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Sullivan PF, Yao S, Hjerling-Leffler J. Schizophrenia genomics: genetic complexity and functional insights. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:611-624. [PMID: 39030273 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-024-00837-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Determining the causes of schizophrenia has been a notoriously intractable problem, resistant to a multitude of investigative approaches over centuries. In recent decades, genomic studies have delivered hundreds of robust findings that implicate nearly 300 common genetic variants (via genome-wide association studies) and more than 20 rare variants (via whole-exome sequencing and copy number variant studies) as risk factors for schizophrenia. In parallel, functional genomic and neurobiological studies have provided exceptionally detailed information about the cellular composition of the brain and its interconnections in neurotypical individuals and, increasingly, in those with schizophrenia. Taken together, these results suggest unexpected complexity in the mechanisms that drive schizophrenia, pointing to the involvement of ensembles of genes (polygenicity) rather than single-gene causation. In this Review, we describe what we now know about the genetics of schizophrenia and consider the neurobiological implications of this information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick F Sullivan
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Shuyang Yao
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jens Hjerling-Leffler
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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2
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Patton MH, Thomas KT, Bayazitov IT, Newman KD, Kurtz NB, Robinson CG, Ramirez CA, Trevisan AJ, Bikoff JB, Peters ST, Pruett-Miller SM, Jiang Y, Schild AB, Nityanandam A, Zakharenko SS. Synaptic plasticity in human thalamocortical assembloids. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114503. [PMID: 39018245 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114503] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Synaptic plasticities, such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), tune synaptic efficacy and are essential for learning and memory. Current studies of synaptic plasticity in humans are limited by a lack of adequate human models. Here, we modeled the thalamocortical system by fusing human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived thalamic and cortical organoids. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing revealed that >80% of cells in thalamic organoids were glutamatergic neurons. When fused to form thalamocortical assembloids, thalamic and cortical organoids formed reciprocal long-range axonal projections and reciprocal synapses detectable by light and electron microscopy, respectively. Using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and two-photon imaging, we characterized glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Thalamocortical and corticothalamic synapses displayed short-term plasticity analogous to that in animal models. LTP and LTD were reliably induced at both synapses; however, their mechanisms differed from those previously described in rodents. Thus, thalamocortical assembloids provide a model system for exploring synaptic plasticity in human circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary H Patton
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Kristen T Thomas
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ildar T Bayazitov
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Kyle D Newman
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Nathaniel B Kurtz
- Cell and Tissue Imaging Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Camenzind G Robinson
- Cell and Tissue Imaging Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Cody A Ramirez
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Alexandra J Trevisan
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jay B Bikoff
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Samuel T Peters
- Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Shondra M Pruett-Miller
- Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yanbo Jiang
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Andrew B Schild
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Anjana Nityanandam
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Stanislav S Zakharenko
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
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Fernandez Garcia M, Retallick-Townsley K, Pruitt A, Davidson E, Dai Y, Fitzpatrick SE, Sen A, Cohen S, Livoti O, Khan S, Dossou G, Cheung J, Deans PJM, Wang Z, Huckins L, Hoffman E, Brennand K. Dynamic convergence of autism disorder risk genes across neurodevelopment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.23.609190. [PMID: 39229156 PMCID: PMC11370590 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.23.609190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Over a hundred risk genes underlie risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but the extent to which they converge on shared downstream targets to increase ASD risk is unknown. To test the hypothesis that cellular context impacts the nature of convergence, here we apply a pooled CRISPR approach to target 29 ASD loss-of-function genes in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells, glutamatergic neurons, and GABAergic neurons. Two distinct approaches (gene-level and network-level analyses) demonstrate that convergence is greatest in mature glutamatergic neurons. Convergent effects are dynamic, varying in strength, composition, and biological role between cell types, increasing with functional similarity of the ASD genes examined, and driven by cell-type-specific gene co-expression patterns. Stratification of ASD genes yield targeted drug predictions capable of reversing gene-specific convergent signatures in human cells and ASD-related behaviors in zebrafish. Altogether, convergent networks downstream of ASD risk genes represent novel points of individualized therapeutic intervention.
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Han S. Bayesian Rare Variant Analysis Identifies Novel Schizophrenia Putative Risk Genes. J Pers Med 2024; 14:822. [PMID: 39202013 PMCID: PMC11355493 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14080822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The genetics of schizophrenia is so complex that it involves both common variants and rare variants. Rare variant association studies of schizophrenia are challenging because statistical methods for rare variant analysis are under-powered due to the rarity of rare variants. The recent Schizophrenia Exome meta-analysis (SCHEMA) consortium, the largest consortium in this field to date, has successfully identified 10 schizophrenia risk genes from ultra-rare variants by burden test, while more risk genes remain to be discovered by more powerful rare variant association test methods. In this study, we use a recently developed Bayesian rare variant association method that is powerful for detecting sparse rare risk variants that implicates 88 new candidate risk genes associated with schizophrenia from the SCHEMA case-control sample. These newly identified genes are significantly enriched in autism risk genes and GO enrichment analysis indicates that new candidate risk genes are involved in mechanosensory behavior, regulation of cell size, neuron projection morphogenesis, and plasma-membrane-bounded cell projection morphogenesis, that may provide new insights on the etiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengtong Han
- School of Dentistry, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881, USA
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5
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Patton MH, Thomas KT, Bayazitov IT, Newman KD, Kurtz NB, Robinson CG, Ramirez CA, Trevisan AJ, Bikoff JB, Peters ST, Pruett-Miller SM, Jiang Y, Schild AB, Nityanandam A, Zakharenko SS. Synaptic plasticity in human thalamocortical assembloids. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.01.578421. [PMID: 38352415 PMCID: PMC10862901 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.01.578421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Synaptic plasticities, such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), tune synaptic efficacy and are essential for learning and memory. Current studies of synaptic plasticity in humans are limited by a lack of adequate human models. Here, we modeled the thalamocortical system by fusing human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived thalamic and cortical organoids. Single-nucleus RNA-sequencing revealed that most cells in mature thalamic organoids were glutamatergic neurons. When fused to form thalamocortical assembloids, thalamic and cortical organoids formed reciprocal long-range axonal projections and reciprocal synapses detectable by light and electron microscopy, respectively. Using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and two-photon imaging, we characterized glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Thalamocortical and corticothalamic synapses displayed short-term plasticity analogous to that in animal models. LTP and LTD were reliably induced at both synapses; however, their mechanisms differed from those previously described in rodents. Thus, thalamocortical assembloids provide a model system for exploring synaptic plasticity in human circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary H. Patton
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Kristen T. Thomas
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ildar T. Bayazitov
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Kyle D. Newman
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Nathaniel B. Kurtz
- Cell and Tissue Imaging Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Camenzind G. Robinson
- Cell and Tissue Imaging Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Cody A. Ramirez
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Alexandra J. Trevisan
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jay B. Bikoff
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Samuel T. Peters
- Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Shondra M. Pruett-Miller
- Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yanbo Jiang
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Andrew B. Schild
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Anjana Nityanandam
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Stanislav S. Zakharenko
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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Shan D, Song Y, Zhang Y, Ho CW, Xia W, Li Z, Ge F, Ou Q, Dai Z, Dai Z. Neurexin dysfunction in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders: a PRIMSA-based systematic review through iPSC and animal models. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1297374. [PMID: 38380150 PMCID: PMC10876810 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1297374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neurexins, essential synaptic proteins, are linked to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. Objective Through this systematic review, we aimed to shed light on the relationship between neurexin dysfunction and its implications in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric manifestations. Both animal and human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) models served as our primary investigative platforms. Methods Utilizing the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, our search strategy involved scouring articles from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases covering a span of two decades (2003-2023). Of the initial collection, 27 rigorously evaluated studies formed the essence of our review. Results Our review suggested the significant ties between neurexin anomalies and neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric outcomes, most notably ASD. Rodent-based investigations delineated pronounced ASD-associated behaviors, and hiPSC models derived from ASD-diagnosed patients revealed the disruptions in calcium dynamics and synaptic activities. Additionally, our review underlined the integral role of specific neurexin variants, primarily NRXN1, in the pathology of schizophrenia. It was also evident from our observation that neurexin malfunctions were implicated in a broader array of these disorders, including ADHD, intellectual challenges, and seizure disorders. Conclusion This review accentuates the cardinal role neurexins play in the pathological process of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. The findings underscore a critical need for standardized methodologies in developing animal and hiPSC models for future studies, aiming to minimize heterogeneity. Moreover, we highlight the need to expand research into less studied neurexin variants (i.e., NRXN2 and NRXN3), broadening the scope of our understanding in this field. Our observation also projects hiPSC models as potent tools for bridging research gaps, promoting translational research, and fostering the development of patient-specific therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Shan
- Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Yuming Song
- School of Medical Imaging, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yanyi Zhang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheong Wong Ho
- School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Wenxin Xia
- School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Zhi Li
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Fenfen Ge
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Qifeng Ou
- School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Zijie Dai
- Division of Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zhihao Dai
- School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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7
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Pavon N, Diep K, Yang F, Sebastian R, Martinez-Martin B, Ranjan R, Sun Y, Pak C. Patterning ganglionic eminences in developing human brain organoids using a morphogen-gradient-inducing device. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2024; 4:100689. [PMID: 38228151 PMCID: PMC10831957 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
In early neurodevelopment, the central nervous system is established through the coordination of various neural organizers directing tissue patterning and cell differentiation. Better recapitulation of morphogen gradient production and signaling will be crucial for establishing improved developmental models of the brain in vitro. Here, we developed a method by assembling polydimethylsiloxane devices capable of generating a sustained chemical gradient to produce patterned brain organoids, which we termed morphogen-gradient-induced brain organoids (MIBOs). At 3.5 weeks, MIBOs replicated dorsal-ventral patterning observed in the ganglionic eminences (GE). Analysis of mature MIBOs through single-cell RNA sequencing revealed distinct dorsal GE-derived CALB2+ interneurons, medium spiny neurons, and medial GE-derived cell types. Finally, we demonstrate long-term culturing capabilities with MIBOs maintaining stable neural activity in cultures grown up to 5.5 months. MIBOs demonstrate a versatile approach for generating spatially patterned brain organoids for embryonic development and disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narciso Pavon
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Karmen Diep
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Feiyu Yang
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Rebecca Sebastian
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Beatriz Martinez-Martin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Ravi Ranjan
- Genomics Core, Institute of Applied Life Sciences, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Yubing Sun
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
| | - ChangHui Pak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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Fernando MB, Fan Y, Zhang Y, Kammourh S, Murphy AN, Ghorbani S, Onatzevitch R, Pero A, Padilla C, Flaherty EK, Prytkova IK, Cao L, Williams S, Fang G, Slesinger PA, Brennand KJ. Precise Therapeutic Targeting of Distinct NRXN1+/- Mutations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.28.564543. [PMID: 37961635 PMCID: PMC10634884 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.28.564543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
As genetic studies continue to identify risk loci that are significantly associated with risk for neuropsychiatric disease, a critical unanswered question is the extent to which diverse mutations--sometimes impacting the same gene-- will require tailored therapeutic strategies. Here we consider this in the context of rare neuropsychiatric disorder-associated copy number variants (2p16.3) resulting in heterozygous deletions in NRXN1, a pre-synaptic cell adhesion protein that serves as a critical synaptic organizer in the brain. Complex patterns of NRXN1 alternative splicing are fundamental to establishing diverse neurocircuitry, vary between the cell types of the brain, and are differentially impacted by unique (non-recurrent) deletions. We contrast the cell-type-specific impact of patient-specific mutations in NRXN1 using human induced pluripotent stem cells, finding that perturbations in NRXN1 splicing result in divergent cell-type-specific synaptic outcomes. Via distinct loss-of-function (LOF) and gain-of-function (GOF) mechanisms, NRXN1+/- deletions cause decreased synaptic activity in glutamatergic neurons, yet increased synaptic activity in GABAergic neurons. Stratification of patients by LOF and GOF mechanisms will facilitate individualized restoration of NRXN1 isoform repertoires; towards this, antisense oligonucleotides knockdown mutant isoform expression and alters synaptic transcriptional signatures, while treatment with β-estradiol rescues synaptic function in glutamatergic neurons. Given the increasing number of mutations predicted to engender both LOF and GOF mechanisms in brain disease, our findings add nuance to future considerations of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B. Fernando
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520
| | - Yu Fan
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Yanchun Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Sarah Kammourh
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Aleta N. Murphy
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Sadaf Ghorbani
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520
- Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ryan Onatzevitch
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Adriana Pero
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Christopher Padilla
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Erin K. Flaherty
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Iya K. Prytkova
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Lei Cao
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Sarah Williams
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Gang Fang
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Paul A. Slesinger
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Kristen J. Brennand
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Friedman Brain Institute, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520
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9
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Lavekar SS, Patel MD, Montalvo-Parra MD, Krencik R. Asteroid impact: the potential of astrocytes to modulate human neural networks within organoids. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1305921. [PMID: 38075269 PMCID: PMC10702564 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1305921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are a vital cellular component of the central nervous system that impact neuronal function in both healthy and pathological states. This includes intercellular signals to neurons and non-neuronal cells during development, maturation, and aging that can modulate neural network formation, plasticity, and maintenance. Recently, human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural aggregate cultures, known as neurospheres or organoids, have emerged as improved experimental platforms for basic and pre-clinical neuroscience compared to traditional approaches. Here, we summarize the potential capability of using organoids to further understand the mechanistic role of astrocytes upon neural networks, including the production of extracellular matrix components and reactive signaling cues. Additionally, we discuss the application of organoid models to investigate the astrocyte-dependent aspects of neuropathological diseases and to test astrocyte-inspired technologies. We examine the shortcomings of organoid-based experimental platforms and plausible improvements made possible by cutting-edge neuroengineering technologies. These advancements are expected to enable the development of improved diagnostic strategies and high-throughput translational applications regarding neuroregeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - R. Krencik
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
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