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Freria CM, Lu P. Combining neural progenitor cell transplant and rehabilitation for enhanced recovery after cervical spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1433-1434. [PMID: 38051883 PMCID: PMC10883491 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.387993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Camila M Freria
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Paul Lu
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
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2
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Huang HY, Xiong MJ, Pu FQ, Liao JX, Zhu FQ, Zhang WJ. Application and challenges of olfactory ensheathing cells in clinical trials of spinal cord injury. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 963:176238. [PMID: 38072039 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176238] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to severe motor, sensory and autonomic nervous dysfunction, cause serious psychosomatic injury to patients. There is no effective treatment for SCI at present. In recent years, exciting evidence has been obtained in the application of cell-based therapy in basic research. These studies have revealed the fact that cells transplanted into the host can exert the pharmacological properties of treating and repairing SCI. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are a kind of special glial cells. The application value of OECs in the study of SCI lies in their unique biological characteristics, that is, they can survive and renew for life, give full play to neuroprotection, immune regulation, promoting axonal regeneration and myelination formation. The function of producing secretory group and improving microenvironment. This provides an irreplaceable treatment strategy for the repair of SCI. At present, some researchers have explored the possibility of treatment of OECs in clinical trials of SCI. Although OECs transplantation shows excellent safety and effectiveness in animal models, there is still lack of sufficient evidence to prove the effectiveness of their clinical application in clinical trials. There has been an obvious stagnation in the transformation of OECs transplantation into routine clinical practice, and clinical trials of cell therapy in this field are still facing major challenges and many problems that need to be solved. Therefore, this paper summarized and analyzed the clinical trials of OECs transplantation in the treatment of SCI, and discussed the problems and challenges of OECs transplantation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yu Huang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China
| | - Mei-Juan Xiong
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China
| | - Fan-Qing Pu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China
| | - Jun-Xiang Liao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China
| | - Fu-Qi Zhu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China
| | - Wen-Jun Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China.
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3
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Zholudeva LV, Fortino T, Agrawal A, Vila OF, Williams M, McDevitt T, Lane MA, Srivastava D. Human spinal interneurons repair the injured spinal cord through synaptic integration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.11.575264. [PMID: 38260390 PMCID: PMC10802598 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.11.575264] [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
Advances in cell therapy offer promise for some of the most devastating neural injuries, including spinal cord injury (SCI). Endogenous VSX2-expressing spinal V2a interneurons have been implicated as a key component in plasticity and therapeutically driven recovery post-SCI. While transplantation of generic V2a neurons may have therapeutic value, generation of human spinal V2a neurons with rostro-caudal specificity and assessment of their functional synaptic integration with the injured spinal cord has been elusive. Here, we efficiently differentiated optogenetically engineered cervical V2a spinal interneurons (SpINs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells and tested their capacity to form functional synapses with injured diaphragm motor networks in a clinically-relevant sub-acute model of cervical contusion injury. Neuroanatomical tracing and immunohistochemistry demonstrated transplant integration and synaptic connectivity with injured host tissue. Optogenetic activation of transplanted human V2a SpINs revealed functional synaptic connectivity to injured host circuits, culminating in improved diaphragm activity assessed by electromyography. Furthermore, optogenetic activation of host supraspinal pathways revealed functional innervation of transplanted cells by host neurons, which also led to enhanced diaphragm contraction indicative of a functional neuronal relay. Single cell analyses pre- and post-transplantation suggested the in vivo environment resulted in maturation of cervical SpINs that mediate the formation of neuronal relays, as well as differentiation of glial progenitors involved in repair of the damaged spinal cord. This study rigorously demonstrates feasibility of generating human cervical spinal V2a interneurons that develop functional host-transplant and transplant-host connectivity resulting in improved muscle activity post-SCI.
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4
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Punjani N, Deska-Gauthier D, Hachem LD, Abramian M, Fehlings MG. Neuroplasticity and regeneration after spinal cord injury. NORTH AMERICAN SPINE SOCIETY JOURNAL 2023; 15:100235. [PMID: 37416090 PMCID: PMC10320621 DOI: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2023.100235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition with significant personal, societal, and economic burden. The highest proportion of traumatic injuries occur at the cervical level, which results in severe sensorimotor and autonomic deficits. Following the initial physical damage associated with traumatic injuries, secondary pro-inflammatory, excitotoxic, and ischemic cascades are initiated further contributing to neuronal and glial cell death. Additionally, emerging evidence has begun to reveal that spinal interneurons undergo subtype specific neuroplastic circuit rearrangements in the weeks to months following SCI, contributing to or hindering functional recovery. The current therapeutic guidelines and standards of care for SCI patients include early surgery, hemodynamic regulation, and rehabilitation. Additionally, preclinical work and ongoing clinical trials have begun exploring neuroregenerative strategies utilizing endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells, stem cell transplantation, combinatorial approaches, and direct cell reprogramming. This review will focus on emerging cellular and noncellular regenerative therapies with an overview of the current available strategies, the role of interneurons in plasticity, and the exciting research avenues enhancing tissue repair following SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayaab Punjani
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dylan Deska-Gauthier
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laureen D. Hachem
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery and Spine Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Madlene Abramian
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael G. Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery and Spine Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Krembil Neuroscience Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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5
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Lui KNC, Li Z, Lai FPL, Lau ST, Ngan ESW. Organoid models of breathing disorders reveal patterning defect of hindbrain neurons caused by PHOX2B-PARMs. Stem Cell Reports 2023:S2213-6711(23)00199-6. [PMID: 37352849 PMCID: PMC10362500 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) neurons in the brainstem regulate the ventilatory response to hypercarbia. It is unclear how PHOX2B-polyalanine repeat mutations (PHOX2B-PARMs) alter the function of PHOX2B and perturb the formation of RTN neurons. Here, we generated human brainstem organoids (HBSOs) with RTN-like neurons from human pluripotent stem cells. Single-cell transcriptomics revealed that expression of PHOX2B+7Ala PARM alters the differentiation trajectories of the hindbrain neurons and hampers the formation of the RTN-like neurons in HBSOs. With the unguided cerebral organoids (HCOs), PHOX2B+7Ala PARM interrupted the patterning of PHOX2B+ neurons with dysregulation of Hedgehog pathway and HOX genes. With complementary use of HBSOs and HCOs with a patient and two mutant induced pluripotent stem cell lines carrying different polyalanine repetition in PHOX2B, we further defined the association between the length of polyalanine repetition and malformation of RTN-respiratory center and demonstrated the potential toxic gain of function of PHOX2B-PARMs, highlighting the uniqueness of these organoid models for disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Nga-Chu Lui
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Zhixin Li
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Frank Pui-Ling Lai
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Sin-Ting Lau
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Elly Sau-Wai Ngan
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR.
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6
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Sen SQ. Generating neural diversity through spatial and temporal patterning. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 142:54-66. [PMID: 35738966 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The nervous system consists of a vast diversity of neurons and glia that are accurately assembled into functional circuits. What are the mechanisms that generate these diverse cell types? During development, an epithelial sheet with neurogenic potential is initially regionalised into spatially restricted domains of gene expression. From this, pools of neural stem cells (NSCs) with distinct molecular profiles and the potential to generate different neuron types, are specified. These NSCs then divide asymmetrically to self-renew and generate post-mitotic neurons or glia. As NSCs age, they experience transitions in gene expression, which further allows them to generate different neurons or glia over time. Versions of this general template of spatial and temporal patterning operate during the development of different parts of different nervous systems. Here, I cover our current knowledge of Drosophila brain and optic lobe development as well as the development of the vertebrate cortex and spinal cord within the framework of this above template. I highlight where our knowledge is lacking, where mechanisms beyond these might operate, and how the emergence of new technologies might help address unanswered questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Q Sen
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, UAS-GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bangalore, India.
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7
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Berzanskyte I, Riccio F, Machado CB, Bradbury EJ, Lieberam I. Enrichment of human embryonic stem cell-derived V3 interneurons using an Nkx2-2 gene-specific reporter. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2008. [PMID: 36737643 PMCID: PMC9898512 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29165-z] [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: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
V3 spinal interneurons are a key element of the spinal circuits, which control motor function. However, to date, there are no effective ways of deriving a pure V3 population from human pluripotent stem cells. Here, we report a method for differentiation and isolation of spinal V3 interneurons, combining extrinsic factor-mediated differentiation and magnetic activated cell sorting. We found that differentiation of V3 progenitors can be enhanced with a higher concentration of Sonic Hedgehog agonist, as well as culturing cells in 3D format. To enable V3 progenitor purification from mixed differentiation cultures, we developed a transgene reporter, with a part of the regulatory region of V3-specific gene Nkx2-2 driving the expression of a membrane marker CD14. We found that in human cells, NKX2-2 initially exhibited co-labelling with motor neuron progenitor marker, but V3 specificity emerged as the differentiation culture progressed. At these later differentiation timepoints, we were able to enrich V3 progenitors labelled with CD14 to ~ 95% purity, and mature them to postmitotic V3 interneurons. This purification tool for V3 interneurons will be useful for in vitro disease modeling, studies of normal human neural development and potential cell therapies for disorders of the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ieva Berzanskyte
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, 28th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Campus, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
- The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Federica Riccio
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, 28th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Campus, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Carolina Barcellos Machado
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, 28th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Campus, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | | | - Ivo Lieberam
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, 28th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Campus, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
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8
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Hall A, Fortino T, Spruance V, Niceforo A, Harrop JS, Phelps PE, Priest CA, Zholudeva LV, Lane MA. Cell transplantation to repair the injured spinal cord. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2022; 166:79-158. [PMID: 36424097 PMCID: PMC10008620 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Hall
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Tara Fortino
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Victoria Spruance
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Division of Kidney, Urologic, & Hematologic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Alessia Niceforo
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - James S Harrop
- Department of Neurological and Orthopedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Patricia E Phelps
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | | | - Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Michael A Lane
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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9
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Iyer NR, Shin J, Cuskey S, Tian Y, Nicol NR, Doersch TE, Seipel F, McCalla SG, Roy S, Ashton RS. Modular derivation of diverse, regionally discrete human posterior CNS neurons enables discovery of transcriptomic patterns. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn7430. [PMID: 36179024 PMCID: PMC9524835 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn7430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Our inability to derive the neuronal diversity that comprises the posterior central nervous system (pCNS) using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) poses an impediment to understanding human neurodevelopment and disease in the hindbrain and spinal cord. Here, we establish a modular, monolayer differentiation paradigm that recapitulates both rostrocaudal (R/C) and dorsoventral (D/V) patterning, enabling derivation of diverse pCNS neurons with discrete regional specificity. First, neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) with discrete HOX profiles are converted to pCNS progenitors (pCNSPs). Then, by tuning D/V signaling, pCNSPs are directed to locomotor or somatosensory neurons. Expansive single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis coupled with a novel computational pipeline allowed us to detect hundreds of transcriptional markers within region-specific phenotypes, enabling discovery of gene expression patterns across R/C and D/V developmental axes. These findings highlight the potential of these resources to advance a mechanistic understanding of pCNS development, enhance in vitro models, and inform therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha R. Iyer
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Junha Shin
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Stephanie Cuskey
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Yucheng Tian
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Noah R. Nicol
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Tessa E. Doersch
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Frank Seipel
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sunnie Grace McCalla
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sushmita Roy
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Randolph S. Ashton
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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10
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Iyer NR, Ashton RS. Bioengineering the human spinal cord. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:942742. [PMID: 36092702 PMCID: PMC9458954 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.942742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Three dimensional, self-assembled organoids that recapitulate key developmental and organizational events during embryogenesis have proven transformative for the study of human central nervous system (CNS) development, evolution, and disease pathology. Brain organoids have predominated the field, but human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived models of the spinal cord are on the rise. This has required piecing together the complex interactions between rostrocaudal patterning, which specifies axial diversity, and dorsoventral patterning, which establishes locomotor and somatosensory phenotypes. Here, we review how recent insights into neurodevelopmental biology have driven advancements in spinal organoid research, generating experimental models that have the potential to deepen our understanding of neural circuit development, central pattern generation (CPG), and neurodegenerative disease along the body axis. In addition, we discuss the application of bioengineering strategies to drive spinal tissue morphogenesis in vitro, current limitations, and future perspectives on these emerging model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha R. Iyer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Randolph S. Ashton
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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11
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Cell–Cell Contact Mediates Gene Expression and Fate Choice of Human Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111741. [PMID: 35681435 PMCID: PMC9179342 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells (NPCs) is a promising regenerative strategy to promote neural repair following injury and degeneration because of the ability of these cells to proliferate, migrate, and integrate with the host tissue. Precise in vitro control of NPC proliferation without compromising multipotency and differentiation ability is critical in stem cell maintenance. This idea was highlighted in recent clinical trials, where discrepancies in NPC culturing protocols produced inconsistent therapeutic benefits. Of note, cell density plays an important role in regulating the survival, proliferation, differentiation, and fate choice of stem cells. To determine the extent of variability produced by inconsistent culturing densities, the present study cultured human-induced pluripotent NPCs (hiPSC-NPCs) at either a low or high plating density. hiPSC-NPCs were then isolated for transcriptomic analysis or differentiation in vitro. Following sequencing analysis, genes involved in cell–cell contact-mediated pathways, including Hippo-signaling, NOTCH, and WNT were differentially expressed. Modulation of these pathways was highly associated with the regulation of pro-neuronal transcription factors, which were also upregulated in response to higher-density hiPSC-NPC culture. Moreover, higher plating density translated into a greater neuronal and less astrocytic differentiation in vitro. This study highlights the importance of precisely controlling culture conditions during the development of NPC transplantation therapies.
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12
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Zholudeva LV, Lane MA. Harnessing Spinal Interneurons for Spinal Cord Repair. Neurosci Insights 2022; 17:26331055221101607. [PMID: 35615115 PMCID: PMC9125099 DOI: 10.1177/26331055221101607] [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: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Interest in spinal interneurons (SpINs), their heterogeneity in the naive spinal cord and their varying responses to central nervous system injury or disease has been steadily increasing. Our recent review on this topic highlights the vast phenotypic heterogeneity of SpINs and the efforts being made to better identify and classify these neurons. As our understanding of SpIN phenotype, connectivity, and neuroplastic capacity continues to expand, new therapeutic targets are being revealed and novel treatment approaches developed to harness their potential. Here, we expand on that initial discussion and highlight how SpINs can be used to develop advanced, targeted cellular therapies and personalized medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael A Lane
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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13
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Fortino TA, Randelman ML, Hall AA, Singh J, Bloom DC, Engel E, Hoh DJ, Hou S, Zholudeva LV, Lane MA. Transneuronal tracing to map connectivity in injured and transplanted spinal networks. Exp Neurol 2022; 351:113990. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.113990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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14
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Neural Stem Cells: Promoting Axonal Regeneration and Spinal Cord Connectivity. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123296. [PMID: 34943804 PMCID: PMC8699545 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to irreversible functional impairment caused by neuronal loss and the disruption of neuronal connections across the injury site. While several experimental strategies have been used to minimize tissue damage and to enhance axonal growth and regeneration, the corticospinal projection, which is the most important voluntary motor system in humans, remains largely refractory to regenerative therapeutic interventions. To date, one of the most promising pre-clinical therapeutic strategies has been neural stem cell (NSC) therapy for SCI. Over the last decade we have found that host axons regenerate into spinal NSC grafts placed into sites of SCI. These regenerating axons form synapses with the graft, and the graft in turn extends very large numbers of new axons from the injury site over long distances into the distal spinal cord. Here we discuss the pathophysiology of SCI that makes the spinal cord refractory to spontaneous regeneration, the most recent findings of neural stem cell therapy for SCI, how it has impacted motor systems including the corticospinal tract and the implications for sensory feedback.
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McCreedy DA, Jalufka FL, Platt ME, Min SW, Kirchhoff MA, Pritchard AL, Reid SK, Manlapaz R, Mihaly E, Butts JC, Iyer NR, Sakiyama-Elbert SE, Crone SA, McDevitt TC. Passive Clearing and 3D Lightsheet Imaging of the Intact and Injured Spinal Cord in Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:684792. [PMID: 34408627 PMCID: PMC8366232 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.684792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The spinal cord contains a diverse array of sensory and motor circuits that are essential for normal function. Spinal cord injury (SCI) permanently disrupts neural circuits through initial mechanical damage, as well as a cascade of secondary injury events that further expand the spinal cord lesion, resulting in permanent paralysis. Tissue clearing and 3D imaging have recently emerged as promising techniques to improve our understanding of the complex neural circuitry of the spinal cord and the changes that result from damage due to SCI. However, the application of this technology for studying the intact and injured spinal cord remains limited. Here, we optimized the passive CLARITY technique (PACT) to obtain gentle and efficient clearing of the murine spinal cord without the need for specialized equipment. We demonstrate that PACT clearing enables 3D imaging of multiple fluorescent labels in the spinal cord to assess molecularly defined neuronal populations, acute inflammation, long-term tissue damage, and cell transplantation. Collectively, these procedures provide a framework for expanding the utility of tissue clearing to enhance the study of spinal cord neural circuits, as well as cellular- and tissue-level changes that occur following SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan A. McCreedy
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Frank L. Jalufka
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Madison E. Platt
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Sun Won Min
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Megan A. Kirchhoff
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Anna L. Pritchard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Shelby K. Reid
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, College Station, TX, United States
| | | | - Eszter Mihaly
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Nisha R. Iyer
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | | | - Steven A. Crone
- Division of Neurosurgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Todd C. McDevitt
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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16
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Olmsted ZT, Paluh JL. Stem Cell Neurodevelopmental Solutions for Restorative Treatments of the Human Trunk and Spine. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:667590. [PMID: 33981202 PMCID: PMC8107236 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.667590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to reliably repair spinal cord injuries (SCI) will be one of the greatest human achievements realized in regenerative medicine. Until recently, the cellular path to this goal has been challenging. However, as detailed developmental principles are revealed in mouse and human models, their application in the stem cell community brings trunk and spine embryology into efforts to advance human regenerative medicine. New models of posterior embryo development identify neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) as a major bifurcation point in generating the spinal cord and somites and is leading to production of cell types with the full range of axial identities critical for repair of trunk and spine disorders. This is coupled with organoid technologies including assembloids, circuitoids, and gastruloids. We describe a paradigm for applying developmental principles towards the goal of cell-based restorative therapies to enable reproducible and effective near-term clinical interventions.
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17
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Zholudeva LV, Abraira VE, Satkunendrarajah K, McDevitt TC, Goulding MD, Magnuson DSK, Lane MA. Spinal Interneurons as Gatekeepers to Neuroplasticity after Injury or Disease. J Neurosci 2021; 41:845-854. [PMID: 33472820 PMCID: PMC7880285 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1654-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal interneurons are important facilitators and modulators of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions in the intact CNS. This heterogeneous population of neurons is now widely appreciated to be a key component of plasticity and recovery. This review highlights our current understanding of spinal interneuron heterogeneity, their contribution to control and modulation of motor and sensory functions, and how this role might change after traumatic spinal cord injury. We also offer a perspective for how treatments can optimize the contribution of interneurons to functional improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Victoria E Abraira
- Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey, 08854
| | - Kajana Satkunendrarajah
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, 53226
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53295
| | - Todd C McDevitt
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, 94158
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, 94143
| | | | - David S K Magnuson
- University of Louisville, Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Louisville, Kentucky, 40208
| | - Michael A Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, and the Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19129
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18
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Nedelec S, Martinez-Arias A. In vitro models of spinal motor circuit's development in mammals: achievements and challenges. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 66:240-249. [PMID: 33677159 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The connectivity patterns of neurons sustaining the functionality of spinal locomotor circuits rely on the specification of hundreds of motor neuron and interneuron subtypes precisely arrayed within the embryonic spinal cord. Knowledge acquired by developmental biologists on the molecular mechanisms underpinning this process in vivo has supported the development of 2D and 3D differentiation strategies to generate spinal neuronal diversity from mouse and human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Here, we review recent breakthroughs in this field and the perspectives opened up by models of in vitro embryogenesis to approach the mechanisms underlying neuronal diversification and the formation of functional mouse and human locomotor circuits. Beyond serving fundamental investigations, these new approaches should help engineering neuronal circuits differentially impacted in neuromuscular disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or spinal muscular atrophies, and thus open new avenues for disease modeling and drug screenings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Nedelec
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005, Paris, France; Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France.
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19
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Li Y, Shen PP, Wang B. Induced pluripotent stem cell technology for spinal cord injury: a promising alternative therapy. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1500-1509. [PMID: 33433463 PMCID: PMC8323703 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.303013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury has long been a prominent challenge in the trauma repair process. Spinal cord injury is a research hotspot by virtue of its difficulty to treat and its escalating morbidity. Furthermore, spinal cord injury has a long period of disease progression and leads to complications that exert a lot of mental and economic pressure on patients. There are currently a large number of therapeutic strategies for treating spinal cord injury, which range from pharmacological and surgical methods to cell therapy and rehabilitation training. All of these strategies have positive effects in the course of spinal cord injury treatment. This review mainly discusses the problems regarding stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury, including the characteristics and action modes of all relevant cell types. Induced pluripotent stem cells, which represent a special kind of stem cell population, have gained impetus in cell therapy development because of a range of advantages. Induced pluripotent stem cells can be developed into the precursor cells of each neural cell type at the site of spinal cord injury, and have great potential for application in spinal cord injury therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Li
- Clinical Stem Cell Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ping-Ping Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and The Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Clinical Stem Cell Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
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20
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Andersen J, Revah O, Miura Y, Thom N, Amin ND, Kelley KW, Singh M, Chen X, Thete MV, Walczak EM, Vogel H, Fan HC, Paşca SP. Generation of Functional Human 3D Cortico-Motor Assembloids. Cell 2020; 183:1913-1929.e26. [PMID: 33333020 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neurons in the cerebral cortex connect through descending pathways to hindbrain and spinal cord to activate muscle and generate movement. Although components of this pathway have been previously generated and studied in vitro, the assembly of this multi-synaptic circuit has not yet been achieved with human cells. Here, we derive organoids resembling the cerebral cortex or the hindbrain/spinal cord and assemble them with human skeletal muscle spheroids to generate 3D cortico-motor assembloids. Using rabies tracing, calcium imaging, and patch-clamp recordings, we show that corticofugal neurons project and connect with spinal spheroids, while spinal-derived motor neurons connect with muscle. Glutamate uncaging or optogenetic stimulation of cortical spheroids triggers robust contraction of 3D muscle, and assembloids are morphologically and functionally intact for up to 10 weeks post-fusion. Together, this system highlights the remarkable self-assembly capacity of 3D cultures to form functional circuits that could be used to understand development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Andersen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Omer Revah
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yuki Miura
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nicholas Thom
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Neal D Amin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kevin W Kelley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Mandeep Singh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Mayuri Vijay Thete
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Hannes Vogel
- Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - H Christina Fan
- BD Biosciences, 4040 Campbell Ave Suite 110, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Sergiu P Paşca
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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21
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Jensen VN, Alilain WJ, Crone SA. Role of Propriospinal Neurons in Control of Respiratory Muscles and Recovery of Breathing Following Injury. Front Syst Neurosci 2020; 13:84. [PMID: 32009911 PMCID: PMC6978673 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2019.00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory motor failure is the leading cause of death in spinal cord injury (SCI). Cervical injuries disrupt connections between brainstem neurons that are the primary source of excitatory drive to respiratory motor neurons in the spinal cord and their targets. In addition to direct connections from bulbospinal neurons, respiratory motor neurons also receive excitatory and inhibitory inputs from propriospinal neurons, yet their role in the control of breathing is often overlooked. In this review, we will present evidence that propriospinal neurons play important roles in patterning muscle activity for breathing. These roles likely include shaping the pattern of respiratory motor output, processing and transmitting sensory afferent information, coordinating ventilation with motor activity, and regulating accessory and respiratory muscle activity. In addition, we discuss recent studies that have highlighted the importance of propriospinal neurons for recovery of respiratory muscle function following SCI. We propose that molecular genetic approaches to target specific developmental neuron classes in the spinal cord would help investigators resolve the many roles of propriospinal neurons in the control of breathing. A better understanding of how spinal circuits pattern breathing could lead to new treatments to improve breathing following injury or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria N. Jensen
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Warren J. Alilain
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States,Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Steven A. Crone
- Division of Neurosurgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States,Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States,*Correspondence: Steven A. Crone
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