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Jovanovic VM, Mesch KT, Tristan CA. hPSC-Derived Astrocytes at the Forefront of Translational Applications in Neurological Disorders. Cells 2024; 13:903. [PMID: 38891034 PMCID: PMC11172187 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell type in the brain, play crucial roles in maintaining homeostasis within the central nervous system (CNS). Impairment or abnormalities of typical astrocyte functions in the CNS serve as a causative or contributing factor in numerous neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Currently, disease-modeling and drug-screening approaches, primarily focused on human astrocytes, rely on human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived astrocytes. However, it is important to acknowledge that these hPSC-derived astrocytes exhibit notable differences across studies and when compared to their in vivo counterparts. These differences may potentially compromise translational outcomes if not carefully accounted for. This review aims to explore state-of-the-art in vitro models of human astrocyte development, focusing on the developmental processes, functional maturity, and technical aspects of various hPSC-derived astrocyte differentiation protocols. Additionally, it summarizes their successful application in modeling neurological disorders. The discussion extends to recent advancements in the large-scale production of human astrocytes and their application in developing high-throughput assays conducive to therapeutic drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vukasin M. Jovanovic
- Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), Division of Preclinical Innovation (DPI), National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), NIH, Rockville, MD 20850, USA (C.A.T.)
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Kim H, Le B, Goshi N, Zhu K, Grodzki AC, Lein PJ, Zhao M, Seker E. Rat primary cortical cell tri-culture to study effects of amyloid-beta on microglia function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.15.584736. [PMID: 38558989 PMCID: PMC10979983 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.15.584736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Introduction The etiology and progression of sporadic Alzheimer's Disease (AD) have been studied for decades. One proposed mechanism is that amyloid-beta (Aβ) proteins induce neuroinflammation, synapse loss, and neuronal cell death. Microglia play an especially important role in Aβ clearance, and alterations in microglial function due to aging or disease may result in Aβ accumulation and deleterious effects on neuronal function. However, studying these complex factors in vivo , where numerous confounding processes exist, is challenging, and until recently, in vitro models have not allowed sustained culture of microglia, astrocytes and neurons in the same culture. Here, we employ a tri-culture model of rat primary neurons, astrocytes, and microglia and compare it to co-culture (neurons and astrocytes) and mono-culture enriched for microglia to study microglial function (i.e., motility and Aβ clearance) and proteomic response to exogenous Aβ. Methods We established cortical co-culture (neurons and astrocytes), tri-culture (neurons, astrocytes, and microglia), and mono-culture (microglia) from perinatal rat pups. On days in vitro (DIV) 7 - 14, the cultures were exposed to fluorescently-labeled Aβ (FITC-Aβ) particles for varying durations. Images were analyzed to determine the number of FITC-Aβ particles after specific lengths of exposure. A group of cells were stained for βIII-tubulin, GFAP, and Iba1 for morphological analysis via quantitative fluorescence microscopy. Cytokine profiles from conditioned media were obtained. Live-cell imaging with images acquired every 5 minutes for 4 hours was employed to extract microglia motility parameters (e.g., Euclidean distance, migration speed, directionality ratio). Results and discussion FITC-Aβ particles were more effectively cleared in the tri-culture compared to the co-culture. This was attributed to microglia engulfing FITC-Aβ particles, as confirmed via epifluorescence and confocal microscopy. Adding FITC-Aβ significantly increased the size of microglia, but had no significant effect on neuronal surface coverage or astrocyte size. Analysis of the cytokine profile upon FITC-Aβ addition revealed a significant increase in proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6) in tri-culture, but not co-culture. In addition, Aβ addition altered microglia motility marked by swarming-like motion with decreased Euclidean distance yet unaltered speed. These results highlight the importance of cell-cell communication in microglia function (e.g., motility and Aβ clearance) and the utility of the tri-culture model to further investigate microglia dysfunction in AD.
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Beghini DG, Kasai-Brunswick TH, Henriques-Pons A. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Drug Discovery and Neurodegenerative Disease Modelling. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2392. [PMID: 38397069 PMCID: PMC10889263 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are derived from reprogrammed adult somatic cells. These adult cells are manipulated in vitro to express genes and factors essential for acquiring and maintaining embryonic stem cell (ESC) properties. This technology is widely applied in many fields, and much attention has been given to developing iPSC-based disease models to validate drug discovery platforms and study the pathophysiological molecular processes underlying disease onset. Especially in neurological diseases, there is a great need for iPSC-based technological research, as these cells can be obtained from each patient and carry the individual's bulk of genetic mutations and unique properties. Moreover, iPSCs can differentiate into multiple cell types. These are essential characteristics, since the study of neurological diseases is affected by the limited access to injury sites, the need for in vitro models composed of various cell types, the complexity of reproducing the brain's anatomy, the challenges of postmortem cell culture, and ethical issues. Neurodegenerative diseases strongly impact global health due to their high incidence, symptom severity, and lack of effective therapies. Recently, analyses using disease specific, iPSC-based models confirmed the efficacy of these models for testing multiple drugs. This review summarizes the advances in iPSC technology used in disease modelling and drug testing, with a primary focus on neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gois Beghini
- Laboratório de Inovações em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Tais Hanae Kasai-Brunswick
- Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, CENABIO, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica 23890-000, RJ, Brazil;
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Medicina Regenerativa, INCT-REGENERA, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica 23890-000, RJ, Brazil
| | - Andrea Henriques-Pons
- Laboratório de Inovações em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil;
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McInvale JJ, Canoll P, Hargus G. Induced pluripotent stem cell models as a tool to investigate and test fluid biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. Brain Pathol 2024; 34:e13231. [PMID: 38246596 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are increasing in prevalence and comprise a large socioeconomic burden on patients and their caretakers. The need for effective therapies and avenues for disease prevention and monitoring is of paramount importance. Fluid biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases have gained a variety of uses, including informing participant selection for clinical trials, lending confidence to clinical diagnosis and disease staging, determining prognosis, and monitoring therapeutic response. Their role is expected to grow as disease-modifying therapies start to be available to a broader range of patients and as prevention strategies become established. Many of the underlying molecular mechanisms of currently used biomarkers are incompletely understood. Animal models and in vitro systems using cell lines have been extensively employed but face important translatability limitations. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, where a theoretically unlimited range of cell types can be reprogrammed from peripheral cells sampled from patients or healthy individuals, has gained prominence over the last decade. It is a promising avenue to study physiological and pathological biomarker function and response to experimental therapeutics. Such systems are amenable to high-throughput drug screening or multiomics readouts such as transcriptomics, lipidomics, and proteomics for biomarker discovery, investigation, and validation. The present review describes the current state of biomarkers in the clinical context of neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. We include a discussion of how iPSC models have been used to investigate and test biomarkers such as amyloid-β, phosphorylated tau, neurofilament light chain or complement proteins, and even nominate novel biomarkers. We discuss the limitations of current iPSC methods, mentioning alternatives such as coculture systems and three-dimensional organoids which address some of these concerns. Finally, we propose exciting prospects for stem cell transplantation paradigms using animal models as a preclinical tool to study biomarkers in the in vivo context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie J McInvale
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Peter Canoll
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gunnar Hargus
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Sullivan MA, Lane SD, McKenzie ADJ, Ball SR, Sunde M, Neely GG, Moreno CL, Maximova A, Werry EL, Kassiou M. iPSC-derived PSEN2 (N141I) astrocytes and microglia exhibit a primed inflammatory phenotype. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:7. [PMID: 38178159 PMCID: PMC10765839 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02951-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Widescale evidence points to the involvement of glia and immune pathways in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD-associated iPSC-derived glial cells show a diverse range of AD-related phenotypic states encompassing cytokine/chemokine release, phagocytosis and morphological profiles, but to date studies are limited to cells derived from PSEN1, APOE and APP mutations or sporadic patients. The aim of the current study was to successfully differentiate iPSC-derived microglia and astrocytes from patients harbouring an AD-causative PSEN2 (N141I) mutation and characterise the inflammatory and morphological profile of these cells. METHODS iPSCs from three healthy control individuals and three familial AD patients harbouring a heterozygous PSEN2 (N141I) mutation were used to derive astrocytes and microglia-like cells and cell identity and morphology were characterised through immunofluorescent microscopy. Cellular characterisation involved the stimulation of these cells by LPS and Aβ42 and analysis of cytokine/chemokine release was conducted through ELISAs and multi-cytokine arrays. The phagocytic capacity of these cells was then indexed by the uptake of fluorescently-labelled fibrillar Aβ42. RESULTS AD-derived astrocytes and microglia-like cells exhibited an atrophied and less complex morphological appearance than healthy controls. AD-derived astrocytes showed increased basal expression of GFAP, S100β and increased secretion and phagocytosis of Aβ42 while AD-derived microglia-like cells showed decreased IL-8 secretion compared to healthy controls. Upon immunological challenge AD-derived astrocytes and microglia-like cells showed exaggerated secretion of the pro-inflammatory IL-6, CXCL1, ICAM-1 and IL-8 from astrocytes and IL-18 and MIF from microglia. CONCLUSION Our study showed, for the first time, the differentiation and characterisation of iPSC-derived astrocytes and microglia-like cells harbouring a PSEN2 (N141I) mutation. PSEN2 (N141I)-mutant astrocytes and microglia-like cells presented with a 'primed' phenotype characterised by reduced morphological complexity, exaggerated pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and altered Aβ42 production and phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Sullivan
- School of Medical Sciences, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Samuel D Lane
- School of Medical Sciences, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - André D J McKenzie
- School of Medical Sciences, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Sarah R Ball
- School of Medical Sciences, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Margaret Sunde
- School of Medical Sciences, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - G Gregory Neely
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Cesar L Moreno
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Alexandra Maximova
- School of Medical Sciences, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Eryn L Werry
- School of Medical Sciences, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.
- School of Chemistry, The Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.
| | - Michael Kassiou
- School of Chemistry, The Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.
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Park S, Oh HN, Kim WK. Human coculture model of astrocytes and SH-SY5Y cells to test the neurotoxicity of chemicals. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 269:115912. [PMID: 38181562 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we established a coculture model comprising human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes, faithfully replicating the human brain environment for in vitro neurotoxicity assessment. We optimized the cell differentiation duration and cell ratios to obtain images conducive to neurite outgrowth evaluation. Subsequently, the neurotoxic effects in the coculture and monoculture of SH-SY5Y cells were confirmed using neurotoxic agents such as acrylamide (ACR) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Disparities in the neurotoxic impacts of ACR and H2O2 within the coculture were mirrored in the expression of genes associated with early neuronal injury. Notably, the reduction in neurite outgrowth induced by neurotoxic agents revealed the coculture's lower sensitivity compared to monocultures. Furthermore, the coculture system exhibited distinct effects of test agents on nerve damage and manifested protective influences on nerve cells. The proposed methodology holds promise for large-scale chemical neurotoxicity screening through neurite change measurements. This in vitro coculture model, accounting for cell interactions, emerges as a valuable tool in toxicity testing, offering insights into the potential effects of chemicals within the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungmin Park
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, South Korea; Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, South Korea
| | - Ha-Na Oh
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, South Korea
| | - Woo-Keun Kim
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, South Korea; Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, South Korea.
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Veneruso V, Petillo E, Pizzetti F, Orro A, Comolli D, De Paola M, Verrillo A, Baggiolini A, Votano S, Castiglione F, Sponchioni M, Forloni G, Rossi F, Veglianese P. Synergistic Pharmacological Therapy to Modulate Glial Cells in Spinal Cord Injury. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2307747. [PMID: 37990971 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Current treatments for modulating the glial-mediated inflammatory response after spinal cord injury (SCI) have limited ability to improve recovery. This is quite likely due to the lack of a selective therapeutic approach acting on microgliosis and astrocytosis, the glia components most involved after trauma, while maximizing efficacy and minimizing side effects. A new nanogel that can selectively release active compounds in microglial cells and astrocytes is developed and characterized. The degree of selectivity and subcellular distribution of the nanogel is evaluated by applying an innovative super-resolution microscopy technique, expansion microscopy. Two different administration schemes are then tested in a SCI mouse model: in an early phase, the nanogel loaded with Rolipram, an anti-inflammatory drug, achieves significant improvement in the animal's motor performance due to the increased recruitment of microglia and macrophages that are able to localize the lesion. Treatment in the late phase, however, gives opposite results, with worse motor recovery because of the widespread degeneration. These findings demonstrate that the nanovector can be selective and functional in the treatment of the glial component in different phases of SCI. They also open a new therapeutic scenario for tackling glia-mediated inflammation after neurodegenerative events in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Veneruso
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, via Mario Negri 2, Milano, 20156, Italy
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, via Buffi 13, Lugano, 6900, Switzerland
| | - Emilia Petillo
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, via Mario Negri 2, Milano, 20156, Italy
| | - Fabio Pizzetti
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, via Mancinelli 7, Milano, 20131, Italy
| | - Alessandro Orro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences National Research Council, Institute for Biomedical Technologies, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20054, Italy
| | - Davide Comolli
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, via Mario Negri 2, Milano, 20156, Italy
| | - Massimiliano De Paola
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, via Mario Negri 2, Milano, 20156, Italy
| | - Antonietta Verrillo
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, via Buffi 13, Lugano, 6900, Switzerland
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), BIOS+, Via Francesco Chiesa 5, Bellinzona, 6500, Switzerland
| | - Arianna Baggiolini
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, via Buffi 13, Lugano, 6900, Switzerland
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), BIOS+, Via Francesco Chiesa 5, Bellinzona, 6500, Switzerland
| | - Simona Votano
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, via Mancinelli 7, Milano, 20131, Italy
| | - Franca Castiglione
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, via Mancinelli 7, Milano, 20131, Italy
| | - Mattia Sponchioni
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, via Mancinelli 7, Milano, 20131, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, via Mario Negri 2, Milano, 20156, Italy
| | - Filippo Rossi
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, via Mancinelli 7, Milano, 20131, Italy
| | - Pietro Veglianese
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, via Mario Negri 2, Milano, 20156, Italy
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, via Buffi 13, Lugano, 6900, Switzerland
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Rodriguez-Jimenez FJ, Ureña-Peralta J, Jendelova P, Erceg S. Alzheimer's disease and synapse Loss: What can we learn from induced pluripotent stem Cells? J Adv Res 2023; 54:105-118. [PMID: 36646419 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synaptic dysfunction is a major contributor to Alzheimeŕs disease (AD) pathogenesis in addition to the formation of neuritic β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated Tau protein. However, how these features contribute to synaptic dysfunction and axonal loss remains unclear. While years of considerable effort have been devoted to gaining an improved understanding of this devastating disease, the unavailability of patient-derived tissues, considerable genetic heterogeneity, and lack of animal models that faithfully recapitulate human AD have hampered the development of effective treatment options. Ongoing progress in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology has permitted the derivation of patient- and disease-specific stem cells with unlimited self-renewal capacity. These cells can differentiate into AD-affected cell types, which support studies of disease mechanisms, drug discovery, and the development of cell replacement therapies in traditional and advanced cell culture models. AIM OF REVIEW To summarize current hiPSC-based AD models, highlighting the associated achievements and challenges with a primary focus on neuron and synapse loss. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW We aim to identify how hiPSC models can contribute to understanding AD-associated synaptic dysfunction and axonal loss. hiPSC-derived neural cells, astrocytes, and microglia, as well as more sophisticated cellular organoids, may represent reliable models to investigate AD and identify early markers of AD-associated neural degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Javier Rodriguez-Jimenez
- Stem Cell Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab., Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe (CIPF), c/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Juan Ureña-Peralta
- Stem Cell Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab., Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe (CIPF), c/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Pavla Jendelova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Neuroregeneration, Czech Academy of Science, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Slaven Erceg
- Stem Cell Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab., Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe (CIPF), c/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Neuroregeneration, Czech Academy of Science, Prague, Czech Republic; National Stem Cell Bank-Valencia Node, Centro de Investigacion Principe Felipe, c/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain.
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9
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Rodríguez JJ, Zallo F, Gardenal E, Cabot J, Busquets X. Prominent and conspicuous astrocyte atrophy in human sporadic and familial Alzheimer's disease. Brain Struct Funct 2023; 228:2103-2113. [PMID: 37730895 PMCID: PMC10587264 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02707-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Pathophysiology of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) and familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) remains poorly known, including the exact role of neuroglia and specifically astroglia, in part because studies of astrocytes in human Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain samples are scarce. As far as we know, this is the first study of a 3-D immunohistochemical and microstructural analysis of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)- and glutamine synthetase (GS)-positive astrocytes performed in the entorhinal cortex (EC) of human SAD and FAD samples. In this study, we report prominent atrophic changes in GFAP and GS astrocytes in the EC of both SAD and FAD characterised by a decrease in area and volume when compared with non-demented control samples (ND). Furthermore, we did not find neither astrocytic loss nor astrocyte proliferation or hypertrophy (gliosis). In contrast with the astrogliosis classically accepted hypothesis, our results show a highly marked astrocyte atrophy that could have a major relevance in AD pathological processes being fundamental and key for AD mnesic and cognitive alterations equivalent in both SAD and FAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Rodríguez
- Functional Neuroanatomy Group; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Department of Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48009/48940, Bilbao/Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain.
| | - F Zallo
- Functional Neuroanatomy Group; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Department of Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48009/48940, Bilbao/Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain
| | - E Gardenal
- Functional Neuroanatomy Group; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Department of Neurosciences, Medical Faculty, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48009/48940, Bilbao/Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain
| | - Joan Cabot
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122, Palma, Spain
| | - X Busquets
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122, Palma, Spain
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10
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Verkhratsky A, Butt A, Li B, Illes P, Zorec R, Semyanov A, Tang Y, Sofroniew MV. Astrocytes in human central nervous system diseases: a frontier for new therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:396. [PMID: 37828019 PMCID: PMC10570367 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01628-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Astroglia are a broad class of neural parenchymal cells primarily dedicated to homoeostasis and defence of the central nervous system (CNS). Astroglia contribute to the pathophysiology of all neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders in ways that can be either beneficial or detrimental to disorder outcome. Pathophysiological changes in astroglia can be primary or secondary and can result in gain or loss of functions. Astroglia respond to external, non-cell autonomous signals associated with any form of CNS pathology by undergoing complex and variable changes in their structure, molecular expression, and function. In addition, internally driven, cell autonomous changes of astroglial innate properties can lead to CNS pathologies. Astroglial pathophysiology is complex, with different pathophysiological cell states and cell phenotypes that are context-specific and vary with disorder, disorder-stage, comorbidities, age, and sex. Here, we classify astroglial pathophysiology into (i) reactive astrogliosis, (ii) astroglial atrophy with loss of function, (iii) astroglial degeneration and death, and (iv) astrocytopathies characterised by aberrant forms that drive disease. We review astroglial pathophysiology across the spectrum of human CNS diseases and disorders, including neurotrauma, stroke, neuroinfection, autoimmune attack and epilepsy, as well as neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, metabolic and neuropsychiatric disorders. Characterising cellular and molecular mechanisms of astroglial pathophysiology represents a new frontier to identify novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Verkhratsky
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling/School of Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- Achucarro Centre for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, LT-01102, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Arthur Butt
- Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Baoman Li
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Peter Illes
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling/School of Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Rudolf Boehm Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Robert Zorec
- Celica Biomedical, Lab Cell Engineering, Technology Park, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alexey Semyanov
- Department of Physiology, Jiaxing University College of Medicine, 314033, Jiaxing, China
| | - Yong Tang
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling/School of Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture for Senile Disease (Chengdu University of TCM), Ministry of Education/Acupuncture and Chronobiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China.
| | - Michael V Sofroniew
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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11
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Chen H, Zheng K, Qiu M, Yang J. Preparation of astrocytes by directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells and somatic cell transdifferentiation. Dev Neurobiol 2023; 83:282-292. [PMID: 37789524 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes (ACs) are the most widely distributed cells in the mammalian central nervous system, which are essential for the function and homeostasis of nervous system. Increasing evidence indicates that ACs also participate in the development of many neurological diseases and repair after nerve injury. ACs cultured in vitro provide a cellular model for studying astrocytic development, function, and the pathogenesis of associated diseases. The preparation of primary ACs (pACs) faces many limitations, so it is important to obtain high-quality ACs by the differentiation of pluripotent stem cell (PSC) or somatic cell transdifferentiation. Initially, researchers mainly tried to induce embryonic stem cells to differentiate into ACs via embryoid body (EB) and then turned to employ induced PSCs as seed cells to explore more simple and efficient directed differentiation strategies, and serum-free culture was delved to improve the quality of induced ACs. While exploring the induction of ACs by the overexpression of AC-specific transcription factors, researchers also began to investigate small molecule-mediated somatic cell transdifferentiation. Here, we provide an updated review on the research progresses in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangjie Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environment Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kang Zheng
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environment Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengsheng Qiu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environment Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junlin Yang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environment Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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12
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Gouilly D, Rafiq M, Nogueira L, Salabert AS, Payoux P, Péran P, Pariente J. Beyond the amyloid cascade: An update of Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2023; 179:812-830. [PMID: 36906457 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multi-etiology disease. The biological system of AD is associated with multidomain genetic, molecular, cellular, and network brain dysfunctions, interacting with central and peripheral immunity. These dysfunctions have been primarily conceptualized according to the assumption that amyloid deposition in the brain, whether from a stochastic or a genetic accident, is the upstream pathological change. However, the arborescence of AD pathological changes suggests that a single amyloid pathway might be too restrictive or inconsistent with a cascading effect. In this review, we discuss the recent human studies of late-onset AD pathophysiology in an attempt to establish a general updated view focusing on the early stages. Several factors highlight heterogenous multi-cellular pathological changes in AD, which seem to work in a self-amplifying manner with amyloid and tau pathologies. Neuroinflammation has an increasing importance as a major pathological driver, and perhaps as a convergent biological basis of aging, genetic, lifestyle and environmental risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gouilly
- Toulouse Neuroimaging Center, Toulouse, France.
| | - M Rafiq
- Toulouse Neuroimaging Center, Toulouse, France; Department of Cognitive Neurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders, CHU Toulouse Purpan, France
| | - L Nogueira
- Department of Cell Biology and Cytology, CHU Toulouse Purpan, France
| | - A-S Salabert
- Toulouse Neuroimaging Center, Toulouse, France; Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Toulouse Purpan, France
| | - P Payoux
- Toulouse Neuroimaging Center, Toulouse, France; Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHU Toulouse Purpan, France; Center of Clinical Investigation, CHU Toulouse Purpan (CIC1436), France
| | - P Péran
- Toulouse Neuroimaging Center, Toulouse, France
| | - J Pariente
- Toulouse Neuroimaging Center, Toulouse, France; Department of Cognitive Neurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders, CHU Toulouse Purpan, France; Center of Clinical Investigation, CHU Toulouse Purpan (CIC1436), France
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13
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Pomeshchik Y, Velasquez E, Gil J, Klementieva O, Gidlöf R, Sydoff M, Bagnoli S, Nacmias B, Sorbi S, Westergren-Thorsson G, Gouras GK, Rezeli M, Roybon L. Proteomic analysis across patient iPSC-based models and human post-mortem hippocampal tissue reveals early cellular dysfunction and progression of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:150. [PMID: 37715247 PMCID: PMC10504768 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01649-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus is a primary region affected in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Because AD postmortem brain tissue is not available prior to symptomatic stage, we lack understanding of early cellular pathogenic mechanisms. To address this issue, we examined the cellular origin and progression of AD pathogenesis by comparing patient-based model systems including iPSC-derived brain cells transplanted into the mouse brain hippocampus. Proteomic analysis of the graft enabled the identification of pathways and network dysfunction in AD patient brain cells, associated with increased levels of Aβ-42 and β-sheet structures. Interestingly, the host cells surrounding the AD graft also presented alterations in cellular biological pathways. Furthermore, proteomic analysis across human iPSC-based models and human post-mortem hippocampal tissue projected coherent longitudinal cellular changes indicative of early to end stage AD cellular pathogenesis. Our data showcase patient-based models to study the cell autonomous origin and progression of AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuriy Pomeshchik
- iPSC Laboratory for CNS Disease Modelling, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D10, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Erika Velasquez
- iPSC Laboratory for CNS Disease Modelling, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D10, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jeovanis Gil
- Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Department of Biomedical Engineering, BMC D13, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Oxana Klementieva
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Medical Micro-Spectroscopy, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC B10, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ritha Gidlöf
- Lund University BioImaging Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22142, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marie Sydoff
- Lund University BioImaging Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22142, Lund, Sweden
| | - Silvia Bagnoli
- Laboratorio Di Neurogenetica, Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino- NEUROFARBA, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50134, Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Benedetta Nacmias
- Laboratorio Di Neurogenetica, Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino- NEUROFARBA, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50134, Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandro Sorbi
- Laboratorio Di Neurogenetica, Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino- NEUROFARBA, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50134, Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Gunilla Westergren-Thorsson
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC C12, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22142, Lund, Sweden
| | - Gunnar K Gouras
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Experimental Dementia Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC B11, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Melinda Rezeli
- Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Department of Biomedical Engineering, BMC D13, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Swedish National Infrastructure for Biological Mass Spectrometry (BioMS), Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Laurent Roybon
- iPSC Laboratory for CNS Disease Modelling, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D10, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, The MiND Program, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
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14
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Patani R, Hardingham GE, Liddelow SA. Functional roles of reactive astrocytes in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:395-409. [PMID: 37308616 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00822-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in uncovering the mechanisms that underlie neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disease, therapies that prevent neuronal loss remain elusive. Targeting of disease-defining markers in conditions such as Alzheimer disease (amyloid-β and tau) or Parkinson disease (α-synuclein) has been met with limited success, suggesting that these proteins do not act in isolation but form part of a pathological network. This network could involve phenotypic alteration of multiple cell types in the CNS, including astrocytes, which have a major neurosupportive, homeostatic role in the healthy CNS but adopt reactive states under acute or chronic adverse conditions. Transcriptomic studies in human patients and disease models have revealed the co-existence of many putative reactive sub-states of astrocytes. Inter-disease and even intra-disease heterogeneity of reactive astrocytic sub-states are well established, but the extent to which specific sub-states are shared across different diseases is unclear. In this Review, we highlight how single-cell and single-nuclei RNA sequencing and other 'omics' technologies can enable the functional characterization of defined reactive astrocyte states in various pathological scenarios. We provide an integrated perspective, advocating cross-modal validation of key findings to define functionally important sub-states of astrocytes and their triggers as tractable therapeutic targets with cross-disease relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rickie Patani
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, Human Stem Cells and Neurodegeneration Laboratory, London, UK
| | - Giles E Hardingham
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Shane A Liddelow
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Parekh Center for Interdisciplinary Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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15
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Qu W, Canoll P, Hargus G. Molecular Insights into Cell Type-specific Roles in Alzheimer's Disease: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-based Disease Modelling. Neuroscience 2023; 518:10-26. [PMID: 35569647 PMCID: PMC9974106 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia resulting in widespread degeneration of the central nervous system with severe cognitive impairment. Despite the devastating toll of AD, the incomplete understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms hinders the expeditious development of effective cures. Emerging evidence from animal studies has shown that different brain cell types play distinct roles in the pathogenesis of AD. Glutamatergic neurons are preferentially affected in AD and pronounced gliosis contributes to the progression of AD in both a cell-autonomous and a non-cell-autonomous manner. Much has been discovered through genetically modified animal models, yet frequently failed translational attempts to clinical applications call for better disease models. Emerging evidence supports the significance of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived brain cells in modeling disease development and progression, opening new avenues for the discovery of molecular mechanisms. This review summarizes the function of different cell types in the pathogenesis of AD, such as neurons, microglia, and astrocytes, and recognizes the potential of utilizing the rapidly growing iPSC technology in modeling AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Qu
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Peter Canoll
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gunnar Hargus
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.
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16
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Andersen JV, Schousboe A. Glial Glutamine Homeostasis in Health and Disease. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:1100-1128. [PMID: 36322369 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03771-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Glutamine is an essential cerebral metabolite. Several critical brain processes are directly linked to glutamine, including ammonia homeostasis, energy metabolism and neurotransmitter recycling. Astrocytes synthesize and release large quantities of glutamine, which is taken up by neurons to replenish the glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter pools. Astrocyte glutamine hereby sustains the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle, synaptic transmission and general brain function. Cerebral glutamine homeostasis is linked to the metabolic coupling of neurons and astrocytes, and relies on multiple cellular processes, including TCA cycle function, synaptic transmission and neurotransmitter uptake. Dysregulations of processes related to glutamine homeostasis are associated with several neurological diseases and may mediate excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration. In particular, diminished astrocyte glutamine synthesis is a common neuropathological component, depriving neurons of an essential metabolic substrate and precursor for neurotransmitter synthesis, hereby leading to synaptic dysfunction. While astrocyte glutamine synthesis is quantitatively dominant in the brain, oligodendrocyte-derived glutamine may serve important functions in white matter structures. In this review, the crucial roles of glial glutamine homeostasis in the healthy and diseased brain are discussed. First, we provide an overview of cellular recycling, transport, synthesis and metabolism of glutamine in the brain. These cellular aspects are subsequently discussed in relation to pathological glutamine homeostasis of hepatic encephalopathy, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Further studies on the multifaceted roles of cerebral glutamine will not only increase our understanding of the metabolic collaboration between brain cells, but may also aid to reveal much needed therapeutic targets of several neurological pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens V Andersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Arne Schousboe
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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17
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Astrocytes in the pathophysiology of neuroinfection. Essays Biochem 2023; 67:131-145. [PMID: 36562155 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Key homeostasis providing cells in the central nervous system (CNS) are astrocytes, which belong to the class of cells known as atroglia, a highly heterogeneous type of neuroglia and a prominent element of the brain defence. Diseases evolve due to altered homeostatic state, associated with pathology-induced astroglia remodelling represented by reactive astrocytes, astroglial atrophy and astrodegeneration. These features are hallmarks of most infectious insults, mediated by bacteria, protozoa and viruses; they are also prominent in the systemic infection. The COVID-19 pandemic revived the focus into neurotropic viruses such as SARS-CoV2 (Coronaviridae) but also the Flaviviridae viruses including tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) causing the epidemic in South America prior to COVID-19. Astrocytes provide a key response to neurotropic infections in the CNS. Astrocytes form a parenchymal part of the blood-brain barrier, the site of virus entry into the CNS. Astrocytes exhibit aerobic glycolysis, a form of metabolism characteristic of highly morphologically plastic cells, like cancer cells, hence a suitable milieu for multiplication of infectious agent, including viral particles. However, why the protection afforded by astrocytes fails in some circumstances is an open question to be studied in the future.
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18
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Liu L, Gao H, Li J, Chen S. Probing microdomain Ca 2+ activity and synaptic transmission with a node-based tripartite synapse model. FRONTIERS IN NETWORK PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 3:1111306. [PMID: 36926546 PMCID: PMC10013067 DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2023.1111306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytic fine processes are the most minor structures of astrocytes but host much of the Ca2+ activity. These localized Ca2+ signals spatially restricted to microdomains are crucial for information processing and synaptic transmission. However, the mechanistic link between astrocytic nanoscale processes and microdomain Ca2+ activity remains hazily understood because of the technical difficulties in accessing this structurally unresolved region. In this study, we used computational models to disentangle the intricate relations of morphology and local Ca2+ dynamics involved in astrocytic fine processes. We aimed to answer: 1) how nano-morphology affects local Ca2+ activity and synaptic transmission, 2) and how fine processes affect Ca2+ activity of large process they connect. To address these issues, we undertook the following two computational modeling: 1) we integrated the in vivo astrocyte morphological data from a recent study performed with super-resolution microscopy that discriminates sub-compartments of various shapes, referred to as nodes and shafts to a classic IP3R-mediated Ca2+ signaling framework describing the intracellular Ca2+ dynamics, 2) we proposed a node-based tripartite synapse model linking with astrocytic morphology to predict the effect of structural deficits of astrocytes on synaptic transmission. Extensive simulations provided us with several biological insights: 1) the width of nodes and shafts could strongly influence the spatiotemporal variability of Ca2+ signals properties but what indeed determined the Ca2+ activity was the width ratio between nodes and shafts, 2) the connectivity of nodes to larger processes markedly shaped the Ca2+ signal of the parent process rather than nodes morphology itself, 3) the morphological changes of astrocytic part might potentially induce the abnormality of synaptic transmission by affecting the level of glutamate at tripartite synapses. Taken together, this comprehensive model which integrated theoretical computation and in vivo morphological data highlights the role of the nanomorphology of astrocytes in signal transmission and its possible mechanisms related to pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Langzhou Liu
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huayi Gao
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinyu Li
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shangbin Chen
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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19
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Sahlgren Bendtsen KM, Hall VJ. The Breakthroughs and Caveats of Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in Modeling Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030420. [PMID: 36766763 PMCID: PMC9913971 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Modeling Alzheimer's disease (AD) using human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is a field now spanning 15 years. Developments in the field have shown a shift in using simple 2D cortical neuron models to more advanced tri-cultures and 3D cerebral organoids that recapitulate more features of the disease. This is largely due to development and optimization of new cell protocols. In this review, we highlight recent major breakthroughs in the AD field and the implications this has in modeling AD using iPSCs (AD-iPSCs). To date, AD-iPSCs have been largely used to recapitulate and study impaired amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and tau phosphorylation in both familial and sporadic AD. AD-iPSCs have also been studied for varying neuronal and glial dysfunctions. Moreover, they have been useful for discovering new molecular mechanisms, such as identifying proteins that bridge APP processing with tau phosphorylation and for identifying molecular pathways that bridge APP processing dysfunction with impaired cholesterol biosynthesis. Perhaps the greatest use of AD-iPSCs has been in discovering compounds via drug screening, that reduce amyloid beta (Aβ) in neurons, such as the anti-inflammatory compound, cromolyn, and antiparasitic drugs, avermectins. In addition, high content screening using AD-iPSCs has led to the identification of statins that can reduce levels of phosphorylated tau (p-Tau) in neurons. Some of these compounds have made it through to testing in human clinical trials. Improvements in omic technologies including single cell RNA sequencing and proteomics as well as advances in production of iPSC-cerebral organoids and tri-cultures is likely to result in the further discovery of new drugs and treatments for AD. Some caveats remain in the field, including, long experimental conditions to create mature neurons, high costs of media that limit research capabilities, and a lack of reproducibility using current iPSC-cerebral organoid protocols. Despite these current limitations, AD-iPSCs remain an excellent cellular model for studying AD mechanisms and for drug discovery.
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20
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Kuroda T, Matsuda N, Ishibashi Y, Suzuki I. Detection of astrocytic slow oscillatory activity and response to seizurogenic compounds using planar microelectrode array. Front Neurosci 2023; 16:1050150. [PMID: 36703996 PMCID: PMC9872017 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1050150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the development of the planar microelectrode array (MEA), it has become popular to evaluate compounds based on the electrical activity of rodent and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons. However, there are no reports recording spontaneous human astrocyte activity from astrocyte-only culture sample by MEA. It is becoming clear that astrocytes play an important role in various neurological diseases, and astrocytes are expected to be excellent candidates for targeted therapeutics for the treatment of neurological diseases. Therefore, measuring astrocyte activity is very important for drug development for astrocytes. Recently, astrocyte activity has been found to be reflected in the low-frequency band < 1 Hz, which is much lower than the frequency band for recording neural activity. Here, we separated the signals obtained from human primary astrocytes cultured on MEA into seven frequency bands and successfully recorded the extracellular electrical activity of human astrocytes. The slow waveforms of spontaneous astrocyte activity were observed most clearly in direct current potentials < 1 Hz. We established nine parameters to assess astrocyte activity and evaluated five seizurogenic drug responses in human primary astrocytes and human iPSC-derived astrocytes. Astrocytes demonstrated the most significant dose-dependent changes in pilocarpine. Furthermore, in a principal component analysis using those parameter sets, the drug responses to each seizurogenic compound were separated. In this paper, we report the spontaneous electrical activity measurement of astrocytes alone using MEA for the first time and propose that the MEA measurement focusing on the low-frequency band could be useful as one of the methods to assess drug response in vitro.
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21
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de Lima IB, Ribeiro FM. The Implication of Glial Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:164-182. [PMID: 34951388 PMCID: PMC10190153 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666211223140303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) was first identified more than 100 years ago, yet aspects pertaining to its origin and the mechanisms underlying disease progression are not well known. To this date, there is no therapeutic approach or disease-modifying drug that could halt or at least delay disease progression. Until recently, glial cells were seen as secondary actors in brain homeostasis. Although this view was gradually refuted and the relevance of glial cells for the most diverse brain functions such as synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission was vastly proved, many aspects of its functioning, as well as its role in pathological conditions, remain poorly understood. Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in glial cells were shown to be involved in neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity. Besides its relevance for glial function, glutamatergic receptors are also central in the pathology of AD, and recent studies have shown that glial mGluRs play a role in the establishment and progression of AD. AD-related alterations in Ca2+ signalling, APP processing, and Aβ load, as well as AD-related neurodegeneration, are influenced by glial mGluRs. However, different types of mGluRs play different roles, depending on the cell type and brain region that is being analysed. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the current understanding of glial mGluRs and their implication in AD, providing an insight for future therapeutics and identifying existing research gaps worth investigating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabella B.Q. de Lima
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fabíola M. Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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22
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Liu Y, Si ZZ, Zou CJ, Mei X, Li XF, Luo H, Shen Y, Hu J, Li XX, Wu L. Targeting neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease: from mechanisms to clinical applications. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:708-715. [DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.353484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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23
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Luo HM, Xu J, Huang DX, Chen YQ, Liu YZ, Li YJ, Chen H. Mitochondrial dysfunction of induced pluripotent stem cells-based neurodegenerative disease modeling and therapeutic strategy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1030390. [DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1030390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are disorders in which neurons are lost owing to various factors, resulting in a series of dysfunctions. Their rising prevalence and irreversibility have brought physical pain to patients and economic pressure to both individuals and society. However, the pathogenesis of NDDs has not yet been fully elucidated, hampering the use of precise medication. Induced pluripotent stem cell (IPSC) modeling provides a new method for drug discovery, and exploring the early pathological mechanisms including mitochondrial dysfunction, which is not only an early but a prominent pathological feature of NDDs. In this review, we summarize the iPSC modeling approach of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as outline typical mitochondrial dysfunction and recapitulate corresponding therapeutic strategies.
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Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment Strategies and Their Limitations. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213954. [PMID: 36430432 PMCID: PMC9697769 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent case of neurodegenerative disease and is becoming a major public health problem all over the world. Many therapeutic strategies have been explored for several decades; however, there is still no curative treatment, and the priority remains prevention. In this review, we present an update on the clinical and physiological phase of the AD spectrum, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for AD treatment with a focus on prevention strategies, then research models used in AD, followed by a discussion of treatment limitations. The prevention methods can significantly slow AD evolution and are currently the best strategy possible before the advanced stages of the disease. Indeed, current drug treatments have only symptomatic effects, and disease-modifying treatments are not yet available. Drug delivery to the central nervous system remains a complex process and represents a challenge for developing therapeutic and preventive strategies. Studies are underway to test new techniques to facilitate the bioavailability of molecules to the brain. After a deep study of the literature, we find the use of soft nanoparticles, in particular nanoliposomes and exosomes, as an innovative approach for preventive and therapeutic strategies in reducing the risk of AD and solving problems of brain bioavailability. Studies show the promising role of nanoliposomes and exosomes as smart drug delivery systems able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and target brain tissues. Finally, the different drug administration techniques for neurological disorders are discussed. One of the promising therapeutic methods is the intranasal administration strategy which should be used for preclinical and clinical studies of neurodegenerative diseases.
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25
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Garcia G, Pinto S, Ferreira S, Lopes D, Serrador MJ, Fernandes A, Vaz AR, de Mendonça A, Edenhofer F, Malm T, Koistinaho J, Brites D. Emerging Role of miR-21-5p in Neuron-Glia Dysregulation and Exosome Transfer Using Multiple Models of Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2022; 11:3377. [PMID: 36359774 PMCID: PMC9655962 DOI: 10.3390/cells11213377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with neuron-glia dysfunction and dysregulated miRNAs. We previously reported upregulated miR-124/miR-21 in AD neurons and their exosomes. However, their glial distribution, phenotypic alterations and exosomal spread are scarcely documented. Here, we show glial cell activation and miR-21 overexpression in mouse organotypic hippocampal slices transplanted with SH-SY5Y cells expressing the human APP695 Swedish mutation. The upregulation of miR-21 only in the CSF from a small series of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) AD patients, but not in non-AD MCI individuals, supports its discriminatory potential. Microglia, neurons, and astrocytes differentiated from the same induced pluripotent stem cells from PSEN1ΔE9 AD patients all showed miR-21 elevation. In AD neurons, miR-124/miR-21 overexpression was recapitulated in their exosomes. In AD microglia, the upregulation of iNOS and miR-21/miR-146a supports their activation. AD astrocytes manifested a restrained inflammatory profile, with high miR-21 but low miR-155 and depleted exosomal miRNAs. Their immunostimulation with C1q + IL-1α + TNF-α induced morphological alterations and increased S100B, inflammatory transcripts, sAPPβ, cytokine release and exosomal miR-21. PPARα, a target of miR-21, was found to be repressed in all models, except in neurons, likely due to concomitant miR-125b elevation. The data from these AD models highlight miR-21 as a promising biomarker and a disease-modifying target to be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo Garcia
- Neuroinflammation, Signaling and Neuroregeneration Lab, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Pinto
- Neuroinflammation, Signaling and Neuroregeneration Lab, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sofia Ferreira
- Neuroinflammation, Signaling and Neuroregeneration Lab, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniela Lopes
- Neuroinflammation, Signaling and Neuroregeneration Lab, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria João Serrador
- Neuroinflammation, Signaling and Neuroregeneration Lab, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Adelaide Fernandes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Central Nervous System, Blood and Peripheral Inflammation Lab, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Vaz
- Neuroinflammation, Signaling and Neuroregeneration Lab, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Frank Edenhofer
- Department of Genomics, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Tarja Malm
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dora Brites
- Neuroinflammation, Signaling and Neuroregeneration Lab, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
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Kawakita S, Mandal K, Mou L, Mecwan MM, Zhu Y, Li S, Sharma S, Hernandez AL, Nguyen HT, Maity S, de Barros NR, Nakayama A, Bandaru P, Ahadian S, Kim HJ, Herculano RD, Holler E, Jucaud V, Dokmeci MR, Khademhosseini A. Organ-On-A-Chip Models of the Blood-Brain Barrier: Recent Advances and Future Prospects. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2201401. [PMID: 35978444 PMCID: PMC9529899 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202201401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The human brain and central nervous system (CNS) present unique challenges in drug development for neurological diseases. One major obstacle is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which hampers the effective delivery of therapeutic molecules into the brain while protecting it from blood-born neurotoxic substances and maintaining CNS homeostasis. For BBB research, traditional in vitro models rely upon Petri dishes or Transwell systems. However, these static models lack essential microenvironmental factors such as shear stress and proper cell-cell interactions. To this end, organ-on-a-chip (OoC) technology has emerged as a new in vitro modeling approach to better recapitulate the highly dynamic in vivo human brain microenvironment so-called the neural vascular unit (NVU). Such BBB-on-a-chip models have made substantial progress over the last decade, and concurrently there has been increasing interest in modeling various neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease using OoC technology. In addition, with recent advances in other scientific technologies, several new opportunities to improve the BBB-on-a-chip platform via multidisciplinary approaches are available. In this review, an overview of the NVU and OoC technology is provided, recent progress and applications of BBB-on-a-chip for personalized medicine and drug discovery are discussed, and current challenges and future directions are delineated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Kawakita
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Kalpana Mandal
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Lei Mou
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510150, P. R. China
| | | | - Yangzhi Zhu
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Shaopei Li
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Saurabh Sharma
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | | | - Huu Tuan Nguyen
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Surjendu Maity
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | | | - Aya Nakayama
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Praveen Bandaru
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Samad Ahadian
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Han-Jun Kim
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Rondinelli Donizetti Herculano
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
- Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Araraquara, SP, 14801-902, Brazil
| | - Eggehard Holler
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Vadim Jucaud
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | | | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
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August I, Semendeferi K, Marchetto MC. Brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, and the role of stem cells in primate comparative studies. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2940-2953. [PMID: 35929189 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25394] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is ultimately fatal. Currently, millions of Americans are living with AD, and this number is predicted to grow with increases in the aging population. Interestingly, despite the prevalence of AD in human populations, the full AD phenotype has not been observed in any nonhuman primate (NHP) species, and it has been suggested that NHPs are immune to neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. Here, we review the typical age-related changes and pathologies in humans along with the neuropathologic changes associated with AD, and we place this information in the context of the comparative neuropathology of NHPs. We further propose the use of induced pluripotent stem cell technology as a way of addressing initial molecular processes and changes that occur in neurons and glia (in both humans and NHPs) when exposed to AD-inducing pathology prior to cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel August
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Katerina Semendeferi
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), San Diego, California, USA
| | - Maria Carolina Marchetto
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), San Diego, California, USA
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28
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Andersen JV, Schousboe A, Verkhratsky A. Astrocyte energy and neurotransmitter metabolism in Alzheimer's disease: integration of the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 217:102331. [PMID: 35872221 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes contribute to the complex cellular pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neurons and astrocytes function in close collaboration through neurotransmitter recycling, collectively known as the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle, which is essential to sustain neurotransmission. Neurotransmitter recycling is intimately linked to astrocyte energy metabolism. In the course of AD, astrocytes undergo extensive metabolic remodeling, which may profoundly affect the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle. The consequences of altered astrocyte function and metabolism in relation to neurotransmitter recycling are yet to be comprehended. Metabolic alterations of astrocytes in AD deprive neurons of metabolic support, thereby contributing to synaptic dysfunction and neurodegeneration. In addition, several astrocyte-specific components of the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle, including glutamine synthesis and synaptic neurotransmitter uptake, are perturbed in AD. Integration of the complex astrocyte biology within the context of AD is essential for understanding the fundamental mechanisms of the disease, while restoring astrocyte metabolism may serve as an approach to arrest or even revert clinical progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens V Andersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Arne Schousboe
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, 48011 Bilbao, Spain; Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, LT-01102 Vilnius, Lithuania.
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29
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Olesen MA, Villavicencio-Tejo F, Quintanilla RA. The use of fibroblasts as a valuable strategy for studying mitochondrial impairment in neurological disorders. Transl Neurodegener 2022; 11:36. [PMID: 35787292 PMCID: PMC9251940 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-022-00308-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders (NDs) are characterized by progressive neuronal dysfunction leading to synaptic failure, cognitive impairment, and motor injury. Among these diseases, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have raised a significant research interest. These disorders present common neuropathological signs, including neuronal dysfunction, protein accumulation, oxidative damage, and mitochondrial abnormalities. In this context, mitochondrial impairment is characterized by a deficiency in ATP production, excessive production of reactive oxygen species, calcium dysregulation, mitochondrial transport failure, and mitochondrial dynamics deficiencies. These defects in mitochondrial health could compromise the synaptic process, leading to early cognitive dysfunction observed in these NDs. Interestingly, skin fibroblasts from AD, PD, HD, and ALS patients have been suggested as a useful strategy to investigate and detect early mitochondrial abnormalities in these NDs. In this context, fibroblasts are considered a viable model for studying neurodegenerative changes due to their metabolic and biochemical relationships with neurons. Also, studies of our group and others have shown impairment of mitochondrial bioenergetics in fibroblasts from patients diagnosed with sporadic and genetic forms of AD, PD, HD, and ALS. Interestingly, these mitochondrial abnormalities have been observed in the brain tissues of patients suffering from the same pathologies. Therefore, fibroblasts represent a novel strategy to study the genesis and progression of mitochondrial dysfunction in AD, PD, HD, and ALS. This review discusses recent evidence that proposes fibroblasts as a potential target to study mitochondrial bioenergetics impairment in neurological disorders and consequently to search for new biomarkers of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margrethe A Olesen
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisca Villavicencio-Tejo
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo A Quintanilla
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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30
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Dolotov OV, Inozemtseva LS, Myasoedov NF, Grivennikov IA. Stress-Induced Depression and Alzheimer's Disease: Focus on Astrocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4999. [PMID: 35563389 PMCID: PMC9104432 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases and depression are multifactorial disorders with a complex and poorly understood physiopathology. Astrocytes play a key role in the functioning of neurons in norm and pathology. Stress is an important factor for the development of brain disorders. Here, we review data on the effects of stress on astrocyte function and evidence of the involvement of astrocyte dysfunction in depression and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Stressful life events are an important risk factor for depression; meanwhile, depression is an important risk factor for AD. Clinical data indicate atrophic changes in the same areas of the brain, the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC), in both pathologies. These brain regions play a key role in regulating the stress response and are most vulnerable to the action of glucocorticoids. PFC astrocytes are critically involved in the development of depression. Stress alters astrocyte function and can result in pyroptotic death of not only neurons, but also astrocytes. BDNF-TrkB system not only plays a key role in depression and in normalizing the stress response, but also appears to be an important factor in the functioning of astrocytes. Astrocytes, being a target for stress and glucocorticoids, are a promising target for the treatment of stress-dependent depression and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg V. Dolotov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (O.V.D.); (L.S.I.); (N.F.M.)
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ludmila S. Inozemtseva
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (O.V.D.); (L.S.I.); (N.F.M.)
| | - Nikolay F. Myasoedov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (O.V.D.); (L.S.I.); (N.F.M.)
| | - Igor A. Grivennikov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia; (O.V.D.); (L.S.I.); (N.F.M.)
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31
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Hasan MF, Trushina E. Advances in Recapitulating Alzheimer's Disease Phenotypes Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based In Vitro Models. Brain Sci 2022; 12:552. [PMID: 35624938 PMCID: PMC9138647 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12050552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of death among older individuals. Available treatment strategies only temporarily mitigate symptoms without modifying disease progression. Recent studies revealed the multifaceted neurobiology of AD and shifted the target of drug development. Established animal models of AD are mostly tailored to yield a subset of disease phenotypes, which do not recapitulate the complexity of sporadic late-onset AD, the most common form of the disease. The use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (HiPSCs) offers unique opportunities to fill these gaps. Emerging technology allows the development of disease models that recapitulate a brain-like microenvironment using patient-derived cells. These models retain the individual's unraveled genetic background, yielding clinically relevant disease phenotypes and enabling cost-effective, high-throughput studies for drug discovery. Here, we review the development of various HiPSC-based models to study AD mechanisms and their application in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Fayad Hasan
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Eugenia Trushina
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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32
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Zhou C, Ni W, Zhu T, Dong S, Sun P, Hua F. Cellular Reprogramming and Its Potential Application in Alzheimer’s Disease. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:884667. [PMID: 35464309 PMCID: PMC9023048 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.884667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become the most common age-related dementia in the world and is currently incurable. Although many efforts have been made, the underlying mechanisms of AD remain unclear. Extracellular amyloid-beta deposition, intracellular tau hyperphosphorylation, neuronal death, glial cell activation, white matter damage, blood–brain barrier disruption, and other mechanisms all take part in this complicated disease, making it difficult to find an effective therapy. In the study of therapeutic methods, how to restore functional neurons and integrate myelin becomes the main point. In recent years, with the improvement and maturity of induced pluripotent stem cell technology and direct cell reprogramming technology, it has become possible to induce non-neuronal cells, such as fibroblasts or glial cells, directly into neuronal cells in vitro and in vivo. Remarkably, the induced neurons are functional and capable of entering the local neural net. These encouraging results provide a potential new approach for AD therapy. In this review, we summarized the characteristics of AD, the reprogramming technique, and the current research on the application of cellular reprogramming in AD. The existing problems regarding cellular reprogramming and its therapeutic potential for AD were also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhou
- Institute of Neurological Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Wanyan Ni
- Institute of Neurological Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Taiyang Zhu
- Institute of Neurological Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Shuyu Dong
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ping Sun
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Fang Hua
- Institute of Neurological Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Fang Hua,
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Rossi A, Kontarakis Z. Beyond Mendelian Inheritance: Genetic Buffering and Phenotype Variability. PHENOMICS (CHAM, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 2:79-87. [PMID: 36939776 PMCID: PMC9590499 DOI: 10.1007/s43657-021-00030-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the way genes work amongst individuals and across generations to shape form and function is a common theme for many genetic studies. The recent advances in genetics, genome engineering and DNA sequencing reinforced the notion that genes are not the only players that determine a phenotype. Due to physiological or pathological fluctuations in gene expression, even genetically identical cells can behave and manifest different phenotypes under the same conditions. Here, we discuss mechanisms that can influence or even disrupt the axis between genotype and phenotype; the role of modifier genes, the general concept of genetic redundancy, genetic compensation, the recently described transcriptional adaptation, environmental stressors, and phenotypic plasticity. We furthermore highlight the usage of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), the generation of isogenic lines through genome engineering, and sequencing technologies can help extract new genetic and epigenetic mechanisms from what is hitherto considered 'noise'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rossi
- Genome Engineering and Model Development Lab (GEMD), IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Zacharias Kontarakis
- Genome Engineering and Measurement Laboratory (GEML), Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich of ETH Zurich, University of Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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34
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Lange J, Gillham O, Alkharji R, Eaton S, Ferrari G, Madej M, Flower M, Tedesco FS, Muntoni F, Ferretti P. Dystrophin deficiency affects human astrocyte properties and response to damage. Glia 2022; 70:466-490. [PMID: 34773297 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In addition to progressive muscular degeneration due to dystrophin mutations, 1/3 of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients present cognitive deficits. However, there is currently an incomplete understanding about the function of the multiple dystrophin isoforms in human brains. Here, we tested the hypothesis that dystrophin deficiency affects glial function in DMD and could therefore contribute to neural impairment. We investigated human dystrophin isoform expression with development and differentiation and response to damage in human astrocytes from control and induced pluripotent stem cells from DMD patients. In control cells, short dystrophin isoforms were up-regulated with development and their expression levels changed differently upon neuronal and astrocytic differentiation, as well as in 2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional astrocyte cultures. All DMD-astrocytes tested displayed altered morphology, proliferative activity and AQP4 expression. Furthermore, they did not show any morphological change in response to inflammatory stimuli and their number was significantly lower as compared to stimulated healthy astrocytes. Finally, DMD-astrocytes appeared to be more sensitive than controls to oxidative damage as shown by their increased cell death. Behavioral and metabolic defects in DMD-astrocytes were consistent with gene pathway dysregulation shared by lines with different mutations as demonstrated by bulk RNA-seq analysis. Together, our DMD model provides evidence for altered astrocyte function in DMD suggesting that defective astrocyte responses may contribute to neural impairment and might provide additional potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Lange
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Olivia Gillham
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Reem Alkharji
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Simon Eaton
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Giulia Ferrari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Monika Madej
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Michael Flower
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Francesco Saverio Tedesco
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, UK
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, & Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust, London, UK
| | - Patrizia Ferretti
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
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Garland EF, Hartnell IJ, Boche D. Microglia and Astrocyte Function and Communication: What Do We Know in Humans? Front Neurosci 2022; 16:824888. [PMID: 35250459 PMCID: PMC8888691 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.824888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia and astrocytes play essential roles in the central nervous system contributing to many functions including homeostasis, immune response, blood–brain barrier maintenance and synaptic support. Evidence has emerged from experimental models of glial communication that microglia and astrocytes influence and coordinate each other and their effects on the brain environment. However, due to the difference in glial cells between humans and rodents, it is essential to confirm the relevance of these findings in human brains. Here, we aim to review the current knowledge on microglia-astrocyte crosstalk in humans, exploring novel methodological techniques used in health and disease conditions. This will include an in-depth look at cell culture and iPSCs, post-mortem studies, imaging and fluid biomarkers, genetics and transcriptomic data. In this review, we will discuss the advantages and limitations of these methods, highlighting the understanding these methods have brought the field on these cells communicative abilities, and the knowledge gaps that remain.
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Srinivasan G, Brafman DA. The Emergence of Model Systems to Investigate the Link Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 13:813544. [PMID: 35211003 PMCID: PMC8862182 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.813544] [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: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated that individuals who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) have an elevated risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s-related dementias (AD/ADRD). Despite these connections, the underlying mechanisms by which TBI induces AD-related pathology, neuronal dysfunction, and cognitive decline have yet to be elucidated. In this review, we will discuss the various in vivo and in vitro models that are being employed to provide more definite mechanistic relationships between TBI-induced mechanical injury and AD-related phenotypes. In particular, we will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each of these model systems as it relates to advancing the understanding of the mechanisms that lead to TBI-induced AD onset and progression as well as providing platforms to evaluate potential therapies. Finally, we will discuss how emerging methods including the use of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cultures and genome engineering technologies can be employed to generate better models of TBI-induced AD.
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Barak M, Fedorova V, Pospisilova V, Raska J, Vochyanova S, Sedmik J, Hribkova H, Klimova H, Vanova T, Bohaciakova D. Human iPSC-Derived Neural Models for Studying Alzheimer's Disease: from Neural Stem Cells to Cerebral Organoids. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:792-820. [PMID: 35107767 PMCID: PMC8930932 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10254-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
During the past two decades, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been widely used to study mechanisms of human neural development, disease modeling, and drug discovery in vitro. Especially in the field of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), where this treatment is lacking, tremendous effort has been put into the investigation of molecular mechanisms behind this disease using induced pluripotent stem cell-based models. Numerous of these studies have found either novel regulatory mechanisms that could be exploited to develop relevant drugs for AD treatment or have already tested small molecules on in vitro cultures, directly demonstrating their effect on amelioration of AD-associated pathology. This review thus summarizes currently used differentiation strategies of induced pluripotent stem cells towards neuronal and glial cell types and cerebral organoids and their utilization in modeling AD and potential drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Barak
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Fedorova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Pospisilova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Raska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Simona Vochyanova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Sedmik
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's Faculty Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Hribkova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Klimova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Vanova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's Faculty Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dasa Bohaciakova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's Faculty Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Models for Studying Sex-Specific Differences in Neurodegenerative Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1387:57-88. [PMID: 34921676 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2021_683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases is steadily increasing worldwide, and epidemiological studies strongly suggest that many of the diseases are sex-biased. It has long been suggested that biological sex differences are crucial for neurodegenerative diseases; however, how biological sex affects disease initiation, progression, and severity is not well-understood. Sex is a critical biological variable that should be taken into account in basic research, and this review aims to highlight the utility of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived models for studying sex-specific differences in neurodegenerative diseases, with advantages and limitations. In vitro systems utilizing species-specific, renewable, and physiologically relevant cell sources can provide powerful platforms for mechanistic studies, toxicity testings, and drug discovery. Matched healthy, patient-derived, and gene-corrected human iPSCs, from both sexes, can be utilized to generate neuronal and glial cell types affected by specific neurodegenerative diseases to study sex-specific differences in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) human culture systems. Such relatively simple and well-controlled systems can significantly contribute to the elucidation of molecular mechanisms underlying sex-specific differences, which can yield effective, and potentially sex-based strategies, against neurodegenerative diseases.
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Katsipis G, Tzekaki EE, Tsolaki M, Pantazaki AA. Salivary GFAP as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease and its correlation with neuroinflammation and apoptosis. J Neuroimmunol 2021; 361:577744. [PMID: 34655990 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the main constituent of the astrocytic cytoskeleton, overexpressed during reactive astrogliosis-a hallmark of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). GFAP and established biomarkers of neurodegeneration, inflammation, and apoptosis have been determined in the saliva of amnestic-single-domain Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) (Ν = 20), AD (Ν = 20) patients, and cognitively healthy Controls (Ν = 20). Salivary GFAP levels were found significantly decreased in MCI and AD patients and were proven an excellent biomarker for discriminating Controls from MCI or AD patients. GFAP levels correlate with studied biomarkers and Aβ42, IL-1β, and caspase-8 are its main predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Katsipis
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (LND), 57001 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elena E Tzekaki
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (LND), 57001 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Magda Tsolaki
- First Neurology Department, "AHEPA" University General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders - GAADRD, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (LND), 57001 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasia A Pantazaki
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (LND), 57001 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Verheijen MCT, Krauskopf J, Caiment F, Nazaruk M, Wen QF, van Herwijnen MHM, Hauser DA, Gajjar M, Verfaillie C, Vermeiren Y, De Deyn PP, Wittens MMJ, Sieben A, Engelborghs S, Dejonckheere W, Princen K, Griffioen G, Roggen EL, Briedé JJ. iPSC-derived cortical neurons to study sporadic Alzheimer disease: A transcriptome comparison with post-mortem brain samples. Toxicol Lett 2021; 356:89-99. [PMID: 34921933 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2021.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, characterized by the progressive impairment of cognition and memory loss. Sporadic AD (sAD) represents approximately 95 % of the AD cases and is induced by a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors called "Alzheimerogens". Heavy metals (e.g. copper) and pesticides (e.g. fipronil) can affect many AD-related processes, including neuroinflammation (considered as AD-inducing factor). Research would benefit from in vitro models to investigate effects of Alzheimerogens. We compared transcriptomics changes in sAD induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived cortical neurons to differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified in post-mortem AD brain tissue. These analyses showed that many AD-related processes could be identified in the sAD iPSC-derived neurons, and furthermore, could even identify more DEGs functioning in these processes than post-mortem AD-brain tissue. Thereafter, we exposed the iPSCs to AD-inducing factors (copper(II)chloride, fipronil sulfone and an inflammatory cytokine cocktail). Cytokine exposure induced expression of immune related genes while copper-exposure affected genes involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism, which are known AD-related processes. Fipronil-exposure did not result in significant transcriptomic changes, although prolonged exposures or higher doses may be necessary. Overall, we show that iPSC-derived cortical neurons can be beneficial in vitro models to identify Alzheimerogens and AD-related molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C T Verheijen
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands; MHeNS, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - J Krauskopf
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - F Caiment
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - M Nazaruk
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Q F Wen
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - M H M van Herwijnen
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - D A Hauser
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - M Gajjar
- Stem Cell Institute, Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - C Verfaillie
- Stem Cell Institute, Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Y Vermeiren
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, and Biobank, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - P P De Deyn
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, and Biobank, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium; Department of Neurology and Memory Clinic, Hospital Network Antwerp (ZNA) Middelheim and Hoge Beuken, eindendreef 1, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - M M J Wittens
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, and Biobank, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium; Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), and Department of Neurology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussel, Belgium
| | - A Sieben
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, and Biobank, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - S Engelborghs
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, and Biobank, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium; Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), and Department of Neurology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussel, Belgium
| | - W Dejonckheere
- reMYND, Bio-Incubator (Wetenschapspark), Gaston Geenslaan 1, 3001 Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - K Princen
- reMYND, Bio-Incubator (Wetenschapspark), Gaston Geenslaan 1, 3001 Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - G Griffioen
- reMYND, Bio-Incubator (Wetenschapspark), Gaston Geenslaan 1, 3001 Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium
| | - E L Roggen
- ToxGenSolutions BV, Oxfordlaan 70, 6229 EV Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - J J Briedé
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands; MHeNS, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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Verkhratsky A, Li B, Scuderi C, Parpura V. Principles of Astrogliopathology. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 26:55-73. [PMID: 34888830 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77375-5_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The role of astrocytes in the nervous system pathology was early on embraced by neuroscientists at end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century, only to be pushed aside by neurone-centric dogmas during most of the twentieth century. However, the last decade of the twentieth century and the twenty-first century have brought the astroglial "renaissance", which has put astroglial cells as key players in pathophysiology of most if not all disorders of the nervous system and has regarded astroglia as a fertile ground for therapeutic intervention.Astrocytic contribution to neuropathology can be primary, whereby cell-autonomous changes, such as mutations in gene encoding for glial fibrillary acidic protein, can drive the pathologic progression, in this example, Alexander disease. They can also be secondary, when astrocytes respond to a variety of insults to the nervous tissue. Regardless of their origin, being cell-autonomous or not, changes in astroglia that occur in pathology, that is, astrogliopathology, can be contemporary and arbitrary classified into four forms: (i) reactive astrogliosis, (ii) astrocytic atrophy with loss of function, (iii) pathological remodelling of astrocytes and (iv) astrodegeneration morphologically manifested as clasmatodendrosis. Inevitably, as with any other classification, this classification of astrogliopathology awaits its revision that shall be rooted in new discoveries and concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Verkhratsky
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Baoman Li
- Practical Teaching Center, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Caterina Scuderi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", SAPIENZA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Verkerke M, Hol EM, Middeldorp J. Physiological and Pathological Ageing of Astrocytes in the Human Brain. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:2662-2675. [PMID: 33559106 PMCID: PMC8437874 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03256-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ageing is the greatest risk factor for dementia, although physiological ageing by itself does not lead to cognitive decline. In addition to ageing, APOE ε4 is genetically the strongest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and is highly expressed in astrocytes. There are indications that human astrocytes change with age and upon expression of APOE4. As these glial cells maintain water and ion homeostasis in the brain and regulate neuronal transmission, it is likely that age- and APOE4-related changes in astrocytes have a major impact on brain functioning and play a role in age-related diseases. In this review, we will discuss the molecular and morphological changes of human astrocytes in ageing and the contribution of APOE4. We conclude this review with a discussion on technical issues, innovations, and future perspectives on how to gain more knowledge on astrocytes in the human ageing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marloes Verkerke
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elly M Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jinte Middeldorp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Immunobiology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), P.O. Box 3306, 2280 GH, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
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Prasanna P, Rathee S, Rahul V, Mandal D, Chandra Goud MS, Yadav P, Hawthorne S, Sharma A, Gupta PK, Ojha S, Jha NK, Villa C, Jha SK. Microfluidic Platforms to Unravel Mysteries of Alzheimer's Disease: How Far Have We Come? Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11101022. [PMID: 34685393 PMCID: PMC8537508 DOI: 10.3390/life11101022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a significant health concern with enormous social and economic impact globally. The gradual deterioration of cognitive functions and irreversible neuronal losses are primary features of the disease. Even after decades of research, most therapeutic options are merely symptomatic, and drugs in clinical practice present numerous side effects. Lack of effective diagnostic techniques prevents the early prognosis of disease, resulting in a gradual deterioration in the quality of life. Furthermore, the mechanism of cognitive impairment and AD pathophysiology is poorly understood. Microfluidics exploits different microscale properties of fluids to mimic environments on microfluidic chip-like devices. These miniature multichambered devices can be used to grow cells and 3D tissues in vitro, analyze cell-to-cell communication, decipher the roles of neural cells such as microglia, and gain insights into AD pathophysiology. This review focuses on the applications and impact of microfluidics on AD research. We discuss the technical challenges and possible solutions provided by this new cutting-edge technique to understand disease-associated pathways and mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Prasanna
- School of Applied Sciences, KK University, Nalanda 803115, Bihar, India;
- Correspondence: or (P.P.); (S.K.J.)
| | - Shweta Rathee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Sonipat 131028, Haryana, India;
| | - Vedanabhatla Rahul
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India;
| | - Debabrata Mandal
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur 844101, Bihar, India;
| | | | - Pardeep Yadav
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (P.Y.); (N.K.J.)
| | - Susan Hawthorne
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co., Londonderry BT52 1SA, UK;
| | - Ankur Sharma
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Science and Research (SBSR), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (A.S.); (P.K.G.)
| | - Piyush Kumar Gupta
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Science and Research (SBSR), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (A.S.); (P.K.G.)
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (P.Y.); (N.K.J.)
| | - Chiara Villa
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
| | - Saurabh Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (P.Y.); (N.K.J.)
- Correspondence: or (P.P.); (S.K.J.)
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Ca 2+ handling at the mitochondria-ER contact sites in neurodegeneration. Cell Calcium 2021; 98:102453. [PMID: 34399235 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2021.102453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contact sites (MERCS) are morpho-functional units, formed at the loci of close apposition of the ER-forming endomembrane and outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM). These sites contribute to fundamental cellular processes including lipid biosynthesis, autophagy, apoptosis, ER-stress and calcium (Ca2+) signalling. At MERCS, Ca2+ ions are transferred from the ER directly to mitochondria through a core protein complex composed of inositol-1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R), voltage-gated anion channel 1 (VDAC1), mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) and adaptor protein glucose-regulated protein 75 (Grp75); this complex is regulated by several associated proteins. Deregulation of ER-mitochondria Ca2+ transfer contributes to pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and other diseases. The efficacy of Ca2+ transfer between ER and mitochondria depends on the protein composition of MERCS, which controls ER-mitochondria interaction regulating, for example, the transversal distance between ER membrane and OMM and the extension of the longitudinal interface between ER and mitochondria. These parameters are altered in neurodegeneration. Here we overview the ER and mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis, the composition of ER-mitochondrial Ca2+ transfer machinery and alterations of the ER-mitochondria Ca2+ transfer in three major neurodegenerative diseases: motor neurone diseases, Parkinson disease and Alzheimer's disease.
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Ryu WI, Cohen BM, Sonntag KC. Hypothesis and Theory: Characterizing Abnormalities of Energy Metabolism Using a Cellular Platform as a Personalized Medicine Approach for Alzheimer's Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:697578. [PMID: 34395428 PMCID: PMC8363296 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.697578] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporadic or late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) is characterized by slowly progressive deterioration and death of CNS neurons. There are currently no substantially disease-modifying therapies. LOAD pathology is closely related to changes with age and include, among others, accumulation of toxic molecules and altered metabolic, microvascular, biochemical and inflammatory processes. In addition, there is growing evidence that cellular energy deficits play a critical role in aging and LOAD pathophysiology. However, the exact mechanisms and causal relationships are largely unknown. In our studies we tested the hypothesis that altered bioenergetic and metabolic cell functions are key elements in LOAD, using a cellular platform consisting of skin fibroblasts derived from LOAD patients and AD-unaffected control individuals and therefrom generated induced pluripotent stem cells that are differentiated to brain-like cells to study LOAD pathogenic processes in context of age, disease, genetic background, cell development, and cell type. This model has revealed that LOAD cells exhibit a multitude of bioenergetic and metabolic alterations, providing evidence for an innate inefficient cellular energy management in LOAD as a prerequisite for the development of neurodegenerative disease with age. We propose that this cellular platform could ultimately be used as a conceptual basis for a personalized medicine tool to predict altered aging and risk for development of dementia, and to test or implement customized therapeutic or disease-preventive intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo-In Ryu
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States.,Basic Neuroscience Division, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States.,Program for Neuropsychiatric Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States
| | - Bruce M Cohen
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States.,Program for Neuropsychiatric Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States.,Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States
| | - Kai-C Sonntag
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States.,Basic Neuroscience Division, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States.,Program for Neuropsychiatric Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States
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Arnst N, Belio-Mairal P, García-González L, Arnaud L, Greetham L, Nivet E, Rivera S, Dityatev A. Deficiency in MT5-MMP Supports Branching of Human iPSCs-Derived Neurons and Reduces Expression of GLAST/S100 in iPSCs-Derived Astrocytes. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071705. [PMID: 34359875 PMCID: PMC8307207 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
For some time, it has been accepted that the β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and the γ-secretase are two main players in the amyloidogenic processing of the β-amyloid precursor protein (APP). Recently, the membrane-type 5 matrix metalloproteinase (MT5-MMP/MMP-24), mainly expressed in the nervous system, has been highlighted as a new key player in APP-processing, able to stimulate amyloidogenesis and also to generate a neurotoxic APP derivative. In addition, the loss of MT5-MMP has been demonstrated to abrogate pathological hallmarks in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), thus shedding light on MT5-MMP as an attractive new therapeutic target. However, a more comprehensive analysis of the role of MT5-MMP is necessary to evaluate how its targeting affects neurons and glia in pathological and physiological situations. In this study, leveraging on CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing strategy, we established cultures of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived neurons and astrocytes to investigate the impact of MT5-MMP deficiency on their phenotypes. We found that MT5-MMP-deficient neurons exhibited an increased number of primary and secondary neurites, as compared to isogenic hiPSC-derived neurons. Moreover, MT5-MMP-deficient astrocytes displayed higher surface area and volume compared to control astrocytes. The MT5-MMP-deficient astrocytes also exhibited decreased GLAST and S100β expression. These findings provide novel insights into the physiological role of MT5-MMP in human neurons and astrocytes, suggesting that therapeutic strategies targeting MT5-MMP should be controlled for potential side effects on astrocytic physiology and neuronal morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Arnst
- Molecular Neuroplasticity, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (N.A.); (P.B.-M.)
| | - Pedro Belio-Mairal
- Molecular Neuroplasticity, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (N.A.); (P.B.-M.)
- Inst Neurophysiopathol, CNRS, INP, Aix Marseille Université, 13385 Marseille, France; (L.G.-G.); (L.A.); (L.G.); (E.N.); (S.R.)
| | - Laura García-González
- Inst Neurophysiopathol, CNRS, INP, Aix Marseille Université, 13385 Marseille, France; (L.G.-G.); (L.A.); (L.G.); (E.N.); (S.R.)
| | - Laurie Arnaud
- Inst Neurophysiopathol, CNRS, INP, Aix Marseille Université, 13385 Marseille, France; (L.G.-G.); (L.A.); (L.G.); (E.N.); (S.R.)
| | - Louise Greetham
- Inst Neurophysiopathol, CNRS, INP, Aix Marseille Université, 13385 Marseille, France; (L.G.-G.); (L.A.); (L.G.); (E.N.); (S.R.)
| | - Emmanuel Nivet
- Inst Neurophysiopathol, CNRS, INP, Aix Marseille Université, 13385 Marseille, France; (L.G.-G.); (L.A.); (L.G.); (E.N.); (S.R.)
| | - Santiago Rivera
- Inst Neurophysiopathol, CNRS, INP, Aix Marseille Université, 13385 Marseille, France; (L.G.-G.); (L.A.); (L.G.); (E.N.); (S.R.)
| | - Alexander Dityatev
- Molecular Neuroplasticity, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (N.A.); (P.B.-M.)
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-391-67-24526
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Gradišnik L, Bošnjak R, Maver T, Velnar T. Advanced Bio-Based Polymers for Astrocyte Cell Models. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 14:3664. [PMID: 34209194 PMCID: PMC8269866 DOI: 10.3390/ma14133664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The development of in vitro neural tissue analogs is of great interest for many biomedical engineering applications, including the tissue engineering of neural interfaces, treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, and in vitro evaluation of cell-material interactions. Since astrocytes play a crucial role in the regenerative processes of the central nervous system, the development of biomaterials that interact favorably with astrocytes is of great research interest. The sources of human astrocytes, suitable natural biomaterials, guidance scaffolds, and ligand patterned surfaces are discussed in the article. New findings in this field are essential for the future treatment of spinal cord and brain injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidija Gradišnik
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska Ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia;
- AMEU-ECM, Slovenska 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Roman Bošnjak
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloska 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Tina Maver
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska Ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia;
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska Ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Tomaž Velnar
- AMEU-ECM, Slovenska 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloska 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
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Su C, Argenziano M, Lu S, Pippin JA, Pahl MC, Leonard ME, Cousminer DL, Johnson ME, Lasconi C, Wells AD, Chesi A, Grant SFA. 3D promoter architecture re-organization during iPSC-derived neuronal cell differentiation implicates target genes for neurodevelopmental disorders. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 201:102000. [PMID: 33545232 PMCID: PMC8096691 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders are thought to arise from interrupted development of the brain at an early age. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified hundreds of loci associated with susceptibility to neurodevelopmental disorders; however, which noncoding variants regulate which genes at these loci is often unclear. To implicate neuronal GWAS effector genes, we performed an integrated analysis of transcriptomics, epigenomics and chromatin conformation changes during the development from Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) into neurons using a combination of high-resolution promoter-focused Capture-C, ATAC-seq and RNA-seq. We observed that gene expression changes during the NPC-to-neuron transition were highly dependent on both promoter accessibility changes and long-range interactions which connect distal cis-regulatory elements (enhancer or silencers) to developmental-stage-specific genes. These genome-scale promoter-cis-regulatory-element atlases implicated 454 neurodevelopmental disorder-associated, putative causal variants mapping to 600 distal targets. These putative effector genes were significantly enriched for pathways involved in the regulation of neuronal development and chromatin organization, with 27 % expressed in a stage-specific manner. The intersection of open chromatin and chromatin conformation revealed development-stage-specific gene regulatory architectures during neuronal differentiation, providing a rich resource to aid characterization of the genetic and developmental basis of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Su
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mariana Argenziano
- Heart Institute, University of South Florida, 560 Channelside Dr, Tampa FL 33602, United States
| | - Sumei Lu
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - James A Pippin
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Matthew C Pahl
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michelle E Leonard
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Diana L Cousminer
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Matthew E Johnson
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Chiara Lasconi
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Andrew D Wells
- Department of Pathology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alessandra Chesi
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Struan F A Grant
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9050524. [PMID: 34067173 PMCID: PMC8150909 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with human aging. Ten percent of individuals over 65 years have AD and its prevalence continues to rise with increasing age. There are currently no effective disease modifying treatments for AD, resulting in increasingly large socioeconomic and personal costs. Increasing age is associated with an increase in low-grade chronic inflammation (inflammaging) that may contribute to the neurodegenerative process in AD. Although the exact mechanisms remain unclear, aberrant elevation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels from several endogenous and exogenous processes in the brain may not only affect cell signaling, but also trigger cellular senescence, inflammation, and pyroptosis. Moreover, a compromised immune privilege of the brain that allows the infiltration of peripheral immune cells and infectious agents may play a role. Additionally, meta-inflammation as well as gut microbiota dysbiosis may drive the neuroinflammatory process. Considering that inflammatory/immune pathways are dysregulated in parallel with cognitive dysfunction in AD, elucidating the relationship between the central nervous system and the immune system may facilitate the development of a safe and effective therapy for AD. We discuss some current ideas on processes in inflammaging that appear to drive the neurodegenerative process in AD and summarize details on a few immunomodulatory strategies being developed to selectively target the detrimental aspects of neuroinflammation without affecting defense mechanisms against pathogens and tissue damage.
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Ramos-Gonzalez P, Mato S, Chara JC, Verkhratsky A, Matute C, Cavaliere F. Astrocytic atrophy as a pathological feature of Parkinson's disease with LRRK2 mutation. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2021; 7:31. [PMID: 33785762 PMCID: PMC8009947 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-021-00175-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The principal hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) is the selective neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurones. Mounting evidence suggests that astrocytes may contribute to dopaminergic neurodegeneration through decreased homoeostatic support and deficient neuroprotection. In this study, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived astrocytes from PD patients with LRRK2(G2019S) mutation and healthy donors of the similar age. In cell lines derived from PD patients, astrocytes were characterised by a significant decrease in S100B and GFAP-positive astrocytic profiles associated with marked decrease in astrocyte complexity. In addition, PD-derived astrocytes demonstrated aberrant mitochondrial morphology, decreased mitochondrial activity and ATP production along with an increase of glycolysis and increased production of reactive oxygen species. Taken together, our data indicate that astrocytic asthenia observed in patient-derived cultures with LRRK2(G2019S) mutation may contribute to neuronal death through decreased homoeostatic support, elevated oxidative stress and failed neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Ramos-Gonzalez
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
| | - Susana Mato
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Biocruces, Bizkaia, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Chara
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Carlos Matute
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fabio Cavaliere
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
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