1
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Xue X, Kim YS, Ponce-Arias AI, O'Laughlin R, Yan RZ, Kobayashi N, Tshuva RY, Tsai YH, Sun S, Zheng Y, Liu Y, Wong FCK, Surani A, Spence JR, Song H, Ming GL, Reiner O, Fu J. A patterned human neural tube model using microfluidic gradients. Nature 2024; 628:391-399. [PMID: 38408487 PMCID: PMC11006583 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07204-7] [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: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The human nervous system is a highly complex but organized organ. The foundation of its complexity and organization is laid down during regional patterning of the neural tube, the embryonic precursor to the human nervous system. Historically, studies of neural tube patterning have relied on animal models to uncover underlying principles. Recently, models of neurodevelopment based on human pluripotent stem cells, including neural organoids1-5 and bioengineered neural tube development models6-10, have emerged. However, such models fail to recapitulate neural patterning along both rostral-caudal and dorsal-ventral axes in a three-dimensional tubular geometry, a hallmark of neural tube development. Here we report a human pluripotent stem cell-based, microfluidic neural tube-like structure, the development of which recapitulates several crucial aspects of neural patterning in brain and spinal cord regions and along rostral-caudal and dorsal-ventral axes. This structure was utilized for studying neuronal lineage development, which revealed pre-patterning of axial identities of neural crest progenitors and functional roles of neuromesodermal progenitors and the caudal gene CDX2 in spinal cord and trunk neural crest development. We further developed dorsal-ventral patterned microfluidic forebrain-like structures with spatially segregated dorsal and ventral regions and layered apicobasal cellular organizations that mimic development of the human forebrain pallium and subpallium, respectively. Together, these microfluidics-based neurodevelopment models provide three-dimensional lumenal tissue architectures with in vivo-like spatiotemporal cell differentiation and organization, which will facilitate the study of human neurodevelopment and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xufeng Xue
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yung Su Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alfredo-Isaac Ponce-Arias
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Richard O'Laughlin
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Robin Zhexuan Yan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Norio Kobayashi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rami Yair Tshuva
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yu-Hwai Tsai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shiyu Sun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Frederick C K Wong
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Azim Surani
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jason R Spence
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Orly Reiner
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jianping Fu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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2
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Yang A, Chidiac R, Russo E, Steenland H, Pauli Q, Bonin R, Blazer LL, Adams JJ, Sidhu SS, Goeva A, Salahpour A, Angers S. Exploiting spatiotemporal regulation of FZD5 during neural patterning for efficient ventral midbrain specification. Development 2024; 151:dev202545. [PMID: 38358799 PMCID: PMC10946437 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202545] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling governs anterior-posterior neural patterning during development. Current human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) differentiation protocols use a GSK3 inhibitor to activate Wnt signaling to promote posterior neural fate specification. However, GSK3 is a pleiotropic kinase involved in multiple signaling pathways and, as GSK3 inhibition occurs downstream in the signaling cascade, it bypasses potential opportunities for achieving specificity or regulation at the receptor level. Additionally, the specific roles of individual FZD receptors in anterior-posterior patterning are poorly understood. Here, we have characterized the cell surface expression of FZD receptors in neural progenitor cells with different regional identity. Our data reveal unique upregulation of FZD5 expression in anterior neural progenitors, and this expression is downregulated as cells adopt a posterior fate. This spatial regulation of FZD expression constitutes a previously unreported regulatory mechanism that adjusts the levels of β-catenin signaling along the anterior-posterior axis and possibly contributes to midbrain-hindbrain boundary formation. Stimulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hPSCs, using a tetravalent antibody that selectively triggers FZD5 and LRP6 clustering, leads to midbrain progenitor differentiation and gives rise to functional dopaminergic neurons in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Yang
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Rony Chidiac
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Emma Russo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Hendrik Steenland
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- NeuroTek Innovative Technology, Toronto, ON M6C 3A2, Canada
| | - Quinn Pauli
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Robert Bonin
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Levi L. Blazer
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Jarrett J. Adams
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Sachdev S. Sidhu
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Aleksandrina Goeva
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ali Salahpour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Stephane Angers
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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3
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Hendriks D, Pagliaro A, Andreatta F, Ma Z, van Giessen J, Massalini S, López-Iglesias C, van Son GJF, DeMartino J, Damen JMA, Zoutendijk I, Staliarova N, Bredenoord AL, Holstege FCP, Peters PJ, Margaritis T, Chuva de Sousa Lopes S, Wu W, Clevers H, Artegiani B. Human fetal brain self-organizes into long-term expanding organoids. Cell 2024; 187:712-732.e38. [PMID: 38194967 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Human brain development involves an orchestrated, massive neural progenitor expansion while a multi-cellular tissue architecture is established. Continuously expanding organoids can be grown directly from multiple somatic tissues, yet to date, brain organoids can solely be established from pluripotent stem cells. Here, we show that healthy human fetal brain in vitro self-organizes into organoids (FeBOs), phenocopying aspects of in vivo cellular heterogeneity and complex organization. FeBOs can be expanded over long time periods. FeBO growth requires maintenance of tissue integrity, which ensures production of a tissue-like extracellular matrix (ECM) niche, ultimately endowing FeBO expansion. FeBO lines derived from different areas of the central nervous system (CNS), including dorsal and ventral forebrain, preserve their regional identity and allow to probe aspects of positional identity. Using CRISPR-Cas9, we showcase the generation of syngeneic mutant FeBO lines for the study of brain cancer. Taken together, FeBOs constitute a complementary CNS organoid platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delilah Hendriks
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Anna Pagliaro
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ziliang Ma
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Immunos, Singapore 138648, Singapore; Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Joey van Giessen
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Simone Massalini
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Carmen López-Iglesias
- The Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Gijs J F van Son
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jeff DeMartino
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - J Mirjam A Damen
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Iris Zoutendijk
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Nadzeya Staliarova
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Annelien L Bredenoord
- Erasmus School of Philosophy, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Frank C P Holstege
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Peter J Peters
- The Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Wei Wu
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Immunos, Singapore 138648, Singapore; Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Hans Clevers
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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4
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Cooper EJ, Scholpp S. Transport and gradient formation of Wnt and Fgf in the early zebrafish gastrula. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 157:125-153. [PMID: 38556457 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Within embryonic development, the occurrence of gastrulation is critical in the formation of multiple germ layers with many differentiative abilities. These cells are instructed through exposure to signalling molecules called morphogens. The secretion of morphogens from a source tissue creates a concentration gradient that allows distinct pattern formation in the receiving tissue. This review focuses on the morphogens Wnt and Fgf in zebrafish development. Wnt has been shown to have critical roles throughout gastrulation, including in anteroposterior patterning and neural posterisation. Fgf is also a vital signal, contributing to involution and mesodermal specification. Both morphogens have also been found to work in finely balanced synergy for processes such as neural induction. Thus, the signalling range of Wnts and Fgfs must be strictly controlled to target the correct target cells. Fgf and Wnts signal to local cells as well as to cells in the distance in a highly regulated way, requiring specific dissemination mechanisms that allow efficient and precise signalling over short and long distances. Multiple transportation mechanisms have been discovered to aid in producing a stable morphogen gradient, including short-range diffusion, filopodia-like extensions called cytonemes and extracellular vesicles, mainly exosomes. These mechanisms are specific to the morphogen that they transport and the intended signalling range. This review article discusses how spreading mechanisms in these two morphogenetic systems differ and the consequences on paracrine signalling, hence tissue patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Cooper
- Living Systems Institute, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Steffen Scholpp
- Living Systems Institute, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
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5
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Maimaitili M, Chen M, Febbraro F, Ucuncu E, Kelly R, Niclis JC, Christiansen JR, Mermet-Joret N, Niculescu D, Lauritsen J, Iannielli A, Klæstrup IH, Jensen UB, Qvist P, Nabavi S, Broccoli V, Nykjær A, Romero-Ramos M, Denham M. Enhanced production of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons from lineage-restricted human undifferentiated stem cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7871. [PMID: 38052784 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43471-0] [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: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Current differentiation protocols for generating mesencephalic dopaminergic (mesDA) neurons from human pluripotent stem cells result in grafts containing only a small proportion of mesDA neurons when transplanted in vivo. In this study, we develop lineage-restricted undifferentiated stem cells (LR-USCs) from pluripotent stem cells, which enhances their potential for differentiating into caudal midbrain floor plate progenitors and mesDA neurons. Using a ventral midbrain protocol, 69% of LR-USCs become bona fide caudal midbrain floor plate progenitors, compared to only 25% of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Importantly, LR-USCs generate significantly more mesDA neurons under midbrain and hindbrain conditions in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate that midbrain-patterned LR-USC progenitors transplanted into 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats restore function in a clinically relevant non-pharmacological behavioral test, whereas midbrain-patterned hESC-derived progenitors do not. This strategy demonstrates how lineage restriction can prevent the development of undesirable lineages and enhance the conditions necessary for mesDA neuron generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muyesier Maimaitili
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Muwan Chen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Fabia Febbraro
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ekin Ucuncu
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rachel Kelly
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | - Noëmie Mermet-Joret
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center of Excellence PROMEMO, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Dragos Niculescu
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center of Excellence PROMEMO, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Johanne Lauritsen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Angelo Iannielli
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20129, Milan, Italy
| | - Ida H Klæstrup
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Uffe Birk Jensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Per Qvist
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Centre for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Centre for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, CGPM, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sadegh Nabavi
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center of Excellence PROMEMO, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Vania Broccoli
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20129, Milan, Italy
| | - Anders Nykjær
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center of Excellence PROMEMO, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marina Romero-Ramos
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mark Denham
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark.
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6
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Yang M, Liu M, Sánchez YF, Avazzadeh S, Quinlan LR, Liu G, Lu Y, Yang G, O'Brien T, Henshall DC, Hardiman O, Shen S. A novel protocol to derive cervical motor neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:1870-1883. [PMID: 37595581 PMCID: PMC10545486 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) is the majority of ALS, and the lack of appropriate disease models has hindered its research. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology now permits derivation of iPSCs from somatic cells of sALS patients to investigate disease phenotypes and mechanisms. Most existing differentiation protocols are time-consuming or low efficient in generating motor neurons (MNs). Here we report a rapid and simple protocol to differentiate MNs in monolayer culture using small molecules, which led to nearly pure neural stem cells in 6 days, robust OLIG2+ pMNs (73%-91%) in 12 days, enriched CHAT+ cervical spinal MNs (sMNs) (88%-97%) in 18 days, and functionally mature sMNs in 28 days. This simple and reproducible protocol permitted the identification of hyperexcitability phenotypes in our sALS iPSC-derived sMNs, and its application in neurodegenerative diseases should facilitate in vitro disease modeling, drug screening, and the development of cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meimei Yang
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, University of Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland; FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases and Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Min Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, China
| | - Yajaira Feller Sánchez
- Cellular Physiology Research Laboratory and CÚRAM SFI Centre for Research in Medical Devices, School of Medicine, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Sahar Avazzadeh
- Cellular Physiology Research Laboratory and CÚRAM SFI Centre for Research in Medical Devices, School of Medicine, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Leo R Quinlan
- Cellular Physiology Research Laboratory and CÚRAM SFI Centre for Research in Medical Devices, School of Medicine, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Gang Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Cardiac Injury Repair Mechanism Study, Hebei Key Laboratory of Heart and Metabolism, Hebei Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Medical Clinical Application, Hebei International Joint Research Center for Structural Heart Disease, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yin Lu
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Guangming Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Timothy O'Brien
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, University of Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
| | - David C Henshall
- FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases and Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland; Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine & Health Sciences, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Orla Hardiman
- FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases and Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland; Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Sanbing Shen
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, University of Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland; FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases and Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland.
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7
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Lee S, Cui M, Lee D, Han K, Sun W, Lee D. A rationally designed optochemogenetic switch for activating canonical Wnt signaling. iScience 2023; 26:106233. [PMID: 36915690 PMCID: PMC10006827 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate spatiotemporal control of multicellular self-organization by various signaling pathways is essential for developmental stages. In particular, evolutionarily conserved Wnt signaling serves as a major morphogenetic switch to determine the anteroposterior axis of the embryo. Here, we developed a genetically encoded optochemogenetic Wnt switch, named optochemoWnt, by coupling a blue light-inducible CRY2olig and rapamycin-inducible LRP6c clustering. The rationally designed optochemoWnt successfully modulated Wnt signaling with AND-gated patterns and demonstrated an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The dual-triggered switch provides a safeguard to prevent signal leakage resulting from ambient light sources under general laboratory conditions. OptochemoWnt expands the molecular toolbox available for the fields of developmental biology and tissue engineering. In addition, the AND-gated strategy of optochemoWnt may be used for other biomedical applications that integrate user defined switch elements with Boolean logic gates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghwan Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mingguang Cui
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghun Lee
- Department of Physics, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kihoon Han
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongmin Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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8
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Hunt CPJ, Moriarty N, van Deursen CBJ, Gantner CW, Thompson LH, Parish CL. Understanding and modeling regional specification of the human ganglionic eminence. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:654-671. [PMID: 36801004 PMCID: PMC10031306 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory neurons originating from the ventral forebrain are associated with several neurological conditions. Distinct ventral forebrain subpopulations are generated from topographically defined zones; lateral-, medial- and caudal ganglionic eminences (LGE, MGE and CGE), yet key specification factors often span across developing zones contributing to difficulty in defining unique LGE, MGE or CGE profiles. Here we use human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) reporter lines (NKX2.1-GFP and MEIS2-mCherry) and manipulation of morphogen gradients to gain greater insight into regional specification of these distinct zones. We identified Sonic hedgehog (SHH)-WNT crosstalk in regulating LGE and MGE fate and uncovered a role for retinoic acid signaling in CGE development. Unraveling the influence of these signaling pathways permitted development of fully defined protocols that favored generation of the three GE domains. These findings provide insight into the context-dependent role of morphogens in human GE specification and are of value for in vitro disease modeling and advancement of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron P J Hunt
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
| | - Niamh Moriarty
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Coen B J van Deursen
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Carlos W Gantner
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Lachlan H Thompson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Clare L Parish
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
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9
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Needham J, Metzis V. Heads or tails: Making the spinal cord. Dev Biol 2022; 485:80-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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10
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Primate gastrulation and early organogenesis at single-cell resolution. Nature 2022; 612:732-738. [PMID: 36517595 PMCID: PMC9771819 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05526-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of human early development is severely hampered by limited access to embryonic tissues. Due to their close evolutionary relationship with humans, nonhuman primates are often used as surrogates to understand human development but currently suffer from a lack of in vivo datasets, especially from gastrulation to early organogenesis during which the major embryonic cell types are dynamically specified. To fill this gap, we collected six Carnegie stage 8-11 cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) embryos and performed in-depth transcriptomic analyses of 56,636 single cells. Our analyses show transcriptomic features of major perigastrulation cell types, which help shed light on morphogenetic events including primitive streak development, somitogenesis, gut tube formation, neural tube patterning and neural crest differentiation in primates. In addition, comparative analyses with mouse embryos and human embryoids uncovered conserved and divergent features of perigastrulation development across species-for example, species-specific dependency on Hippo signalling during presomitic mesoderm differentiation-and provide an initial assessment of relevant stem cell models of human early organogenesis. This comprehensive single-cell transcriptome atlas not only fills the knowledge gap in the nonhuman primate research field but also serves as an invaluable resource for understanding human embryogenesis and developmental disorders.
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11
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Niehrs C. The role of Xenopus developmental biology in unraveling Wnt signalling and antero-posterior axis formation. Dev Biol 2021; 482:1-6. [PMID: 34818531 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signalling plays an eminent role in development, stem cell growth, and tissue homeostasis. Much of what we know about Wnt signalling, we owe to research in developmental biology. Here I review some salient discoveries in the older literature, beginning with the Lithium experiments in sea urchin by Curt Herbst in the 1890ies, when unknown to him he observed the gradual effects of Wnt overactivation upon embryonic axis formation. After revisiting key discoveries into Wingless signalling in Drosophila, I examine the role that the Xenopus embryo has played as model system in this regard. Not only were components of the Wnt cascade dissected and secreted Wnt antagonists discovered in Xenopus, but it also played a key role in unveiling the evolutionary conserved role of Wnt signalling in primary body axis formation. I conclude that Xenopus developmental biology has played a major role in elucidating the mechanisms of embryonic Wnt signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christof Niehrs
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), 55128, Mainz, Germany.
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12
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Fralish Z, Lotz EM, Chavez T, Khodabukus A, Bursac N. Neuromuscular Development and Disease: Learning From in vitro and in vivo Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:764732. [PMID: 34778273 PMCID: PMC8579029 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.764732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialized cholinergic synaptic interface between a motor neuron and a skeletal muscle fiber that translates presynaptic electrical impulses into motor function. NMJ formation and maintenance require tightly regulated signaling and cellular communication among motor neurons, myogenic cells, and Schwann cells. Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) can result in loss of NMJ function and motor input leading to paralysis or even death. Although small animal models have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the NMJ structure and function, the complexities of studying this multi-tissue system in vivo and poor clinical outcomes of candidate therapies developed in small animal models has driven the need for in vitro models of functional human NMJ to complement animal studies. In this review, we discuss prevailing models of NMDs and highlight the current progress and ongoing challenges in developing human iPSC-derived (hiPSC) 3D cell culture models of functional NMJs. We first review in vivo development of motor neurons, skeletal muscle, Schwann cells, and the NMJ alongside current methods for directing the differentiation of relevant cell types from hiPSCs. We further compare the efficacy of modeling NMDs in animals and human cell culture systems in the context of five NMDs: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, and Pompe disease. Finally, we discuss further work necessary for hiPSC-derived NMJ models to function as effective personalized NMD platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Fralish
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ethan M Lotz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Taylor Chavez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Alastair Khodabukus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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13
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Wang YF, Liu C, Xu PF. Deciphering and reconstitution of positional information in the human brain development. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 10:29. [PMID: 34467458 PMCID: PMC8408296 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-021-00091-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Organoid has become a novel in vitro model to research human development and relevant disorders in recent years. With many improvements on the culture protocols, current brain organoids could self-organize into a complicated three-dimensional organization that mimics most of the features of the real human brain at the molecular, cellular, and further physiological level. However, lacking positional information, an important characteristic conveyed by gradients of signaling molecules called morphogens, leads to the deficiency of spatiotemporally regulated cell arrangements and cell–cell interactions in the brain organoid development. In this review, we will overview the role of morphogen both in the vertebrate neural development in vivo as well as the brain organoid culture in vitro, the strategies to apply morphogen concentration gradients in the organoid system and future perspectives of the brain organoid technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fan Wang
- Women's Hospital, and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Zhejiang University and University of Edinburgh, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Dr, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Cong Liu
- Women's Hospital, and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peng-Fei Xu
- Women's Hospital, and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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14
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Tian T, Cao X, Kim SE, Lin YL, Steele JW, Cabrera RM, Karki M, Yang W, Marini NJ, Hoffman EN, Han X, Hu C, Wang L, Wlodarczyk BJ, Shaw GM, Ren A, Finnell RH, Lei Y. FKBP8 variants are risk factors for spina bifida. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:3132-3144. [PMID: 32969478 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of severe congenital malformations caused by a failure of neural tube closure during early embryonic development. Although extensively investigated, the genetic etiology of NTDs remains poorly understood. FKBP8 is critical for proper mammalian neural tube closure. Fkbp8-/- mouse embryos showed posterior NTDs consistent with a diagnosis of spina bifida (SB). To date, no publication has reported any association between FKBP8 and human NTDs. Using Sanger sequencing on genomic DNA samples from 472 SB and 565 control samples, we identified five rare (MAF ≤ 0.001) deleterious variants in SB patients, while no rare deleterious variant was identified in the controls (P = 0.0191). p.Glu140* affected FKBP8 localization to the mitochondria and created a truncated form of the FKBP8 protein, thus impairing its interaction with BCL2 and ultimately leading to an increase in cellular apoptosis. p.Ser3Leu, p.Lys315Asn and p.Ala292Ser variants decreased FKBP8 protein level. p.Lys315Asn further increased the cellular apoptosis. RNA sequencing on anterior and posterior tissues isolated from Fkbp8-/- and wildtype mice at E9.5 and E10.5 showed that Fkbp8-/- embryos have an abnormal expression profile within tissues harvested at posterior sites, thus leading to a posterior NTD. Moreover, we found that Fkbp8 knockout mouse embryos have abnormal expression of Wnt3a and Nkx2.9 during the early stage of neural tube development, perhaps also contributing to caudal specific NTDs. These findings provide evidence that functional variants of FKBP8 are risk factors for SB, which may involve a novel mechanism by which Fkbp8 mutations specifically cause SB in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tian
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.,Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA
| | - Xuanye Cao
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA
| | - Sung-Eun Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX 78723, USA
| | - Ying Linda Lin
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA
| | - John W Steele
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA
| | - Robert M Cabrera
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA
| | - Menuka Karki
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nicholas J Marini
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ethan N Hoffman
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA
| | - Xiao Han
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA
| | - Cindy Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX 78723, USA
| | - Linlin Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Bogdan J Wlodarczyk
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA
| | - Gary M Shaw
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aiguo Ren
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA.,Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA
| | - Yunping Lei
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77031, USA
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15
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Wu Y, Peng S, Finnell RH, Zheng Y. Organoids as a new model system to study neural tube defects. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21545. [PMID: 33729606 PMCID: PMC9189980 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002348r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The neural tube is the first critically important structure that develops in the embryo. It serves as the primordium of the central nervous system; therefore, the proper formation of the neural tube is essential to the developing organism. Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe congenital defects caused by failed neural tube closure during early embryogenesis. The pathogenesis of NTDs is complicated and still not fully understood even after decades of research. While it is an ethically impossible proposition to investigate the in vivo formation process of the neural tube in human embryos, a newly developed technology involving the creation of neural tube organoids serves as an excellent model system with which to study human neural tube formation and the occurrence of NTDs. Herein we reviewed the recent literature on the process of neural tube formation, the progress of NTDs investigations, and particularly the exciting potential to use neural tube organoids to model the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the etiology of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wu
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, School of life sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, The institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sisi Peng
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, School of life sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, The institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Molecular and Human Genetics and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TA, USA
| | - Yufang Zheng
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, School of life sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, The institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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16
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Lebedeva T, Aman AJ, Graf T, Niedermoser I, Zimmermann B, Kraus Y, Schatka M, Demilly A, Technau U, Genikhovich G. Cnidarian-bilaterian comparison reveals the ancestral regulatory logic of the β-catenin dependent axial patterning. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4032. [PMID: 34188050 PMCID: PMC8241978 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24346-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In animals, body axis patterning is based on the concentration-dependent interpretation of graded morphogen signals, which enables correct positioning of the anatomical structures. The most ancient axis patterning system acting across animal phyla relies on β-catenin signaling, which directs gastrulation, and patterns the main body axis. However, within Bilateria, the patterning logic varies significantly between protostomes and deuterostomes. To deduce the ancestral principles of β-catenin-dependent axial patterning, we investigate the oral–aboral axis patterning in the sea anemone Nematostella—a member of the bilaterian sister group Cnidaria. Here we elucidate the regulatory logic by which more orally expressed β-catenin targets repress more aborally expressed β-catenin targets, and progressively restrict the initially global, maternally provided aboral identity. Similar regulatory logic of β-catenin-dependent patterning in Nematostella and deuterostomes suggests a common evolutionary origin of these processes and the equivalence of the cnidarian oral–aboral and the bilaterian posterior–anterior body axes. The authors show in Nematostella that the more orally expressed β-catenin targets repress the more aborally expressed β-catenin targets, thus patterning the oral-aboral axis. This likely represents the common mechanism of β-catenin-dependent axial patterning shared by Cnidaria and Bilateria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Lebedeva
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrew J Aman
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Graf
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Isabell Niedermoser
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bob Zimmermann
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yulia Kraus
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye gory 1/12, Moscow, Russia
| | - Magdalena Schatka
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adrien Demilly
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrich Technau
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Grigory Genikhovich
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria.
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17
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Kim TW, Piao J, Koo SY, Kriks S, Chung SY, Betel D, Socci ND, Choi SJ, Zabierowski S, Dubose BN, Hill EJ, Mosharov EV, Irion S, Tomishima MJ, Tabar V, Studer L. Biphasic Activation of WNT Signaling Facilitates the Derivation of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons from hESCs for Translational Use. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:343-355.e5. [PMID: 33545081 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells show considerable promise for applications in regenerative medicine, including the development of cell replacement paradigms for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Protocols have been developed to generate authentic midbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons capable of reversing dopamine-related deficits in animal models of Parkinson's disease. However, the generation of mDA neurons at clinical scale suitable for human application remains an important challenge. Here, we present an mDA neuron derivation protocol based on a two-step WNT signaling activation strategy that improves expression of midbrain markers, such as Engrailed-1 (EN1), while minimizing expression of contaminating posterior (hindbrain) and anterior (diencephalic) lineage markers. The resulting neurons exhibit molecular, biochemical, and electrophysiological properties of mDA neurons. Cryopreserved mDA neuron precursors can be successfully transplanted into 6-hydroxydopamine (6OHDA) lesioned rats to induce recovery of amphetamine-induced rotation behavior. The protocol presented here is the basis for clinical-grade mDA neuron production and preclinical safety and efficacy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Wan Kim
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jinghua Piao
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Neurosurgery and Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - So Yeon Koo
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program of Weill Cornell Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sonja Kriks
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sun Young Chung
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Doron Betel
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicholas D Socci
- Bioinformatics Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Se Joon Choi
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Susan Zabierowski
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brittany N Dubose
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ellen J Hill
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eugene V Mosharov
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stefan Irion
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mark J Tomishima
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Viviane Tabar
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Neurosurgery and Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Lorenz Studer
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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18
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Strano A, Tuck E, Stubbs VE, Livesey FJ. Variable Outcomes in Neural Differentiation of Human PSCs Arise from Intrinsic Differences in Developmental Signaling Pathways. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107732. [PMID: 32521257 PMCID: PMC7296348 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells varies in specificity and efficiency. Stochastic, genetic, intracellular, and environmental factors affect maintenance of pluripotency and differentiation into early embryonic lineages. However, factors affecting variation in in vitro differentiation to defined cell types are not well understood. To address this, we focused on a well-established differentiation process to cerebral cortex neural progenitor cells and their neuronal progeny from human pluripotent stem cells. Analysis of 162 differentiation outcomes of 61 stem cell lines derived from 37 individuals showed that most variation occurs along gene expression axes reflecting dorsoventral and rostrocaudal spatial expression during in vivo brain development. Line-independent and line-dependent variations occur, with the latter driven largely by differences in endogenous Wnt signaling activity. Tuning Wnt signaling during a specific phase early in the differentiation process reduces variability, demonstrating that cell-line/genome-specific differentiation outcome biases can be corrected by controlling extracellular signaling. Analysis of 162 iPSC neural differentiation quantifies sources of variability Variation in outcomes occurs along developmental brain spatial and regional axes Variation depends on iPSC-line-specific differences in Wnt/β-catenin signaling Effects of signaling differences can be rescued by exogenous pathway activation
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Strano
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute & Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, 20 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DZ, UK
| | - Eleanor Tuck
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, 20 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DZ, UK
| | - Victoria E Stubbs
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute & Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Frederick J Livesey
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, 20 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DZ, UK.
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19
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Gastruloids generated without exogenous Wnt activation develop anterior neural tissues. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:1143-1155. [PMID: 33891872 PMCID: PMC8185432 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
When stimulated with a pulse from an exogenous WNT pathway activator, small aggregates of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can undergo embryo-like axial morphogenesis and patterning along the three major body axes. However, these structures, called gastruloids, currently lack the anterior embryonic regions, such as those belonging to the brain. Here, we describe an approach to generate gastruloids that have a more complete antero-posterior development. We used hydrogel microwell arrays to promote the robust derivation of mouse ESCs into post-implantation epiblast-like (EPI) aggregates in a reproducible and scalable manner. These EPI aggregates break symmetry and axially elongate without external chemical stimulation. Inhibition of WNT signaling in early stages of development leads to the formation of gastruloids with anterior neural tissues. Thus, we provide a new tool to study the development of the mouse after implantation in vitro, especially the formation of anterior neural regions. Mouse embryonic stem cells can be aggregated to form epiblast-like (EPI) aggregates EPI aggregates undergo axial morphogenesis in the absence of exogenous WNT activation Initial aggregate size is a major determinant for axial morphogenesis Early WNT inhibition is essential for the emergence of anterior neural progenitors
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Chan WK, Fetit R, Griffiths R, Marshall H, Mason JO, Price DJ. Using organoids to study human brain development and evolution. Dev Neurobiol 2021; 81:608-622. [PMID: 33773072 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in methods for making cerebral organoids have opened a window of opportunity to directly study human brain development and disease, countering limitations inherent in non-human-based approaches. Whether freely patterned, guided into a region-specific fate or fused into assembloids, organoids have successfully recapitulated key features of in vivo neurodevelopment, allowing its examination from early to late stages. Although organoids have enormous potential, their effective use relies on understanding the extent of their limitations in accurately reproducing specific processes and components in the developing human brain. Here we review the potential of cerebral organoids to model and study human brain development and evolution and discuss the progress and current challenges in their use for reproducing specific human neurodevelopmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai-Kit Chan
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rana Fetit
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rosie Griffiths
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Helen Marshall
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - John O Mason
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David J Price
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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21
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Stapornwongkul KS, Vincent JP. Generation of extracellular morphogen gradients: the case for diffusion. Nat Rev Genet 2021; 22:393-411. [PMID: 33767424 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-021-00342-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cells within developing tissues rely on morphogens to assess positional information. Passive diffusion is the most parsimonious transport model for long-range morphogen gradient formation but does not, on its own, readily explain scaling, robustness and planar transport. Here, we argue that diffusion is sufficient to ensure robust morphogen gradient formation in a variety of tissues if the interactions between morphogens and their extracellular binders are considered. A current challenge is to assess how the affinity for extracellular binders, as well as other biophysical and cell biological parameters, determines gradient dynamics and shape in a diffusion-based transport system. Technological advances in genome editing, tissue engineering, live imaging and in vivo biophysics are now facilitating measurement of these parameters, paving the way for mathematical modelling and a quantitative understanding of morphogen gradient formation and modulation.
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Abstract
Hemichordates, along with echinoderms and chordates, belong to the lineage of bilaterians called the deuterostomes. Their phylogenetic position as an outgroup to chordates provides an opportunity to investigate the evolutionary origins of the chordate body plan and reconstruct ancestral deuterostome characters. The body plans of the hemichordates and chordates are organizationally divergent making anatomical comparisons very challenging. The developmental underpinnings of animal body plans are often more conservative than the body plans they regulate, and offer a novel data set for making comparisons between morphologically divergent body architectures. Here I review the hemichordate developmental data generated over the past 20 years that further test hypotheses of proposed morphological affinities between the two taxa, but also compare the conserved anteroposterior, dorsoventral axial patterning programs and germ layer specification programs. These data provide an opportunity to determine which developmental programs are ancestral deuterostome or bilaterian innovations, and which ones occurred in stem chordates or vertebrates representing developmental novelties of the chordate body plan.
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Ben-Reuven L, Reiner O. Toward Spatial Identities in Human Brain Organoids-on-Chip Induced by Morphogen-Soaked Beads. Bioengineering (Basel) 2020; 7:E164. [PMID: 33352983 PMCID: PMC7766968 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering7040164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in stem-cell technologies include the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into organ-like structures (organoids). These organoids exhibit remarkable self-organization that resembles key aspects of in vivo organ development. However, organoids have an unpredictable anatomy, and poorly reflect the topography of the dorsoventral, mediolateral, and anteroposterior axes. In vivo the temporal and the spatial patterning of the developing tissue is orchestrated by signaling molecules called morphogens. Here, we used morphogen-soaked beads to influence the spatial identities within hESC-derived brain organoids. The morphogen- and synthetic molecules-soaked beads were interpreted as local organizers, and key transcription factor expression levels within the organoids were affected as a function of the distance from the bead. We used an on-chip imaging device that we have developed, that allows live imaging of the developing hESC-derived organoids. This platform enabled studying the effect of changes in WNT/BMP gradients on the expression of key landmark genes in the on-chip human brain organoids. Titration of CHIR99201 (WNT agonist) and BMP4 directed the expression of telencephalon and medial pallium genes; dorsal and ventral midbrain markers; and isthmus-related genes. Overall, our protocol provides an opportunity to study phenotypes of altered regional specification and defected connectivity, which are found in neurodevelopmental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Orly Reiner
- Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel;
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24
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Aghaizu ND, Jin H, Whiting PJ. Dysregulated Wnt Signalling in the Alzheimer's Brain. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E902. [PMID: 33255414 PMCID: PMC7761504 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signalling system is essential for both the developing and adult central nervous system. It regulates numerous cellular functions ranging from neurogenesis to blood brain barrier biology. Dysregulated Wnt signalling can thus have significant consequences for normal brain function, which is becoming increasingly clear in Alzheimer's disease (AD), an age-related neurodegenerative disorder that is the most prevalent form of dementia. AD exhibits a range of pathophysiological manifestations including aberrant amyloid precursor protein processing, tau pathology, synapse loss, neuroinflammation and blood brain barrier breakdown, which have been associated to a greater or lesser degree with abnormal Wnt signalling. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of the role of Wnt signalling in the CNS, and the research that implicates dysregulated Wnt signalling in the ageing brain and in AD pathogenesis. We also discuss the opportunities for therapeutic intervention in AD via modulation of the Wnt signalling pathway, and highlight some of the challenges and the gaps in our current understanding that need to be met to enable that goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozie D. Aghaizu
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
| | - Hanqing Jin
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
| | - Paul J. Whiting
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
- ARUK Drug Discovery Institute (DDI), University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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25
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Muckom R, Bao X, Tran E, Chen E, Murugappan A, Dordick JS, Clark DS, Schaffer DV. High-throughput 3D screening for differentiation of hPSC-derived cell therapy candidates. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz1457. [PMID: 32821815 PMCID: PMC7413735 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz1457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of several cell therapy candidates in the clinic is an encouraging sign for human diseases/disorders that currently have no effective treatment; however, scalable production of these cell therapies has become a bottleneck. To overcome this barrier, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture strategies have been considered for enhanced cell production. Here, we demonstrate a high-throughput 3D culture platform used to systematically screen 1200 culture conditions with varying doses, durations, dynamics, and combinations of signaling cues to derive oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and midbrain dopaminergic neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Statistical models of the robust dataset reveal previously unidentified patterns about cell competence to Wnt, retinoic acid, and sonic hedgehog signals, and their interactions, which may offer insights into the combinatorial roles these signals play in human central nervous system development. These insights can be harnessed to optimize production of hPSC-derived cell replacement therapies for a range of neurological indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riya Muckom
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Xiaoping Bao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Eric Tran
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Evelyn Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Abirami Murugappan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan S. Dordick
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Douglas S. Clark
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Corresponding author. (D.S.C.); (D.V.S.)
| | - David V. Schaffer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Corresponding author. (D.S.C.); (D.V.S.)
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Modeling of Wnt-mediated tissue patterning in vertebrate embryogenesis. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1007417. [PMID: 32579554 PMCID: PMC7340325 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryogenesis, morphogens form a concentration gradient in responsive tissue, which is then translated into a spatial cellular pattern. The mechanisms by which morphogens spread through a tissue to establish such a morphogenetic field remain elusive. Here, we investigate by mutually complementary simulations and in vivo experiments how Wnt morphogen transport by cytonemes differs from typically assumed diffusion-based transport for patterning of highly dynamic tissue such as the neural plate in zebrafish. Stochasticity strongly influences fate acquisition at the single cell level and results in fluctuating boundaries between pattern regions. Stable patterning can be achieved by sorting through concentration dependent cell migration and apoptosis, independent of the morphogen transport mechanism. We show that Wnt transport by cytonemes achieves distinct Wnt thresholds for the brain primordia earlier compared with diffusion-based transport. We conclude that a cytoneme-mediated morphogen transport together with directed cell sorting is a potentially favored mechanism to establish morphogen gradients in rapidly expanding developmental systems.
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27
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Rifes P, Isaksson M, Rathore GS, Aldrin-Kirk P, Møller OK, Barzaghi G, Lee J, Egerod KL, Rausch DM, Parmar M, Pers TH, Laurell T, Kirkeby A. Modeling neural tube development by differentiation of human embryonic stem cells in a microfluidic WNT gradient. Nat Biotechnol 2020; 38:1265-1273. [DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-0525-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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28
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Osborn TM, Hallett PJ, Schumacher JM, Isacson O. Advantages and Recent Developments of Autologous Cell Therapy for Parkinson's Disease Patients. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:58. [PMID: 32317934 PMCID: PMC7147334 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive degenerative disease characterized by tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity and postural instability. There are approximately 7–10 million PD patients worldwide. Currently, there are no biomarkers available or pharmaceuticals that can halt the dopaminergic neuron degeneration. At the time of diagnosis about 60% of the midbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons have already degenerated, resulting in a depletion of roughly 70% of striatal dopamine (DA) levels and synapses. Symptomatic treatment (e.g., with L-dopa) can initially restore DA levels and motor function, but with time often lead to side-effects like dyskinesia. Deep-brain-stimulation can alleviate these side-effects and some of the motor symptoms but requires repeat procedures and adds limitations for the patients. Restoration of dopaminergic synapses using neuronal cell replacement therapy has shown benefit in clinical studies using cells from fetal ventral midbrain. This approach, if done correctly, increases DA levels and restores synapses, allowing biofeedback regulation between the grafted cells and the host brain. Drawbacks are that it is not scalable for a large patient population and the patients require immunosuppression. Stem cells differentiated in vitro to mDA neurons or progenitors have shown promise in animal studies and is a scalable approach that allows for cryopreservation of transplantable cells and rigorous quality control prior to transplantation. However, all allogeneic grafts require immunosuppression. HLA-donor-matching, reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the need for immunosuppression, and is currently investigated in a clinical trial for PD in Japan. Since immune compatibility is very important in all areas of transplantation, these approaches may ultimately be of less benefit to the patients than an autologous approach. By using the patient’s own somatic cells, reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiated to mDA neurons immunosuppression is not required, and may also present with several biological and functional advantages in the patients, as described in this article. The proof-of-principle of autologous iPSC mDA restoration of function has been shown in parkinsonian non-human primates (NHPs), and this can now be investigated in clinical trials in addition to the allogeneic and HLA-matched approaches. In this review, we focus on the autologous approach of cell therapy for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresia M Osborn
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States
| | - Penelope J Hallett
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States
| | - James M Schumacher
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States
| | - Ole Isacson
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States
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29
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Green DG, Whitener AE, Mohanty S, Mistretta B, Gunaratne P, Yeh AT, Lekven AC. Wnt signaling regulates neural plate patterning in distinct temporal phases with dynamic transcriptional outputs. Dev Biol 2020; 462:152-164. [PMID: 32243887 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The process that partitions the nascent vertebrate central nervous system into forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain, and spinal cord after neural induction is of fundamental interest in developmental biology, and is known to be dependent on Wnt/β-catenin signaling at multiple steps. Neural induction specifies neural ectoderm with forebrain character that is subsequently posteriorized by graded Wnt signaling: embryological and mutant analyses have shown that progressively higher levels of Wnt signaling induce progressively more posterior fates. However, the mechanistic link between Wnt signaling and the molecular subdivision of the neural ectoderm into distinct domains in the anteroposterior (AP) axis is still not clear. To better understand how Wnt mediates neural AP patterning, we performed a temporal dissection of neural patterning in response to manipulations of Wnt signaling in zebrafish. We show that Wnt-mediated neural patterning in zebrafish can be divided into three phases: (I) a primary AP patterning phase, which occurs during gastrulation, (II) a mes/r1 (mesencephalon-rhombomere 1) specification and refinement phase, which occurs immediately after gastrulation, and (III) a midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB) morphogenesis phase, which occurs during segmentation stages. A major outcome of these Wnt signaling phases is the specification of the major compartment divisions of the developing brain: first the MHB, then the diencephalic-mesencephalic boundary (DMB). The specification of these lineage divisions depends upon the dynamic changes of gene transcription in response to Wnt signaling, which we show primarily involves transcriptional repression or indirect activation. We show that otx2b is directly repressed by Wnt signaling during primary AP patterning, but becomes resistant to Wnt-mediated repression during late gastrulation. Also during late gastrulation, Wnt signaling becomes both necessary and sufficient for expression of wnt8b, en2a, and her5 in mes/r1. We suggest that the change in otx2b response to Wnt regulation enables a transition to the mes/r1 phase of Wnt-mediated patterning, as it ensures that Wnts expressed in the midbrain and MHB do not suppress midbrain identity, and consequently reinforce formation of the DMB. These findings integrate important temporal elements into our spatial understanding of Wnt-mediated neural patterning and may serve as an important basis for a better understanding of neural patterning defects that have implications in human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Green
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-5001, USA
| | - Amy E Whitener
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-3258, USA
| | - Saurav Mohanty
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-5001, USA
| | - Brandon Mistretta
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-5001, USA
| | - Preethi Gunaratne
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-5001, USA
| | - Alvin T Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-3120, USA
| | - Arne C Lekven
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-5001, USA.
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30
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Takebayashi-Suzuki K, Suzuki A. Intracellular Communication among Morphogen Signaling Pathways during Vertebrate Body Plan Formation. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E341. [PMID: 32213808 PMCID: PMC7141137 DOI: 10.3390/genes11030341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryonic development in vertebrates, morphogens play an important role in cell fate determination and morphogenesis. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belonging to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family control the dorsal-ventral (DV) patterning of embryos, whereas other morphogens such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF), Wnt family members, and retinoic acid (RA) regulate the formation of the anterior-posterior (AP) axis. Activation of morphogen signaling results in changes in the expression of target genes including transcription factors that direct cell fate along the body axes. To ensure the correct establishment of the body plan, the processes of DV and AP axis formation must be linked and coordinately regulated by a fine-tuning of morphogen signaling. In this review, we focus on the interplay of various intracellular regulatory mechanisms and discuss how communication among morphogen signaling pathways modulates body axis formation in vertebrate embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimiko Takebayashi-Suzuki
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suzuki
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
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31
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Parker HJ, Krumlauf R. A Hox gene regulatory network for hindbrain segmentation. Curr Top Dev Biol 2020; 139:169-203. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2020.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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32
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Martínez-Bartolomé M, Range RC. A biphasic role of non-canonical Wnt16 signaling during early anterior-posterior patterning and morphogenesis of the sea urchin embryo. Development 2019; 146:dev168799. [PMID: 31822478 PMCID: PMC6955209 DOI: 10.1242/dev.168799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
A Wnt signaling network governs early anterior-posterior (AP) specification and patterning of the deuterostome sea urchin embryo. We have previously shown that non-canonical Fzl1/2/7 signaling antagonizes the progressive posterior-to-anterior downregulation of the anterior neuroectoderm (ANE) gene regulatory network (GRN) by canonical Wnt/β-catenin and non-canonical Wnt1/Wnt8-Fzl5/8-JNK signaling. This study focuses on the non-canonical function of the Wnt16 ligand during early AP specification and patterning. Maternally supplied wnt16 is expressed ubiquitously during cleavage and zygotic wnt16 expression is concentrated in the endoderm/mesoderm beginning at mid-blastula stage. Wnt16 antagonizes the ANE restriction mechanism and this activity depends on a functional Fzl1/2/7 receptor. Our results also show that zygotic wnt16 expression depends on both Fzl5/8 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Furthermore, Wnt16 is necessary for the activation and/or maintenance of key regulatory endoderm/mesoderm genes and is essential for gastrulation. Together, our data show that Wnt16 has two functions during early AP specification and patterning: (1) an initial role activating the Fzl1/2/7 pathway that antagonizes the ANE restriction mechanism; and (2) a subsequent function in activating key endoderm GRN factors and the morphogenetic movements of gastrulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan C Range
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
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Fang Z, Liu X, Wen J, Tang F, Zhou Y, Jing N, Jin Y. SOX21 Ensures Rostral Forebrain Identity by Suppression of WNT8B during Neural Regionalization of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 13:1038-1052. [PMID: 31761677 PMCID: PMC6915843 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The generation of brain region-specific progenitors from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is critical for their application. However, transcriptional regulation of neural regionalization in humans is poorly understood. Here, we applied a rostrocaudal patterning system from hESCs to dissect global transcriptional networks controlling early neural regionalization. We found that SOX21 is required for rostral forebrain fate specification. SOX21 knockout led to activation of Wnt signaling, resulting in caudalization of regional identity of rostral forebrain neural progenitor cells. Moreover, we identified WNT8B as a SOX21 direct target. Deletion of WNT8B or inhibition of Wnt signaling in SOX21 knockout neural progenitor cells restored rostral forebrain identity. Furthermore, SOX21 interacted with β-catenin, interfering with the binding of TCF4/β-catenin complex to the WNT8B enhancer. Collectively, these results unveil the unknown role of SOX21 and shed light on how a transcriptional factor modulates early neural regionalization through crosstalk with a key component of Wnt signaling. The transcriptomic analysis of rostrocaudal patterning of hESC-derived NPCs SOX21 KO leads to caudalized regional identity in rostral forebrain progenitors SOX21 represses Wnt signaling to ensure the rostral forebrain identity WNT8B is a major downstream target of SOX21
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoqing Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xinyuan Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jing Wen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Fan Tang
- Basic Clinical Research Center, Renji Hospital, Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 225 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Naihe Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 100 Haike Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ying Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; Basic Clinical Research Center, Renji Hospital, Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 225 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 100 Haike Road, Shanghai 201210, China.
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34
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Yang G, Shcheglovitov A. Probing disrupted neurodevelopment in autism using human stem cell-derived neurons and organoids: An outlook into future diagnostics and drug development. Dev Dyn 2019; 249:6-33. [PMID: 31398277 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) represent a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction, repetitive or restrictive behaviors, and problems with speech. According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 68 children in the US is diagnosed with ASDs. Although ASD-related diagnostics and the knowledge of ASD-associated genetic abnormalities have improved in recent years, our understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways disrupted in ASD remains very limited. As a result, no specific therapies or medications are available for individuals with ASDs. In this review, we describe the neurodevelopmental processes that are likely affected in the brains of individuals with ASDs and discuss how patient-specific stem cell-derived neurons and organoids can be used for investigating these processes at the cellular and molecular levels. Finally, we propose a discovery pipeline to be used in the future for identifying the cellular and molecular deficits and developing novel personalized therapies for individuals with idiopathic ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Yang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alex Shcheglovitov
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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35
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Gomez GA, Prasad MS, Wong M, Charney RM, Shelar PB, Sandhu N, Hackland JOS, Hernandez JC, Leung AW, García-Castro MI. WNT/β-catenin modulates the axial identity of embryonic stem cell-derived human neural crest. Development 2019; 146:dev.175604. [PMID: 31399472 DOI: 10.1242/dev.175604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
WNT/β-catenin signaling is crucial for neural crest (NC) formation, yet the effects of the magnitude of the WNT signal remain ill-defined. Using a robust model of human NC formation based on human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), we expose that the WNT signal modulates the axial identity of NCs in a dose-dependent manner, with low WNT leading to anterior OTX+ HOX- NC and high WNT leading to posterior OTX- HOX+ NC. Differentiation tests of posterior NC confirm expected derivatives, including posterior-specific adrenal derivatives, and display partial capacity to generate anterior ectomesenchymal derivatives. Furthermore, unlike anterior NC, posterior NC exhibits a transient TBXT+/SOX2+ neuromesodermal precursor-like intermediate. Finally, we analyze the contributions of other signaling pathways in posterior NC formation, which suggest a crucial role for FGF in survival/proliferation, and a requirement of BMP for NC maturation. As expected retinoic acid (RA) and FGF are able to modulate HOX expression in the posterior NC. Surprisingly, early RA supplementation prohibits NC formation. This work reveals for the first time that the amplitude of WNT signaling can modulate the axial identity of NC cells in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo A Gomez
- School of Medicine Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Maneeshi S Prasad
- School of Medicine Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Man Wong
- School of Medicine Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Rebekah M Charney
- School of Medicine Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Patrick B Shelar
- School of Medicine Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Nabjot Sandhu
- School of Medicine Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - James O S Hackland
- School of Medicine Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Jacqueline C Hernandez
- School of Medicine Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Alan W Leung
- School of Medicine Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Martín I García-Castro
- School of Medicine Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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36
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Dahiya S, Saini V, Kumar P, Kumar A. Protein-Protein interaction network analyses of human WNT proteins involved in neural development. Bioinformation 2019; 15:307-314. [PMID: 31249432 PMCID: PMC6589473 DOI: 10.6026/97320630015307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
WNT proteins are involved from initial of neural tissue specification to the end of cell fate determination and organ development. The
present work was carried out to understand the involvement of different WNT isoforms (WNT3a, WNT5a and WNT7b) in neural
development. A total of 718, 546 and 1004 PPIs for WNT3a, WNT5a and WNT7b respectively, were predicted by STRING database with
confidence score more than 0.400. A network carrying all the selected PPIs of targeted proteins was constructed by using Cytoscape by
assigning source node, target node and combined score as edge attribute. A total 2268 interactions of WNT3a, WNT5a and WNT7b were
predicted to be involved in multiple signaling pathways and developmental processes. 43 of 2268 PPIs were refined after analyzing role of
targeted proteins specifically in brain and neural development. WNT3a, WNT5a and WNT7a were predicted to be interacting with 18, 17
and 11 proteins, respectively, with average node degree score of 1.89, 2.12 and 1.82 respectively. The CytoHubba algorithm identified
WNT3a, WNT5a, and WNT7b as hub proteins in neural development ranked on the basis of EPC (Edge Percolated Component) score of
9.352, 9.258 and 8.387.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sween Dahiya
- Toxicology and Computational Biology Group, Centre for Bioinformatics, M. D. University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001 India
| | - Vandana Saini
- Toxicology and Computational Biology Group, Centre for Bioinformatics, M. D. University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001 India
| | - Pawan Kumar
- Toxicology and Computational Biology Group, Centre for Bioinformatics, M. D. University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001 India
| | - Ajit Kumar
- Toxicology and Computational Biology Group, Centre for Bioinformatics, M. D. University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001 India
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Edri S, Hayward P, Baillie-Johnson P, Steventon BJ, Martinez Arias A. An epiblast stem cell-derived multipotent progenitor population for axial extension. Development 2019; 146:dev.168187. [PMID: 31023877 DOI: 10.1242/dev.168187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The caudal lateral epiblast of mammalian embryos harbours bipotent progenitors that contribute to the spinal cord and the paraxial mesoderm in concert with the body axis elongation. These progenitors, called neural mesodermal progenitors (NMPs), are identified as cells that co-express Sox2 and T/brachyury, a criterion used to derive NMP-like cells from embryonic stem cells in vitro However, unlike embryonic NMPs, these progenitors do not self-renew. Here, we find that the protocols that yield NMP-like cells in vitro initially produce a multipotent population that, in addition to NMPs, generates progenitors for the lateral plate and intermediate mesoderm. We show that epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) are an effective source of these multipotent progenitors, which are further differentiated by a balance between BMP and Nodal signalling. Importantly, we show that NMP-like cells derived from EpiSCs exhibit limited self-renewal in vitro and a gene expression signature like their embryonic counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomit Edri
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Penny Hayward
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Peter Baillie-Johnson
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Benjamin J Steventon
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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38
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Polevoy H, Gutkovich YE, Michaelov A, Volovik Y, Elkouby YM, Frank D. New roles for Wnt and BMP signaling in neural anteroposterior patterning. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:embr.201845842. [PMID: 30936121 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201845842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
During amphibian development, neural patterning occurs via a two-step process. Spemann's organizer secretes BMP antagonists that induce anterior neural tissue. A subsequent caudalizing step re-specifies anterior fated cells to posterior fates such as hindbrain and spinal cord. The neural patterning paradigm suggests that a canonical Wnt-signaling gradient acts along the anteroposterior axis to pattern the nervous system. Wnt activity is highest in the posterior, inducing spinal cord, at intermediate levels in the trunk, inducing hindbrain, and is lowest in anterior fated forebrain, while BMP-antagonist levels are constant along the axis. Our results in Xenopus laevis challenge this paradigm. We find that inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling or its downstream transcription factors eliminates hindbrain, but not spinal cord fates, an observation not compatible with a simple high-to-low Wnt gradient specifying all fates along the neural anteroposterior axis. Additionally, we find that BMP activity promotes posterior spinal cord cell fate formation in an FGF-dependent manner, while inhibiting hindbrain fates. These results suggest a need to re-evaluate the paradigms of neural anteroposterior pattern formation during vertebrate development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Polevoy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yoni E Gutkovich
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ariel Michaelov
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yael Volovik
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yaniv M Elkouby
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dale Frank
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Antero-posterior ectoderm patterning by canonical Wnt signaling during ascidian development. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008054. [PMID: 30925162 PMCID: PMC6457572 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is an ancient pathway in metazoans and controls various developmental processes, in particular the establishment and patterning of the embryonic primary axis. In vertebrates, a graded Wnt activity from posterior to anterior endows cells with positional information in the central nervous system. Recent studies in hemichordates support a conserved role for Wnt/β-catenin in ectoderm antero-posterior patterning at the base of the deuterostomes. Ascidians are marine invertebrates and the closest relatives of vertebrates. By combining gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we have determined the role of Wnt/β-catenin in patterning the three ectoderm derivatives of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system and epidermis. Activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling from gastrulation led to a dramatic transformation of the ectoderm with a loss of anterior identities and a reciprocal anterior extension of posterior identities, consistent with studies in other metazoans. Surprisingly, inhibiting Wnt signaling did not produce a reciprocal anteriorization of the embryo with a loss of more posterior identities like in vertebrates and hemichordate. Epidermis patterning was overall unchanged. Only the identity of two discrete regions of the central nervous system, the anteriormost and the posteriormost regions, were under the control of Wnt. Finally, the caudal peripheral nervous system, while being initially Wnt dependent, formed normally. Our results show that the Ciona embryonic ectoderm responds to Wnt activation in a manner that is compatible with the proposed function for this pathway at the base of the deuterostomes. However, possibly because of its fast and divergent mode of development that includes extensive use of maternal determinants, the overall antero-posterior patterning of the Ciona ectoderm is Wnt independent, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls the formation of some sub-domains. Our results thus indicate that there has likely been a drift in the developmental systems controlling ectoderm patterning in the lineage leading to ascidians. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a system of cell-cell communication. It has an ancient origin in animals and plays multiple roles during embryogenesis and adult life. In particular, it is involved in determining, in the vertebrate embryo, the identity of the different parts of the body and their relative positions along the antero-posterior axis. We have investigated in an ascidian (or sea squirt) species, a marine invertebrate that is closely related to vertebrates, whether this pathway had a similar role. Like in vertebrates, activating Wnt/β-catenin led to a posteriorization of the embryo with a loss of anterior structures. By contrast, unlike vertebrates, ascidian embryos formed rather normally following Wnt/β-catenin inactivation. Since hemichordates (or acorn worms), earlier divergent invertebrates, use Wnt/β-catenin in a manner comparable to vertebrates, it is in the ascidian lineage that changes have occurred. Consequently, ascidians build an antero-posterior axis, very similarly organized to that of vertebrates, but in a different way.
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40
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Shirahama M, Steinfeld I, Karaiwa A, Taketani S, Vogel-Höpker A, Layer PG, Araki M. Change in the developmental fate of the chick optic vesicle from the neural retina to the telencephalon. Dev Growth Differ 2019; 61:252-262. [PMID: 30843193 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The forebrain develops into the telencephalon, diencephalon, and optic vesicle (OV). The OV further develops into the optic cup, the inner and outer layers of which develop into the neural retina and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), respectively. We studied the change in fate of the OV by using embryonic transplantation and explant culture methods. OVs excised from 10-somite stage chick embryos were freed from surrounding tissues (the surface ectoderm and mesenchyme) and were transplanted back to their original position in host embryos. Expression of neural retina-specific genes, such as Rax and Vsx2 (Chx10), was downregulated in the transplants. Instead, expression of the telencephalon-specific gene Emx1 emerged in the proximal region of the transplants, and in the distal part of the transplants close to the epidermis, expression of an RPE-specific gene Mitf was observed. Explant culture studies showed that when OVs were cultured alone, Rax was continuously expressed regardless of surrounding tissues (mesenchyme and epidermis). When OVs without surrounding tissues were cultured in close contact with the anterior forebrain, Rax expression became downregulated in the explants, and Emx1 expression became upregulated. These findings indicate that chick OVs at stage 10 are bi-potential with respect to their developmental fates, either for the neural retina or for the telencephalon, and that the surrounding tissues have a pivotal role in their actual fates. An in vitro tissue culture model suggests that under the influence of the anterior forebrain and/or its surrounding tissues, the OV changes its fate from the retina to the telencephalon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misaki Shirahama
- Developmental Neurobiology Laboratory, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan
| | - Ichie Steinfeld
- Developmental Neurobiology Laboratory, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan.,Entwicklungsbiologie & Neurogenetik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Akari Karaiwa
- Developmental Neurobiology Laboratory, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan
| | - Shigeru Taketani
- Department of Biotechnology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Astrid Vogel-Höpker
- Entwicklungsbiologie & Neurogenetik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Paul G Layer
- Entwicklungsbiologie & Neurogenetik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Masasuke Araki
- Developmental Neurobiology Laboratory, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan.,Unit of Neural Development and Regeneration, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
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41
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Frank D, Sela-Donenfeld D. Hindbrain induction and patterning during early vertebrate development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:941-960. [PMID: 30519881 PMCID: PMC11105337 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2974-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The hindbrain is a key relay hub of the central nervous system (CNS), linking the bilaterally symmetric half-sides of lower and upper CNS centers via an extensive network of neural pathways. Dedicated neural assemblies within the hindbrain control many physiological processes, including respiration, blood pressure, motor coordination and different sensations. During early development, the hindbrain forms metameric segmented units known as rhombomeres along the antero-posterior (AP) axis of the nervous system. These compartmentalized units are highly conserved during vertebrate evolution and act as the template for adult brainstem structure and function. TALE and HOX homeodomain family transcription factors play a key role in the initial induction of the hindbrain and its specification into rhombomeric cell fate identities along the AP axis. Signaling pathways, such as canonical-Wnt, FGF and retinoic acid, play multiple roles to initially induce the hindbrain and regulate Hox gene-family expression to control rhombomeric identity. Additional transcription factors including Krox20, Kreisler and others act both upstream and downstream to Hox genes, modulating their expression and protein activity. In this review, we will examine the earliest embryonic signaling pathways that induce the hindbrain and subsequent rhombomeric segmentation via Hox and other gene expression. We will examine how these signaling pathways and transcription factors interact to activate downstream targets that organize the segmented AP pattern of the embryonic vertebrate hindbrain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale Frank
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 31096, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Dalit Sela-Donenfeld
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 76100, Rehovot, Israel.
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42
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Zhang J, Liao L, Li Y, Xu Y, Guo W, Tian W, Zou S. Parathyroid hormone‐related peptide (1–34) promotes tooth eruption and inhibits osteogenesis of dental follicle cells during tooth development. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:11900-11911. [PMID: 30584670 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Oral Regenerative Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Department of Orthodontics West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Lijun Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Oral Regenerative Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Yuyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Department of Orthodontics West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Yang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Department of Orthodontics West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Weihua Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Oral Regenerative Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Weidong Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Oral Regenerative Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Shujuan Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Department of Orthodontics West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University Chengdu China
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43
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Jeon K, Kumar D, Conway AE, Park K, Jothi R, Jetten AM. GLIS3 Transcriptionally Activates WNT Genes to Promote Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Posterior Neural Progenitors. Stem Cells 2018; 37:202-215. [PMID: 30376208 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Anterior-posterior (A-P) specification of the neural tube involves initial acquisition of anterior fate followed by the induction of posterior characteristics in the primitive anterior neuroectoderm. Several morphogens have been implicated in the regulation of A-P neural patterning; however, our understanding of the upstream regulators of these morphogens remains incomplete. Here, we show that the Krüppel-like zinc finger transcription factor GLI-Similar 3 (GLIS3) can direct differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into posterior neural progenitor cells in lieu of the default anterior pathway. Transcriptomic analyses reveal that this switch in cell fate is due to rapid activation of Wingless/Integrated (WNT) signaling pathway. Mechanistically, through genome-wide RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq, and functional analyses, we show that GLIS3 binds to and directly regulates the transcription of several WNT genes, including the strong posteriorizing factor WNT3A, and that inhibition of WNT signaling is sufficient to abrogate GLIS3-induced posterior specification. Our findings suggest a potential role for GLIS3 in the regulation of A-P specification through direct transcriptional activation of WNT genes. Stem Cells 2018 Stem Cells 2019;37:202-215.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kilsoo Jeon
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dhirendra Kumar
- Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Amanda E Conway
- Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kyeyoon Park
- NIH Stem Cell Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Raja Jothi
- Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anton M Jetten
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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44
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Canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways define the expression domains of Frizzled 5/8 and Frizzled 1/2/7 along the early anterior-posterior axis in sea urchin embryos. Dev Biol 2018; 444:83-92. [PMID: 30332609 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The spatiotemporal expression of Frizzled receptors is critical for patterning along the early anterior-posterior axis during embryonic development in many animal species. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate the expression of Frizzled receptors are incompletely understood in any species. In this study, I examine how the expression of two Frizzled receptors, Fzl1/2/7 and Fzl5/8, is controlled by the Wnt signaling network which directs specification and positioning of early regulatory states along the anterior-posterior (AP) axis of sea urchin embryos. I used a combination of morpholino- and dominant negative-mediated interference to knock down each Wnt signaling pathway involved in the AP Wnt signaling network. I found that the expression of zygotic fzl5/8 as well as that of the anterior neuroectoderm gene regulatory network (ANE GRN) is activated by an unknown broadly expressed regulatory state and that posterior Wnt/β-catenin signaling is necessary to down regulate fzl5/8's expression in posterior blastomeres. I show that zygotic expression of fzl1/2/7 in the equatorial ectodermal belt is dependent on an uncharacterized regulatory mechanism that works in the same cells receiving the TGF-β signals patterning this territory along the dorsal-ventral axis. In addition, my data indicate that Fzl1/2/7 signaling represses its own expression in a negative feedback mechanism. Finally, we discovered that a balance between the activities of posterior Wnt8 and anterior Dkk1 is necessary to establish the correct spatial expression of zygotic fzl12/7 expression in the equatorial ectodermal domain during blastula and gastrula stages. Together, these studies lead to a better understanding of the complex interactions among the three Wnt signaling pathway governing AP axis specification and patterning in sea urchin embryos.
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45
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Nadadhur AG, Leferink PS, Holmes D, Hinz L, Cornelissen-Steijger P, Gasparotto L, Heine VM. Patterning factors during neural progenitor induction determine regional identity and differentiation potential in vitro. Stem Cell Res 2018; 32:25-34. [PMID: 30172094 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2018.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The neural tube consists of neural progenitors (NPs) that acquire different characteristics during gestation due to patterning factors. However, the influence of such patterning factors on human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) during in vitro neural differentiation is often unclear. This study compared neural induction protocols involving in vitro patterning with single SMAD inhibition (SSI), retinoic acid (RA) administration and dual SMAD inhibition (DSI). While the derived NP cells expressed known NP markers, they differed in their NP expression profile and differentiation potential. Cortical neuronal cells generated from 1) SSI NPs exhibited less mature neuronal phenotypes, 2) RA NPs exhibited an increased GABAergic phenotype, and 3) DSI NPs exhibited greater expression of glutamatergic lineage markers. Further, although all NPs generated astrocytes, astrocytes derived from the RA-induced NPs had the highest GFAP expression. Differences between NP populations included differential expression of regional identity markers HOXB4, LBX1, OTX1 and GSX2, which persisted into mature neural cell stages. This study suggests that patterning factors regulate how potential NPs may differentiate into specific neuronal and glial cell types in vitro. This challenges the utility of generic neural induction procedures, while highlighting the importance of carefully selecting specific NP protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya G Nadadhur
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Prisca S Leferink
- Pediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dwayne Holmes
- Pediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lisa Hinz
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Paulien Cornelissen-Steijger
- Pediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lisa Gasparotto
- Pediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Vivi M Heine
- Pediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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46
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Pani AM, Goldstein B. Direct visualization of a native Wnt in vivo reveals that a long-range Wnt gradient forms by extracellular dispersal. eLife 2018; 7:38325. [PMID: 30106379 PMCID: PMC6143344 DOI: 10.7554/elife.38325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnts are evolutionarily conserved signaling proteins with essential roles in development and disease that have often been thought to spread between cells and signal at a distance. However, recent studies have challenged this model, and whether long-distance extracellular Wnt dispersal occurs and is biologically relevant is debated. Understanding fundamental aspects of Wnt dispersal has been limited by challenges with observing endogenous ligands in vivo, which has prevented directly testing hypotheses. Here, we have generated functional, fluorescently tagged alleles for a C. elegans Wnt homolog and for the first time visualized a native, long-range Wnt gradient in a living animal. Live imaging of Wnt along with source and responding cell membranes provided support for free, extracellular dispersal. By limiting Wnt transfer between cells, we confirmed that extracellular spreading shapes a long-range gradient and is critical for neuroblast migration. These results provide direct evidence that Wnts spread extracellularly to regulate aspects of long-range signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel M Pani
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Bob Goldstein
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
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47
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Lee JH, Liu JW, Lin SZ, Harn HJ, Chiou TW. Advances in Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Shed Light on Drug Discovery for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cell Transplant 2018; 27:1301-1312. [PMID: 30033758 PMCID: PMC6168987 DOI: 10.1177/0963689718785154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are generated through reprogramming adult somatic cells by expressing specific transcription factors, can differentiate into derivatives of the three embryonic germ layers and accelerate rapid advances in stem cell research. Neurological diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have benefited enormously from iPSC technology. This approach can be particularly important for creating iPSCs from patients with familial or sporadic forms of ALS. Motor neurons differentiated from the ALS-patient-derived iPSC can help to determine the relationship between cellular phenotype and genotype. Patient-derived iPSCs facilitate the development of new drugs and/or drug screening for ALS treatment and allow the exploration of the possible mechanism of ALS disease. In this article, we reviewed ALS-patient-specific iPSCs with various genetic mutations, progress in drug development for ALS disease, functional assays showing the differentiation of iPSCs into mature motor neurons, and promising biomarkers in ALS patients for the evaluation of drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Hao Lee
- 1 Everfront Biotech Inc., New Taipei City, Taiwan, Republic of China.,2 Department of Life Science and Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong-Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Jen-Wei Liu
- 1 Everfront Biotech Inc., New Taipei City, Taiwan, Republic of China.,2 Department of Life Science and Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong-Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Shinn-Zong Lin
- 3 Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China.,4 Department of Neurosurgery, Tzu Chi University, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Horng-Jyh Harn
- 3 Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China.,5 Department of Pathology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tzyy-Wen Chiou
- 2 Department of Life Science and Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong-Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China
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48
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Kim JY, Lee JS, Hwang HS, Lee DR, Park CY, Jung SJ, You YR, Kim DS, Kim DW. Wnt signal activation induces midbrain specification through direct binding of the beta-catenin/TCF4 complex to the EN1 promoter in human pluripotent stem cells. Exp Mol Med 2018; 50:1-13. [PMID: 29650976 PMCID: PMC5938028 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-018-0044-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The canonical Wnt signal pathway plays a pivotal role in anteroposterior patterning and midbrain specification during early neurogenesis. Activating Wnt signal has been a strategy for differentiating human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons; however, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) of how the Wnt signal drives posterior fate remained unclear. In this study, we found that activating the canonical Wnt signal significantly upregulated the expression of EN1, a midbrain-specific marker, in a fibroblast growth factor signal-dependent manner in human PSC-derived neural precursor cells (NPCs). The EN1 promoter region contains a putative TCF4-binding site that directly interacts with the β-catenin/TCF complex upon Wnt signal activation. Once differentiated, NPCs treated with a Wnt signal agonist gave rise to functional midbrain neurons including glutamatergic, GABAergic, and DA neurons. Our results provide a potential molecular mechanism that underlies midbrain specification of human PSC-derived NPCs by Wnt activation, as well as a differentiation paradigm for generating human midbrain neurons that may serve as a cellular platform for studying the ontogenesis of midbrain neurons and neurological diseases relevant to the midbrain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Young Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Program for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Jae Souk Lee
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Program for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Hyun Sub Hwang
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Dongjin R Lee
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Chul-Yong Park
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Sung Jun Jung
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seoul, 04763, Korea
| | - Young Rang You
- Department of Biotechnology, Brain Korea 21 PLUS program for Biotechnology, College of Life Science & Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Dae-Sung Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Brain Korea 21 PLUS program for Biotechnology, College of Life Science & Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Korea.
| | - Dong-Wook Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea. .,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Program for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea.
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49
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Lee J, Choi SH, Lee DR, Kim DS, Kim DW. Generation of Isthmic Organizer-Like Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Mol Cells 2018; 41:110-118. [PMID: 29385674 PMCID: PMC5824020 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2018.2210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to induce the production of isthmic organizer (IsO)-like cells capable of secreting fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 8 and WNT1 from human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The precise modulation of canonical Wnt signaling was achieved in the presence of the small molecule CHIR99021 (0.6 μM) during the neural induction of human ESCs, resulting in the differentiation of these cells into IsO-like cells having a midbrain-hindbrain border (MHB) fate in a manner that recapitulated their developmental course in vivo. Resultant cells showed upregulated expression levels of FGF8 and WNT1. The addition of exogenous FGF8 further increased WNT1 expression by 2.6 fold. Gene ontology following microarray analysis confirmed that IsO-like cells enriched the expression of MHB-related genes by 40 fold compared to control cells. Lysates and conditioned media of IsO-like cells contained functional FGF8 and WNT1 proteins that could induce MHB-related genes in differentiating ESCs. The method for generating functional IsO-like cells described in this study could be used to study human central nervous system development and congenital malformations of the midbrain and hindbrain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwon Lee
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
| | - Sang-Hwi Choi
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
| | - Dongjin R Lee
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
| | - Dae-Sung Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841,
Korea
| | - Dong-Wook Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
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50
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Khadka A, Martínez-Bartolomé M, Burr SD, Range RC. A novel gene's role in an ancient mechanism: secreted Frizzled-related protein 1 is a critical component in the anterior-posterior Wnt signaling network that governs the establishment of the anterior neuroectoderm in sea urchin embryos. EvoDevo 2018; 9:1. [PMID: 29387332 PMCID: PMC5778778 DOI: 10.1186/s13227-017-0089-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The anterior neuroectoderm (ANE) in many deuterostome embryos (echinoderms, hemichordates, urochordates, cephalochordates, and vertebrates) is progressively restricted along the anterior-posterior axis to a domain around the anterior pole. In the sea urchin embryo, three integrated Wnt signaling branches (Wnt/β-catenin, Wnt/JNK, and Wnt/PKC) govern this progressive restriction process, which begins around the 32- to 60-cell stage and terminates by the early gastrula stage. We previously have established that several secreted Wnt modulators of the Dickkopf and secreted Frizzled-related protein families (Dkk1, Dkk3, and sFRP-1/5) are expressed within the ANE and play important roles in modulating the Wnt signaling network during this process. In this study, we use morpholino and dominant-negative interference approaches to characterize the function of a novel Frizzled-related protein, secreted Frizzled-related protein 1 (sFRP-1), during ANE restriction. sFRP-1 appears to be related to a secreted Wnt modulator, sFRP3/4, that is essential to block Wnt signaling and establish the ANE in vertebrates. Here, we show that the sea urchin sFRP3/4 orthologue is not expressed during ANE restriction in the sea urchin embryo. Instead, our results indicate that ubiquitously expressed maternal sFRP-1 and Fzl1/2/7 signaling act together as early as the 32- to 60-cell stage to antagonize the ANE restriction mechanism mediated by Wnt/β-catenin and Wnt/JNK signaling. Then, starting from the blastula stage, Fzl5/8 signaling activates zygotic sFRP-1 within the ANE territory, where it works with the secreted Wnt antagonist Dkk1 (also activated by Fzl5/8 signaling) to antagonize Wnt1/Wnt8-Fzl5/8-JNK signaling in a negative feedback mechanism that defines the outer ANE territory boundary. Together, these data indicate that maternal and zygotic sFRP-1 protects the ANE territory by antagonizing the Wnt1/Wnt8-Fzl5/8-JNK signaling pathway throughout ANE restriction, providing precise spatiotemporal control of the mechanism responsible for the establishment of the ANE territory around the anterior pole of the sea urchin embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Khadka
- 1Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762 USA
| | | | - Stephanie D Burr
- 1Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762 USA.,2School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS USA
| | - Ryan C Range
- 1Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762 USA
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