1
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Li M, Yuan Y, Hou Z, Hao S, Jin L, Wang B. Human brain organoid: trends, evolution, and remaining challenges. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:2387-2399. [PMID: 38526275 PMCID: PMC11090441 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.390972] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Advanced brain organoids provide promising platforms for deciphering the cellular and molecular processes of human neural development and diseases. Although various studies and reviews have described developments and advancements in brain organoids, few studies have comprehensively summarized and analyzed the global trends in this area of neuroscience. To identify and further facilitate the development of cerebral organoids, we utilized bibliometrics and visualization methods to analyze the global trends and evolution of brain organoids in the last 10 years. First, annual publications, countries/regions, organizations, journals, authors, co-citations, and keywords relating to brain organoids were identified. The hotspots in this field were also systematically identified. Subsequently, current applications for brain organoids in neuroscience, including human neural development, neural disorders, infectious diseases, regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and toxicity assessment studies, are comprehensively discussed. Towards that end, several considerations regarding the current challenges in brain organoid research and future strategies to advance neuroscience will be presented to further promote their application in neurological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yuhan Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zongkun Hou
- School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Shilei Hao
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liang Jin
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bochu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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2
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Soydan HE, Doğan A. Muscle Organoid and Assembloid Systems. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38980551 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2024_816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is one of the most complex and largest tissues that perform important processes in the body, including performing voluntary movements and maintaining body temperature. Disruption of muscle homeostasis results in the development of several disorders, including diabetes and sarcopenia. To study the developmental and regenerative dynamics of skeletal muscle and the mechanism behind muscle diseases, it is important to model skeletal muscle and diseases in vitro. Since skeletal muscle has a complex structure and interaction with other tissues and cells that are required to perform their function, conventional 2D cultures are not sufficient to model the skeletal muscle with their interactions. Advances in the field of organoids and assembloids will enable the establishment of more complex and realistic tissue or disease models which cannot be fully recapitulated in conventional 2D culture systems for use in several areas, including disease research, regenerative, and tissue biology. To overcome these limitations, 3D organoid systems and assembloid systems are promising because of their success in recapitulating the complex structural organization, function, and cellular interactions of skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazar Eren Soydan
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayşegül Doğan
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, Turkey.
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3
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Kalpana K, Rao C, Semrau S, Zhang B, Noggle S, Fossati V. Generating Neuroimmune Assembloids Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-Derived Cortical Organoids and Microglia. Methods Mol Biol 2024. [PMID: 38976205 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2024_554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of brain organoids has revolutionized our understanding of neurodevelopment and neurological diseases by providing an in vitro model system that recapitulates key aspects of human brain development. However, conventional organoid protocols often overlook the role of microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. Microglia dysfunction is implicated in various neurological disorders, highlighting the need for their inclusion in organoid models. Here, we present a novel method for generating neuroimmune assembloids using human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cortical organoids and microglia. Building upon our previous work generating myelinating cortical organoids, we extend our methodology to include the integration of microglia, ensuring their long-term survival and maturation within the organoids. We describe two integration methods: one involving direct addition of microglia progenitors to the organoids and an alternative approach where microglia and dissociated neuronal progenitors are aggregated together in a defined ratio. To facilitate downstream analysis, we also describe a dissociation protocol for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and provide guidance on fixation, cryosectioning, and immunostaining of assembloid structures. Overall, our protocol provides a comprehensive framework for generating neuroimmune assembloids, offering researchers a valuable tool for studying the interactions between neural cell types and immune cells in the context of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kriti Kalpana
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chandrika Rao
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stefan Semrau
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott Noggle
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Valentina Fossati
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA.
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4
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Baptista LS, Mironov V, Koudan E, Amorim ÉA, Pampolha TP, Kasyanov V, Kovalev A, Senatov F, Granjeiro JM. Bioprinting Using Organ Building Blocks: Spheroids, Organoids, and Assembloids. Tissue Eng Part A 2024; 30:377-386. [PMID: 38062998 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2023.0198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, a promising advancement in tissue engineering technology, involves the robotic, layer-by-layer additive biofabrication of functional 3D tissue and organ constructs. This process utilizes biomaterials, typically hydrogels and living cells, following digital models. Traditional tissue engineering uses a classic triad of living cells, scaffolds, and physicochemical signals in bioreactors. A scaffold is a temporary, often biodegradable, support structure. Tissue engineering primarily falls into two categories: (i) scaffold based and (ii) scaffold free. The latter, scaffold-free 3D bioprinting, is gaining increasing popularity. Organ building blocks (OBB), capable of self-assembly and self-organization, such as tissue spheroids, organoids, and assembloids, have begun to be utilized in scaffold-free bioprinting. This article discusses the expanding range of OBB, presents the rapidly evolving collection of bioprinting and bioassembly methods using these OBB, and finally, outlines the advantages, challenges, and future perspectives of using OBB in organ printing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandra Santos Baptista
- Campus Duque de Caxias Prof Geraldo Cidade, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Post-graduation Program in Biotechnology, National Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology (Inmetro), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Cell Biology, National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vladimir Mironov
- Campus Duque de Caxias Prof Geraldo Cidade, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elizaveta Koudan
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, National University of Science and Technology "MISIS," Moscow, Russia
| | - Érica Almeida Amorim
- Campus Duque de Caxias Prof Geraldo Cidade, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Gcell 3D, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Precision Medicine Research Center, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tathiana Proença Pampolha
- Post-graduation Program in Biotechnology, National Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology (Inmetro), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Cell Biology, National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vladimir Kasyanov
- Joint Laboratory of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia
| | - Alexei Kovalev
- Priorov Central National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Fedor Senatov
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, National University of Science and Technology "MISIS," Moscow, Russia
| | - José Mauro Granjeiro
- Post-graduation Program in Biotechnology, National Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology (Inmetro), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Cell Biology, National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Clinical Research in Odontology, Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Niterói, Brazil
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5
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Wang Z, Tang X, Khutsishvili D, Sang G, Galan EA, Wang J, Ma S. Protocol to encapsulate cerebral organoids with alginate hydrogel shell to induce volumetric compression. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:102952. [PMID: 38555589 PMCID: PMC10998242 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.102952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In vitro organoids, including cerebral organoids, are usually developed without mechanical compression, which may contribute to a delay in maturation. Here, we present a protocol for encapsulating cerebral organoids with a thin shell of low-concentration alginate hydrogel. We describe steps for organoid generation, microfluidic chip culture, Matrigel coating, expansion culture, and alginate encapsulation. We then detail procedures for maturation culture and organoid characterization. The moderate compressive stimulation that the shell provides promotes cell proliferation and neuronal maturation. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Tang et al.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zitian Wang
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiaowei Tang
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Davit Khutsishvili
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Gan Sang
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Edgar A Galan
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shaohua Ma
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100084, China.
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6
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Lunshof JE, Rijssenbeek J. Collaborative ethics: innovating collaboration between ethicists and life scientists. Nat Methods 2024:10.1038/s41592-024-02320-8. [PMID: 38902517 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-024-02320-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeantine E Lunshof
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
| | - Julia Rijssenbeek
- Philosophy Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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7
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Pipiya VV, Gilazieva ZE, Issa SS, Rizvanov AA, Solovyeva VV. Comparison of primary and passaged tumor cell cultures and their application in personalized medicine. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2024; 5:581-599. [PMID: 38966179 PMCID: PMC11220317 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2024.00237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Passaged cell lines represent currently an integral component in various studies of malignant neoplasms. These cell lines are utilized for drug screening both in monolayer cultures or as part of three-dimensional (3D) tumor models. They can also be used to model the tumor microenvironment in vitro and in vivo through xenotransplantation into immunocompromised animals. However, immortalized cell lines have some limitations of their own. The homogeneity of cell line populations and the extensive passaging in monolayer systems make these models distant from the original disease. Recently, there has been a growing interest among scientists in the use of primary cell lines, as these are passaged directly from human tumor tissues. In this case, cells retain the morphological and functional characteristics of the tissue from which they were derived, an advantage often not observed in passaged cultures. This review highlights the advantages and limitations of passaged and primary cell cultures, their similarities and differences, as well as existing test systems that are based on primary and passaged cell cultures for drug screening purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislava V. Pipiya
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Zarema E. Gilazieva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Shaza S. Issa
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Albert A. Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
- Division of Medical and Biological Sciences, Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 420111 Kazan, Russia
| | - Valeriya V. Solovyeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
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8
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Deng AF, Wang FX, Wang SC, Zhang YZ, Bai L, Su JC. Bone-organ axes: bidirectional crosstalk. Mil Med Res 2024; 11:37. [PMID: 38867330 PMCID: PMC11167910 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-024-00540-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In addition to its recognized role in providing structural support, bone plays a crucial role in maintaining the functionality and balance of various organs by secreting specific cytokines (also known as osteokines). This reciprocal influence extends to these organs modulating bone homeostasis and development, although this aspect has yet to be systematically reviewed. This review aims to elucidate this bidirectional crosstalk, with a particular focus on the role of osteokines. Additionally, it presents a unique compilation of evidence highlighting the critical function of extracellular vesicles (EVs) within bone-organ axes for the first time. Moreover, it explores the implications of this crosstalk for designing and implementing bone-on-chips and assembloids, underscoring the importance of comprehending these interactions for advancing physiologically relevant in vitro models. Consequently, this review establishes a robust theoretical foundation for preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases related to the bone-organ axis from the perspective of cytokines, EVs, hormones, and metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Fu Deng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Organoid Research Center, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai) SHU Branch, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Fu-Xiao Wang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Organoid Research Center, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai) SHU Branch, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Si-Cheng Wang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Organoid Research Center, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai) SHU Branch, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Zhongye Hospital, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Ying-Ze Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Orthopaedic Research Institution of Hebei Province, NHC Key Laboratory of Intelligent Orthopaedic Equipment, Shijiazhuang, 050051, China.
| | - Long Bai
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Organoid Research Center, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
- National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai) SHU Branch, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
- Wenzhou Institute of Shanghai University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jia-Can Su
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Organoid Research Center, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
- National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai) SHU Branch, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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9
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Eltanameli B, Piñeiro-Llanes J, Cristofoletti R. Recent advances in cell-based in vitro models for predicting drug permeability across brain, intestinal, and pulmonary barriers. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2024; 20:439-458. [PMID: 38850058 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2024.2366390] [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: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in the development of cell-based in vitro models aimed at predicting drug permeability, particularly focusing on replicating the barrier properties of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), intestinal epithelium, and lung epithelium. AREA COVERED This review provides an overview of 2D in vitro platforms, including monocultures and co-culture systems, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. Additionally, it discusses tools and techniques utilized to overcome these limitations, paving the way for more accurate predictions of drug permeability. Furthermore, this review delves into emerging technologies, particularly microphysiological systems (MPS), encompassing static platforms such as organoids and dynamic platforms like microfluidic devices. Literature searches were performed using PubMed and Google Scholar. We focus on key terms such as in vitro permeability models, MPS, organoids, intestine, BBB, and lungs. EXPERT OPINION The potential of these MPS to mimic physiological conditions more closely offers promising avenues for drug permeability assessment. However, transitioning these advanced models from bench to industry requires rigorous validation against regulatory standards. Thus, there is a pressing need to validate MPS to industry and regulatory agency standards to exploit their potential in drug permeability prediction fully. This review underscores the importance of such validation processes to facilitate the translation of these innovative technologies into routine pharmaceutical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassma Eltanameli
- Center for Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Janny Piñeiro-Llanes
- Center for Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Rodrigo Cristofoletti
- Center for Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
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10
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Pirjanian NA, Kalpana K, Kruglikov I, Mesci P, Stoudemire J, Grisanti P, Noggle SA, Loring JF, Fossati V. Establishing Neural Organoid Cultures for Investigating the Effects of Microgravity in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). Methods Mol Biol 2024. [PMID: 38801498 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2024_550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Recent findings from studies involving astronauts and animal models indicate that microgravity increases immune cell activity and potentially alters the white and gray matter of the central nervous system (CNS). To further investigate the impact of microgravity on CNS cells, we established cultures of three-dimensional neural organoids containing isogenic microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, and sent them onboard the International Space Station. When using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from individuals affected by neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD), these cultures can provide novel insights into pathogenic pathways that may be exacerbated by microgravity. We have devised a cryovial culture strategy that enables organoids to be maintained through space travel and onboard the International Space Station (ISS) without the need for medium or carbon dioxide exchange. Here, we provide a comprehensive description of all the steps involved: generating various types of neural organoids, establishing long-term cultures, arranging plans for shipment to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), and ultimately preparing organoids for launch into low-Earth orbit (LEO) and return to Earth for post-flight analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kriti Kalpana
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ilya Kruglikov
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Scott A Noggle
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeanne F Loring
- National Stem Cell Foundation, Louisville, KY, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Valentina Fossati
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA.
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11
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Chen J, Lu J, Wang SN, Miao CY. Application and challenge of pancreatic organoids in therapeutic research. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1366417. [PMID: 38855754 PMCID: PMC11157021 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1366417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The in-vivo non-human primate animal and in-vitro cell disease models play a crucial part in the study of the mechanisms underlying the occurrence and development of pancreatic diseases, but with increasingly prominent limitations with in-depth research. Organoids derived from human pluripotent and adult stem cells resemble human in-vivo organs in their cellular composition, spatial tissue structure and physiological function, making them as an advantageous research tool. Up until now, numerous human organoids, including pancreas, have been effectively developed, demonstrating significant potential for research in organ development, disease modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine. However, different from intestine, liver and other organs, the pancreas is the only special organ in the human body, consisting of an exocrine gland and an endocrine gland. Thus, the development of pancreatic organoid technology faces greater challenges, and how to construct a composite pancreatic organoid with exocrine and endocrine gland is still difficult in current research. By reviewing the fundamental architecture and physiological role of the human pancreas, along with the swiftly developing domain of pancreatic organoids, we summarize the method and characteristics of human pancreatic organoids, and its application in modeling pancreatic diseases, as a platform for individualized drug screening and in regenerative medicine study. As the first comprehensive review that focus on the pharmacological study of human pancreatic organoid, the review hopes to help scholars to have a deeper understanding in the study of pancreatic organoid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Changhai Hospital, Second Military University /Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Second Military Medical University /Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Lu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Changhai Hospital, Second Military University /Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Na Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Second Military Medical University /Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao-Yu Miao
- Department of Pharmacology, Second Military Medical University /Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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12
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Schrade L, Mah N, Bandrowski A, Chen Y, Dewender J, Diecke S, Hiepen C, Lancaster MA, Marques-Bonet T, Martinez S, Mueller SC, Navara C, Prigione A, Seltmann S, Sochacki J, Sutcliffe MA, Zywitza V, Hildebrandt TB, Kurtz A. A Standardized Nomenclature Design for Systematic Referencing and Identification of Animal Cellular Material. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1541. [PMID: 38891588 PMCID: PMC11171381 DOI: 10.3390/ani14111541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The documentation, preservation and rescue of biological diversity increasingly uses living biological samples. Persistent associations between species, biosamples, such as tissues and cell lines, and the accompanying data are indispensable for using, exchanging and benefiting from these valuable materials. Explicit authentication of such biosamples by assigning unique and robust identifiers is therefore required to allow for unambiguous referencing, avoid identification conflicts and maintain reproducibility in research. A predefined nomenclature based on uniform rules would facilitate this process. However, such a nomenclature is currently lacking for animal biological material. We here present a first, standardized, human-readable nomenclature design, which is sufficient to generate unique and stable identifying names for animal cellular material with a focus on wildlife species. A species-specific human- and machine-readable syntax is included in the proposed standard naming scheme, allowing for the traceability of donated material and cultured cells, as well as data FAIRification. Only when it is consistently applied in the public domain, as publications and inter-institutional samples and data are exchanged, distributed and stored centrally, can the risks of misidentification and loss of traceability be mitigated. This innovative globally applicable identification system provides a standard for a sustainable structure for the long-term storage of animal bio-samples in cryobanks and hence facilitates current as well as future species conservation and biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Schrade
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT), 66280 Sulzbach, Germany
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nancy Mah
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT), 66280 Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Anita Bandrowski
- Department of Neuroscience, FAIR Data Informatics Lab, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
- SciCrunch Inc., San Diego, CA 92192, USA
| | - Ying Chen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT), 66280 Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Johannes Dewender
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT), 66280 Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Sebastian Diecke
- Technology Platform Pluripotent Stem Cells, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Hiepen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT), 66280 Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Madeline A. Lancaster
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Tomas Marques-Bonet
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Pompeu Fabra University—Spanish National Research Council, ICREA, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro Nacional de Analisis Genomico (CNAG), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institute of Palaeontology Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sira Martinez
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Pompeu Fabra University—Spanish National Research Council, ICREA, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Barcelona, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sabine C. Mueller
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT), 66280 Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Christopher Navara
- San Antonio Cellular Therapeutics Institute, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Alessandro Prigione
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Duesseldorf University Hospital, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefanie Seltmann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT), 66280 Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Jaroslaw Sochacki
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Barcelona, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Vera Zywitza
- Technology Platform Pluripotent Stem Cells, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas B. Hildebrandt
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), 10315 Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Kurtz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT), 66280 Sulzbach, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), 13353 Berlin, Germany
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13
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Jordan FD, Kutter M, Comby JM, Brozzi F, Kurtys E. Open and remotely accessible Neuroplatform for research in wetware computing. Front Artif Intell 2024; 7:1376042. [PMID: 38756757 PMCID: PMC11097343 DOI: 10.3389/frai.2024.1376042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Wetware computing and organoid intelligence is an emerging research field at the intersection of electrophysiology and artificial intelligence. The core concept involves using living neurons to perform computations, similar to how Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) are used today. However, unlike ANNs, where updating digital tensors (weights) can instantly modify network responses, entirely new methods must be developed for neural networks using biological neurons. Discovering these methods is challenging and requires a system capable of conducting numerous experiments, ideally accessible to researchers worldwide. For this reason, we developed a hardware and software system that allows for electrophysiological experiments on an unmatched scale. The Neuroplatform enables researchers to run experiments on neural organoids with a lifetime of even more than 100 days. To do so, we streamlined the experimental process to quickly produce new organoids, monitor action potentials 24/7, and provide electrical stimulations. We also designed a microfluidic system that allows for fully automated medium flow and change, thus reducing the disruptions by physical interventions in the incubator and ensuring stable environmental conditions. Over the past three years, the Neuroplatform was utilized with over 1,000 brain organoids, enabling the collection of more than 18 terabytes of data. A dedicated Application Programming Interface (API) has been developed to conduct remote research directly via our Python library or using interactive compute such as Jupyter Notebooks. In addition to electrophysiological operations, our API also controls pumps, digital cameras and UV lights for molecule uncaging. This allows for the execution of complex 24/7 experiments, including closed-loop strategies and processing using the latest deep learning or reinforcement learning libraries. Furthermore, the infrastructure supports entirely remote use. Currently in 2024, the system is freely available for research purposes, and numerous research groups have begun using it for their experiments. This article outlines the system's architecture and provides specific examples of experiments and results.
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14
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Kong D, Kwon D, Moon B, Kim DH, Kim MJ, Choi J, Kang KS. CD19 CAR-expressing iPSC-derived NK cells effectively enhance migration and cytotoxicity into glioblastoma by targeting to the pericytes in tumor microenvironment. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116436. [PMID: 38508081 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116436] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
In cancer immunotherapy, chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting specific antigens have become a powerful tool for cell-based therapy. CAR-natural killer (NK) cells offer selective anticancer lysis with reduced off-tumor toxicity compared to CAR-T cells, which is beneficial in the heterogeneous milieu of solid tumors. In the tumor microenvironment (TME) of glioblastoma (GBM), pericytes not only support tumor growth but also contribute to immune evasion, underscoring their potential as therapeutic targets in GBM treatment. Given this context, our study aimed to target the GBM TME, with a special focus on pericytes expressing CD19, to evaluate the potential effectiveness of CD19 CAR-iNK cells against GBM. We performed CD19 CAR transduction in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived NK (iNK) cells. To determine whether CD19 CAR targets the TME pericytes in GBM, we developed GBM-blood vessel assembloids (GBVA) by fusing GBM spheroids with blood vessel organoids. When co-cultured with GBVA, CD19 CAR-iNK cells migrated towards the pericytes surrounding the GBM. Using a microfluidic chip, we demonstrated CD19 CAR-iNK cells' targeted action and cytotoxic effects in a perfusion-like environment. GBVA xenografts recapitulated the TME including human CD19-positive pericytes, thereby enabling the application of an in vivo model for validating the efficacy of CD19 CAR-iNK cells against GBM. Compared to GBM spheroids, the presence of pericytes significantly enhanced CD19 CAR-iNK cell migration towards GBM and reduced proliferation. These results underline the efficacy of CD19 CAR-iNK cells in targeting pericytes within the GBM TME, suggesting their potential therapeutic value for GBM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasom Kong
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Daekee Kwon
- Research Institute in Maru Therapeutics, Seoul 05854, Republic of Korea
| | - Bokyung Moon
- Research Institute in Maru Therapeutics, Seoul 05854, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Hyun Kim
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Department of Biotechnology, Sungshin Women's University, Seoul 01133, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ji Kim
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungju Choi
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Sun Kang
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Liang KX. The application of brain organoid for drug discovery in mitochondrial diseases. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 170:106556. [PMID: 38423381 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106556] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases are difficult to treat due to the complexity and multifaceted nature of mitochondrial dysfunction. Brain organoids are three-dimensional (3D) structures derived from human pluripotent stem cells designed to mimic brain-like development and function. Brain organoids have received a lot of attention in recent years as powerful tools for modeling human diseases, brain development, and drug screening. Screening compounds for mitochondrial diseases using brain organoids could provide a more physiologically relevant platform for drug discovery. Brain organoids offer the possibility of personalized medicine because they can be derived from patient-specific cells, allowing testing of drugs tailored to specific genetic mutations. In this article, we highlight how brain organoids offer a promising avenue for screening compounds for mitochondrial diseases and address the challenges and limitations associated with their use. We hope this review will provide new insights into the further progress of brain organoids for mitochondrial screening studies.
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16
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Serafini MM, Sepehri S, Midali M, Stinckens M, Biesiekierska M, Wolniakowska A, Gatzios A, Rundén-Pran E, Reszka E, Marinovich M, Vanhaecke T, Roszak J, Viviani B, SenGupta T. Recent advances and current challenges of new approach methodologies in developmental and adult neurotoxicity testing. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1271-1295. [PMID: 38480536 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03703-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Adult neurotoxicity (ANT) and developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) assessments aim to understand the adverse effects and underlying mechanisms of toxicants on the human nervous system. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the so-called new approach methodologies (NAMs). The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), together with European and American regulatory agencies, promote the use of validated alternative test systems, but to date, guidelines for regulatory DNT and ANT assessment rely primarily on classical animal testing. Alternative methods include both non-animal approaches and test systems on non-vertebrates (e.g., nematodes) or non-mammals (e.g., fish). Therefore, this review summarizes the recent advances of NAMs focusing on ANT and DNT and highlights the potential and current critical issues for the full implementation of these methods in the future. The status of the DNT in vitro battery (DNT IVB) is also reviewed as a first step of NAMs for the assessment of neurotoxicity in the regulatory context. Critical issues such as (i) the need for test batteries and method integration (from in silico and in vitro to in vivo alternatives, e.g., zebrafish, C. elegans) requiring interdisciplinarity to manage complexity, (ii) interlaboratory transferability, and (iii) the urgent need for method validation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melania Maria Serafini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Sara Sepehri
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Miriam Midali
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marth Stinckens
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marta Biesiekierska
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Wolniakowska
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Alexandra Gatzios
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elise Rundén-Pran
- The Climate and Environmental Research Institute NILU, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Edyta Reszka
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Marina Marinovich
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Center of Research on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in chemical risk assessment (SAFE-MI), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joanna Roszak
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Barbara Viviani
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Center of Research on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in chemical risk assessment (SAFE-MI), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tanima SenGupta
- The Climate and Environmental Research Institute NILU, Kjeller, Norway
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17
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Park S, Cho SW. Bioengineering toolkits for potentiating organoid therapeutics. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 208:115238. [PMID: 38447933 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Organoids are three-dimensional, multicellular constructs that recapitulate the structural and functional features of specific organs. Because of these characteristics, organoids have been widely applied in biomedical research in recent decades. Remarkable advancements in organoid technology have positioned them as promising candidates for regenerative medicine. However, current organoids still have limitations, such as the absence of internal vasculature, limited functionality, and a small size that is not commensurate with that of actual organs. These limitations hinder their survival and regenerative effects after transplantation. Another significant concern is the reliance on mouse tumor-derived matrix in organoid culture, which is unsuitable for clinical translation due to its tumor origin and safety issues. Therefore, our aim is to describe engineering strategies and alternative biocompatible materials that can facilitate the practical applications of organoids in regenerative medicine. Furthermore, we highlight meaningful progress in organoid transplantation, with a particular emphasis on the functional restoration of various organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sewon Park
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Woo Cho
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Graduate Program of Nano Biomedical Engineering (NanoBME), Advanced Science Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Cohn EF, Clayton BLL, Madhavan M, Lee KA, Yacoub S, Fedorov Y, Scavuzzo MA, Paul Friedman K, Shafer TJ, Tesar PJ. Pervasive environmental chemicals impair oligodendrocyte development. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:836-845. [PMID: 38528201 PMCID: PMC11088982 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01599-2] [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: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to environmental chemicals can impair neurodevelopment, and oligodendrocytes may be particularly vulnerable, as their development extends from gestation into adulthood. However, few environmental chemicals have been assessed for potential risks to oligodendrocytes. Here, using a high-throughput developmental screen in cultured cells, we identified environmental chemicals in two classes that disrupt oligodendrocyte development through distinct mechanisms. Quaternary compounds, ubiquitous in disinfecting agents and personal care products, were potently and selectively cytotoxic to developing oligodendrocytes, whereas organophosphate flame retardants, commonly found in household items such as furniture and electronics, prematurely arrested oligodendrocyte maturation. Chemicals from each class impaired oligodendrocyte development postnatally in mice and in a human 3D organoid model of prenatal cortical development. Analysis of epidemiological data showed that adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes were associated with childhood exposure to the top organophosphate flame retardant identified by our screen. This work identifies toxicological vulnerabilities for oligodendrocyte development and highlights the need for deeper scrutiny of these compounds' impacts on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin F Cohn
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Benjamin L L Clayton
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Mayur Madhavan
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kristin A Lee
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sara Yacoub
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Yuriy Fedorov
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Marissa A Scavuzzo
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Katie Paul Friedman
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Timothy J Shafer
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Paul J Tesar
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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19
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Cerneckis J, Cai H, Shi Y. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): molecular mechanisms of induction and applications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:112. [PMID: 38670977 PMCID: PMC11053163 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01809-0] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has transformed in vitro research and holds great promise to advance regenerative medicine. iPSCs have the capacity for an almost unlimited expansion, are amenable to genetic engineering, and can be differentiated into most somatic cell types. iPSCs have been widely applied to model human development and diseases, perform drug screening, and develop cell therapies. In this review, we outline key developments in the iPSC field and highlight the immense versatility of the iPSC technology for in vitro modeling and therapeutic applications. We begin by discussing the pivotal discoveries that revealed the potential of a somatic cell nucleus for reprogramming and led to successful generation of iPSCs. We consider the molecular mechanisms and dynamics of somatic cell reprogramming as well as the numerous methods available to induce pluripotency. Subsequently, we discuss various iPSC-based cellular models, from mono-cultures of a single cell type to complex three-dimensional organoids, and how these models can be applied to elucidate the mechanisms of human development and diseases. We use examples of neurological disorders, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and cancer to highlight the diversity of disease-specific phenotypes that can be modeled using iPSC-derived cells. We also consider how iPSC-derived cellular models can be used in high-throughput drug screening and drug toxicity studies. Finally, we discuss the process of developing autologous and allogeneic iPSC-based cell therapies and their potential to alleviate human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Cerneckis
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Hongxia Cai
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
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20
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Walsh RM, Luongo R, Giacomelli E, Ciceri G, Rittenhouse C, Verrillo A, Galimberti M, Bocchi VD, Wu Y, Xu N, Mosole S, Muller J, Vezzoli E, Jungverdorben J, Zhou T, Barker RA, Cattaneo E, Studer L, Baggiolini A. Generation of human cerebral organoids with a structured outer subventricular zone. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114031. [PMID: 38583153 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Outer radial glia (oRG) emerge as cortical progenitor cells that support the development of an enlarged outer subventricular zone (oSVZ) and the expansion of the neocortex. The in vitro generation of oRG is essential to investigate the underlying mechanisms of human neocortical development and expansion. By activating the STAT3 signaling pathway using leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), which is not expressed in guided cortical organoids, we define a cortical organoid differentiation method from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) that recapitulates the expansion of a progenitor pool into the oSVZ. The oSVZ comprises progenitor cells expressing specific oRG markers such as GFAP, LIFR, and HOPX, closely matching human fetal oRG. Finally, incorporating neural crest-derived LIF-producing cortical pericytes into cortical organoids recapitulates the effects of LIF treatment. These data indicate that increasing the cellular complexity of the organoid microenvironment promotes the emergence of oRG and supports a platform to study oRG in hPSC-derived brain organoids routinely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Walsh
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Raffaele Luongo
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Bellinzona Institutes of Science (BIOS+), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Elisa Giacomelli
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Gabriele Ciceri
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Chelsea Rittenhouse
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, New York, NY 1300, USA
| | - Antonietta Verrillo
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Bellinzona Institutes of Science (BIOS+), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Maura Galimberti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; INGM, Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Vittoria Dickinson Bocchi
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Youjun Wu
- The SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Nan Xu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Simone Mosole
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Bellinzona Institutes of Science (BIOS+), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - James Muller
- Developmental Biology and Immunology Programs, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Elena Vezzoli
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; INGM, Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Johannes Jungverdorben
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ting Zhou
- The SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Roger A Barker
- Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Forvie Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Elena Cattaneo
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; INGM, Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenz Studer
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, New York, NY 1300, USA.
| | - Arianna Baggiolini
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Bellinzona Institutes of Science (BIOS+), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland.
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21
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Mei J, Liu X, Tian H, Chen Y, Cao Y, Zeng J, Liu Y, Chen Y, Gao Y, Yin J, Wang P. Tumour organoids and assembloids: Patient-derived cancer avatars for immunotherapy. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1656. [PMID: 38664597 PMCID: PMC11045561 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1656] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Organoid technology is an emerging and rapidly growing field that shows promise in studying organ development and screening therapeutic regimens. Although organoids have been proposed for a decade, concerns exist, including batch-to-batch variations, lack of the native microenvironment and clinical applicability. MAIN BODY The concept of organoids has derived patient-derived tumour organoids (PDTOs) for personalized drug screening and new drug discovery, mitigating the risks of medication misuse. The greater the similarity between the PDTOs and the primary tumours, the more influential the model will be. Recently, 'tumour assembloids' inspired by cell-coculture technology have attracted attention to complement the current PDTO technology. High-quality PDTOs must reassemble critical components, including multiple cell types, tumour matrix, paracrine factors, angiogenesis and microorganisms. This review begins with a brief overview of the history of organoids and PDTOs, followed by the current approaches for generating PDTOs and tumour assembloids. Personalized drug screening has been practised; however, it remains unclear whether PDTOs can predict immunotherapies, including immune drugs (e.g. immune checkpoint inhibitors) and immune cells (e.g. tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte, T cell receptor-engineered T cell and chimeric antigen receptor-T cell). PDTOs, as cancer avatars of the patients, can be expanded and stored to form a biobank. CONCLUSION Fundamental research and clinical trials are ongoing, and the intention is to use these models to replace animals. Pre-clinical immunotherapy screening using PDTOs will be beneficial to cancer patients. KEY POINTS The current PDTO models have not yet constructed key cellular and non-cellular components. PDTOs should be expandable and editable. PDTOs are promising preclinical models for immunotherapy unless mature PDTOs can be established. PDTO biobanks with consensual standards are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Mei
- Oujiang Laboratory; Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of AgingWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Hunan Key Laboratory of PharmacogeneticsCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Applied Technology of PharmacogenomicsMinistry of EducationChangshaPeople's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xingjian Liu
- Oujiang Laboratory; Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of AgingWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Hui‐Xiang Tian
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Hunan Key Laboratory of PharmacogeneticsCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yixuan Chen
- Oujiang Laboratory; Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of AgingWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yang Cao
- Oujiang Laboratory; Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of AgingWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jun Zeng
- Oujiang Laboratory; Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of AgingWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yung‐Chiang Liu
- Oujiang Laboratory; Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of AgingWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yaping Chen
- Oujiang Laboratory; Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of AgingWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yang Gao
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center for Pulmonary Nodules Precise Diagnosis and Treatment, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
- Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
| | - Ji‐Ye Yin
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Hunan Key Laboratory of PharmacogeneticsCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Applied Technology of PharmacogenomicsMinistry of EducationChangshaPeople's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaPeople's Republic of China
| | - Peng‐Yuan Wang
- Oujiang Laboratory; Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of AgingWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouPeople's Republic of China
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22
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Zeltner N, Wu HF, Saito-Diaz K, Sun X, Song M, Saini T, Grant C, James C, Thomas K, Abate Y, Howerth E, Kner P, Xu B. A modular platform to generate functional sympathetic neuron-innervated heart assembloids. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3894397. [PMID: 38562819 PMCID: PMC10984094 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3894397/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The technology of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-based 3D organoid/assembloid cultures has become a powerful tool for the study of human embryonic development, disease modeling and drug discovery in recent years. The autonomic sympathetic nervous system innervates and regulates almost all organs in the body, including the heart. Yet, most reported organoids to date are not innervated, thus lacking proper neural regulation, and hindering reciprocal tissue maturation. Here, we developed a simple and versatile sympathetic neuron (symN)-innervated cardiac assembloid without the need for bioengineering. Our human sympathetic cardiac assembloids (hSCAs) showed mature muscle structures, atrial to ventricular patterning, and spontaneous beating. hSCA-innervating symNs displayed neurotransmitter synthesis and functional regulation of the cardiac beating rate, which could be manipulated pharmacologically or optogenetically. We modeled symN-mediated cardiac development and myocardial infarction. This hSCAs provides a tool for future neurocardiotoxicity screening approaches and is highly versatile and modular, where the types of neuron (symN or parasympathetic or sensory neuron) and organoid (heart, lung, kidney) to be innervated may be interchanged.
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23
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Capendale PE, García-Rodríguez I, Ambikan AT, Mulder LA, Depla JA, Freeze E, Koen G, Calitz C, Sood V, Vieira de Sá R, Neogi U, Pajkrt D, Sridhar A, Wolthers KC. Parechovirus infection in human brain organoids: host innate inflammatory response and not neuro-infectivity correlates to neurologic disease. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2532. [PMID: 38514653 PMCID: PMC10958052 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46634-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Picornaviruses are a leading cause of central nervous system (CNS) infections. While genotypes such as parechovirus A3 (PeV-A3) and echovirus 11 (E11) can elicit severe neurological disease, the highly prevalent PeV-A1 is not associated with CNS disease. Here, we expand our current understanding of these differences in PeV-A CNS disease using human brain organoids and clinical isolates of the two PeV-A genotypes. Our data indicate that PeV-A1 and A3 specific differences in neurological disease are not due to infectivity of CNS cells as both viruses productively infect brain organoids with a similar cell tropism. Proteomic analysis shows that PeV-A infection significantly alters the host cell metabolism. The inflammatory response following PeV-A3 (and E11 infection) is significantly more potent than that upon PeV-A1 infection. Collectively, our findings align with clinical observations and suggest a role for neuroinflammation, rather than viral replication, in PeV-A3 (and E11) infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela E Capendale
- OrganoVIR Labs, Emma Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam Institute for Reproduction and Development, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Inés García-Rodríguez
- OrganoVIR Labs, Emma Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam Institute for Reproduction and Development, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anoop T Ambikan
- The Systems Virology Lab, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, ANA Futura, Campus Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lance A Mulder
- OrganoVIR Labs, Emma Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam Institute for Reproduction and Development, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Josse A Depla
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- UniQure Biopharma B.V., Department of Research & Development, Paasheuvelweg 25A, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eline Freeze
- OrganoVIR Labs, Emma Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam Institute for Reproduction and Development, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit Koen
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carlemi Calitz
- OrganoVIR Labs, Emma Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam Institute for Reproduction and Development, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vikas Sood
- The Systems Virology Lab, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, ANA Futura, Campus Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Renata Vieira de Sá
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- The Systems Virology Lab, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, ANA Futura, Campus Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ujjwal Neogi
- The Systems Virology Lab, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, ANA Futura, Campus Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dasja Pajkrt
- OrganoVIR Labs, Emma Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam Institute for Reproduction and Development, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adithya Sridhar
- OrganoVIR Labs, Emma Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam Institute for Reproduction and Development, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Katja C Wolthers
- OrganoVIR Labs, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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24
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Zhao HH, Haddad G. Brain organoid protocols and limitations. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1351734. [PMID: 38572070 PMCID: PMC10987830 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1351734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-derived organoid technology is a powerful tool that revolutionizes the field of biomedical research and extends the scope of our understanding of human biology and diseases. Brain organoids especially open an opportunity for human brain research and modeling many human neurological diseases, which have lagged due to the inaccessibility of human brain samples and lack of similarity with other animal models. Brain organoids can be generated through various protocols and mimic whole brain or region-specific. To provide an overview of brain organoid technology, we summarize currently available protocols and list several factors to consider before choosing protocols. We also outline the limitations of current protocols and challenges that need to be solved in future investigation of brain development and pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen H. Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Gabriel Haddad
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- The Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, United States
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25
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Chen GT, Nair G, Osorio AJ, Holley SM, Ghassemzadeh K, Gonzalez J, Lu C, Sanjana NE, Cepeda C, Geschwind DH. Enhancer-targeted CRISPR-Activation Rescues Haploinsufficient Autism Susceptibility Genes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.13.584921. [PMID: 38559217 PMCID: PMC10980046 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.13.584921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly heritable condition with diverse clinical presentations. Approximately 20% of ASD's genetic susceptibility is imparted by de novo mutations of major effect, most of which cause haploinsufficiency. We mapped enhancers of two high confidence autism genes - CHD8 and SCN2A and used CRISPR-based gene activation (CRISPR-A) in hPSC-derived excitatory neurons and cerebral forebrain organoids to correct the effects of haploinsufficiency, taking advantage of the presence of a wildtype allele of each gene and endogenous gene regulation. We found that CRISPR-A induced a sustained increase in CHD8 and SCN2A expression in treated neurons and organoids, with rescue of gene expression levels and mutation-associated phenotypes, including gene expression and physiology. These data support gene activation via targeting enhancers of haploinsufficient genes, as a therapeutic intervention in ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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26
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Lacin ME, Yildirim M. Applications of multiphoton microscopy in imaging cerebral and retinal organoids. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1360482. [PMID: 38505776 PMCID: PMC10948410 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1360482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cerebral organoids, self-organizing structures with increased cellular diversity and longevity, have addressed shortcomings in mimicking human brain complexity and architecture. However, imaging intact organoids poses challenges due to size, cellular density, and light-scattering properties. Traditional one-photon microscopy faces limitations in resolution and contrast, especially for deep regions. Here, we first discuss the fundamentals of multiphoton microscopy (MPM) as a promising alternative, leveraging non-linear fluorophore excitation and longer wavelengths for improved imaging of live cerebral organoids. Then, we review recent applications of MPM in studying morphogenesis and differentiation, emphasizing its potential for overcoming limitations associated with other imaging techniques. Furthermore, our paper underscores the crucial role of cerebral organoids in providing insights into human-specific neurodevelopmental processes and neurological disorders, addressing the scarcity of human brain tissue for translational neuroscience. Ultimately, we envision using multimodal multiphoton microscopy for longitudinal imaging of intact cerebral organoids, propelling advancements in our understanding of neurodevelopment and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Murat Yildirim
- Department of Neurosciences, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, United States
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27
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Spirig SE, Renner M. Toward Retinal Organoids in High-Throughput. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041275. [PMID: 37217280 PMCID: PMC10910359 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Human retinal organoids recapitulate the cellular diversity, arrangement, gene expression, and functional aspects of the human retina. Protocols to generate human retinal organoids from pluripotent stem cells are typically labor intensive, include many manual handling steps, and the organoids need to be maintained for several months until they mature. To generate large numbers of human retinal organoids for therapy development and screening purposes, scaling up retinal organoid production, maintenance, and analysis is of utmost importance. In this review, we discuss strategies to increase the number of high-quality retinal organoids while reducing manual handling steps. We further review different approaches to analyze thousands of retinal organoids with currently available technologies and point to challenges that still await to be overcome both in culture and analysis of retinal organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Erich Spirig
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Magdalena Renner
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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28
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Goldberg G, Coelho L, Mo G, Adang LA, Patne M, Chen Z, Garcia-Bassets I, Mesci P, Muotri AR. TREX1 is required for microglial cholesterol homeostasis and oligodendrocyte terminal differentiation in human neural assembloids. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:566-579. [PMID: 38129659 PMCID: PMC11153041 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02348-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Three Prime Repair Exonuclease 1 (TREX1) gene mutations have been associated with Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome (AGS) - a rare, severe pediatric autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the brain and has a poorly understood etiology. Microglia are brain-resident macrophages indispensable for brain development and implicated in multiple neuroinflammatory diseases. However, the role of TREX1 - a DNase that cleaves cytosolic nucleic acids, preventing viral- and autoimmune-related inflammatory responses - in microglia biology remains to be elucidated. Here, we leverage a model of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived engineered microglia-like cells, bulk, and single-cell transcriptomics, optical and transmission electron microscopy, and three-month-old assembloids composed of microglia and oligodendrocyte-containing organoids to interrogate TREX1 functions in human microglia. Our analyses suggest that TREX1 influences cholesterol metabolism, leading to an active microglial morphology with increased phagocytosis in the absence of TREX1. Notably, regulating cholesterol metabolism with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, FDA-approved atorvastatin, rescues these microglial phenotypes. Functionally, TREX1 in microglia is necessary for the transition from gliogenic intermediate progenitors known as pre-oligodendrocyte precursor cells (pre-OPCs) to precursors of the oligodendrocyte lineage known as OPCs, impairing oligodendrogenesis in favor of astrogliogenesis in human assembloids. Together, these results suggest routes for therapeutic intervention in pathologies such as AGS based on microglia-specific molecular and cellular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Goldberg
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Luisa Coelho
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Guoya Mo
- Universal Sequencing Technology Corporation, Carlsbad, CA, 92011, USA
| | - Laura A Adang
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Meenakshi Patne
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Zhoutao Chen
- Universal Sequencing Technology Corporation, Carlsbad, CA, 92011, USA
| | | | - Pinar Mesci
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Axiom Space, Houston, TX, 77058, USA.
| | - Alysson R Muotri
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA) and Archealization (ArchC), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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29
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Zhang T, Qian C, Song M, Tang Y, Zhou Y, Dong G, Shen Q, Chen W, Wang A, Shen S, Zhao Y, Lu Y. Application Prospect of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Organoids and Cell Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2680. [PMID: 38473926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Since its inception, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has been hailed as a powerful tool for comprehending disease etiology and advancing drug screening across various domains. While earlier iPSC-based disease modeling and drug assessment primarily operated at the cellular level, recent years have witnessed a significant shift towards organoid-based investigations. Organoids derived from iPSCs offer distinct advantages, particularly in enabling the observation of disease progression and drug metabolism in an in vivo-like environment, surpassing the capabilities of iPSC-derived cells. Furthermore, iPSC-based cell therapy has emerged as a focal point of clinical interest. In this review, we provide an extensive overview of non-integrative reprogramming methods that have evolved since the inception of iPSC technology. We also deliver a comprehensive examination of iPSC-derived organoids, spanning the realms of the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and oncology, as well as systematically elucidate recent advancements in iPSC-related cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Zhang
- Jiangsu Joint International Research Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Cheng Qian
- Jiangsu Joint International Research Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Mengyao Song
- Jiangsu Joint International Research Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yu Tang
- Jiangsu Joint International Research Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yueke Zhou
- Jiangsu Joint International Research Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Guanglu Dong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Qiuhong Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wenxing Chen
- Jiangsu Joint International Research Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Aiyun Wang
- Jiangsu Joint International Research Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Sanbing Shen
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, University of Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
| | - Yang Zhao
- Jiangsu Joint International Research Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yin Lu
- Jiangsu Joint International Research Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
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30
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Caznok Silveira AC, Antunes ASLM, Athié MCP, da Silva BF, Ribeiro dos Santos JV, Canateli C, Fontoura MA, Pinto A, Pimentel-Silva LR, Avansini SH, de Carvalho M. Between neurons and networks: investigating mesoscale brain connectivity in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1340345. [PMID: 38445254 PMCID: PMC10912403 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1340345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The study of brain connectivity has been a cornerstone in understanding the complexities of neurological and psychiatric disorders. It has provided invaluable insights into the functional architecture of the brain and how it is perturbed in disorders. However, a persistent challenge has been achieving the proper spatial resolution, and developing computational algorithms to address biological questions at the multi-cellular level, a scale often referred to as the mesoscale. Historically, neuroimaging studies of brain connectivity have predominantly focused on the macroscale, providing insights into inter-regional brain connections but often falling short of resolving the intricacies of neural circuitry at the cellular or mesoscale level. This limitation has hindered our ability to fully comprehend the underlying mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disorders and to develop targeted interventions. In light of this issue, our review manuscript seeks to bridge this critical gap by delving into the domain of mesoscale neuroimaging. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of conditions affected by aberrant neural connections, image acquisition techniques, feature extraction, and data analysis methods that are specifically tailored to the mesoscale. We further delineate the potential of brain connectivity research to elucidate complex biological questions, with a particular focus on schizophrenia and epilepsy. This review encompasses topics such as dendritic spine quantification, single neuron morphology, and brain region connectivity. We aim to showcase the applicability and significance of mesoscale neuroimaging techniques in the field of neuroscience, highlighting their potential for gaining insights into the complexities of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Clara Caznok Silveira
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Carolina Pedro Athié
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Filomena da Silva
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Camila Canateli
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Marina Alves Fontoura
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Allan Pinto
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Simoni Helena Avansini
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Murilo de Carvalho
- National Laboratory of Biosciences, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
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31
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Rizzuti M, Melzi V, Brambilla L, Quetti L, Sali L, Ottoboni L, Meneri M, Ratti A, Verde F, Ticozzi N, Comi GP, Corti S, Abati E. Shaping the Neurovascular Unit Exploiting Human Brain Organoids. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-03998-9. [PMID: 38334812 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-03998-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Brain organoids, three-dimensional cell structures derived from pluripotent stem cells, closely mimic key aspects of the human brain in vitro, providing a powerful tool for studying neurodevelopment and disease. The neuroectodermal induction protocol employed for brain organoid generation primarily gives rise to the neural cellular component but lacks the vital vascular system, which is crucial for the brain functions by regulating differentiation, migration, and circuit formation, as well as delivering oxygen and nutrients. Many neurological diseases are caused by dysfunctions of cerebral microcirculation, making vascularization of human brain organoids an important tool for pathogenetic and translational research. Experimentally, the creation of vascularized brain organoids has primarily focused on the fusion of vascular and brain organoids, on organoid transplantation in vivo, and on the use of microfluidic devices to replicate the intricate microenvironment of the human brain in vitro. This review summarizes these efforts and highlights the importance of studying the neurovascular unit in a forward-looking perspective of leveraging their use for understanding and treating neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Rizzuti
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Melzi
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Brambilla
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Quetti
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Sali
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Linda Ottoboni
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Megi Meneri
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonia Ratti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Verde
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Abati
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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32
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Nieto-Estevez V, Varma P, Mirsadeghi S, Caballero J, Gamero-Alameda S, Hosseini A, Goswami S, Silvosa MJ, Thodeson DM, Lybrand ZR, Giugliano M, Navara C, Hsieh J. Dual effects of ARX poly-alanine mutations in human cortical and interneuron development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.25.577271. [PMID: 38328230 PMCID: PMC10849640 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.25.577271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Mutations in ARX , an X-linked gene, are implicated in a wide spectrum of neurological disorders including patients who have intellectual disability and epilepsy. Mouse models have shown that Arx is critical for cortical development and interneuron migration, however they do not recapitulate the full phenotype observed in patients. Moreover, the epilepsy in many patients with poly-alanine tract expansion (PAE) mutations in ARX show pharmacoresistance, emphasizing the need to develop new treatments. Here, we used human neural organoid models to study the consequences of PAE mutations, one of the most prevalent mutations in ARX . We found that PAE mutations result in an early increase in radial glia cells and intermediate progenitor cells, and premature differentiation leading to a loss of cortical neurons at later timepoints. Moreover, ARX expression is upregulated in CO derived from patient at 30 DIV which alters the expression of CDKN1C , SFRP1 , DLK1 and FABP7 , among others. We also found a cell autonomously enhanced interneuron migration, which can be rescued by CXCR4 inhibition. Furthermore, ARX PAE assembloids had hyper-activity and synchrony evident from the early stages. These data provide novel insights to the pathogenesis of these and likely related human neurological disorders and identifies a critical window for therapeutic interventions.
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Rodrigues DB, Reis RL, Pirraco RP. Modelling the complex nature of the tumor microenvironment: 3D tumor spheroids as an evolving tool. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:13. [PMID: 38254117 PMCID: PMC10804490 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-00997-9] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a serious burden in society and while the pace in the development of novel and more effective therapeutics is increasing, testing platforms that faithfully mimic the tumor microenvironment are lacking. With a clear shift from animal models to more complex in vitro 3D systems, spheroids emerge as strong options in this regard. Years of development have allowed spheroid-based models to better reproduce the biomechanical cues that are observed in the tumor-associated extracellular matrix (ECM) and cellular interactions that occur in both a cell-cell and cell-ECM manner. Here, we summarize some of the key cellular interactions that drive tumor development, progression and invasion, and how successfully are these interactions recapitulated in 3D spheroid models currently in use in the field. We finish by speculating on future advancements in the field and on how these can shape the relevance of spherical 3D models for tumor modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Rodrigues
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs, Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence On Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs, Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence On Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rogério P Pirraco
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs, Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence On Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal.
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34
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Hartung T, Morales Pantoja IE, Smirnova L. Brain organoids and organoid intelligence from ethical, legal, and social points of view. Front Artif Intell 2024; 6:1307613. [PMID: 38249793 PMCID: PMC10796793 DOI: 10.3389/frai.2023.1307613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Human brain organoids, aka cerebral organoids or earlier "mini-brains", are 3D cellular models that recapitulate aspects of the developing human brain. They show tremendous promise for advancing our understanding of neurodevelopment and neurological disorders. However, the unprecedented ability to model human brain development and function in vitro also raises complex ethical, legal, and social challenges. Organoid Intelligence (OI) describes the ongoing movement to combine such organoids with Artificial Intelligence to establish basic forms of memory and learning. This article discusses key issues regarding the scientific status and prospects of brain organoids and OI, conceptualizations of consciousness and the mind-brain relationship, ethical and legal dimensions, including moral status, human-animal chimeras, informed consent, and governance matters, such as oversight and regulation. A balanced framework is needed to allow vital research while addressing public perceptions and ethical concerns. Interdisciplinary perspectives and proactive engagement among scientists, ethicists, policymakers, and the public can enable responsible translational pathways for organoid technology. A thoughtful, proactive governance framework might be needed to ensure ethically responsible progress in this promising field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- CAAT-Europe, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Itzy E. Morales Pantoja
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lena Smirnova
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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35
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Chau CW, Sugimura R. Organoids in COVID-19: can we break the glass ceiling? J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:85-99. [PMID: 37616269 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 emerged in September 2020 as a disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. The disease presented as pneumonia at first but later was shown to cause multisystem infections and long-term complications. Many efforts have been put into discovering the exact pathogenesis of the disease. In this review, we aim to discuss an emerging tool in disease modeling, organoids, in the investigation of COVID-19. This review will introduce some methods and breakthroughs achieved by organoids and the limitations of this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiu Wang Chau
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Rd, Pokfulam 99077, Hong Kong
| | - Ryohichi Sugimura
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Rd, Pokfulam 99077, Hong Kong
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, 17 Science Park W Ave, Science Park 999077, Hong Kong
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36
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Pașca SP. Constructing human neural circuits in living systems by transplantation. Cell 2024; 187:8-13. [PMID: 38181744 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Our understanding of how the brain assembles its circuits and how this goes awry in disease remains incomplete. There has been great progress in generating human neurons from stem cells in vitro and, more recently, in constructing circuits with human cells in vivo by transplantation. Here, I highlight approaches, promises, and challenges of growing human neurons in living animals to study human development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergiu P Pașca
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Bio-X, Stanford, CA, USA.
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37
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Saglam-Metiner P, Yildirim E, Dincer C, Basak O, Yesil-Celiktas O. Humanized brain organoids-on-chip integrated with sensors for screening neuronal activity and neurotoxicity. Mikrochim Acta 2024; 191:71. [PMID: 38168828 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-023-06165-4] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The complex structure and function of the human central nervous system that develops from the neural tube made in vitro modeling quite challenging until the discovery of brain organoids. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells-derived brain organoids offer recapitulation of the features of early human neurodevelopment in vitro, including the generation, proliferation, and differentiation into mature neurons and micro-macroglial cells, as well as the complex interactions among these diverse cell types of the developing brain. Recent advancements in brain organoids, microfluidic systems, real-time sensing technologies, and their cutting-edge integrated use provide excellent models and tools for emulation of fundamental neurodevelopmental processes, the pathology of neurological disorders, personalized transplantation therapy, and high-throughput neurotoxicity testing by bridging the gap between two-dimensional models and the complex three-dimensional environment in vivo. In this review, we summarize how bioengineering approaches are applied to mitigate the limitations of brain organoids for biomedical and clinical research. We further provide an extensive overview and future perspectives of the humanized brain organoids-on-chip platforms with integrated sensors toward brain organoid intelligence and biocomputing studies. Such approaches might pave the way for increasing approvable clinical applications by solving their current limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pelin Saglam-Metiner
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Division of Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ender Yildirim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
- ODTÜ MEMS Center, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Can Dincer
- Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- FIT Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Onur Basak
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Division of Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ozlem Yesil-Celiktas
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
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38
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Yari D, Saberi A, Salmasi Z, Ghoreishi SA, Etemad L, Movaffagh J, Ganjeifar B. Recent Advances in the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury. THE ARCHIVES OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY 2024; 12:380-399. [PMID: 38919744 PMCID: PMC11195032 DOI: 10.22038/abjs.2023.73944.3424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex, multifaceted, progressive, and yet incurable complication that can cause irreversible damage to the individual, family, and society. In recent years strategies for the management and rehabilitation of SCI besides axonal regeneration, remyelination, and neuronal plasticity of the injured spinal cord have significantly improved. Although most of the current research and therapeutic advances have been made in animal models, so far, no specific and complete treatment has been reported for SCI in humans. The failure to treat this complication has been due to the inherent neurological complexity and the structural, cellular, molecular, and biochemical characteristics of spinal cord injury. In this review, in addition to elucidating the causes of spinal cord injury from a molecular and pathophysiological perspective, the complexity and drawbacks of neural regeneration that lead to the failure in SCI treatment are described. Also, recent advances and cutting-edge strategies in most areas of SCI treatment are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davood Yari
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
- Orthopedic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Arezoo Saberi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Zahra Salmasi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Alireza Ghoreishi
- Orthopedic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Leila Etemad
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Jebrail Movaffagh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Babak Ganjeifar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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39
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Lavazza A, Chinaia AA. Human brain organoids and their ethical issues : Navigating the moral and social challenges between hype and underestimation. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:13-16. [PMID: 38177904 PMCID: PMC10897434 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-023-00007-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements in the field are forcing scientists and neuroethicists to balance opposite concerns. Some see no risks at all while some waive red flags.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Lavazza
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta 11, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Alice Andrea Chinaia
- MInD-MoMiLab, IMT School for Advanced Studies, Piazza San Francesco 19, 55100, Lucca, Italy
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40
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Tidball AM, Niu W, Ma Q, Takla TN, Walker JC, Margolis JL, Mojica-Perez SP, Sudyk R, Deng L, Moore SJ, Chopra R, Shakkottai VG, Murphy GG, Yuan Y, Isom LL, Li JZ, Parent JM. Deriving early single-rosette brain organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:2498-2514. [PMID: 37995702 PMCID: PMC10724074 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.10.020] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain organoid methods are complicated by multiple rosette structures and morphological variability. We have developed a human brain organoid technique that generates self-organizing, single-rosette cortical organoids (SOSR-COs) with reproducible size and structure at early timepoints. Rather than patterning a 3-dimensional embryoid body, we initiate brain organoid formation from a 2-dimensional monolayer of human pluripotent stem cells patterned with small molecules into neuroepithelium and differentiated to cells of the developing dorsal cerebral cortex. This approach recapitulates the 2D to 3D developmental transition from neural plate to neural tube. Most monolayer fragments form spheres with a single central lumen. Over time, the SOSR-COs develop appropriate progenitor and cortical laminar cell types as shown by immunocytochemistry and single-cell RNA sequencing. At early time points, this method demonstrates robust structural phenotypes after chemical teratogen exposure or when modeling a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder, and should prove useful for studies of human brain development and disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Tidball
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Wei Niu
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Qianyi Ma
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Taylor N Takla
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - J Clayton Walker
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Joshua L Margolis
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Roksolana Sudyk
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lu Deng
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shannon J Moore
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ravi Chopra
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Vikram G Shakkottai
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Geoffrey G Murphy
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yukun Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lori L Isom
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jun Z Li
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jack M Parent
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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41
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Baker MR, Lee AS, Rajadhyaksha AM. L-type calcium channels and neuropsychiatric diseases: Insights into genetic risk variant-associated genomic regulation and impact on brain development. Channels (Austin) 2023; 17:2176984. [PMID: 36803254 PMCID: PMC9980663 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2023.2176984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent human genetic studies have linked a variety of genetic variants in the CACNA1C and CACNA1D genes to neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. This is not surprising given the work from multiple laboratories using cell and animal models that have established that Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 L-type calcium channels (LTCCs), encoded by CACNA1C and CACNA1D, respectively, play a key role in various neuronal processes that are essential for normal brain development, connectivity, and experience-dependent plasticity. Of the multiple genetic aberrations reported, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CACNA1C and CACNA1D that are present within introns, in accordance with the growing body of literature establishing that large numbers of SNPs associated with complex diseases, including neuropsychiatric disorders, are present within non-coding regions. How these intronic SNPs affect gene expression has remained a question. Here, we review recent studies that are beginning to shed light on how neuropsychiatric-linked non-coding genetic variants can impact gene expression via regulation at the genomic and chromatin levels. We additionally review recent studies that are uncovering how altered calcium signaling through LTCCs impact some of the neuronal developmental processes, such as neurogenesis, neuron migration, and neuron differentiation. Together, the described changes in genomic regulation and disruptions in neurodevelopment provide possible mechanisms by which genetic variants of LTCC genes contribute to neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelyn R. Baker
- Neuroscience Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Andrew S. Lee
- Neuroscience Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, USA
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, USA
| | - Anjali M. Rajadhyaksha
- Neuroscience Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, USA
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
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42
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Terzic A. Modern regenerative medicine dictionary: an augmented guide to biotherapy. Regen Med 2023; 18:885-889. [PMID: 37961818 PMCID: PMC10782411 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2023-0200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andre Terzic
- Marriott Heart Disease Research Program, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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43
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Lavekar SS, Patel MD, Montalvo-Parra MD, Krencik R. Asteroid impact: the potential of astrocytes to modulate human neural networks within organoids. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1305921. [PMID: 38075269 PMCID: PMC10702564 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1305921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are a vital cellular component of the central nervous system that impact neuronal function in both healthy and pathological states. This includes intercellular signals to neurons and non-neuronal cells during development, maturation, and aging that can modulate neural network formation, plasticity, and maintenance. Recently, human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural aggregate cultures, known as neurospheres or organoids, have emerged as improved experimental platforms for basic and pre-clinical neuroscience compared to traditional approaches. Here, we summarize the potential capability of using organoids to further understand the mechanistic role of astrocytes upon neural networks, including the production of extracellular matrix components and reactive signaling cues. Additionally, we discuss the application of organoid models to investigate the astrocyte-dependent aspects of neuropathological diseases and to test astrocyte-inspired technologies. We examine the shortcomings of organoid-based experimental platforms and plausible improvements made possible by cutting-edge neuroengineering technologies. These advancements are expected to enable the development of improved diagnostic strategies and high-throughput translational applications regarding neuroregeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - R. Krencik
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
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44
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Pichl A, Ranisch R, Altinok OA, Antonakaki M, Barnhart AJ, Bassil K, Boyd JL, Chinaia AA, Diner S, Gaillard M, Greely HT, Jowitt J, Kreitmair K, Lawrence D, Lee TN, McKeown A, Sachdev V, Schicktanz S, Sugarman J, Trettenbach K, Wiese L, Wolff H, Árnason G. Ethical, legal and social aspects of human cerebral organoids and their governance in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1194706. [PMID: 38020890 PMCID: PMC10679683 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1194706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cerebral organoids (HCOs) are model systems that enable researchers to investigate the human brain in ways that had previously been impossible. The emergence of HCOs was accompanied by both expert and layperson discussions concerning the possibility of these novel entities developing sentience or consciousness. Such concerns are reflected in deliberations about how to handle and regulate their use. This perspective article resulted from an international and interdisciplinary research retreat "Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects of Human Cerebral Organoids and their Governance in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States", which took place in Tübingen, Germany, in August 2022. The retreat focused on whether HCO research requires new ethical and regulatory approaches. It addressed epistemic issues around the detection and theorisation of consciousness, ethical concerns around moral status and research conduct, difficulties for legislation and guidelines managing these entities, and public engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Pichl
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Germany
- Research Unit “Ethics of Genome Editing”, Institute of Ethics and History of Medicine, The University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Robert Ranisch
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Germany
- Research Unit “Ethics of Genome Editing”, Institute of Ethics and History of Medicine, The University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ozan Altan Altinok
- Center for Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences, University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Melpomeni Antonakaki
- Department of Science, Technology and Society, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Katherine Bassil
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - J. Lomax Boyd
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Sarah Diner
- Institute for Medical Humanities, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Maxence Gaillard
- HYBRIDA Project, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway and UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Henry T. Greely
- Stanford Law School, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Joshua Jowitt
- Newcastle Law School, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom
| | - Karola Kreitmair
- Department of Medical History and Bioethics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - David Lawrence
- Durham Law School, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Nicholas Lee
- Edinburgh Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alex McKeown
- Department of Psychiatry, Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Vorathep Sachdev
- Edinburgh Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Silke Schicktanz
- Institute of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jeremy Sugarman
- Berman Institute of Bioethics and Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Katharina Trettenbach
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Germany
- Research Unit “Ethics of Genome Editing”, Institute of Ethics and History of Medicine, The University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lara Wiese
- Institute for Social and Health Law, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Hannes Wolff
- Chair of Constitutional and Administrative Law, Public International Law, European and International Economic Law, Faculty of Law, University of Passau, Passau, Germany
| | - Garðar Árnason
- Research Unit “Ethics of Genome Editing”, Institute of Ethics and History of Medicine, The University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Akureyri, Akureyri, Iceland
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45
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Luo Q, Shang K, Zhu J, Wu Z, Cao T, Ahmed AAQ, Huang C, Xiao L. Biomimetic cell culture for cell adhesive propagation for tissue engineering strategies. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:4662-4685. [PMID: 37705440 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00849e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Biomimetic cell culture, which involves creating a biomimetic microenvironment for cells in vitro by engineering approaches, has aroused increasing interest given that it maintains the normal cellular phenotype, genotype and functions displayed in vivo. Therefore, it can provide a more precise platform for disease modelling, drug development and regenerative medicine than the conventional plate cell culture. In this review, initially, we discuss the principle of biomimetic cell culture in terms of the spatial microenvironment, chemical microenvironment, and physical microenvironment. Then, the main strategies of biomimetic cell culture and their state-of-the-art progress are summarized. To create a biomimetic microenvironment for cells, a variety of strategies has been developed, ranging from conventional scaffold strategies, such as macroscopic scaffolds, microcarriers, and microgels, to emerging scaffold-free strategies, such as spheroids, organoids, and assembloids, to simulate the native cellular microenvironment. Recently, 3D bioprinting and microfluidic chip technology have been applied as integrative platforms to obtain more complex biomimetic structures. Finally, the challenges in this area are discussed and future directions are discussed to shed some light on the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuchen Luo
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
| | - Keyuan Shang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
| | - Jing Zhu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
| | - Zhaoying Wu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
| | - Tiefeng Cao
- Department of Gynaecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Abeer Ahmed Qaed Ahmed
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Biochemistry Unit, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Chixiang Huang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
| | - Lin Xiao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
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Camões dos Santos J, Appleton C, Cazaux Mateus F, Covas R, Bekman EP, da Rocha ST. Stem cell models of Angelman syndrome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1274040. [PMID: 37928900 PMCID: PMC10620611 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1274040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is an imprinted neurodevelopmental disorder that lacks a cure, characterized by developmental delay, intellectual impairment, seizures, ataxia, and paroxysmal laughter. The condition arises due to the loss of the maternally inherited copy of the UBE3A gene in neurons. The paternally inherited UBE3A allele is unable to compensate because it is silenced by the expression of an antisense transcript (UBE3A-ATS) on the paternal chromosome. UBE3A, encoding enigmatic E3 ubiquitin ligase variants, regulates target proteins by either modifying their properties/functions or leading them to degradation through the proteasome. Over time, animal models, particularly the Ube3a mat-/pat+ Knock-Out (KO) mice, have significantly contributed to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AS. However, a shift toward human pluripotent stem cell models (PSCs), such as human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), has gained momentum. These stem cell models accurately capture human genetic and cellular characteristics, offering an alternative or a complement to animal experimentation. Human stem cells possess the remarkable ability to recapitulate neurogenesis and generate "brain-in-a-dish" models, making them valuable tools for studying neurodevelopmental disorders like AS. In this review, we provide an overview of the current state-of-the-art human stem cell models of AS and explore their potential to become the preclinical models of choice for drug screening and development, thus propelling AS therapeutic advancements and improving the lives of affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Camões dos Santos
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carolina Appleton
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Francisca Cazaux Mateus
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Covas
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Evguenia Pavlovna Bekman
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- The Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Caparica, Portugal
| | - Simão Teixeira da Rocha
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Tang X, Wang Z, Khutsishvili D, Cheng Y, Wang J, Tang J, Ma S. Volumetric compression by heterogeneous scaffold embedding promotes cerebral organoid maturation and does not impede growth. Cell Syst 2023; 14:872-882.e3. [PMID: 37820730 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Although biochemical regulation has been extensively studied in organoid modeling protocols, the role of mechanoregulation in directing stem cell fate and organoid development has been relatively unexplored. To accurately replicate the dynamic organoid development observed in nature, in this study, we present a method of heterogeneous embedding using an alginate-shell-Matrigel-core system. This approach allows for cell-Matrigel remodeling by the inner layer and provides short-term moderate-normal compression through the soft alginate outer layer. Our results show that the time-limited confinement contributes to increased expression of neuronal markers such as neurofilament (NF) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2). Compared with non-alginate embedding and alginate compression groups, volume growth remains unimpeded. Our findings demonstrate the temporary mechanical regulation of cerebral organoid growth, which exhibits a regular growth profile with enhanced maturation. These results highlight the importance and potential practical applications of mechanoregulation in the establishment of brain organoids. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Tang
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zitian Wang
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Davit Khutsishvili
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yifan Cheng
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiyuan Tang
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shaohua Ma
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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48
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Abstract
Animal tissues are made up of multiple cell types that are increasingly well-characterized, yet our understanding of the core principles that govern tissue organization is still incomplete. This is in part because many observable tissue characteristics, such as cellular composition and spatial patterns, are emergent properties, and as such, they cannot be explained through the knowledge of individual cells alone. Here we propose a complex systems theory perspective to address this fundamental gap in our understanding of tissue biology. We introduce the concept of cell categories, which is based on cell relations rather than cell identity. Based on these notions we then discuss common principles of tissue modularity, introducing compositional, structural, and functional tissue modules. Cell diversity and cell relations provide a basis for a new perspective on the underlying principles of tissue organization in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miri Adler
- Tananbaum Center for Theoretical and Analytical Human Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA;
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Arun R Chavan
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ruslan Medzhitov
- Tananbaum Center for Theoretical and Analytical Human Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA;
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Saha S, Jungas TT, Ohayon D, Audouard C, Ye T, Fawal MA, Davy A. Dihydrofolate reductase activity controls neurogenic transitions in the developing neocortex. Development 2023; 150:dev201696. [PMID: 37665322 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201696] [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: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
One-carbon/folate (1C) metabolism supplies methyl groups required for DNA and histone methylation, and is involved in the maintenance of self-renewal in stem cells. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), a key enzyme in 1C metabolism, is highly expressed in human and mouse neural progenitors at the early stages of neocortical development. Here, we have investigated the role of DHFR in the developing neocortex and report that reducing its activity in human neural organoids and mouse embryonic neocortex accelerates indirect neurogenesis, thereby affecting neuronal composition of the neocortex. Furthermore, we show that decreasing DHFR activity in neural progenitors leads to a reduction in one-carbon/folate metabolites and correlates with modifications of H3K4me3 levels. Our findings reveal an unanticipated role for DHFR in controlling specific steps of neocortex development and indicate that variations in 1C metabolic cues impact cell fate transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulov Saha
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Unit (MCD), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Thomas T Jungas
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Unit (MCD), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - David Ohayon
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Unit (MCD), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Christophe Audouard
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Unit (MCD), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Tao Ye
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), INSERM U1258, CNRS UMR7104, Université de Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch, France
| | - Mohamad-Ali Fawal
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Unit (MCD), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Alice Davy
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Unit (MCD), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
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50
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Stöberl N, Maguire E, Salis E, Shaw B, Hall-Roberts H. Human iPSC-derived glia models for the study of neuroinflammation. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:231. [PMID: 37817184 PMCID: PMC10566197 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02919-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a complex biological process that plays a significant role in various brain disorders. Microglia and astrocytes are the key cell types involved in inflammatory responses in the central nervous system. Neuroinflammation results in increased levels of secreted inflammatory factors, such as cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species. To model neuroinflammation in vitro, various human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based models have been utilized, including monocultures, transfer of conditioned media between cell types, co-culturing multiple cell types, neural organoids, and xenotransplantation of cells into the mouse brain. To induce neuroinflammatory responses in vitro, several stimuli have been established that can induce responses in either microglia, astrocytes, or both. Here, we describe and critically evaluate the different types of iPSC models that can be used to study neuroinflammation and highlight how neuroinflammation has been induced and measured in these cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Stöberl
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Emily Maguire
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Elisa Salis
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Bethany Shaw
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Hazel Hall-Roberts
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
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