1
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Ryu JR, Ko K, Sun W. Polarization of organoids by bioengineered symmetry breaking. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 17:22-31. [PMID: 38881849 PMCID: PMC11176950 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Symmetry breaking leading to axis formation and spatial patterning is crucial for achieving more accurate recapitulation of human development in organoids. While these processes can occur spontaneously by self-organizing capabilities of pluripotent stem cells, they can often result in variation in structure and composition of cell types within organoids. To address this limitation, bioengineering techniques that utilize geometric, topological and stiffness factors are increasingly employed to enhance control and consistency. Here, we review how spontaneous manners and engineering tools such as micropattern, microfluidics, biomaterials, etc. can facilitate the process of symmetry breaking leading to germ layer patterning and the formation of anteroposterior and dorsoventral axes in blastoids, gastruloids, neuruloids and neural organoids. Furthermore, brain assembloids, which are composed of multiple brain regions through fusion processes are discussed. The overview of organoid polarization in terms of patterning tools can offer valuable insights for enhancing the physiological relevance of organoid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Ryun Ryu
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Kahee Ko
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
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2
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Weng M, Jauch R. Advancements in personalized stem cell models for aging-related neurodegenerative disorders. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:2333-2334. [PMID: 38526261 PMCID: PMC11090431 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mingxi Weng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
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3
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Xu C, Alameri A, Leong W, Johnson E, Chen Z, Xu B, Leong KW. Multiscale engineering of brain organoids for disease modeling. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 210:115344. [PMID: 38810702 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115344] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Brain organoids hold great potential for modeling human brain development and pathogenesis. They recapitulate certain aspects of the transcriptional trajectory, cellular diversity, tissue architecture and functions of the developing brain. In this review, we explore the engineering strategies to control the molecular-, cellular- and tissue-level inputs to achieve high-fidelity brain organoids. We review the application of brain organoids in neural disorder modeling and emerging bioengineering methods to improve data collection and feature extraction at multiscale. The integration of multiscale engineering strategies and analytical methods has significant potential to advance insight into neurological disorders and accelerate drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Alia Alameri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Wei Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Emily Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Zaozao Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Kam W Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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4
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Sai M, Hank EC, Tai HM, Kasch T, Lewandowski M, Vincendeau M, Marschner JA, Merk D. Development of Nurr1 agonists from amodiaquine by scaffold hopping and fragment growing. Commun Chem 2024; 7:149. [PMID: 38951694 PMCID: PMC11217349 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01224-0] [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: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The neuroprotective transcription factor nuclear receptor-related 1 (Nurr1) has shown great promise as a therapeutic target in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease as well as multiple sclerosis but high-quality chemical tools for pharmacological target validation of Nurr1 are rare. We have employed the weak Nurr1 modulator amodiaquine (AQ) and AQ-derived fragments as templates to design a new Nurr1 agonist chemotype by scaffold hopping and fragment growing strategies. Systematic structural optimization of this scaffold yielded Nurr1 agonists with nanomolar potency and binding affinity. Comprehensive in vitro profiling revealed efficient cellular target engagement and compliance with the highest probe criteria. In human midbrain organoids bearing a Parkinson-driving LRRK2 mutation, a novel Nurr1 agonist rescued tyrosine hydroxylase expression highlighting the potential of the new Nurr1 modulator chemotype as lead and as a chemical tool for biological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh Sai
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Pharmacy, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Emily C Hank
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Pharmacy, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Hin-Man Tai
- Helmholtz Munich, Institute of Virology, 85764, Munich, Germany
| | - Till Kasch
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Pharmacy, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Max Lewandowski
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Pharmacy, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Michelle Vincendeau
- Helmholtz Munich, Institute of Virology, 85764, Munich, Germany
- Technical University of Munich, Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Julian A Marschner
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Pharmacy, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Pharmacy, 81377, Munich, Germany.
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5
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Onesto MM, Amin ND, Pan C, Chen X, Reis N, Valencia AM, Hudacova Z, McQueen JP, Tessier-Lavigne M, Paşca SP. Midline Assembloids Reveal Regulators of Human Axon Guidance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.26.600229. [PMID: 38979350 PMCID: PMC11230451 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.26.600229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Organizers are specialized cell populations that orchestrate cell patterning and axon guidance in the developing nervous system. Although non-human models have led to fundamental discoveries about the organization of the nervous system midline by the floor plate, an experimental model of human floor plate would enable broader insights into regulation of human neurodevelopment and midline connectivity. Here, we have developed stem cell-derived organoids resembling human floor plate (hFpO) and assembled them with spinal cord organoids (hSpO) to generate midline assembloids (hMA). We demonstrate that hFpO promote Sonic hedgehog-dependent ventral patterning of human spinal progenitors and Netrin-dependent guidance of human commissural axons, paralleling non-human models. To investigate evolutionary-divergent midline regulators, we profiled the hFpO secretome and identified 27 evolutionarily divergent genes between human and mouse. Utilizing the hMA platform, we targeted these candidates in an arrayed CRISPR knockout screen and reveal that GALNT2 , a gene involved in O-linked glycosylation, impairs floor plate-mediated guidance of commissural axons in humans. This novel platform extends prior axon guidance discoveries into human-specific neurobiology with implications for mechanisms of nervous system evolution and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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6
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Ramos R, Swedlund B, Ganesan AK, Morsut L, Maini PK, Monuki ES, Lander AD, Chuong CM, Plikus MV. Parsing patterns: Emerging roles of tissue self-organization in health and disease. Cell 2024; 187:3165-3186. [PMID: 38906093 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.016] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Patterned morphologies, such as segments, spirals, stripes, and spots, frequently emerge during embryogenesis through self-organized coordination between cells. Yet, complex patterns also emerge in adults, suggesting that the capacity for spontaneous self-organization is a ubiquitous property of biological tissues. We review current knowledge on the principles and mechanisms of self-organized patterning in embryonic tissues and explore how these principles and mechanisms apply to adult tissues that exhibit features of patterning. We discuss how and why spontaneous pattern generation is integral to homeostasis and healing of tissues, illustrating it with examples from regenerative biology. We examine how aberrant self-organization underlies diverse pathological states, including inflammatory skin disorders and tumors. Lastly, we posit that based on such blueprints, targeted engineering of pattern-driving molecular circuits can be leveraged for synthetic biology and the generation of organoids with intricate patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Ramos
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Swedlund
- Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center, Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anand K Ganesan
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Leonardo Morsut
- Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center, Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Philip K Maini
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Edwin S Monuki
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Arthur D Lander
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Cheng-Ming Chuong
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Maksim V Plikus
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
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7
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Shi S, Hamann CA, Lee JC, Brunger JM. Use of CRISPRoff and synthetic Notch to modulate and relay endogenous gene expression programs in engineered cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1346810. [PMID: 38957576 PMCID: PMC11218679 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1346810] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Uncovering the stimulus-response histories that give rise to cell fates and behaviors is an area of great interest in developmental biology, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. A comprehensive accounting of cell experiences that lead to the development of organs and tissues can help us to understand developmental anomalies that may underly disease. Perhaps more provocatively, such a record can also reveal clues as to how to drive cell collective decision-making processes, which may yield predictable cell-based therapies or facilitate production of tissue substitutes for transplantation or in vitro screening of prospective therapies to mitigate disease. Toward this end, various methods have been applied to molecularly trace developmental trajectories and record interaction histories of cells. Typical methods involve artificial gene circuits based on recombinases that activate a suite of fluorescent reporters or CRISPR-Cas9 genome writing technologies whose nucleic acid-based record keeping serves to chronicle cell-cell interactions or past exposure to stimuli of interests. Exciting expansions of the synthetic biology toolkit with artificial receptors that permit establishment of defined input-to-output linkages of cell decision-making processes opens the door to not only record cell-cell interactions, but to also potentiate directed manipulation of the outcomes of such interactions via regulation of carefully selected transgenes. Here, we combine CRISPR-based strategies to genetically and epigenetically manipulate cells to express components of the synthetic Notch receptor platform, a widely used artificial cell signaling module. Our approach gives rise to the ability to conditionally record interactions between human cells, where the record of engagement depends on expression of a state-specific marker of a subset of cells in a population. Further, such signal-competent interactions can be used to direct differentiation of human embryonic stem cells toward pre-selected fates based on assigned synNotch outputs. We also implemented CRISPR-based manipulation of native gene expression profiles to bias outcomes of cell engagement histories in a targeted manner. Thus, we present a useful strategy that gives rise to both state-specific recording of cell-cell interactions as well as methods to intentionally influence products of such cell-cell exchanges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqun Shi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Catherine A. Hamann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Joanne C. Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Jonathan M. Brunger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
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8
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Suong DNA, Imamura K, Kato Y, Inoue H. Design of neural organoids engineered by mechanical forces. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 16:190-195. [PMID: 38328799 PMCID: PMC10847990 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Neural organoids consist of three-dimensional tissue derived from pluripotent stem cells that could recapitulate key features of the human brain. During the past decade, organoid technology has evolved in the field of human brain science by increasing the quality and applicability of its products. Among them, a novel approach involving the design of neural organoids engineered by mechanical forces has emerged. This review describes previous approaches for the generation of neural organoids, the engineering of neural organoids by mechanical forces, and future challenges for the application of mechanical forces in the design of neural organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dang Ngoc Anh Suong
- iPSC‑Based Drug Discovery and Development Team, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Kyoto, Japan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Keiko Imamura
- iPSC‑Based Drug Discovery and Development Team, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Kyoto, Japan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Medical‑Risk Avoidance Based On iPS Cells Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Kato
- Mixing Technology Laboratory, SATAKE MultiMix Corporation, Saitama, Japan
| | - Haruhisa Inoue
- iPSC‑Based Drug Discovery and Development Team, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC), Kyoto, Japan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Medical‑Risk Avoidance Based On iPS Cells Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), Kyoto, Japan
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9
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Cadena MA, Sing A, Taylor K, Jin L, Ning L, Salar Amoli M, Singh Y, Lanjewar SN, Tomov ML, Serpooshan V, Sloan SA. A 3D Bioprinted Cortical Organoid Platform for Modeling Human Brain Development. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2401603. [PMID: 38815975 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202401603] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The ability to promote three-dimensional (3D) self-organization of induced pluripotent stem cells into complex tissue structures called organoids presents new opportunities for the field of developmental biology. Brain organoids have been used to investigate principles of neurodevelopment and neuropsychiatric disorders and serve as a drug screening and discovery platform. However, brain organoid cultures are currently limited by a lacking ability to precisely control their extracellular environment. Here, this work employs 3D bioprinting to generate a high-throughput, tunable, and reproducible scaffold for controlling organoid development and patterning. Additionally, this approach supports the coculture of organoids and vascular cells in a custom architecture containing interconnected endothelialized channels. Printing fidelity and mechanical assessments confirm that fabricated scaffolds closely match intended design features and exhibit stiffness values reflective of the developing human brain. Using organoid growth, viability, cytoarchitecture, proliferation, and transcriptomic benchmarks, this work finds that organoids cultured within the bioprinted scaffold long-term are healthy and have expected neuroectodermal differentiation. Lastly, this work confirms that the endothelial cells (ECs) in printed channel structures can migrate toward and infiltrate into the embedded organoids. This work demonstrates a tunable 3D culturing platform that can be used to create more complex and accurate models of human brain development and underlying diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Cadena
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Anson Sing
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Kylie Taylor
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Linqi Jin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Liqun Ning
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, 44115, USA
| | - Mehdi Salar Amoli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Yamini Singh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Samantha N Lanjewar
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Martin L Tomov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Vahid Serpooshan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Steven A Sloan
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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10
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Scuderi S, Kang TY, Jourdon A, Yang L, Wu F, Nelson A, Anderson GM, Mariani J, Sarangi V, Abyzov A, Levchenko A, Vaccarino FM. Specification of human regional brain lineages using orthogonal gradients of WNT and SHH in organoids. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.18.594828. [PMID: 38798404 PMCID: PMC11118582 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.18.594828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The repertory of neurons generated by progenitor cells depends on their location along antero-posterior and dorso-ventral axes of the neural tube. To understand if recreating those axes was sufficient to specify human brain neuronal diversity, we designed a mesofluidic device termed Duo-MAPS to expose induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) to concomitant orthogonal gradients of a posteriorizing and a ventralizing morphogen, activating WNT and SHH signaling, respectively. Comparison of single cell transcriptomes with fetal human brain revealed that Duo-MAPS-patterned organoids generated the major neuronal lineages of the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. Morphogens crosstalk translated into early patterns of gene expression programs predicting the generation of specific brain lineages. Human iPSC lines from six different genetic backgrounds showed substantial differences in response to morphogens, suggesting that interindividual genomic and epigenomic variations could impact brain lineages formation. Morphogen gradients promise to be a key approach to model the brain in its entirety.
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11
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Dwivedi I, Haddad GG. Investigating the neurobiology of maternal opioid use disorder and prenatal opioid exposure using brain organoid technology. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1403326. [PMID: 38812788 PMCID: PMC11133580 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1403326] [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: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) among pregnant women has become a major global public health concern. OUD has been characterized as a problematic pattern of opioid use despite adverse physical, psychological, behavioral, and or social consequences. Due to the relapsing-remitting nature of this disorder, pregnant mothers are chronically exposed to exogenous opioids, resulting in adverse neurological and neuropsychiatric outcomes. Collateral fetal exposure to opioids also precipitates severe neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive sequelae. At present, much of what is known regarding the neurobiological consequences of OUD and prenatal opioid exposure (POE) has been derived from preclinical studies in animal models and postnatal or postmortem investigations in humans. However, species-specific differences in brain development, variations in subject age/health/background, and disparities in sample collection or storage have complicated the interpretation of findings produced by these explorations. The ethical or logistical inaccessibility of human fetal brain tissue has also limited direct examinations of prenatal drug effects. To circumvent these confounding factors, recent groups have begun employing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived brain organoid technology, which provides access to key aspects of cellular and molecular brain development, structure, and function in vitro. In this review, we endeavor to encapsulate the advancements in brain organoid culture that have enabled scientists to model and dissect the neural underpinnings and effects of OUD and POE. We hope not only to emphasize the utility of brain organoids for investigating these conditions, but also to highlight opportunities for further technical and conceptual progress. Although the application of brain organoids to this critical field of research is still in its nascent stages, understanding the neurobiology of OUD and POE via this modality will provide critical insights for improving maternal and fetal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ila Dwivedi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Gabriel G. Haddad
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA, United States
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12
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Lindenhofer D, Haendeler S, Esk C, Littleboy JB, Brunet Avalos C, Naas J, Pflug FG, van de Ven EGP, Reumann D, Baffet AD, von Haeseler A, Knoblich JA. Cerebral organoids display dynamic clonal growth and tunable tissue replenishment. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:710-718. [PMID: 38714853 PMCID: PMC11098754 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01412-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
During brain development, neural progenitors expand through symmetric divisions before giving rise to differentiating cell types via asymmetric divisions. Transition between those modes varies among individual neural stem cells, resulting in clones of different sizes. Imaging-based lineage tracing allows for lineage analysis at high cellular resolution but systematic approaches to analyse clonal behaviour of entire tissues are currently lacking. Here we implement whole-tissue lineage tracing by genomic DNA barcoding in 3D human cerebral organoids, to show that individual stem cell clones produce progeny on a vastly variable scale. By using stochastic modelling we find that variable lineage sizes arise because a subpopulation of lineages retains symmetrically dividing cells. We show that lineage sizes can adjust to tissue demands after growth perturbation via chemical ablation or genetic restriction of a subset of cells in chimeric organoids. Our data suggest that adaptive plasticity of stem cell populations ensures robustness of development in human brain organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Lindenhofer
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Biocenter PhD Program, University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon Haendeler
- Vienna Biocenter PhD Program, University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Center of Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christopher Esk
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria.
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Jamie B Littleboy
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Biocenter PhD Program, University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Julia Naas
- Vienna Biocenter PhD Program, University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Center of Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian G Pflug
- Center of Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- Biological Complexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Eline G P van de Ven
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniel Reumann
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandre D Baffet
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR144, Paris, France
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Paris, France
| | - Arndt von Haeseler
- Vienna Biocenter PhD Program, University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Faculty of Computer Science, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jürgen A Knoblich
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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13
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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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14
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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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15
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van Essen MJ, Apsley EJ, Riepsaame J, Xu R, Northcott PA, Cowley SA, Jacob J, Becker EBE. PTCH1-mutant human cerebellar organoids exhibit altered neural development and recapitulate early medulloblastoma tumorigenesis. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050323. [PMID: 38411252 PMCID: PMC10924233 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050323] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Patched 1 (PTCH1) is the primary receptor for the sonic hedgehog (SHH) ligand and negatively regulates SHH signalling, an essential pathway in human embryogenesis. Loss-of-function mutations in PTCH1 are associated with altered neuronal development and the malignant brain tumour medulloblastoma. As a result of differences between murine and human development, molecular and cellular perturbations that arise from human PTCH1 mutations remain poorly understood. Here, we used cerebellar organoids differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells combined with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to investigate the earliest molecular and cellular consequences of PTCH1 mutations on human cerebellar development. Our findings demonstrate that developmental mechanisms in cerebellar organoids reflect in vivo processes of regionalisation and SHH signalling, and offer new insights into early pathophysiological events of medulloblastoma tumorigenesis without the use of animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max J. van Essen
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Elizabeth J. Apsley
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Joey Riepsaame
- Genome Engineering Oxford, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3RE Oxford, UK
| | - Ruijie Xu
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Paul A. Northcott
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Sally A. Cowley
- James and Lillian Martin Centre for Stem Cell Research, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - John Jacob
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Esther B. E. Becker
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
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16
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Ciceri G, Baggiolini A, Cho HS, Kshirsagar M, Benito-Kwiecinski S, Walsh RM, Aromolaran KA, Gonzalez-Hernandez AJ, Munguba H, Koo SY, Xu N, Sevilla KJ, Goldstein PA, Levitz J, Leslie CS, Koche RP, Studer L. An epigenetic barrier sets the timing of human neuronal maturation. Nature 2024; 626:881-890. [PMID: 38297124 PMCID: PMC10881400 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06984-8] [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: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
The pace of human brain development is highly protracted compared with most other species1-7. The maturation of cortical neurons is particularly slow, taking months to years to develop adult functions3-5. Remarkably, such protracted timing is retained in cortical neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) during in vitro differentiation or upon transplantation into the mouse brain4,8,9. Those findings suggest the presence of a cell-intrinsic clock setting the pace of neuronal maturation, although the molecular nature of this clock remains unknown. Here we identify an epigenetic developmental programme that sets the timing of human neuronal maturation. First, we developed a hPSC-based approach to synchronize the birth of cortical neurons in vitro which enabled us to define an atlas of morphological, functional and molecular maturation. We observed a slow unfolding of maturation programmes, limited by the retention of specific epigenetic factors. Loss of function of several of those factors in cortical neurons enables precocious maturation. Transient inhibition of EZH2, EHMT1 and EHMT2 or DOT1L, at progenitor stage primes newly born neurons to rapidly acquire mature properties upon differentiation. Thus our findings reveal that the rate at which human neurons mature is set well before neurogenesis through the establishment of an epigenetic barrier in progenitor cells. Mechanistically, this barrier holds transcriptional maturation programmes in a poised state that is gradually released to ensure the prolonged timeline of human cortical neuron maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Ciceri
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Arianna Baggiolini
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Bellinzona Institutes of Science (BIOS+), Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Hyein S Cho
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Computational Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meghana Kshirsagar
- Computational Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Microsoft AI for Good Research, Redmond, WA, USA
| | - Silvia Benito-Kwiecinski
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ryan M Walsh
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Hermany Munguba
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - So Yeon Koo
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Neuroscience PhD Program, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nan Xu
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kaylin J Sevilla
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter A Goldstein
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joshua Levitz
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christina S Leslie
- Computational Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard P Koche
- Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lorenz Studer
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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17
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Pavon N, Diep K, Yang F, Sebastian R, Martinez-Martin B, Ranjan R, Sun Y, Pak C. Patterning ganglionic eminences in developing human brain organoids using a morphogen-gradient-inducing device. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2024; 4:100689. [PMID: 38228151 PMCID: PMC10831957 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
In early neurodevelopment, the central nervous system is established through the coordination of various neural organizers directing tissue patterning and cell differentiation. Better recapitulation of morphogen gradient production and signaling will be crucial for establishing improved developmental models of the brain in vitro. Here, we developed a method by assembling polydimethylsiloxane devices capable of generating a sustained chemical gradient to produce patterned brain organoids, which we termed morphogen-gradient-induced brain organoids (MIBOs). At 3.5 weeks, MIBOs replicated dorsal-ventral patterning observed in the ganglionic eminences (GE). Analysis of mature MIBOs through single-cell RNA sequencing revealed distinct dorsal GE-derived CALB2+ interneurons, medium spiny neurons, and medial GE-derived cell types. Finally, we demonstrate long-term culturing capabilities with MIBOs maintaining stable neural activity in cultures grown up to 5.5 months. MIBOs demonstrate a versatile approach for generating spatially patterned brain organoids for embryonic development and disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narciso Pavon
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Karmen Diep
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Feiyu Yang
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Rebecca Sebastian
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Beatriz Martinez-Martin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Ravi Ranjan
- Genomics Core, Institute of Applied Life Sciences, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Yubing Sun
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
| | - ChangHui Pak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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18
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Acharya P, Joshi P, Shrestha S, Choi NY, Jeong S, Lee MY. Uniform cerebral organoid culture on a pillar plate by simple and reproducible spheroid transfer from an ultralow attachment well plate. Biofabrication 2024; 16:10.1088/1758-5090/ad1b1e. [PMID: 38176079 PMCID: PMC10822717 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad1b1e] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived brain organoids have potential to recapitulate the earliest stages of brain development, serving as an effectivein vitromodel for studying both normal brain development and disorders. However, current brain organoid culture methods face several challenges, including low throughput, high variability in organoid generation, and time-consuming, multiple transfer and encapsulation of cells in hydrogels throughout the culture. These limitations hinder the widespread application of brain organoids including high-throughput assessment of compounds in clinical and industrial lab settings. In this study, we demonstrate a straightforward approach of generating multiple cerebral organoids from iPSCs on a pillar plate platform, eliminating the need for labor-intensive, multiple transfer and encapsulation steps to ensure the reproducible generation of cerebral organoids. We formed embryoid bodies in an ultra-low attachment 384-well plate and subsequently transferred them to the pillar plate containing Matrigel, using a straightforward sandwiching and inverting method. Each pillar on the pillar plate contains a single spheroid, and the success rate of spheroid transfer was in a range of 95%-100%. Using this approach, we robustly generated cerebral organoids on the pillar plate and demonstrated an intra-batch coefficient of variation below 9%-19% based on ATP-based cell viability and compound treatment. Notably, our spheroid transfer method in combination with the pillar plate allows miniaturized culture of cerebral organoids, alleviates the issue of organoid variability, and has potential to significantly enhance assay throughput by allowingin situorganoid assessment as compared to conventional organoid culture in 6-/24-well plates, petri dishes, and spinner flasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabha Acharya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
| | | | - Sunil Shrestha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
| | - Na Young Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
| | - Sehoon Jeong
- Department of Healthcare Information Technology, Inje University, Gimhae, Republic of Korea
| | - Moo-Yeal Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
- Bioprinting Laboratories Inc., Dallas, Texas
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19
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Patel D, Shetty S, Acha C, Pantoja IEM, Zhao A, George D, Gracias DH. Microinstrumentation for Brain Organoids. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2302456. [PMID: 38217546 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302456] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Brain organoids are three-dimensional aggregates of self-organized differentiated stem cells that mimic the structure and function of human brain regions. Organoids bridge the gaps between conventional drug screening models such as planar mammalian cell culture, animal studies, and clinical trials. They can revolutionize the fields of developmental biology, neuroscience, toxicology, and computer engineering. Conventional microinstrumentation for conventional cellular engineering, such as planar microfluidic chips; microelectrode arrays (MEAs); and optical, magnetic, and acoustic techniques, has limitations when applied to three-dimensional (3D) organoids, primarily due to their limits with inherently two-dimensional geometry and interfacing. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop new instrumentation compatible with live cell culture techniques and with scalable 3D formats relevant to organoids. This review discusses conventional planar approaches and emerging 3D microinstrumentation necessary for advanced organoid-machine interfaces. Specifically, this article surveys recently developed microinstrumentation, including 3D printed and curved microfluidics, 3D and fast-scan optical techniques, buckling and self-folding MEAs, 3D interfaces for electrochemical measurements, and 3D spatially controllable magnetic and acoustic technologies relevant to two-way information transfer with brain organoids. This article highlights key challenges that must be addressed for robust organoid culture and reliable 3D spatiotemporal information transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devan Patel
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Saniya Shetty
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Chris Acha
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Itzy E Morales Pantoja
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Alice Zhao
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Derosh George
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - David H Gracias
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics (LCSR), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC), Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Center for MicroPhysiological Systems (MPS), Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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20
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Hergenreder E, Minotti AP, Zorina Y, Oberst P, Zhao Z, Munguba H, Calder EL, Baggiolini A, Walsh RM, Liston C, Levitz J, Garippa R, Chen S, Ciceri G, Studer L. Combined small-molecule treatment accelerates maturation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-023-02031-z. [PMID: 38168993 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-02031-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The maturation of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neurons mimics the protracted timing of human brain development, extending over months to years for reaching adult-like function. Prolonged in vitro maturation presents a major challenge to stem cell-based applications in modeling and treating neurological disease. Therefore, we designed a high-content imaging assay based on morphological and functional readouts in hPSC-derived cortical neurons which identified multiple compounds that drive neuronal maturation including inhibitors of lysine-specific demethylase 1 and disruptor of telomerase-like 1 and activators of calcium-dependent transcription. A cocktail of four factors, GSK2879552, EPZ-5676, N-methyl-D-aspartate and Bay K 8644, collectively termed GENtoniK, triggered maturation across all parameters tested, including synaptic density, electrophysiology and transcriptomics. Maturation effects were further validated in cortical organoids, spinal motoneurons and non-neural lineages including melanocytes and pancreatic β-cells. The effects on maturation observed across a broad range of hPSC-derived cell types indicate that some of the mechanisms controlling the timing of human maturation might be shared across lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Hergenreder
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew P Minotti
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yana Zorina
- Gene Editing and Screening Core Facility, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Polina Oberst
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zeping Zhao
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hermany Munguba
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Calder
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arianna Baggiolini
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ryan M Walsh
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Conor Liston
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Joshua Levitz
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ralph Garippa
- Gene Editing and Screening Core Facility, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shuibing Chen
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gabriele Ciceri
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lorenz Studer
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA.
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA.
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21
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Malaguti M, Lebek T, Blin G, Lowell S. Enabling neighbour labelling: using synthetic biology to explore how cells influence their neighbours. Development 2024; 151:dev201955. [PMID: 38165174 PMCID: PMC10820747 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201955] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cell-cell interactions are central to development, but exploring how a change in any given cell relates to changes in the neighbour of that cell can be technically challenging. Here, we review recent developments in synthetic biology and image analysis that are helping overcome this problem. We highlight the opportunities presented by these advances and discuss opportunities and limitations in applying them to developmental model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Malaguti
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Tamina Lebek
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Guillaume Blin
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Sally Lowell
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
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22
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Wang H, Ning X, Zhao F, Zhao H, Li D. Human organoids-on-chips for biomedical research and applications. Theranostics 2024; 14:788-818. [PMID: 38169573 PMCID: PMC10758054 DOI: 10.7150/thno.90492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Human organoids-on-chips (OrgOCs) are the synergism of human organoids (HOs) technology and microfluidic organs-on-chips (OOCs). OOCs can mimic extrinsic characteristics of organs, such as environmental clues of living tissue, while HOs are more amenable to biological analysis and genetic manipulation. By spatial cooperation, OrgOCs served as 3D organotypic living models allowing them to recapitulate critical tissue-specific properties and forecast human responses and outcomes. It represents a giant leap forward from the regular 2D cell monolayers and animal models in the improved human ecological niche modeling. In recent years, OrgOCs have offered potential promises for clinical studies and advanced the preclinical-to-clinical translation in medical and industrial fields. In this review, we highlight the cutting-edge achievements in OrgOCs, introduce the key features of OrgOCs architectures, and share the revolutionary applications in basic biology, disease modeling, preclinical assay and precision medicine. Furthermore, we discuss how to combine a wide range of disciplines with OrgOCs and accelerate translational applications, as well as the challenges and opportunities of OrgOCs in biomedical research and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Department of Interventional & Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
- Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Xiufan Ning
- Department of Interventional & Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Interventional & Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Dong Li
- Department of Interventional & Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
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23
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Noack F, Vangelisti S, Ditzer N, Chong F, Albert M, Bonev B. Joint epigenome profiling reveals cell-type-specific gene regulatory programmes in human cortical organoids. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1873-1883. [PMID: 37996647 PMCID: PMC10709149 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01296-5] [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: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression is regulated by multiple epigenetic mechanisms, which are coordinated in development and disease. However, current multiomics methods are frequently limited to one or two modalities at a time, making it challenging to obtain a comprehensive gene regulatory signature. Here, we describe a method-3D genome, RNA, accessibility and methylation sequencing (3DRAM-seq)-that simultaneously interrogates spatial genome organization, chromatin accessibility and DNA methylation genome-wide and at high resolution. We combine 3DRAM-seq with immunoFACS and RNA sequencing in cortical organoids to map the cell-type-specific regulatory landscape of human neural development across multiple epigenetic layers. Finally, we apply a massively parallel reporter assay to profile cell-type-specific enhancer activity in organoids and to functionally assess the role of key transcription factors for human enhancer activation and function. More broadly, 3DRAM-seq can be used to profile the multimodal epigenetic landscape in rare cell types and different tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Noack
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Silvia Vangelisti
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Nora Ditzer
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Faye Chong
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Mareike Albert
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Boyan Bonev
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
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24
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Estridge RC, O’Neill JE, Keung AJ. Matrigel Tunes H9 Stem Cell-Derived Human Cerebral Organoid Development. ORGANOIDS 2023; 2:165-176. [PMID: 38196836 PMCID: PMC10776236 DOI: 10.3390/organoids2040013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Human cerebral organoids are readily generated from human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells and are useful in studying human neurodevelopment. Recent work with human cerebral organoids have explored the creation of different brain regions and the impacts of soluble and mechanical cues. Matrigel is a gelatinous, heterogenous mixture of extracellular matrix proteins, morphogens, and growth factors secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells. It is a core component of almost all cerebral organoid protocols, generally supporting neuroepithelial budding and tissue polarization; yet, its roles and effects beyond its general requirement in organoid protocols are not well understood, and its mode of delivery is variable, including the embedding of organoids within it or its delivery in soluble form. Given its widespread usage, we asked how H9 stem cell-derived hCO development and composition are affected by Matrigel dosage and delivery method. We found Matrigel exposure influences organoid size, morphology, and cell type composition. We also showed that greater amounts of Matrigel promote an increase in the number of choroid plexus (ChP) cells, and this increase is regulated by the BMP4 pathway. These results illuminate the effects of Matrigel on human cerebral organoid development and the importance of delivery mode and amount on organoid phenotype and composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Chris Estridge
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Jennifer E. O’Neill
- Genetics Program, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA;
| | - Albert J. Keung
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
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25
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Luo B, Liu K, Fan J. Bibliometric analysis of cerebral organoids and diseases in the last 10 years. IBRAIN 2023; 9:431-445. [PMID: 38680505 PMCID: PMC11045186 DOI: 10.1002/ibra.12139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Cerebral organoids have emerged as a powerful tool for mirroring the brain developmental processes and replicating its unique physiology. This bibliometric analysis aims to delineate the burgeoning trends in the application of cerebral organoids in disease research and offer insights for future investigations. We screened all relevant literature from the Web of Science on cerebral organoids in disease research during the period 2013-2022 and analyzed the research trends in the field using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Scimago Graphica software. According to the search strategy, 592 articles were screened out. The United States of America (USA) was the most productive, followed by China and Germany. The top nine institutions in terms of the number of publications include Canada and the United States, with the University of California, San Diego (USA), having the highest number of publications. The International Journal of Molecular Sciences was the most productive journal. Knoblich, Juergen A., and Lancaster, Madeline A. published the highest number of articles. Keyword cluster analysis showed that current research trends focused more on induced pluripotent stem cells to construct organoid models of cerebral diseases and the exploration of their mechanisms and therapeutic modalities. This study provides a comprehensive summary and analysis of global research trends in the field of cerebral organoids in diseases. In the past decade, the number of high-quality papers in this field has increased significantly, and cerebral organoids provide hope for simulating nervous system diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo‐Yan Luo
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of ScienceShanghaiChina
| | - Ke‐Qian Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of ScienceShanghaiChina
| | - Ji‐Sheng Fan
- ScienceComputer and Engineering of University of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
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26
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Pagliaro A, Finger R, Zoutendijk I, Bunschuh S, Clevers H, Hendriks D, Artegiani B. Temporal morphogen gradient-driven neural induction shapes single expanded neuroepithelium brain organoids with enhanced cortical identity. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7361. [PMID: 38016960 PMCID: PMC10684874 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43141-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived human brain organoids enable the study of human brain development in vitro. Typically, the fate of PSCs is guided into subsequent specification steps through static medium switches. In vivo, morphogen gradients are critical for proper brain development and determine cell specification, and associated defects result in neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we show that initiating neural induction in a temporal stepwise gradient guides the generation of brain organoids composed of a single, self-organized apical-out neuroepithelium, termed ENOs (expanded neuroepithelium organoids). This is at odds with standard brain organoid protocols in which multiple and independent neuroepithelium units (rosettes) are formed. We find that a prolonged, decreasing gradient of TGF-β signaling is a determining factor in ENO formation and allows for an extended phase of neuroepithelium expansion. In-depth characterization reveals that ENOs display improved cellular morphology and tissue architectural features that resemble in vivo human brain development, including expanded germinal zones. Consequently, cortical specification is enhanced in ENOs. ENOs constitute a platform to study the early events of human cortical development and allow interrogation of the complex relationship between tissue architecture and cellular states in shaping the developing human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pagliaro
- The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roxy Finger
- The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Iris Zoutendijk
- The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia Bunschuh
- The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Clevers
- The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Pharma, Research and Early Development (pRED) of F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Delilah Hendriks
- The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Benedetta Artegiani
- The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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27
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Acharya P, Joshi P, Shrestha S, Choi NY, Jeong S, Lee MY. Uniform cerebral organoid culture on a pillar plate by simple and reproducible spheroid transfer from an ultralow attachment well plate. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.21.537886. [PMID: 37905145 PMCID: PMC10614749 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.21.537886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs)-derived brain organoids have potential to recapitulate the earliest stages of brain development, serving as an effective in vitro model for studying both normal brain development and disorders. However, current brain organoid culture methods face several challenges, including low throughput, high variability in organoid generation, and time-consuming, multiple transfer and encapsulation of cells in hydrogels throughout the culture. These limitations hinder the widespread application of brain organoids including high-throughput assessment of compounds in clinical and industrial lab settings. In this study, we demonstrate a straightforward approach of generating multiple cerebral organoids from iPSCs on a pillar plate platform, eliminating the need for labor-intensive, multiple transfer and encapsulation steps to ensure the reproducible generation of cerebral organoids. We formed embryoid bodies (EBs) in an ultra-low attachment (ULA) 384-well plate and subsequently transferred them to the pillar plate containing Matrigel, using a straightforward sandwiching and inverting method. Each pillar on the pillar plate contains a single spheroid, and the success rate of spheroid transfer was in a range of 95 - 100%. By differentiating the EBs on the pillar plate, we achieved robust generation of cerebral organoids with a coefficient of variation (CV) below 19%. Notably, our spheroid transfer method in combination with the pillar plate allows miniaturized culture of cerebral organoids, alleviates the issue of organoid variability, and has potential to significantly enhance assay throughput by allowing in situ organoid assessment as compared to conventional organoid culture in 6-/24-well plates, petri dishes, and spinner flasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabha Acharya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
| | | | - Sunil Shrestha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
| | - Na Young Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
| | - Sehoon Jeong
- Department of Healthcare Information Technology, Inje University, Gimhae, Republic of Korea
| | - Moo-Yeal Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
- Bioprinting Laboratories Inc., Dallas, Texas
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28
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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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29
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Legnini I, Emmenegger L, Zappulo A, Rybak-Wolf A, Wurmus R, Martinez AO, Jara CC, Boltengagen A, Hessler T, Mastrobuoni G, Kempa S, Zinzen R, Woehler A, Rajewsky N. Spatiotemporal, optogenetic control of gene expression in organoids. Nat Methods 2023; 20:1544-1552. [PMID: 37735569 PMCID: PMC10555836 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-01986-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Organoids derived from stem cells have become an increasingly important tool for studying human development and modeling disease. However, methods are still needed to control and study spatiotemporal patterns of gene expression in organoids. Here we combined optogenetics and gene perturbation technologies to activate or knock-down RNA of target genes in programmable spatiotemporal patterns. To illustrate the usefulness of our approach, we locally activated Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling in an organoid model for human neurodevelopment. Spatial and single-cell transcriptomic analyses showed that this local induction was sufficient to generate stereotypically patterned organoids and revealed new insights into SHH's contribution to gene regulation in neurodevelopment. With this study, we propose optogenetic perturbations in combination with spatial transcriptomics as a powerful technology to reprogram and study cell fates and tissue patterning in organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivano Legnini
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Gene Regulatory Elements, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy.
| | - Lisa Emmenegger
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Gene Regulatory Elements, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessandra Zappulo
- Systems Biology of Neural Tissue Differentiation, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
| | - Agnieszka Rybak-Wolf
- Organoid Platform, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ricardo Wurmus
- Bioinformatics and Omics Data Science, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Oliveras Martinez
- Systems Biology Imaging Platform, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cledi Cerda Jara
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Gene Regulatory Elements, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anastasiya Boltengagen
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Gene Regulatory Elements, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Talé Hessler
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Gene Regulatory Elements, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Guido Mastrobuoni
- Proteomic and Metabolomics Platform, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Kempa
- Proteomic and Metabolomics Platform, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Zinzen
- Systems Biology of Neural Tissue Differentiation, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- Systems Biology Imaging Platform, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrew Woehler
- Systems Biology Imaging Platform, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Nikolaus Rajewsky
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Gene Regulatory Elements, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany.
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany.
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Berlin, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Berlin, Germany.
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30
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Wen J, Liu F, Cheng Q, Weygant N, Liang X, Fan F, Li C, Zhang L, Liu Z. Applications of organoid technology to brain tumors. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:2725-2743. [PMID: 37248629 PMCID: PMC10493676 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14272] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Lacking appropriate model impedes basic and preclinical researches of brain tumors. Organoids technology applying on brain tumors enables great recapitulation of the original tumors. Here, we compared brain tumor organoids (BTOs) with common models including cell lines, tumor spheroids, and patient-derived xenografts. Different BTOs can be customized to research objectives and particular brain tumor features. We systematically introduce the establishments and strengths of four different BTOs. BTOs derived from patient somatic cells are suitable for mimicking brain tumors caused by germline mutations and abnormal neurodevelopment, such as the tuberous sclerosis complex. BTOs derived from human pluripotent stem cells with genetic manipulations endow for identifying and understanding the roles of oncogenes and processes of oncogenesis. Brain tumoroids are the most clinically applicable BTOs, which could be generated within clinically relevant timescale and applied for drug screening, immunotherapy testing, biobanking, and investigating brain tumor mechanisms, such as cancer stem cells and therapy resistance. Brain organoids co-cultured with brain tumors (BO-BTs) own the greatest recapitulation of brain tumors. Tumor invasion and interactions between tumor cells and brain components could be greatly explored in this model. BO-BTs also offer a humanized platform for testing the therapeutic efficacy and side effects on neurons in preclinical trials. We also introduce the BTOs establishment fused with other advanced techniques, such as 3D bioprinting. So far, over 11 brain tumor types of BTOs have been established, especially for glioblastoma. We conclude BTOs could be a reliable model to understand brain tumors and develop targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wen
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Fangkun Liu
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Nathaniel Weygant
- Academy of Integrative MedicineFujian University of Traditional Chinese MedicineFuzhouFujianChina
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine in GeriatricsFujian University of Traditional Chinese MedicineFuzhouFujianChina
| | - Xisong Liang
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Fan Fan
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Chuntao Li
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Liyang Zhang
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Zhixiong Liu
- Department of NeurosurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hypothalamic‐pituitary Research CenterXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
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31
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Gribaudo S, Robert R, van Sambeek B, Mirdass C, Lyubimova A, Bouhali K, Ferent J, Morin X, van Oudenaarden A, Nedelec S. Self-organizing models of human trunk organogenesis recapitulate spinal cord and spine co-morphogenesis. Nat Biotechnol 2023:10.1038/s41587-023-01956-9. [PMID: 37709912 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01956-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Integrated in vitro models of human organogenesis are needed to elucidate the multi-systemic events underlying development and disease. Here we report the generation of human trunk-like structures that model the co-morphogenesis, patterning and differentiation of the human spine and spinal cord. We identified differentiation conditions for human pluripotent stem cells favoring the formation of an embryo-like extending antero-posterior (AP) axis. Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics show that somitic and spinal cord differentiation trajectories organize along this axis and can self-assemble into a neural tube surrounded by somites upon extracellular matrix addition. Morphogenesis is coupled with AP patterning mechanisms, which results, at later stages of organogenesis, in in vivo-like arrays of neural subtypes along a neural tube surrounded by spine and muscle progenitors contacted by neuronal projections. This integrated system of trunk development indicates that in vivo-like multi-tissue co-morphogenesis and topographic organization of terminal cell types can be achieved in human organoids, opening windows for the development of more complex models of organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Gribaudo
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
- Inserm, UMR-S 1270, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, Paris, France
| | - Rémi Robert
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
- Inserm, UMR-S 1270, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, Paris, France
| | - Björn van Sambeek
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Camil Mirdass
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
| | - Anna Lyubimova
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kamal Bouhali
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, Paris, France
| | - Julien Ferent
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
- Inserm, UMR-S 1270, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Morin
- Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, Paris, France
| | - Alexander van Oudenaarden
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stéphane Nedelec
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France.
- Inserm, UMR-S 1270, Paris, France.
- Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, Paris, France.
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Jeziorski J, Brandt R, Evans JH, Campana W, Kalichman M, Thompson E, Goldstein L, Koch C, Muotri AR. Brain organoids, consciousness, ethics and moral status. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 144:97-102. [PMID: 35339359 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Advances in the field of human stem cells are often a source of public and ethical controversy. Researchers must frequently balance diverse societal perspectives on questions of morality with the pursuit of medical therapeutics and innovation. Recent developments in brain organoids make this challenge even more acute. Brain organoids are a new class of brain surrogate generated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). They have gained traction as a model for studying the intricacies of the human brain by using advancements in stem cell biology to recapitulate aspects of the developing human brain in vitro. However, recent observation of neural oscillations spontaneously emerging from these organoids raises the question of whether brain organoids are or could become conscious. At the same time, brain organoids offer a potentially unique opportunity to scientifically understand consciousness. To address these issues, experimental biologists, philosophers, and ethicists united to discuss the possibility of consciousness in human brain organoids and the consequent ethical and moral implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Jeziorski
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, Archealization Center (ArchC), La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Reuven Brandt
- Department of Philosophy, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - John H Evans
- Institute for Practical Ethics, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Wendy Campana
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Michael Kalichman
- Research Ethics Program, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Evan Thompson
- Department of Philosophy, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lawrence Goldstein
- Departments of Medicine and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | | | - Alysson R Muotri
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, Archealization Center (ArchC), La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Ayad NM, Lakins JN, Ghagre A, Ehrlicher AJ, Weaver VM. Tissue tension permits β-catenin phosphorylation to drive mesoderm specification in human embryonic stem cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.14.549074. [PMID: 37503095 PMCID: PMC10370032 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.14.549074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The role of morphogenetic forces in cell fate specification is an area of intense interest. Our prior studies suggested that the development of high cell-cell tension in human embryonic stem cells (hESC) colonies permits the Src-mediated phosphorylation of junctional β-catenin that accelerates its release to potentiate Wnt-dependent signaling critical for initiating mesoderm specification. Using an ectopically expressed nonphosphorylatable mutant of β-catenin (Y654F), we now provide direct evidence that impeding tension-dependent Src-mediated β-catenin phosphorylation impedes the expression of Brachyury (T) and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) necessary for mesoderm specification. Addition of exogenous Wnt3a or inhibiting GSK3β activity rescued mesoderm expression, emphasizing the importance of force dependent Wnt signaling in regulating mechanomorphogenesis. Our work provides a framework for understanding tension-dependent β-catenin/Wnt signaling in the self-organization of tissues during developmental processes including gastrulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia M.E. Ayad
- Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco and University of California Berkeley, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Johnathon N. Lakins
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Ajinkya Ghagre
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0E9, Canada
| | - Allen J. Ehrlicher
- Department of Bioengineering, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Centre for Structural Biology, Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Valerie M. Weaver
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helen Diller Family Cancer Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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34
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Mullis AS, Kaplan DL. Functional bioengineered tissue models of neurodegenerative diseases. Biomaterials 2023; 298:122143. [PMID: 37146365 PMCID: PMC10209845 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases remain poorly understood and no disease-modifying treatments exist despite decades of investigation. Predominant in vitro (e.g., 2D cell culture, organoids) and in vivo (e.g., mouse) models of these diseases are insufficient mimics of human brain tissue structure and function and of human neurodegenerative pathobiology, and have thus contributed to this collective translational failure. This has been a longstanding challenge in the field, and new strategies are required to address both fundamental and translational needs. Bioengineered tissue culture models constitute a class of promising alternatives, as they can overcome the low cell density, poor nutrient exchange, and long term culturability limitations of existing in vitro models. Further, they can reconstruct the structural, mechanical, and biochemical cues of native brain tissue, providing a better mimic of human brain tissues for in vitro pathobiological investigation and drug development. We discuss bioengineering techniques for the generation of these neurodegenerative tissue models, including biomaterials-, organoid-, and microfluidics-based approaches, and design considerations for their construction. To aid the development of the next generation of functional neurodegenerative disease models, we discuss approaches to incorporate greater cellular diversity and simulate aging processes within bioengineered brain tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam S Mullis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA; Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.
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Cerneckis J, Bu G, Shi Y. Pushing the boundaries of brain organoids to study Alzheimer's disease. Trends Mol Med 2023:S1471-4914(23)00098-9. [PMID: 37353408 PMCID: PMC10374393 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) entails deterioration or aberrant function of multiple brain cell types, eventually leading to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Defining how complex cell-cell interactions become dysregulated in AD requires novel human cell-based in vitro platforms that could recapitulate the intricate cytoarchitecture and cell diversity of the human brain. Brain organoids (BOs) are 3D self-organizing tissues that partially resemble the human brain architecture and can recapitulate AD-relevant pathology. In this review, we highlight the versatile applications of different types of BOs to model AD pathogenesis, including amyloid-β and tau aggregation, neuroinflammation, myelin breakdown, vascular dysfunction, and other phenotypes, as well as to accelerate therapeutic development for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Cerneckis
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Guojun Bu
- SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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Mapping and exploring the organoid state space using synthetic biology. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 141:23-32. [PMID: 35466054 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The functional relevance of an organoid is dependent on the differentiation, morphology, cell arrangement and biophysical properties, which collectively define the state of an organoid. For an organoid culture, an individual organoid or the cells that compose it, these state variables can be characterised, most easily by transcriptomics and by high-content image analysis. Their states can be compared to their in vivo counterparts. Current evidence suggests that organoids explore a wider state space than organs in vivo due to the lack of niche signalling and the variability of boundary conditions in vitro. Using data-driven state inference and in silico modelling, phase diagrams can be constructed to systematically sort organoids along biochemical or biophysical axes. These phase diagrams allow us to identify control strategies to modulate organoid state. To do so, the biochemical and biophysical environment, as well as the cells that seed organoids, can be manipulated.
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Tsutsumi R, Eiraku M. How might we build limbs in vitro informed by the modular aspects and tissue-dependency in limb development? Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1135784. [PMID: 37283945 PMCID: PMC10241304 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1135784] [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: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Building limb morphogenesis in vitro would substantially open up avenues for research and applications of appendage development. Recently, advances in stem cell engineering to differentiate desired cell types and produce multicellular structures in vitro have enabled the derivation of limb-like tissues from pluripotent stem cells. However, in vitro recapitulation of limb morphogenesis is yet to be achieved. To formulate a method of building limbs in vitro, it is critically important to understand developmental mechanisms, especially the modularity and the dependency of limb development on the external tissues, as those would help us to postulate what can be self-organized and what needs to be externally manipulated when reconstructing limb development in vitro. Although limbs are formed on the designated limb field on the flank of embryo in the normal developmental context, limbs can also be regenerated on the amputated stump in some animals and experimentally induced at ectopic locations, which highlights the modular aspects of limb morphogenesis. The forelimb-hindlimb identity and the dorsal-ventral, proximal-distal, and anterior-posterior axes are initially instructed by the body axis of the embryo, and maintained in the limb domain once established. In contrast, the aspects of dependency on the external tissues are especially underscored by the contribution of incoming tissues, such as muscles, blood vessels, and peripheral nerves, to developing limbs. Together, those developmental mechanisms explain how limb-like tissues could be derived from pluripotent stem cells. Prospectively, the higher complexity of limb morphologies is expected to be recapitulated by introducing the morphogen gradient and the incoming tissues in the culture environment. Those technological developments would dramatically enhance experimental accessibility and manipulability for elucidating the mechanisms of limb morphogenesis and interspecies differences. Furthermore, if human limb development can be modeled, drug development would be benefited by in vitro assessment of prenatal toxicity on congenital limb deficiencies. Ultimately, we might even create a future in which the lost appendage would be recovered by transplanting artificially grown human limbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rio Tsutsumi
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Laboratory of Developmental Systems, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mototsugu Eiraku
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Laboratory of Developmental Systems, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Mulder LA, Depla JA, Sridhar A, Wolthers K, Pajkrt D, Vieira de Sá R. A beginner's guide on the use of brain organoids for neuroscientists: a systematic review. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:87. [PMID: 37061699 PMCID: PMC10105545 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03302-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first human brain organoid protocol was presented in the beginning of the previous decade, and since then, the field witnessed the development of many new brain region-specific models, and subsequent protocol adaptations and modifications. The vast amount of data available on brain organoid technology may be overwhelming for scientists new to the field and consequently decrease its accessibility. Here, we aimed at providing a practical guide for new researchers in the field by systematically reviewing human brain organoid publications. METHODS Articles published between 2010 and 2020 were selected and categorised for brain organoid applications. Those describing neurodevelopmental studies or protocols for novel organoid models were further analysed for culture duration of the brain organoids, protocol comparisons of key aspects of organoid generation, and performed functional characterisation assays. We then summarised the approaches taken for different models and analysed the application of small molecules and growth factors used to achieve organoid regionalisation. Finally, we analysed articles for organoid cell type compositions, the reported time points per cell type, and for immunofluorescence markers used to characterise different cell types. RESULTS Calcium imaging and patch clamp analysis were the most frequently used neuronal activity assays in brain organoids. Neural activity was shown in all analysed models, yet network activity was age, model, and assay dependent. Induction of dorsal forebrain organoids was primarily achieved through combined (dual) SMAD and Wnt signalling inhibition. Ventral forebrain organoid induction was performed with dual SMAD and Wnt signalling inhibition, together with additional activation of the Shh pathway. Cerebral organoids and dorsal forebrain model presented the most cell types between days 35 and 60. At 84 days, dorsal forebrain organoids contain astrocytes and potentially oligodendrocytes. Immunofluorescence analysis showed cell type-specific application of non-exclusive markers for multiple cell types. CONCLUSIONS We provide an easily accessible overview of human brain organoid cultures, which may help those working with brain organoids to define their choice of model, culture time, functional assay, differentiation, and characterisation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Mulder
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department Medical Microbiology, OrganoVIR Labs, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Josse A Depla
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department Medical Microbiology, OrganoVIR Labs, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- uniQure Biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adithya Sridhar
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department Medical Microbiology, OrganoVIR Labs, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Katja Wolthers
- Department Medical Microbiology, OrganoVIR Labs, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dasja Pajkrt
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department Medical Microbiology, OrganoVIR Labs, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Renata Vieira de Sá
- Department Medical Microbiology, OrganoVIR Labs, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- uniQure Biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Wang L, Owusu-Hammond C, Sievert D, Gleeson JG. Stem Cell-Based Organoid Models of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:622-631. [PMID: 36759260 PMCID: PMC10022535 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The past decade has seen an explosion in the identification of genetic causes of neurodevelopmental disorders, including Mendelian, de novo, and somatic factors. These discoveries provide opportunities to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms as well as potential gene-gene and gene-environment interactions to support novel therapies. Stem cell-based models, particularly human brain organoids, can capture disease-associated alleles in the context of the human genome, engineered to mirror disease-relevant aspects of cellular complexity and developmental timing. These models have brought key insights into neurodevelopmental disorders as diverse as microcephaly, autism, and focal epilepsy. However, intrinsic organoid-to-organoid variability, low levels of certain brain-resident cell types, and long culture times required to reach maturity can impede progress. Several recent advances incorporate specific morphogen gradients, mixtures of diverse brain cell types, and organoid engraftment into animal models. Together with nonhuman primate organoid comparisons, mechanisms of human neurodevelopmental disorders are emerging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- From the Department of Neuroscience, Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Charlotte Owusu-Hammond
- From the Department of Neuroscience, Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - David Sievert
- From the Department of Neuroscience, Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Joseph G Gleeson
- From the Department of Neuroscience, Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.
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Lü L, Yuan F, Fan H, Li Y, Liu J, Feng W, Zhang HG, Chen SY. Ethanol exposure disrupted the formation of radial glial processes and impaired the generation and migration of outer radial glial cells in forebrain organoids derived from human embryonic stem cells. Exp Neurol 2023; 362:114325. [PMID: 36669750 PMCID: PMC9992138 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114325] [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: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Radial glial cells (RGCs) play a pivotal role in cerebral cortical development by functioning as a source of new neurons and by supporting the migration of newborn neurons. These functions are primarily dependent on the apical-basolateral structures of radial glial processes. This study aims to investigate the effects of ethanol exposure on the development of radial glial processes and the generation, migration, and transformation of outer radial glial cells (oRGCs). For this purpose, forebrain organoids were developed from human embryonic stem cells. These forebrain organoids contain abundant neural progenitor cells (SOX2+), express high levels of neural epithelial markers β-catenin and PKCλ, and dorsal forebrain marker PAX6, and display well-organized cortical architectures containing abundant apical and basal RGCs, intermediate progenitors (IPCs), and neurons. Exposure of forebrain organoids to ethanol resulted in a significant increase in apoptosis in Nestin-positive radial glial cells. Ethanol exposure also remarkably decreased the levels of radial glial process-associated proteins, including Nestin, GFAP, and Vimentin, in radial glial cells and distinctly impaired the integrity and morphologies of radial glial processes. In addition, the ethanol-induced impairment of the radial glial processes is associated with decreased migration and proliferation of radial glial cells, reduction in the generation of HOPX+ oRGCs, and the accelerated transformation of oRGCs into astrocytes. These results demonstrate that ethanol exposure can disrupt cerebral cortex development by impairing the formation of radial glial processes and the generation, migration, and transformation of oRGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanhai Lü
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA; University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Fuqiang Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA; University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Huadong Fan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA; University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Yihong Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA; University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA; University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Wenke Feng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA; University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Huang-Ge Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA; Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Shao-Yu Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA; University of Louisville Alcohol Research Center, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
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Urenda JP, Del Dosso A, Birtele M, Quadrato G. Present and Future Modeling of Human Psychiatric Connectopathies With Brain Organoids. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:606-615. [PMID: 36759258 PMCID: PMC11229385 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Brain organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells are emerging as a powerful tool to model cellular aspects of neuropsychiatric disorders, including alterations in cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and lineage trajectory. To date, most contributions in the field have focused on modeling cellular impairment of the cerebral cortex, with few studies probing dysfunction in local network connectivity. However, it is increasingly more apparent that these psychiatric disorders are connectopathies involving multiple brain structures and the connections between them. Therefore, the lack of reproducible anatomical features in these 3-dimensional cultures represents a major bottleneck for effectively modeling brain connectivity at the micro(cellular) level and at the macroscale level between brain regions. In this perspective, we review the use of current organoid protocols to model neuropsychiatric disorders with a specific emphasis on the potential and limitations of the current strategies to model impairments in functional connectivity. Finally, we discuss the importance of adopting interdisciplinary strategies to establish next-generation, multiregional organoids that can model, with higher fidelity, the dysfunction in the development and functionality of long-range connections within the brain of patients affected by psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul Urenda
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ashley Del Dosso
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Marcella Birtele
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Giorgia Quadrato
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
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Koh I, Hagiwara M. Gradient to sectioning CUBE workflow for the generation and imaging of organoids with localized differentiation. Commun Biol 2023; 6:299. [PMID: 36944757 PMCID: PMC10030548 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04694-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancements in organoid culture have led to various in vitro mini-organs that mimic native tissues in many ways. Yet, the bottleneck remains to generate complex organoids with body axis patterning, as well as keeping the orientation of organoids during post-experiment analysis processes. Here, we present a workflow for culturing organoids with morphogen gradient using a CUBE culture device, followed by sectioning samples with the CUBE to retain information on gradient direction. We show that hiPSC spheroids cultured with two separated differentiation media on opposing ends of the CUBE resulted in localized expressions of the respective differentiation markers, in contrast to homogeneous distribution of markers in controls. We also describe the processes for cryo and paraffin sectioning of spheroids in CUBE to retain gradient orientation information. This workflow from gradient culture to sectioning with CUBE can provide researchers with a convenient tool to generate increasingly complex organoids and study their developmental processes in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Koh
- Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Masaya Hagiwara
- Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
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43
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Mayhew CN, Singhania R. A review of protocols for brain organoids and applications for disease modeling. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:101860. [PMID: 36566384 PMCID: PMC9803834 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent breakthroughs in human stem cell technologies have enabled the generation of 3D brain organoid platforms for modeling human neurodevelopment and disease. Here, we review advances in brain organoid development, approaches for generating whole-brain or cerebral organoids and region-specific brain organoids, and their applications in disease modeling. We present a comprehensive overview of various brain organoid generation protocols, including culture steps, media, timelines, and technical considerations associated with each protocol, and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each protocol. We also discuss the current limitations as well as increasing sophistication of brain organoid technology, and future directions for the field. These insights provide a valuable assessment of multiple commonly used brain organoid models and main considerations for investigators who are considering implementing brain organoid technologies in their laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher N Mayhew
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| | - Richa Singhania
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
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44
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Blatchley MR, Anseth KS. Middle-out methods for spatiotemporal tissue engineering of organoids. NATURE REVIEWS BIOENGINEERING 2023; 1:329-345. [PMID: 37168734 PMCID: PMC10010248 DOI: 10.1038/s44222-023-00039-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Organoids recapitulate many aspects of the complex three-dimensional (3D) organization found within native tissues and even display tissue and organ-level functionality. Traditional approaches to organoid culture have largely employed a top-down tissue engineering strategy, whereby cells are encapsulated in a 3D matrix, such as Matrigel, alongside well-defined biochemical cues that direct morphogenesis. However, the lack of spatiotemporal control over niche properties renders cellular processes largely stochastic. Therefore, bottom-up tissue engineering approaches have evolved to address some of these limitations and focus on strategies to assemble tissue building blocks with defined multi-scale spatial organization. However, bottom-up design reduces the capacity for self-organization that underpins organoid morphogenesis. Here, we introduce an emerging framework, which we term middle-out strategies, that relies on existing design principles and combines top-down design of defined synthetic matrices that support proliferation and self-organization with bottom-up modular engineered intervention to limit the degrees of freedom in the dynamic process of organoid morphogenesis. We posit that this strategy will provide key advances to guide the growth of organoids with precise geometries, structures and function, thereby facilitating an unprecedented level of biomimicry to accelerate the utility of organoids to more translationally relevant applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R. Blatchley
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
| | - Kristi S. Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
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Fan Y, Hackland J, Baggiolini A, Hung LY, Zhao H, Zumbo P, Oberst P, Minotti AP, Hergenreder E, Najjar S, Huang Z, Cruz NM, Zhong A, Sidharta M, Zhou T, de Stanchina E, Betel D, White RM, Gershon M, Margolis KG, Studer L. hPSC-derived sacral neural crest enables rescue in a severe model of Hirschsprung's disease. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:264-282.e9. [PMID: 36868194 PMCID: PMC10034921 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is derived from both the vagal and sacral component of the neural crest (NC). Here, we present the derivation of sacral ENS precursors from human PSCs via timed exposure to FGF, WNT, and GDF11, which enables posterior patterning and transition from posterior trunk to sacral NC identity, respectively. Using a SOX2::H2B-tdTomato/T::H2B-GFP dual reporter hPSC line, we demonstrate that both trunk and sacral NC emerge from a double-positive neuro-mesodermal progenitor (NMP). Vagal and sacral NC precursors yield distinct neuronal subtypes and migratory behaviors in vitro and in vivo. Remarkably, xenografting of both vagal and sacral NC lineages is required to rescue a mouse model of total aganglionosis, suggesting opportunities in the treatment of severe forms of Hirschsprung's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Fan
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - James Hackland
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Arianna Baggiolini
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lin Y Hung
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Huiyong Zhao
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Paul Zumbo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Applied Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Polina Oberst
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Andrew P Minotti
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Emiliano Hergenreder
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sarah Najjar
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Zixing Huang
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Nelly M Cruz
- Cancer Biology and Genetics and Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Aaron Zhong
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; The SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mega Sidharta
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; The SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ting Zhou
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; The SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Doron Betel
- Applied Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Richard M White
- Cancer Biology and Genetics and Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michael Gershon
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Kara Gross Margolis
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA; Department of Pediatrics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Lorenz Studer
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Walsh R, Giacomelli E, Ciceri G, Rittenhouse C, Galimberti M, Wu Y, 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. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.17.528906. [PMID: 36824730 PMCID: PMC9949131 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.17.528906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian outer radial glia (oRG) emerge as cortical progenitor cells that directly support the development of an enlarged outer subventricular zone (oSVZ) and, in turn, the expansion of the neocortex. The in vitro generation of oRG is essential to model and investigate the underlying mechanisms of human neocortical development and expansion. By activating the STAT3 pathway using LIF, which is not produced in guided cortical organoids, we developed a cerebral organoid differentiation method from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) that recapitulates the expansion of a progenitor pool into the oSVZ. The structured oSVZ is composed of progenitor cells expressing specific oRG markers such as GFAP, LIFR, HOPX , which closely matches human oRG in vivo . In this microenvironment, cortical neurons showed faster maturation with enhanced metabolic and functional activity. Incorporation of hPSC-derived brain vascular LIF- producing pericytes in cerebral organoids mimicked the effects of LIF treatment. These data indicate that the cellular complexity of the cortical microenvironment, including cell-types of the brain vasculature, favors the appearance of oRG and provides a platform to routinely study oRG in hPSC-derived brain organoids.
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Khamis ZI, Sarker DB, Xue Y, Al-Akkary N, James VD, Zeng C, Li Y, Sang QXA. Modeling Human Brain Tumors and the Microenvironment Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041253. [PMID: 36831595 PMCID: PMC9954701 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041253] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain cancer is a group of diverse and rapidly growing malignancies that originate in the central nervous system (CNS) and have a poor prognosis. The complexity of brain structure and function makes brain cancer modeling extremely difficult, limiting pathological studies and therapeutic developments. Advancements in human pluripotent stem cell technology have opened a window of opportunity for brain cancer modeling, providing a wealth of customizable methods to simulate the disease in vitro. This is achieved with the advent of genome editing and genetic engineering technologies that can simulate germline and somatic mutations found in human brain tumors. This review investigates induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based approaches to model human brain cancer. The applications of iPSCs as renewable sources of individual brain cell types, brain organoids, blood-brain barrier (BBB), and brain tumor models are discussed. The brain tumor models reviewed are glioblastoma and medulloblastoma. The iPSC-derived isogenic cells and three-dimensional (3D) brain cancer organoids combined with patient-derived xenografts will enhance future compound screening and drug development for these deadly human brain cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahraa I. Khamis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
- High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences-I, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Drishty B. Sarker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Yu Xue
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Nancy Al-Akkary
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences-I, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Viviana D. James
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Changchun Zeng
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
- High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Qing-Xiang Amy Sang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-850-644-8683; Fax: +1-850-644-8281
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Becerra-Calixto A, Mukherjee A, Ramirez S, Sepulveda S, Sinha T, Al-Lahham R, De Gregorio N, Gherardelli C, Soto C. Lewy Body-like Pathology and Loss of Dopaminergic Neurons in Midbrain Organoids Derived from Familial Parkinson's Disease Patient. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040625. [PMID: 36831291 PMCID: PMC9954141 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Progressive accumulation of α-Synuclein (αSyn) in Lewy bodies (LBs) and loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons are the hallmark pathological features of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although currently available in vitro and in vivo models have provided crucial information about PD pathogenesis, the mechanistic link between the progressive accumulation of αSyn into LBs and the loss of DA neurons is still unclear. To address this, it is critical to model LB formation and DA neuron loss, the two key neuropathological aspects of PD, in a relevant in vitro system. In this study, we developed a human midbrain-like organoid (hMBO) model of PD. We demonstrated that hMBOs generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), derived from a familial PD (fPD) patient carrying αSyn gene (SNCA) triplication accumulate pathological αSyn over time. These cytoplasmic inclusions spatially and morphologically resembled diverse stages of LB formation and were composed of key markers of LBs. Importantly, the progressive accumulation of pathological αSyn was paralleled by the loss of DA neurons and elevated apoptosis. The model developed in this study will complement the existing in vitro models of PD and will provide a unique platform to study the spatiotemporal events governing LB formation and their relation with neurodegeneration. Furthermore, this model will also be beneficial for in vitro screening and the development of therapeutic compounds.
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Castillo Bautista CM, Sterneckert J. Progress and challenges in directing the differentiation of human iPSCs into spinal motor neurons. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1089970. [PMID: 36684437 PMCID: PMC9849822 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1089970] [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: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron (MN) diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive bulbar palsy, primary lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy, cause progressive paralysis and, in many cases, death. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis is urgently needed to identify more effective therapies. However, studying MNs has been extremely difficult because they are inaccessible in the spinal cord. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can generate a theoretically limitless number of MNs from a specific patient, making them powerful tools for studying MN diseases. However, to reach their potential, iPSCs need to be directed to efficiently differentiate into functional MNs. Here, we review the reported differentiation protocols for spinal MNs, including induction with small molecules, expression of lineage-specific transcription factors, 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional cultures, as well as the implementation of microfluidics devices and co-cultures with other cell types, including skeletal muscle. We will summarize the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy. In addition, we will provide insights into how to address some of the remaining challenges, including reproducibly obtaining mature and aged MNs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jared Sterneckert
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany,*Correspondence: Jared Sterneckert,
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50
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Trentesaux C, Yamada T, Klein OD, Lim WA. Harnessing synthetic biology to engineer organoids and tissues. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:10-19. [PMID: 36608674 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of an organism depends on intrinsic genetic programs of progenitor cells and their spatiotemporally complex extrinsic environment. Ex vivo generation of organoids from progenitor cells provides a platform for recapitulating and exploring development. Current approaches rely largely on soluble morphogens or engineered biomaterials to manipulate the physical environment, but the emerging field of synthetic biology provides a powerful toolbox to genetically manipulate cell communication, adhesion, and even cell fate. Applying these modular tools to organoids should lead to a deeper understanding of developmental principles, improved organoid models, and an enhanced capability to design tissues for regenerative purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Trentesaux
- Department of Orofacial Sciences and Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Toshimichi Yamada
- Cell Design Institute, Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Ophir D Klein
- Department of Orofacial Sciences and Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
| | - Wendell A Lim
- Cell Design Institute, Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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