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Ulicevic J, Shao Z, Jasnovidova O, Bressin A, Gajos M, Ng AH, Annaldasula S, Meierhofer D, Church GM, Busskamp V, Mayer A. Uncovering the dynamics and consequences of RNA isoform changes during neuronal differentiation. Mol Syst Biol 2024; 20:767-798. [PMID: 38755290 PMCID: PMC11219738 DOI: 10.1038/s44320-024-00039-4] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Static gene expression programs have been extensively characterized in stem cells and mature human cells. However, the dynamics of RNA isoform changes upon cell-state-transitions during cell differentiation, the determinants and functional consequences have largely remained unclear. Here, we established an improved model for human neurogenesis in vitro that is amenable for systems-wide analyses of gene expression. Our multi-omics analysis reveals that the pronounced alterations in cell morphology correlate strongly with widespread changes in RNA isoform expression. Our approach identifies thousands of new RNA isoforms that are expressed at distinct differentiation stages. RNA isoforms mainly arise from exon skipping and the alternative usage of transcription start and polyadenylation sites during human neurogenesis. The transcript isoform changes can remodel the identity and functions of protein isoforms. Finally, our study identifies a set of RNA binding proteins as a potential determinant of differentiation stage-specific global isoform changes. This work supports the view of regulated isoform changes that underlie state-transitions during neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Ulicevic
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zhihao Shao
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olga Jasnovidova
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annkatrin Bressin
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martyna Gajos
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alex Hm Ng
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, USA
| | - Siddharth Annaldasula
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Meierhofer
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, USA
| | - Volker Busskamp
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas Mayer
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany.
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2
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Xu L, Ramirez-Matias J, Hauptschein M, Sun ED, Lunger JC, Buckley MT, Brunet A. Restoration of neuronal progenitors by partial reprogramming in the aged neurogenic niche. NATURE AGING 2024; 4:546-567. [PMID: 38553564 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00594-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Partial reprogramming (pulsed expression of reprogramming transcription factors) improves the function of several tissues in old mice. However, it remains largely unknown how partial reprogramming impacts the old brain. Here we use single-cell transcriptomics to systematically examine how partial reprogramming influences the subventricular zone neurogenic niche in aged mouse brains. Whole-body partial reprogramming mainly improves neuroblasts (cells committed to give rise to new neurons) in the old neurogenic niche, restoring neuroblast proportion to more youthful levels. Interestingly, targeting partial reprogramming specifically to the neurogenic niche also boosts the proportion of neuroblasts and their precursors (neural stem cells) in old mice and improves several molecular signatures of aging, suggesting that the beneficial effects of reprogramming are niche intrinsic. In old neural stem cell cultures, partial reprogramming cell autonomously restores the proportion of neuroblasts during differentiation and blunts some age-related transcriptomic changes. Importantly, partial reprogramming improves the production of new neurons in vitro and in old brains. Our work suggests that partial reprogramming could be used to rejuvenate the neurogenic niche and counter brain decline in old individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Xu
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Max Hauptschein
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Eric D Sun
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Judith C Lunger
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Anne Brunet
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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3
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Ang CE, Olmos VH, Vodehnal K, Zhou B, Lee QY, Sinha R, Narayanaswamy A, Mall M, Chesnov K, Dominicus CS, Südhof T, Wernig M. Generation of human excitatory forebrain neurons by cooperative binding of proneural NGN2 and homeobox factor EMX1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2308401121. [PMID: 38446849 PMCID: PMC10945857 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308401121] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Generation of defined neuronal subtypes from human pluripotent stem cells remains a challenge. The proneural factor NGN2 has been shown to overcome experimental variability observed by morphogen-guided differentiation and directly converts pluripotent stem cells into neurons, but their cellular heterogeneity has not been investigated yet. Here, we found that NGN2 reproducibly produces three different kinds of excitatory neurons characterized by partial coactivation of other neurotransmitter programs. We explored two principle approaches to achieve more precise specification: prepatterning the chromatin landscape that NGN2 is exposed to and combining NGN2 with region-specific transcription factors. Unexpectedly, the chromatin context of regionalized neural progenitors only mildly altered genomic NGN2 binding and its transcriptional response and did not affect neurotransmitter specification. In contrast, coexpression of region-specific homeobox factors such as EMX1 resulted in drastic redistribution of NGN2 including recruitment to homeobox targets and resulted in glutamatergic neurons with silenced nonglutamatergic programs. These results provide the molecular basis for a blueprint for improved strategies for generating a plethora of defined neuronal subpopulations from pluripotent stem cells for therapeutic or disease-modeling purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheen Euong Ang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Victor Hipolito Olmos
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Kayla Vodehnal
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Bo Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Qian Yi Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Rahul Sinha
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Aadit Narayanaswamy
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Moritz Mall
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Kirill Chesnov
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Caia S. Dominicus
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CambridgeshireCB10 1SA, United Kingdom
- OpenTargets, Hinxton, CambridgeshireCB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Südhof
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Marius Wernig
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
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4
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Xu Z, Guo Y, Xiang K, Xiao D, Xiang M. Rapid and efficient generation of a transplantable population of functional retinal ganglion cells from fibroblasts. Cell Prolif 2024; 57:e13550. [PMID: 37740641 PMCID: PMC10849786 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13550] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma and other optic neuropathies lead to progressive and irreversible vision loss by damaging retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons. Cell replacement therapy is a potential promising treatment. However, current methods to obtain RGCs have inherent limitations, including time-consuming procedures, inefficient yields and complex protocols, which hinder their practical application. Here, we have developed a straightforward, rapid and efficient approach for directly inducing RGCs from mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) using a combination of triple transcription factors (TFs): ASCL1, BRN3B and PAX6 (ABP). We showed that on the 6th day following ABP induction, neurons with molecular characteristics of RGCs were observed, and more than 60% of induced neurons became iRGCs (induced retinal ganglion cells) in the end. Transplanted iRGCs had the ability to survive and appropriately integrate into the RGC layer of mouse retinal explants and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)-damaged retinas. Moreover, they exhibited electrophysiological properties typical of RGCs, and were able to regrow dendrites and axons and form synaptic connections with host retinal cells. Together, we have established a rapid and efficient approach to acquire functional RGCs for potential cell replacement therapy to treat glaucoma and other optic neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‐sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual ScienceGuangzhouChina
| | - Yanan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‐sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual ScienceGuangzhouChina
| | - Kangjian Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‐sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual ScienceGuangzhouChina
| | - Dongchang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‐sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual ScienceGuangzhouChina
| | - Mengqing Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyZhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‐sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual ScienceGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
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5
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Marzoog BA. Transcription Factors in Brain Regeneration: A Potential Novel Therapeutic Target. Curr Drug Targets 2024; 25:46-61. [PMID: 38444255 DOI: 10.2174/0113894501279977231210170231] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Transcription factors play a crucial role in providing identity to each cell population. To maintain cell identity, it is essential to balance the expression of activator and inhibitor transcription factors. Cell plasticity and reprogramming offer great potential for future therapeutic applications, as they can regenerate damaged tissue. Specific niche factors can modify gene expression and differentiate or transdifferentiate the target cell to the required fate. Ongoing research is being carried out on the possibilities of transcription factors in regenerating neurons, with neural stem cells (NSCs) being considered the preferred cells for generating new neurons due to their epigenomic and transcriptome memory. NEUROD1/ASCL1, BRN2, MYTL1, and other transcription factors can induce direct reprogramming of somatic cells, such as fibroblasts, into neurons. However, the molecular biology of transcription factors in reprogramming and differentiation still needs to be fully understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basheer Abdullah Marzoog
- World-Class Research Center, Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare», I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia
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6
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Guo X, Jiang P, Pan M, Ding Y, Lin Y, Jiang T, Li R, Wang W, Dai Y, Wang S, Cao Y, Lin H, Yang M, Liu W, Tao J. Overexpression of miR-124 in astrocyte improves neurological deficits in rat with ischemic stroke via DLL4 modulation. Exp Neurol 2023; 370:114571. [PMID: 37848121 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114571] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Astrocytes have been demonstrated to undergo conversion into functional neurons, presenting a promising approach for stroke treatment. However, the development of small molecules capable of effectively inducing this cellular reprogramming remains a critical challenge. METHODS Initially, we introduced a glial cell marker gene, GFaABC1D, as the promoter within an adeno-associated virus vector overexpressing miR-124 into the motor cortex of an ischemia-reperfusion model in rats. Additionally, we administered NeuroD1 as a positive control. Lentiviral vectors overexpressing miR-124 were constructed and transfected into primary rat astrocytes. We assessed the cellular distribution of GFAP, DCX, and NeuN on days 7, 14, and 28, respectively. RESULTS In rats with ischemic stroke, miR-124-transduced glial cells exhibited positive staining for the immature neuron marker doublecortin (DCX) and the mature neuron marker NeuN after 4 weeks. In contrast, NeuroD1-overexpressing model rats only expressed NeuN, and the positive percentage was higher in co-transfection with miR-124 and NeuroD1. Overexpression of miR-124 effectively ameliorated neurological deficits and motor functional impairment in the model rats. In primary rat astrocytes transduced with miR-124, DCX was not observed after 7 days of transfection, but it appeared at 14 days, with the percentage further increasing to 44.6% at 28 days. Simultaneously, 15.1% of miR-124-transduced cells exhibited NeuN positivity, which was not detected at 7 and 14 days. In vitro, double fluorescence assays revealed that miR-124 targeted Dll4, and in vivo experiments confirmed that miR-124 inhibited the expression of Notch1 and DLL4. CONCLUSIONS The overexpression of miR-124 in astrocytes demonstrates significant potential for improving neurological deficits following ischemic stroke by inhibiting DLL4 expression, and it may facilitate astrocyte-to-neuronal transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Guo
- Provincial and Ministerial Co-founded Collaborative Innovation Center of Rehabilitation Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Pingli Jiang
- Provincial and Ministerial Co-founded Collaborative Innovation Center of Rehabilitation Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Meihua Pan
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Yanyi Ding
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Yanting Lin
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Cognitive Rehabilitation, Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, China
| | - Rui Li
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Cognitive Rehabilitation, Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, China
| | - Wenju Wang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Cognitive Rehabilitation, Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, China
| | - Yaling Dai
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Cognitive Rehabilitation, Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, China
| | - Sinuo Wang
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation Research Center of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Yajun Cao
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation Research Center of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Huawei Lin
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation Research Center of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Minguang Yang
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation Research Center of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Weilin Liu
- The Institute of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China.
| | - Jing Tao
- The Institute of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China.
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7
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Zhang K, Cai W, Xin Y, He Q, Chen C, Zeng M, Chen S. Retinal Ganglion Cell Fate Induction by Ngn-Family Transcription Factors. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:32. [PMID: 38133504 PMCID: PMC10746927 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.15.32] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the projection neurons of the retina. Loss of RGCs is the cellular basis for vision loss in patients with glaucoma. Finding ways to regenerate RGCs will aid in the development of regenerative therapies for patients with glaucoma. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of Ngn-family transcription factors (TFs) to induce RGC regeneration through reprogramming in vitro and in vivo. Methods In vitro, lentiviruses were used to deliver Ngn-TFs into mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). In vivo, mouse pup retina electroporation was used to deliver Ngn-TFs into late-stage retinal progenitor cells (RPCs). Immunofluorescence staining and RNA sequencing were used to examine cell fate reprogramming; patch-clamp recording was used to examine neuronal electrophysiologic functions. Results In vitro, all three Ngn-TFs, Ngn1, Ngn2, and Ngn3, were able to work alone to reprogram MEFs into RGC-like neurons that resembled RGCs at the transcriptome level, exhibited typical neuronal membrane electrophysiologic properties, and formed functional synaptic communications with retinal neurons. In vivo, Ngn-TFs reprogrammed the differentiation-competent state of late-stage RPCs to generate RGCs. Conclusions Ngn-TFs are effective in inducing an RGC-like fate both in vitro and in vivo and might be explored further in the future for glaucoma translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenwen Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanling Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qinghai He
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Canbin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingbing Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
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8
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Vainorius G, Novatchkova M, Michlits G, Baar JC, Raupach C, Lee J, Yelagandula R, Wernig M, Elling U. Ascl1 and Ngn2 convert mouse embryonic stem cells to neurons via functionally distinct paths. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5341. [PMID: 37660160 PMCID: PMC10475046 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40803-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ascl1 and Ngn2, closely related proneural transcription factors, are able to convert mouse embryonic stem cells into induced neurons. Despite their similarities, these factors elicit only partially overlapping transcriptional programs, and it remains unknown whether cells are converted via distinct mechanisms. Here we show that Ascl1 and Ngn2 induce mutually exclusive side populations by binding and activating distinct lineage drivers. Furthermore, Ascl1 rapidly dismantles the pluripotency network and installs neuronal and trophoblast cell fates, while Ngn2 generates a neural stem cell-like intermediate supported by incomplete shutdown of the pluripotency network. Using CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screening, we find that Ascl1 relies more on factors regulating pluripotency and the cell cycle, such as Tcf7l1. In the absence of Tcf7l1, Ascl1 still represses core pluripotency genes but fails to exit the cell cycle. However, overexpression of Cdkn1c induces cell cycle exit and restores the generation of neurons. These findings highlight that cell type conversion can occur through two distinct mechanistic paths, even when induced by closely related transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gintautas Vainorius
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030, Vienna, Austria.
- Vienna Biocenter PhD Program, a Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, A-1030, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Maria Novatchkova
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Campus-Vienna-BioCenter 1, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Michlits
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Biocenter PhD Program, a Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
- JLP Health GmbH, Himmelhofgasse 62, 1130, Vienna, Austria
| | - Juliane Christina Baar
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cecilia Raupach
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Joonsun Lee
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Biocenter PhD Program, a Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ramesh Yelagandula
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cell Fate & Disease, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, 500039, India
| | - Marius Wernig
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ulrich Elling
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030, Vienna, Austria.
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9
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Brown JA, Lee AJ, Pasquini L, Seeley WW. A dynamic gradient architecture generates brain activity states. Neuroimage 2022; 261:119526. [PMID: 35914669 PMCID: PMC9585924 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The human brain exhibits a diverse yet constrained range of activity states. While these states can be faithfully represented in a low-dimensional latent space, our understanding of the constitutive functional anatomy is still evolving. Here we applied dimensionality reduction to task-free and task fMRI data to address whether latent dimensions reflect intrinsic systems and if so, how these systems may interact to generate different activity states. We find that each dimension represents a dynamic activity gradient, including a primary unipolar sensory-association gradient underlying the global signal. The gradients appear stable across individuals and cognitive states, while recapitulating key functional connectivity properties including anticorrelation, modularity, and regional hubness. We then use dynamical systems modeling to show that gradients causally interact via state-specific coupling parameters to create distinct brain activity patterns. Together, these findings indicate that a set of dynamic, intrinsic spatial gradients interact to determine the repertoire of possible brain activity states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse A Brown
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Alex J Lee
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lorenzo Pasquini
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - William W Seeley
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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10
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Habibey R, Rojo Arias JE, Striebel J, Busskamp V. Microfluidics for Neuronal Cell and Circuit Engineering. Chem Rev 2022; 122:14842-14880. [PMID: 36070858 PMCID: PMC9523714 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The widespread adoption of microfluidic devices among the neuroscience and neurobiology communities has enabled addressing a broad range of questions at the molecular, cellular, circuit, and system levels. Here, we review biomedical engineering approaches that harness the power of microfluidics for bottom-up generation of neuronal cell types and for the assembly and analysis of neural circuits. Microfluidics-based approaches are instrumental to generate the knowledge necessary for the derivation of diverse neuronal cell types from human pluripotent stem cells, as they enable the isolation and subsequent examination of individual neurons of interest. Moreover, microfluidic devices allow to engineer neural circuits with specific orientations and directionality by providing control over neuronal cell polarity and permitting the isolation of axons in individual microchannels. Similarly, the use of microfluidic chips enables the construction not only of 2D but also of 3D brain, retinal, and peripheral nervous system model circuits. Such brain-on-a-chip and organoid-on-a-chip technologies are promising platforms for studying these organs as they closely recapitulate some aspects of in vivo biological processes. Microfluidic 3D neuronal models, together with 2D in vitro systems, are widely used in many applications ranging from drug development and toxicology studies to neurological disease modeling and personalized medicine. Altogether, microfluidics provide researchers with powerful systems that complement and partially replace animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouhollah Habibey
- Department
of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik
Bonn, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jesús Eduardo Rojo Arias
- Wellcome—MRC
Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge
Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes Striebel
- Department
of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik
Bonn, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Volker Busskamp
- Department
of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik
Bonn, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
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11
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Yoon JY, Mandakhbayar N, Hyun J, Yoon DS, Patel KD, Kang K, Shim HS, Lee HH, Lee JH, Leong KW, Kim HW. Chemically-induced osteogenic cells for bone tissue engineering and disease modeling. Biomaterials 2022; 289:121792. [PMID: 36116170 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121792] [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: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cell reprogramming can satisfy the demands of obtaining specific cell types for applications such as tissue regeneration and disease modeling. Here we report the reprogramming of human fibroblasts to produce chemically-induced osteogenic cells (ciOG), and explore the potential uses of ciOG in bone repair and disease treatment. A chemical cocktail of RepSox, forskolin, and phenamil was used for osteogenic induction of fibroblasts by activation of RUNX2 expression. Following a maturation, the cells differentiated toward an osteoblast phenotype that produced mineralized nodules. Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing identified a distinct ciOG population. ciOG formed mineralized tissue in an ectopic site of immunodeficiency mice, unlike the original fibroblasts. Osteogenic reprogramming was modulated under engineered culture substrates. When generated on a nanofiber substrate ciOG accelerated bone matrix formation in a calvarial defect, indicating that the engineered biomaterial promotes the osteogenic capacity of ciOG in vivo. Furthermore, the ciOG platform recapitulated the genetic bone diseases Proteus syndrome and osteogenesis imperfecta, allowing candidate drug testing. The reprogramming of human fibroblasts into osteogenic cells with a chemical cocktail thus provides a source of specialized cells for use in bone tissue engineering and disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Young Yoon
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Nandin Mandakhbayar
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongeun Hyun
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Suk Yoon
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kapil D Patel
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Keunsoo Kang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Science & Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, South Korea
| | - Ho-Shup Shim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Hyoung Lee
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomaterials Science, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hwan Lee
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomaterials Science, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Mechanobiology Dental Medicine Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kam W Leong
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Hae-Won Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomaterials Science, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Mechanobiology Dental Medicine Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea.
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12
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Patel RR, Wolfe SA, Borgonetti V, Gandhi PJ, Rodriguez L, Snyder AE, D'Ambrosio S, Bajo M, Domissy A, Head S, Contet C, Dayne Mayfield R, Roberts AJ, Roberto M. Ethanol withdrawal-induced adaptations in prefrontal corticotropin releasing factor receptor 1-expressing neurons regulate anxiety and conditioned rewarding effects of ethanol. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3441-3451. [PMID: 35668157 PMCID: PMC9708587 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01642-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Prefrontal circuits are thought to underlie aberrant emotion contributing to relapse in abstinence; however, the discrete cell-types and mechanisms remain largely unknown. Corticotropin-releasing factor and its cognate type-1 receptor, a prominent brain stress system, is implicated in anxiety and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Here, we tested the hypothesis that medial prefrontal cortex CRF1-expressing (mPFCCRF1+) neurons comprise a distinct population that exhibits neuroadaptations following withdrawal from chronic ethanol underlying AUD-related behavior. We found that mPFCCRF1+ neurons comprise a glutamatergic population with distinct electrophysiological properties and regulate anxiety and conditioned rewarding effects of ethanol. Notably, mPFCCRF1+ neurons undergo unique neuroadaptations compared to neighboring neurons including a remarkable decrease in excitability and glutamatergic signaling selectively in withdrawal, which is driven in part by the basolateral amygdala. To gain mechanistic insight into these electrophysiological adaptations, we sequenced the transcriptome of mPFCCRF1+ neurons and found that withdrawal leads to an increase in colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) in this population. We found that selective overexpression of CSF1 in mPFCCRF1+ neurons is sufficient to decrease glutamate transmission, heighten anxiety, and abolish ethanol reinforcement, providing mechanistic insight into the observed mPFCCRF1+ synaptic adaptations in withdrawal that drive these behavioral phenotypes. Together, these findings highlight mPFCCRF1+ neurons as a critical site of enduring adaptations that may contribute to the persistent vulnerability to ethanol misuse in abstinence, and CSF1 as a novel target for therapeutic intervention for withdrawal-related negative affect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reesha R Patel
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Sarah A Wolfe
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Vittoria Borgonetti
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50139, Firenze (FI), Italy
| | - Pauravi J Gandhi
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Larry Rodriguez
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Angela E Snyder
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Shannon D'Ambrosio
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Michal Bajo
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Alain Domissy
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Steven Head
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Candice Contet
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - R Dayne Mayfield
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Amanda J Roberts
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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13
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Yang L, Conley BM, Rathnam C, Cho HY, Pongkulapa T, Conklin B, Lee KB. Predictive Biophysical Cue Mapping for Direct Cell Reprogramming Using Combinatorial Nanoarrays. ACS NANO 2022; 16:5577-5586. [PMID: 35301847 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c10344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Biophysical cues, such as nanotopographies of extracellular matrix (ECM), are key cell regulators for direct cell reprogramming. Therefore, high-throughput methods capable of systematically screening a wide range of biophysical cue-regulated cell reprogramming are increasingly needed for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Here, we report the development of a dynamic laser interference lithography (DIL) to generate large-scale combinatorial biophysical cue (CBC) arrays with diverse micro/nanostructures at higher complexities than most current arrays. Using CBC arrays, a high-throughput cell mapping method is further demonstrated for the systematic investigation of biophysical cue-mediated direct cell reprogramming. This CBC array-based high-throughput cell screening approach facilitates the rapid identification of unconventional hierarchical nanopatterns that induce the direct reprogramming of human fibroblasts into neurons through epigenetic modulation mechanisms. In this way, we successfully demonstrate DIL for generating highly complex CBC arrays and establish CBC array-based cell screening as a valuable strategy for systematically investigating the role of biophysical cues in cell reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letao Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Brian M Conley
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Christopher Rathnam
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Hyeon-Yeol Cho
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Thanapat Pongkulapa
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Brandon Conklin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Ki-Bum Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
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14
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Sánchez-González R, López-Mascaraque L. Lineage Relationships Between Subpallial Progenitors and Glial Cells in the Piriform Cortex. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:825969. [PMID: 35386594 PMCID: PMC8979001 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.825969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The piriform cortex is a paleocortical area, located in the ventrolateral surface of the rodent forebrain, receiving direct input from the olfactory bulb. The three layers of the PC are defined by the diversity of glial and neuronal cells, marker expression, connections, and functions. However, the glial layering, ontogeny, and sibling cell relationship along the PC is an unresolved question in the field. Here, using multi-color genetic lineage tracing approaches with different StarTrack strategies, we performed a rigorous analysis of the derived cell progenies from progenitors located at the subpallium ventricular surface. First, we specifically targeted E12-progenitors with UbC-StarTrack to analyze their adult derived-cell progeny and their location within the piriform cortex layers. The vast majority of the cell progeny derived from targeted progenitors were identified as neurons, but also astrocytes and NG2 cells. Further, to specifically target single Gsx-2 subpallial progenitors and their derived cell-progeny in the piriform cortex, we used the UbC-(Gsx-2-hyPB)-StarTrack to perform an accurate analysis of their clonal relationships. Our results quantitatively delineate the adult clonal cell pattern from single subpallial E12-progenitors, focusing on glial cells. In summary, there is a temporal pattern in the assembly of the glial cell diversity in the piriform cortex, which also reveals spatio-temporal progenitor heterogeneity.
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15
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Abstract
Cellular identity is established through complex layers of genetic regulation, forged over a developmental lifetime. An expanding molecular toolbox is allowing us to manipulate these gene regulatory networks in specific cell types in vivo. In principle, if we found the right molecular tricks, we could rewrite cell identity and harness the rich repertoire of possible cellular functions and attributes. Recent work suggests that this rewriting of cell identity is not only possible, but that newly induced cells can mitigate disease phenotypes in animal models of major human diseases. So, is the sky the limit, or do we need to keep our feet on the ground? This Spotlight synthesises key concepts emerging from recent efforts to reprogramme cellular identity in vivo. We provide our perspectives on recent controversies in the field of glia-to-neuron reprogramming and identify important gaps in our understanding that present barriers to progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Leaman
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.,MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Nicolás Marichal
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Benedikt Berninger
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.,MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.,Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55128, Germany.,The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
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16
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Neuroregenerative gene therapy to treat temporal lobe epilepsy in a rat model. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 208:102198. [PMID: 34852273 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common drug-resistant epilepsy associated with abundant cell death in the hippocampus. Here, we develop a novel gene therapy-mediated cell therapy that regenerates GABAergic neurons using internal hippocampal astrocytes to suppress seizure activity in a rat TLE model. We discovered that TLE-induced reactive astrocytes in the hippocampal CA1 region can be efficiently converted into GABAergic neurons after overexpressing a neural transcription factor NeuroD1. The astrocyte-converted neurons showed typical markers of GABAergic interneurons, fired action potentials, and formed functional synaptic connections with other neurons. Following NeuroD1-mediated astrocyte-to-neuron conversion, the number of hippocampal interneurons was significantly increased, and the spontaneous recurrent seizure (SRS) activity was significantly decreased. Moreover, NeuroD1 gene therapy treatment rescued total neuronal loss in the CA1 region and ameliorated the cognitive and mood dysfunctions in the TLE rat model. These results suggest that regeneration of GABAergic interneurons through gene therapy approach may provide a novel therapeutic intervention to treat drug-resistant TLE.
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17
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Earley AM, Burbulla LF, Krainc D, Awatramani R. Identification of ASCL1 as a determinant for human iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22257. [PMID: 34782629 PMCID: PMC8593045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01366-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During cellular specification, transcription factors orchestrate cellular decisions through gene regulation. By hijacking these transcriptional networks, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can be specialized into neurons with different molecular identities for the purposes of regenerative medicine and disease modeling. However, molecular fine tuning cell types to match their in vivo counterparts remains a challenge. Directing cell fates often result in blended or incomplete neuron identities. A better understanding of hPSC to neuron gene regulation is needed. Here, we used single cell RNA sequencing to resolve some of these graded molecular identities during human neurogenesis from hPSCs. Differentiation platforms were established to model neural induction from stem cells, and we characterized these differentiated cell types by 10x single cell RNA sequencing. Using single cell trajectory and co-expression analyses, we identified a co-regulated transcription factor module expressing achaete-scute family basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 1 (ASCL1) and neuronal differentiation 1 (NEUROD1). We then tested the function of these transcription factors in neuron subtype differentiation by gene knockout in a novel human system that reports the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis. ASCL1 was identified as a necessary transcription factor for regulating dopaminergic neurotransmitter selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M Earley
- Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Lena F Burbulla
- Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Dimitri Krainc
- Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Rajeshwar Awatramani
- Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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18
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Mapping the hotspots for DNA repair synthesis in human brain organoids. Cell Death Differ 2021; 28:3193-3195. [PMID: 34465892 PMCID: PMC8563951 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-021-00863-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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19
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Li B, Hon GC. Single-Cell Genomics: Catalyst for Cell Fate Engineering. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:748942. [PMID: 34733831 PMCID: PMC8558416 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.748942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As we near a complete catalog of mammalian cell types, the capability to engineer specific cell types on demand would transform biomedical research and regenerative medicine. However, the current pace of discovering new cell types far outstrips our ability to engineer them. One attractive strategy for cellular engineering is direct reprogramming, where induction of specific transcription factor (TF) cocktails orchestrates cell state transitions. Here, we review the foundational studies of TF-mediated reprogramming in the context of a general framework for cell fate engineering, which consists of: discovering new reprogramming cocktails, assessing engineered cells, and revealing molecular mechanisms. Traditional bulk reprogramming methods established a strong foundation for TF-mediated reprogramming, but were limited by their small scale and difficulty resolving cellular heterogeneity. Recently, single-cell technologies have overcome these challenges to rapidly accelerate progress in cell fate engineering. In the next decade, we anticipate that these tools will enable unprecedented control of cell state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boxun Li
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Gary C. Hon
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Division of Basic Reproductive Biology Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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20
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Human inducible pluripotent stem cells: Realization of initial promise in drug discovery. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:1507-1515. [PMID: 34478628 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Over the course of the last decade, the biopharmaceutical industry has slowly adopted human inducible pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology to enable the development of humanized model systems to test new therapeutic molecules and drug modalities. The adoption of hiPSC-based models by the industry has increased appreciably in the past 3-5 years. This increase has paralleled the explosion in availability of high-quality human genetic data to mine for new drug targets and the emergence of human-specific therapeutic modalities.
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21
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Liu S, Striebel J, Pasquini G, Ng AHM, Khoshakhlagh P, Church GM, Busskamp V. Neuronal Cell-type Engineering by Transcriptional Activation. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:715697. [PMID: 34713262 PMCID: PMC8525383 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.715697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene activation with the CRISPR-Cas system has great implications in studying gene function, controlling cellular behavior, and modulating disease progression. In this review, we survey recent studies on targeted gene activation and multiplexed screening for inducing neuronal differentiation using CRISPR-Cas transcriptional activation (CRISPRa) and open reading frame (ORF) expression. Critical technical parameters of CRISPRa and ORF-based strategies for neuronal programming are presented and discussed. In addition, recent progress on in vivo applications of CRISPRa to the nervous system are highlighted. Overall, CRISPRa represents a valuable addition to the experimental toolbox for neuronal cell-type programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songlei Liu
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Johannes Striebel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Giovanni Pasquini
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | - George M. Church
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
- GC Therapeutics, Inc, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Volker Busskamp
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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22
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Bassil R, Shields K, Granger K, Zein I, Ng S, Chih B. Improved modeling of human AD with an automated culturing platform for iPSC neurons, astrocytes and microglia. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5220. [PMID: 34471104 PMCID: PMC8410795 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25344-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Advancement in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) neuron and microglial differentiation protocols allow for disease modeling using physiologically relevant cells. However, iPSC differentiation and culturing protocols have posed challenges to maintaining consistency. Here, we generated an automated, consistent, and long-term culturing platform of human iPSC neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. Using this platform we generated a iPSC AD model using human derived cells, which showed signs of Aβ plaques, dystrophic neurites around plaques, synapse loss, dendrite retraction, axon fragmentation, phospho-Tau induction, and neuronal cell death in one model. We showed that the human iPSC microglia internalized and compacted Aβ to generate and surround the plaques, thereby conferring some neuroprotection. We investigated the mechanism of action of anti-Aβ antibodies protection and found that they protected neurons from these pathologies and were most effective before pTau induction. Taken together, these results suggest that this model can facilitate target discovery and drug development efforts. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) cells have been used to model disease in specific cell types. Here, the authors develop an automated long-term culturing platform of human iPSC neurons, astrocytes, and microglia and use it to model some cellular aspects of Alzheimer’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reina Bassil
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.,Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Neurobiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth Shields
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Granger
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ivan Zein
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shirley Ng
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ben Chih
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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23
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Combining Cell Fate Reprogramming and Protein Engineering to Study Transcription Factor Functions. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 34324190 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1601-7_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Gene expression regulation by transcription factors plays a central role in determining and maintaining cell fate during normal development as well as induced cell fate reprogramming. Induction of cell identity-determining gene regulatory networks by reprogramming factors that act as transcriptional activators is key to induce desired cell fates. Conversely, repression of unwanted genetic programs by transcriptional repressors is equally important to ensure cell fate fidelity. Here we describe engineering techniques to create fusion proteins that allow exploration of the major transcriptional contribution (activation or repression) of specific neuronal reprogramming factors during direct cell fate conversion. This method can be extended to every reprogramming regime to enable the functional categorization of any transcription factor.
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24
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Wing KD. Pharmaceutical technologies with potential application to insecticide discovery †. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:3617-3625. [PMID: 32896085 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Novel neuroactive insecticides are discovered/registered differently, have a lower value in use, and exert their physiological actions in manners distinct from neuroactive pharmaceuticals, but there are clear similarities in their biochemical modes of action. Insecticides are generally discovered using whole pest insect screens, and this eases difficulties in 'translational science' from laboratory to field, as opposed to pharmaceutical translation from biochemical or cell-based targets to animal models to human clinical trials to registered drug. This paper examines recent trends in pharmaceutical science and identifies some technologies which may represent complementary approaches to insecticide discovery screening and mode of action determination beyond the sound processes in common practice today. Examples will be drawn from nanoparticle delivery of neuroactives, unique ligand-polymer conjugates, proposed advances in insect cell culture following from pharmaceutical cell biology, and laboratory or organ-on-a-chip approaches. It is hoped that these concepts will stimulate novel thinking which may enable discovery of efficacious new neuroactive insecticides. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith D Wing
- Keith D. Wing Consulting, LLC, 122 Yardley Lane, Wilmington, DE, USA
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25
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Falk S, Han D, Karow M. Cellular identity through the lens of direct lineage reprogramming. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021; 70:97-103. [PMID: 34333231 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2021.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Direct lineage reprogramming challenges our traditional view on basic aspects of cellular identity, and in particular on processes crucial for identity acquisition. This is partly because in direct lineage reprogramming but not during natural differentiation processes changing cellular identity can occur in the absence of mitosis. Only recently, technologies emerged to deconstruct the cellular and molecular processes governing the transitory states a cell passes through on the journey from its original identity to the new target cell fate. Here we discuss arising concepts on the nature of these transitory states and the challenges and decisions cells must conquer to reach their new cellular identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Falk
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Dandan Han
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marisa Karow
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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26
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Soni A, Klütsch D, Hu X, Houtman J, Rund N, McCloskey A, Mertens J, Schafer ST, Amin H, Toda T. Improved Method for Efficient Generation of Functional Neurons from Murine Neural Progenitor Cells. Cells 2021; 10:1894. [PMID: 34440662 PMCID: PMC8392300 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal culture was used to investigate neuronal function in physiological and pathological conditions. Despite its inevitability, primary neuronal culture remained a gold standard method that requires laborious preparation, intensive training, and animal resources. To circumvent the shortfalls of primary neuronal preparations and efficiently give rise to functional neurons, we combine a neural stem cell culture method with a direct cell type-conversion approach. The lucidity of this method enables the efficient preparation of functional neurons from mouse neural progenitor cells on demand. We demonstrate that induced neurons (NPC-iNs) by this method make synaptic connections, elicit neuronal activity-dependent cellular responses, and develop functional neuronal networks. This method will provide a concise platform for functional neuronal assessments. This indeed offers a perspective for using these characterized neuronal networks for investigating plasticity mechanisms, drug screening assays, and probing the molecular and biophysical basis of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Soni
- Nuclear Architecture in Neural Plasticity and Aging, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.); (J.H.); (N.R.)
| | - Diana Klütsch
- Biohybrid Neuroelectronics (BIONICS), German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (D.K.); (X.H.)
| | - Xin Hu
- Biohybrid Neuroelectronics (BIONICS), German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (D.K.); (X.H.)
| | - Judith Houtman
- Nuclear Architecture in Neural Plasticity and Aging, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.); (J.H.); (N.R.)
| | - Nicole Rund
- Nuclear Architecture in Neural Plasticity and Aging, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.); (J.H.); (N.R.)
| | - Asako McCloskey
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
| | - Jerome Mertens
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria;
| | - Simon T. Schafer
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
| | - Hayder Amin
- Biohybrid Neuroelectronics (BIONICS), German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (D.K.); (X.H.)
| | - Tomohisa Toda
- Nuclear Architecture in Neural Plasticity and Aging, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (A.S.); (J.H.); (N.R.)
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27
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Zhang Y, Warden AR, Ahmad KZ, Liu Y, He X, Zheng M, Huo X, Zhi X, Ke Y, Li H, Yan S, Su W, Cai D, Ding X. Single-Cell Microwell Platform Reveals Circulating Neural Cells as a Clinical Indicator for Patients with Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown. RESEARCH 2021; 2021:9873545. [PMID: 34327332 PMCID: PMC8285994 DOI: 10.34133/2021/9873545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Central nervous system diseases commonly occur with the destruction of the blood-brain barrier. As a primary cause of morbidity and mortality, stroke remains unpredictable and lacks cellular biomarkers that accurately quantify its occurrence and development. Here, we identify NeuN+/CD45−/DAPI+ phenotype nonblood cells in the peripheral blood of mice subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and stroke patients. Since NeuN is a specific marker of neural cells, we term these newly identified cells as circulating neural cells (CNCs). We find that the enumeration of CNCs in the blood is significantly associated with the severity of brain damage in MCAO mice (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the number of CNCs is significantly higher in stroke patients than in negative subjects (p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that the amount of CNCs in circulation may serve as a clinical indicator for the real-time prognosis and progression monitor of the occurrence and development of ischemic stroke and other nervous system disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Antony R Warden
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Khan Zara Ahmad
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yanlei Liu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xijun He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wenling Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Chuan'an Nan Road, Chengxi Subdistrict, Wenling, 317500 Zhejiang, China
| | - Minqiao Zheng
- Central Laboratory, Wenling Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Chuan'an Nan Road, Chengxi Subdistrict, Wenling, 317500 Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinlong Huo
- Department of Neurology, Wenling Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Chuan'an Nan Road, Chengxi Subdistrict, Wenling, 317500 Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao Zhi
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yuqing Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Hongxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Sijia Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Wenqiong Su
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Deng Cai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xianting Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
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28
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Vasan L, Park E, David LA, Fleming T, Schuurmans C. Direct Neuronal Reprogramming: Bridging the Gap Between Basic Science and Clinical Application. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:681087. [PMID: 34291049 PMCID: PMC8287587 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.681087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct neuronal reprogramming is an innovative new technology that involves the conversion of somatic cells to induced neurons (iNs) without passing through a pluripotent state. The capacity to make new neurons in the brain, which previously was not achievable, has created great excitement in the field as it has opened the door for the potential treatment of incurable neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries such as stroke. These neurological disorders are associated with frank neuronal loss, and as new neurons are not made in most of the adult brain, treatment options are limited. Developmental biologists have paved the way for the field of direct neuronal reprogramming by identifying both intrinsic cues, primarily transcription factors (TFs) and miRNAs, and extrinsic cues, including growth factors and other signaling molecules, that induce neurogenesis and specify neuronal subtype identities in the embryonic brain. The striking observation that postmitotic, terminally differentiated somatic cells can be converted to iNs by mis-expression of TFs or miRNAs involved in neural lineage development, and/or by exposure to growth factors or small molecule cocktails that recapitulate the signaling environment of the developing brain, has opened the door to the rapid expansion of new neuronal reprogramming methodologies. Furthermore, the more recent applications of neuronal lineage conversion strategies that target resident glial cells in situ has expanded the clinical potential of direct neuronal reprogramming techniques. Herein, we present an overview of the history, accomplishments, and therapeutic potential of direct neuronal reprogramming as revealed over the last two decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmy Vasan
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Biological Sciences Platform, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Eunjee Park
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Biological Sciences Platform, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Luke Ajay David
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Biological Sciences Platform, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Taylor Fleming
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Biological Sciences Platform, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carol Schuurmans
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Biological Sciences Platform, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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29
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Liang D, Elwell AL, Aygün N, Krupa O, Wolter JM, Kyere FA, Lafferty MJ, Cheek KE, Courtney KP, Yusupova M, Garrett ME, Ashley-Koch A, Crawford GE, Love MI, de la Torre-Ubieta L, Geschwind DH, Stein JL. Cell-type-specific effects of genetic variation on chromatin accessibility during human neuronal differentiation. Nat Neurosci 2021; 24:941-953. [PMID: 34017130 PMCID: PMC8254789 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-021-00858-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Common genetic risk for neuropsychiatric disorders is enriched in regulatory elements active during cortical neurogenesis. However, it remains poorly understood as to how these variants influence gene regulation. To model the functional impact of common genetic variation on the noncoding genome during human cortical development, we performed the assay for transposase accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) and analyzed chromatin accessibility quantitative trait loci (QTL) in cultured human neural progenitor cells and their differentiated neuronal progeny from 87 donors. We identified significant genetic effects on 988/1,839 neuron/progenitor regulatory elements, with highly cell-type and temporally specific effects. A subset (roughly 30%) of chromatin accessibility-QTL were also associated with changes in gene expression. Motif-disrupting alleles of transcriptional activators generally led to decreases in chromatin accessibility, whereas motif-disrupting alleles of repressors led to increases in chromatin accessibility. By integrating cell-type-specific chromatin accessibility-QTL and brain-relevant genome-wide association data, we were able to fine-map and identify regulatory mechanisms underlying noncoding neuropsychiatric disorder risk loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Liang
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Angela L Elwell
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nil Aygün
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Oleh Krupa
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Justin M Wolter
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Felix A Kyere
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michael J Lafferty
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kerry E Cheek
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kenan P Courtney
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Marianna Yusupova
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Melanie E Garrett
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Allison Ashley-Koch
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gregory E Crawford
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Michael I Love
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Luis de la Torre-Ubieta
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jason L Stein
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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30
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Mockenhaupt K, Gonsiewski A, Kordula T. RelB and Neuroinflammation. Cells 2021; 10:1609. [PMID: 34198987 PMCID: PMC8307460 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation within the central nervous system involves multiple cell types that coordinate their responses by secreting and responding to a plethora of inflammatory mediators. These factors activate multiple signaling cascades to orchestrate initial inflammatory response and subsequent resolution. Activation of NF-κB pathways in several cell types is critical during neuroinflammation. In contrast to the well-studied role of p65 NF-κB during neuroinflammation, the mechanisms of RelB activation in specific cell types and its roles during neuroinflammatory response are less understood. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of RelB activation in specific cell types of the CNS and the specialized effects this transcription factor exerts during neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tomasz Kordula
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine and the Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VI 23298, USA; (K.M.); (A.G.)
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31
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Biological importance of OCT transcription factors in reprogramming and development. Exp Mol Med 2021; 53:1018-1028. [PMID: 34117345 PMCID: PMC8257633 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-021-00637-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ectopic expression of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc can reprogram somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Attempts to identify genes or chemicals that can functionally replace each of these four reprogramming factors have revealed that exogenous Oct4 is not necessary for reprogramming under certain conditions or in the presence of alternative factors that can regulate endogenous Oct4 expression. For example, polycistronic expression of Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc can elicit reprogramming by activating endogenous Oct4 expression indirectly. Experiments in which the reprogramming competence of all other Oct family members tested and also in different species have led to the decisive conclusion that Oct proteins display different reprogramming competences and species-dependent reprogramming activity despite their profound sequence conservation. We discuss the roles of the structural components of Oct proteins in reprogramming and how donor cell epigenomes endow Oct proteins with different reprogramming competences. Cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), embryonic-like stem cells that can turn into any cell type and have extensive potential medical uses, without adding the transcription factor OCT4. Although other nearly identical OCT family members had been tried, only OCT4 could induce reprogramming and was previously thought to be indispensable. However, it now appears that the reprogramming can be induced by multiple pathways, as detailed in a review by Hans Schöler, Max Planck Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, Münster, and Johnny Kim, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, in Germany. They report that any factors that trigger cells to activate endogeous OCT4 can produce iPSCs without exogeously admistration of OCT4. The mechanisms for producing iPSCs can differ between species. These results illuminate the complex mechanisms of reprogramming.
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32
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Epigenetic memory in reprogramming. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021; 70:24-31. [PMID: 34058535 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
A central question of biology is the basis of stable cell fates. Cell fates are formed during development, where the zygote progresses from totipotency to terminal differentiation. Each step of lineage commitment involves establishment of stable states encoding-specific developmental commitments that can be faithfully transmitted to daughter cells - a 'memory' of cell fate is acquired. However, this cell-fate memory is reversible and can be changed when experimental reprogramming procedures such as nuclear transfer to eggs or transcription factor overexpression are used. The ability to reprogram cell fates impacts regenerative medicine, as progress in understanding underlying molecular mechanisms of cell-fate changes can allow the generation of any cell type needed for cell replacement therapies. Given its potential, studies are currently aiming at improving the low efficiency of cell-fate conversion. In recent years, epigenetic mechanisms suggested to promote stable cell-fate memory emerged as factors that cause resistance to cell-fate conversions during nuclear reprogramming. In this review, we highlight the latest work that has characterised epigenetic barriers to reprogramming which, during normal development, help to maintain the stable differentiation status of cells.
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33
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Ng AHM, Khoshakhlagh P, Rojo Arias JE, Pasquini G, Wang K, Swiersy A, Shipman SL, Appleton E, Kiaee K, Kohman RE, Vernet A, Dysart M, Leeper K, Saylor W, Huang JY, Graveline A, Taipale J, Hill DE, Vidal M, Melero-Martin JM, Busskamp V, Church GM. A comprehensive library of human transcription factors for cell fate engineering. Nat Biotechnol 2021; 39:510-519. [PMID: 33257861 PMCID: PMC7610615 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-0742-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offer an unprecedented opportunity to model diverse cell types and tissues. To enable systematic exploration of the programming landscape mediated by transcription factors (TFs), we present the Human TFome, a comprehensive library containing 1,564 TF genes and 1,732 TF splice isoforms. By screening the library in three hPSC lines, we discovered 290 TFs, including 241 that were previously unreported, that induce differentiation in 4 days without alteration of external soluble or biomechanical cues. We used four of the hits to program hPSCs into neurons, fibroblasts, oligodendrocytes and vascular endothelial-like cells that have molecular and functional similarity to primary cells. Our cell-autonomous approach enabled parallel programming of hPSCs into multiple cell types simultaneously. We also demonstrated orthogonal programming by including oligodendrocyte-inducible hPSCs with unmodified hPSCs to generate cerebral organoids, which expedited in situ myelination. Large-scale combinatorial screening of the Human TFome will complement other strategies for cell engineering based on developmental biology and computational systems biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex H M Ng
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- GC Therapeutics, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Parastoo Khoshakhlagh
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- GC Therapeutics, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jesus Eduardo Rojo Arias
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Dresden, Germany
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Giovanni Pasquini
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Dresden, Germany
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anka Swiersy
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Dresden, Germany
| | - Seth L Shipman
- Gladstone Institutes and University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Evan Appleton
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- GC Therapeutics, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kiavash Kiaee
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- GC Therapeutics, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Richie E Kohman
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andyna Vernet
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew Dysart
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen Leeper
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wren Saylor
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeremy Y Huang
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda Graveline
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jussi Taipale
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Applied Tumor Genomics Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - David E Hill
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marc Vidal
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Juan M Melero-Martin
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Volker Busskamp
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Dresden, Germany.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
- GC Therapeutics, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Zheng Y, Huang Z, Xu J, Hou K, Yu Y, Lv S, Chen L, Li Y, Quan C, Chi G. MiR-124 and Small Molecules Synergistically Regulate the Generation of Neuronal Cells from Rat Cortical Reactive Astrocytes. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:2447-2464. [PMID: 33725319 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02345-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Irreversible neuron loss caused by central nervous system injuries usually leads to persistent neurological dysfunction. Reactive astrocytes, because of their high proliferative capacity, proximity to neuronal lineage, and significant involvement in glial scarring, are ideal starting cells for neuronal regeneration. Having previously identified several small molecules as important regulators of astrocyte-to-neuron reprogramming, we established herein that miR-124, ruxolitinib, SB203580, and forskolin could co-regulate rat cortical reactive astrocyte-to-neuron conversion. The induced cells had reduced astroglial properties, displayed typical neuronal morphologies, and expressed neuronal markers, reflecting 25.9% of cholinergic neurons and 22.3% of glutamatergic neurons. Gene analysis revealed that induced neuron gene expression patterns were more similar to that of primary neurons than of initial reactive astrocytes. On the molecular level, miR-124-driven neuronal differentiation of reactive astrocytes was via targeting of the SOX9-NFIA-HES1 axis to inhibit HES1 expression. In conclusion, we present a novel approach to inducing endogenous rat cortical reactive astrocytes into neurons through co-regulation involving miR-124 and three small molecules. Thus, our research has potential implications for inhibiting glial scar formation and promoting neuronal regeneration after central nervous system injury or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Zhehao Huang
- China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun, 130031, Jilin, China
| | - Jinying Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Kun Hou
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, No. 1 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Yifei Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Shuang Lv
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Lin Chen
- China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun, 130031, Jilin, China
| | - Yulin Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
| | - Chengshi Quan
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
| | - Guangfan Chi
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
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Mollinari C, Merlo D. Direct Reprogramming of Somatic Cells to Neurons: Pros and Cons of Chemical Approach. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:1330-1336. [PMID: 33666839 PMCID: PMC8084785 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03282-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Translating successful preclinical research in neurodegenerative diseases into clinical practice has been difficult. The preclinical disease models used for testing new drugs not always appear predictive of the effects of the agents in the human disease state. Human induced pluripotent stem cells, obtained by reprogramming of adult somatic cells, represent a powerful system to study the molecular mechanisms of the disease onset and pathogenesis. However, these cells require a long time to differentiate into functional neural cells and the resetting of epigenetic information during reprogramming, might miss the information imparted by age. On the contrary, the direct conversion of somatic cells to neuronal cells is much faster and more efficient, it is safer for cell therapy and allows to preserve the signatures of donors’ age. Direct reprogramming can be induced by lineage-specific transcription factors or chemical cocktails and represents a powerful tool for modeling neurological diseases and for regenerative medicine. In this Commentary we present and discuss strength and weakness of several strategies for the direct cellular reprogramming from somatic cells to generate human brain cells which maintain age‐related features. In particular, we describe and discuss chemical strategy for cellular reprogramming as it represents a valuable tool for many applications such as aged brain modeling, drug screening and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Mollinari
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanita', Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Daniela Merlo
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanita', Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
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36
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Sharif N, Calzolari F, Berninger B. Direct In Vitro Reprogramming of Astrocytes into Induced Neurons. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2352:13-29. [PMID: 34324177 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1601-7_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Spontaneous neuronal replacement is almost absent in the postnatal mammalian nervous system. However, several studies have shown that both early postnatal and adult astroglia can be reprogrammed in vitro or in vivo by forced expression of proneural transcription factors, such as Neurogenin-2 or Achaete-scute homolog 1 (Ascl1), to acquire a neuronal fate. The reprogramming process stably induces properties such as distinctly neuronal morphology, expression of neuron-specific proteins, and the gain of mature neuronal functional features. Direct conversion of astroglia into neurons thus possesses potential as a basis for cell-based strategies against neurological diseases. In this chapter, we describe a well-established protocol used for direct reprogramming of postnatal cortical astrocytes into functional neurons in vitro and discuss available tools and approaches to dissect molecular and cell biological mechanisms underlying the reprogramming process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nesrin Sharif
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- International PhD Programme on Gene Regulation, Epigenetics and Genome Stability, Mainz, Germany
| | - Filippo Calzolari
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Benedikt Berninger
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London, UK.
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK.
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Afeworki Y, Wollenzien H, Kareta MS. Transcriptional Profiling During Neural Conversion. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2352:171-181. [PMID: 34324187 PMCID: PMC9131516 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1601-7_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The processes that underlie neuronal conversion ultimately involve a reorganization of transcriptional networks to establish a neuronal cell fate. As such, transcriptional profiling is a key component toward understanding this process. In this chapter, we will discuss methods of elucidating transcriptional networks during neuronal reprogramming and considerations that should be incorporated in experimental design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohannes Afeworki
- Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Hannah Wollenzien
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA
- Genetics and Genomics Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Michael S Kareta
- Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA.
- Genetics and Genomics Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
- Cellular Therapies and Stem Cell Biology Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA.
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38
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Konstantinides N, Desplan C. Neuronal differentiation strategies: insights from single-cell sequencing and machine learning. Development 2020; 147:dev193631. [PMID: 33293292 PMCID: PMC7746664 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal replacement therapies rely on the in vitro differentiation of specific cell types from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells, or on the direct reprogramming of differentiated adult cells via the expression of transcription factors or signaling molecules. The factors used to induce differentiation or reprogramming are often identified by informed guesses based on differential gene expression or known roles for these factors during development. Moreover, differentiation protocols usually result in partly differentiated cells or the production of a mix of cell types. In this Hypothesis article, we suggest that, to overcome these inefficiencies and improve neuronal differentiation protocols, we need to take into account the developmental history of the desired cell types. Specifically, we present a strategy that uses single-cell sequencing techniques combined with machine learning as a principled method to select a sequence of programming factors that are important not only in adult neurons but also during differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claude Desplan
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
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Abstract
The formation of the human brain, which contains nearly 100 billion neurons making an average of 1000 connections each, represents an astonishing feat of self-organization. Despite impressive progress, our understanding of how neurons form the nervous system and enable function is very fragmentary, especially for the human brain. New technologies that produce large volumes of high-resolution measurements-big data-are now being brought to bear on this problem. Single-cell molecular profiling methods allow the exploration of neural diversity with increasing spatial and temporal resolution. Advances in human genetics are shedding light on the genetic architecture of neurodevelopmental disorders, and new approaches are revealing plausible neurobiological mechanisms underlying these conditions. Here, we review the opportunities and challenges of integrating large-scale genomics and genetics for the study of brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Oscar Marín
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK. .,MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
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40
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Black JB, McCutcheon SR, Dube S, Barrera A, Klann TS, Rice GA, Adkar SS, Soderling SH, Reddy TE, Gersbach CA. Master Regulators and Cofactors of Human Neuronal Cell Fate Specification Identified by CRISPR Gene Activation Screens. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108460. [PMID: 33264623 PMCID: PMC7730023 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Technologies to reprogram cell-type specification have revolutionized the fields of regenerative medicine and disease modeling. Currently, the selection of fate-determining factors for cell reprogramming applications is typically a laborious and low-throughput process. Therefore, we use high-throughput pooled CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) screens to systematically map human neuronal cell fate regulators. We utilize deactivated Cas9 (dCas9)-based gene activation to target 1,496 putative transcription factors (TFs) in the human genome. Using a reporter of neuronal commitment, we profile the neurogenic activity of these factors in human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), leading to a curated set of pro-neuronal factors. Activation of pairs of TFs reveals neuronal cofactors, including E2F7, RUNX3, and LHX8, that improve conversion efficiency, subtype specificity, and maturation of neuronal cell types. Finally, using multiplexed gene regulation with orthogonal CRISPR systems, we demonstrate improved neuronal differentiation with concurrent activation and repression of target genes, underscoring the power of CRISPR-based gene regulation for programming complex cellular phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Black
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Sean R McCutcheon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Shataakshi Dube
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Alejandro Barrera
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Tyler S Klann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Grayson A Rice
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Shaunak S Adkar
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Scott H Soderling
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Timothy E Reddy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Graduate Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Charles A Gersbach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Graduate Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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41
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McDonald D, Wu Y, Dailamy A, Tat J, Parekh U, Zhao D, Hu M, Tipps A, Zhang K, Mali P. Defining the Teratoma as a Model for Multi-lineage Human Development. Cell 2020; 183:1402-1419.e18. [PMID: 33152263 PMCID: PMC7704916 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We propose that the teratoma, a recognized standard for validating pluripotency in stem cells, could be a promising platform for studying human developmental processes. Performing single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of 179,632 cells across 23 teratomas from 4 cell lines, we found that teratomas reproducibly contain approximately 20 cell types across all 3 germ layers, that inter-teratoma cell type heterogeneity is comparable with organoid systems, and teratoma gut and brain cell types correspond well to similar fetal cell types. Furthermore, cellular barcoding confirmed that injected stem cells robustly engraft and contribute to all lineages. Using pooled CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens, we showed that teratomas can enable simultaneous assaying of the effects of genetic perturbations across all germ layers. Additionally, we demonstrated that teratomas can be sculpted molecularly via microRNA (miRNA)-regulated suicide gene expression to enrich for specific tissues. Taken together, teratomas are a promising platform for modeling multi-lineage development, pan-tissue functional genetic screening, and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella McDonald
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Amir Dailamy
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Justin Tat
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Udit Parekh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Dongxin Zhao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Michael Hu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ann Tipps
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Prashant Mali
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA.
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42
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Stricker SH, Götz M. Epigenetic regulation of neural lineage elaboration: Implications for therapeutic reprogramming. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 148:105174. [PMID: 33171228 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The vulnerability of the mammalian brain is mainly due to its limited ability to generate new neurons once fully matured. Direct conversion of non-neuronal cells to neurons opens up a new avenue for therapeutic intervention and has made great strides also for in vivo applications in the injured brain. These great achievements raise the issue of adequate identity and chromatin hallmarks of the induced neurons. This may be particularly important, as aberrant epigenetic settings may reveal their adverse effects only in certain brain activity states. Therefore, we review here the knowledge about epigenetic memory and partially resetting of chromatin hallmarks from other reprogramming fields, before moving to the knowledge in direct neuronal reprogramming, which is still limited. Most importantly, novel tools are available now to manipulate specific epigenetic marks at specific sites of the genome. Applying these will eventually allow erasing aberrant epigenetic memory and paving the way towards new therapeutic approaches for brain repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan H Stricker
- Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 82152 Planegg, Germany; Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians Universitaet Muenchen, 82152 Planegg, Munich, Germany; MCN Junior Research Group, Munich Center for Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität, BioMedical Center, Grosshaderner Strasse 9, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany.
| | - Magdalena Götz
- Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 82152 Planegg, Germany; Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians Universitaet Muenchen, 82152 Planegg, Munich, Germany; SYNERGY, Excellence Cluster of Systems Neurology, BioMedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen, 82152 Planegg, Munich, Germany.
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43
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Carter JL, Halmai JANM, Fink KD. The iNs and Outs of Direct Reprogramming to Induced Neurons. Front Genome Ed 2020; 2:7. [PMID: 34713216 PMCID: PMC8525349 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2020.00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding of cell-type specific transcription factors has promoted progress in methods for cellular reprogramming, such as directly reprogramming somatic cells to induced neurons (iN). Methods for direct reprogramming require neuronal-fate determining gene activation via neuron-specific microRNAs, chemical modulation of key neuronal signaling pathways or overexpression via viral vectors, with some reprogramming strategies requiring a combination of these methods to induce the neuronal-cell fate. These methods have been employed in a multitude of cell types, including fibroblasts, hepatocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear, and T cells. The ability to create iN from skin biopsies and blood samples coupled with recent advancements in artificially inducing age- and disease-associated phenotypes are accelerating the development of disease models for late-onset neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we review how activation of the neuronal transcriptome alters the epigenetic landscape of the donor cell to facilitate reprogramming to neurons. We also discuss the advantages of using DNA binding domains such as CRISPR/dCas9 to overcome epigenetic barriers to induce neuronal-cell fate by activating endogenous neuronal cell-fate determining genes.
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44
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Kumar A, Mali P. Mapping regulators of cell fate determination: Approaches and challenges. APL Bioeng 2020; 4:031501. [PMID: 32637855 PMCID: PMC7332300 DOI: 10.1063/5.0004611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the limited regenerative capacities of most organs, strategies are needed to efficiently generate large numbers of parenchymal cells capable of integration into the diseased organ. Although it was initially thought that terminally differentiated cells lacked the ability to transdifferentiate, it has since been shown that cellular reprogramming of stromal cells to parenchymal cells through direct lineage conversion holds great potential for the replacement of post-mitotic parenchymal cells lost to disease. To this end, an assortment of genetic, chemical, and mechanical cues have been identified to reprogram cells to different lineages both in vitro and in vivo. However, some key challenges persist that limit broader applications of reprogramming technologies. These include: (1) low reprogramming efficiencies; (2) incomplete functional maturation of derived cells; and (3) difficulty in determining the typically multi-factor combinatorial recipes required for successful transdifferentiation. To improve efficiency by comprehensively identifying factors that regulate cell fate, large scale genetic and chemical screening methods have thus been utilized. Here, we provide an overview of the underlying concept of cell reprogramming as well as the rationale, considerations, and limitations of high throughput screening methods. We next follow with a summary of unique hits that have been identified by high throughput screens to induce reprogramming to various parenchymal lineages. Finally, we discuss future directions of applying this technology toward human disease biology via disease modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Kumar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Prashant Mali
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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45
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Moyses-Oliveira M, Yadav R, Erdin S, Talkowski ME. New gene discoveries highlight functional convergence in autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 65:195-206. [PMID: 32846283 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two years, remarkable gene discovery efforts have implicated disruption of pathways involving gene regulatory functions and neuronal processes in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and more broadly defined neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Functional studies in the developing brain and across cell types demonstrate that the spatiotemporal expression patterns of many of these genes coalesce on subnetworks with distinct developmental trajectories. Here, we review the convergent biological processes derived from gene discovery and functional genomics in ASD and NDD from 2018-2020. We further probe the mechanistic insights that suggest these frequently perturbed pathways are interconnected and, ultimately, converge on specific functional deficits in human neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Moyses-Oliveira
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, United States; Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge MA, United States; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Rachita Yadav
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, United States; Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge MA, United States; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Serkan Erdin
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, United States; Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge MA, United States; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Michael E Talkowski
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, United States; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, United States; Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge MA, United States; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States.
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46
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Integrating CRISPR Engineering and hiPSC-Derived 2D Disease Modeling Systems. J Neurosci 2020; 40:1176-1185. [PMID: 32024766 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0518-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have revolutionized research on human diseases, particularly neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, making it possible to study mechanisms of disease risk and initiation in otherwise inaccessible patient-specific cells. Today, the integration of CRISPR engineering approaches with hiPSC-based models permits precise isogenic comparisons of human neurons and glia. This review is intended as a guideline for neuroscientists and clinicians interested in translating their research to hiPSC-based studies. It offers state-of-the-art approaches to tackling the challenges that are unique to human in vitro disease models, particularly interdonor and intradonor variability, and limitations in neuronal maturity and circuit complexity. Finally, we provide a detailed overview of the immense possibilities the field has to offer, highlighting efficient neural differentiation and induction strategies for the major brain cell types and providing perspective into integrating CRISPR-based methods into study design. The combination of hiPSC-based disease modeling, CRISPR technology, and high-throughput approaches promises to advance our scientific knowledge and accelerate progress in drug discovery.Dual Perspectives Companion Paper: Studying Human Neurodevelopment and Diseases Using 3D Brain Organoids, by Ai Tian, Julien Muffat, and Yun Li.
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Abstract
Neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders are among the greatest public health challenges, as many lack disease-modifying treatments. A major reason for the absence of effective therapies is our limited understanding of the causative molecular and cellular mechanisms. Genome-wide association studies are providing a growing catalogue of disease-associated genetic variants, and the next challenge is to elucidate how these variants cause disease and to translate this understanding into therapies. This Review describes how new CRISPR-based functional genomics approaches can uncover disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets in neurological diseases. The bacterial CRISPR system can be used in experimental disease models to edit genomes and to control gene expression levels through CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) and CRISPR activation (CRISPRa). These genetic perturbations can be implemented in massively parallel genetic screens to evaluate the functional consequences for human cells. CRISPR screens are particularly powerful in combination with induced pluripotent stem cell technology, which enables the derivation of differentiated cell types, such as neurons and glia, and brain organoids from cells obtained from patients. Modelling of disease-associated changes in gene expression via CRISPRi and CRISPRa can pinpoint causal changes. In addition, genetic modifier screens can be used to elucidate disease mechanisms and causal determinants of cell type-selective vulnerability and to identify therapeutic targets.
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48
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Abstract
Cortical interneurons display striking differences in shape, physiology, and other attributes, challenging us to appropriately classify them. We previously suggested that interneuron types should be defined by their role in cortical processing. Here, we revisit the question of how to codify their diversity based upon their division of labor and function as controllers of cortical information flow. We suggest that developmental trajectories provide a guide for appreciating interneuron diversity and argue that subtype identity is generated using a configurational (rather than combinatorial) code of transcription factors that produce attractor states in the underlying gene regulatory network. We present our updated three-stage model for interneuron specification: an initial cardinal step, allocating interneurons into a few major classes, followed by definitive refinement, creating subclasses upon settling within the cortex, and lastly, state determination, reflecting the incorporation of interneurons into functional circuit ensembles. We close by discussing findings indicating that major interneuron classes are both evolutionarily ancient and conserved. We propose that the complexity of cortical circuits is generated by phylogenetically old interneuron types, complemented by an evolutionary increase in principal neuron diversity. This suggests that a natural neurobiological definition of interneuron types might be derived from a match between their developmental origin and computational function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gord Fishell
- Department of Neurobiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA;
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Adam Kepecs
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA;
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Xiao D, Deng Q, Guo Y, Huang X, Zou M, Zhong J, Rao P, Xu Z, Liu Y, Hu Y, Shen Y, Jin K, Xiang M. Generation of self-organized sensory ganglion organoids and retinal ganglion cells from fibroblasts. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz5858. [PMID: 32523990 PMCID: PMC7259937 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz5858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Neural organoids provide a powerful tool for investigating neural development, modeling neural diseases, screening drugs, and developing cell-based therapies. Somatic cells have previously been reprogrammed by transcription factors (TFs) into sensory ganglion (SG) neurons but not SG organoids. We identify a combination of triple TFs Ascl1, Brn3b/3a, and Isl1 (ABI) as an efficient means to reprogram mouse and human fibroblasts into self-organized and networked induced SG (iSG) organoids. The iSG neurons exhibit molecular features, subtype diversity, electrophysiological and calcium response properties, and innervation patterns characteristic of peripheral sensory neurons. Moreover, we have defined retinal ganglion cell (RGC)-specific identifiers to demonstrate the ability for ABI to reprogram induced RGCs (iRGCs) from fibroblasts. Unlike iSG neurons, iRGCs maintain a scattering distribution pattern characteristic of endogenous RGCs. iSG organoids may serve as a model to decipher the pathogenesis of sensorineural diseases and screen effective drugs and a source for cell replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongchang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Qinqin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Yanan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xiuting Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Min Zou
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, Room 312B, 1130 St. Nicholas Ave., New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jiawei Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Pinhong Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Zihui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yifan Liu
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Youjin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yin Shen
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Kangxin Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Mengqing Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
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50
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Gordon A, Geschwind DH. Human in vitro models for understanding mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder. Mol Autism 2020; 11:26. [PMID: 32299488 PMCID: PMC7164291 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00332-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Early brain development is a critical epoch for the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In vivo animal models have, until recently, been the principal tool used to study early brain development and the changes occurring in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD. In vitro models of brain development represent a significant advance in the field. Here, we review the main methods available to study human brain development in vitro and the applications of these models for studying ASD and other psychiatric disorders. We discuss the main findings from stem cell models to date focusing on cell cycle and proliferation, cell death, cell differentiation and maturation, and neuronal signaling and synaptic stimuli. To be able to generalize the results from these studies, we propose a framework of experimental design and power considerations for using in vitro models to study ASD. These include both technical issues such as reproducibility and power analysis and conceptual issues such as the brain region and cell types being modeled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Gordon
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Program in Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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