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Papadimitriou E, Thomaidou D. Post-transcriptional mechanisms controlling neurogenesis and direct neuronal reprogramming. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1929-1939. [PMID: 38227517 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.390976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurogenesis is a tightly regulated process in time and space both in the developing embryo and in adult neurogenic niches. A drastic change in the transcriptome and proteome of radial glial cells or neural stem cells towards the neuronal state is achieved due to sophisticated mechanisms of epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional regulation. Understanding these neurogenic mechanisms is of major importance, not only for shedding light on very complex and crucial developmental processes, but also for the identification of putative reprogramming factors, that harbor hierarchically central regulatory roles in the course of neurogenesis and bare thus the capacity to drive direct reprogramming towards the neuronal fate. The major transcriptional programs that orchestrate the neurogenic process have been the focus of research for many years and key neurogenic transcription factors, as well as repressor complexes, have been identified and employed in direct reprogramming protocols to convert non-neuronal cells, into functional neurons. The post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression during nervous system development has emerged as another important and intricate regulatory layer, strongly contributing to the complexity of the mechanisms controlling neurogenesis and neuronal function. In particular, recent advances are highlighting the importance of specific RNA binding proteins that control major steps of mRNA life cycle during neurogenesis, such as alternative splicing, polyadenylation, stability, and translation. Apart from the RNA binding proteins, microRNAs, a class of small non-coding RNAs that block the translation of their target mRNAs, have also been shown to play crucial roles in all the stages of the neurogenic process, from neural stem/progenitor cell proliferation, neuronal differentiation and migration, to functional maturation. Here, we provide an overview of the most prominent post-transcriptional mechanisms mediated by RNA binding proteins and microRNAs during the neurogenic process, giving particular emphasis on the interplay of specific RNA binding proteins with neurogenic microRNAs. Taking under consideration that the molecular mechanisms of neurogenesis exert high similarity to the ones driving direct neuronal reprogramming, we also discuss the current advances in in vitro and in vivo direct neuronal reprogramming approaches that have employed microRNAs or RNA binding proteins as reprogramming factors, highlighting the so far known mechanisms of their reprogramming action.
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Nicolas-Martinez EC, Robinson O, Pflueger C, Gardner A, Corbett MA, Ritchie T, Kroes T, van Eyk CL, Scheffer IE, Hildebrand MS, Barnier JV, Rousseau V, Genevieve D, Haushalter V, Piton A, Denommé-Pichon AS, Bruel AL, Nambot S, Isidor B, Grigg J, Gonzalez T, Ghedia S, Marchant RG, Bournazos A, Wong WK, Webster RI, Evesson FJ, Jones KJ, Cooper ST, Lister R, Gecz J, Jolly LA. RNA variant assessment using transactivation and transdifferentiation. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:1673-1699. [PMID: 39084224 PMCID: PMC11339655 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.06.018] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the impact of splicing and nonsense variants on RNA is crucial for the resolution of variant classification as well as their suitability for precision medicine interventions. This is primarily enabled through RNA studies involving transcriptomics followed by targeted assays using RNA isolated from clinically accessible tissues (CATs) such as blood or skin of affected individuals. Insufficient disease gene expression in CATs does however pose a major barrier to RNA based investigations, which we show is relevant to 1,436 Mendelian disease genes. We term these "silent" Mendelian genes (SMGs), the largest portion (36%) of which are associated with neurological disorders. We developed two approaches to induce SMG expression in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) to overcome this limitation, including CRISPR-activation-based gene transactivation and fibroblast-to-neuron transdifferentiation. Initial transactivation screens involving 40 SMGs stimulated our development of a highly multiplexed transactivation system culminating in the 6- to 90,000-fold induction of expression of 20/20 (100%) SMGs tested in HDFs. Transdifferentiation of HDFs directly to neurons led to expression of 193/516 (37.4%) of SMGs implicated in neurological disease. The magnitude and isoform diversity of SMG expression following either transactivation or transdifferentiation was comparable to clinically relevant tissues. We apply transdifferentiation and/or gene transactivation combined with short- and long-read RNA sequencing to investigate the impact that variants in USH2A, SCN1A, DMD, and PAK3 have on RNA using HDFs derived from affected individuals. Transactivation and transdifferentiation represent rapid, scalable functional genomic solutions to investigate variants impacting SMGs in the patient cell and genomic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmylou C Nicolas-Martinez
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Olivia Robinson
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Christian Pflueger
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Alison Gardner
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Mark A Corbett
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Tarin Ritchie
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Thessa Kroes
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Clare L van Eyk
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Ingrid E Scheffer
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Michael S Hildebrand
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - David Genevieve
- Montpellier University, Inserm U1183, Reference Center for Rare Diseases Developmental Anomaly and Malformative Syndromes, Genetics Department, Montpellier Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Virginie Haushalter
- Genetic Diagnosis Laboratory, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
| | - Amélie Piton
- Genetic Diagnosis Laboratory, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Denommé-Pichon
- CRMRs "Anomalies du Développement et syndromes malformatifs" et "Déficiences Intellectuelles de causes rares", Centre de Génétique, CHU Dijon, Dijon, France; INSERM UMR1231, GAD "Génétique des Anomalies du Développement," FHU-TRANSLAD, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
| | - Ange-Line Bruel
- CRMRs "Anomalies du Développement et syndromes malformatifs" et "Déficiences Intellectuelles de causes rares", Centre de Génétique, CHU Dijon, Dijon, France; INSERM UMR1231, GAD "Génétique des Anomalies du Développement," FHU-TRANSLAD, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
| | - Sophie Nambot
- CRMRs "Anomalies du Développement et syndromes malformatifs" et "Déficiences Intellectuelles de causes rares", Centre de Génétique, CHU Dijon, Dijon, France; INSERM UMR1231, GAD "Génétique des Anomalies du Développement," FHU-TRANSLAD, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
| | - Bertrand Isidor
- CRMRs "Anomalies du Développement et syndromes malformatifs" et "Déficiences Intellectuelles de causes rares", Centre de Génétique, CHU Dijon, Dijon, France; INSERM UMR1231, GAD "Génétique des Anomalies du Développement," FHU-TRANSLAD, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
| | - John Grigg
- Speciality of Ophthalmology, Save Sight Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Tina Gonzalez
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Sondhya Ghedia
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Rhett G Marchant
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Adam Bournazos
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Wui-Kwan Wong
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Department of Paediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Richard I Webster
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Frances J Evesson
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia; Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Kristi J Jones
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Department of Clinical Genetics, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Sandra T Cooper
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Kids Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia; Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Ryan Lister
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jozef Gecz
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
| | - Lachlan A Jolly
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
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Paryani F, Kwon JS, Ng CW, Jakubiak K, Madden N, Ofori K, Tang A, Lu H, Xia S, Li J, Mahajan A, Davidson SM, Basile AO, McHugh C, Vonsattel JP, Hickman R, Zody MC, Housman DE, Goldman JE, Yoo AS, Menon V, Al-Dalahmah O. Multi-omic analysis of Huntington's disease reveals a compensatory astrocyte state. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6742. [PMID: 39112488 PMCID: PMC11306246 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50626-0] [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: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the selective regional vulnerability to neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease (HD) have not been fully defined. To explore the role of astrocytes in this phenomenon, we used single-nucleus and bulk RNAseq, lipidomics, HTT gene CAG repeat-length measurements, and multiplexed immunofluorescence on HD and control post-mortem brains. We identified genes that correlated with CAG repeat length, which were enriched in astrocyte genes, and lipidomic signatures that implicated poly-unsaturated fatty acids in sensitizing neurons to cell death. Because astrocytes play essential roles in lipid metabolism, we explored the heterogeneity of astrocytic states in both protoplasmic and fibrous-like (CD44+) astrocytes. Significantly, one protoplasmic astrocyte state showed high levels of metallothioneins and was correlated with the selective vulnerability of distinct striatal neuronal populations. When modeled in vitro, this state improved the viability of HD-patient-derived spiny projection neurons. Our findings uncover key roles of astrocytic states in protecting against neurodegeneration in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahad Paryani
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ji-Sun Kwon
- Department of Developmental Biology Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Christopher W Ng
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biological Engineering, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kelly Jakubiak
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nacoya Madden
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kenneth Ofori
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alice Tang
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hong Lu
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shengnan Xia
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juncheng Li
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aayushi Mahajan
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shawn M Davidson
- Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Jean Paul Vonsattel
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard Hickman
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - David E Housman
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biological Engineering, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - James E Goldman
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew S Yoo
- Department of Developmental Biology Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Vilas Menon
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Osama Al-Dalahmah
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, New York, NY, USA.
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4
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Sun Z, Kwon JS, Ren Y, Chen S, Walker CK, Lu X, Cates K, Karahan H, Sviben S, Fitzpatrick JAJ, Valdez C, Houlden H, Karch CM, Bateman RJ, Sato C, Mennerick SJ, Diamond MI, Kim J, Tanzi RE, Holtzman DM, Yoo AS. Modeling late-onset Alzheimer's disease neuropathology via direct neuronal reprogramming. Science 2024; 385:adl2992. [PMID: 39088624 DOI: 10.1126/science.adl2992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) is the most common form of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, modeling sporadic LOAD that endogenously captures hallmark neuronal pathologies such as amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition, tau tangles, and neuronal loss remains an unmet need. We demonstrate that neurons generated by microRNA (miRNA)-based direct reprogramming of fibroblasts from individuals affected by autosomal dominant AD (ADAD) and LOAD in a three-dimensional environment effectively recapitulate key neuropathological features of AD. Reprogrammed LOAD neurons exhibit Aβ-dependent neurodegeneration, and treatment with β- or γ-secretase inhibitors before (but not subsequent to) Aβ deposit formation mitigated neuronal death. Moreover inhibiting age-associated retrotransposable elements in LOAD neurons reduced both Aβ deposition and neurodegeneration. Our study underscores the efficacy of modeling late-onset neuropathology of LOAD through high-efficiency miRNA-based neuronal reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Sun
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ji-Sun Kwon
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Program in Computational and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yudong Ren
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Program in Developmental, Regenerative, and Stem Cell Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Shawei Chen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Courtney K Walker
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xinguo Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kitra Cates
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Program in Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Hande Karahan
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sanja Sviben
- Washington University Center for Cellular Imaging, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - James A J Fitzpatrick
- Washington University Center for Cellular Imaging, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Clarissa Valdez
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Henry Houlden
- UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Celeste M Karch
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Randall J Bateman
- Tracy Family SILQ Center for Neurodegenerative Biology, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chihiro Sato
- Tracy Family SILQ Center for Neurodegenerative Biology, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Steven J Mennerick
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Marc I Diamond
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jungsu Kim
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Rudolph E Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, McCance Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - David M Holtzman
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Andrew S Yoo
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Luo C, Yang J. Age- and disease-related autophagy impairment in Huntington disease: New insights from direct neuronal reprogramming. Aging Cell 2024; 23:e14285. [PMID: 39044402 PMCID: PMC11320343 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14285] [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: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Autophagy impairment in Huntington disease (HD) has been reported for almost two decades. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are still unclear. This is partially because it is challenging to model the impact of the disease-causing mutation, aging, as well as the selective vulnerability of neurons in a single model. Recently developed direct neuronal reprogramming that allows researchers to induce neurons-of-interest retaining biological aging information made it possible to establish HD cellular models to study more relevant age- and disease-related molecular changes in neurons. We here summarized the findings from a few latest studies utilizing directly reprogrammed HD neurons and discussed the new insights they brought to the understanding of the age- and disease-related autophagy impairment in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuyang Luo
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green PharmaceuticalsCollege of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of TechnologyHangzhouChina
| | - Junsheng Yang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green PharmaceuticalsCollege of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of TechnologyHangzhouChina
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Kraskovskaya N, Koltsova A, Parfenova P, Shatrova A, Yartseva N, Nazarov V, Devyatkina E, Khotin M, Mikhailova N. Dermal Fibroblast Cell Line from a Patient with the Huntington's Disease as a Promising Model for Studying Disease Pathogenesis: Production and Characterization. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:1239-1250. [PMID: 39218021 DOI: 10.1134/s000629792407006x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an incurable hereditary disease caused by expansion of the CAG repeats in the HTT gene encoding the mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT). Despite numerous studies in cellular and animal models, the mechanisms underlying the biological role of mHTT and its toxicity to striatal neurons have not yet been established and no effective therapy for HD patients has been developed so far. We produced and characterized a new line of dermal fibroblasts (HDDF, Huntington's disease dermal fibroblasts) from a patient with a confirmed HD diagnosis. We also studied the growth characteristics of HDDF cells, stained them for canonical markers, karyotyped these cells, and investigated their phenotype. HDDF cells was successfully reprogrammed into induced striatal neurons via transdifferentiation. The new fibroblast line can be used as a cell model to study the biological role of mHTT and manifestations of HD pathogenesis in both fibroblasts and induced neuronal cells obtained from them by reprogramming techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Kraskovskaya
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Science, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russia.
| | - Anna Koltsova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Science, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russia
| | - Polina Parfenova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Science, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russia
| | - Alla Shatrova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Science, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russia
| | - Natalya Yartseva
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Science, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russia
| | - Vladimir Nazarov
- Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University, St. Petersburg, 197022, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Devyatkina
- Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University, St. Petersburg, 197022, Russia
| | - Mikhail Khotin
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Science, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russia
| | - Natalia Mikhailova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Science, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russia
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7
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Danačíková Š, Straka B, Daněk J, Kořínek V, Otáhal J. In vitro human cell culture models in a bench-to-bedside approach to epilepsy. Epilepsia Open 2024; 9:865-890. [PMID: 38637998 PMCID: PMC11145627 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12941] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disease, affecting nearly 1%-2% of the world's population. Current pharmacological treatment and regimen adjustments are aimed at controlling seizures; however, they are ineffective in one-third of the patients. Although neuronal hyperexcitability was previously thought to be mainly due to ion channel alterations, current research has revealed other contributing molecular pathways, including processes involved in cellular signaling, energy metabolism, protein synthesis, axon guidance, inflammation, and others. Some forms of drug-resistant epilepsy are caused by genetic defects that constitute potential targets for precision therapy. Although such approaches are increasingly important, they are still in the early stages of development. This review aims to provide a summary of practical aspects of the employment of in vitro human cell culture models in epilepsy diagnosis, treatment, and research. First, we briefly summarize the genetic testing that may result in the detection of candidate pathogenic variants in genes involved in epilepsy pathogenesis. Consequently, we review existing in vitro cell models, including induced pluripotent stem cells and differentiated neuronal cells, providing their specific properties, validity, and employment in research pipelines. We cover two methodological approaches. The first approach involves the utilization of somatic cells directly obtained from individual patients, while the second approach entails the utilization of characterized cell lines. The models are evaluated in terms of their research and clinical benefits, relevance to the in vivo conditions, legal and ethical aspects, time and cost demands, and available published data. Despite the methodological, temporal, and financial demands of the reviewed models they possess high potential to be used as robust systems in routine testing of pathogenicity of detected variants in the near future and provide a solid experimental background for personalized therapy of genetic epilepsies. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Epilepsy affects millions worldwide, but current treatments fail for many patients. Beyond traditional ion channel alterations, various genetic factors contribute to the disorder's complexity. This review explores how in vitro human cell models, either from patients or from cell lines, can aid in understanding epilepsy's genetic roots and developing personalized therapies. While these models require further investigation, they offer hope for improved diagnosis and treatment of genetic forms of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Šárka Danačíková
- Laboratory of Developmental EpileptologyInstitute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
- Department of Pathophysiology, Second Faculty of MedicineCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental BiologyInstitute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Barbora Straka
- Neurogenetics Laboratory of the Department of Paediatric Neurology, Second Faculty of MedicineCharles University and Motol University Hospital, Full Member of the ERN EpiCAREPragueCzech Republic
| | - Jan Daněk
- Laboratory of Developmental EpileptologyInstitute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
| | - Vladimír Kořínek
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental BiologyInstitute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
| | - Jakub Otáhal
- Laboratory of Developmental EpileptologyInstitute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
- Department of Pathophysiology, Second Faculty of MedicineCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
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8
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Chou CC, Vest R, Prado MA, Wilson-Grady J, Paulo JA, Shibuya Y, Moran-Losada P, Lee TT, Luo J, Gygi SP, Kelly JW, Finley D, Wernig M, Wyss-Coray T, Frydman J. Human tNeurons reveal aging-linked proteostasis deficits driving Alzheimer's phenotypes. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4407236. [PMID: 38853828 PMCID: PMC11160905 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4407236/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Aging is a prominent risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the cellular mechanisms underlying neuronal phenotypes remain elusive. Both accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain1 and age-linked organelle deficits2-7 are proposed as causes of AD phenotypes but the relationship between these events is unclear. Here, we address this question using a transdifferentiated neuron (tNeuron) model directly from human dermal fibroblasts. Patient-derived tNeurons retain aging hallmarks and exhibit AD-linked deficits. Quantitative tNeuron proteomic analyses identify aging and AD-linked deficits in proteostasis and organelle homeostasis, particularly affecting endosome-lysosomal components. The proteostasis and lysosomal homeostasis deficits in aged tNeurons are exacerbated in sporadic and familial AD tNeurons, promoting constitutive lysosomal damage and defects in ESCRT-mediated repair. We find deficits in neuronal lysosomal homeostasis lead to inflammatory cytokine secretion, cell death and spontaneous development of Aß and phospho-Tau deposits. These proteotoxic inclusions co-localize with lysosomes and damage markers and resemble inclusions in brain tissue from AD patients and APP-transgenic mice. Supporting the centrality of lysosomal deficits driving AD phenotypes, lysosome-function enhancing compounds reduce AD-associated cytokine secretion and Aβ deposits. We conclude that proteostasis and organelle deficits are upstream initiating factors leading to neuronal aging and AD phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Chieh Chou
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Ryan Vest
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Qinotto, Inc. San Carlos, California, USA
| | - Miguel A. Prado
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Joshua Wilson-Grady
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joao A. Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yohei Shibuya
- Departments of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Patricia Moran-Losada
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Ting-Ting Lee
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jian Luo
- Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Inc. (PAVIR), Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Steven P. Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeffery W. Kelly
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Daniel Finley
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marius Wernig
- Departments of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Tony Wyss-Coray
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Judith Frydman
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Lead contact
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9
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Giannakakis A, Tsifintaris M, Gouzouasis V, Ow GS, Aau MY, Papp C, Ivshina AV, Kuznetsov VA. KDM7A-DT induces genotoxic stress, tumorigenesis, and progression of p53 missense mutation-associated invasive breast cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1227151. [PMID: 38756663 PMCID: PMC11097164 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1227151] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Stress-induced promoter-associated and antisense lncRNAs (si-paancRNAs) originate from a reservoir of oxidative stress (OS)-specific promoters via RNAPII pausing-mediated divergent antisense transcription. Several studies have shown that the KDM7A divergent transcript gene (KDM7A-DT), which encodes a si-paancRNA, is overexpressed in some cancer types. However, the mechanisms of this overexpression and its corresponding roles in oncogenesis and cancer progression are poorly understood. We found that KDM7A-DT expression is correlated with highly aggressive cancer types and specific inherently determined subtypes (such as ductal invasive breast carcinoma (BRCA) basal subtype). Its regulation is determined by missense TP53 mutations in a subtype-specific context. KDM7A-DT transcribes several intermediate-sized ncRNAs and a full-length transcript, exhibiting distinct expression and localization patterns. Overexpression of KDM7A-DT upregulates TP53 protein expression and H2AX phosphorylation in nonmalignant fibroblasts, while in semi-transformed fibroblasts, OS superinduces KDM7A-DT expression in a TP53-dependent manner. KDM7A-DT knockdown and gene expression profiling in TP53-missense mutated luminal A BRCA variant, where it is abundantly expressed, indicate its significant role in cancer pathways. Endogenous over-expression of KDM7A-DT inhibits DNA damage response/repair (DDR/R) via the TP53BP1-mediated pathway, reducing apoptosis and promoting G2/M checkpoint arrest. Higher KDM7A-DT expression in BRCA is associated with KDM7A-DT locus gain/amplification, higher histologic grade, aneuploidy, hypoxia, immune modulation scores, and activation of the c-myc pathway. Higher KDM7A-DT expression is associated with relatively poor survival outcomes in patients with luminal A or Basal subtypes. In contrast, it is associated with favorable outcomes in patients with HER2+ER- or luminal B subtypes. KDM7A-DT levels are coregulated with critical transcripts and proteins aberrantly expressed in BRCA, including those involved in DNA repair via non-homologous end joining and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition pathway. In summary, KDM7A-DT and its si-lncRNA exhibit several intrinsic biological and clinical characteristics that suggest important roles in invasive BRCA and its subtypes. KDM7A-DT-defined mRNA and protein subnetworks offer resources for identifying clinically relevant RNA-based signatures and prospective targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonis Giannakakis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- University Research Institute for the Study of Genetic & Malignant Disorders in Childhood, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Margaritis Tsifintaris
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Vasileios Gouzouasis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Ghim Siong Ow
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mei Yee Aau
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Csaba Papp
- Department of Urology, The State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Anna V. Ivshina
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vladimir A. Kuznetsov
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Urology, The State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
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10
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Li X, Hernandez I, Koyuncu S, Kis B, Häggblad M, Lidemalm L, Abbas AA, Bendegúz S, Göblös A, Brautigam L, Lucas JJ, Carreras-Puigvert J, Hühn D, Pircs K, Vilchez D, Fernandez-Capetillo O. The anti-leprosy drug clofazimine reduces polyQ toxicity through activation of PPARγ. EBioMedicine 2024; 103:105124. [PMID: 38701619 PMCID: PMC11088276 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND PolyQ diseases are autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorders caused by the expansion of CAG repeats. While of slow progression, these diseases are ultimately fatal and lack effective therapies. METHODS A high-throughput chemical screen was conducted to identify drugs that lower the toxicity of a protein containing the first exon of Huntington's disease (HD) protein huntingtin (HTT) harbouring 94 glutamines (Htt-Q94). Candidate drugs were tested in a wide range of in vitro and in vivo models of polyQ toxicity. FINDINGS The chemical screen identified the anti-leprosy drug clofazimine as a hit, which was subsequently validated in several in vitro models. Computational analyses of transcriptional signatures revealed that the effect of clofazimine was due to the stimulation of mitochondrial biogenesis by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). In agreement with this, clofazimine rescued mitochondrial dysfunction triggered by Htt-Q94 expression. Importantly, clofazimine also limited polyQ toxicity in developing zebrafish and neuron-specific worm models of polyQ disease. INTERPRETATION Our results support the potential of repurposing the antimicrobial drug clofazimine for the treatment of polyQ diseases. FUNDING A full list of funding sources can be found in the acknowledgments section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuexin Li
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivó Hernandez
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, 28029, Spain
| | - Seda Koyuncu
- Cologne Excellence Cluster for Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Balázs Kis
- HCEMM-SU, Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Maria Häggblad
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Louise Lidemalm
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna A Abbas
- HCEMM-SU, Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sramkó Bendegúz
- HCEMM-SU, Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anikó Göblös
- Centre of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation, University of Szeged, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Lars Brautigam
- Zebrafish Core Facility, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jose J Lucas
- Center for Molecular Biology, "Severo Ochoa" (CBMSO) CSIC/UAM, Madrid, 28049, Spain; Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Carreras-Puigvert
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniela Hühn
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karolina Pircs
- HCEMM-SU, Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Laboratory of Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, BMC A11, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - David Vilchez
- Cologne Excellence Cluster for Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Oscar Fernandez-Capetillo
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden; Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, 28029, Spain.
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11
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Kampmann M. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of selective vulnerability in neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:351-371. [PMID: 38575768 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-024-00806-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The selective vulnerability of specific neuronal subtypes is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. In this Review, I summarize our current understanding of the brain regions and cell types that are selectively vulnerable in different neurodegenerative diseases and describe the proposed underlying cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms. I highlight how recent methodological innovations - including single-cell transcriptomics, CRISPR-based screens and human cell-based models of disease - are enabling new breakthroughs in our understanding of selective vulnerability. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms that determine selective vulnerability and resilience would shed light on the key processes that drive neurodegeneration and point to potential therapeutic strategies to protect vulnerable cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kampmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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12
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Aryal S, Chen S, Burbach KF, Yang Y, Capano LS, Kim WK, Bragg DC, Yoo A. SAK3 confers neuroprotection in the neurodegeneration model of X-linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4068432. [PMID: 38746402 PMCID: PMC11092809 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4068432/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Background X-linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism(XDP) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder that results in the loss of striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs). XDP is associated with disease-specific mutations in and around the TAF1 gene. This study highlights the utility of directly reprogrammed MSNs from fibroblasts of affected XDP individuals as a platform that captures cellular and epigenetic phenotypes associated with XDP-related neurodegeneration. In addition, the current study demonstrates the neuroprotective effect of SAK3 currently tested in other neurodegenerative diseases. Methods XDP fibroblasts from three independent patients as well as age- and sex-matched control fibroblasts were used to generate MSNs by direct neuronal reprogramming using miRNA-9/9*-124 and thetranscription factors CTIP2 , DLX1 -P2A- DLX2 , and MYT1L . Neuronal death, DNA damage, and mitochondrial health assays were carried out to assess the neurodegenerative state of directly reprogrammed MSNs from XDP patients (XDP-MSNs). RNA sequencing and ATAC sequencing were performed to infer changes in the transcriptomic and chromatin landscapesof XDP-MSNs compared to those of control MSNs (Ctrl-MSNs). Results Our results show that XDP patient fibroblasts can be successfully reprogrammed into MSNs and XDP-MSNs display several degenerative phenotypes, including neuronal death, DNA damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction, compared to Ctrl-MSNs reprogrammed from age- and sex-matched control individuals' fibroblasts. In addition, XDP-MSNs showed increased vulnerability to TNFα -toxicity compared to Ctrl-MSNs. To dissect the altered cellular state in XDP-MSNs, we conducted transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility analyses using RNA- and ATAC-seq. Our results indicate that pathways related to neuronal function, calcium signaling, and genes related to other neurodegenerative diseases are commonly altered in XDP-MSNs from multiple patients. Interestingly, we found that SAK3, a T-type calcium channel activator, that may have therapeutic values in other neurodegenerative disorders, protected XDP-MSNs from neuronal death. Notably, we found that SAK3-mediated alleviation of neurodegeneration in XDP-MSNs was accompanied by gene expression changes toward Ctrl-MSNs.
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13
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Kraskovskaya NA, Khotin MG, Tomilin AN, Mikhailova NA. Direct Reprogramming of Somatic Skin Cells from a Patient with Huntington's Disease into Striatal Neurons to Create Models of Pathology. DOKLADY BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES : PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE USSR, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES SECTIONS 2024; 515:15-19. [PMID: 38190040 PMCID: PMC11021267 DOI: 10.1134/s0012496623700849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
A new in vitro model of Huntington's disease (HD) was developed via a direct reprogramming of dermal fibroblasts from HD patients into striatal neurons. A reprogramming into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells is obviated in the case of direct reprogramming, which thus yields neurons that preserve the epigenetic information inherent in cells of a particular donor and, consequently, the age-associated disease phenotype. A main histopathological feature of HD was reproduced in the new model; i.e., aggregates of mutant huntingtin accumulated in striatal neurons derived from a patient's fibroblasts. Experiments with cultured neurons obtained via direct reprogramming make it possible to individually assess the progression of neuropathology and to implement a personalized approach to choosing the treatment strategy and drugs for therapy. The in vitro model of HD can be used in preclinical drug studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Kraskovskaya
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - M G Khotin
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - A N Tomilin
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - N A Mikhailova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
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14
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Oh YM, Lee SW. Patient-derived neuron model: Capturing age-dependent adult-onset degenerative pathology in Huntington's disease. Mol Cells 2024; 47:100046. [PMID: 38492889 PMCID: PMC11021366 DOI: 10.1016/j.mocell.2024.100046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs play a crucial role in directly reprogramming (converting) human fibroblasts into neurons. Specifically, miR-9/9* and miR-124 (miR-9/9*-124) display neurogenic and cell fate-switching activities when ectopically expressed in human fibroblasts by erasing fibroblast identity and inducing a pan-neuronal state. These converted neurons maintain the biological age of the starting fibroblasts and thus provide a human neuron-based platform to study cellular properties in aged neurons and model adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders using patient-derived cells. Furthermore, the expression of striatal-enriched transcription factors in conjunction with miR-9/9*-124 guides the identity of medium spiny neurons (MSNs), the primary targets in Huntington's disease (HD). Converted MSNs from HD patient-derived fibroblasts (HD-MSNs) can replicate HD-related phenotypes including neurodegeneration associated with age-related declines in critical cellular functions such as autophagy. Here, we review the role of microRNAs in the direct conversion of patient-derived fibroblasts into MSNs and the practical application of converted HD-MSNs as a model for studying adult-onset neuropathology in HD. We provide valuable insights into age-related, cell-intrinsic changes contributing to neurodegeneration in HD-MSNs. Ultimately, we address a comprehensive understanding of the complex molecular landscape underlying HD pathology, offering potential avenues for therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Mi Oh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus, GA 31901, USA
| | - Seong Won Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus, GA 31901, USA
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15
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Han B, Liang W, Li XJ, Li S, Yan S, Tu Z. Large animal models for Huntington's disease research. Zool Res 2024; 45:275-283. [PMID: 38485497 PMCID: PMC11017086 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2023.199] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder for which there is currently no effective treatment available. Consequently, the development of appropriate disease models is critical to thoroughly investigate disease progression. The genetic basis of HD involves the abnormal expansion of CAG repeats in the huntingtin ( HTT) gene, leading to the expansion of a polyglutamine repeat in the HTT protein. Mutant HTT carrying the expanded polyglutamine repeat undergoes misfolding and forms aggregates in the brain, which precipitate selective neuronal loss in specific brain regions. Animal models play an important role in elucidating the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as HD and in identifying potential therapeutic targets. Due to the marked species differences between rodents and larger animals, substantial efforts have been directed toward establishing large animal models for HD research. These models are pivotal for advancing the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, enhancing effective drug delivery methods, and improving treatment outcomes. We have explored the advantages of utilizing large animal models, particularly pigs, in previous reviews. Since then, however, significant progress has been made in developing more sophisticated animal models that faithfully replicate the typical pathology of HD. In the current review, we provide a comprehensive overview of large animal models of HD, incorporating recent findings regarding the establishment of HD knock-in (KI) pigs and their genetic therapy. We also explore the utilization of large animal models in HD research, with a focus on sheep, non-human primates (NHPs), and pigs. Our objective is to provide valuable insights into the application of these large animal models for the investigation and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bofeng Han
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Weien Liang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Xiao-Jiang Li
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Shihua Li
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Sen Yan
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China. E-mail:
| | - Zhuchi Tu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China. E-mail:
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16
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Amartumur S, Nguyen H, Huynh T, Kim TS, Woo RS, Oh E, Kim KK, Lee LP, Heo C. Neuropathogenesis-on-chips for neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2219. [PMID: 38472255 PMCID: PMC10933492 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46554-8] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Developing diagnostics and treatments for neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) is challenging due to multifactorial pathogenesis that progresses gradually. Advanced in vitro systems that recapitulate patient-like pathophysiology are emerging as alternatives to conventional animal-based models. In this review, we explore the interconnected pathogenic features of different types of ND, discuss the general strategy to modelling NDs using a microfluidic chip, and introduce the organoid-on-a-chip as the next advanced relevant model. Lastly, we overview how these models are being applied in academic and industrial drug development. The integration of microfluidic chips, stem cells, and biotechnological devices promises to provide valuable insights for biomedical research and developing diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarnai Amartumur
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea
| | - Huong Nguyen
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea
| | - Thuy Huynh
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea
| | - Testaverde S Kim
- Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics (CINAP), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon, 16419, Korea
| | - Ran-Sook Woo
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, 34824, Korea
| | - Eungseok Oh
- Department of Neurology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, 35015, Korea
| | - Kyeong Kyu Kim
- Department of Precision Medicine, Graduate School of Basic Medical Science (GSBMS), Institute for Anti-microbial Resistance Research and Therapeutics, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Korea
| | - Luke P Lee
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea.
- Harvard Medical School, Division of Engineering in Medicine and Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| | - Chaejeong Heo
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea.
- Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics (CINAP), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon, 16419, Korea.
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17
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Pitrez PR, Monteiro LM, Borgogno O, Nissan X, Mertens J, Ferreira L. Cellular reprogramming as a tool to model human aging in a dish. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1816. [PMID: 38418829 PMCID: PMC10902382 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46004-5] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The design of human model systems is highly relevant to unveil the underlying mechanisms of aging and to provide insights on potential interventions to extend human health and life span. In this perspective, we explore the potential of 2D or 3D culture models comprising human induced pluripotent stem cells and transdifferentiated cells obtained from aged or age-related disorder-affected donors to enhance our understanding of human aging and to catalyze the discovery of anti-aging interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia R Pitrez
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luis M Monteiro
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- IIIUC-institute of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão, Coimbra, 3030-789, Portugal
| | - Oliver Borgogno
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xavier Nissan
- CECS, I-STEM, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic diseases, Evry cedex, France
| | - Jerome Mertens
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Lino Ferreira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
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18
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Keshri R, Detraux D, Phal A, McCurdy C, Jhajharia S, Chan TC, Mathieu J, Ruohola-Baker H. Next-generation direct reprogramming. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1343106. [PMID: 38371924 PMCID: PMC10869521 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1343106] [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: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Tissue repair is significantly compromised in the aging human body resulting in critical disease conditions (such as myocardial infarction or Alzheimer's disease) and imposing a tremendous burden on global health. Reprogramming approaches (partial or direct reprogramming) are considered fruitful in addressing this unmet medical need. However, the efficacy, cellular maturity and specific targeting are still major challenges of direct reprogramming. Here we describe novel approaches in direct reprogramming that address these challenges. Extracellular signaling pathways (Receptor tyrosine kinases, RTK and Receptor Serine/Theronine Kinase, RSTK) and epigenetic marks remain central in rewiring the cellular program to determine the cell fate. We propose that modern protein design technologies (AI-designed minibinders regulating RTKs/RSTK, epigenetic enzymes, or pioneer factors) have potential to solve the aforementioned challenges. An efficient transdifferentiation/direct reprogramming may in the future provide molecular strategies to collectively reduce aging, fibrosis, and degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riya Keshri
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Damien Detraux
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ashish Phal
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Clara McCurdy
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Samriddhi Jhajharia
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Tung Ching Chan
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Julie Mathieu
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Hannele Ruohola-Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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19
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Beltran AS. Novel Approaches to Studying SLC13A5 Disease. Metabolites 2024; 14:84. [PMID: 38392976 PMCID: PMC10890222 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14020084] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of the sodium citrate transporter (NaCT) SLC13A5 is multifaceted and context-dependent. While aberrant dysfunction leads to neonatal epilepsy, its therapeutic inhibition protects against metabolic disease. Notably, insights regarding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena are limited due to the intricacy and complexity of the latent human physiology, which is poorly captured by existing animal models. This review explores innovative technologies aimed at bridging such a knowledge gap. First, I provide an overview of SLC13A5 variants in the context of human disease and the specific cell types where the expression of the transporter has been observed. Next, I discuss current technologies for generating patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their inherent advantages and limitations, followed by a summary of the methods for differentiating iPSCs into neurons, hepatocytes, and organoids. Finally, I explore the relevance of these cellular models as platforms for delving into the intricate molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying SLC13A5-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana S Beltran
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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20
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Burbach KF, Yoo AS. Notch Inhibition Enhances Morphological Reprogramming of microRNA-Induced Human Neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.12.575384. [PMID: 38260259 PMCID: PMC10802628 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.12.575384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Although the importance of Notch signaling in brain development is well-known, its specific contribution to cellular reprogramming remains less defined. Here, we use microRNA-induced neurons that are directly reprogrammed from human fibroblasts to determine how Notch signaling contributes to neuronal identity. We found that inhibiting Notch signaling led to an increase in neurite extension, while activating Notch signaling had the opposite effect. Surprisingly, Notch inhibition during the first week of reprogramming was both necessary and sufficient to enhance neurite outgrowth at a later timepoint. This timeframe is when the reprogramming miRNAs, miR-9/9* and miR-124, primarily induce a post-mitotic state and erase fibroblast identity. Accordingly, transcriptomic analysis showed that the effect of Notch inhibition was likely due to improvements in fibroblast fate erasure and silencing of anti-neuronal genes. To this effect, we identify MYLIP , whose downregulation in response to Notch inhibition significantly promoted neurite outgrowth. Moreover, Notch inhibition resulted in cells with neuronal transcriptome signature defined by expressing long genes at a faster rate than the control, demonstrating the effect of accelerated fate erasure on neuronal fate acquisition. Our results demonstrate the critical role of Notch signaling in mediating morphological changes in miRNA-based neuronal reprogramming of human adult fibroblasts.
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21
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Lee SW, Oh YM, Victor MB, Yang Y, Chen S, Strunilin I, Dahiya S, Dolle RE, Pak SC, Silverman GA, Perlmutter DH, Yoo AS. Longitudinal modeling of human neuronal aging reveals the contribution of the RCAN1-TFEB pathway to Huntington's disease neurodegeneration. NATURE AGING 2024; 4:95-109. [PMID: 38066314 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00538-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a common risk factor in neurodegenerative disorders. Investigating neuronal aging in an isogenic background stands to facilitate analysis of the interplay between neuronal aging and neurodegeneration. Here we perform direct neuronal reprogramming of longitudinally collected human fibroblasts to reveal genetic pathways altered at different ages. Comparative transcriptome analysis of longitudinally aged striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in Huntington's disease identified pathways involving RCAN1, a negative regulator of calcineurin. Notably, RCAN1 protein increased with age in reprogrammed MSNs as well as in human postmortem striatum and RCAN1 knockdown rescued patient-derived MSNs of Huntington's disease from degeneration. RCAN1 knockdown enhanced chromatin accessibility of genes involved in longevity and autophagy, mediated through enhanced calcineurin activity, leading to TFEB's nuclear localization by dephosphorylation. Furthermore, G2-115, an analog of glibenclamide with autophagy-enhancing activities, reduced the RCAN1-calcineurin interaction, phenocopying the effect of RCAN1 knockdown. Our results demonstrate that targeting RCAN1 genetically or pharmacologically can increase neuronal resilience in Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Won Lee
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus, GA, USA
| | - Young Mi Oh
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus, GA, USA
| | - Matheus B Victor
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Shawei Chen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ilya Strunilin
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sonika Dahiya
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Roland E Dolle
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephen C Pak
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gary A Silverman
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David H Perlmutter
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Andrew S Yoo
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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22
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Paryani F, Kwon JS, Ng CW, Madden N, Ofori K, Tang A, Lu H, Li J, Mahajan A, Davidson SM, Basile A, McHugh C, Vonsattel JP, Hickman R, Zody M, Houseman DE, Goldman JE, Yoo AS, Menon V, Al-Dalahmah O. Multi-OMIC analysis of Huntington disease reveals a neuroprotective astrocyte state. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.08.556867. [PMID: 37745577 PMCID: PMC10515780 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.08.556867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease characterized by neuronal loss and astrogliosis. One hallmark of HD is the selective neuronal vulnerability of striatal medium spiny neurons. To date, the underlying mechanisms of this selective vulnerability have not been fully defined. Here, we employed a multi-omic approach including single nucleus RNAseq (snRNAseq), bulk RNAseq, lipidomics, HTT gene CAG repeat length measurements, and multiplexed immunofluorescence on post-mortem brain tissue from multiple brain regions of HD and control donors. We defined a signature of genes that is driven by CAG repeat length and found it enriched in astrocytic and microglial genes. Moreover, weighted gene correlation network analysis showed loss of connectivity of astrocytic and microglial modules in HD and identified modules that correlated with CAG-repeat length which further implicated inflammatory pathways and metabolism. We performed lipidomic analysis of HD and control brains and identified several lipid species that correlate with HD grade, including ceramides and very long chain fatty acids. Integration of lipidomics and bulk transcriptomics identified a consensus gene signature that correlates with HD grade and HD lipidomic abnormalities and implicated the unfolded protein response pathway. Because astrocytes are critical for brain lipid metabolism and play important roles in regulating inflammation, we analyzed our snRNAseq dataset with an emphasis on astrocyte pathology. We found two main astrocyte types that spanned multiple brain regions; these types correspond to protoplasmic astrocytes, and fibrous-like - CD44-positive, astrocytes. HD pathology was differentially associated with these cell types in a region-specific manner. One protoplasmic astrocyte cluster showed high expression of metallothionein genes, the depletion of this cluster positively correlated with the depletion of vulnerable medium spiny neurons in the caudate nucleus. We confirmed that metallothioneins were increased in cingulate HD astrocytes but were unchanged or even decreased in caudate astrocytes. We combined existing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with a GWA study conducted on HD patients from the original Venezuelan cohort and identified a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the metallothionein gene locus associated with delayed age of onset. Functional studies found that metallothionein overexpressing astrocytes are better able to buffer glutamate and were neuroprotective of patient-derived directly reprogrammed HD MSNs as well as against rotenone-induced neuronal death in vitro. Finally, we found that metallothionein-overexpressing astrocytes increased the phagocytic activity of microglia in vitro and increased the expression of genes involved in fatty acid binding. Together, we identified an astrocytic phenotype that is regionally-enriched in less vulnerable brain regions that can be leveraged to protect neurons in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahad Paryani
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Ji-Sun Kwon
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
| | - Chris W Ng
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biological Engineering
| | - Nacoya Madden
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Kenneth Ofori
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Alice Tang
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Hong Lu
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Juncheng Li
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Aayushi Mahajan
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Shawn M. Davidson
- Princeton University, Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics
| | | | | | - Jean Paul Vonsattel
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Richard Hickman
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | | | - David E. Houseman
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biological Engineering
| | - James E. Goldman
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Andrew S. Yoo
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
| | - Vilas Menon
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Osama Al-Dalahmah
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
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23
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Almeida LM, Oliveira Â, Oliveira JMA, Pinho BR. Stress response mechanisms in protein misfolding diseases: Profiling a cellular model of Huntington's disease. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 745:109711. [PMID: 37541563 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2023.109711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Stress response pathways like the integrated stress response (ISR), the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) and the heat shock response (HSR) have emerged as part of the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease (HD) - a currently incurable disease caused by the production of mutant huntingtin (mut-Htt). Previous data from HD patients suggest that ISR is activated while UPRmt and HSR are impaired in HD. The study of these stress response pathways as potential therapeutic targets in HD requires cellular models that mimic the activation status found in HD patients of such pathways. PC12 cells with inducible expression of the N-terminal fragment of mut-Htt are among the most used cell lines to model HD, however the activation of stress responses remains unclear in this model. The goal of this study is to characterize the activation of ISR, UPRmt and HSR in this HD cell model and evaluate if it mimics the activation status found in HD patients. We show that PC12 HD cell model presents reduced levels of Hsp90 and mitochondrial chaperones, suggesting an impaired activation or function of HSR and UPRmt. This HD model also presents increased levels of phosphorylated eIF2α, the master regulator of the ISR, but overall similar levels of ATF4 and decreased levels of CHOP - transcription factors downstream to eIF2α - in comparison to control, suggesting an initial activation of ISR. These results show that this model mimics the ISR activation and the impaired UPRmt and HSR found in HD patients. This work suggests that the PC12 N-terminal HD model is suitable for studying the role of stress response pathways in the pathophysiology of HD and for exploratory studies investigating the therapeutic potential of drugs targeting stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana M Almeida
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Mitochondria and Neurobiology Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Lab, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ângela Oliveira
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Mitochondria and Neurobiology Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Lab, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge M A Oliveira
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Mitochondria and Neurobiology Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Lab, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Brígida R Pinho
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Mitochondria and Neurobiology Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Lab, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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24
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Weng M, Hu H, Graus MS, Tan DS, Gao Y, Ren S, Ho DHH, Langer J, Holzner M, Huang Y, Ling GS, Lai CSW, Francois M, Jauch R. An engineered Sox17 induces somatic to neural stem cell fate transitions independently from pluripotency reprogramming. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh2501. [PMID: 37611093 PMCID: PMC10446497 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh2501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Advanced strategies to interconvert cell types provide promising avenues to model cellular pathologies and to develop therapies for neurological disorders. Yet, methods to directly transdifferentiate somatic cells into multipotent induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) are slow and inefficient, and it is unclear whether cells pass through a pluripotent state with full epigenetic reset. We report iNSC reprogramming from embryonic and aged mouse fibroblasts as well as from human blood using an engineered Sox17 (eSox17FNV). eSox17FNV efficiently drives iNSC reprogramming while Sox2 or Sox17 fail. eSox17FNV acquires the capacity to bind different protein partners on regulatory DNA to scan the genome more efficiently and has a more potent transactivation domain than Sox2. Lineage tracing and time-resolved transcriptomics show that emerging iNSCs do not transit through a pluripotent state. Our work distinguishes lineage from pluripotency reprogramming with the potential to generate more authentic cell models for aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxi Weng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Haoqing Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Matthew S. Graus
- The David Richmond Laboratory for Cardiovascular Development: Gene Regulation and Editing Program, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Genome Imaging Centre, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Daisylyn Senna Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ya Gao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shimiao Ren
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Derek Hoi Hang Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jakob Langer
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Markus Holzner
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Guang Sheng Ling
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Cora Sau Wan Lai
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive and Brain Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mathias Francois
- The David Richmond Laboratory for Cardiovascular Development: Gene Regulation and Editing Program, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Genome Imaging Centre, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
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25
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Speidell A, Bin Abid N, Yano H. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Dysregulation as an Essential Pathological Feature in Huntington's Disease: Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutics. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2275. [PMID: 37626771 PMCID: PMC10452871 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082275] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a major neurotrophin whose loss or interruption is well established to have numerous intersections with the pathogenesis of progressive neurological disorders. There is perhaps no greater example of disease pathogenesis resulting from the dysregulation of BDNF signaling than Huntington's disease (HD)-an inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, psychiatric, and cognitive impairments associated with basal ganglia dysfunction and the ultimate death of striatal projection neurons. Investigation of the collection of mechanisms leading to BDNF loss in HD highlights this neurotrophin's importance to neuronal viability and calls attention to opportunities for therapeutic interventions. Using electronic database searches of existing and forthcoming research, we constructed a literature review with the overarching goal of exploring the diverse set of molecular events that trigger BDNF dysregulation within HD. We highlighted research that investigated these major mechanisms in preclinical models of HD and connected these studies to those evaluating similar endpoints in human HD subjects. We also included a special focus on the growing body of literature detailing key transcriptomic and epigenetic alterations that affect BDNF abundance in HD. Finally, we offer critical evaluation of proposed neurotrophin-directed therapies and assessed clinical trials seeking to correct BDNF expression in HD individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Speidell
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (A.S.); (N.B.A.)
| | - Noman Bin Abid
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (A.S.); (N.B.A.)
| | - Hiroko Yano
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (A.S.); (N.B.A.)
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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26
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Miguez A, Gomis C, Vila C, Monguió-Tortajada M, Fernández-García S, Bombau G, Galofré M, García-Bravo M, Sanders P, Fernández-Medina H, Poquet B, Salado-Manzano C, Roura S, Alberch J, Segovia JC, Allen ND, Borràs FE, Canals JM. Soluble mutant huntingtin drives early human pathogenesis in Huntington's disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:238. [PMID: 37535170 PMCID: PMC10400696 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04882-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an incurable inherited brain disorder characterised by massive degeneration of striatal neurons, which correlates with abnormal accumulation of misfolded mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein. Research on HD has been hampered by the inability to study early dysfunction and progressive degeneration of human striatal neurons in vivo. To investigate human pathogenesis in a physiologically relevant context, we transplanted human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) from control and HD patients into the striatum of new-born mice. Most hNPCs differentiated into striatal neurons that projected to their target areas and established synaptic connexions within the host basal ganglia circuitry. Remarkably, HD human striatal neurons first developed soluble forms of mHTT, which primarily targeted endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and nuclear membrane to cause structural alterations. Furthermore, HD human cells secreted extracellular vesicles containing mHTT monomers and oligomers, which were internalised by non-mutated mouse striatal neurons triggering cell death. We conclude that interaction of mHTT soluble forms with key cellular organelles initially drives disease progression in HD patients and their transmission through exosomes contributes to spread the disease in a non-cell autonomous manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Miguez
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
- Neurology-Neuroimmunology Department, Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalunya (Cemcat), Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Cinta Gomis
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Vila
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Monguió-Tortajada
- REMAR-IVECAT Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Science Research Institute, Can Ruti Campus, Badalona, Spain
| | - Sara Fernández-García
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Georgina Bombau
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mireia Galofré
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - María García-Bravo
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Phil Sanders
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Helena Fernández-Medina
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Blanca Poquet
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Salado-Manzano
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Roura
- ICREC Research Program, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Science Research Institute, Can Ruti Campus, Badalona, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain
| | - Jordi Alberch
- Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Carlos Segovia
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicholas D Allen
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Francesc E Borràs
- REMAR-IVECAT Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Science Research Institute, Can Ruti Campus, Badalona, Spain
- Nephrology Department, Germans Trias i Pujol Universitary Hospital, Badalona, Spain
| | - Josep M Canals
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
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27
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Traxler L, Lucciola R, Herdy JR, Jones JR, Mertens J, Gage FH. Neural cell state shifts and fate loss in ageing and age-related diseases. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:434-443. [PMID: 37268723 PMCID: PMC10478103 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00815-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Most age-related neurodegenerative diseases remain incurable owing to an incomplete understanding of the disease mechanisms. Several environmental and genetic factors contribute to disease onset, with human biological ageing being the primary risk factor. In response to acute cellular damage and external stimuli, somatic cells undergo state shifts characterized by temporal changes in their structure and function that increase their resilience, repair cellular damage, and lead to their mobilization to counteract the pathology. This basic cell biological principle also applies to human brain cells, including mature neurons that upregulate developmental features such as cell cycle markers or glycolytic reprogramming in response to stress. Although such temporary state shifts are required to sustain the function and resilience of the young human brain, excessive state shifts in the aged brain might result in terminal fate loss of neurons and glia, characterized by a permanent change in cell identity. Here, we offer a new perspective on the roles of cell states in sustaining health and counteracting disease, and we examine how cellular ageing might set the stage for pathological fate loss and neurodegeneration. A better understanding of neuronal state and fate shifts might provide the means for a controlled manipulation of cell fate to promote brain resilience and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Traxler
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Raffaella Lucciola
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Joseph R Herdy
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Jones
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jerome Mertens
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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28
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Lear BP, Moore DL. Moving CNS axon growth and regeneration research into human model systems. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1198041. [PMID: 37425013 PMCID: PMC10324669 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1198041] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Axon regeneration is limited in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) due to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Rodent studies have shown that developmental age can drive differences in intrinsic axon growth ability, such that embryonic rodent CNS neurons extend long axons while postnatal and adult CNS neurons do not. In recent decades, scientists have identified several intrinsic developmental regulators in rodents that modulate growth. However, whether this developmentally programmed decline in CNS axon growth is conserved in humans is not yet known. Until recently, there have been limited human neuronal model systems, and even fewer age-specific human models. Human in vitro models range from pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons to directly reprogrammed (transdifferentiated) neurons derived from human somatic cells. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each system, and how studying axon growth in human neurons can provide species-specific knowledge in the field of CNS axon regeneration with the goal of bridging basic science studies to clinical trials. Additionally, with the increased availability and quality of 'omics datasets of human cortical tissue across development and lifespan, scientists can mine these datasets for developmentally regulated pathways and genes. As there has been little research performed in human neurons to study modulators of axon growth, here we provide a summary of approaches to begin to shift the field of CNS axon growth and regeneration into human model systems to uncover novel drivers of axon growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Darcie L. Moore
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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29
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Sierra-Delgado JA, Sinha-Ray S, Kaleem A, Ganjibakhsh M, Parvate M, Powers S, Zhang X, Likhite S, Meyer K. In Vitro Modeling as a Tool for Testing Therapeutics for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and IGHMBP2-Related Disorders. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:867. [PMID: 37372153 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic cause of infant mortality. The most common form of SMA is caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, located on 5q (SMA). On the other hand, mutations in IGHMBP2 lead to a large disease spectrum with no clear genotype-phenotype correlation, which includes Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Muscular Distress type 1 (SMARD1), an extremely rare form of SMA, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2S (CMT2S). We optimized a patient-derived in vitro model system that allows us to expand research on disease pathogenesis and gene function, as well as test the response to the AAV gene therapies we have translated to the clinic. We generated and characterized induced neurons (iN) from SMA and SMARD1/CMT2S patient cell lines. After establishing the lines, we treated the generated neurons with AAV9-mediated gene therapy (AAV9.SMN (Zolgensma) for SMA and AAV9.IGHMBP2 for IGHMBP2 disorders (NCT05152823)) to evaluate the response to treatment. The iNs of both diseases show a characteristic short neurite length and defects in neuronal conversion, which have been reported in the literature before with iPSC modeling. SMA iNs respond to treatment with AAV9.SMN in vitro, showing a partial rescue of the morphology phenotype. For SMARD1/CMT2S iNs, we were able to observe an improvement in the neurite length of neurons after the restoration of IGHMBP2 in all disease cell lines, albeit to a variable extent, with some lines showing better responses to treatment than others. Moreover, this protocol allowed us to classify a variant of uncertain significance on IGHMBP2 on a suspected SMARD1/CMT2S patient. This study will further the understanding of SMA, and SMARD1/CMT2S disease in particular, in the context of variable patient mutations, and might further the development of new treatments, which are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shrestha Sinha-Ray
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Abuzar Kaleem
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Meysam Ganjibakhsh
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Mohini Parvate
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Samantha Powers
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Xiaojin Zhang
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Shibi Likhite
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Kathrin Meyer
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
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30
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Sun Z, Kwon JS, Ren Y, Chen S, Cates K, Lu X, Walker CK, Karahan H, Sviben S, Fitzpatrick JAJ, Valdez C, Houlden H, Karch CM, Bateman RJ, Sato C, Mennerick SJ, Diamond MI, Kim J, Tanzi RE, Holtzman DM, Yoo AS. Endogenous recapitulation of Alzheimer's disease neuropathology through human 3D direct neuronal reprogramming. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.24.542155. [PMID: 37292658 PMCID: PMC10245934 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.24.542155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects elderly individuals, and is characterized by hallmark neuronal pathologies including extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposition, intracellular tau tangles, and neuronal death. However, recapitulating these age-associated neuronal pathologies in patient-derived neurons has remained a significant challenge, especially for late-onset AD (LOAD), the most common form of the disorder. Here, we applied the high efficiency microRNA-mediated direct neuronal reprogramming of fibroblasts from AD patients to generate cortical neurons in three-dimensional (3D) Matrigel and self-assembled neuronal spheroids. Our findings indicate that neurons and spheroids reprogrammed from both autosomal dominant AD (ADAD) and LOAD patients exhibited AD-like phenotypes linked to neurons, including extracellular Aβ deposition, dystrophic neurites with hyperphosphorylated, K63-ubiquitin-positive, seed-competent tau, and spontaneous neuronal death in culture. Moreover, treatment with β- or γ-secretase inhibitors in LOAD patient-derived neurons and spheroids before Aβ deposit formation significantly lowered Aβ deposition, as well as tauopathy and neurodegeneration. However, the same treatment after the cells already formed Aβ deposits only had a mild effect. Additionally, inhibiting the synthesis of age-associated retrotransposable elements (RTEs) by treating LOAD neurons and spheroids with the reverse transcriptase inhibitor, lamivudine, alleviated AD neuropathology. Overall, our results demonstrate that direct neuronal reprogramming of AD patient fibroblasts in a 3D environment can capture age-related neuropathology and reflect the interplay between Aβ accumulation, tau dysregulation, and neuronal death. Moreover, miRNA-based 3D neuronal conversion provides a human-relevant AD model that can be used to identify compounds that can potentially ameliorate AD-associated pathologies and neurodegeneration.
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31
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Lear BP, Thompson EAN, Rodriguez K, Arndt ZP, Khullar S, Klosa PC, Lu RJ, Morrow CS, Risgaard R, Peterson ER, Teefy BB, Bhattacharyya A, Sousa AMM, Wang D, Benayoun BA, Moore DL. Age-maintained human neurons demonstrate a developmental loss of intrinsic neurite growth ability. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.23.541995. [PMID: 37292613 PMCID: PMC10245848 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.23.541995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Injury to adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) axons results in limited regeneration. Rodent studies have revealed a developmental switch in CNS axon regenerative ability, yet whether this is conserved in humans is unknown. Using human fibroblasts from 8 gestational-weeks to 72 years-old, we performed direct reprogramming to transdifferentiate fibroblasts into induced neurons (Fib-iNs), avoiding pluripotency which restores cells to an embryonic state. We found that early gestational Fib-iNs grew longer neurites than all other ages, mirroring the developmental switch in regenerative ability in rodents. RNA-sequencing and screening revealed ARID1A as a developmentally-regulated modifier of neurite growth in human neurons. These data suggest that age-specific epigenetic changes may drive the intrinsic loss of neurite growth ability in human CNS neurons during development. One-Sentence Summary: Directly-reprogrammed human neurons demonstrate a developmental decrease in neurite growth ability.
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32
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Chang Y, Lee S, Kim J, Kim C, Shim HS, Lee SE, Park HJ, Kim J, Lee S, Lee YK, Park S, Yoo J. Gene Therapy Using Efficient Direct Lineage Reprogramming Technology for Neurological Diseases. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:nano13101680. [PMID: 37242096 DOI: 10.3390/nano13101680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy is an innovative approach in the field of regenerative medicine. This therapy entails the transfer of genetic material into a patient's cells to treat diseases. In particular, gene therapy for neurological diseases has recently achieved significant progress, with numerous studies investigating the use of adeno-associated viruses for the targeted delivery of therapeutic genetic fragments. This approach has potential applications for treating incurable diseases, including paralysis and motor impairment caused by spinal cord injury and Parkinson's disease, and it is characterized by dopaminergic neuron degeneration. Recently, several studies have explored the potential of direct lineage reprogramming (DLR) for treating incurable diseases, and highlighted the advantages of DLR over conventional stem cell therapy. However, application of DLR technology in clinical practice is hindered by its low efficiency compared with cell therapy using stem cell differentiation. To overcome this limitation, researchers have explored various strategies such as the efficiency of DLR. In this study, we focused on innovative strategies, including the use of a nanoporous particle-based gene delivery system to improve the reprogramming efficiency of DLR-induced neurons. We believe that discussing these approaches can facilitate the development of more effective gene therapies for neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujung Chang
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine for Neurodegenerative Disease, Stand Up Therapeutics, Hannamdaero 98, Seoul 04418, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Biology, Nuturn Science, Sinsadong 559-8, Seoul 06037, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungwoo Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jieun Kim
- Department of Bio-Health Technology, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, 1 Kangwondeahak-gil, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Chunggoo Kim
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine for Neurodegenerative Disease, Stand Up Therapeutics, Hannamdaero 98, Seoul 04418, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Soo Shim
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine for Neurodegenerative Disease, Stand Up Therapeutics, Hannamdaero 98, Seoul 04418, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Eun Lee
- Research Animal Resource Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeok Ju Park
- Database Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Dongguk University-Seoul, Pildong-ro 1-gil 30, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongwon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Soohyun Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Kyu Lee
- Database Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Dongguk University-Seoul, Pildong-ro 1-gil 30, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungho Park
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Junsang Yoo
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine for Neurodegenerative Disease, Stand Up Therapeutics, Hannamdaero 98, Seoul 04418, Republic of Korea
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Kraskovskaya N, Bolshakova A, Khotin M, Bezprozvanny I, Mikhailova N. Protocol Optimization for Direct Reprogramming of Primary Human Fibroblast into Induced Striatal Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076799. [PMID: 37047770 PMCID: PMC10095147 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The modeling of neuropathology on induced neurons obtained by cell reprogramming technologies can fill a gap between clinical trials and studies on model organisms for the development of treatment strategies for neurodegenerative diseases. Patient-specific models based on patients’ cells play an important role in such studies. There are two ways to obtain induced neuronal cells. One is based on induced pluripotent stem cells. The other is based on direct reprogramming, which allows us to obtain mature neuronal cells from adult somatic cells, such as dermal fibroblasts. Moreover, the latter method makes it possible to better preserve the age-related aspects of neuropathology, which is valuable for diseases that occur with age. However, direct methods of reprogramming have a significant drawback associated with low cell viability during procedures. Furthermore, the number of reprogrammable neurons available for morphological and functional studies is limited by the initial number of somatic cells. In this article, we propose modifications of a previously developed direct reprogramming method, based on the combination of microRNA and transcription factors, which allowed us to obtain a population of functionally active induced striatal neurons (iSNs) with a high efficiency. We also overcame the problem of the presence of multinucleated neurons associated with the cellular division of starting fibroblasts. Synchronization cells in the G1 phase increased the homogeneity of the fibroblast population, increased the survival rate of induced neurons, and eliminated the presence of multinucleated cells at the end of the reprogramming procedure. We have demonstrated that iSNs are functionally active and able to form synaptic connections in co-cultures with mouse cortical neurons. The proposed modifications can also be used to obtain a population of other induced neuronal types, such as motor and dopaminergic ones, by selecting transcription factors that determine differentiation into a region-specific neuron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Kraskovskaya
- Center of Cellular Technologies, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Science, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anastasia Bolshakova
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Mikhail Khotin
- Center of Cellular Technologies, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Science, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ilya Bezprozvanny
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Natalia Mikhailova
- Center of Cellular Technologies, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Science, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
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Li K, Wang Z. lncRNA NEAT1: Key player in neurodegenerative diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 86:101878. [PMID: 36738893 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are the most common causes of disability worldwide. Given their high prevalence, devastating symptoms, and lack of definitive diagnostic tests, there is an urgent need to identify potential biomarkers and new therapeutic targets. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently emerged as powerful regulatory molecules in neurodegenerative diseases. Among them, lncRNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) has been reported to be upregulated in Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, whether this is part of a protective or harmful mechanism is still unclear. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the role of NEAT1 in neurodegenerative diseases and its association with the characteristic aggregation of misfolded proteins: amyloid-β and tau in AD, α-synuclein in PD, mutant huntingtin in HD, and TAR DNA-binding protein-43 fused in sarcoma/translocated in liposarcoma in ALS. The aim of this review is to stimulate further research on more precise and effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Ziqiang Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan 250014, China; Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Centre, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250062, China.
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35
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Danics L, Abbas AA, Kis B, Pircs K. Fountain of youth—Targeting autophagy in aging. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1125739. [PMID: 37065462 PMCID: PMC10090449 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1125739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
As our society ages inexorably, geroscience and research focusing on healthy aging is becoming increasingly urgent. Macroautophagy (referred to as autophagy), a highly conserved process of cellular clearance and rejuvenation has attracted much attention due to its universal role in organismal life and death. Growing evidence points to autophagy process as being one of the key players in the determination of lifespan and health. Autophagy inducing interventions show significant improvement in organismal lifespan demonstrated in several experimental models. In line with this, preclinical models of age-related neurodegenerative diseases demonstrate pathology modulating effect of autophagy induction, implicating its potential to treat such disorders. In humans this specific process seems to be more complex. Recent clinical trials of drugs targeting autophagy point out some beneficial effects for clinical use, although with limited effectiveness, while others fail to show any significant improvement. We propose that using more human-relevant preclinical models for testing drug efficacy would significantly improve clinical trial outcomes. Lastly, the review discusses the available cellular reprogramming techniques used to model neuronal autophagy and neurodegeneration while exploring the existing evidence of autophagy’s role in aging and pathogenesis in human-derived in vitro models such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurons (iPSC-neurons) or induced neurons (iNs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Danics
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine - Semmelweis University (HCEMM-SU), Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network and Semmelweis University (ELKH-SU), Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disorders Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna Anoir Abbas
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine - Semmelweis University (HCEMM-SU), Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Kis
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine - Semmelweis University (HCEMM-SU), Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Karolina Pircs
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine - Semmelweis University (HCEMM-SU), Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Karolina Pircs,
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36
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Chou CC, Vest R, Prado MA, Wilson-Grady J, Paulo JA, Shibuya Y, Moran-Losada P, Lee TT, Luo J, Gygi SP, Kelly JW, Finley D, Wernig M, Wyss-Coray T, Frydman J. Proteostasis and lysosomal quality control deficits in Alzheimer's disease neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.27.534444. [PMID: 37034684 PMCID: PMC10081252 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.27.534444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The role of proteostasis and organelle homeostasis dysfunction in human aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unclear. Analyzing proteome-wide changes in human donor fibroblasts and their corresponding transdifferentiated neurons (tNeurons), we find aging and AD synergistically impair multiple proteostasis pathways, most notably lysosomal quality control (LQC). In particular, we show that ESCRT-mediated lysosomal repair defects are associated with both sporadic and PSEN1 familial AD. Aging- and AD-linked defects are detected in fibroblasts but highly exacerbated in tNeurons, leading to enhanced neuronal vulnerability, unrepaired lysosomal damage, inflammatory factor secretion and cytotoxicity. Surprisingly, tNeurons from aged and AD donors spontaneously develop amyloid-β inclusions co-localizing with LQC markers, LAMP1/2-positive lysosomes and proteostasis factors; we observe similar inclusions in brain tissue from AD patients and APP-transgenic mice. Importantly, compounds enhancing lysosomal function broadly ameliorate these AD-associated pathologies. Our findings establish cell-autonomous LQC dysfunction in neurons as a central vulnerability in aging and AD pathogenesis.
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Papadimitriou E, Koutsoudaki PN, Thanou I, Karagkouni D, Karamitros T, Chroni-Tzartou D, Gaitanou M, Gkemisis C, Margariti M, Xingi E, Tzartos SJ, Hatzigeorgiou AG, Thomaidou D. A miR-124-mediated post-transcriptional mechanism controlling the cell fate switch of astrocytes to induced neurons. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:915-935. [PMID: 36963393 PMCID: PMC10147664 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The microRNA (miRNA) miR-124 has been employed supplementary to neurogenic transcription factors (TFs) and other miRNAs to enhance direct neurogenic conversion. The aim of this study was to investigate whether miR-124 is sufficient to drive direct reprogramming of astrocytes to induced neurons (iNs) on its own and elucidate its independent mechanism of reprogramming action. Our data show that miR-124 is a potent driver of the reprogramming switch of astrocytes toward an immature neuronal fate by directly targeting the RNA-binding protein Zfp36L1 implicated in ARE-mediated mRNA decay and subsequently derepressing Zfp36L1 neurogenic interactome. To this end, miR-124 contribution in iNs' production largely recapitulates endogenous neurogenesis pathways, being further enhanced upon addition of the neurogenic compound ISX9, which greatly improves iNs' differentiation and functional maturation. Importantly, miR-124 is potent in guiding direct conversion of reactive astrocytes to immature iNs in vivo following cortical trauma, while ISX9 supplementation confers a survival advantage to newly produced iNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Papadimitriou
- Neural Stem Cells and Neuroimaging Group, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi N Koutsoudaki
- Neural Stem Cells and Neuroimaging Group, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Irini Thanou
- Neural Stem Cells and Neuroimaging Group, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Karagkouni
- DIANA-Lab, Hellenic Pasteur Institute & Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Timokratis Karamitros
- Bioinformatics and Applied Genomics Unit, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Dafni Chroni-Tzartou
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Immunology, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Gaitanou
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology - Stem Cells, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Gkemisis
- Neural Stem Cells and Neuroimaging Group, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Margariti
- Neural Stem Cells and Neuroimaging Group, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Xingi
- Light Microscopy Unit, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Socrates J Tzartos
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Immunology, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Artemis G Hatzigeorgiou
- Bioinformatics and Applied Genomics Unit, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Thomaidou
- Neural Stem Cells and Neuroimaging Group, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Light Microscopy Unit, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece.
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Berg LJ, Brüstle O. Stem cell programming - prospects for perinatal medicine. J Perinat Med 2023:jpm-2022-0575. [PMID: 36809086 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2022-0575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Recreating human cell and organ systems in vitro has tremendous potential for disease modeling, drug discovery and regenerative medicine. The aim of this short overview is to recapitulate the impressive progress that has been made in the fast-developing field of cell programming during the past years, to illuminate the advantages and limitations of the various cell programming technologies for addressing nervous system disorders and to gauge their impact for perinatal medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea J Berg
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn Medical Faculty and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Oliver Brüstle
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn Medical Faculty and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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39
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Castro E Costa AR, Mysore S, Paruchuri P, Chen KY, Liu AY. PolyQ-Expanded Mutant Huntingtin Forms Inclusion Body Following Transient Cold Shock in a Two-Step Aggregation Mechanism. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:277-288. [PMID: 36574489 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-dependent formation of insoluble protein aggregates is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. We are interested in the cell chemistry that drives the aggregation of polyQ-expanded mutant Huntingtin (mHtt) protein into insoluble inclusion bodies (IBs). Using an inducible cell model of Huntington's disease, we show that a transient cold shock (CS) at 4 °C followed by recovery incubation at temperatures of 25-37 °C strongly and rapidly induces the compaction of diffuse polyQ-expanded HuntingtinExon1-enhanced green fluorescent protein chimera protein (mHtt) into round, micron size, cytosolic IBs. This transient CS-induced mHtt IB formation is independent of microtubule integrity or de novo protein synthesis. The addition of millimolar concentrations of sodium chloride accelerates, whereas urea suppresses this transient CS-induced mHtt IB formation. These results suggest that the low temperature of CS constrains the conformation dynamics of the intrinsically disordered mHtt into labile intermediate structures to facilitate de-solvation and hydrophobic interaction for IB formation at the higher recovery temperature. This work, along with our previous observation of the effects of heat shock protein chaperones and osmolytes in driving mHtt IB formation, underscores the primacy of mHtt structuring and rigidification for H-bond-mediated cross-linking in a two-step mechanism of mHtt IB formation in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Raquel Castro E Costa
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Nelson Biology Laboratory, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Sachin Mysore
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Nelson Biology Laboratory, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Praneet Paruchuri
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Nelson Biology Laboratory, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Kuang Yu Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Wright-Rieman Chemistry Laboratory, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, 610 Taylor Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Alice Y Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Nelson Biology Laboratory, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
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Rehman MU, Sehar N, Dar NJ, Khan A, Arafah A, Rashid S, Rashid SM, Ganaie MA. Mitochondrial dysfunctions, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation as therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases: An update on current advances and impediments. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 144:104961. [PMID: 36395982 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinson disease (PD), and Huntington disease (HD) represent a major socio-economic challenge in view of their high prevalence yet poor treatment outcomes affecting quality of life. The major challenge in drug development for these NDs is insufficient clarity about the mechanisms involved in pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation are common pathways that are linked to neuronal abnormalities and initiation of these diseases. Thus, elucidating the shared initial molecular and cellular mechanisms is crucial for recognizing novel remedial targets, and developing therapeutics to impede or stop disease progression. In this context, use of multifunctional compounds at early stages of disease development unclogs new avenues as it acts on act on multiple targets in comparison to single target concept. In this review, we summarize overview of the major findings and advancements in recent years focusing on shared mechanisms for better understanding might become beneficial in searching more potent pharmacological interventions thereby reducing the onset or severity of various NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneeb U Rehman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Nouroz Sehar
- Centre for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Chemical & Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Nawab John Dar
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78992 USA
| | - Andleeb Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Azher Arafah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Summya Rashid
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahzada Mudasir Rashid
- Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, SKUAST-Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Majid Ahmad Ganaie
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Dentistry and Pharmacy, Buraydah Colleges, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
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41
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Sattarov R, Toresson H, Orbjörn C, Mattsson-Carlgren N. Direct Conversion of Fibroblast into Neurons for Alzheimer's Disease Research: A Systematic Review. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 95:805-828. [PMID: 37661882 PMCID: PMC10578293 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230119] [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] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder without a cure. Innovative disease models, such as induced neurons (iNs), could enhance our understanding of AD mechanisms and accelerate treatment development. However, a review of AD human iN studies is necessary to consolidate knowledge. OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to examine the current body of literature on AD human iN cells and provide an overview of the findings to date. METHODS We searched two databases for relevant studies published between 2010 and 2023, identifying nine studies meeting our criteria. RESULTS Reviewed studies indicate the feasibility of generating iNs directly from AD patients' fibroblasts using chemical induction or viral vectors. These cells express mature neuronal markers, including MAP-2, NeuN, synapsin, and tau. However, most studies were limited in sample size and primarily focused on autosomal dominant familial AD (FAD) rather than the more common sporadic forms of AD. Several studies indicated that iNs derived from FAD fibroblasts exhibited abnormal amyloid-β metabolism, a characteristic feature of AD in humans. Additionally, elevated levels of hyperphosphorylated tau, another hallmark of AD, were reported in some studies. CONCLUSION Although only a limited number of small-scale studies are currently available, AD patient-derived iNs hold promise as a valuable model for investigating AD pathogenesis. Future research should aim to conduct larger studies, particularly focusing on sporadic AD cases, to enhance the clinical relevance of the findings for the broader AD patient population. Moreover, these cells can be utilized in screening potential novel treatments for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Sattarov
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Håkan Toresson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Camilla Orbjörn
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Niklas Mattsson-Carlgren
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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42
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Aversano S, Caiazza C, Caiazzo M. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived and directly reprogrammed neurons to study neurodegenerative diseases: The impact of aging signatures. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1069482. [PMID: 36620769 PMCID: PMC9810544 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1069482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Many diseases of the central nervous system are age-associated and do not directly result from genetic mutations. These include late-onset neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), which represent a challenge for biomedical research and drug development due to the impossibility to access to viable human brain specimens. Advancements in reprogramming technologies have allowed to obtain neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or directly from somatic cells (iNs), leading to the generation of better models to understand the molecular mechanisms and design of new drugs. Nevertheless, iPSC technology faces some limitations due to reprogramming-associated cellular rejuvenation which resets the aging hallmarks of donor cells. Given the prominent role of aging for the development and manifestation of late-onset NDDs, this suggests that this approach is not the most suitable to accurately model age-related diseases. Direct neuronal reprogramming, by which a neuron is formed via direct conversion from a somatic cell without going through a pluripotent intermediate stage, allows the possibility to generate patient-derived neurons that maintain aging and epigenetic signatures of the donor. This aspect may be advantageous for investigating the role of aging in neurodegeneration and for finely dissecting underlying pathological mechanisms. Here, we will compare iPSC and iN models as regards the aging status and explore how this difference is reported to affect the phenotype of NDD in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Aversano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Caiazza
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Caiazzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy,Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Massimiliano Caiazzo,
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43
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Herdy JR, Traxler L, Agarwal RK, Karbacher L, Schlachetzki JCM, Boehnke L, Zangwill D, Galasko D, Glass CK, Mertens J, Gage FH. Increased post-mitotic senescence in aged human neurons is a pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:1637-1652.e6. [PMID: 36459967 PMCID: PMC10093780 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The concept of senescence as a phenomenon limited to proliferating cells has been challenged by growing evidence of senescence-like features in terminally differentiated cells, including neurons. The persistence of senescent cells late in life is associated with tissue dysfunction and increased risk of age-related disease. We found that Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains have significantly higher proportions of neurons that express senescence markers, and their distribution indicates bystander effects. AD patient-derived directly induced neurons (iNs) exhibit strong transcriptomic, epigenetic, and molecular biomarker signatures, indicating a specific human neuronal senescence-like state. AD iN single-cell transcriptomics revealed that senescent-like neurons face oncogenic challenges and metabolic dysfunction as well as display a pro-inflammatory signature. Integrative profiling of the inflammatory secretome of AD iNs and patient cerebral spinal fluid revealed a neuronal senescence-associated secretory phenotype that could trigger astrogliosis in human astrocytes. Finally, we show that targeting senescence-like neurons with senotherapeutics could be a strategy for preventing or treating AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Herdy
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA; Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria.
| | - Larissa Traxler
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Ravi K Agarwal
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lukas Karbacher
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Johannes C M Schlachetzki
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lena Boehnke
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Dina Zangwill
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA; Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Doug Galasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christopher K Glass
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jerome Mertens
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA; Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria.
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Oh YM, Lee SW, Kim WK, Chen S, Church VA, Cates K, Li T, Zhang B, Dolle RE, Dahiya S, Pak SC, Silverman GA, Perlmutter DH, Yoo AS. Age-related Huntington's disease progression modeled in directly reprogrammed patient-derived striatal neurons highlights impaired autophagy. Nat Neurosci 2022; 25:1420-1433. [PMID: 36303071 PMCID: PMC10162007 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01185-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder with adult-onset clinical symptoms, but the mechanism by which aging drives the onset of neurodegeneration in patients with HD remains unclear. In this study we examined striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) directly reprogrammed from fibroblasts of patients with HD to model the age-dependent onset of pathology. We found that pronounced neuronal death occurred selectively in reprogrammed MSNs from symptomatic patients with HD (HD-MSNs) compared to MSNs derived from younger, pre-symptomatic patients (pre-HD-MSNs) and control MSNs from age-matched healthy individuals. We observed age-associated alterations in chromatin accessibility between HD-MSNs and pre-HD-MSNs and identified miR-29b-3p, whose age-associated upregulation promotes HD-MSN degeneration by impairing autophagic function through human-specific targeting of the STAT3 3' untranslated region. Reducing miR-29b-3p or chemically promoting autophagy increased the resilience of HD-MSNs against neurodegeneration. Our results demonstrate miRNA upregulation with aging in HD as a detrimental process driving MSN degeneration and potential approaches for enhancing autophagy and resilience of HD-MSNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Mi Oh
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Seong Won Lee
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Woo Kyung Kim
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Shawei Chen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Victoria A Church
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kitra Cates
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Tiandao Li
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Roland E Dolle
- Department of Biochemistry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sonika Dahiya
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephen C Pak
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gary A Silverman
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David H Perlmutter
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Andrew S Yoo
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Clark IH, Roman A, Fellows E, Radha S, Var SR, Roushdy Z, Borer SM, Johnson S, Chen O, Borgida JS, Steevens A, Shetty A, Strell P, Low WC, Grande AW. Cell Reprogramming for Regeneration and Repair of the Nervous System. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2598. [PMID: 36289861 PMCID: PMC9599606 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A persistent barrier to the cure and treatment of neurological diseases is the limited ability of the central and peripheral nervous systems to undergo neuroregeneration and repair. Recent efforts have turned to regeneration of various cell types through cellular reprogramming of native cells as a promising therapy to replenish lost or diminished cell populations in various neurological diseases. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the current viral vectors, genes of interest, and target cellular populations that have been studied, as well as the challenges and future directions of these novel therapies. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which cellular reprogramming could be optimized as treatment in neurological diseases and a review of the most recent cellular reprogramming in vitro and in vivo studies will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac H. Clark
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Alex Roman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Emily Fellows
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Swathi Radha
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Susanna R. Var
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Zachary Roushdy
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Samuel M. Borer
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Samantha Johnson
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Olivia Chen
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Jacob S. Borgida
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Aleta Steevens
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Anala Shetty
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology & Genetics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Phoebe Strell
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Comparative and Molecular Sciences Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Walter C. Low
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology & Genetics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Comparative and Molecular Sciences Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Andrew W. Grande
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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46
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Mitochondrial DNA Repair in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Ageing. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911391. [PMID: 36232693 PMCID: PMC9569545 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are the only organelles, along with the nucleus, that have their own DNA. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a double-stranded circular molecule of ~16.5 kbp that can exist in multiple copies within the organelle. Both strands are translated and encode for 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and 13 proteins. mtDNA molecules are anchored to the inner mitochondrial membrane and, in association with proteins, form a structure called nucleoid, which exerts a structural and protective function. Indeed, mitochondria have evolved mechanisms necessary to protect their DNA from chemical and physical lesions such as DNA repair pathways similar to those present in the nucleus. However, there are mitochondria-specific mechanisms such as rapid mtDNA turnover, fission, fusion, and mitophagy. Nevertheless, mtDNA mutations may be abundant in somatic tissue due mainly to the proximity of the mtDNA to the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system and, consequently, to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed during ATP production. In this review, we summarise the most common types of mtDNA lesions and mitochondria repair mechanisms. The second part of the review focuses on the physiological role of mtDNA damage in ageing and the effect of mtDNA mutations in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Considering the central role of mitochondria in maintaining cellular homeostasis, the analysis of mitochondrial function is a central point for developing personalised medicine.
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47
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Traxler L, Herdy JR, Stefanoni D, Eichhorner S, Pelucchi S, Szücs A, Santagostino A, Kim Y, Agarwal RK, Schlachetzki JCM, Glass CK, Lagerwall J, Galasko D, Gage FH, D'Alessandro A, Mertens J. Warburg-like metabolic transformation underlies neuronal degeneration in sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Cell Metab 2022; 34:1248-1263.e6. [PMID: 35987203 PMCID: PMC9458870 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The drivers of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain incompletely understood. Utilizing directly converted induced neurons (iNs) from AD-patient-derived fibroblasts, we identified a metabolic switch to aerobic glycolysis in AD iNs. Pathological isoform switching of the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase M (PKM) toward the cancer-associated PKM2 isoform conferred metabolic and transcriptional changes in AD iNs. These alterations occurred via PKM2's lack of metabolic activity and via nuclear translocation and association with STAT3 and HIF1α to promote neuronal fate loss and vulnerability. Chemical modulation of PKM2 prevented nuclear translocation, restored a mature neuronal metabolism, reversed AD-specific gene expression changes, and re-activated neuronal resilience against cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Traxler
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University, Innsbruck 6020, Austria.
| | - Joseph R Herdy
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University, Innsbruck 6020, Austria; Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Davide Stefanoni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Sophie Eichhorner
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Silvia Pelucchi
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Attila Szücs
- Neuronal Cell Biology Research Group, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest 1117, Hungary
| | - Alice Santagostino
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Yongsung Kim
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5624, USA
| | - Ravi K Agarwal
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Johannes C M Schlachetzki
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Christopher K Glass
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jessica Lagerwall
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Douglas Galasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Jerome Mertens
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, Leopold-Franzens-University, Innsbruck 6020, Austria; Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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48
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Shin JW, Hong EP, Park SS, Choi DE, Zeng S, Chen RZ, Lee JM. PAM-altering SNP-based allele-specific CRISPR-Cas9 therapeutic strategies for Huntington’s disease. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 26:547-561. [PMID: 36092363 PMCID: PMC9450073 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wan Shin
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Eun Pyo Hong
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Seri S. Park
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Doo Eun Choi
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sophia Zeng
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Jong-Min Lee
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Medical and Population Genetics Program, the Broad Institute of M.I.T. and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Corresponding author Jong-Min Lee, Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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49
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Zhou W, Yang J, Zhang Y, Hu X, Wang W. Current landscape of gene-editing technology in biomedicine: Applications, advantages, challenges, and perspectives. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e155. [PMID: 35845351 PMCID: PMC9283854 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The expanding genome editing toolbox has revolutionized life science research ranging from the bench to the bedside. These "molecular scissors" have offered us unprecedented abilities to manipulate nucleic acid sequences precisely in living cells from diverse species. Continued advances in genome editing exponentially broaden our knowledge of human genetics, epigenetics, molecular biology, and pathology. Currently, gene editing-mediated therapies have led to impressive responses in patients with hematological diseases, including sickle cell disease and thalassemia. With the discovery of more efficient, precise and sophisticated gene-editing tools, more therapeutic gene-editing approaches will enter the clinic to treat various diseases, such as acquired immunodeficiency sydrome (AIDS), hematologic malignancies, and even severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. These initial successes have spurred the further innovation and development of gene-editing technology. In this review, we will introduce the architecture and mechanism of the current gene-editing tools, including clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated nuclease-based tools and other protein-based DNA targeting systems, and we summarize the meaningful applications of diverse technologies in preclinical studies, focusing on the establishment of disease models and diagnostic techniques. Finally, we provide a comprehensive overview of clinical information using gene-editing therapeutics for treating various human diseases and emphasize the opportunities and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weilin Zhou
- Department of BiotherapyyState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jinrong Yang
- Department of BiotherapyyState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduPeople's Republic of China
- Department of HematologyHematology Research LaboratoryState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanP. R. China
| | - Yalan Zhang
- Department of BiotherapyyState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyi Hu
- Department of BiotherapyyState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Gynecology and ObstetricsDevelopment and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceKey Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and ChildrenMinistry of EducationWest China Second HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduP. R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of BiotherapyyState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduPeople's Republic of China
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50
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Böhnke L, Zhou-Yang L, Pelucchi S, Kogler F, Frantal D, Schön F, Lagerström S, Borgogno O, Baltazar J, Herdy JR, Kittel-Schneider S, Defrancesco M, Mertens J. Chemical Replacement of Noggin with Dorsomorphin Homolog 1 for Cost-Effective Direct Neuronal Conversion. Cell Reprogram 2022; 24:304-313. [PMID: 35877103 PMCID: PMC9587801 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2021.0200] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The direct conversion of adult human skin fibroblasts (FBs) into induced neurons (iNs) represents a useful technology to generate donor-specific adult-like human neurons. Disease modeling studies rely on the consistently efficient conversion of relatively large cohorts of FBs. Despite the identification of several small molecular enhancers, high-yield protocols still demand addition of recombinant Noggin. To identify a replacement to circumvent the technical and economic challenges associated with Noggin, we assessed dynamic gene expression trajectories of transforming growth factor-β signaling during FB-to-iN conversion. We identified ALK2 (ACVR1) of the bone morphogenic protein branch to possess the highest initial transcript abundance in FBs and the steepest decline during successful neuronal conversion. We thus assessed the efficacy of dorsomorphin homolog 1 (DMH1), a highly selective ALK2-inhibitor, for its potential to replace Noggin. Conversion media containing DMH1 (+DMH1) indeed enhanced conversion efficiencies over basic SMAD inhibition (tSMADi), yielding similar βIII-tubulin (TUBB3) purities as conversion media containing Noggin (+Noggin). Furthermore, +DMH1 induced high yields of iNs with clear neuronal morphologies that are positive for the mature neuronal marker NeuN. Validation of +DMH1 for iN conversion of FBs from 15 adult human donors further demonstrates that Noggin-free conversion consistently yields iN cultures that display high βIII-tubulin numbers with synaptic structures and basic spontaneous neuronal activity at a third of the cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Böhnke
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria.,Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Lucia Zhou-Yang
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Silvia Pelucchi
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Flora Kogler
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Daniela Frantal
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Florian Schön
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Stina Lagerström
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Oliver Borgogno
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Jennifer Baltazar
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Joseph R Herdy
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria.,Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Sarah Kittel-Schneider
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Michaela Defrancesco
- Division of Psychiatry I, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Jerome Mertens
- Neural Aging Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Biology, CMBI, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria.,Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
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