considering adopting organ-on-a-chip technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polyxeni Nikolakopoulou
- AIMES, Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rossana Rauti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dimitrios Voulgaris
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Iftach Shlomy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ben M Maoz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anna Herland
- AIMES, Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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