1
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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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2
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Portela-Lomba M, Simón D, Callejo-Móstoles M, de la Fuente G, Fernández de Sevilla D, García-Escudero V, Moreno-Flores MT, Sierra J. Generation of functional neurons from adult human mucosal olfactory ensheathing glia by direct lineage conversion. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:478. [PMID: 38961086 PMCID: PMC11222439 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06862-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
A recent approach to promote central nervous system (CNS) regeneration after injury or disease is direct conversion of somatic cells to neurons. This is achieved by transduction of viral vectors that express neurogenic transcription factors. In this work we propose adult human mucosal olfactory ensheathing glia (hmOEG) as a candidate for direct reprogramming to neurons due to its accessibility and to its well-characterized neuroregenerative capacity. After induction of hmOEG with the single neurogenic transcription factor NEUROD1, the cells under study exhibited morphological and immunolabeling neuronal features, fired action potentials and expressed glutamatergic and GABAergic markers. In addition, after engraftment of transduced hmOEG cells in the mouse hippocampus, these cells showed specific neuronal labeling. Thereby, if we add to the neuroregenerative capacity of hmOEG cultures the conversion to neurons of a fraction of their population through reprogramming techniques, the engraftment of hmOEG and hmOEG-induced neurons could be a procedure to enhance neural repair after central nervous system injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Portela-Lomba
- School of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Diana Simón
- School of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Marta Callejo-Móstoles
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gemma de la Fuente
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Fernández de Sevilla
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vega García-Escudero
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Teresa Moreno-Flores
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Javier Sierra
- School of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain.
- School of Medicine, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain.
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3
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Cen K, Huang Y, Xie Y, Liu Y. The guardian of intracranial vessels: Why the pericyte? Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116870. [PMID: 38850658 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is a pathological condition characterized by progressive narrowing or complete blockage of intracranial blood vessels caused by plaque formation. This condition leads to reduced blood flow to the brain, resulting in cerebral ischemia and hypoxia. Ischemic stroke (IS) resulting from ICAS poses a significant global public health challenge, especially among East Asian populations. However, the underlying causes of the notable variations in prevalence among diverse populations, as well as the most effective strategies for preventing and treating the rupture and blockage of intracranial plaques, remain incompletely comprehended. Rupture of plaques, bleeding, and thrombosis serve as precipitating factors in the pathogenesis of luminal obstruction in intracranial arteries. Pericytes play a crucial role in the structure and function of blood vessels and face significant challenges in regulating the Vasa Vasorum (VV)and preventing intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH). This review aims to explore innovative therapeutic strategies that target the pathophysiological mechanisms of vulnerable plaques by modulating pericyte biological function. It also discusses the potential applications of pericytes in central nervous system (CNS) diseases and their prospects as a therapeutic intervention in the field of biological tissue engineering regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Cen
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - YinFei Huang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Yu Xie
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - YuMin Liu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China.
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Zhang Q, Yan X, Han H, Wang Y, Sun J. Pericyte in retinal vascular diseases: A multifunctional regulator and potential therapeutic target. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23679. [PMID: 38780117 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202302624r] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Retinal vascular diseases (RVDs), in particular diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and retinopathy of prematurity, are leading contributors to blindness. The pathogenesis of RVD involves vessel dilatation, leakage, and occlusion; however, the specific underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recent findings have indicated that pericytes (PCs), as critical members of the vascular mural cells, significantly contribute to the progression of RVDs, including detachment from microvessels, alteration of contractile and secretory properties, and excessive production of the extracellular matrix. Moreover, PCs are believed to have mesenchymal stem properties and, therefore, might contribute to regenerative therapy. Here, we review novel ideas concerning PC characteristics and functions in RVDs and discuss potential therapeutic strategies based on PCs, including the targeting of pathological signals and cell-based regenerative treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Chinese PLA, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xianchun Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hua Han
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yusheng Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Chinese PLA, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiaxing Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Chinese PLA, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Neurobiology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Umeyama T, Matsuda T, Nakashima K. Lineage Reprogramming: Genetic, Chemical, and Physical Cues for Cell Fate Conversion with a Focus on Neuronal Direct Reprogramming and Pluripotency Reprogramming. Cells 2024; 13:707. [PMID: 38667322 PMCID: PMC11049106 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080707] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Although lineage reprogramming from one cell type to another is becoming a breakthrough technology for cell-based therapy, several limitations remain to be overcome, including the low conversion efficiency and subtype specificity. To address these, many studies have been conducted using genetics, chemistry, physics, and cell biology to control transcriptional networks, signaling cascades, and epigenetic modifications during reprogramming. Here, we summarize recent advances in cellular reprogramming and discuss future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taichi Umeyama
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Taito Matsuda
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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6
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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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Marzoog BA. Transcription Factors in Brain Regeneration: A Potential Novel Therapeutic Target. Curr Drug Targets 2024; 25:46-61. [PMID: 38444255 DOI: 10.2174/0113894501279977231210170231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Transcription factors play a crucial role in providing identity to each cell population. To maintain cell identity, it is essential to balance the expression of activator and inhibitor transcription factors. Cell plasticity and reprogramming offer great potential for future therapeutic applications, as they can regenerate damaged tissue. Specific niche factors can modify gene expression and differentiate or transdifferentiate the target cell to the required fate. Ongoing research is being carried out on the possibilities of transcription factors in regenerating neurons, with neural stem cells (NSCs) being considered the preferred cells for generating new neurons due to their epigenomic and transcriptome memory. NEUROD1/ASCL1, BRN2, MYTL1, and other transcription factors can induce direct reprogramming of somatic cells, such as fibroblasts, into neurons. However, the molecular biology of transcription factors in reprogramming and differentiation still needs to be fully understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basheer Abdullah Marzoog
- World-Class Research Center, Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare», I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia
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8
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Fatima N, Saif Ur Rahman M, Qasim M, Ali Ashfaq U, Ahmed U, Masoud MS. Transcriptional Factors Mediated Reprogramming to Pluripotency. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 19:367-388. [PMID: 37073151 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x18666230417084518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
A unique kind of pluripotent cell, i.e., Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), now being targeted for iPSC synthesis, are produced by reprogramming animal and human differentiated cells (with no change in genetic makeup for the sake of high efficacy iPSCs formation). The conversion of specific cells to iPSCs has revolutionized stem cell research by making pluripotent cells more controllable for regenerative therapy. For the past 15 years, somatic cell reprogramming to pluripotency with force expression of specified factors has been a fascinating field of biomedical study. For that technological primary viewpoint reprogramming method, a cocktail of four transcription factors (TF) has required: Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), four-octamer binding protein 34 (OCT3/4), MYC and SOX2 (together referred to as OSKM) and host cells. IPS cells have great potential for future tissue replacement treatments because of their ability to self-renew and specialize in all adult cell types, although factor-mediated reprogramming mechanisms are still poorly understood medically. This technique has dramatically improved performance and efficiency, making it more useful in drug discovery, disease remodeling, and regenerative medicine. Moreover, in these four TF cocktails, more than 30 reprogramming combinations were proposed, but for reprogramming effectiveness, only a few numbers have been demonstrated for the somatic cells of humans and mice. Stoichiometry, a combination of reprogramming agents and chromatin remodeling compounds, impacts kinetics, quality, and efficiency in stem cell research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazira Fatima
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Muhammad Saif Ur Rahman
- Institute of Advanced Studies, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Muhammad Qasim
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Usman Ali Ashfaq
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Uzair Ahmed
- EMBL Partnership Institute for Genome Editing Technologies, Vilnius University, Vilnius, 10257, Lithuania
| | - Muhammad Shareef Masoud
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
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Lin HC, Makhlouf A, Vazquez Echegaray C, Zawada D, Simões F. Programming human cell fate: overcoming challenges and unlocking potential through technological breakthroughs. Development 2023; 150:dev202300. [PMID: 38078653 PMCID: PMC10753584 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there have been notable advancements in the ability to programme human cell identity, enabling us to design and manipulate cell function in a Petri dish. However, current protocols for generating target cell types often lack efficiency and precision, resulting in engineered cells that do not fully replicate the desired identity or functional output. This applies to different methods of cell programming, which face similar challenges that hinder progress and delay the achievement of a more favourable outcome. However, recent technological and analytical breakthroughs have provided us with unprecedented opportunities to advance the way we programme cell fate. The Company of Biologists' 2023 workshop on 'Novel Technologies for Programming Human Cell Fate' brought together experts in human cell fate engineering and experts in single-cell genomics, manipulation and characterisation of cells on a single (sub)cellular level. Here, we summarise the main points that emerged during the workshop's themed discussions. Furthermore, we provide specific examples highlighting the current state of the field as well as its trajectory, offering insights into the potential outcomes resulting from the application of these breakthrough technologies in precisely engineering the identity and function of clinically valuable human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Chuan Lin
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, 4057 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aly Makhlouf
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Camila Vazquez Echegaray
- Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Centre, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Dorota Zawada
- First Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance, 80636 Munich, Germany
- Regenerative Medicine in Cardiovascular Diseases, First Department of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Filipa Simões
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7TY, UK
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10
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Hu S, Yang B, Shu S, He X, Sang H, Fan X, Zhang H. Targeting Pericytes for Functional Recovery in Ischemic Stroke. Neuromolecular Med 2023; 25:457-470. [PMID: 37166748 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-023-08748-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Pericytes surrounding endothelial cells in the capillaries are emerging as an attractive cell resource, which can show a large variety of functions in ischemic stroke, including preservation of the blood-brain barrier, regulation of immune function, and support for cerebral vasculature. These functions have been fully elucidated in previous studies. However, in recent years, increasing evidence has shown that pericytes play an important role in neurological recovery after ischemic stroke due to their regenerative function which can be summarized in two aspects according to current discoveries, one is that pericytes are thought to be multipotential themselves, and the other is that pericytes can promote the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Considering the neuroprotective treatment for stroke has not been much progressed in recent years, new therapies targeting pericytes may be a future direction. Here, we will review the beneficial effects of pericytes in ischemic stroke from two directions: the barrier and vascular functions and the regenerative functions of pericytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqi Hu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bingjie Yang
- Department of Neurology, The Fourth Clinical School of Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Song Shu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xudong He
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongfei Sang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuemei Fan
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
- Department of Neurology, The Fourth Clinical School of Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China.
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11
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Marei HE, Khan MUA, Hasan A. Potential use of iPSCs for disease modeling, drug screening, and cell-based therapy for Alzheimer's disease. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2023; 28:98. [PMID: 38031028 PMCID: PMC10687886 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00504-2] [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: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic illness marked by increasing cognitive decline and nervous system deterioration. At this time, there is no known medication that will stop the course of Alzheimer's disease; instead, most symptoms are treated. Clinical trial failure rates for new drugs remain high, highlighting the urgent need for improved AD modeling for improving understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of disease and improving drug development. The development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has made it possible to model neurological diseases like AD, giving access to an infinite number of patient-derived cells capable of differentiating neuronal fates. This advance will accelerate Alzheimer's disease research and provide an opportunity to create more accurate patient-specific models of Alzheimer's disease to support pathophysiological research, drug development, and the potential application of stem cell-based therapeutics. This review article provides a complete summary of research done to date on the potential use of iPSCs from AD patients for disease modeling, drug discovery, and cell-based therapeutics. Current technological developments in AD research including 3D modeling, genome editing, gene therapy for AD, and research on familial (FAD) and sporadic (SAD) forms of the disease are discussed. Finally, we outline the issues that need to be elucidated and future directions for iPSC modeling in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hany E Marei
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35116, Egypt.
| | - Muhammad Umar Aslam Khan
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Anwarul Hasan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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12
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Menon R, Petrucci L, Lohrer B, Zhang J, Schulze M, Schichor C, Winner B, Winkler J, Riemenschneider MJ, Kühn R, Falk S, Karow M. Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Pericytes as Scalable and Editable Source to Study Direct Lineage Reprogramming Into Induced Neurons. Cell Reprogram 2023; 25:212-223. [PMID: 37366790 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2023.0008] [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: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Studying human somatic cell-to-neuron conversion using primary brain-derived cells as starting cell source is hampered by limitations and variations in human biopsy material. Thus, delineating the molecular variables that allow changing the identity of somatic cells, permit adoption of neuronal phenotypes, and foster maturation of induced neurons (iNs) is challenging. Based on our previous results that pericytes derived from the adult human cerebral cortex can be directly converted into iNs (Karow et al., 2018; Karow et al., 2012), we here introduce human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived pericytes (hiPSC-pericytes) as a versatile and more uniform tool to study the pericyte-to-neuron conversion process. This strategy enables us to derive scalable cell numbers and allows for engineering of the starting cell population such as introducing reporter tools before differentiation into hiPSC-pericytes and subsequent iN conversion. Harvesting the potential of this approach, we established hiPSC-derived human-human neuronal cocultures that not only allow for independent manipulation of each coculture partner but also resulted in morphologically more mature iNs. In summary, we exploit hiPSC-based methods to facilitate the analysis of human somatic cell-to-neuron conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhika Menon
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Linda Petrucci
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Lohrer
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jingzhong Zhang
- Genome Engineering and Disease Models, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Schulze
- Department of Neuropathology, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christian Schichor
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Beate Winner
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Center of Rare Diseases Erlangen (ZSEER), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Winkler
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Kühn
- Genome Engineering and Disease Models, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Sven Falk
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marisa Karow
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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13
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Liu Y, Wang J, Südhof TC, Wernig M. Efficient generation of functional neurons from mouse embryonic stem cells via neurogenin-2 expression. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:2954-2974. [PMID: 37596357 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00863-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
The production of induced neuronal (iN) cells from human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells by the forced expression of proneural transcription factors is rapid, efficient and reproducible. The ability to generate large numbers of human neurons in such a robust manner enables large-scale studies of human neural differentiation and neuropsychiatric diseases. Surprisingly, similar transcription factor-based approaches for converting mouse ESCs into iN cells have been challenging, primarily because of low cell survival. Here, we provide a detailed approach for the efficient and reproducible generation of functional iN cells from mouse ESC cultures by the genetically induced expression of neurogenin-2. The resulting iN cells display mature pre- and postsynaptic specializations and form synaptic networks. Our method provides the basis for studying neuronal development and enables the direct comparison of cellular phenotypes in mouse and human neurons generated in an equivalent way. The procedure requires 14 d and can be carried out by users with expertise in stem cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingfei Liu
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Departments of Pathology and Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Jinzhao Wang
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Departments of Pathology and Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Thomas C Südhof
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marius Wernig
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Departments of Pathology and Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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14
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Fang YM, Chen WC, Zheng WJ, Yang YS, Zhang Y, Chen XL, Pei MQ, Lin S, He HF. A cutting-edge strategy for spinal cord injury treatment: resident cellular transdifferentiation. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1237641. [PMID: 37711511 PMCID: PMC10498389 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1237641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury causes varying degrees of motor and sensory function loss. However, there are no effective treatments for spinal cord repair following an injury. Moreover, significant preclinical advances in bioengineering and regenerative medicine have not yet been translated into effective clinical therapies. The spinal cord's poor regenerative capacity makes repairing damaged and lost neurons a critical treatment step. Reprogramming-based neuronal transdifferentiation has recently shown great potential in repair and plasticity, as it can convert mature somatic cells into functional neurons for spinal cord injury repair in vitro and in vivo, effectively halting the progression of spinal cord injury and promoting functional improvement. However, the mechanisms of the neuronal transdifferentiation and the induced neuronal subtypes are not yet well understood. This review analyzes the mechanisms of resident cellular transdifferentiation based on a review of the relevant recent literature, describes different molecular approaches to obtain different neuronal subtypes, discusses the current challenges and improvement methods, and provides new ideas for exploring therapeutic approaches for spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ming Fang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Wei-Can Chen
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Wan-Jing Zheng
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Yu-Shen Yang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Xin-Li Chen
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Meng-Qin Pei
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Shu Lin
- Centre of Neurological and Metabolic Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
- Neuroendocrinology Group, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - He-Fan He
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
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15
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Theodoris CV, Xiao L, Chopra A, Chaffin MD, Al Sayed ZR, Hill MC, Mantineo H, Brydon EM, Zeng Z, Liu XS, Ellinor PT. Transfer learning enables predictions in network biology. Nature 2023; 618:616-624. [PMID: 37258680 PMCID: PMC10949956 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06139-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Mapping gene networks requires large amounts of transcriptomic data to learn the connections between genes, which impedes discoveries in settings with limited data, including rare diseases and diseases affecting clinically inaccessible tissues. Recently, transfer learning has revolutionized fields such as natural language understanding1,2 and computer vision3 by leveraging deep learning models pretrained on large-scale general datasets that can then be fine-tuned towards a vast array of downstream tasks with limited task-specific data. Here, we developed a context-aware, attention-based deep learning model, Geneformer, pretrained on a large-scale corpus of about 30 million single-cell transcriptomes to enable context-specific predictions in settings with limited data in network biology. During pretraining, Geneformer gained a fundamental understanding of network dynamics, encoding network hierarchy in the attention weights of the model in a completely self-supervised manner. Fine-tuning towards a diverse panel of downstream tasks relevant to chromatin and network dynamics using limited task-specific data demonstrated that Geneformer consistently boosted predictive accuracy. Applied to disease modelling with limited patient data, Geneformer identified candidate therapeutic targets for cardiomyopathy. Overall, Geneformer represents a pretrained deep learning model from which fine-tuning towards a broad range of downstream applications can be pursued to accelerate discovery of key network regulators and candidate therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina V Theodoris
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative and Precision Cardiology Laboratory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School Genetics Training Program, Boston, USA.
| | - Ling Xiao
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative and Precision Cardiology Laboratory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anant Chopra
- Precision Cardiology Laboratory, Bayer US LLC, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mark D Chaffin
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative and Precision Cardiology Laboratory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zeina R Al Sayed
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative and Precision Cardiology Laboratory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew C Hill
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative and Precision Cardiology Laboratory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Helene Mantineo
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative and Precision Cardiology Laboratory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Zexian Zeng
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - X Shirley Liu
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick T Ellinor
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative and Precision Cardiology Laboratory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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16
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Qu W, Canoll P, Hargus G. Molecular Insights into Cell Type-specific Roles in Alzheimer's Disease: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-based Disease Modelling. Neuroscience 2023; 518:10-26. [PMID: 35569647 PMCID: PMC9974106 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia resulting in widespread degeneration of the central nervous system with severe cognitive impairment. Despite the devastating toll of AD, the incomplete understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms hinders the expeditious development of effective cures. Emerging evidence from animal studies has shown that different brain cell types play distinct roles in the pathogenesis of AD. Glutamatergic neurons are preferentially affected in AD and pronounced gliosis contributes to the progression of AD in both a cell-autonomous and a non-cell-autonomous manner. Much has been discovered through genetically modified animal models, yet frequently failed translational attempts to clinical applications call for better disease models. Emerging evidence supports the significance of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived brain cells in modeling disease development and progression, opening new avenues for the discovery of molecular mechanisms. This review summarizes the function of different cell types in the pathogenesis of AD, such as neurons, microglia, and astrocytes, and recognizes the potential of utilizing the rapidly growing iPSC technology in modeling AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Qu
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Peter Canoll
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gunnar Hargus
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.
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17
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Zhong J, Ding D, Liu J, Liu R, Chen P. SPNE: sample-perturbed network entropy for revealing critical states of complex biological systems. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:7007928. [PMID: 36705581 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Complex biological systems do not always develop smoothly but occasionally undergo a sharp transition; i.e. there exists a critical transition or tipping point at which a drastic qualitative shift occurs. Hunting for such a critical transition is important to prevent or delay the occurrence of catastrophic consequences, such as disease deterioration. However, the identification of the critical state for complex biological systems is still a challenging problem when using high-dimensional small sample data, especially where only a certain sample is available, which often leads to the failure of most traditional statistical approaches. In this study, a novel quantitative method, sample-perturbed network entropy (SPNE), is developed based on the sample-perturbed directed network to reveal the critical state of complex biological systems at the single-sample level. Specifically, the SPNE approach effectively quantifies the perturbation effect caused by a specific sample on the directed network in terms of network entropy and thus captures the criticality of biological systems. This model-free method was applied to both bulk and single-cell expression data. Our approach was validated by successfully detecting the early warning signals of the critical states for six real datasets, including four tumor datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and two single-cell datasets of cell differentiation. In addition, the functional analyses of signaling biomarkers demonstrated the effectiveness of the analytical and computational results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayuan Zhong
- School of Mathematics and Big Data, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China
- School of Mathematics, South China University of technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Dandan Ding
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, China
| | - Juntan Liu
- School of Mathematics, South China University of technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Rui Liu
- School of Mathematics, South China University of technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Pazhou Lab, Guangzhou 510330, China
| | - Pei Chen
- School of Mathematics, South China University of technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
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18
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Wells MF, Nemesh J, Ghosh S, Mitchell JM, Salick MR, Mello CJ, Meyer D, Pietilainen O, Piccioni F, Guss EJ, Raghunathan K, Tegtmeyer M, Hawes D, Neumann A, Worringer KA, Ho D, Kommineni S, Chan K, Peterson BK, Raymond JJ, Gold JT, Siekmann MT, Zuccaro E, Nehme R, Kaykas A, Eggan K, McCarroll SA. Natural variation in gene expression and viral susceptibility revealed by neural progenitor cell villages. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:312-332.e13. [PMID: 36796362 PMCID: PMC10581885 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Human genome variation contributes to diversity in neurodevelopmental outcomes and vulnerabilities; recognizing the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms will require scalable approaches. Here, we describe a "cell village" experimental platform we used to analyze genetic, molecular, and phenotypic heterogeneity across neural progenitor cells from 44 human donors cultured in a shared in vitro environment using algorithms (Dropulation and Census-seq) to assign cells and phenotypes to individual donors. Through rapid induction of human stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells, measurements of natural genetic variation, and CRISPR-Cas9 genetic perturbations, we identified a common variant that regulates antiviral IFITM3 expression and explains most inter-individual variation in susceptibility to the Zika virus. We also detected expression QTLs corresponding to GWAS loci for brain traits and discovered novel disease-relevant regulators of progenitor proliferation and differentiation such as CACHD1. This approach provides scalable ways to elucidate the effects of genes and genetic variation on cellular phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Wells
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - James Nemesh
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sulagna Ghosh
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jana M Mitchell
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Insitro, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | - Curtis J Mello
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Daniel Meyer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Olli Pietilainen
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Federica Piccioni
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ellen J Guss
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Kavya Raghunathan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Matthew Tegtmeyer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Derek Hawes
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Anna Neumann
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kathleen A Worringer
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Daniel Ho
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sravya Kommineni
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Karrie Chan
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Brant K Peterson
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Joseph J Raymond
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - John T Gold
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035, USA
| | - Marco T Siekmann
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Emanuela Zuccaro
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Ralda Nehme
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | | | - Kevin Eggan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Steven A McCarroll
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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19
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Portela-Lomba M, Simón D, Fernández de Sevilla D, Moreno-Flores MT, Sierra J. Small molecules fail to induce direct reprogramming of adult rat olfactory ensheathing glia to mature neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1110356. [PMID: 36910262 PMCID: PMC9998535 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1110356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
An approach to generate new neurons after central nervous system injury or disease is direct reprogramming of the individual's own somatic cells into differentiated neurons. This can be achieved either by transduction of viral vectors that express neurogenic transcription factors and/or through induction with small molecules, avoiding introducing foreign genetic material in target cells. In this work, we propose olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) as a candidate for direct reprogramming to neurons with small molecules due to its well-characterized neuro-regenerative capacity. After screening different combinations of small molecules in different culture conditions, only partial reprogramming was achieved: induced cells expressed neuronal markers but lacked the ability of firing action potentials. Our work demonstrates that direct conversion of adult olfactory ensheathing glia to mature, functional neurons cannot be induced only with pharmacological tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Portela-Lomba
- School of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diana Simón
- School of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Fernández de Sevilla
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mª Teresa Moreno-Flores
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Sierra
- School of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain.,School of Medicine, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain
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20
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Galante C, Marichal N, Scarante FF, Ghayad LM, Shi Y, Schuurmans C, Berninger B, Péron S. Enhanced proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells following retrovirus mediated Achaete-scute complex-like 1 overexpression in the postnatal cerebral cortex in vivo. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:919462. [PMID: 36532282 PMCID: PMC9755855 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.919462] [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: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The proneural transcription factor Achaete-scute complex-like 1 (Ascl1) is a major regulator of neural fate decisions, implicated both in neurogenesis and oligodendrogliogenesis. Focusing on its neurogenic activity, Ascl1 has been widely used to reprogram non-neuronal cells into induced neurons. In vitro, Ascl1 induces efficient reprogramming of proliferative astroglia from the early postnatal cerebral cortex into interneuron-like cells. Here, we examined whether Ascl1 can similarly induce neuronal reprogramming of glia undergoing proliferation in the postnatal mouse cerebral cortex in vivo. Toward this goal, we targeted cortical glia during the peak of proliferative expansion (i.e., postnatal day 5) by injecting a retrovirus encoding for Ascl1 into the mouse cerebral cortex. In contrast to the efficient reprogramming observed in vitro, in vivo Ascl1-transduced glial cells were converted into doublecortin-immunoreactive neurons only with very low efficiency. However, we noted a drastic shift in the relative number of retrovirus-transduced Sox10-positive oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) as compared to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytes. Genetic fate mapping demonstrated that this increase in OPCs was not due to Ascl1-mediated astrocyte-to-OPC fate conversion. Rather, EdU incorporation experiments revealed that Ascl1 caused a selective increase in proliferative activity of OPCs, but not astrocytes. Our data indicate that rather than inducing neuronal reprogramming of glia in the early postnatal cortex, Ascl1 is a selective enhancer of OPC proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Galante
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nicolás Marichal
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Franciele Franco Scarante
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Litsa Maria Ghayad
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Youran Shi
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carol Schuurmans
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Benedikt Berninger
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany,Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom,MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,Focus Program Translational Neuroscience, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany,Benedikt Berninger,
| | - Sophie Péron
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany,Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Sophie Péron,
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21
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Argouarch AR, Schultz N, Yang AC, Jang Y, Garcia K, Cosme CG, Corrales CI, Nana AL, Karydas AM, Spina S, Grinberg LT, Miller B, Wyss-Coray T, Abyzov A, Goodarzi H, Seeley WW, Kao AW. Postmortem Human Dura Mater Cells Exhibit Phenotypic, Transcriptomic and Genetic Abnormalities that Impact their Use for Disease Modeling. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:3050-3065. [PMID: 35809166 PMCID: PMC9622518 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10416-x] [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] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Patient-derived cells hold great promise for precision medicine approaches in human health. Human dermal fibroblasts have been a major source of cells for reprogramming and differentiating into specific cell types for disease modeling. Postmortem human dura mater has been suggested as a primary source of fibroblasts for in vitro modeling of neurodegenerative diseases. Although fibroblast-like cells from human and mouse dura mater have been previously described, their utility for reprogramming and direct differentiation protocols has not been fully established. In this study, cells derived from postmortem dura mater are directly compared to those from dermal biopsies of living subjects. In two instances, we have isolated and compared dermal and dural cell lines from the same subject. Notably, striking differences were observed between cells of dermal and dural origin. Compared to dermal fibroblasts, postmortem dura mater-derived cells demonstrated different morphology, slower growth rates, and a higher rate of karyotype abnormality. Dura mater-derived cells also failed to express fibroblast protein markers. When dermal fibroblasts and dura mater-derived cells from the same subject were compared, they exhibited highly divergent gene expression profiles that suggest dura mater cells originated from a mixed mural lineage. Given their postmortem origin, somatic mutation signatures of dura mater-derived cells were assessed and suggest defective DNA damage repair. This study argues for rigorous karyotyping of postmortem derived cell lines and highlights limitations of postmortem human dura mater-derived cells for modeling normal biology or disease-associated pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea R. Argouarch
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Nina Schultz
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Andrew C. Yang
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94304 USA
| | - Yeongjun Jang
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Kristle Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Celica G. Cosme
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Christian I. Corrales
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Alissa L. Nana
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Anna M. Karydas
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Salvatore Spina
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Lea T. Grinberg
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Bruce Miller
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Tony Wyss-Coray
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94304 USA
| | - Alexej Abyzov
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Hani Goodarzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - William W. Seeley
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Aimee W. Kao
- Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
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22
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Liao K, Niu F, Hu G, Buch S. Morphine-mediated release of astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicle miR-23a induces loss of pericyte coverage at the blood-brain barrier: Implications for neuroinflammation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:984375. [PMID: 36478740 PMCID: PMC9720401 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.984375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioids such as morphine are the most potent and efficacious drugs currently available for pain management. Paradoxically, opioids have also been implicated in inducing neuroinflammation and associated neurocognitive decline. Pericytes, a critical component of the neurovascular unit (NVU), are centrally positioned between endothelial cells and astrocytes, maintaining function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) nd regulating neuroinflammation by controlling monocyte influx under various pathological conditions. The role of pericytes in morphine-mediated neuroinflammation however, has received less attention, especially in the context of how pericytes crosstalk with other central nervous system (CNS) cells. The current study was undertaken to examine the effect of miRNAs released from morphine-stimulated human primary astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (morphine-ADEVs) in mediating pericyte loss at the blood-brain barrier, leading, in turn, to increased influx of peripheral monocytes. Our findings suggest that the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex A2/B1 (hnRNP A2/B1) plays role in morphine-mediated upregulation and release of miR-23a in ADEVs, and through action of morphine via mu opioid receptor.We further demonstrated that miR-23a in morphine-ADEVs could be taken up by pericytes, resulting in downregulation of PTEN expression, ultimately leading to increased pericyte migration. Furthermore, both overexpression of PTEN and blocking the miR-23a target site at PTEN 3UTR (by transfecting miR-23a-PTEN target protector), attenuated morphine-ADEV-mediated pericyte migration. We also demonstrated that in the microvessels isolated from morphine-administered mice, there were fewer PDGFβR + pericytes co-localizing with CD31+ brain endothelial cells compared with those from saline mice. In line with these findings, we also observed increased loss of pericytes and a concomitantly increased influx of monocytes in the brains of morphine-administered pericyte-labeled NG2-DsRed mice compared with saline mice. In conclusion, our findings indicate morphine-ADEVs mediated loss of pericyte coverage at the brain endothelium, thereby increasing the influx of peripheral monocytes in the central nervous system, leading to neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Liao
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
- Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Fang Niu
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Guoku Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Shilpa Buch
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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23
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Nistor-Cseppentö DC, Jurcău MC, Jurcău A, Andronie-Cioară FL, Marcu F. Stem Cell- and Cell-Based Therapies for Ischemic Stroke. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:717. [PMID: 36421118 PMCID: PMC9687728 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9110717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is the second cause of disability worldwide as it is expected to increase its incidence and prevalence. Despite efforts to increase the number of patients eligible for recanalization therapies, a significant proportion of stroke survivors remain permanently disabled. This outcome boosted the search for efficient neurorestorative methods. Stem cells act through multiple pathways: cell replacement, the secretion of growth factors, promoting endogenous reparative pathways, angiogenesis, and the modulation of neuroinflammation. Although neural stem cells are difficult to obtain, pose a series of ethical issues, and require intracerebral delivery, mesenchymal stem cells are less immunogenic, are easy to obtain, and can be transplanted via intravenous, intra-arterial, or intranasal routes. Extracellular vesicles and exosomes have similar actions and are easier to obtain, also allowing for engineering to deliver specific molecules or RNAs and to promote the desired effects. Appropriate timing, dosing, and delivery protocols must be established, and the possibility of tumorigenesis must be settled. Nonetheless, stem cell- and cell-based therapies for stroke have already entered clinical trials. Although safe, the evidence for efficacy is less impressive so far. Hopefully, the STEP guidelines and the SPAN program will improve the success rate. As such, stem cell- and cell-based therapy for ischemic stroke holds great promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Carmen Nistor-Cseppentö
- Department of Psycho-Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| | | | - Anamaria Jurcău
- Department of Psycho-Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| | - Felicia Liana Andronie-Cioară
- Department of Psycho-Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| | - Florin Marcu
- Department of Psycho-Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
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24
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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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25
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Riva C, Hajduskova M, Gally C, Suman SK, Ahier A, Jarriault S. A natural transdifferentiation event involving mitosis is empowered by integrating signaling inputs with conserved plasticity factors. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111365. [PMID: 36130499 PMCID: PMC9513805 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Transdifferentiation, or direct cell reprogramming, is the conversion of one fully differentiated cell type into another. Whether core mechanisms are shared between natural transdifferentiation events when occurring with or without cell division is unclear. We have previously characterized the Y-to-PDA natural transdifferentiation in Caenorhabditis elegans, which occurs without cell division and requires orthologs of vertebrate reprogramming factors. Here, we identify a rectal-to-GABAergic transdifferentiation and show that cell division is required but not sufficient for conversion. We find shared mechanisms, including erasure of the initial identity, which requires the conserved reprogramming factors SEM-4/SALL, SOX-2, CEH-6/OCT, and EGL-5/HOX. We also find three additional and parallel roles of the Wnt signaling pathway: selection of a specific daughter, removal of the initial identity, and imposition of the precise final subtype identity. Our results support a model in which levels and antagonistic activities of SOX-2 and Wnt signaling provide a timer for the acquisition of final identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riva
- Development and Stem Cells Department, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm U 1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Martina Hajduskova
- Development and Stem Cells Department, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm U 1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Christelle Gally
- Development and Stem Cells Department, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm U 1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France.
| | - Shashi Kumar Suman
- Development and Stem Cells Department, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm U 1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Arnaud Ahier
- Development and Stem Cells Department, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm U 1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Sophie Jarriault
- Development and Stem Cells Department, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm U 1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France.
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26
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Ghazale H, Park E, Vasan L, Mester J, Saleh F, Trevisiol A, Zinyk D, Chinchalongporn V, Liu M, Fleming T, Prokopchuk O, Klenin N, Kurrasch D, Faiz M, Stefanovic B, McLaurin J, Schuurmans C. Ascl1 phospho-site mutations enhance neuronal conversion of adult cortical astrocytes in vivo. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:917071. [PMID: 36061596 PMCID: PMC9434350 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.917071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct neuronal reprogramming, the process whereby a terminally differentiated cell is converted into an induced neuron without traversing a pluripotent state, has tremendous therapeutic potential for a host of neurodegenerative diseases. While there is strong evidence for astrocyte-to-neuron conversion in vitro, in vivo studies in the adult brain are less supportive or controversial. Here, we set out to enhance the efficacy of neuronal conversion of adult astrocytes in vivo by optimizing the neurogenic capacity of a driver transcription factor encoded by the proneural gene Ascl1. Specifically, we mutated six serine phospho-acceptor sites in Ascl1 to alanines (Ascl1SA6) to prevent phosphorylation by proline-directed serine/threonine kinases. Native Ascl1 or Ascl1SA6 were expressed in adult, murine cortical astrocytes under the control of a glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter using adeno-associated viruses (AAVs). When targeted to the cerebral cortex in vivo, mCherry+ cells transduced with AAV8-GFAP-Ascl1SA6-mCherry or AAV8-GFAP-Ascl1-mCherry expressed neuronal markers within 14 days post-transduction, with Ascl1SA6 promoting the formation of more mature dendritic arbors compared to Ascl1. However, mCherry expression disappeared by 2-months post-transduction of the AAV8-GFAP-mCherry control-vector. To circumvent reporter issues, AAV-GFAP-iCre (control) and AAV-GFAP-Ascl1 (or Ascl1SA6)-iCre constructs were generated and injected into the cerebral cortex of Rosa reporter mice. In all comparisons of AAV capsids (AAV5 and AAV8), GFAP promoters (long and short), and reporter mice (Rosa-zsGreen and Rosa-tdtomato), Ascl1SA6 transduced cells more frequently expressed early- (Dcx) and late- (NeuN) neuronal markers. Furthermore, Ascl1SA6 repressed the expression of astrocytic markers Sox9 and GFAP more efficiently than Ascl1. Finally, we co-transduced an AAV expressing ChR2-(H134R)-YFP, an optogenetic actuator. After channelrhodopsin photostimulation, we found that Ascl1SA6 co-transduced astrocytes exhibited a significantly faster decay of evoked potentials to baseline, a neuronal feature, when compared to iCre control cells. Taken together, our findings support an enhanced neuronal conversion efficiency of Ascl1SA6 vs. Ascl1, and position Ascl1SA6 as a critical transcription factor for future studies aimed at converting adult brain astrocytes to mature neurons to treat disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Ghazale
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - EunJee Park
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lakshmy Vasan
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James Mester
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Fermisk Saleh
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrea Trevisiol
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dawn Zinyk
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Vorapin Chinchalongporn
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mingzhe Liu
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Taylor Fleming
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Natalia Klenin
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Deborah Kurrasch
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Maryam Faiz
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bojana Stefanovic
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - JoAnne McLaurin
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carol Schuurmans
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Carol Schuurmans,
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27
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Seng C, Luo W, Földy C. Circuit formation in the adult brain. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:4187-4213. [PMID: 35724981 PMCID: PMC9546018 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Neurons in the mammalian central nervous system display an enormous capacity for circuit formation during development but not later in life. In principle, new circuits could be also formed in adult brain, but the absence of the developmental milieu and the presence of growth inhibition and hundreds of working circuits are generally viewed as unsupportive for such a process. Here, we bring together evidence from different areas of neuroscience—such as neurological disorders, adult‐brain neurogenesis, innate behaviours, cell grafting, and in vivo cell reprogramming—which demonstrates robust circuit formation in adult brain. In some cases, adult‐brain rewiring is ongoing and required for certain types of behaviour and memory, while other cases show significant promise for brain repair in disease models. Together, these examples highlight that the adult brain has higher capacity for structural plasticity than previously recognized. Understanding the underlying mechanisms behind this retained plasticity has the potential to advance basic knowledge regarding the molecular organization of synaptic circuits and could herald a new era of neural circuit engineering for therapeutic repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Seng
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Wenshu Luo
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Csaba Földy
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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28
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Hu Y, Jiang Y, Behnan J, Ribeiro MM, Kalantzi C, Zhang MD, Lou D, Häring M, Sharma N, Okawa S, Del Sol A, Adameyko I, Svensson M, Persson O, Ernfors P. Neural network learning defines glioblastoma features to be of neural crest perivascular or radial glia lineages. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm6340. [PMID: 35675414 PMCID: PMC9177076 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm6340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma is believed to originate from nervous system cells; however, a putative origin from vessel-associated progenitor cells has not been considered. We deeply single-cell RNA-sequenced glioblastoma progenitor cells of 18 patients and integrated 710 bulk tumors and 73,495 glioma single cells of 100 patients to determine the relation of glioblastoma cells to normal brain cell types. A novel neural network-based projection of the developmental trajectory of normal brain cells uncovered two principal cell-lineage features of glioblastoma, neural crest perivascular and radial glia, carrying defining methylation patterns and survival differences. Consistently, introducing tumorigenic alterations in naïve human brain perivascular cells resulted in brain tumors. Thus, our results suggest that glioblastoma can arise from the brains' vasculature, and patients with such glioblastoma have a significantly poorer outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Hu
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yiwen Jiang
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jinan Behnan
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mariana Messias Ribeiro
- Computational Biology Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, 4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Chrysoula Kalantzi
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ming-Dong Zhang
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daohua Lou
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Häring
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nilesh Sharma
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Satoshi Okawa
- Computational Biology Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, 4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Antonio Del Sol
- Computational Biology Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, 4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160 Derio, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Igor Adameyko
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Svensson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oscar Persson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Patrik Ernfors
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Corresponding author.
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29
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Wang ZB, Wang ZT, Sun Y, Tan L, Yu JT. The future of stem cell therapies of Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 80:101655. [PMID: 35660003 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) places a heavy burden on the global economy. There is no effective disease-modifying treatment available at present. Since the advent of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reprogrammed from human somatic cells, new approaches using iPSC-derived products provided novel insights into AD pathogenesis and drug candidates for the AD treatment. Multiple recent studies using animal models have increased the possibility of reducing pathology and improving cognitive function by cell replacement therapies. In this review, we summarized the advantages, limitations, and future directions of cell replacement therapy, discussed the safety and ethical concerns of this novel therapeutic approach and the possibility of translation to clinical practice.
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30
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Central Nervous System Pericytes Contribute to Health and Disease. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101707. [PMID: 35626743 PMCID: PMC9139243 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful neuroprotection is only possible with contemporary microvascular protection. The prevention of disease-induced vascular modifications that accelerate brain damage remains largely elusive. An improved understanding of pericyte (PC) signalling could provide important insight into the function of the neurovascular unit (NVU), and into the injury-provoked responses that modify cell–cell interactions and crosstalk. Due to sharing the same basement membrane with endothelial cells, PCs have a crucial role in the control of endothelial, astrocyte, and oligodendrocyte precursor functions and hence blood–brain barrier stability. Both cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases impair oxygen delivery and functionally impair the NVU. In this review, the role of PCs in central nervous system health and disease is discussed, considering their origin, multipotency, functions and also dysfunction, focusing on new possible avenues to modulate neuroprotection. Dysfunctional PC signalling could also be considered as a potential biomarker of NVU pathology, allowing us to individualize therapeutic interventions, monitor responses, or predict outcomes.
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31
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Evidence of cell cycle re-entry in post-mitotic, terminally differentiated feline neurons. Histochem Cell Biol 2022; 158:193-198. [PMID: 35551458 PMCID: PMC9338102 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-022-02112-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Parvovirus infections in dogs and cats are restricted to highly mitotically active tissues, predominantly to the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract and, in cases of prenatal infections in cats, also to Purkinje cell neuroblasts. The evidence of parvovirus-infected mature feline neurons gave rise to reconsider the dogma of post-mitotically fixed and terminally differentiated neurons in the adult central nervous system. To elucidate the postulated capability of certain terminally differentiated feline neurons to re-enter the cell cycle, immunohistochemical double labeling using the transcription factor Sox2 and the tumor suppressor and cell cycle regulator retinoblastoma protein in its phosphorylated state (pRb) was performed. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded brain tissue negative for parvovirus-antigen from 14 cats was compared to brain tissue from 13 cats with immunohistochemically confirmed cerebral parvovirus infection; the 27 cats were aged between 50 days of gestation (E50) and 5 years. Both groups revealed nuclear Sox2 and pRb immunosignals in numerous neurons, suggesting a more active state than mature neurons should have. Accordingly, parvovirus is not exclusively involved in the reactivation of the cell cycle machinery in those post-mitotic, terminally differentiated feline neurons.
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32
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ASCL1 activates neuronal stem cell-like lineage programming through remodeling of the chromatin landscape in prostate cancer. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2282. [PMID: 35477723 PMCID: PMC9046280 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29963-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) in prostate cancer leads to the emergence of resistant tumors characterized by lineage plasticity and differentiation toward neuroendocrine lineage. Here, we find that ARPIs induce a rapid epigenetic alteration mediated by large-scale chromatin remodeling to support activation of stem/neuronal transcriptional programs. We identify the proneuronal transcription factor ASCL1 motif to be enriched in hyper-accessible regions. ASCL1 acts as a driver of the lineage plastic, neuronal transcriptional program to support treatment resistance and neuroendocrine phenotype. Targeting ASCL1 switches the neuroendocrine lineage back to the luminal epithelial state. This effect is modulated by disruption of the polycomb repressive complex-2 through UHRF1/AMPK axis and change the chromatin architecture in favor of luminal phenotype. Our study provides insights into the epigenetic alterations induced by ARPIs, governed by ASCL1, provides a proof of principle of targeting ASCL1 to reverse neuroendocrine phenotype, support luminal conversion and re-addiction to ARPIs. Following androgen receptor pathway inhibition prostate cancers can differentiate towards the neuroendocrine lineage. Here, the authors identify epigenetic alterations regulated by ASCL1 and suggest targeting ASCL1 to reverse the neuroendocrine phenotype.
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Progression in translational research on spinal cord injury based on microenvironment imbalance. Bone Res 2022; 10:35. [PMID: 35396505 PMCID: PMC8993811 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-022-00199-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to loss of motor and sensory function below the injury level and imposes a considerable burden on patients, families, and society. Repair of the injured spinal cord has been recognized as a global medical challenge for many years. Significant progress has been made in research on the pathological mechanism of spinal cord injury. In particular, with the development of gene regulation, cell sequencing, and cell tracing technologies, in-depth explorations of the SCI microenvironment have become more feasible. However, translational studies related to repair of the injured spinal cord have not yielded significant results. This review summarizes the latest research progress on two aspects of SCI pathology: intraneuronal microenvironment imbalance and regenerative microenvironment imbalance. We also review repair strategies for the injured spinal cord based on microenvironment imbalance, including medications, cell transplantation, exosomes, tissue engineering, cell reprogramming, and rehabilitation. The current state of translational research on SCI and future directions are also discussed. The development of a combined, precise, and multitemporal strategy for repairing the injured spinal cord is a potential future direction.
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34
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Abstract
Cellular identity is established through complex layers of genetic regulation, forged over a developmental lifetime. An expanding molecular toolbox is allowing us to manipulate these gene regulatory networks in specific cell types in vivo. In principle, if we found the right molecular tricks, we could rewrite cell identity and harness the rich repertoire of possible cellular functions and attributes. Recent work suggests that this rewriting of cell identity is not only possible, but that newly induced cells can mitigate disease phenotypes in animal models of major human diseases. So, is the sky the limit, or do we need to keep our feet on the ground? This Spotlight synthesises key concepts emerging from recent efforts to reprogramme cellular identity in vivo. We provide our perspectives on recent controversies in the field of glia-to-neuron reprogramming and identify important gaps in our understanding that present barriers to progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Leaman
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.,MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Nicolás Marichal
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Benedikt Berninger
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.,MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.,Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55128, Germany.,The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
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35
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Li X, Li T, Li C, Li T. Uncovering the cell fate decision in lysis-lysogeny transition and stem cell development via Markov state modeling. J Chem Phys 2021; 155:245101. [PMID: 34972376 DOI: 10.1063/5.0070485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the behavior of a complex gene regulatory network is a fundamental but challenging task in systems biology. How to reduce the large number of degrees of freedom of a specific network and identify its main biological pathway is the key issue. In this paper, we utilized the transition path theory (TPT) and Markov state modeling (MSM) framework to numerically study two typical cell fate decision processes: the lysis-lysogeny transition and stem cell development. The application of TPT to the lysis-lysogeny decision-making system reveals that the competitions of CI and Cro dimer binding play the major role in determining the cell fates. We also quantified the transition rates from the lysogeny to lysis state under different conditions. The overall computational results are consistent with biological intuitions but with more detailed information. For the stem cell developmental system, we applied the MSM to reduce the original dynamics to a moderate-size Markov chain. Further spectral analysis showed that the reduced system exhibits nine metastable states, which correspond to the refinement of the five known typical cell types in development. We further investigated the dominant transition pathways corresponding to the cell differentiation, reprogramming, and trans-differentiation. A similar approach can be applied to study other biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoguang Li
- MOE-LCSM, School of Mathematics and Statistics, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongkai Li
- LMAM and School of Mathematical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chunhe Li
- Shanghai Center for Mathematical Sciences and School of Mathematical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tiejun Li
- LMAM and School of Mathematical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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36
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Abstract
Spinal cord injury represents a devastating central nervous system injury that could impair the mobility and sensory function of afflicted patients. The hallmarks of spinal cord injury include neuroinflammation, axonal degeneration, neuronal loss, and reactive gliosis. Furthermore, the formation of a glial scar at the injury site elicits an inhibitory environment for potential neuroregeneration. Besides axonal regeneration, a significant challenge in treating spinal cord injury is to replenish the neurons lost during the pathological process. However, despite decades of research efforts, current strategies including stem cell transplantation have not resulted in a successful clinical therapy. Furthermore, stem cell transplantation faces serious hurdles such as immunorejection of the transplanted cells and ethical issues. In vivo neuronal reprogramming is a recently developed technology and leading a major breakthrough in regenerative medicine. This innovative technology converts endogenous glial cells into functional neurons for injury repair in the central nervous system. The feasibility of in vivo neuronal reprogramming has been demonstrated successfully in models of different neurological disorders including spinal cord injury by numerous laboratories. Several reprogramming factors, mainly the pro-neural transcription factors, have been utilized to reprogram endogenous glial cells into functional neurons with distinct phenotypes. So far, the literature on in vivo neuronal reprogramming in the model of spinal cord injury is still small. In this review, we summarize a limited number of such reports and discuss several questions that we think are important for applying in vivo neuronal reprogramming in the research field of spinal cord injury as well as other central nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanyu Chen
- Department of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Hedong Li
- Department of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
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37
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Direct neuronal reprogramming: Fast forward from new concepts toward therapeutic approaches. Neuron 2021; 110:366-393. [PMID: 34921778 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Differentiated cells have long been considered fixed in their identity. However, about 20 years ago, the first direct conversion of glial cells into neurons in vitro opened the field of "direct neuronal reprogramming." Since then, neuronal reprogramming has achieved the generation of fully functional, mature neurons with remarkable efficiency, even in diseased brain environments. Beyond their clinical implications, these discoveries provided basic insights into crucial mechanisms underlying conversion of specific cell types into neurons and maintenance of neuronal identity. Here we discuss such principles, including the importance of the starter cell for shaping the outcome of neuronal reprogramming. We further highlight technical concerns for in vivo reprogramming and propose a code of conduct to avoid artifacts and pitfalls. We end by pointing out next challenges for development of less invasive cell replacement therapies for humans.
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38
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Rezaei-Lotfi S, Vujovic F, Simonian M, Hunter N, Farahani RM. Programmed genomic instability regulates neural transdifferentiation of human brain microvascular pericytes. Genome Biol 2021; 22:334. [PMID: 34886891 PMCID: PMC8656028 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02555-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transdifferentiation describes transformation in vivo of specialized cells from one lineage into another. While there is extensive literature on forced induction of lineage reprogramming in vitro, endogenous mechanisms that govern transdifferentiation remain largely unknown. The observation that human microvascular pericytes transdifferentiate into neurons provided an opportunity to explore the endogenous molecular basis for lineage reprogramming. RESULTS We show that abrupt destabilization of the higher-order chromatin topology that chaperones lineage memory of pericytes is driven by transient global transcriptional arrest. This leads within minutes to localized decompression of the repressed competing higher-order chromatin topology and expression of pro-neural genes. Transition to neural lineage is completed by probabilistic induction of R-loops in key myogenic loci upon re-initiation of RNA polymerase activity, leading to depletion of the myogenic transcriptome and emergence of the neurogenic transcriptome. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the global transcriptional landscape not only shapes the functional cellular identity of pericytes, but also stabilizes lineage memory by silencing the competing neural program within a repressed chromatin state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Rezaei-Lotfi
- IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145 Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
| | - Filip Vujovic
- IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145 Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
| | - Mary Simonian
- IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145 Australia
| | - Neil Hunter
- IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145 Australia
| | - Ramin M. Farahani
- IDR/Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145 Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
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39
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The molecular, electrophysiological, and structural changes in the vestibular nucleus during vestibular compensation: a narrative review. JOURNAL OF BIO-X RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1097/jbr.0000000000000107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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40
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Gastfriend BD, Foreman KL, Katt ME, Palecek SP, Shusta EV. Integrative analysis of the human brain mural cell transcriptome. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2021; 41:3052-3068. [PMID: 34027687 PMCID: PMC8756477 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x211013700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Brain mural cells, including pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells, are important for vascular development, blood-brain barrier function, and neurovascular coupling, but the molecular characteristics of human brain mural cells are incompletely characterized. Single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) is increasingly being applied to assess cellular diversity in the human brain, but the scarcity of mural cells in whole brain samples has limited their molecular profiling. Here, we leverage the combined power of multiple independent human brain scRNA-seq datasets to build a transcriptomic database of human brain mural cells. We use this combined dataset to determine human-mouse species differences in mural cell transcriptomes, culture-induced dedifferentiation of human brain pericytes, and human mural cell organotypicity, with several key findings validated by RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization. Together, this work improves knowledge regarding the molecular constituents of human brain mural cells, serves as a resource for hypothesis generation in understanding brain mural cell function, and will facilitate comparative evaluation of animal and in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D Gastfriend
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Koji L Foreman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Moriah E Katt
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sean P Palecek
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Eric V Shusta
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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41
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Samoilova EM, Belopasov VV, Baklaushev VP. Transcription Factors of Direct Neuronal Reprogramming in Ontogenesis and Ex Vivo. Mol Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893321040087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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42
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Liu S, Striebel J, Pasquini G, Ng AHM, Khoshakhlagh P, Church GM, Busskamp V. Neuronal Cell-type Engineering by Transcriptional Activation. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:715697. [PMID: 34713262 PMCID: PMC8525383 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.715697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene activation with the CRISPR-Cas system has great implications in studying gene function, controlling cellular behavior, and modulating disease progression. In this review, we survey recent studies on targeted gene activation and multiplexed screening for inducing neuronal differentiation using CRISPR-Cas transcriptional activation (CRISPRa) and open reading frame (ORF) expression. Critical technical parameters of CRISPRa and ORF-based strategies for neuronal programming are presented and discussed. In addition, recent progress on in vivo applications of CRISPRa to the nervous system are highlighted. Overall, CRISPRa represents a valuable addition to the experimental toolbox for neuronal cell-type programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songlei Liu
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Johannes Striebel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Giovanni Pasquini
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | - George M. Church
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
- GC Therapeutics, Inc, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Volker Busskamp
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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43
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Chen Y, Yao Y, Zhang JH, Hao S. Editorial: Pluripotent Cells for Stroke: From Mechanism to Therapeutic Strategies. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:738240. [PMID: 34421546 PMCID: PMC8371199 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.738240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yao Yao
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - John H Zhang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Shilei Hao
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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44
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Falk S, Han D, Karow M. Cellular identity through the lens of direct lineage reprogramming. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021; 70:97-103. [PMID: 34333231 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2021.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Direct lineage reprogramming challenges our traditional view on basic aspects of cellular identity, and in particular on processes crucial for identity acquisition. This is partly because in direct lineage reprogramming but not during natural differentiation processes changing cellular identity can occur in the absence of mitosis. Only recently, technologies emerged to deconstruct the cellular and molecular processes governing the transitory states a cell passes through on the journey from its original identity to the new target cell fate. Here we discuss arising concepts on the nature of these transitory states and the challenges and decisions cells must conquer to reach their new cellular identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Falk
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Dandan Han
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marisa Karow
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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45
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Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by progressive neural loss, have been some of the most challenging medical problems in aging societies. Treatment strategies such as symptom management have little impact on dis-ease progression, while intervention with specific disease mechanisms may only slow down disease progression. One therapeutic strategy that has the potential to reverse the disease phenotype is to replenish neurons and re-build the pathway lost to degeneration. Although it is generally believed that the central nervous system has lost the capability to regenerate, increasing evidence indicates that the brain is more plastic than previously thought, containing perhaps the biggest repertoire of cells with latent neurogenic programs in the body. This review focuses on key advances in generating new neurons through in situ neuronal reprogramming, which is tied to fun-damental questions regarding adult neurogenesis, cell source, and mecha-nisms for neuronal reprogramming, as well as the ability of new neurons to integrate into the existing circuitry. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Genetics, Volume 55 is November 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Qian
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0651, USA;
| | - Xiang-Dong Fu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0651, USA;
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46
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Basu A, Tiwari VK. Epigenetic reprogramming of cell identity: lessons from development for regenerative medicine. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:144. [PMID: 34301318 PMCID: PMC8305869 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01131-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are known to define cell-type identity and function. Hence, reprogramming of one cell type into another essentially requires a rewiring of the underlying epigenome. Cellular reprogramming can convert somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that can be directed to differentiate to specific cell types. Trans-differentiation or direct reprogramming, on the other hand, involves the direct conversion of one cell type into another. In this review, we highlight how gene regulatory mechanisms identified to be critical for developmental processes were successfully used for cellular reprogramming of various cell types. We also discuss how the therapeutic use of the reprogrammed cells is beginning to revolutionize the field of regenerative medicine particularly in the repair and regeneration of damaged tissue and organs arising from pathological conditions or accidents. Lastly, we highlight some key challenges hindering the application of cellular reprogramming for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amitava Basu
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), 55128, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Vijay K Tiwari
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
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47
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Lin HC, He Z, Ebert S, Schörnig M, Santel M, Nikolova MT, Weigert A, Hevers W, Kasri NN, Taverna E, Camp JG, Treutlein B. NGN2 induces diverse neuron types from human pluripotency. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2118-2127. [PMID: 34358451 PMCID: PMC8452516 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Human neurons engineered from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) through neurogenin 2 (NGN2) overexpression are widely used to study neuronal differentiation mechanisms and to model neurological diseases. However, the differentiation paths and heterogeneity of emerged neurons have not been fully explored. Here, we used single-cell transcriptomics to dissect the cell states that emerge during NGN2 overexpression across a time course from pluripotency to neuron functional maturation. We find a substantial molecular heterogeneity in the neuron types generated, with at least two populations that express genes associated with neurons of the peripheral nervous system. Neuron heterogeneity is observed across multiple iPSC clones and lines from different individuals. We find that neuron fate acquisition is sensitive to NGN2 expression level and the duration of NGN2-forced expression. Our data reveal that NGN2 dosage can regulate neuron fate acquisition, and that NGN2-iN heterogeneity can confound results that are sensitive to neuron type. NGN2-iNs are molecularly heterogeneous NGN2-iNs subtypes have signatures of central and peripheral nervous system Neural fate acquisition is sensitive to the level and duration of NGN2 expression
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Chuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Zhisong He
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Ebert
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria Schörnig
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Santel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marina T Nikolova
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Weigert
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wulf Hevers
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nael Nadif Kasri
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Elena Taverna
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany; Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
| | - J Gray Camp
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Barbara Treutlein
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.
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48
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Kempf J, Knelles K, Hersbach BA, Petrik D, Riedemann T, Bednarova V, Janjic A, Simon-Ebert T, Enard W, Smialowski P, Götz M, Masserdotti G. Heterogeneity of neurons reprogrammed from spinal cord astrocytes by the proneural factors Ascl1 and Neurogenin2. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109409. [PMID: 34289357 PMCID: PMC8316252 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are a viable source for generating new neurons via direct conversion. However, little is known about the neurogenic cascades triggered in astrocytes from different regions of the CNS. Here, we examine the transcriptome induced by the proneural factors Ascl1 and Neurog2 in spinal cord-derived astrocytes in vitro. Each factor initially elicits different neurogenic programs that later converge to a V2 interneuron-like state. Intriguingly, patch sequencing (patch-seq) shows no overall correlation between functional properties and the transcriptome of the heterogenous induced neurons, except for K-channels. For example, some neurons with fully mature electrophysiological properties still express astrocyte genes, thus calling for careful molecular and functional analysis. Comparing the transcriptomes of spinal cord- and cerebral-cortex-derived astrocytes reveals profound differences, including developmental patterning cues maintained in vitro. These relate to the distinct neuronal identity elicited by Ascl1 and Neurog2 reflecting their developmental functions in subtype specification of the respective CNS region.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kempf
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - K Knelles
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - B A Hersbach
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany; Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - D Petrik
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany; School of Biosciences, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Cardiff University, CF10 3AX Cardiff, UK
| | - T Riedemann
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - V Bednarova
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - A Janjic
- Anthropology and Human Genomics, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - T Simon-Ebert
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - W Enard
- Biomedical Center Munich, Bioinformatic Core Facility, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - P Smialowski
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany; School of Biosciences, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Cardiff University, CF10 3AX Cardiff, UK
| | - M Götz
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany; Excellence Cluster of Systems Neurology (SYNERGY), Munich, Germany.
| | - G Masserdotti
- Biomedical Center Munich, Physiological Genomics, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany.
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49
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Vasan L, Park E, David LA, Fleming T, Schuurmans C. Direct Neuronal Reprogramming: Bridging the Gap Between Basic Science and Clinical Application. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:681087. [PMID: 34291049 PMCID: PMC8287587 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.681087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct neuronal reprogramming is an innovative new technology that involves the conversion of somatic cells to induced neurons (iNs) without passing through a pluripotent state. The capacity to make new neurons in the brain, which previously was not achievable, has created great excitement in the field as it has opened the door for the potential treatment of incurable neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries such as stroke. These neurological disorders are associated with frank neuronal loss, and as new neurons are not made in most of the adult brain, treatment options are limited. Developmental biologists have paved the way for the field of direct neuronal reprogramming by identifying both intrinsic cues, primarily transcription factors (TFs) and miRNAs, and extrinsic cues, including growth factors and other signaling molecules, that induce neurogenesis and specify neuronal subtype identities in the embryonic brain. The striking observation that postmitotic, terminally differentiated somatic cells can be converted to iNs by mis-expression of TFs or miRNAs involved in neural lineage development, and/or by exposure to growth factors or small molecule cocktails that recapitulate the signaling environment of the developing brain, has opened the door to the rapid expansion of new neuronal reprogramming methodologies. Furthermore, the more recent applications of neuronal lineage conversion strategies that target resident glial cells in situ has expanded the clinical potential of direct neuronal reprogramming techniques. Herein, we present an overview of the history, accomplishments, and therapeutic potential of direct neuronal reprogramming as revealed over the last two decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmy Vasan
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Biological Sciences Platform, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Eunjee Park
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Biological Sciences Platform, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Luke Ajay David
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Biological Sciences Platform, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Taylor Fleming
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Biological Sciences Platform, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carol Schuurmans
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Biological Sciences Platform, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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50
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Kim KP, Li C, Bunina D, Jeong HW, Ghelman J, Yoon J, Shin B, Park H, Han DW, Zaugg JB, Kim J, Kuhlmann T, Adams RH, Noh KM, Goldman SA, Schöler HR. Donor cell memory confers a metastable state of directly converted cells. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:1291-1306.e10. [PMID: 33848472 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Generation of induced oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (iOPCs) from somatic fibroblasts is a strategy for cell-based therapy of myelin diseases. However, iOPC generation is inefficient, and the resulting iOPCs exhibit limited expansion and differentiation competence. Here we overcome these limitations by transducing an optimized transcription factor combination into a permissive donor phenotype, the pericyte. Pericyte-derived iOPCs (PC-iOPCs) are stably expandable and functionally myelinogenic with high differentiation competence. Unexpectedly, however, we found that PC-iOPCs are metastable so that they can produce myelination-competent oligodendrocytes or revert to their original identity in a context-dependent fashion. Phenotypic reversion of PC-iOPCs is tightly linked to memory of their original transcriptome and epigenome. Phenotypic reversion can be disconnected from this donor cell memory effect, and in vivo myelination can eventually be achieved by transplantation of O4+ pre-oligodendrocytes. Our data show that donor cell source and memory can contribute to the fate and stability of directly converted cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kee-Pyo Kim
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany; Department of Medical Life Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero Seocho-gu, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Cui Li
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Daria Bunina
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany; Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | - Hyun-Woo Jeong
- Department of Tissue Morphogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Julia Ghelman
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Juyong Yoon
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Borami Shin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Hongryeol Park
- Department of Tissue Morphogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Dong Wook Han
- School of Biotechnology and Healthcare, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, China
| | - Judith B Zaugg
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | - Johnny Kim
- Department of Cardiac Development and Remodeling, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Tanja Kuhlmann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Ralf H Adams
- Department of Tissue Morphogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Kyung-Min Noh
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | - Steven A Goldman
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Hans R Schöler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster 48149, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, Münster 48149, Germany.
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