1
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Trueblood CT, Singh A, Cusimano MA, Hou S. Autonomic Dysreflexia in Spinal Cord Injury: Mechanisms and Prospective Therapeutic Targets. Neuroscientist 2024; 30:597-611. [PMID: 38084412 PMCID: PMC11166887 DOI: 10.1177/10738584231217455] [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] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
High-level spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in cardiovascular dysfunction, especially the development of autonomic dysreflexia. This disorder, characterized as an episode of hypertension accompanied by bradycardia in response to visceral or somatic stimuli, causes substantial discomfort and potentially life-threatening symptoms. The neural mechanisms underlying this dysautonomia include a loss of supraspinal control to spinal sympathetic neurons, maladaptive plasticity of sensory inputs and propriospinal interneurons, and excessive discharge of sympathetic preganglionic neurons. While neural control of cardiovascular function is largely disrupted after SCI, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which mediates blood pressure through hormonal mechanisms, is up-regulated after injury. Whether the RAS engages in autonomic dysreflexia, however, is still controversial. Regarding therapeutics, transplantation of embryonic presympathetic neurons, collected from the brainstem or more specific raphe regions, into the injured spinal cord may reestablish supraspinal regulation of sympathetic activity for cardiovascular improvement. This treatment reduces the occurrence of spontaneous autonomic dysreflexia and the severity of artificially triggered dysreflexic responses in rodent SCI models. Though transplanting early-stage neurons improves neural regulation of blood pressure, hormonal regulation remains high and baroreflex dysfunction persists. Therefore, cell transplantation combined with selected RAS inhibition may enhance neuroendocrine homeostasis for cardiovascular recovery after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron T. Trueblood
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anurag Singh
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marissa A. Cusimano
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shaoping Hou
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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2
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Puspita L, Juwono VB, Shim JW. Advances in human pluripotent stem cell reporter systems. iScience 2024; 27:110856. [PMID: 39290832 PMCID: PMC11407076 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The capability of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to self-renew and differentiate into any cell type has greatly contributed to the advancement of biomedicine. Reporter lines derived from hPSCs have played a crucial role in elucidating the mechanisms underlying human development and diseases by acting as an alternative reporter system that cannot be used in living humans. To bring hPSCs closer to clinical application in transplantation, scientists have generated reporter lines for isolating the desired cell populations, as well as improving graft quality and treatment outcomes. This review presents an overview of the applications of hPSC reporter lines and the important variables in designing a reporter system, including options for gene delivery and editing tools, design of reporter constructs, and selection of reporter genes. It also provides insights into the prospects of hPSC reporter lines and the challenges that must be overcome to maximize the potential of hPSC reporter lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesly Puspita
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea
| | - Virginia Blessy Juwono
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea
- Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea
| | - Jae-Won Shim
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea
- Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea
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3
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Galgani A, Scotto M, Giorgi FS. The Neuroanatomy of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: In Vitro Models of Subcortical Nuclei in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:10180-10199. [PMID: 39329959 PMCID: PMC11430477 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46090607] [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: 08/08/2024] [Revised: 09/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuromodulatory subcortical systems (NSSs) are monoaminergic and cholinergic neuronal groups that are markedly and precociously involved in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. In humans, although many tools have been developed to infer information on these nuclei, encompassing neuroimaging and neurophysiological methods, a detailed and specific direct evaluation of their cellular features in vivo has been difficult to obtain until recent years. The development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models has allowed research to deeply delve into the cellular and molecular biology of NSS neurons. In fact, iPSCs can be produced easily and non-invasively from patients' fibroblasts or circulating blood monocytes, by de-differentiating those cells using specific protocols, and then be re-differentiated towards neural phenotypes, which may reproduce the specific features of the correspondent brain neurons (including NSS ones) from the same patient. In this review, we summarized findings obtained in the field of NDDs using iPSCs, with the aim to understand how reliably these might represent in vitro models of NSS. We found that most of the current literature in the field of iPSCs and NSSs in NDDs has focused on midbrain dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease, providing interesting results on cellular pathophysiology and even leading to the first human autologous transplantation. Differentiation protocols for noradrenergic, cholinergic, and serotoninergic neurons have also been recently defined and published. Thus, it might be expected that in the near future, this approach could extend to other NSSs and other NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Galgani
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Scotto
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Filippo S. Giorgi
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy
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4
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Tao Y, Li X, Dong Q, Kong L, Petersen AJ, Yan Y, Xu K, Zima S, Li Y, Schmidt DK, Ayala M, Mathivanan S, Sousa AMM, Chang Q, Zhang SC. Generation of locus coeruleus norepinephrine neurons from human pluripotent stem cells. Nat Biotechnol 2024; 42:1404-1416. [PMID: 37974010 PMCID: PMC11392812 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01977-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Central norepinephrine (NE) neurons, located mainly in the locus coeruleus (LC), are implicated in diverse psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases and are an emerging target for drug discovery. To facilitate their study, we developed a method to generate 40-60% human LC-NE neurons from human pluripotent stem cells. The approach depends on our identification of ACTIVIN A in regulating LC-NE transcription factors in dorsal rhombomere 1 (r1) progenitors. In vitro generated human LC-NE neurons display extensive axonal arborization; release and uptake NE; and exhibit pacemaker activity, calcium oscillation and chemoreceptor activity in response to CO2. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) analysis at multiple timepoints confirmed NE cell identity and revealed the differentiation trajectory from hindbrain progenitors to NE neurons via an ASCL1-expressing precursor stage. LC-NE neurons engineered with an NE sensor reliably reported extracellular levels of NE. The availability of functional human LC-NE neurons enables investigation of their roles in psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases and provides a tool for therapeutics development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Tao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xueyan Li
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Qiping Dong
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Linghai Kong
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Yuanwei Yan
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ke Xu
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Seth Zima
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Yanru Li
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Melvin Ayala
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Andre M M Sousa
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Qiang Chang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Su-Chun Zhang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
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5
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Lee GB, Mazli WNAB, Hao L. Multiomics Evaluation of Human iPSCs and iPSC-Derived Neurons. J Proteome Res 2024; 23:3149-3160. [PMID: 38415376 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be differentiated into neurons, providing living human neurons to model brain diseases. However, it is unclear how different types of molecules work together to regulate stem cell and neuron biology in healthy and disease states. In this study, we conducted integrated proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics analyses with confident identification, accurate quantification, and reproducible measurements to compare the molecular profiles of human iPSCs and iPSC-derived neurons. Proteins, lipids, and metabolites related to mitosis, DNA replication, pluripotency, glycosphingolipids, and energy metabolism were highly enriched in iPSCs, whereas synaptic proteins, neurotransmitters, polyunsaturated fatty acids, cardiolipins, and axon guidance pathways were highly enriched in neurons. Mutations in the GRN gene lead to the deficiency of the progranulin (PGRN) protein, which has been associated with various neurodegenerative diseases. Using this multiomics platform, we evaluated the impact of PGRN deficiency on iPSCs and neurons at the whole-cell level. Proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics analyses implicated PGRN's roles in neuroinflammation, purine metabolism, and neurite outgrowth, revealing commonly altered pathways related to neuron projection, synaptic dysfunction, and brain metabolism. Multiomics data sets also pointed toward the same hypothesis that neurons seem to be more susceptible to PGRN loss compared to iPSCs, consistent with the neurological symptoms and cognitive impairment from patients carrying inherited GRN mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwang Bin Lee
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, 800 22nd St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20052, United States
| | - Wan Nur Atiqah Binti Mazli
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, 800 22nd St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20052, United States
| | - Ling Hao
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, 800 22nd St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20052, United States
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6
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Chang Z, Wang QY, Li LH, Jiang B, Zhou XM, Zhu H, Sun YP, Pan X, Tu XX, Wang W, Liu CY, Kuang HX. Potential Plausible Role of Stem Cell for Treating Depressive Disorder: a Retrospective Review. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:4454-4472. [PMID: 38097915 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03843-5] [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: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Depression poses a significant threat to global physical and mental health, impacting around 3.8% of the population with a rising incidence. Current treatment options primarily involve medication and psychological support, yet their effectiveness remains limited, contributing to high relapse rates. There is an urgent need for innovative and more efficacious treatment modalities. Stem cell therapy, a promising avenue in regenerative medicine for a spectrum of neurodegenerative conditions, has recently garnered attention for its potential application in depression. While much of this work remains preclinical, it has demonstrated considerable promise. Identified mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of stem cell therapy encompass the stimulation of neurotrophic factors, immune function modulation, and augmented monoamine levels. Nonetheless, these pathways and other undiscovered mechanisms necessitate further investigation. Depression fundamentally manifests as a neurodegenerative disorder. Given stem cell therapy's success in addressing a range of neurodegenerative pathologies, it opens the door to explore its application in depression treatment. This exploration may include repairing damaged nerves directly or indirectly and inhibiting neurotoxicity. Nevertheless, significant challenges must be overcome before stem cell therapies can be applied clinically. Successful resolution of these issues will ultimately determine the feasibility of incorporating stem cell therapies into the clinical landscape. This narrative review provides insights into the progress of research, potential avenues for exploration, and the prevailing challenges in the implementation of stem cell therapy for treatment of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Chang
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Heping Road 26, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China
| | - Qing-Yi Wang
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Heping Road 26, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China
| | - Lu-Hao Li
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Heping Road 26, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China
| | - Bei Jiang
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Heping Road 26, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China
| | - Xue-Ming Zhou
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Heping Road 26, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Heping Road 26, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China
| | - Yan-Ping Sun
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Heping Road 26, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China
| | - Xue Pan
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xu-Xu Tu
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Heping Road 26, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China
| | - Wei Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Chen-Yue Liu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Xue Kuang
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Heping Road 26, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China.
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7
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Zivko C, Sagar R, Xydia A, Lopez-Montes A, Mintzer J, Rosenberg PB, Shade DM, Porsteinsson AP, Lyketsos CG, Mahairaki V. iPSC-derived hindbrain organoids to evaluate escitalopram oxalate treatment responses targeting neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02629-y. [PMID: 38840027 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02629-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, and the gradual deterioration of brain function eventually leads to death. Almost all AD patients suffer from neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), the emergence of which correlates with dysfunctional serotonergic systems. Our aim is to generate hindbrain organoids containing serotonergic neurons using human induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs). Work presented here is laying the groundwork for the application of hindbrain organoids to evaluate individual differences in disease progression, NPS development, and pharmacological treatment response. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy volunteers (n = 3), an AD patient without NPS (n = 1), and AD patients with NPS (n = 2) were reprogrammed into iPSCs and subsequently differentiated into hindbrain organoids. The presence of serotonergic neurons was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR, flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, and detection of released serotonin (5-HT). We successfully reprogrammed PBMCs into 6 iPSC lines, and subsequently generated hindbrain organoids from 6 individuals to study inter-patient variability using a precision medicine approach. To assess patient-specific treatment effects, organoids were treated with different concentrations of escitalopram oxalate, commonly prescribed for NPS. Changes in 5-HT levels before and after treatment with escitalopram were dose-dependent and variable across patients. Organoids from different people responded differently to the application of escitalopram in vitro. We propose that this 3D platform might be effectively used for drug screening purposes to predict patients with NPS most likely to respond to treatment in vivo and to understand the heterogeneity of treatment responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Zivko
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 21287, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ram Sagar
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 21287, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ariadni Xydia
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 21287, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alejandro Lopez-Montes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jacobo Mintzer
- Department of Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 29425, Charleston, SC, USA
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System, 29401, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Paul B Rosenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 21287, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David M Shade
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anton P Porsteinsson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 14642, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Constantine G Lyketsos
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 21287, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 21287, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vasiliki Mahairaki
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 21287, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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8
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Triebelhorn J, Cardon I, Kuffner K, Bader S, Jahner T, Meindl K, Rothhammer-Hampl T, Riemenschneider MJ, Drexler K, Berneburg M, Nothdurfter C, Manook A, Brochhausen C, Baghai TC, Hilbert S, Rupprecht R, Milenkovic VM, Wetzel CH. Induced neural progenitor cells and iPS-neurons from major depressive disorder patients show altered bioenergetics and electrophysiological properties. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:1217-1227. [PMID: 35732695 PMCID: PMC11189806 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01660-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The molecular pathomechanisms of major depressive disorder (MDD) are still not completely understood. Here, we follow the hypothesis, that mitochondria dysfunction which is inevitably associated with bioenergetic disbalance is a risk factor that contributes to the susceptibility of an individual to develop MDD. Thus, we investigated molecular mechanisms related to mitochondrial function in induced neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) which were reprogrammed from fibroblasts of eight MDD patients and eight non-depressed controls. We found significantly lower maximal respiration rates, altered cytosolic basal calcium levels, and smaller soma size in NPCs derived from MDD patients. These findings are partially consistent with our earlier observations in MDD patient-derived fibroblasts. Furthermore, we differentiated MDD and control NPCs into iPS-neurons and analyzed their passive biophysical and active electrophysiological properties to investigate whether neuronal function can be related to altered mitochondrial activity and bioenergetics. Interestingly, MDD patient-derived iPS-neurons showed significantly lower membrane capacitance, a less hyperpolarized membrane potential, increased Na+ current density and increased spontaneous electrical activity. Our findings indicate that functional differences evident in fibroblasts derived from MDD patients are partially present after reprogramming to induced-NPCs, could relate to altered function of iPS-neurons and thus might be associated with the aetiology of major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Triebelhorn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Iseline Cardon
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Kuffner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Bader
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tatjana Jahner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Meindl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tanja Rothhammer-Hampl
- Department of Neuropathology, Regensburg University Hospital, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Konstantin Drexler
- Department of Dermatology, Regensburg University Hospital, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Mark Berneburg
- Department of Dermatology, Regensburg University Hospital, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Caroline Nothdurfter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - André Manook
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Brochhausen
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
- Central Biobank of the University of Regensburg and the Regensburg University Hospital, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Thomas C Baghai
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sven Hilbert
- Institute of Educational Research, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Rupprecht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Vladimir M Milenkovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christian H Wetzel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
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9
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Serafini MM, Sepehri S, Midali M, Stinckens M, Biesiekierska M, Wolniakowska A, Gatzios A, Rundén-Pran E, Reszka E, Marinovich M, Vanhaecke T, Roszak J, Viviani B, SenGupta T. Recent advances and current challenges of new approach methodologies in developmental and adult neurotoxicity testing. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1271-1295. [PMID: 38480536 PMCID: PMC10965660 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03703-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Adult neurotoxicity (ANT) and developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) assessments aim to understand the adverse effects and underlying mechanisms of toxicants on the human nervous system. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the so-called new approach methodologies (NAMs). The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), together with European and American regulatory agencies, promote the use of validated alternative test systems, but to date, guidelines for regulatory DNT and ANT assessment rely primarily on classical animal testing. Alternative methods include both non-animal approaches and test systems on non-vertebrates (e.g., nematodes) or non-mammals (e.g., fish). Therefore, this review summarizes the recent advances of NAMs focusing on ANT and DNT and highlights the potential and current critical issues for the full implementation of these methods in the future. The status of the DNT in vitro battery (DNT IVB) is also reviewed as a first step of NAMs for the assessment of neurotoxicity in the regulatory context. Critical issues such as (i) the need for test batteries and method integration (from in silico and in vitro to in vivo alternatives, e.g., zebrafish, C. elegans) requiring interdisciplinarity to manage complexity, (ii) interlaboratory transferability, and (iii) the urgent need for method validation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melania Maria Serafini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Sara Sepehri
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Miriam Midali
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marth Stinckens
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marta Biesiekierska
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Wolniakowska
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Alexandra Gatzios
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elise Rundén-Pran
- The Climate and Environmental Research Institute NILU, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Edyta Reszka
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Marina Marinovich
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Center of Research on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in chemical risk assessment (SAFE-MI), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joanna Roszak
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Barbara Viviani
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Center of Research on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in chemical risk assessment (SAFE-MI), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tanima SenGupta
- The Climate and Environmental Research Institute NILU, Kjeller, Norway
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10
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Li Y, Duan J, Li Y, Zhang M, Wu J, Wang G, Li S, Hu Z, Qu Y, Li Y, Hu X, Guo F, Cao L, Lu J. Transcriptomic profiling across human serotonin neuron differentiation via the FEV reporter system. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:107. [PMID: 38637896 PMCID: PMC11027224 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03728-x] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The detailed transcriptomic profiles during human serotonin neuron (SN) differentiation remain elusive. The establishment of a reporter system based on SN terminal selector holds promise to produce highly-purified cells with an early serotonergic fate and help elucidate the molecular events during human SN development process. METHODS A fifth Ewing variant (FEV)-EGFP reporter system was established by CRISPR/Cas9 technology to indicate SN since postmitotic stage. FACS was performed to purify SN from the heterogeneous cell populations. RNA-sequencing analysis was performed for cells at four key stages of differentiation (pluripotent stem cells, serotonergic neural progenitors, purified postmitotic SN and purifed mature SN) to explore the transcriptomic dynamics during SN differentiation. RESULTS We found that human serotonergic fate specification may commence as early as day 21 of differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells. Furthermore, the transcriptional factors ZIC1, HOXA2 and MSX2 were identified as the hub genes responsible for orchestrating serotonergic fate determination. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, we exposed the developmental transcriptomic profiles of human SN via FEV reporter system, which will further our understanding for the development process of human SN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqi Li
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinjin Duan
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - You Li
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meihui Zhang
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaan Wu
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanhao Wang
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuanqing Li
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhangsen Hu
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Qu
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunhe Li
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiran Hu
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lining Cao
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jianfeng Lu
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
- Suzhou Institute of Tongji University, Suzhou, China.
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11
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Sagar R, Zivko C, Xydia A, Weisman DC, Lyketsos CG, Mahairaki V. Generation and Characterization of a Human-Derived and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) Line from an Alzheimer's Disease Patient with Neuropsychiatric Symptoms. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3313. [PMID: 38137534 PMCID: PMC10741135 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123313] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Agitation is one of the most eminent characteristics of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) affecting people living with Alzheimer's and Dementia and has serious consequences for patients and caregivers. The current consensus is that agitation results, in part, from the disruption of ascending monoamine regulators of cortical circuits, especially the loss of serotonergic activity. It is believed that the first line of treatment for these conditions is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), but these are effective in only about 40% of patients. Person-specific biomarkers, for example, ones based on in vitro iPSC-derived models of serotonin activity, which predict who with Agitation responds to an SSRI, are a major clinical priority. Here, we report the generation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a 74-year-old AD patient, the homozygous APOE ε4/ε4 carrier, who developed Agitation. His iPSCs were reprogrammed from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using the transient expression of pluripotency genes. These display typical iPSC characteristics that are karyotypically normal and attain the capacity to differentiate into three germ layers. The newly patient-derived iPSC line offers a unique resource to investigate the underlying mechanisms associated with neuropsychiatric symptom progression in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram Sagar
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (R.S.); (C.Z.); (A.X.)
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer’s Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA;
- The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Cristina Zivko
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (R.S.); (C.Z.); (A.X.)
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer’s Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA;
- The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ariadni Xydia
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (R.S.); (C.Z.); (A.X.)
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer’s Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA;
- The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - David C. Weisman
- Abington Neurologic Associates, Clinical Research Center, Abington, PA 19001, USA
| | - Constantine G. Lyketsos
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer’s Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA;
- The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Vasiliki Mahairaki
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (R.S.); (C.Z.); (A.X.)
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer’s Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA;
- The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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12
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Xu T, Cao L, Duan J, Li Y, Li Y, Hu Z, Li S, Zhang M, Wang G, Guo F, Lu J. Uncovering the role of FOXA2 in the Development of Human Serotonin Neurons. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2303884. [PMID: 37679064 PMCID: PMC10646255 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Directed differentiation of serotonin neurons (SNs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provides a valuable tool for uncovering the mechanism of human SN development and the associated neuropsychiatric disorders. Previous studies report that FOXA2 is expressed by serotonergic progenitors (SNPs) and functioned as a serotonergic fate determinant in mouse. However, in the routine differentiation experiments, it is accidentally found that less SNs and more non-neuronal cells are obtained from SNP stage with higher percentage of FOXA2-positive cells. This phenomenon prompted them to question the role of FOXA2 as an intrinsic fate determinant for human SN differentiation. Herein, by direct differentiation of engineered hPSCs into SNs, it is found that the SNs are not derived from FOXA2-lineage cells; FOXA2-knockout hPSCs can still differentiate into mature and functional SNs with typical serotonergic identity; FOXA2 overexpression suppresses the SN differentiation, indicating that FOXA2 is not intrinsically required for human SN differentiation. Furthermore, repressing FOXA2 expression by retinoic acid (RA) and dynamically modulating Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway promotes human SN differentiation. This study uncovers the role of FOXA2 in human SN development and improves the differentiation efficiency of hPSCs into SNs by repressing FOXA2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xu
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell ResearchSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghai200092China
| | - Lining Cao
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell ResearchSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghai200092China
| | - Jinjin Duan
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell ResearchSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghai200092China
| | - Yingqi Li
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell ResearchSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghai200092China
| | - You Li
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell ResearchSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghai200092China
| | - Zhangsen Hu
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell ResearchSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghai200092China
| | - Shuanqing Li
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell ResearchSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghai200092China
| | - Meihui Zhang
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell ResearchSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghai200092China
| | - Guanhao Wang
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell ResearchSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghai200092China
| | - Fei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Receptor ResearchShanghai Institute of Materia MedicaChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai201203China
| | - Jianfeng Lu
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell ResearchSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghai200092China
- Suzhou Institute of Tongji UniversitySuzhou215101China
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13
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Lin R, Kos A, Lopez JP, Dine J, Fiori LM, Yang J, Ben-Efraim Y, Aouabed Z, Ibrahim P, Mitsuhashi H, Wong TP, Ibrahim EC, Belzung C, Blier P, Farzan F, Frey BN, Lam RW, Milev R, Muller DJ, Parikh SV, Soares C, Uher R, Nagy C, Mechawar N, Foster JA, Kennedy SH, Chen A, Turecki G. SNORD90 induces glutamatergic signaling following treatment with monoaminergic antidepressants. eLife 2023; 12:e85316. [PMID: 37432876 PMCID: PMC10335830 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85316] [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: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmacotherapies for the treatment of major depressive disorder were serendipitously discovered almost seven decades ago. From this discovery, scientists pinpointed the monoaminergic system as the primary target associated with symptom alleviation. As a result, most antidepressants have been engineered to act on the monoaminergic system more selectively, primarily on serotonin, in an effort to increase treatment response and reduce unfavorable side effects. However, slow and inconsistent clinical responses continue to be observed with these available treatments. Recent findings point to the glutamatergic system as a target for rapid acting antidepressants. Investigating different cohorts of depressed individuals treated with serotonergic and other monoaminergic antidepressants, we found that the expression of a small nucleolar RNA, SNORD90, was elevated following treatment response. When we increased Snord90 levels in the mouse anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a brain region regulating mood responses, we observed antidepressive-like behaviors. We identified neuregulin 3 (NRG3) as one of the targets of SNORD90, which we show is regulated through the accumulation of N6-methyladenosine modifications leading to YTHDF2-mediated RNA decay. We further demonstrate that a decrease in NRG3 expression resulted in increased glutamatergic release in the mouse ACC. These findings support a molecular link between monoaminergic antidepressant treatment and glutamatergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rixing Lin
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Aron Kos
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of PsychiatryMunichGermany
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Juan Pablo Lopez
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of PsychiatryMunichGermany
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Julien Dine
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of PsychiatryMunichGermany
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Laura M Fiori
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Jennie Yang
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Yair Ben-Efraim
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of PsychiatryMunichGermany
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Zahia Aouabed
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Pascal Ibrahim
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Haruka Mitsuhashi
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Tak Pan Wong
- Neuroscience Division, Douglas Research CentreMontrealCanada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - El Cherif Ibrahim
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, INT, Institute Neuroscience TimoneMarseilleFrance
| | - Catherine Belzung
- UMR 1253, iBrain, UFR Sciences et Techniques; Parc GrandmontToursFrance
| | - Pierre Blier
- Mood Disorders Research Unit, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health ResearchOntarioCanada
| | | | - Benicio N Frey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph’s Healthcare HamiltonHamiltonCanada
| | - Raymond W Lam
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British ColumbiaColumbiaCanada
| | - Roumen Milev
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, Queens UniversityOntarioCanada
| | - Daniel J Muller
- Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Krembil Research Institute, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoCanada
| | - Sagar V Parikh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Claudio Soares
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, Queens UniversityOntarioCanada
| | - Rudolf Uher
- Nova Scotia Health AuthorityHalifaxCanada
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie UniversityHalifaxCanada
| | - Corina Nagy
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Naguib Mechawar
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Jane A Foster
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster UniversityHamiltonCanada
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph’s Healthcare HamiltonHamiltonCanada
- Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Krembil Research Institute, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Sidney H Kennedy
- Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Krembil Research Institute, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
- St Michael’s Hospital, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Centre for Depression and Suicide StudiesTorontoCanada
| | - Alon Chen
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of PsychiatryMunichGermany
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill UniversityMontrealCanada
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14
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Zheng X, Han D, Liu W, Wang X, Pan N, Wang Y, Chen Z. Human iPSC-derived midbrain organoids functionally integrate into striatum circuits and restore motor function in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Theranostics 2023; 13:2673-2692. [PMID: 37215566 PMCID: PMC10196819 DOI: 10.7150/thno.80271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons (DA) at the substantia nigra pas compacta (SNpc). Cell therapy has been proposed as a potential treatment option for PD, with the aim of replenishing the lost DA neurons and restoring motor function. Fetal ventral mesencephalon tissues (fVM) and stem cell-derived DA precursors cultured in 2-dimentional (2-D) culture conditions have shown promising therapeutic outcomes in animal models and clinical trials. Recently, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived human midbrain organoids (hMOs) cultured in 3-dimentional (3-D) culture conditions have emerged as a novel source of graft that combines the strengths of fVM tissues and 2-D DA cells. Methods: 3-D hMOs were induced from three distinct hiPSC lines. hMOs at various stages of differentiation were transplanted as tissue pieces into the striatum of naïve immunodeficient mouse brains, with the aim of identifying the most suitable stage of hMOs for cellular therapy. The hMOs at Day 15 were determined to be the most appropriate stage and were transplanted into a PD mouse model to assess cell survival, differentiation, and axonal innervation in vivo. Behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate functional restoration following hMO treatment and to compare the therapeutic effects between 2-D and 3-D cultures. Rabies virus were introduced to identify the host presynaptic input onto the transplanted cells. Results: hMOs showed a relatively homogeneous cell composition, mostly consisting of dopaminergic cells of midbrain lineage. Analysis conducted 12 weeks post-transplantation of day 15 hMOs revealed that 14.11% of the engrafted cells expressed TH+ and over 90% of these cells were co-labeled with GIRK2+, indicating the survival and maturation of A9 mDA neurons in the striatum of PD mice. Transplantation of hMOs led to a reversal of motor function and establishment of bidirectional connections with natural brain target regions, without any incidence of tumor formation or graft overgrowth. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the potential of hMOs as safe and efficacious donor graft sources for cell therapy to treat PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zheng
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
- Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Deqiang Han
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
- Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Weihua Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
- Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xueyao Wang
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
- Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Na Pan
- The Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Yuping Wang
- The Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Zhiguo Chen
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
- Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, 100069, China
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15
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Hicks EM, Seah C, Cote A, Marchese S, Brennand KJ, Nestler EJ, Girgenti MJ, Huckins LM. Integrating genetics and transcriptomics to study major depressive disorder: a conceptual framework, bioinformatic approaches, and recent findings. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:129. [PMID: 37076454 PMCID: PMC10115809 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02412-7] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex and heterogeneous psychiatric syndrome with genetic and environmental influences. In addition to neuroanatomical and circuit-level disturbances, dysregulation of the brain transcriptome is a key phenotypic signature of MDD. Postmortem brain gene expression data are uniquely valuable resources for identifying this signature and key genomic drivers in human depression; however, the scarcity of brain tissue limits our capacity to observe the dynamic transcriptional landscape of MDD. It is therefore crucial to explore and integrate depression and stress transcriptomic data from numerous, complementary perspectives to construct a richer understanding of the pathophysiology of depression. In this review, we discuss multiple approaches for exploring the brain transcriptome reflecting dynamic stages of MDD: predisposition, onset, and illness. We next highlight bioinformatic approaches for hypothesis-free, genome-wide analyses of genomic and transcriptomic data and their integration. Last, we summarize the findings of recent genetic and transcriptomic studies within this conceptual framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Hicks
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Carina Seah
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Alanna Cote
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Shelby Marchese
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Matthew J Girgenti
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
| | - Laura M Huckins
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
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16
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Seah C, Huckins LM, Brennand KJ. Stem Cell Models for Context-Specific Modeling in Psychiatric Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:642-650. [PMID: 36658083 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies reveal the complex polygenic architecture underlying psychiatric disorder risk, but there is an unmet need to validate causal variants, resolve their target genes(s), and explore their functional impacts on disorder-related mechanisms. Disorder-associated loci regulate transcription of target genes in a cell type- and context-specific manner, which can be measured through expression quantitative trait loci. In this review, we discuss methods and insights from context-specific modeling of genetically and environmentally regulated expression. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell type and organoid models have uncovered context-specific psychiatric disorder associations by investigating tissue-, cell type-, sex-, age-, and stressor-specific genetic regulation of expression. Techniques such as massively parallel reporter assays and pooled CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) screens make it possible to functionally fine-map genome-wide association study loci and validate their target genes at scale. Integration of disorder-associated contexts with these patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cell models makes it possible to uncover gene by environment interactions that mediate disorder risk, which will ultimately improve our ability to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Seah
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Laura M Huckins
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
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17
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Zhu W, Xu L, Li X, Hu H, Lou S, Liu Y. iPSCs-Derived Neurons and Brain Organoids from Patients. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023; 281:59-81. [PMID: 37306818 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be differentiated into specific neurons and brain organoids by adding induction factors and small molecules in vitro, which carry human genetic information and recapitulate the development process of human brain as well as physiological, pathological, and pharmacological characteristics. Hence, iPSC-derived neurons and organoids hold great promise for studying human brain development and related nervous system diseases in vitro, and provide a platform for drug screening. In this chapter, we summarize the development of the differentiation techniques for neurons and brain organoids from iPSCs, and their applications in studying brain disease, drug screening, and transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanying Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinrui Li
- School of Pharmacy, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuning Lou
- School of Pharmacy, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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18
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Limone F, Klim JR, Mordes DA. Pluripotent stem cell strategies for rebuilding the human brain. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1017299. [PMID: 36408113 PMCID: PMC9667068 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1017299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders have been extremely challenging to treat with traditional drug-based approaches and curative therapies are lacking. Given continued progress in stem cell technologies, cell replacement strategies have emerged as concrete and potentially viable therapeutic options. In this review, we cover advances in methods used to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells into several highly specialized types of neurons, including cholinergic, dopaminergic, and motor neurons, and the potential clinical applications of stem cell-derived neurons for common neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, ataxia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Additionally, we summarize cellular differentiation techniques for generating glial cell populations, including oligodendrocytes and microglia, and their conceivable translational roles in supporting neural function. Clinical trials of specific cell replacement therapies in the nervous system are already underway, and several attractive avenues in regenerative medicine warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Limone
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Daniel A. Mordes
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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19
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Hingorani M, Viviani AML, Sanfilippo JE, Janušonis S. High-resolution spatiotemporal analysis of single serotonergic axons in an in vitro system. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:994735. [PMID: 36353595 PMCID: PMC9638127 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.994735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate brains have a dual structure, composed of (i) axons that can be well-captured with graph-theoretical methods and (ii) axons that form a dense matrix in which neurons with precise connections operate. A core part of this matrix is formed by axons (fibers) that store and release 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin), an ancient neurotransmitter that supports neuroplasticity and has profound implications for mental health. The self-organization of the serotonergic matrix is not well understood, despite recent advances in experimental and theoretical approaches. In particular, individual serotonergic axons produce highly stochastic trajectories, fundamental to the construction of regional fiber densities, but further advances in predictive computer simulations require more accurate experimental information. This study examined single serotonergic axons in culture systems (co-cultures and monolayers), by using a set of complementary high-resolution methods: confocal microscopy, holotomography (refractive index-based live imaging), and super-resolution (STED) microscopy. It shows that serotonergic axon walks in neural tissue may strongly reflect the stochastic geometry of this tissue and it also provides new insights into the morphology and branching properties of serotonergic axons. The proposed experimental platform can support next-generation analyses of the serotonergic matrix, including seamless integration with supercomputing approaches.
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20
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Sheridan SD, Horng JE, Perlis RH. Patient-Derived In Vitro Models of Microglial Function and Synaptic Engulfment in Schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:470-479. [PMID: 35232567 PMCID: PMC10039432 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Multiple lines of evidence implicate dysregulated microglia-mediated synaptic pruning in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In vitro human cellular studies represent a promising means of pursuing this hypothesis, complementing efforts with animal models and postmortem human data while addressing their limitations. The challenges in culturing homogeneous populations of cells derived from postmortem or surgical biopsy brain material from patients, and their limited availability, has led to a focus on differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells. These methods too have limitations, in that they disrupt the epigenome and can demonstrate line-to-line variability due in part to extended time in culture, partial reprogramming, and/or residual epigenetic memory from the cell source, yielding large technical artifacts. Yet another strategy uses direct transdifferentiation of peripheral mononuclear blood cells, or umbilical cord blood cells, to microglia-like cells. Any of these approaches can be paired with patient-derived synaptosomes from differentiated neurons as a simpler alternative to co-culture. Patient-derived microglia models may facilitate identification of novel modulators of synaptic pruning and identification of biomarkers that may allow more targeted early interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven D Sheridan
- Center for Genomic Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joy E Horng
- Center for Genomic Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Roy H Perlis
- Center for Genomic Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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21
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Xu T, Duan J, Li Y, Wang G, Li S, Li Y, Lu W, Yan X, Ren Y, Guo F, Cao L, Lu J. Generation of a TPH2-EGFP reporter cell line for purification and monitoring of human serotonin neurons in vitro and in vivo. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:2365-2379. [PMID: 36150384 PMCID: PMC9561537 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Generation of serotonin neurons (SNs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provides a promising platform to explore the mechanisms of serotonin-associated neuropsychiatric disorders. However, neural differentiation always yields heterogeneous cell populations, making it difficult to identify and purify SNs in vitro or track them in vivo following transplantation. Herein, we generated a TPH2-EGFP reporter hPSC line with insertion of EGFP into the endogenous tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) locus using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing technology. This TPH2-reporter, which faithfully indicated TPH2 expression during differentiation, enabled us to obtain purified SNs for subsequent transcriptional analysis and study of pharmacological responses to antidepressants. In addition, the reporter system showed strong EGFP expression to indicate SNs, which enabled us to explore in vitro and ex vivo electrophysiological properties of SNs. In conclusion, this TPH2-EGFP reporter cell line might be of great significance for studies on human SN-related development and differentiation, drug screening, disease modeling, and cell replacement therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xu
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jinjin Duan
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yingqi Li
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Guanhao Wang
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shuanqing Li
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - You Li
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Wenting Lu
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xinyi Yan
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yixuan Ren
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Fei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lining Cao
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Jianfeng Lu
- Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Suzhou Institute of Tongji University, Suzhou 215101, China.
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22
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Sebastian R, Song Y, Pak C. Probing the molecular and cellular pathological mechanisms of schizophrenia using human induced pluripotent stem cell models. Schizophr Res 2022:S0920-9964(22)00263-8. [PMID: 35835709 PMCID: PMC9832179 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
With recent advancements in psychiatric genomics, as a field, "stem cell-based disease modelers" were given the exciting yet daunting task of translating the extensive list of disease-associated risks into biologically and clinically relevant information in order to deliver therapeutically meaningful leads and insights. Despite their limitations, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs) based models have greatly aided our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the complex etiology of brain disorders including schizophrenia (SCZ). In this review, we summarize the major findings from studies in the past decade which utilized iPSC models to investigate cell type-specific phenotypes relevant to idiopathic SCZ and disease penetrant alleles. Across cell type differences, several biological themes emerged, serving as potential neurodevelopmental mechanisms of SCZ, including oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, depletion of progenitor pools and insufficient differentiation potential of these progenitors, and structural and functional deficits of neurons and other supporting cells. Here, we discuss both the recent progress as well as challenges and improvements needed for future studies utilizing iPSCs as a model for SCZ and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Sebastian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Neuroscience and Behavior Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Yoonjae Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - ChangHui Pak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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23
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Holmes J, Lau T, Saylor R, Fernández-Novel N, Hersey M, Keen D, Hampel L, Horschitz S, Ladewig J, Parke B, Reed MC, Nijhout HF, Best J, Koch P, Hashemi P. Voltammetric Approach for Characterizing the Biophysical and Chemical Functionality of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Serotonin Neurons. Anal Chem 2022; 94:8847-8856. [PMID: 35713335 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c05082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Depression is quickly becoming one of the world's most pressing public health crises, and there is an urgent need for better diagnostics and therapeutics. Behavioral models in animals and humans have not adequately addressed the diagnosis and treatment of depression, and biomarkers of mental illnesses remain ill-defined. It has been very difficult to identify biomarkers of depression because of in vivo measurement challenges. While our group has made important strides in developing in vivo tools to measure such biomarkers (e.g., serotonin) in mice using voltammetry, these tools cannot be easily applied for depression diagnosis and drug screening in humans due to the inaccessibility of the human brain. In this work, we take a chemical approach, ex vivo, to introduce a human-derived system to investigate brain serotonin. We utilize human induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated into serotonin neurons and establish a new ex vivo model of real-time serotonin neurotransmission measurements. We show that evoked serotonin release responds to stimulation intensity and tryptophan preloading, and that serotonin release and reuptake kinetics resemble those found in vivo in rodents. Finally, after selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) exposure, we find dose-dependent internalization of the serotonin reuptake transporters (a signature of the in vivo response to SSRI). Our new human-derived chemical model has great potential to provide an ex vivo chemical platform as a translational tool for in vivo neuropsychopharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Holmes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Thorsten Lau
- Department of Translational Brain Research, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, 68159 Mannheim, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,HITBR Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research gGmbH, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rachel Saylor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Nadine Fernández-Novel
- Department of Translational Brain Research, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, 68159 Mannheim, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,HITBR Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research gGmbH, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Melinda Hersey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Neuroscience, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29209, United States
| | - Deanna Keen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Lena Hampel
- Department of Translational Brain Research, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, 68159 Mannheim, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,HITBR Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research gGmbH, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sandra Horschitz
- Department of Translational Brain Research, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, 68159 Mannheim, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,HITBR Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research gGmbH, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Julia Ladewig
- Department of Translational Brain Research, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, 68159 Mannheim, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,HITBR Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research gGmbH, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Brenna Parke
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - Michael C Reed
- Department of Mathematics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - H Frederik Nijhout
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Janet Best
- Department of Mathematics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Philipp Koch
- Department of Translational Brain Research, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, 68159 Mannheim, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,HITBR Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research gGmbH, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Parastoo Hashemi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
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24
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Frankenfield A, Ni J, Hao L. Characterization of Neuronal Lysosome Interactome with Proximity Labeling Proteomics. J Vis Exp 2022:10.3791/64132. [PMID: 35815987 PMCID: PMC9997703 DOI: 10.3791/64132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysosomes frequently communicate with a variety of biomolecules to achieve the degradation and other diverse cellular functions. Lysosomes are critical to human brain function, as neurons are postmitotic and rely heavily on the autophagy-lysosome pathway to maintain cellular homeostasis. Despite advancements in the understanding of various lysosomal functions, capturing the highly dynamic communications between lysosomes and other cellular components is technically challenging, particularly in a high-throughput fashion. Here, a detailed protocol is provided for the recently published endogenous (knock-in) lysosome proximity labeling proteomic method in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons. Both lysosomal membrane proteins and proteins surrounding lysosomes within a 10-20 nm radius can be confidently identified and accurately quantified in live human neurons. Each step of the protocol is described in detail, i.e., hiPSC-neuron culture, proximity labeling, neuron harvest, fluorescence microscopy, biotinylated protein enrichment, protein digestion, LC-MS analysis, and data analysis. In summary, this unique endogenous lysosomal proximity labeling proteomics method provides a high-throughput and robust analytical tool to study the highly dynamic lysosomal activities in live human neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiawei Ni
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University
| | - Ling Hao
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University;
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25
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Alekseenko Z, Dias JM, Adler AF, Kozhevnikova M, van Lunteren JA, Nolbrant S, Jeggari A, Vasylovska S, Yoshitake T, Kehr J, Carlén M, Alexeyenko A, Parmar M, Ericson J. Robust derivation of transplantable dopamine neurons from human pluripotent stem cells by timed retinoic acid delivery. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3046. [PMID: 35650213 PMCID: PMC9160024 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30777-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD) have entered first-in-human clinical trials using a set of technically related methods to produce mesencephalic dopamine (mDA) neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Here, we outline an approach for high-yield derivation of mDA neurons that principally differs from alternative technologies by utilizing retinoic acid (RA) signaling, instead of WNT and FGF8 signaling, to specify mesencephalic fate. Unlike most morphogen signals, where precise concentration determines cell fate, it is the duration of RA exposure that is the key-parameter for mesencephalic specification. This concentration-insensitive patterning approach provides robustness and reduces the need for protocol-adjustments between hPSC-lines. RA-specified progenitors promptly differentiate into functional mDA neurons in vitro, and successfully engraft and relieve motor deficits after transplantation in a rat PD model. Our study provides a potential alternative route for cell therapy and disease modelling that due to its robustness could be particularly expedient when use of autologous- or immunologically matched cells is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanna Alekseenko
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - José M Dias
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrew F Adler
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mariya Kozhevnikova
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Sara Nolbrant
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ashwini Jeggari
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Svitlana Vasylovska
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Takashi Yoshitake
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Kehr
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
- Pronexus Analytical AB, Bromma, Sweden
| | - Marie Carlén
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrey Alexeyenko
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, 171 21, Solna, Sweden
| | - Malin Parmar
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johan Ericson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
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26
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Chakritbudsabong W, Sariya L, Jantahiran P, Chaisilp N, Chaiwattanarungruengpaisan S, Rungsiwiwut R, Ferreira JN, Rungarunlert S. Generation of Porcine Induced Neural Stem Cells Using the Sendai Virus. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:806785. [PMID: 35097051 PMCID: PMC8790232 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.806785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The reprogramming of cells into induced neural stem cells (iNSCs), which are faster and safer to generate than induced pluripotent stem cells, holds tremendous promise for fundamental and frontier research, as well as personalized cell-based therapies for neurological diseases. However, reprogramming cells with viral vectors increases the risk of tumor development due to vector and transgene integration in the host cell genome. To circumvent this issue, the Sendai virus (SeV) provides an alternative integration-free reprogramming method that removes the danger of genetic alterations and enhances the prospects of iNSCs from bench to bedside. Since pigs are among the most successful large animal models in biomedical research, porcine iNSCs (piNSCs) may serve as a disease model for both veterinary and human medicine. Here, we report the successful generation of piNSC lines from pig fibroblasts by employing the SeV. These piNSCs can be expanded for up to 40 passages in a monolayer culture and produce neurospheres in a suspension culture. These piNSCs express high levels of NSC markers (PAX6, SOX2, NESTIN, and VIMENTIN) and proliferation markers (KI67) using quantitative immunostaining and western blot analysis. Furthermore, piNSCs are multipotent, as they are capable of producing neurons and glia, as demonstrated by their expressions of TUJ1, MAP2, TH, MBP, and GFAP proteins. During the reprogramming of piNSCs with the SeV, no induced pluripotent stem cells developed, and the established piNSCs did not express OCT4, NANOG, and SSEA1. Hence, the use of the SeV can reprogram porcine somatic cells without first going through an intermediate pluripotent state. Our research produced piNSCs using SeV methods in novel, easily accessible large animal cell culture models for evaluating the efficacy of iNSC-based clinical translation in human medicine. Additionally, our piNSCs are potentially applicable in disease modeling in pigs and regenerative therapies in veterinary medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warunya Chakritbudsabong
- Laboratory of Cellular Biomedicine and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
- Department of Preclinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Ladawan Sariya
- The Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Disease in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Phakhin Jantahiran
- Laboratory of Cellular Biomedicine and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
- Department of Preclinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Nattarun Chaisilp
- The Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Disease in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Somjit Chaiwattanarungruengpaisan
- The Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Disease in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Ruttachuk Rungsiwiwut
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Joao N. Ferreira
- Avatar Biotechnologies for Oral Health and Healthy Longevity Research Unit, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sasitorn Rungarunlert
- Laboratory of Cellular Biomedicine and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
- Department of Preclinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Sasitorn Rungarunlert
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27
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Mangiameli E, Freschi M, Luciani M, Gritti A. Generation of neuronal/glial mixed cultures from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Methods Cell Biol 2022; 171:229-245. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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28
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van Rhijn JR, Shi Y, Bormann M, Mossink B, Frega M, Recaioglu H, Hakobjan M, Klein Gunnewiek T, Schoenmaker C, Palmer E, Faivre L, Kittel-Schneider S, Schubert D, Brunner H, Franke B, Nadif Kasri N. Brunner syndrome associated MAOA mutations result in NMDAR hyperfunction and increased network activity in human dopaminergic neurons. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 163:105587. [PMID: 34923109 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105587] [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: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoamine neurotransmitter abundance affects motor control, emotion, and cognitive function and is regulated by monoamine oxidases. Among these, Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) catalyzes the degradation of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin into their inactive metabolites. Loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked MAOA gene have been associated with Brunner syndrome, which is characterized by various forms of impulsivity, maladaptive externalizing behavior, and mild intellectual disability. Impaired MAOA activity in individuals with Brunner syndrome results in bioamine aberration, but it is currently unknown how this affects neuronal function, specifically in dopaminergic (DA) neurons. Here we generated human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived DA neurons from three individuals with Brunner syndrome carrying different mutations and characterized neuronal properties at the single cell and neuronal network level in vitro. DA neurons of Brunner syndrome patients showed reduced synaptic density but exhibited hyperactive network activity. Intrinsic functional properties and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR)-mediated synaptic transmission were not affected in DA neurons of individuals with Brunner syndrome. Instead, we show that the neuronal network hyperactivity is mediated by upregulation of the GRIN2A and GRIN2B subunits of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), resulting in increased NMDAR-mediated currents. By correcting a MAOA missense mutation with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing we normalized GRIN2A and GRIN2B expression, NMDAR function and neuronal population activity to control levels. Our data suggest that MAOA mutations in Brunner syndrome increase the activity of dopaminergic neurons through upregulation of NMDAR function, which may contribute to the etiology of Brunner syndrome associated phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon-Ruben van Rhijn
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Maren Bormann
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Britt Mossink
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Monica Frega
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical neurophysiology, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Hatice Recaioglu
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marina Hakobjan
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Teun Klein Gunnewiek
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Chantal Schoenmaker
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth Palmer
- Genetics of Learning Disability Service, Hunter Genetics, Waratah, NSW, Australia; School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Laurence Faivre
- Centre de Référence Anomalies du développement et Syndromes malformatifs and FHU TRANSLAD, Hôpital d'Enfants, Dijon, France; INSERM UMR1231 GAD, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Sarah Kittel-Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Schubert
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Han Brunner
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, MUMC+, GROW School of Oncology and Developmental Biology, and MHeNS School of Neuroscience and Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Barbara Franke
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Nael Nadif Kasri
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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29
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Hulme AJ, Maksour S, St-Clair Glover M, Miellet S, Dottori M. Making neurons, made easy: The use of Neurogenin-2 in neuronal differentiation. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 17:14-34. [PMID: 34971564 PMCID: PMC8758946 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Directed neuronal differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), neural progenitors, or fibroblasts using transcription factors has allowed for the rapid and highly reproducible differentiation of mature and functional neurons. Exogenous expression of the transcription factor Neurogenin-2 (NGN2) has been widely used to generate different populations of neurons, which have been used in neurodevelopment studies, disease modeling, drug screening, and neuronal replacement therapies. Could NGN2 be a “one-glove-fits-all” approach for neuronal differentiations? This review summarizes the cellular roles of NGN2 and describes the applications and limitations of using NGN2 for the rapid and directed differentiation of neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy J Hulme
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon Maksour
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Mitchell St-Clair Glover
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Sara Miellet
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Mirella Dottori
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
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30
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Knock E, Julian LM. Building on a Solid Foundation: Adding Relevance and Reproducibility to Neurological Modeling Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:767457. [PMID: 34867204 PMCID: PMC8637745 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.767457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain is our most complex and least understood organ. Animal models have long been the most versatile tools available to dissect brain form and function; however, the human brain is highly distinct from that of standard model organisms. In addition to existing models, access to human brain cells and tissues is essential to reach new frontiers in our understanding of the human brain and how to intervene therapeutically in the face of disease or injury. In this review, we discuss current and developing culture models of human neural tissue, outlining advantages over animal models and key challenges that remain to be overcome. Our principal focus is on advances in engineering neural cells and tissue constructs from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), though primary human cell and slice culture are also discussed. By highlighting studies that combine animal models and human neural cell culture techniques, we endeavor to demonstrate that clever use of these orthogonal model systems produces more reproducible, physiological, and clinically relevant data than either approach alone. We provide examples across a range of topics in neuroscience research including brain development, injury, and cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and psychiatric conditions. Finally, as testing of PSC-derived neurons for cell replacement therapy progresses, we touch on the advancements that are needed to make this a clinical mainstay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Knock
- Research and Development, STEMCELL Technologies Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Lisa M Julian
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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31
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Benchoua A, Lasbareilles M, Tournois J. Contribution of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Models to Drug Discovery for Neurological Disorders. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123290. [PMID: 34943799 PMCID: PMC8699352 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the major obstacles to the identification of therapeutic interventions for central nervous system disorders has been the difficulty in studying the step-by-step progression of diseases in neuronal networks that are amenable to drug screening. Recent advances in the field of human pluripotent stem cell (PSC) biology offers the capability to create patient-specific human neurons with defined clinical profiles using reprogramming technology, which provides unprecedented opportunities for both the investigation of pathogenic mechanisms of brain disorders and the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies via drug screening. Many examples not only of the creation of human pluripotent stem cells as models of monogenic neurological disorders, but also of more challenging cases of complex multifactorial disorders now exist. Here, we review the state-of-the art brain cell types obtainable from PSCs and amenable to compound-screening formats. We then provide examples illustrating how these models contribute to the definition of new molecular or functional targets for drug discovery and to the design of novel pharmacological approaches for rare genetic disorders, as well as frequent neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Benchoua
- Neuroplasticity and Therapeutics, CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
- High Throughput Screening Platform, CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
- Correspondence:
| | - Marie Lasbareilles
- Neuroplasticity and Therapeutics, CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
- UEVE UMR 861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Johana Tournois
- High Throughput Screening Platform, CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
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32
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McTague A, Rossignoli G, Ferrini A, Barral S, Kurian MA. Genome Editing in iPSC-Based Neural Systems: From Disease Models to Future Therapeutic Strategies. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:630600. [PMID: 34713254 PMCID: PMC8525405 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.630600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic advances for neurological disorders are challenging due to limited accessibility of the human central nervous system and incomplete understanding of disease mechanisms. Many neurological diseases lack precision treatments, leading to significant disease burden and poor outcome for affected patients. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology provides human neuronal cells that facilitate disease modeling and development of therapies. The use of genome editing, in particular CRISPR-Cas9 technology, has extended the potential of iPSCs, generating new models for a number of disorders, including Alzheimers and Parkinson Disease. Editing of iPSCs, in particular with CRISPR-Cas9, allows generation of isogenic pairs, which differ only in the disease-causing mutation and share the same genetic background, for assessment of phenotypic differences and downstream effects. Moreover, genome-wide CRISPR screens allow high-throughput interrogation for genetic modifiers in neuronal phenotypes, leading to discovery of novel pathways, and identification of new therapeutic targets. CRISPR-Cas9 has now evolved beyond altering gene expression. Indeed, fusion of a defective Cas9 (dCas9) nuclease with transcriptional repressors or activation domains allows down-regulation or activation of gene expression (CRISPR interference, CRISPRi; CRISPR activation, CRISPRa). These new tools will improve disease modeling and facilitate CRISPR and cell-based therapies, as seen for epilepsy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Genome engineering holds huge promise for the future understanding and treatment of neurological disorders, but there are numerous barriers to overcome. The synergy of iPSC-based model systems and gene editing will play a vital role in the route to precision medicine and the clinical translation of genome editing-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy McTague
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giada Rossignoli
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arianna Ferrini
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Serena Barral
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Manju A Kurian
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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33
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Chang CY, Ting HC, Liu CA, Su HL, Chiou TW, Harn HJ, Lin SZ, Ho TJ. Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Into Specific Neural Lineages. Cell Transplant 2021; 30:9636897211017829. [PMID: 34665040 PMCID: PMC8529300 DOI: 10.1177/09636897211017829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are sources of several somatic cell
types for human developmental studies, in vitro disease modeling, and
cell transplantation therapy. Improving strategies of derivation of
high-purity specific neural and glial lineages from hPSCs is critical
for application to the study and therapy of the nervous system. Here,
we will focus on the principles behind establishment of neuron and
glia differentiation methods according to developmental studies. We
will also highlight the limitations and challenges associated with the
differentiation of several “difficult” neural lineages and delay in
neuronal maturation and functional integration. To overcome these
challenges, we will introduce strategies and novel technologies aimed
at improving the differentiation of various neural lineages to expand
the application potential of hPSCs to the study of the nervous
system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yu Chang
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.,Neuroscience Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Chien Ting
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ann Liu
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.,Neuroscience Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Lin Su
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tzyy-Wen Chiou
- Department of Life Science, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Jyh Harn
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shinn-Zong Lin
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Jung Ho
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.,Integration Center of Traditional Chinese and Modern Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.,School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
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34
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Roth JG, Huang MS, Li TL, Feig VR, Jiang Y, Cui B, Greely HT, Bao Z, Paşca SP, Heilshorn SC. Advancing models of neural development with biomaterials. Nat Rev Neurosci 2021; 22:593-615. [PMID: 34376834 PMCID: PMC8612873 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-021-00496-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells have emerged as a promising in vitro model system for studying the brain. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional cell culture paradigms have provided valuable insights into the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders, but they remain limited in their capacity to model certain features of human neural development. Specifically, current models do not efficiently incorporate extracellular matrix-derived biochemical and biophysical cues, facilitate multicellular spatio-temporal patterning, or achieve advanced functional maturation. Engineered biomaterials have the capacity to create increasingly biomimetic neural microenvironments, yet further refinement is needed before these approaches are widely implemented. This Review therefore highlights how continued progression and increased integration of engineered biomaterials may be well poised to address intractable challenges in recapitulating human neural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien G Roth
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michelle S Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Thomas L Li
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Vivian R Feig
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yuanwen Jiang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Bianxiao Cui
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Henry T Greely
- Stanford Law School, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Zhenan Bao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sergiu P Paşca
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sarah C Heilshorn
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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35
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Tate K, Kirk B, Tseng A, Ulffers A, Litwa K. Effects of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Fluoxetine on Developing Neural Circuits in a Model of the Human Fetal Cortex. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10457. [PMID: 34638815 PMCID: PMC8508811 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The developing prenatal brain is particularly susceptible to environmental disturbances. During prenatal brain development, synapses form between neurons, resulting in neural circuits that support complex cognitive functions. In utero exposure to environmental factors such as pharmaceuticals that alter the process of synapse formation increases the risk of neurodevelopmental abnormalities. However, there is a lack of research into how specific environmental factors directly impact the developing neural circuitry of the human brain. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly used throughout pregnancy to treat depression, yet their impact on the developing fetal brain remains unclear. Recently, human brain models have provided unprecedented access to the critical window of prenatal brain development. In the present study, we used human neurons and cortical spheroids to determine whether the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine alters neurite and synapse formation and the development of spontaneous activity within neural circuits. We demonstrate that cortical spheroids express serotonin transporter, thus recapitulating the early developmental expression of serotonin transporter associated with cortical pyramidal neurons. Cortical spheroids also appropriately express serotonin receptors, such as synaptic 5-HT2A and glial 5-HT5A. To determine whether fluoxetine can affect developing neural circuits independent of serotonergic innervation from the dorsal and medial raphe nuclei, we treated cortical neurons and spheroids with fluoxetine. Fluoxetine alters neurite formation in a dose-dependent fashion. Intriguingly, in cortical spheroids, neither acute nor chronic fluoxetine significantly altered excitatory synapse formation. However, only acute, but not chronic fluoxetine exposure altered inhibitory synaptogenesis. Finally, fluoxetine reversibly suppresses neuronal activity in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that fluoxetine can acutely alter synaptic function in developing neural circuits, but the effects were not long-lasting. This work provides a foundation for future studies to combine serotonergic innervation with cortical spheroids and assess the contributions of fluoxetine-induced alterations in serotonin levels to brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinsley Tate
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (K.T.); (B.K.); (A.T.); (A.U.)
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Brenna Kirk
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (K.T.); (B.K.); (A.T.); (A.U.)
| | - Alisia Tseng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (K.T.); (B.K.); (A.T.); (A.U.)
| | - Abigail Ulffers
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (K.T.); (B.K.); (A.T.); (A.U.)
| | - Karen Litwa
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (K.T.); (B.K.); (A.T.); (A.U.)
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36
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Fiori LM, Orri M, Aouabed Z, Théroux JF, Lin R, Nagy C, Frey BN, Lam RW, MacQueen GM, Milev R, Müller DJ, Parikh SV, Rotzinger S, Uher R, Foster JA, Kennedy SH, Turecki G. Treatment-emergent and trajectory-based peripheral gene expression markers of antidepressant response. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:439. [PMID: 34420030 PMCID: PMC8380246 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01564-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying biomarkers of antidepressant response may advance personalized treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). We aimed to identify longitudinal changes in gene expression associated with response to antidepressants in a sample of MDD patients treated with escitalopram. Patients (N = 153) from the CAN-BIND-1 cohort were treated for 8 weeks, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. We identified three groups of patients according to response status: early responders (22.9%), later responders (32.0%), and nonresponders (45.1%). RNA sequencing was performed in blood obtained at weeks 0, 2, and 8. RNA expression was modeled using growth models, and differences in the longitudinal changes in expression according to response were investigated using multiple regression models. The expression of RNAs related to response was investigated in the brains of depressed individuals, as well as in neuronal cells in vitro. We identified four RNAs (CERCAM, DARS-AS1, FAM228B, HBEGF) whose change over time was independently associated with a response status. For all except HBEGF, responders showed higher expression over time, compared to nonresponders. While the change in all RNAs differentiated early responders from nonresponders, changes in DARS-AS1 and HBEGF also differentiated later responders from nonresponders. Additionally, HBEGF was downregulated in the brains of depressed individuals, and increased in response to escitalopram treatment in vitro. In conclusion, using longitudinal assessments of gene expression, we provide insights into biological processes involved in the intermediate stages of escitalopram response, highlighting several genes with potential utility as biomarkers of antidepressant response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. Fiori
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - Massimiliano Orri
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - Zahia Aouabed
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - Jean François Théroux
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - Rixing Lin
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - Corina Nagy
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - Benicio N. Frey
- grid.416721.70000 0001 0742 7355Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University and St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario Canada
| | - Raymond W. Lam
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
| | - Glenda M. MacQueen
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Canada
| | - Roumen Milev
- grid.410356.50000 0004 1936 8331Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, Queens University, Providence Care Hospital, Kingston, Ontario Canada
| | - Daniel J. Müller
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Krembil Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Sagar V. Parikh
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
| | - Susan Rotzinger
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Krembil Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Rudolf Uher
- grid.458365.90000 0004 4689 2163Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS Canada ,grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
| | - Jane A. Foster
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Krembil Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Sidney H. Kennedy
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Krembil Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.415502.7St Michael’s Hospital, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Centre for Depression and Suicide Studies, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Gustavo Turecki
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Nakazawa T. Modeling schizophrenia with iPS cell technology and disease mouse models. Neurosci Res 2021; 175:46-52. [PMID: 34411680 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, which enables the direct analysis of neuronal cells with the same genetic background as patients, has recently garnered significant attention in schizophrenia research. This technology is important because it enables a comprehensive interpretation using mice and human clinical research and cross-species verification. Here I review recent advances in modeling schizophrenia using iPSC technology, alongside the utility of disease mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanobu Nakazawa
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, 156-8502, Japan.
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Valiulahi P, Vidyawan V, Puspita L, Oh Y, Juwono VB, Sittipo P, Friedlander G, Yahalomi D, Sohn JW, Lee YK, Yoon JK, Shim JW. Generation of caudal-type serotonin neurons and hindbrain-fate organoids from hPSCs. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:1938-1952. [PMID: 34242615 PMCID: PMC8365029 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) neurons, the major components of the raphe nuclei, arise from ventral hindbrain progenitors. Based on anatomical location and axonal projection, 5-HT neurons are coarsely divided into rostral and caudal groups. Here, we propose a novel strategy to generate hindbrain 5-HT neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), which involves the formation of ventral-type neural progenitor cells and stimulation of the hindbrain 5-HT neural development. A caudalizing agent, retinoid acid, was used to direct the cells into the hindbrain cell fate. Approximately 30%–40% of hPSCs successfully developed into 5-HT-expressing neurons using our protocol, with the majority acquiring a caudal rhombomere identity (r5–8). We further modified our monolayer differentiation system to generate 5-HT neuron-enriched hindbrain-like organoids. We also suggest downstream applications of our 5-HT monolayer and organoid cultures to study neuronal response to gut microbiota. Our methodology could become a powerful tool for future studies related to 5-HT neurotransmission. Activation of SHH and RA signaling induces 5-HT neuronal fate from hPSCs The generated 5-HT neurons have caudal hindbrain characteristics Hindbrain-like organoids may form from hPSCs by activation of SHH and RA signaling 5-HT neurons in monolayer and organoid culture can be used as a screening platform
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvin Valiulahi
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, 25, Bongjeong-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea; Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea
| | - Vincencius Vidyawan
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, 25, Bongjeong-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea; Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea
| | - Lesly Puspita
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, 25, Bongjeong-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea; Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea
| | - Youjin Oh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Virginia Blessy Juwono
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, 25, Bongjeong-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea; Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea
| | - Panida Sittipo
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, 25, Bongjeong-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea; Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea
| | - Gilgi Friedlander
- The Mantoux Bioinformatics institute of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Dayana Yahalomi
- The Mantoux Bioinformatics institute of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Jong-Woo Sohn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Yun Kyung Lee
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, 25, Bongjeong-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea; Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea.
| | - Jeong Kyo Yoon
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, 25, Bongjeong-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea; Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea.
| | - Jae-Won Shim
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, 25, Bongjeong-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea; Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si 31151, Korea.
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Unterholzner J, Millischer V, Wotawa C, Sawa A, Lanzenberger R. Making Sense of Patient-Derived iPSCs, Transdifferentiated Neurons, Olfactory Neuronal Cells, and Cerebral Organoids as Models for Psychiatric Disorders. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 24:759-775. [PMID: 34216465 PMCID: PMC8538891 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyab037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The improvement of experimental models for disorders requires a constant approximation towards the dysregulated tissue. In psychiatry, where an impairment of neuronal structure and function is assumed to play a major role in disease mechanisms and symptom development, this approximation is an ongoing process implicating various fields. These include genetic, animal, and post-mortem studies. To test hypotheses generated through these studies, in vitro models using non-neuronal cells such as fibroblasts and lymphocytes have been developed. For brain network disorders, cells with neuronal signatures would, however, represent a more adequate tissue. Considering the limited accessibility of brain tissue, research has thus turned towards neurons generated from induced pluripotent stem cells as well as directly induced neurons, cerebral organoids, and olfactory neuroepithelium. Regarding the increasing importance and amount of research using these neuronal cells, this review aims to provide an overview of all these models to make sense of the current literature. The development of each model system and its use as a model for the various psychiatric disorder categories will be laid out. Also, advantages and limitations of each model will be discussed, including a reflection on implications and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Unterholzner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Vincent Millischer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria,Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christoph Wotawa
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Akira Sawa
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA,Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering and Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria,Correspondence: Prof. Rupert Lanzenberger, MD, PD, NEUROIMAGING LABS (NIL) - PET, MRI, EEG, TMS & Chemical Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria ()
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Harschnitz O, Studer L. Human stem cell models to study host-virus interactions in the central nervous system. Nat Rev Immunol 2021; 21:441-453. [PMID: 33398129 PMCID: PMC9653304 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-020-00474-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Advancements in human pluripotent stem cell technology offer a unique opportunity for the neuroimmunology field to study host-virus interactions directly in disease-relevant cells of the human central nervous system (CNS). Viral encephalitis is most commonly caused by herpesviruses, arboviruses and enteroviruses targeting distinct CNS cell types and often leading to severe neurological damage with poor clinical outcomes. Furthermore, different neurotropic viruses will affect the CNS at distinct developmental stages, from early prenatal brain development to the aged brain. With the unique flexibility and scalability of human pluripotent stem cell technology, it is now possible to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying acute infection and latency, determine which CNS subpopulations are specifically infected, study temporal aspects of viral susceptibility, perform high-throughput chemical or genetic screens for viral restriction factors and explore complex cell-non-autonomous disease mechanisms. Therefore, human pluripotent stem cell technology has the potential to address key unanswered questions about antiviral immunity in the CNS, including emerging questions on the potential CNS tropism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Harschnitz
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York (NY), USA,The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York (NY), USA,
| | - Lorenz Studer
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York (NY), USA,The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York (NY), USA
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Hua T(T, Bejoy J, Song L, Wang Z, Zeng Z, Zhou Y, Li Y, Sang QXA. Cerebellar Differentiation from Human Stem Cells Through Retinoid, Wnt, and Sonic Hedgehog Pathways. Tissue Eng Part A 2021; 27:881-893. [PMID: 32873223 PMCID: PMC8336229 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2020.0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiating cerebellar organoids can be challenging due to complex cell organization and structure in the cerebellum. Different approaches were investigated to recapitulate differentiation process of the cerebellum from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) without high efficiency. This study was carried out to test the hypothesis that the combination of different signaling factors including retinoic acid (RA), Wnt activator, and sonic hedgehog (SHH) activator promotes the cerebellar differentiation of hiPSCs. Wnt, RA, and SHH pathways were activated by CHIR99021 (CHIR), RA, and purmorphamine (PMR), respectively. Different combinations of the morphogens (RA/CHIR, RA/PMR, CHIR/PMR, and RA/CHIR/PMR) were utilized, and the spheroids (day 35) were characterized for the markers of three cerebellum layers (the molecular layer, the Purkinje cell layer, and the granule cell layer). Of all the combinations tested, RA/CHIR/PMR promoted both the Purkinje cell layer and the granule cell layer differentiation. The cells also exhibited electrophysiological characteristics using whole-cell patch clamp recording, especially demonstrating Purkinje cell electrophysiology. This study should advance the understanding of different signaling pathways during cerebellar development to engineer cerebellum organoids for drug screening and disease modeling. Impact statement This study investigated the synergistic effects of retinoic acid, Wnt activator, and sonic hedgehog activator on cerebellar patterning of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) spheroids and organoids. The results indicate that the combination promotes the differentiation of the Purkinje cell layer and the granule cell layer. The cells also exhibit electrophysiological characteristics using whole-cell patch clamp recording, especially demonstrating Purkinje cell electrophysiology. The findings are significant for understanding the biochemical signaling of three-dimensional microenvironment on neural patterning of hiPSCs for applications in organoid engineering, disease modeling, and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thien (Timothy) Hua
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Julie Bejoy
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Liqing Song
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Ziwei Zeng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Qing-Xiang Amy Sang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
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42
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Nakatsuka N, Heard KJ, Faillétaz A, Momotenko D, Vörös J, Gage FH, Vadodaria KC. Sensing serotonin secreted from human serotonergic neurons using aptamer-modified nanopipettes. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:2753-2763. [PMID: 33767349 PMCID: PMC9997689 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01066-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The serotonergic system in the human brain modulates several physiological processes, and altered serotonergic neurotransmission has been implicated in the neuropathology of several psychiatric disorders. The study of serotonergic neurotransmission in psychiatry has long been restricted to animal models, but advances in cell reprogramming technology have enabled the generation of serotonergic neurons from patient-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). While iPSC-derived human serotonergic neurons offer the possibility to study serotonin (5-HT) release and uptake, particularly by 5-HT-modulating drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a major limitation is the inability to reliably quantify 5-HT secreted from neurons in vitro. Herein, we address this technical gap via a novel sensing technology that couples 5-HT-specific DNA aptamers into nanopores (glass nanopipettes) with orifices of ~10 nm to detect 5-HT in complex neuronal culture medium with higher selectivity, sensitivity, and stability than existing methods. The 5-HT aptamers undergo conformational rearrangement upon target capture and serve as gatekeepers of ionic flux through the nanopipette opening. We generated human serotonergic neurons in vitro and detected secreted 5-HT using aptamer-coated nanopipettes in a low nanomolar range, with the possibility of detecting significantly lower (picomolar) concentrations. Furthermore, as a proof of concept, we treated human serotonergic neurons in vitro with the SSRI citalopram and detected a significant increase in extracellular 5-HT using the aptamer-modified nanopipettes. We demonstrate the utility of such methods for 5-HT detection, raising the possibility of fast quantification of neurotransmitters secreted from patient-derived live neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nako Nakatsuka
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kelly J Heard
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alix Faillétaz
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dmitry Momotenko
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - János Vörös
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Krishna C Vadodaria
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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van Gelder CAGH, Altelaar M. Neuroproteomics of the Synapse: Subcellular Quantification of Protein Networks and Signaling Dynamics. Mol Cell Proteomics 2021; 20:100087. [PMID: 33933679 PMCID: PMC8167277 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2021.100087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most fascinating features of the brain is its ability to adapt to its surroundings. Synaptic plasticity, the dynamic mechanism of functional and structural alterations in synaptic strength, is essential for brain functioning and underlies a variety of processes such as learning and memory. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying such rapid plasticity are not fully understood, a consensus exists on the important role of proteins. The study of these neuronal proteins using neuroproteomics has increased rapidly in the last decades, and advancements in MS-based proteomics have broadened our understanding of neuroplasticity exponentially. In this review, we discuss the trends in MS-based neuroproteomics for the study of synaptic protein-protein interactions and protein signaling dynamics, with a focus on sample types, different labeling and enrichment approaches, and data analysis and interpretation. We highlight studies from the last 5 years, with a focus on synapse structure, composition, functioning, or signaling and finally discuss some recent developments that could further advance the field of neuroproteomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte A G H van Gelder
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Altelaar
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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44
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Brady MV, Vaccarino FM. Role of SHH in Patterning Human Pluripotent Cells towards Ventral Forebrain Fates. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040914. [PMID: 33923415 PMCID: PMC8073580 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexities of human neurodevelopment have historically been challenging to decipher but continue to be of great interest in the contexts of healthy neurobiology and disease. The classic animal models and monolayer in vitro systems have limited the types of questions scientists can strive to answer in addition to the technical ability to answer them. However, the tridimensional human stem cell-derived organoid system provides the unique opportunity to model human development and mimic the diverse cellular composition of human organs. This strategy is adaptable and malleable, and these neural organoids possess the morphogenic sensitivity to be patterned in various ways to generate the different regions of the human brain. Furthermore, recapitulating human development provides a platform for disease modeling. One master regulator of human neurodevelopment in many regions of the human brain is sonic hedgehog (SHH), whose expression gradient and pathway activation are responsible for conferring ventral identity and shaping cellular phenotypes throughout the neural axis. This review first discusses the benefits, challenges, and limitations of using organoids for studying human neurodevelopment and disease, comparing advantages and disadvantages with other in vivo and in vitro model systems. Next, we explore the range of control that SHH exhibits on human neurodevelopment, and the application of SHH to various stem cell methodologies, including organoids, to expand our understanding of human development and disease. We outline how this strategy will eventually bring us much closer to uncovering the intricacies of human neurodevelopment and biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flora M. Vaccarino
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Yale Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Correspondence:
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45
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Wu D, Chen X, Sheng Q, Chen W, Zhang Y, Wu F. Production of Functional Hepatobiliary Organoids from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Int J Stem Cells 2021; 14:119-126. [PMID: 33377458 PMCID: PMC7904529 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc20152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The research on human hepatobiliary development and disorders has been constrained by minimal access to human fetal tissue, and low accuracy of animal models. To overcome this problem, we have established a system for the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into functional hepatobiliary organoids (HBOs). We have previously reported that our 45-d approach closely mimics key stages of hepatobiliary development, starting with the differentiation of hiPSC into endoderm and a small part of mesoderm, and subsequently into hepatoblast-like cells, followed by the parallel generation of hepatocyte-like cells and cholangiocyte-like cells, formation of immature HBO expressing early hepatic and biliary markers, and mature HBO displaying hepatobiliary functionality. In this study, we present an updated version of our previous protocol, which only needs 35 days to achieve maturation in vitro. Furthermore, a hepatobiliary culture medium is developed to functionally maintain the HBOs for more than 1.5 months. The capacity of this approach for producing large amounts of functional HBOs and enabling long-term culture in vitro holds promise for applications on developmental research, disease modeling, as well as screening of therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoni Chen
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qingshou Sheng
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenlin Chen
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuncheng Zhang
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fenfang Wu
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
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46
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Jansch C, Ziegler GC, Forero A, Gredy S, Wäldchen S, Vitale MR, Svirin E, Zöller JEM, Waider J, Günther K, Edenhofer F, Sauer M, Wischmeyer E, Lesch KP. Serotonin-specific neurons differentiated from human iPSCs form distinct subtypes with synaptic protein assembly. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:225-241. [PMID: 33560471 PMCID: PMC7914246 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02303-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have revolutionized the generation of experimental disease models, but the development of protocols for the differentiation of functionally active neuronal subtypes with defined specification is still in its infancy. While dysfunction of the brain serotonin (5-HT) system has been implicated in the etiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders, investigation of functional human 5-HT specific neurons in vitro has been restricted by technical limitations. We describe an efficient generation of functionally active neurons from hiPSCs displaying 5-HT specification by modification of a previously reported protocol. Furthermore, 5-HT specific neurons were characterized using high-end fluorescence imaging including super-resolution microscopy in combination with electrophysiological techniques. Differentiated hiPSCs synthesize 5-HT, express specific markers, such as tryptophan hydroxylase 2 and 5-HT transporter, and exhibit an electrophysiological signature characteristic of serotonergic neurons, with spontaneous rhythmic activities, broad action potentials and large afterhyperpolarization potentials. 5-HT specific neurons form synapses reflected by the expression of pre- and postsynaptic proteins, such as Bassoon and Homer. The distribution pattern of Bassoon, a marker of the active zone along the soma and extensions of neurons, indicates functionality via volume transmission. Among the high percentage of 5-HT specific neurons (~ 42%), a subpopulation of CDH13 + cells presumably designates dorsal raphe neurons. hiPSC-derived 5-HT specific neuronal cell cultures reflect the heterogeneous nature of dorsal and median raphe nuclei and may facilitate examining the association of serotonergic neuron subpopulations with neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charline Jansch
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Georg C Ziegler
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Andrea Forero
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sina Gredy
- Institute of Physiology, Molecular Electrophysiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sina Wäldchen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maria Rosaria Vitale
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Evgeniy Svirin
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Johanna E M Zöller
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jonas Waider
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Günther
- Department of Genomics, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biology and CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, SCI-TReCS, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Frank Edenhofer
- Department of Genomics, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biology and CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Markus Sauer
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Erhard Wischmeyer
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Physiology, Molecular Electrophysiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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47
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Nguyen TTL, Liu D, Ho MF, Athreya AP, Weinshilboum R. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Pharmaco-Omics: Mechanisms and Prediction. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:614048. [PMID: 33510640 PMCID: PMC7836019 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.614048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a standard of care for the pharmacotherapy of patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). However, only one-half to two-thirds of MDD patients respond to SSRI therapy. Recently, a "multiple omics" research strategy was applied to identify genetic differences between patients who did and did not respond to SSRI therapy. As a first step, plasma metabolites were assayed using samples from the 803 patients in the PGRN-AMPS SSRI MDD trial. The metabolomics data were then used to "inform" genomics by performing a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for plasma concentrations of the metabolite most highly associated with clinical response, serotonin (5-HT). Two genome-wide or near genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) signals were identified, one that mapped near the TSPAN5 gene and another across the ERICH3 gene, both genes that are highly expressed in the brain. Knocking down TSPAN5 and ERICH3 resulted in decreased 5-HT concentrations in neuroblastoma cell culture media and decreased expression of enzymes involved in 5-HT biosynthesis and metabolism. Functional genomic studies demonstrated that ERICH3 was involved in clathrin-mediated vesicle formation and TSPAN5 was an ethanol-responsive gene that may be a marker for response to acamprosate pharmacotherapy of alcohol use disorder (AUD), a neuropsychiatric disorder highly co-morbid with MDD. In parallel studies, kynurenine was the plasma metabolite most highly associated with MDD symptom severity and application of a metabolomics-informed pharmacogenomics approach identified DEFB1 and AHR as genes associated with variation in plasma kynurenine levels. Both genes also contributed to kynurenine-related inflammatory pathways. Finally, a multiply replicated predictive algorithm for SSRI clinical response with a balanced predictive accuracy of 76% (compared with 56% for clinical data alone) was developed by including the SNPs in TSPAN5, ERICH3, DEFB1 and AHR. In summary, application of a multiple omics research strategy that used metabolomics to inform genomics, followed by functional genomic studies, identified novel genes that influenced monoamine biology and made it possible to develop a predictive algorithm for SSRI clinical outcomes in MDD. A similar pharmaco-omic research strategy might be broadly applicable for the study of other neuropsychiatric diseases and their drug therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Thanh L Nguyen
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Duan Liu
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Ming-Fen Ho
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Arjun P Athreya
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Richard Weinshilboum
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
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48
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Imaizumi K, Okano H. Modeling neurodevelopment in a dish with pluripotent stem cells. Dev Growth Differ 2021; 63:18-25. [PMID: 33141454 PMCID: PMC7984205 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can differentiate into all cell types in the body, and their differentiation procedures recapitulate the developmental processes of embryogenesis. Focusing on neurodevelopment, we describe here the application of knowledge gained from embryology to the neural induction of PSCs. Furthermore, PSC-based neural modeling provides novel insights into neurodevelopmental processes. In particular, human PSC cultures are a powerful tool for the study of human-specific neurodevelopmental processes and could even enable the elucidation of the mechanisms of human brain evolution. We also discuss challenges and potential future directions in further improving PSC-based neural modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kent Imaizumi
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
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49
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Walsh P, Truong V, Nayak S, Saldías Montivero M, Low WC, Parr AM, Dutton JR. Accelerated differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into neural lineages via an early intermediate ectoderm population. Stem Cells 2020; 38:1400-1408. [PMID: 32745311 PMCID: PMC7693041 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into ectoderm provides neurons and glia useful for research, disease modeling, drug discovery, and potential cell therapies. In current protocols, hPSCs are traditionally differentiated into an obligate rostro-dorsal ectodermal fate expressing PAX6 after 6 to 12 days in vitro when protected from mesendoderm inducers. This rate-limiting step has performed a long-standing role in hindering the development of rapid differentiation protocols for ectoderm-derived cell types, as any protocol requires 6 to 10 days in vitro to simply initiate. Here, we report efficient differentiation of hPSCs into a naive early ectodermal intermediate within 24 hours using combined inhibition of bone morphogenic protein and fibroblast growth factor signaling. The induced population responds immediately to morphogen gradients to upregulate rostro-caudal neurodevelopmental landmark gene expression in a generally accelerated fashion. This method can serve as a new platform for the development of novel, rapid, and efficient protocols for the manufacture of hPSC-derived neural lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Walsh
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and DevelopmentUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Vincent Truong
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual NeurosciencesUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Sushmita Nayak
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | | | - Walter C. Low
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Ann M. Parr
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - James R. Dutton
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and DevelopmentUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
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50
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Han F, Lu P. Introduction for Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1266:1-8. [PMID: 33105491 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-4370-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a group of neurological diseases caused by the progressive degeneration of neurons and glial cells in the brain and spinal cords. Usually there is a selective loss of specific neuronal cells in a restricted brain area from any neurodegenerative diseases, such as dopamine (DA) neuron death in Parkinson disease (PD) and motor neuron loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or a widespread degeneration affecting many types of neurons in Alzheimer's disease (AD). As there is no effective treatment to stop the progression of these neurodegenerative diseases, stem cell-based therapies have provided great potentials for these disorders. Currently transplantation of different stem cells or their derivatives has improved neural function in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases by replacing the lost neural cells, releasing cytokines, modulation of inflammation, and mediating remyelination. With the advance in somatic cell reprogramming to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) and directly induced neural stem cells or neurons, pluripotent stem cell can be induced to differentiate to any kind of neural cells and overcome the immune rejection of the allogeneic transplantation. Recent studies have proved the effectiveness of transplanted stem cells in animal studies and some clinical trials on patients with NDs. However, some significant hurdles need to be resolved before these preclinical results can be translated to clinic. In particular, we need to better understand the molecular mechanisms of stem cell transplantation and develop new approaches to increase the directed neural differentiation, migration, survival, and functional connections of transplanted stem cells in the pathological environment of the patient's central nerve system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabin Han
- The Institute for Translational Medicine, Shandong University/Affiliated Second Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China. .,The Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Liaocheng University/Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China.
| | - Paul Lu
- Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Neurosciences, University of California - San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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