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Pereira MF, Shyti R, Testa G. In and out: Benchmarking in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo, and xenografting approaches for an integrative brain disease modeling pipeline. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:767-795. [PMID: 38865969 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Human cellular models and their neuronal derivatives have afforded unprecedented advances in elucidating pathogenic mechanisms of neuropsychiatric diseases. Notwithstanding their indispensable contribution, animal models remain the benchmark in neurobiological research. In an attempt to harness the best of both worlds, researchers have increasingly relied on human/animal chimeras by xenografting human cells into the animal brain. Despite the unparalleled potential of xenografting approaches in the study of the human brain, literature resources that systematically examine their significance and advantages are surprisingly lacking. We fill this gap by providing a comprehensive account of brain diseases that were thus far subjected to all three modeling approaches (transgenic rodents, in vitro human lineages, human-animal xenografting) and provide a critical appraisal of the impact of xenografting approaches for advancing our understanding of those diseases and brain development. Next, we give our perspective on integrating xenografting modeling pipeline with recent cutting-edge technological advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene F Pereira
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Via Santa Sofia 9, 20122 Milan, Italy; Neurogenomics Centre, Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157 Milan, Italy.
| | - Reinald Shyti
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy; Neurogenomics Centre, Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157 Milan, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Testa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Via Santa Sofia 9, 20122 Milan, Italy; Neurogenomics Centre, Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157 Milan, Italy.
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2
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Réthelyi JM, Vincze K, Schall D, Glennon J, Berkel S. The role of insulin/IGF1 signalling in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders - Evidence from human neuronal cell models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105330. [PMID: 37516219 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105330] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signalling play a central role in the development and maintenance of neurons in the brain, and human neurodevelopmental as well as neuropsychiatric disorders have been linked to impaired insulin and IGF1 signalling. This review focuses on the impairments of the insulin and IGF1 signalling cascade in the context of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, based on evidence from human neuronal cell models. Clear evidence was obtained for impaired insulin and IGF1 receptor downstream signalling in neurodevelopmental disorders, while the evidence for its role in neuropsychiatric disorders was less substantial. Human neuronal model systems can greatly add to our knowledge about insulin/IGF1 signalling in the brain, its role in restoring dendritic maturity, and complement results from clinical studies and animal models. Moreover, they represent a useful model for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Further research is needed to systematically investigate the exact role of the insulin/IGF1 signalling cascades in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, and to elucidate the respective therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- János M Réthelyi
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katalin Vincze
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Mental Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dorothea Schall
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jeffrey Glennon
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simone Berkel
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Interdisciplinary Centre of Neurosciences (IZN), Heidelberg University, Germany.
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3
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Watson LA, Meharena HS. From neurodevelopment to neurodegeneration: utilizing human stem cell models to gain insight into Down syndrome. Front Genet 2023; 14:1198129. [PMID: 37323671 PMCID: PMC10267712 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1198129] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), caused by triplication of chromosome 21, is the most frequent aneuploidy observed in the human population and represents the most common genetic form of intellectual disability and early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Individuals with DS exhibit a wide spectrum of clinical presentation, with a number of organs implicated including the neurological, immune, musculoskeletal, cardiac, and gastrointestinal systems. Decades of DS research have illuminated our understanding of the disorder, however many of the features that limit quality of life and independence of individuals with DS, including intellectual disability and early-onset dementia, remain poorly understood. This lack of knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to neurological features of DS has caused significant roadblocks in developing effective therapeutic strategies to improve quality of life for individuals with DS. Recent technological advances in human stem cell culture methods, genome editing approaches, and single-cell transcriptomics have provided paradigm-shifting insights into complex neurological diseases such as DS. Here, we review novel neurological disease modeling approaches, how they have been used to study DS, and what questions might be addressed in the future using these innovative tools.
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4
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Czerminski JT, King OD, Lawrence JB. Large-scale organoid study suggests effects of trisomy 21 on early fetal neurodevelopment are more subtle than variability between isogenic lines and experiments. Front Neurosci 2023; 16:972201. [PMID: 36817096 PMCID: PMC9935940 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.972201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examines cortical organoids generated from a panel of isogenic trisomic and disomic iPSC lines (subclones) as a model of early fetal brain development in Down syndrome (DS). An initial experiment comparing organoids from one trisomic and one disomic line showed many genome-wide transcriptomic differences and modest differences in cell-type proportions, suggesting there may be a neurodevelopmental phenotype that is due to trisomy of chr21. To better control for multiple sources of variation, we undertook a highly robust study of ∼1,200 organoids using an expanded panel of six all-isogenic lines, three disomic, and three trisomic. The power of this experimental design was indicated by strong detection of the ∼1.5-fold difference in chr21 genes. However, the numerous expression differences in non-chr21 genes seen in the smaller experiment fell away, and the differences in cell-type representation between lines did not correlate with trisomy 21. Results suggest that the initial smaller experiment picked up differences between small organoid samples and individual isogenic lines, which "averaged out" in the larger panel of isogenic lines. Our results indicate that even when organoid and batch variability are better controlled for, variation between isogenic cell lines (even subclones) may obscure, or be conflated with, subtle neurodevelopmental phenotypes that may be present in ∼2nd trimester DS brain development. Interestingly, despite this variability between organoid batches and lines, and the "fetal stage" of these organoids, an increase in secreted Aβ40 peptide levels-an Alzheimer-related cellular phenotype-was more strongly associated with trisomy 21 status than were neurodevelopmental shifts in cell-type composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan T. Czerminski
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Oliver D. King
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jeanne B. Lawrence
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States,Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States,*Correspondence: Jeanne B. Lawrence,
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5
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Sharma V, Nehra S, Do LH, Ghosh A, Deshpande AJ, Singhal N. Biphasic cell cycle defect causes impaired neurogenesis in down syndrome. Front Genet 2022; 13:1007519. [PMID: 36313423 PMCID: PMC9596798 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1007519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired neurogenesis in Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by reduced neurons, increased glial cells, and delayed cortical lamination. However, the underlying cause for impaired neurogenesis in DS is not clear. Using both human and mouse iPSCs, we demonstrate that DS impaired neurogenesis is due to biphasic cell cycle dysregulation during the generation of neural progenitors from iPSCs named the “neurogenic stage” of neurogenesis. Upon neural induction, DS cells showed reduced proliferation during the early phase followed by increased proliferation in the late phase of the neurogenic stage compared to control cells. While reduced proliferation in the early phase causes reduced neural progenitor pool, increased proliferation in the late phase leads to delayed post mitotic neuron generation in DS. RNAseq analysis of late-phase DS progenitor cells revealed upregulation of S phase-promoting regulators, Notch, Wnt, Interferon pathways, and REST, and downregulation of several genes of the BAF chromatin remodeling complex. NFIB and POU3F4, neurogenic genes activated by the interaction of PAX6 and the BAF complex, were downregulated in DS cells. ChIPseq analysis of late-phase neural progenitors revealed aberrant PAX6 binding with reduced promoter occupancy in DS cells. Together, these data indicate that impaired neurogenesis in DS is due to biphasic cell cycle dysregulation during the neurogenic stage of neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Long H. Do
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Anwesha Ghosh
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | | | - Nishant Singhal
- National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
- *Correspondence: Nishant Singhal,
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6
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Klein JA, Haydar TF. Neurodevelopment in Down syndrome: Concordance in humans and models. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:941855. [PMID: 35910249 PMCID: PMC9334873 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.941855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Great strides have been made over the past 30 years in understanding the neurodevelopmental changes underlying the intellectual disability (ID) in Down syndrome (DS). Detailed studies of human tissue coupled with findings from rodent and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) model systems have uncovered the changes in neurogenesis, synaptic connectivity, and myelination that drive the anatomical and physiological changes resulting in the disability. However, there remain significant conflicting data between human studies and the models. To fully understand the development of ID in DS, these inconsistencies need to be reconciled. Here, we review the well documented neurodevelopmental phenotypes found in individuals with DS and examine the degree to which widely used models recapitulate these phenotypes. Resolving these areas of discord will further research on the molecular underpinnings and identify potential treatments to improve the independence and quality of life of people with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny A. Klein
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tarik F. Haydar
- Children’s National Hospital, Center for Neuroscience Research, Washington, DC, United States
- Departments of Pediatrics, Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
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7
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Stagni F, Bartesaghi R. The Challenging Pathway of Treatment for Neurogenesis Impairment in Down Syndrome: Achievements and Perspectives. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:903729. [PMID: 35634470 PMCID: PMC9130961 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.903729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by triplication of Chromosome 21. Gene triplication may compromise different body functions but invariably impairs intellectual abilities starting from infancy. Moreover, after the fourth decade of life people with DS are likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Neurogenesis impairment during fetal life stages and dendritic pathology emerging in early infancy are thought to be key determinants of alterations in brain functioning in DS. Although the progressive improvement in medical care has led to a notable increase in life expectancy for people with DS, there are currently no treatments for intellectual disability. Increasing evidence in mouse models of DS reveals that pharmacological interventions in the embryonic and neonatal periods may greatly benefit brain development and cognitive performance. The most striking results have been obtained with pharmacotherapies during embryonic life stages, indicating that it is possible to pharmacologically rescue the severe neurodevelopmental defects linked to the trisomic condition. These findings provide hope that similar benefits may be possible for people with DS. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding (i) the scope and timeline of neurogenesis (and dendritic) alterations in DS, in order to delineate suitable windows for treatment; (ii) the role of triplicated genes that are most likely to be the key determinants of these alterations, in order to highlight possible therapeutic targets; and (iii) prenatal and neonatal treatments that have proved to be effective in mouse models, in order to rationalize the choice of treatment for human application. Based on this body of evidence we will discuss prospects and challenges for fetal therapy in individuals with DS as a potential means of drastically counteracting the deleterious effects of gene triplication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiorenza Stagni
- Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Rimini, Italy
| | - Renata Bartesaghi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- *Correspondence: Renata Bartesaghi,
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8
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Wu CI, Vinton EA, Pearse RV, Heo K, Aylward AJ, Hsieh YC, Bi Y, Adeleye S, Fancher S, Duong DM, Seyfried NT, Schwarz TL, Young-Pearse TL. APP and DYRK1A regulate axonal and synaptic vesicle protein networks and mediate Alzheimer's pathology in trisomy 21 neurons. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1970-1989. [PMID: 35194165 PMCID: PMC9133025 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01454-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Trisomy 21 (T21) causes Down syndrome and an early-onset form of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we used human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) along with CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to investigate the contribution of chromosome 21 candidate genes to AD-relevant neuronal phenotypes. We utilized a direct neuronal differentiation protocol to bypass neurodevelopmental cell fate phenotypes caused by T21 followed by unbiased proteomics and western blotting to define the proteins dysregulated in T21 postmitotic neurons. We show that normalization of copy number of APP and DYRK1A each rescue elevated tau phosphorylation in T21 neurons, while reductions of RCAN1 and SYNJ1 do not. To determine the T21 alterations relevant to early-onset AD, we identified common pathways altered in familial Alzheimer's disease neurons and determined which of these were rescued by normalization of APP and DYRK1A copy number in T21 neurons. These studies identified disruptions in T21 neurons in both the axonal cytoskeletal network and presynaptic proteins that play critical roles in axonal transport and synaptic vesicle cycling. These alterations in the proteomic profiles have functional consequences: fAD and T21 neurons exhibit dysregulated axonal trafficking and T21 neurons display enhanced synaptic vesicle release. Taken together, our findings provide insights into the initial molecular alterations within neurons that ultimately lead to synaptic loss and axonal degeneration in Down syndrome and early-onset AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-I Wu
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Vinton
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard V Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keunjung Heo
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aimee J Aylward
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yi-Chen Hsieh
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yan Bi
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sopefoluwa Adeleye
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Seeley Fancher
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Duc M Duong
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nicholas T Seyfried
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Thomas L Schwarz
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tracy L Young-Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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9
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Cell models for Down syndrome-Alzheimer’s disease research. Neuronal Signal 2022; 6:NS20210054. [PMID: 35449591 PMCID: PMC8996251 DOI: 10.1042/ns20210054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal abnormality and leads to intellectual disability, increased risk of cardiac defects, and an altered immune response. Individuals with DS have an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21) and are more likely to develop early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) than the general population. Changes in expression of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21)-encoded genes, such as amyloid precursor protein (APP), play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD in DS (DS-AD). However, the mechanisms of DS-AD remain poorly understood. To date, several mouse models with an extra copy of genes syntenic to Hsa21 have been developed to characterise DS-AD-related phenotypes. Nonetheless, due to genetic and physiological differences between mouse and human, mouse models cannot faithfully recapitulate all features of DS-AD. Cells differentiated from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), isolated from individuals with genetic diseases, can be used to model disease-related cellular and molecular pathologies, including DS. In this review, we will discuss the limitations of mouse models of DS and how these can be addressed using recent advancements in modelling DS using human iPSCs and iPSC-mouse chimeras, and potential applications of iPSCs in preclinical studies for DS-AD.
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10
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Bartesaghi R, Vicari S, Mobley WC. Prenatal and Postnatal Pharmacotherapy in Down Syndrome: The Search to Prevent or Ameliorate Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2022; 62:211-233. [PMID: 34990205 PMCID: PMC9632639 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-041521-103641] [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] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Those with Down syndrome (DS)-trisomy for chromosome 21-are routinely impacted by cognitive dysfunction and behavioral challenges in children and adults and Alzheimer's disease in older adults. No proven treatments specifically address these cognitive or behavioral changes. However, advances in the establishment of rodent models and human cell models promise to support development of such treatments. A research agenda that emphasizes the identification of overexpressed genes that contribute demonstrably to abnormalities in cognition and behavior in model systems constitutes a rational next step. Normalizing expression of such genes may usher in an era of successful treatments applicable across the life span for those with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Bartesaghi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy,Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165-00146 Rome, Italy
| | - William C. Mobley
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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11
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Martinez JL, Zammit MD, West NR, Christian BT, Bhattacharyya A. Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons: Linking Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:703876. [PMID: 34322015 PMCID: PMC8311593 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.703876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21) is characterized by intellectual impairment at birth and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology in middle age. As individuals with DS age, their cognitive functions decline as they develop AD pathology. The susceptibility to degeneration of a subset of neurons, known as basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs), in DS and AD is a critical link between cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration in both disorders. BFCNs are the primary source of cholinergic innervation to the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, as well as the amygdala. They play a critical role in the processing of information related to cognitive function and are directly engaged in regulating circuits of attention and memory throughout the lifespan. Given the importance of BFCNs in attention and memory, it is not surprising that these neurons contribute to dysfunctional neuronal circuitry in DS and are vulnerable in adults with DS and AD, where their degeneration leads to memory loss and disturbance in language. BFCNs are thus a relevant cell target for therapeutics for both DS and AD but, despite some success, efforts in this area have waned. There are gaps in our knowledge of BFCN vulnerability that preclude our ability to effectively design interventions. Here, we review the role of BFCN function and degeneration in AD and DS and identify under-studied aspects of BFCN biology. The current gaps in BFCN relevant imaging studies, therapeutics, and human models limit our insight into the mechanistic vulnerability of BFCNs in individuals with DS and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L. Martinez
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Matthew D. Zammit
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nicole R. West
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Bradley T. Christian
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Anita Bhattacharyya
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Cellular and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
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12
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Fasoulakis Z, Theodora M, Tsirkas I, Tsirka T, Kalagasidou S, Inagamova L, Papamanolis V, Blontzos N, Kontomanolis EN. The Role of microRNAs Identified in the Amniotic Fluid. Microrna 2021; 9:8-16. [PMID: 30887932 DOI: 10.2174/2211536608666190318105140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
AIM The study aimed to provide an overall view of current data considering the presence of microRNAs in amniotic fluid. METHODS The available literature in MEDLINE, regarding the role of the amniotic fluid in pregnancy and fetal development, was searched for related articles including terms such as "microRNA", "Amniotic fluid", "Adverse outcome" and others. RESULTS The amniotic fluid has an undoubtedly significant part in fetal nutrition, with a protecting and thermoregulatory role alongside. MicroRNAs have proven to be highly expressed during pregnancy in many body liquids including amniotic fluid and are transferred between cells loaded in exosomes, while they are also implicated in many processes during fetal development and could be potential biomarkers for early prediction of adverse outcomes. CONCLUSION Current knowledge reveals that amniotic fluid microRNAs participate in many developmental and physiological processes of pregnancy including proliferation of fibroblasts, fetal development, angiogenesis, cardioprotection, activation of signaling pathways, differentiation and cell motility, while the expression profile of specific microRNAs has a potential prognostic role in the prediction of Down syndrome, congenital hydronephrosis and kidney fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zacharias Fasoulakis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, Thrace, Greece
| | - Marianna Theodora
- 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tsirkas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, Thrace, Greece
| | - Theodora Tsirka
- Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Thrace, Greece
| | - Sofia Kalagasidou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bodosakio General Hospital of Ptolemaida, Ptolemaida, Greece
| | - Lola Inagamova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, Thrace, Greece
| | - Valentinos Papamanolis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Hospital of Korinthos, Korinthos, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Blontzos
- 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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13
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Bayona-Bafaluy MP, Garrido-Pérez N, Meade P, Iglesias E, Jiménez-Salvador I, Montoya J, Martínez-Cué C, Ruiz-Pesini E. Down syndrome is an oxidative phosphorylation disorder. Redox Biol 2021; 41:101871. [PMID: 33540295 PMCID: PMC7859316 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.101871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome is the most common genomic disorder of intellectual disability and is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21. Several genes in this chromosome repress mitochondrial biogenesis. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether early overexpression of these genes may cause a prenatal impairment of oxidative phosphorylation negatively affecting neurogenesis. Reduction in the mitochondrial energy production and a lower mitochondrial function have been reported in diverse tissues or cell types, and also at any age, including early fetuses, suggesting that a defect in oxidative phosphorylation is an early and general event in Down syndrome individuals. Moreover, many of the medical conditions associated with Down syndrome are also frequently found in patients with oxidative phosphorylation disease. Several drugs that enhance mitochondrial biogenesis are nowadays available and some of them have been already tested in mouse models of Down syndrome restoring neurogenesis and cognitive defects. Because neurogenesis relies on a correct mitochondrial function and critical periods of brain development occur mainly in the prenatal and early neonatal stages, therapeutic approaches intended to improve oxidative phosphorylation should be provided in these periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pilar Bayona-Bafaluy
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/ Miguel Servet, 177. 50013, Zaragoza, Spain and C/ Pedro Cerbuna, 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) de Aragón, Av. San Juan Bosco, 13, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain; Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Rd de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Biocomputación y Física de Sistemas Complejos (BIFI), Universidad de Zaragoza. C/ Mariano Esquillor (Edificio I+D), 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Nuria Garrido-Pérez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/ Miguel Servet, 177. 50013, Zaragoza, Spain and C/ Pedro Cerbuna, 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) de Aragón, Av. San Juan Bosco, 13, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain; Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Rd de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Biocomputación y Física de Sistemas Complejos (BIFI), Universidad de Zaragoza. C/ Mariano Esquillor (Edificio I+D), 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Patricia Meade
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/ Miguel Servet, 177. 50013, Zaragoza, Spain and C/ Pedro Cerbuna, 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) de Aragón, Av. San Juan Bosco, 13, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain; Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Rd de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Biocomputación y Física de Sistemas Complejos (BIFI), Universidad de Zaragoza. C/ Mariano Esquillor (Edificio I+D), 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Eldris Iglesias
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/ Miguel Servet, 177. 50013, Zaragoza, Spain and C/ Pedro Cerbuna, 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) de Aragón, Av. San Juan Bosco, 13, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Irene Jiménez-Salvador
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/ Miguel Servet, 177. 50013, Zaragoza, Spain and C/ Pedro Cerbuna, 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) de Aragón, Av. San Juan Bosco, 13, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Julio Montoya
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/ Miguel Servet, 177. 50013, Zaragoza, Spain and C/ Pedro Cerbuna, 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) de Aragón, Av. San Juan Bosco, 13, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain; Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Rd de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carmen Martínez-Cué
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología. Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cantabria. Av. Herrera Oría, 39011, Santander, Spain.
| | - Eduardo Ruiz-Pesini
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/ Miguel Servet, 177. 50013, Zaragoza, Spain and C/ Pedro Cerbuna, 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) de Aragón, Av. San Juan Bosco, 13, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain; Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Rd de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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14
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Juvale IIA, Che Has AT. The Potential Role of miRNAs as Predictive Biomarkers in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. J Mol Neurosci 2021; 71:1338-1355. [PMID: 33774758 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-021-01825-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders are defined as a set of abnormal brain developmental conditions marked by the early childhood onset of cognitive, behavioral, and functional deficits leading to memory and learning problems, emotional instability, and impulsivity. Autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Tourette syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and Down's syndrome are a few known examples of neurodevelopmental disorders. Although they are relatively common in both developed and developing countries, very little is currently known about their underlying molecular mechanisms. Both genetic and environmental factors are known to increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Current diagnostic and screening tests for neurodevelopmental disorders are not reliable; hence, individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders are often diagnosed in the later stages. This negatively affects their prognosis and quality of life, prompting the need for a better diagnostic biomarker. Recent studies on microRNAs and their altered regulation in diseases have shed some light on the possible role they could play in the development of the central nervous system. This review attempts to elucidate our current understanding of the role that microRNAs play in neurodevelopmental disorders with the hope of utilizing them as potential biomarkers in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Imtiyaz Ahmed Juvale
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Tarmizi Che Has
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
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15
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Zhang X, Li Z, Liu Y, Gai Z. Great Expectations: Induced pluripotent stem cell technologies in neurodevelopmental impairments. Int J Med Sci 2021; 18:459-473. [PMID: 33390815 PMCID: PMC7757149 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.51842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic cells such as skin fibroblasts, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood, urinary epithelial cells, etc., are transformed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by reprogramming technology, a milestone in the stem-cell research field. IPSCs are similar to embryonic stem cells (ESCs), exhibiting the potential to differentiate into various somatic cells. Still, the former avoid problems of immune rejection and medical ethics in the study of ESCs and clinical trials. Neurodevelopmental disorders are chronic developmental brain dysfunctions that affect cognition, exercise, social adaptability, behavior, etc. Due to various inherited or acquired causes, they seriously affect the physical and psychological health of infants and children. These include generalized stunting / mental disability (GDD/ID), Epilepsy, autism spectrum disease (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Most neurodevelopmental disorders are challenging to cure. Establishing a neurodevelopmental disorder system model is essential for researching and treating neurodevelopmental disorders. At this stage, the scarcity of samples is a bigger problem for studying neurological diseases based on the donor, ethics, etc. Some iPSCs are reprogrammed from somatic cells that carry disease-causing mutations. They differentiate into nerve cells by induction, which has the original characteristics of diseases. Disease-specific iPSCs are used to study the mechanism and pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders. The process provided samples and the impetus for developing drugs and developing treatment plans for neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, this article mainly introduced the development of iPSCs, the currently established iPSCs disease models, and artificial organoids related to neurodevelopmental impairments. This technology will promote our understanding of neurodevelopmental impairments and bring great expectations to children with neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhang
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Jinan Pediatric Research Institute, Jinan Children's Hospital, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan 250033, China
| | - Zilong Li
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Jinan Pediatric Research Institute, Jinan Children's Hospital, Ji'nan 250022, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Jinan Pediatric Research Institute, Jinan Children's Hospital, Ji'nan 250022, China
| | - Zhongtao Gai
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Jinan Pediatric Research Institute, Jinan Children's Hospital, Ji'nan 250022, China
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16
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Wang S, Tang X, Qin L, Shi W, Bian S, Wang Z, Wang Q, Wang X, Gu J, Hao B, Ding K, Liao S. Integrative Analysis Extracts a Core ceRNA Network of the Fetal Hippocampus With Down Syndrome. Front Genet 2020; 11:565955. [PMID: 33329702 PMCID: PMC7735064 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.565955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs)-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA regulatory network-may play an important role in neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Interestingly, neuropathological changes that closely resemble AD have been found in nearly all Down syndrome (DS) cases > 35 years. However, few studies have reported circRNA transcriptional profiling in DS cases, which is caused by a chromosomal aberration of trisomy 21. Here, we characterized the expression profiles of circRNAs in the fetal hippocampus of DS patients (n = 8) and controls (n = 6) by using microarray. MiRNA, mRNA expression profiling of DS from our previous study and scRNA-seq data describing normal fetal hippocampus development (GEO) were also integrated into the analysis. The similarity between circRNAs/genes with traits/cell-types was calculated by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA). miRanda and miRWalk2 were used to predict ceRNA network interactions. We identified a total of 7,078 significantly differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs, including 2,637 upregulated and 4,441 downregulated genes, respectively. WGCNA obtained 15 hub circRNAs and 6 modules with cell type-specific expression patterns among scRNA-seq data. Finally, a core ceRNA network was constructed by 14 hub circRNAs, 17 DE miRNA targets and 245 DE mRNA targets with a cell type-specific expression pattern annotation. Known functional molecules in DS or neurodegeneration (e.g., miR-138, OLIG1, and TPM2) were also included in this network. Our findings are the first to delineate the landscape of circRNAs in DS and the first to effectively integrate ceRNA regulation with scRNA-seq data. These data may provide a valuable resource for further research on the molecular mechanisms or therapeutic targets underlying DS neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengran Wang
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xia Tang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Litao Qin
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weili Shi
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shasha Bian
- School of Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhaokun Wang
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qingqing Wang
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jianqin Gu
- School of Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bingtao Hao
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Keyue Ding
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shixiu Liao
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
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17
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Lee C, Willerth SM, Nygaard HB. The Use of Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Alzheimer’s Disease Modeling. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 192:101804. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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18
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Pernia C, Tobe BTD, O'Donnell R, Snyder EY. The Evolution of Stem Cells, Disease Modeling, and Drug Discovery for Neurological Disorders. Stem Cells Dev 2020; 29:1131-1141. [PMID: 32024446 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2019.0217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human neurological disorders are among the most challenging areas of translational research. The difficulty of acquiring human neural samples or specific representative animal models has necessitated a multifaceted approach to understanding disease pathology and drug discovery. The dedifferentiation of somatic cells to human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) for the generation of neural derivatives has broadened the capability of biomedical research to study human cell types in neurological disorders. The initial zeal for the potential of hiPSCs for immediate biomedical breakthroughs has evolved to more reasonable expectations. Over the past decade, hiPSC technology has demonstrated the capacity to successfully establish "disease in a dish" models of complex neurological disorders and to identify possible novel therapeutics. However, as hiPSCs are used more broadly, an increased understanding of the limitations of hiPSC studies is becoming more evident. In this study, we review the challenges of studying neurological disorders, the current limitations of stem cell-based disease modeling, and the degrees to which hiPSC studies to date have demonstrated the capacity to fill essential gaps in neurological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Pernia
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Brian T D Tobe
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Administration Medical Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ryan O'Donnell
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Evan Y Snyder
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
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19
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Bhattacharyya A. Advancing Knowledge of Down Syndrome Brain Development and Function With Human Stem Cells. AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2020; 125:90-92. [PMID: 32058817 PMCID: PMC7169307 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-125.2.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Our bodies are made up of over 250 specific cell types, and all initially arise from stem cells during embryonic development. Stem cells have two characteristics that make them unique: (1) they are pluripotent, meaning that they can differentiate into all cell types of the body, and (2) they are capable of self-renewal to generate more of themselves and are thus able to populate an organism. Human pluripotent stem cells were first isolated from human embryos twenty years ago ( Thomson et al., 1998 ) and more recently, technology to reprogram somatic cells, such as skin and blood, to induced pluripotent stem cells has emerged ( Park et al., 2008 ; Takahashi et al., 2007 ; Yu et al., 2007 ). Induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs, are particularly valuable as disease specific iPSCs can be generated from individuals with specific genetic mutations diseases. Researchers have harnessed the power of stem cells to understand many aspects of developmental biology in model organisms (e.g. worms, mice) and more recently, in humans. Human stem cells in culture recapitulate development. For example, formation of the brain occurs prenatally and follows a specific pattern of timing and cell generation. Human stem cells in the culture dish follow a similar pattern when exposed to developmental cues and can thus be used to understand aspects of prenatal human brain development that are not accessible by other means. Disease-specific iPSCs are a valuable tool to model neural development in specific neurodevelopmental disorders like Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a classic developmental disorder; mistakes that are made during development of a particular organ system result in the characteristics of the disorder. In the brain, mistakes during prenatal brain development lead to intellectual disability. Trisomy 21 (Ts21) iPSCs generated from somatic cells of Down syndrome individuals may enable us to understand the mistakes made during Down syndrome brain development.
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20
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Silencing Trisomy 21 with XIST in Neural Stem Cells Promotes Neuronal Differentiation. Dev Cell 2020; 52:294-308.e3. [PMID: 31978324 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The ability of XIST to dosage compensate a trisomic autosome presents unique experimental opportunities and potentially transformative therapeutic prospects. However, it is currently thought that XIST requires the natural context surrounding pluripotency to initiate chromosome silencing. Here, we demonstrate that XIST RNA induced in differentiated neural cells can trigger chromosome-wide silencing of chromosome 21 in Down syndrome patient-derived cells. Use of this tightly controlled system revealed a deficiency in differentiation of trisomic neural stem cells to neurons, correctible by inducing XIST at different stages of neurogenesis. Single-cell transcriptomics and other analyses strongly implicate elevated Notch signaling due to trisomy 21, thereby promoting neural stem cell cycling that delays terminal differentiation. These findings have significance for illuminating the epigenetic plasticity of cells during development, the understanding of how human trisomy 21 effects Down syndrome neurobiology, and the translational potential of XIST, a unique non-coding RNA.
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21
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Gough G, O'Brien NL, Alic I, Goh PA, Yeap YJ, Groet J, Nizetic D, Murray A. Modeling Down syndrome in cells: From stem cells to organoids. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2019; 251:55-90. [PMID: 32057312 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Down Syndrome (DS) is a complex chromosomal disorder, with neurological issues, featuring among the symptoms. Primary neuronal cells and tissues are extremely useful, but limited both in supply and experimental manipulability. To better understand the cellular, molecular and pathological mechanisms involved in DS neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, a range of different cellular models have been developed over the years including human: mouse hybrid cells, transchromosomic mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and human ESC and induced pluripotent stem cells derived from different sources. All of these model systems have provided useful information in the study of DS. Furthermore, different technologies to genetically modify or correct trisomy of either single genes or the whole chromosome have been developed using these cellular models. New techniques and protocols to allow better modeling of cellular mechanisms and disease processes are being developed and the use of cerebral organoids offers great promise for future research into the neural phenotypes seen in DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Gough
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Niamh L O'Brien
- The Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom; LonDownS Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ivan Alic
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Pollyanna A Goh
- The Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom; LonDownS Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yee Jie Yeap
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jurgen Groet
- The Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom; LonDownS Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dean Nizetic
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; The Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom; LonDownS Consortium, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Aoife Murray
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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22
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Lee SE, Duran-Martinez M, Khantsis S, Bianchi DW, Guedj F. Challenges and Opportunities for Translation of Therapies to Improve Cognition in Down Syndrome. Trends Mol Med 2019; 26:150-169. [PMID: 31706840 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2019.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
While preclinical studies have reported improvement of behavioral deficits in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome (DS), translation to human clinical trials to improve cognition in individuals with DS has had a poor success record. Timing of the intervention, choice of animal models, strategy for drug selection, and lack of translational endpoints between animals and humans contributed to prior failures of human clinical trials. Here, we focus on in vitro cell models from humans with DS to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the brain phenotype associated with DS. We emphasize the importance of using these cell models to screen for therapeutic molecules, followed by validating them in the most suitable animal models prior to initiating human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Lee
- Medical Genetics Branch (Prenatal Genomic and Therapy Section), National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Monica Duran-Martinez
- Medical Genetics Branch (Prenatal Genomic and Therapy Section), National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sabina Khantsis
- Medical Genetics Branch (Prenatal Genomic and Therapy Section), National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Diana W Bianchi
- Medical Genetics Branch (Prenatal Genomic and Therapy Section), National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda 20892, MD, USA
| | - Faycal Guedj
- Medical Genetics Branch (Prenatal Genomic and Therapy Section), National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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23
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Abstract
During the past decades, life expectancy of subjects with Down syndrome (DS) has greatly improved, but age-specific mortality rates are still important and DS subjects are characterized by an acceleration of the ageing process, which affects particularly the immune and central nervous systems. In this chapter, we will first review the characteristics of the ageing phenomenon in brain and in immune system in DS and we will then discuss the biological hallmarks of ageing in this specific population. Finally, we will also consider in detail the knowledge on epigenetics in DS, particularly DNA methylation.
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24
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Karagiannis P, Takahashi K, Saito M, Yoshida Y, Okita K, Watanabe A, Inoue H, Yamashita JK, Todani M, Nakagawa M, Osawa M, Yashiro Y, Yamanaka S, Osafune K. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Their Use in Human Models of Disease and Development. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:79-114. [PMID: 30328784 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00039.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of somatic cell nuclear transfer proved that somatic cells can carry the same genetic code as the zygote, and that activating parts of this code are sufficient to reprogram the cell to an early developmental state. The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) nearly half a century later provided a molecular mechanism for the reprogramming. The initial creation of iPSCs was accomplished by the ectopic expression of four specific genes (OCT4, KLF4, SOX2, and c-Myc; OSKM). iPSCs have since been acquired from a wide range of cell types and a wide range of species, suggesting a universal molecular mechanism. Furthermore, cells have been reprogrammed to iPSCs using a myriad of methods, although OSKM remains the gold standard. The sources for iPSCs are abundant compared with those for other pluripotent stem cells; thus the use of iPSCs to model the development of tissues, organs, and other systems of the body is increasing. iPSCs also, through the reprogramming of patient samples, are being used to model diseases. Moreover, in the 10 years since the first report, human iPSCs are already the basis for new cell therapies and drug discovery that have reached clinical application. In this review, we examine the generation of iPSCs and their application to disease and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Karagiannis
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Takahashi
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Megumu Saito
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Yoshinori Yoshida
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Keisuke Okita
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Akira Watanabe
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Haruhisa Inoue
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Jun K Yamashita
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Masaya Todani
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Masato Nakagawa
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Mitsujiro Osawa
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Yoshimi Yashiro
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Shinya Yamanaka
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
| | - Kenji Osafune
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University , Kyoto , Japan
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25
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Zhao X, Bhattacharyya A. Human Models Are Needed for Studying Human Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 103:829-857. [PMID: 30526865 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of animal models of neurological disease has been instrumental in furthering our understanding of neurodevelopment and brain diseases. However, animal models are limited in revealing some of the most fundamental aspects of development, genetics, pathology, and disease mechanisms that are unique to humans. These shortcomings are exaggerated in disorders that affect the brain, where the most significant differences between humans and animal models exist, and could underscore failures in targeted therapeutic interventions in affected individuals. Human pluripotent stem cells have emerged as a much-needed model system for investigating human-specific biology and disease mechanisms. However, questions remain regarding whether these cell-culture-based models are sufficient or even necessary. In this review, we summarize human-specific features of neurodevelopment and the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, present discrepancies between animal models and human diseases, demonstrate how human stem cell models can provide meaningful information, and discuss the challenges that exist in our pursuit to understand distinctively human aspects of neurodevelopment and brain disease. This information argues for a more thoughtful approach to disease modeling through consideration of the valuable features and limitations of each model system, be they human or animal, to mimic disease characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhao
- Waisman Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53705, USA.
| | - Anita Bhattacharyya
- Waisman Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53705, USA; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53705, USA.
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26
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The Impact of Epigenetic Signatures on Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell Fate. Stem Cells Int 2018; 2018:4274518. [PMID: 30627172 PMCID: PMC6304862 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4274518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications play a significant role in determining the fate of stem cells and in directing the differentiation into multiple lineages. Current evidence indicates that mechanisms involved in chromatin regulation are essential for maintaining stable cell identities. There is a tight correlation among DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small noncoding RNAs during the epigenetic control of stem cells' differentiation; however, to date, the precise mechanism is still not clear. In this context, amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) represent an interesting model due to their unique features and the possible advantages of their use in regenerative medicine. Recent studies have elucidated epigenetic profiles involved in AFSCs' lineage commitment and differentiation. In order to use these cells effectively for therapeutic purposes, it is necessary to understand the basis of multiple-lineage potential and elaborate in detail how cell fate decisions are made and memorized. The present review summarizes the most recent findings on epigenetic mechanisms of AFSCs with a focus on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs (miRNAs) and addresses how their unique signatures contribute to lineage-specific differentiation.
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27
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Shirooie S, Nabavi SF, Dehpour AR, Belwal T, Habtemariam S, Argüelles S, Sureda A, Daglia M, Tomczyk M, Sobarzo-Sanchez E, Xu S, Nabavi SM. Targeting mTORs by omega-3 fatty acids: A possible novel therapeutic strategy for neurodegeneration? Pharmacol Res 2018; 135:37-48. [PMID: 29990625 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Parkinson's (PD), Alzheimer's (AD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cause significant world-wide morbidity and mortality. To date, there is no drug of cure for these, mostly age-related diseases, although approaches in delaying the pathology and/or giving patients some symptomatic relief have been adopted for the last few decades. Various studies in recent years have shown the beneficial effects of omega-3 poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) through diverse mechanisms including anti-inflammatory effects. This review now assesses the potential of this class of compounds in NDs therapy through specific action against the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. The role of mTOR in neurodegenerative diseases and targeted therapies by PUFAs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Shirooie
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Seyed Fazel Nabavi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14359-16471, Iran
| | - Ahmad R Dehpour
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tarun Belwal
- G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Kosi Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Solomon Habtemariam
- Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories & Herbal Analysis Services UK, University of Greenwich, Chatham-Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Sandro Argüelles
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Antoni Sureda
- Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress (NUCOX) and CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition CB12/03/30038), University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca E-07122, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Maria Daglia
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology Section, University of Pavia, Italy
| | - Michał Tomczyk
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Mickiewicza 2a, 15-230 Białystok, Poland
| | - Eduardo Sobarzo-Sanchez
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain; Instituto de Investigación en Innovación en Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Central de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Suowen Xu
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14623, United States
| | - Seyed Mohammad Nabavi
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14359-16471, Iran.
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28
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Stagni F, Giacomini A, Emili M, Guidi S, Bartesaghi R. Neurogenesis impairment: An early developmental defect in Down syndrome. Free Radic Biol Med 2018; 114:15-32. [PMID: 28756311 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by brain hypotrophy and intellectual disability starting from early life stages. Accumulating evidence shows that the phenotypic features of the DS brain can be traced back to the fetal period since the DS brain exhibits proliferation potency reduction starting from the critical time window of fetal neurogenesis. This defect is worsened by the fact that neural progenitor cells exhibit reduced acquisition of a neuronal phenotype and an increase in the acquisition of an astrocytic phenotype. Consequently, the DS brain has fewer neurons in comparison with the typical brain. Although apoptotic cell death may be increased in DS, this does not seem to be the major cause of brain hypocellularity. Evidence obtained in brains of individuals with DS, DS-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and DS mouse models has provided some insight into the mechanisms underlying the developmental defects due to the trisomic condition. Although many triplicated genes may be involved, in the light of the studies reviewed here, DYRK1A, APP, RCAN1 and OLIG1/2 appear to be particularly important determinants of many neurodevelopmental alterations that characterize DS because their triplication affects both the proliferation and fate of neural precursor cells as well as apoptotic cell death. Based on the evidence reviewed here, pathways downstream to these genes may represent strategic targets, for the design of possible interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiorenza Stagni
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Giacomini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Emili
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sandra Guidi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Renata Bartesaghi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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29
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Brás A, Rodrigues AS, Gomes B, Rueff J. Down syndrome and microRNAs. Biomed Rep 2017; 8:11-16. [PMID: 29403643 DOI: 10.3892/br.2017.1019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years numerous studies have indicated the importance of microRNAs (miRNA/miRs) in human pathology. Down syndrome (DS) is the most prevalent survivable chromosomal disorder and is attributed to trisomy 21 and the subsequent alteration of the dosage of genes located on this chromosome. A number of miRNAs are overexpressed in down syndrome, including miR-155, miR-802, miR- 125b-2, let-7c and miR-99a. This overexpression may contribute to the neuropathology, congenital heart defects, leukemia and low rate of solid tumor development observed in patients with DS. MiRNAs located on other chromosomes and with associated target genes on or off chromosome 21 may also be involved in the DS phenotype. In the present review, an overview of miRNAs and the haploinsufficiency and protein translation of specific miRNA targets in DS are discussed. This aimed to aid understanding of the pathogenesis of DS, and may contribute to the development of novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of the pathologies of DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldina Brás
- Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), Genetics, Oncology and Human Toxicology, NOVA Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - António S Rodrigues
- Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), Genetics, Oncology and Human Toxicology, NOVA Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bruno Gomes
- Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), Genetics, Oncology and Human Toxicology, NOVA Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José Rueff
- Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), Genetics, Oncology and Human Toxicology, NOVA Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
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30
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Araujo BHS, Kaid C, De Souza JS, Gomes da Silva S, Goulart E, Caires LCJ, Musso CM, Torres LB, Ferrasa A, Herai R, Zatz M, Okamoto OK, Cavalheiro EA. Down Syndrome iPSC-Derived Astrocytes Impair Neuronal Synaptogenesis and the mTOR Pathway In Vitro. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:5962-5975. [PMID: 29128905 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0818-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Several methods have been used to study the neuropathogenesis of Down syndrome (DS), such as mouse aneuploidies, post mortem human brains, and in vitro cell culture of neural progenitor cells. More recently, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has offered new approaches in investigation, providing a valuable tool for studying specific cell types affected by DS, especially neurons and astrocytes. Here, we investigated the role of astrocytes in DS developmental disease and the impact of the astrocyte secretome in neuron mTOR signaling and synapse formation using iPSC derived from DS and wild-type (WT) subjects. We demonstrated for the first time that DS neurons derived from hiPSC recapitulate the hyperactivation of the Akt/mTOR axis observed in DS brains and that DS astrocytes may play a key role in this dysfunction. Our results bear out that 21 trisomy in astrocytes contributes to neuronal abnormalities in addition to cell autonomous dysfunctions caused by 21 trisomy in neurons. Further research in this direction will likely yield additional insights, thereby improving our understanding of DS and potentially facilitating the development of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno H S Araujo
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Laboratory of Neuroscience, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. .,Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Rua Giuseppe Máximo Scolfaro, no. 10.000, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-970, Brazil.
| | - Carolini Kaid
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Janaina S De Souza
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Endocrinology and Translational Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Gomes da Silva
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ernesto Goulart
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz C J Caires
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila M Musso
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Laila B Torres
- São Leopoldo Mandic Institute and Research Center, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriano Ferrasa
- Experimental Multiuser Laboratory (LEM), Graduate Program in Health Sciences (PPGCS), School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Paraná, 80215-901, Brazil.,Department of Informatics (DEINFO), Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (UEPG), Ponta Grossa, Paraná, 84030-900, Brazil
| | - Roberto Herai
- Department of Informatics (DEINFO), Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (UEPG), Ponta Grossa, Paraná, 84030-900, Brazil
| | - Mayana Zatz
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Oswaldo K Okamoto
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Esper A Cavalheiro
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Laboratory of Neuroscience, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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31
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Antonucci I, Crowley MG, Stuppia L. Amniotic fluid stem cell models: A tool for filling the gaps in knowledge for human genetic diseases. Brain Circ 2017; 3:167-174. [PMID: 30276320 PMCID: PMC6057697 DOI: 10.4103/bc.bc_23_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have attracted attention in recent years as a model of human genetic diseases. Starting from the diseased somatic cells isolated from an affected patient, iPS cells can be created and subsequently differentiated into various cell types that can be used to gain a better understanding of the disease at a cellular and molecular level. There are limitations of iPS cell generation, however, due to low efficiency, high costs, and lengthy protocols. The use of amniotic fluid stem cells (AFS) presents a worthy alternative as a stem cell source for modeling of human genetic diseases. Prenatal identification of chromosomal or Mendelian diseases may require the collection of amniotic fluid which is not only useful for the sake of diagnosis but also from this, AFS cells can be isolated and cultured. Since AFS cells show some characteristics of pluripotency, having the capacity to differentiate into various cell types derived from all three germ layers in vitro, they are a well-suited model for investigations regarding alterations in the molecular biology of a cell due to a specific genetic disease. This readily accessible source of stem cells can replace the necessity for generating iPS cells. Here, we expand on the applicability and importance of AFS cells as a model for discovery in the field of human genetic disease research. This paper is a review article. Referred literature in this paper has been listed in the references section. The data sets supporting the conclusions of this article are available online by searching various databases, including PubMed. Some original points in this article come from the laboratory practice in our research center and the authors’ experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Antonucci
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Annunzio University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Marci G Crowley
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, University of South Florida, 12901, USA
| | - Liborio Stuppia
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Annunzio University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
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32
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M Lee Y, Zampieri BL, Scott-McKean JJ, Johnson MW, Costa ACS. Generation of Integration-Free Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Urine-Derived Cells Isolated from Individuals with Down Syndrome. Stem Cells Transl Med 2017; 6:1465-1476. [PMID: 28371411 PMCID: PMC5689751 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.16-0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder caused by trisomy 21 (T21). Over the past two decades, the use of mouse models has led to significant advances in the understanding of mechanisms underlying various phenotypic features and comorbidities secondary to T21 and even informed the design of clinical trials aimed at enhancing the cognitive abilities of persons with DS. In spite of its success, this approach has been plagued by all the typical limitations of rodent modeling of human disorders and diseases. Recently, several laboratories have succeeded in producing T21 human induced pluripotent stem cells (T21-iPSCs) from individuals with DS, which is emerging as a promising complementary tool for the study of DS. Here, we describe the method by which we generated 10 T21-iPSC lines from epithelial cells in urine samples, presumably from kidney epithelial origin, using nonintegrating episomal vectors. We also show that these iPSCs maintain chromosomal stability for well over 20 passages and are more sensitive to proteotoxic stress than euploid iPSCs. Furthermore, these iPSC lines can be differentiated into glutamatergic neurons and cardiomyocytes. By culturing urine-derived cells and maximizing the efficiency of episomal vector transfection, we have been able to generate iPSCs noninvasively and effectively from participants with DS in an ongoing clinical trial, and thus address most shortcomings of previously generated T21-iPSC lines. These techniques should extend the application of iPSCs in modeling DS and other neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, and may lead to future human cell-based platforms for high-throughput drug screening. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:1465-1476.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young M Lee
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics
| | | | | | - Mark W Johnson
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Alberto C S Costa
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics.,Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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33
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Bertin E, Piccoli M, Franzin C, Nagy A, Mileikovsky M, De Coppi P, Pozzobon M. The Production of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Mouse Amniotic Fluid Cells Using a Transposon System. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28287531 DOI: 10.3791/54598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are generated from mouse and human somatic cells by forced expression of defined transcription factors using different methods. Here, we produced iPS cells from mouse amniotic fluid cells, using a non-viral-based transposon system. All obtained iPS cell lines exhibited characteristics of pluripotent cells, including the ability to differentiate toward derivatives of all three germ layers in vitro and in vivo. This strategy opens up the possibility of using cells from diseased fetuses to develop new therapies for birth defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Bertin
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Citta della Speranza
| | - Martina Piccoli
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Citta della Speranza
| | - Chiara Franzin
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Citta della Speranza
| | - Andras Nagy
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital
| | | | - Paolo De Coppi
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital
| | - Michela Pozzobon
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Citta della Speranza;
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34
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Abstract
Down syndrome (also known as trisomy 21) is the model human phenotype for all genomic gain dosage imbalances, including microduplications. The functional genomic exploration of the post-sequencing years of chromosome 21, and the generation of numerous cellular and mouse models, have provided an unprecedented opportunity to decipher the molecular consequences of genome dosage imbalance. Studies of Down syndrome could provide knowledge far beyond the well-known characteristics of intellectual disability and dysmorphic features, as several other important features, including congenital heart defects, early ageing, Alzheimer disease and childhood leukaemia, are also part of the Down syndrome phenotypic spectrum. The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that cause or modify the risk for different Down syndrome phenotypes could lead to the introduction of previously unimaginable therapeutic options.
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35
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Brigida AL, Siniscalco D. Induced pluripotent stem cells as a cellular model for studying Down Syndrome. J Stem Cells Regen Med 2016. [PMID: 28096629 PMCID: PMC5227104 DOI: 10.46582/jsrm.1202009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Down Syndrome (DS), or Trisomy 21 Syndrome, is one of the most common genetic diseases. It is a chromosomal abnormality caused by a duplication of chromosome 21. DS patients show the presence of a third copy (or a partial third copy) of chromosome 21 (trisomy), as result of meiotic errors. These patients suffer of many health problems, such as intellectual disability, congenital heart disease, duodenal stenosis, Alzheimer’s disease, leukemia, immune system deficiencies, muscle hypotonia and motor disorders. About one in 1000 babies born each year are affected by DS. Alterations in the dosage of genes located on chromosome 21 (also called HSA21) are responsible for the DS phenotype. However, the molecular pathogenic mechanisms of DS triggering are still not understood; newest evidences suggest the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms. For obvious ethical reasons, studies performed on DS patients, as well as on human trisomic tissues are limited. Some authors have proposed mouse models of this syndrome. However, not all the features of the syndrome are represented. Stem cells are considered the future of molecular and regenerative medicine. Several types of stem cells could provide a valid approach to offer a potential treatment for some untreatable human diseases. Stem cells also represent a valid system to develop new cell-based drugs and/or a model to study molecular disease pathways. Among stem cell types, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells offer some advantages for cell and tissue replacement, engineering and studying: self-renewal capacity, pluripotency and ease of accessibility to donor tissues. These cells can be reprogrammed into completely different cellular types. They are derived from adult somatic cells via reprogramming with ectopic expression of four transcription factors (Oct3/4, Sox2, c-Myc and Klf4; or, Oct3/4, Sox2, Nanog, and Lin28). By reprogramming cells from DS patients, it is possible to obtain new tissue with the same genetic background, offering a valuable tool for studying this genetic disease and to design customized patient-specific stem cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lisa Brigida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Dario Siniscalco
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, 80138 Napoli, Italy
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36
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Slamecka J, Salimova L, McClellan S, van Kelle M, Kehl D, Laurini J, Cinelli P, Owen L, Hoerstrup SP, Weber B. Non-integrating episomal plasmid-based reprogramming of human amniotic fluid stem cells into induced pluripotent stem cells in chemically defined conditions. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:234-49. [PMID: 26654216 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1121332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSC) represent an attractive potential cell source for fetal and pediatric cell-based therapies. However, upgrading them to pluripotency confers refractoriness toward senescence, higher proliferation rate and unlimited differentiation potential. AFSC were observed to rapidly and efficiently reacquire pluripotency which together with their easy recovery makes them an attractive cell source for reprogramming. The reprogramming process as well as the resulting iPSC epigenome could potentially benefit from the unspecialized nature of AFSC. iPSC derived from AFSC also have potential in disease modeling, such as Down syndrome or β-thalassemia. Previous experiments involving AFSC reprogramming have largely relied on integrative vector transgene delivery and undefined serum-containing, feeder-dependent culture. Here, we describe non-integrative oriP/EBNA-1 episomal plasmid-based reprogramming of AFSC into iPSC and culture in fully chemically defined xeno-free conditions represented by vitronectin coating and E8 medium, a system that we found uniquely suited for this purpose. The derived AF-iPSC lines uniformly expressed a set of pluripotency markers Oct3/4, Nanog, Sox2, SSEA-1, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81 in a pattern typical for human primed PSC. Additionally, the cells formed teratomas, and were deemed pluripotent by PluriTest, a global expression microarray-based in-silico pluripotency assay. However, we found that the PluriTest scores were borderline, indicating a unique pluripotent signature in the defined condition. In the light of potential future clinical translation of iPSC technology, non-integrating reprogramming and chemically defined culture are more acceptable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Slamecka
- a Swiss Center for Regenerative Medicine, University and University Hospital of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,b Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,c Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,d Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama , Mobile , AL , USA.,e Research Institute for Animal Production Nitra, National Agricultural and Food Center , Nitra , Slovak Republic
| | - Lilia Salimova
- a Swiss Center for Regenerative Medicine, University and University Hospital of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,b Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,c Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,f School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne , Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - Steven McClellan
- d Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama , Mobile , AL , USA
| | - Mathieu van Kelle
- a Swiss Center for Regenerative Medicine, University and University Hospital of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,b Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,c Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,g Department of Biomedical Engineering , Eindhoven University of Technology , Eindhoven , The Netherlands
| | - Debora Kehl
- a Swiss Center for Regenerative Medicine, University and University Hospital of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,b Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,c Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Javier Laurini
- h College of Medicine, University of South Alabama , Mobile , AL , USA
| | - Paolo Cinelli
- i Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,j Center for Applied Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,k Division of Trauma Surgery, Center for Clinical Research, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Laurie Owen
- d Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama , Mobile , AL , USA
| | - Simon P Hoerstrup
- a Swiss Center for Regenerative Medicine, University and University Hospital of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,b Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,c Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Benedikt Weber
- a Swiss Center for Regenerative Medicine, University and University Hospital of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,b Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,c Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,l Department of Dermatology and Venerology , University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
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Azari H, Reynolds BA. In Vitro Models for Neurogenesis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2016; 8:cshperspect.a021279. [PMID: 26438595 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a021279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The process of generating new neurons of different phenotype and function from undifferentiated stem and progenitor cells starts at very early stages of development and continues in discrete regions of the mammalian nervous system throughout life. Understanding mechanisms underlying neuronal cell development, biology, function, and interaction with other cells, especially in the neurogenic niche of fully developed adults, is important in defining and developing new therapeutic regimes in regenerative neuroscience. Studying these complex and dynamic processes in vivo is challenging because of the complexity of the nervous system and the presence of many known and unknown confounding variables. However, the challenges could be overcome with simple and robust in vitro models that more or less recapitulate the in vivo events. In this work, we will present an overview of present available in vitro cell-based models of neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Azari
- Department of Neurosurgery, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611 Neural Stem Cell and Regenerative Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Anatomical Sciences & Shiraz Stem Cell Institute, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Brent A Reynolds
- Department of Neurosurgery, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611
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Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells: A Novel Source for Modeling of Human Genetic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17040607. [PMID: 27110774 PMCID: PMC4849058 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17040607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, great interest has been devoted to the use of Induced Pluripotent Stem cells (iPS) for modeling of human genetic diseases, due to the possibility of reprogramming somatic cells of affected patients into pluripotent cells, enabling differentiation into several cell types, and allowing investigations into the molecular mechanisms of the disease. However, the protocol of iPS generation still suffers from technical limitations, showing low efficiency, being expensive and time consuming. Amniotic Fluid Stem cells (AFS) represent a potential alternative novel source of stem cells for modeling of human genetic diseases. In fact, by means of prenatal diagnosis, a number of fetuses affected by chromosomal or Mendelian diseases can be identified, and the amniotic fluid collected for genetic testing can be used, after diagnosis, for the isolation, culture and differentiation of AFS cells. This can provide a useful stem cell model for the investigation of the molecular basis of the diagnosed disease without the necessity of producing iPS, since AFS cells show some features of pluripotency and are able to differentiate in cells derived from all three germ layers “in vitro”. In this article, we describe the potential benefits provided by using AFS cells in the modeling of human genetic diseases.
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Induced Pluripotency and Gene Editing in Disease Modelling: Perspectives and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:28614-34. [PMID: 26633382 PMCID: PMC4691066 DOI: 10.3390/ijms161226119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are chiefly characterized by their ability to self-renew and to differentiate into any cell type derived from the three main germ layers. It was demonstrated that somatic cells could be reprogrammed to form induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) via various strategies. Gene editing is a technique that can be used to make targeted changes in the genome, and the efficiency of this process has been significantly enhanced by recent advancements. The use of engineered endonucleases, such as homing endonucleases, zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and Cas9 of the CRISPR system, has significantly enhanced the efficiency of gene editing. The combination of somatic cell reprogramming with gene editing enables us to model human diseases in vitro, in a manner considered superior to animal disease models. In this review, we discuss the various strategies of reprogramming and gene targeting with an emphasis on the current advancements and challenges of using these techniques to model human diseases.
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Newell-Litwa KA, Horwitz R, Lamers ML. Non-muscle myosin II in disease: mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities. Dis Model Mech 2015; 8:1495-515. [PMID: 26542704 PMCID: PMC4728321 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.022103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The actin motor protein non-muscle myosin II (NMII) acts as a master regulator of cell morphology, with a role in several essential cellular processes, including cell migration and post-synaptic dendritic spine plasticity in neurons. NMII also generates forces that alter biochemical signaling, by driving changes in interactions between actin-associated proteins that can ultimately regulate gene transcription. In addition to its roles in normal cellular physiology, NMII has recently emerged as a critical regulator of diverse, genetically complex diseases, including neuronal disorders, cancers and vascular disease. In the context of these disorders, NMII regulatory pathways can be directly mutated or indirectly altered by disease-causing mutations. NMII regulatory pathway genes are also increasingly found in disease-associated copy-number variants, particularly in neuronal disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. Furthermore, manipulation of NMII-mediated contractility regulates stem cell pluripotency and differentiation, thus highlighting the key role of NMII-based pharmaceuticals in the clinical success of stem cell therapies. In this Review, we discuss the emerging role of NMII activity and its regulation by kinases and microRNAs in the pathogenesis and prognosis of a diverse range of diseases, including neuronal disorders, cancer and vascular disease. We also address promising clinical applications and limitations of NMII-based inhibitors in the treatment of these diseases and the development of stem-cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen A Newell-Litwa
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Rick Horwitz
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Marcelo L Lamers
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Basic Health Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90610-010, Brazil
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Applications of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Studying the Neurodegenerative Diseases. Stem Cells Int 2015; 2015:382530. [PMID: 26240571 PMCID: PMC4512612 DOI: 10.1155/2015/382530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons. Incurable neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) show dramatic rising trends particularly in the advanced age groups. However, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully elucidated, and to date there are no biomarkers for early detection or effective treatments for the underlying causes of these diseases. Furthermore, due to species variation and differences between animal models (e.g., mouse transgenic and knockout models) of neurodegenerative diseases, substantial debate focuses on whether animal and cell culture disease models can correctly model the condition in human patients. In 2006, Yamanaka of Kyoto University first demonstrated a novel approach for the preparation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which displayed similar pluripotency potential to embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Currently, iPSCs studies are permeating many sectors of disease research. Patient sample-derived iPSCs can be used to construct patient-specific disease models to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of disease development and to test new therapeutic strategies. Accordingly, the present review will focus on recent progress in iPSC research in the modeling of neurodegenerative disorders and in the development of novel therapeutic options.
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Acab A, Muotri AR. The Use of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology to Advance Autism Research and Treatment. Neurotherapeutics 2015; 12:534-45. [PMID: 25851569 PMCID: PMC4489954 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-015-0354-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders sharing a core set of symptoms, including impaired social interaction, language deficits, and repetitive behaviors. While ASDs are highly heritable and demonstrate a clear genetic component, the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving ASD etiology remain undefined. The unavailability of live patient-specific neurons has contributed to the difficulty in studying ASD pathophysiology. The recent advent of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has provided the ability to generate patient-specific human neurons from somatic cells. The iPSC field has quickly grown, as researchers have demonstrated the utility of this technology to model several diseases, especially neurologic disorders. Here, we review the current literature around using iPSCs to model ASDs, and discuss the notable findings, and the promise and limitations of this technology. The recent report of a nonsyndromic ASD iPSC model and several previous ASD models demonstrating similar results points to the ability of iPSC to reveal potential novel biomarkers and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Acab
- School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, MC 0695, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Alysson Renato Muotri
- School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, MC 0695, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
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Bosman A, Letourneau A, Sartiani L, Del Lungo M, Ronzoni F, Kuziakiv R, Tohonen V, Zucchelli M, Santoni F, Guipponi M, Dumevska B, Hovatta O, Antonarakis SE, Jaconi ME. Perturbations of Heart Development and Function in Cardiomyocytes from Human Embryonic Stem Cells with Trisomy 21. Stem Cells 2015; 33:1434-46. [DOI: 10.1002/stem.1961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Bosman
- Department of Pathology and Immunology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Geneva; Geneva Switzerland
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute; Darlinghurst New South Wales Australia
| | - Audrey Letourneau
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development; Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva; Geneva Switzerland
| | - Laura Sartiani
- Department of Neuroscience; Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Center of Molecular Medicine, University of Florence; Florence Italy
| | - Martina Del Lungo
- Department of Neuroscience; Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Center of Molecular Medicine, University of Florence; Florence Italy
| | - Flavio Ronzoni
- Department of Pathology and Immunology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Geneva; Geneva Switzerland
| | - Rostyslav Kuziakiv
- Department of Pathology and Immunology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Geneva; Geneva Switzerland
| | - Virpi Tohonen
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition; Karolinska Institute; Huddinge Sweden
| | - Marco Zucchelli
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition; Karolinska Institute; Huddinge Sweden
| | - Federico Santoni
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development; Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva; Geneva Switzerland
| | - Michel Guipponi
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development; Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva; Geneva Switzerland
| | | | - Outi Hovatta
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Clinical Science; Karolinska Institute; Huddinge Stockholm Sweden
| | - Stylianos E. Antonarakis
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development; Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva; Geneva Switzerland
- iGE3 Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva; Geneva Switzerland
| | - Marisa E. Jaconi
- Department of Pathology and Immunology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Geneva; Geneva Switzerland
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Telias M, Ben-Yosef D. Modeling neurodevelopmental disorders using human pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2015; 10:494-511. [PMID: 24728983 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-014-9507-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs) are impairments that affect the development and growth of the brain and the central nervous system during embryonic and early postnatal life. Genetically manipulated animals have contributed greatly to the advancement of ND research, but many of them differ considerably from the human phenotype. Cellular in vitro models are also valuable, but the availability of human neuronal cells is limited and their lifespan in culture is short. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, comprise a powerful tool for studying developmentally regulated diseases, including NDs. We reviewed all recent studies in which hPSCs were used as in vitro models for diseases and syndromes characterized by impairment of neurogenesis or synaptogenesis leading to intellectual disability and delayed neurodevelopment. We analyzed their methodology and results, focusing on the data obtained following in vitro neural differentiation and gene expression and profiling of the derived neurons. Electrophysiological recording of action potentials, synaptic currents and response to neurotransmitters is pivotal for validation of the neuronal fate as well as for assessing phenotypic dysfunctions linked to the disease in question. We therefore focused on the studies which included electrophysiological recordings on the in vitro-derived neurons. Finally, we addressed specific issues that are critical for the advancement of this area of research, specifically in providing a reliable human pre-clinical research model and drug screening platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Telias
- The Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Concise Review: Methods and Cell Types Used to Generate Down Syndrome Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. J Clin Med 2015; 4:696-714. [PMID: 26239351 PMCID: PMC4470162 DOI: 10.3390/jcm4040696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21), is the most common viable chromosomal disorder, with an incidence of 1 in 800 live births. Its phenotypic characteristics include intellectual impairment and several other developmental abnormalities, for the majority of which the pathogenetic mechanisms remain unknown. Several models have been used to investigate the mechanisms by which the extra copy of chromosome 21 leads to the DS phenotype. In the last five years, several laboratories have been successful in reprogramming patient cells carrying the trisomy 21 anomaly into induced pluripotent stem cells, i.e., T21-iPSCs. In this review, we summarize the different T21-iPSCs that have been generated with a particular interest in the technical procedures and the somatic cell types used for the reprogramming.
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46
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N-butylidenephthalide attenuates Alzheimer's disease-like cytopathy in Down syndrome induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8744. [PMID: 25735452 PMCID: PMC4348654 DOI: 10.1038/srep08744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) patients with early-onset dementia share similar neurodegenerative features with Alzheimer's disease (AD). To recapitulate the AD cell model, DS induced pluripotent stem cells (DS-iPSCs), reprogrammed from mesenchymal stem cells in amniotic fluid, were directed toward a neuronal lineage. Neuroepithelial precursor cells with high purity and forebrain characteristics were robustly generated on day 10 (D10) of differentiation. Accumulated amyloid deposits, Tau protein hyperphosphorylation and Tau intracellular redistribution emerged rapidly in DS neurons within 45 days but not in normal embryonic stem cell-derived neurons. N-butylidenephthalide (Bdph), a major phthalide ingredient of Angelica sinensis, was emulsified by pluronic F127 to reduce its cellular toxicity and promote canonical Wnt signaling. Interestingly, we found that F127-Bdph showed significant therapeutic effects in reducing secreted Aβ40 deposits, the total Tau level and the hyperphosphorylated status of Tau in DS neurons. Taken together, DS-iPSC derived neural cells can serve as an ideal cellular model of DS and AD and have potential for high-throughput screening of candidate drugs. We also suggest that Bdph may benefit DS or AD treatment by scavenging Aβ aggregates and neurofibrillary tangles.
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47
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Devier DJ, Lovera JF, Lukiw WJ. Increase in NF-κB-sensitive miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 in multiple sclerosis (MS) and pro-inflammatory neurodegeneration. Front Mol Neurosci 2015; 8:5. [PMID: 25784854 PMCID: PMC4345893 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2015.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Deidre J Devier
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, LA, USA ; Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jesus F Lovera
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Walter J Lukiw
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, LA, USA ; Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, LA, USA ; Department of Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, LA, USA
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48
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Crook JM, Wallace G, Tomaskovic-Crook E. The potential of induced pluripotent stem cells in models of neurological disorders: implications on future therapy. Expert Rev Neurother 2015; 15:295-304. [PMID: 25664599 DOI: 10.1586/14737175.2015.1013096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need for new and advanced approaches to modeling the pathological mechanisms of complex human neurological disorders. This is underscored by the decline in pharmaceutical research and development efficiency resulting in a relative decrease in new drug launches in the last several decades. Induced pluripotent stem cells represent a new tool to overcome many of the shortcomings of conventional methods, enabling live human neural cell modeling of complex conditions relating to aberrant neurodevelopment, such as schizophrenia, epilepsy and autism as well as age-associated neurodegeneration. This review considers the current status of induced pluripotent stem cell-based modeling of neurological disorders, canvassing proven and putative advantages, current constraints, and future prospects of next-generation culture systems for biomedical research and translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Micah Crook
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, AIIM Facility, Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong, Squires Way, Fairy Meadow, New South Wales 2519, Australia
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Ramachandra DL, Shaw SSW, Shangaris P, Loukogeorgakis S, Guillot PV, Coppi PD, David AL. In utero therapy for congenital disorders using amniotic fluid stem cells. Front Pharmacol 2014; 5:270. [PMID: 25566071 PMCID: PMC4271591 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2014.00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital diseases are responsible for over a third of all pediatric hospital admissions. Advances in prenatal screening and molecular diagnosis have allowed the detection of many life-threatening genetic diseases early in gestation. In utero transplantation (IUT) with stem cells could cure affected fetuses but so far in humans, successful IUT using allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), has been limited to fetuses with severe immunologic defects and more recently IUT with allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, has improved phenotype in osteogenesis imperfecta. The options of preemptive treatment of congenital diseases in utero by stem cell or gene therapy changes the perspective of congenital diseases since it may avoid the need for postnatal treatment and reduce future costs. Amniotic fluid stem (AFS) cells have been isolated and characterized in human, mice, rodents, rabbit, and sheep and are a potential source of cells for therapeutic applications in disorders for treatment prenatally or postnatally. Gene transfer to the cells with long-term transgenic protein expression is feasible. Recently, pre-clinical autologous transplantation of transduced cells has been achieved in fetal sheep using minimally invasive ultrasound guided injection techniques. Clinically relevant levels of transgenic protein were expressed in the blood of transplanted lambs for at least 6 months. The cells have also demonstrated the potential of repair in a range of pre-clinical disease models such as neurological disorders, tracheal repair, bladder injury, and diaphragmatic hernia repair in neonates or adults. These results have been encouraging, and bring personalized tissue engineering for prenatal treatment of genetic disorders closer to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durrgah L. Ramachandra
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Steven S. W. Shaw
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Prenatal Therapy, Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Panicos Shangaris
- Prenatal Therapy, Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stavros Loukogeorgakis
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Pascale V. Guillot
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Cellular Reprogramming and Perinatal Therapy, Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Paolo De Coppi
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anna L. David
- Prenatal Therapy, Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, UK
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50
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Jiang G, Di Bernardo J, Maiden MM, Villa-Diaz LG, Mabrouk OS, Krebsbach PH, O'Shea KS, Kunisaki SM. Human Transgene-Free Amniotic-Fluid-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Autologous Cell Therapy. Stem Cells Dev 2014; 23:2613-25. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2014.0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Guihua Jiang
- Pluripotent Stem Cell Lab, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Surgery, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Julie Di Bernardo
- Department of Surgery, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Michael M. Maiden
- Department of Surgery, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Luis G. Villa-Diaz
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Omar S. Mabrouk
- Department of Chemistry, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Paul H. Krebsbach
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - K. Sue O'Shea
- Pluripotent Stem Cell Lab, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Shaun M. Kunisaki
- Pluripotent Stem Cell Lab, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Surgery, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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